I was recently at a booksigning for an author friend, talking to another author friend, and we were talking about this series, and she said, "This is I was recently at a booksigning for an author friend, talking to another author friend, and we were talking about this series, and she said, "This is an outrage!" to which I replied, "Mongo is appalled!" And the entire next row of seats, all women, whipped around and said in chorus, "Dungeon Crawler Carl! I love those books!"
All the way home from the event I was (voice) texting my sister, talking about why we love these nutty, violent, sad and hilarious books so much. Because right now, everything is awful, not aliens took over the planet and made us fight to the death awful, but still, pretty awful. But these books are so full of not just humor, but hope, and also moments of tenderness, that they provide the perfect escape. ...more
I could listen to these books all day long and over and over. Just so freaking funny, but also, the heart! You care about every character, and they caI could listen to these books all day long and over and over. Just so freaking funny, but also, the heart! You care about every character, and they care about each other! ...more
I've never read Holdstock's Mythago Wood, but now I really want to! These stories intrigued me, and not having read the inspiration for them didn't hoI've never read Holdstock's Mythago Wood, but now I really want to! These stories intrigued me, and not having read the inspiration for them didn't hold me back any. There was also a handy glossary at the back, but I mostly read it out of interest (I love glossaries!), and not because I needed it.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Interesting and well researched novella (there's a bibliography at the back! I love fiction that cites its sources!) about a trans nurse, post WWI, seInteresting and well researched novella (there's a bibliography at the back! I love fiction that cites its sources!) about a trans nurse, post WWI, sent to a small Appalachian town with the Frontier Nursing services, and finding the town in the chokehold of a bigoted preacher. The horror/fantasy element is mostly just vibes until near the end, when the magic enters the scene with a roar.
Very NSFW, or children.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
That feminine urge to channel all your rage into sharp edged fiction that celebrates the strength of women and sends the men crying for their mommas. That feminine urge to channel all your rage into sharp edged fiction that celebrates the strength of women and sends the men crying for their mommas.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Has a very fairy tale feel, with people cursed with extreme beauty, and a king who disappears at night (reminding me of both Beauty and the Beast and Has a very fairy tale feel, with people cursed with extreme beauty, and a king who disappears at night (reminding me of both Beauty and the Beast and East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon). Several surprises, right up to the last page.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Anthology of short stories by Canadian writers, set in Canada, all with a supernatural bent. I didn't love that the first two stories featured childreAnthology of short stories by Canadian writers, set in Canada, all with a supernatural bent. I didn't love that the first two stories featured children dying . . . but loved the sense of cold and the creeping menace of the cold and dark. Silvia Moreno-Garcia's story, and Premee Mohamed's, were both standouts for me.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Fantasy world based on Norse mythology/history. Intriguing in the way it deals with the stress between those who worship the old gods, and a newly budFantasy world based on Norse mythology/history. Intriguing in the way it deals with the stress between those who worship the old gods, and a newly budding monotheistic belief system.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
All the blurbs about this say, "It's The Birds crossed with The Princess Bride!" and I'm just like, "Guys, calm down, that's not possible!"
Guys, get eAll the blurbs about this say, "It's The Birds crossed with The Princess Bride!" and I'm just like, "Guys, calm down, that's not possible!"
Guys, get excited, it totally is!
This is a very weird, very funny, and somewhat horrific story, with a very weird, very dramatic, and somewhat horrific story contained inside it as well.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*
A loose retelling of Hades and Persephone, set in 15th century West Africa. The rich descriptive language was wonderful, and I appreciated that there A loose retelling of Hades and Persephone, set in 15th century West Africa. The rich descriptive language was wonderful, and I appreciated that there was a glossary at the back to help as well! (Love me a good glossary!) I listened to the audiobook, but followed along in the physical book, which was great because I would have been pronouncing the names all wrong in my head, and I hate that! Also, who wouldn't want a pet elephant?! I mean, be honest!
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Waking up with no memories and no eyebrows would indeed be alarming. Especially when you quickly begin to realize that a) you're an evil wizard and b)Waking up with no memories and no eyebrows would indeed be alarming. Especially when you quickly begin to realize that a) you're an evil wizard and b) you have no idea how to carry on doing your evil wizard business, but you're supposed to host the Evilest Wizard of All in one week! This was a real hoot, reminding me of Castle Hangnail by Ursula Vernon, but for grownups.
*I am not rating books read for The World Fantasy Award.*...more
Interesting format, I loved the eyewitness accounts of dragonslayers mixed in with the story of lady knight Sir Maddileh, and the twist ending had me Interesting format, I loved the eyewitness accounts of dragonslayers mixed in with the story of lady knight Sir Maddileh, and the twist ending had me like, WHAAAAAT.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
If I had a nickel for every book that features bog women that I've read this year, I'd have three nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it'sIf I had a nickel for every book that features bog women that I've read this year, I'd have three nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it's happened three times and it's only June.
This is exactly the kind of inbred, repressive "family tradition above all" weirdness that makes me such a sucker for any book categorized as Appalachian Gothic, but also makes me never want to go there.
What if I get kidnapped by someone who wants to make me his bog wife?! WHAT THEN? I would be a TERRIBLE bog wife! I don't like mud, and I hate cranberries! (Please note: no one is kidnapped to become a bog wife in this book, that is not how bog wives work.)
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Nowhere on the cover does this say that it's inspired by The Count of Monte Cristo, so let me be the one to tell you: IT'S A GENDER SWAPPED COUNT OF MNowhere on the cover does this say that it's inspired by The Count of Monte Cristo, so let me be the one to tell you: IT'S A GENDER SWAPPED COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO STORY! Love me some Count of Monte Cristo!
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
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