Monthly Archives: May 2018

Tolkien 101: Peter Jackson’s Hobbit Movie Trilogy

Posted on May 31, 2018 by H.P.

It is no accomplishment to walk into a movie expecting to dislike and to dislike it.  I never expected to like Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy.  I gave up any hope of that as soon I heard that he was turning … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Sundry, Throwback SF | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Ravencry by Ed McDonald

Posted on May 30, 2018 by H.P.

Ed McDonald’s debut Blackwing was one of my favorite reads last year.  I’m not the only one who thinks so—Blackwing is on the shortlist for the Gemmell Awards Morningstar Award.  I’m not a big fan of Grimdark, but Blackwing was … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Sundry | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

The Hero of the Ages Caps Brandon Sanderson’s Best Series

Posted on May 29, 2018 by H.P.

Brandon Sanderson completes the series that put him on the map with The Hero of the Ages, book 3 in his Mistborn trilogy.  To my mind, the Mistborn trilogy represents Sanderson’s best work, exceeding his more ambitious efforts in The … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Dystopian/Apocalyptic, Fantasy | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Tolkien 101: Rereading The Lord of the Rings, part 2

Posted on May 24, 2018 by H.P.

Reading the second half of The Lord of the Rings reinforces my division of the series in half in my mind and on the blog.  The split makes for a strong first half and an even better second half, instead … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy, Throwback SF | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Posted on May 23, 2018 by H.P.

Novik’s Uprooted was the best novel I had read in a long time.  I’m thrilled that she is returning to the sub-genre with Spinning Silver.  Spinning Silver isn’t a sequel, per my understanding, but I gather it is the same … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Sundry | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Ranking All of the X-Men Movies in Anticipation of Deadpool 2

Posted on May 22, 2018 by H.P.

Deadpool 2 is now out in theaters!  Sadly, with a baby at home I’m not sure when I will get to see it.  I didn’t read any Deadpool back when I read comics, but I was a big X-Men fan.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Sundry, Superhero Fiction | Tagged , | 3 Comments

A Weekend of Reading to Change Your Literary Life

Posted on May 18, 2018 by H.P.

Originally posted on A Pilgrim in Narnia:
If you are like me, you have spent much of your adult life as a reader catching up on a severe lack of education. It is common that I am out with friends…

Posted in Sundry | 1 Comment

Tolkien 101: Rereading The Lord of the Rings, part 1

Posted on May 17, 2018 by H.P.

Tolkien always saw The Lord of the Rings as a single, cohesive story.  It was only published in three volumes due to wartime paper shortages.  But, then again, it was never feasible as a single volume.  At 500k+ words, The … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy, Throwback SF | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Can’t Wait Wednesday: Guardian by A.J. Hartley

Posted on May 16, 2018 by H.P.

One of my more delightful discoveries last year was the Steeplejack series by A.J. Hartley.   A “steeplejack” is a craftsman who repairs chimneys, church steeples, and the like.  In a 19th-century milieu like that of the Steeplejack series, it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Sundry | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Bennis Brings the Blood & Thunder from Above in By Fire Above

Posted on May 15, 2018 by H.P.

Bennis wrote one of my favorite books last year with The Guns Above.  By Fire Above may not quite reach those same lofty heights, but it is one hell of a sequel.  As before, By Fire Above is one equal … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Science Fiction | Tagged , , | 2 Comments