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Why You Need to Listen to: “The Original”

The Original By: Brandon Sanderson & Mary Robinette Kowal                Audiobook: 3 hours 24 minutes Released: September 14, 2020                                                       Narrated by: Julia Whelan Genre: Science Fiction/Thriller             Have you ever listened to any audio story or audio narrative without the text or any visuals to follow along to? I believe the most familiar example of this would be Peter and… Continue reading Why You Need to Listen to: “The Original”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Stone Sky”

The Broken Earth 3: The Stone Sky By: N.K. Jemisin Published: August 15, 2017 Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian/Fantasy *Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel 2018, Winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel 2017, Winner of the Locus Award for Best Novel 2018*             The job you “have” to do is the easier of the… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Stone Sky”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Shadow Saint”

The Black Iron Legacy: Book 2: The Shadow Saint By: Gareth Hanrahan Published: January 7, 2020 Genre: Fantasy, Grimdark             Ten months ago, at the height of what some call the Crisis and others the Gutter Miracle, a new city exploded into being within Guerdon, (Chapter 2).             When you read a book that becomes one of your favorite… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Shadow Saint”

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Why You Need to Read: “Riot Baby”

Riot Baby By: Tochi Onyebuchi Published: January 21, 2020 Genre: Speculative Fiction/Contemporary             The look on her face, that’s what people told me today wasn’t no kind of victory. That when people joke and call me Riot Baby for being born when I was, it ain’t with any kind of affection, but something more complicated. The… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Riot Baby”

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TV Episode Review: “His Dark Materials: Armour”

This is the episode everyone has been waiting for! Armour is the episode in which, the audience is introduced to Lee Scoresby—played by Lin-Manuel Miranda—and Iorek Byrnison—voiced by Joe Tandberg. These characters are not only essential to the story because of the roles they’ll play in the future, but also because they explain more about the existence… Continue reading TV Episode Review: “His Dark Materials: Armour”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Gutter Prayer”

Book One of the Black Iron Legacy: The Gutter Prayer By: Gareth Hanrahan Audiobook: 16 hours 58 minutes Narrated by: John Banks Published: January 15, 2019 Genre: Fantasy, Grimdark  WARNING: This review contains some spoilers. You have been warned.  …the thieves—the ghoul, the Stone Boy, the nomad girl…(Prologue).             All readers have at least this one thing… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Gutter Prayer”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Dragon Republic”

The Poppy War: #2: The Dragon Republic By: R.F. Kuang Published: August 8, 2019 Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Grimdark, Folklore, Military  WARNING: The following contains minor spoilers from both The Poppy War and The Dragon Republic. You have been warned.              She didn’t care about anyone’s visions for the future. She’d stopped wanting to be great, to carve out… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Dragon Republic”

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Why You Need to Read: “Darkdawn”

The Nevernight Chronicle: #3: Darkdawn By: Jay Kristoff Published: September 3, 2019 Genre: Fantasy, Grimdark, Historical Fantasy, Folklore NOTE: This review contains spoilers from both Nevernight and Godsgrave.             Goddess, if only we’d known what she’d become…(Chapter 33, Wellspring).              Darkdawn is the stunning conclusion to The Nevernight Chronicle. Jay Kristoff gives his readers a blood-soaked conclusion to his antiheroine that rivals… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Darkdawn”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Survival of Molly Southbourne”

Molly Southbourne #2: The Survival of Molly Southbourne By: Tade Thompson Published: July 9, 2019 Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Sequel  WARNING: Spoilers from The Murders of Molly Southbourne and The Survival of Molly Southbourne. You have been warned.             Molly Southbourne was a freak whose blood grew genetically identical duplicates of her. One drop of blood, and a new… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Survival of Molly Southbourne”

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Why You Need to Read: “Aurora Rising”

The Aurora Cycle: #1: Aurora Rising By: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff Published: May 7, 2019 Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction             “Scarlett Jones (diplomat) introduces the other members of our squad. ‘Tyler Jones, our commander. Zila Madran, science officer. Finian de Seel. Engineer. Catherine Brannock, pilot. And finally, Kaliis Idraban Gilwraeth, combat specialist’.” (Chapter 7, Kal).… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Aurora Rising”