NOTE: This post is a rewrite of an assignment I wrote for a graduate school course. If you would like to read the original essay, then click here. Also, this is written in APA Format. Speculative fiction is the general term used when describing books which fall under the genres of fantasy, science fiction and horror,… Continue reading An Analysis of the Genre: Grimdark, Horror & Dark Fantasy
Category: Vigilantism
Why You Need to Read: “First, Become Ashes”
First, Become Ashes By: K.M. Szpara Published: April 6, 2021 Genre: Urban Fantasy TRIGGER WARNING: Be advised. This book contains elements of self-harm, imprisonment, rape, torture, abuse, and non-consensual sex. I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts are mine alone. Her voice drips with pity I… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “First, Become Ashes”
Why You Need to Read: “Tower of Mud and Straw”
Tower of Mud and Straw By: Yaroslav Barsukov Published: February 21, 2021 Genre: Fantasy The tower took the length of the world—only it was an alien world, replicating itself over and over as it climbed to a distinct, ghostly gap into the clouds. Or did he stare down a well? (Part I. The Duchy. 5). Critics have an… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Tower of Mud and Straw”
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Standing, there, identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present,… Continue reading 401
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”
Why You Need to Read: “The Obelisk Gate”
The Broken Earth 2: The Obelisk Gate By: N.K. Jemisin Published: August 16, 2016 Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian *Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel 2017* “We’re going somewhere you can be better,” he says gently. “Somewhere I heard of, where they can help you.” Make her a little girl again, and not…He turns… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Obelisk Gate”
Why You Need to Read: “Realm of Ash”
The Books of Ambha: #2: Realm of Ash By: Tasha Suri Published: November 12, 2019 Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Coming-of-Age NOTE: Some minor spoilers from Empire of Sand. You have been warned. “My blood—my Amrithi blood in this loyal Ambhan body—is part of the curse. But it’s also part of the cure. I just don’t know how. But the… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “Realm of Ash”
Why You Need to Read: “The Rage of Dragons”
The Burning #1: The Rage of Dragons By: Evan Winters Audiobook: 16 hours, 15 minutes Published: July 16, 2019 Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi Genre: Fantasy/Military/Historical Fiction/Folklore And if Tau didn’t feel better, it had to be because there was still so much to do. He needed to go to Kigambe and test to become an Ihashe. Then he’d… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Rage of Dragons”
Why You Need to Read: “The Kingdom of Copper”
The Daevabad Trilogy #2: The Kingdom of Copper By: S.A. Chakraborty Published: February 21, 2019 Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction She shook her head. “Whatever the consequences, Dara acted to protect my daughter from a fate I fought for decades. I cannot fault him for that. And if you think Ghassan wasn’t looking for a reason to crack down… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Kingdom of Copper”
Why You Need to Read: “War Girls”
War Girls #1: War Girls By: Tochi Onyebuchi Published: October 15, 2019 Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian Fiction/Historical Fiction/Young Adult Their resources. The blue minerals buried beneath Onyii’s feet and, farther out, beneath the ocean floor. This is what the Nigerians are killing Biafrans for. Not a morning passes that Onyii doesn’t think about setting charges to those things… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “War Girls”