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Why You Need to Read: “The Burning God”

The Poppy War Trilogy, #3: The Burning God By: R.F. Kuang                                                                       Audiobook: 23 hours 47 minutes Published: November 17, 2020                                              Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller Genre: Historical Fantasy, Grimdark, Military Fantasy, Folklore             What was wrong with her? She’d started and ended wars. She’d buried a god. She’d incinerated a country. There wasn’t an entity on the planet that… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Burning God”

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Why You Need to Read: These Books While Waiting for “The Winds of Winter”: Part II

Here we go again. It’s been almost 3 years since I complied the 1st list of book recommendations; and, we’re still waiting for The Winds of Winter, the next book in A Song of Ice and Fire series. Many of us continue to wait, patiently, for this book by reading similar books by authors who write fantasy stories. There… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: These Books While Waiting for “The Winds of Winter”: Part II

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Why You Need to Read: “The Once and Future Witches”

The Once and Future Witches By: Alix E. Harrow Published: October 13, 2020 Genre: Historical Fantasy, Folklore, Paranormal             …“The Tale of Saint George and the Witches.” It’s never been one of her favorites, but she reads it anyway.             It’s the usual version: once upon a time there were three wicked witches who loosed a terrible… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Once and Future Witches”

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TV Episode Review: “His Dark Materials”: “The Scholar”

This episode opens with Carlo Boreal giving Mrs. Coulter a description of our world, which is extremely accurate—“Their government is more corrupt than ours; their world is built on consumerism, not faith.” Boreal continues to explain how our world operates to Mrs. Coulter, and that includes her getting a makeover so she can blend into… Continue reading TV Episode Review: “His Dark Materials”: “The Scholar”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Girl in the Tower”

Winternight Trilogy, #2: The Girl in the Tower By: Katherine Arden Published: December 5, 2017 Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Folklore/Magic Realism/Coming-of-Age             Highborn women, who must live and die in towers, were much given to visiting. Now and again, they stayed overnight for company, when their husbands were away, (1: The Death of the Snow-Maiden).             Folklore maintains traditions and cultures that… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Girl in the Tower”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Bear and the Nightingale”

Winternight Trilogy, #1: The Bear and the Nightingale By: Katherine Arden Published: January 10, 2017 Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Folklore/Magic Realism/Coming-of-Age             Vasya’s head hurt with thinking. If the domovoi wasn’t real, then what about the others? The vodyanoy in the river, the twig-man in the trees? The rusalka, the polevik, the dvorovoi? Had she imagined them all? Was… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Bear and the Nightingale”

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Why You Need to Read: “The Year of the Witching”

The Year of the Witching By: Alexis Henderson Published: July 21, 2020 Genre: Dark Fantasy/Occult Fiction             Immanuelle had always felt a strange affinity for the Darkwood, a kind of stirring whenever she neared it. It was almost as though the forbidden wood sang a song that only she could hear, as though it was daring… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Year of the Witching”

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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

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Why You Need to Read: “The Priory of the Orange Tree”

The Priory of the Orange Tree By: Samantha Shannon                                    Audiobook: 25 hours 52 minutes Published: February 26, 2019                          Narrated by: Liyah Summers Genre: Epic Fantasy             A low growl rolled through Nayimathun. She spoke as if to herself. “He is stirring. The shadow lies heavy on the West,” (Chapter 25, East).             Avid readers—especially those who read history, biographies and memoirs,… Continue reading Why You Need to Read: “The Priory of the Orange Tree”

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Review of Season One of “His Dark Materials”

Season one of His Dark Materials, based on The Northern Lights/The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman has completed its run on the BBC and on HBO, and they didn’t alter the ending! Overall, season one was a great adaptation to the books and some of the “fillers” worked well for the narrative that was presented to the audience.… Continue reading Review of Season One of “His Dark Materials”