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Why You Need to Read: “Giving the Devil His Due”

Giving the Devil His Due: A Charity Anthology by The Pixel Project Edited by: Rebecca Brewer Published: May 25, 2022 Genre: Short Stories, Horror, Magic Realism, Science Fiction, Thriller It’s time to stop violence against women. Together. –Regina Yau, Founder and President, The Pixel Project.             Stories exist for multiple reasons, from sharing knowledge to providing a form… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Giving the Devil His Due”

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Why You Need to Read…My Selections for Best Speculative Fiction Books of 2021

What a year 2021 has been! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad this year is over similar to the majority of all of you. However, this year was an extremely productive one for me: I published my first essay, I graduated from graduate school (again) and I started a new job, and, thanks to all… Continue reading Why You Need to Read…My Selections for Best Speculative Fiction Books of 2021

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Books and Book Series I Hope to Read in 2022

This year, 2021, is almost over. And, while I should be plowing through what's left of my reading for this year (and writing up reviews), I wanted to post about speculative fiction titles that were released in recent years that I haven't been able to read yet for multiple reasons (i.e. grad school). These are… Continue reading Books and Book Series I Hope to Read in 2022

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Reading Check-In: October 23, 2021

What book have you finished reading recently? This debut novel lives up to all of the hype and the praises its been getting. Even if romance isn't your to-go genre, if you're a fan of Norse mythology, then you have to read this book. It gives an interesting picture of the Norse Pantheon from the… Continue reading Reading Check-In: October 23, 2021

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The Midpoint of 2021: Favorite Speculative Fiction Books…So Far

Well, we've made it to the halfway point of 2021. I won't begin this post with the usual current events, but I will mention that I've been enjoying ALL of the sporting events that are taking place (i.e. Euro Cup, Copa America, NBA & NHL Playoffs, Summer 2020/21 Olympic Trials, etc.). More attention has been… Continue reading The Midpoint of 2021: Favorite Speculative Fiction Books…So Far

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Current Speculative Fiction Series I Need to Complete

The Poppy War, #3: The Burning God (2020) by R.F. Kuang As I mentioned in the last post, I've been meaning to read this final book in this bloody and brilliant historical grimdark trilogy. I did read the first couple of chapters, so I know that this story begins immediately where The Dragon Republic left… Continue reading Current Speculative Fiction Series I Need to Complete

Advice and Suggestions · African Influence · American Society · Asian Influence · Australia · Authors/Writers · Award Nominee · Award Winner · Book Review · Book Theories · Books · Children's Fiction · Debut · Education · Fantasy · Favorite Books · Folklore · graphic novels · Grimdark · history · Ideas · identity · Indie Books · LGBTQ · Literary Awards · Literature · Middle Eastern Fantasy · Middle Grade Books · mythology · Neil Gaiman · Paranormal · Reading · speculative fiction · The Chronicles of Narnia · The Golden Compass · Urban Fantasy · Young Adult Fiction

“Best of” Lists: The Greatest, the Essential and Personal Favorites

So, TIME Magazine is the latest publication to release its list of “The Best Fantasy Novels of All Time.” The magazine even went further than Forbes and known fan sites (and critics) and had a panel consisting of leading fantasy authors to form, to vote, and to finalize their “selections.” While this list is impressive with selections… Continue reading “Best of” Lists: The Greatest, the Essential and Personal Favorites

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Speculative Fiction Books that Kept My Interest in the Genre

Please note the title of this post refers to books! I will write a separate list containing movies, TV shows and video games related to speculative fiction sometime in the future. And, expect that list to consist of “originals,” not just media adaptations of books. Also, these are NOT my favorite speculative fiction books of… Continue reading Speculative Fiction Books that Kept My Interest in the Genre

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Why You Need to Read: “Vengeful”

Villains, #2: Vengeful By: V.E. Schwab Published: September 25, 2018 Genre: Science Fiction/Urban Fantasy/Superheroes             “Most Eos are the result of accidents,” he said, studying the snow. “But Eli and I were different. We set out to find a way to effect the change. Incidentally, it’s remarkable difficult to do. Dying with intent, reviving with control. Finding… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Vengeful”

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Adult Fantasy: Is There Such a Thing?

Video games, graphic novels and comic books and manga, and fantasy literature continue to share the same criticism from those who are neither fans nor creators: they are for children and/or they have no place in a classroom or in an academic setting. The fact that such notions continue to be made is a disconcerting… Continue reading Adult Fantasy: Is There Such a Thing?