Tag Archives: Grimdark

Throwback SF Thursday: The Black Company by Glen Cook

Posted on February 24, 2022 by H.P.

Glen Cook’s The Black Company was a milestone work that had an outsized influence on the fantasy genre.  Which is probably why Tor decided to reissue it (as a handsome trade paperback with a bland cover) for their “Tor Essentials” … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Review of The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman

Posted on May 25, 2021 by H.P.

Buehlman had me at “stag-sized battle ravens.”  That alone was enough to make me jump at an ARC of The Blacktongue Thief when offered one by the publisher.  And we do indeed get a giant warbird (if not quite so … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman

Posted on May 12, 2021 by H.P.

I haven’t done one of these in a while. And I technically didn’t wait–I finished my advance review copy of The Blacktongue Thief a few days ago. It is you who can’t wait, because I can already tell you that … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Half a King was my Introduction to Joe Abercrombie

Posted on August 27, 2019 by H.P.

Half a King is Joe Abercrombie’s first book marketed as Young Adult.  It was also my introduction to Abercrombie’s work.  It’s easy to see why he is so popular.  He displays an easy skill with the technical aspects, both at … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Crowfall Caps a Landmark Work of GrimHeart

Posted on June 18, 2019 by H.P.

Ed McDonald does something remarkable with Crowfall.  Crowfall is the third (and presumably final) book in his stellar Raven’s Mark series.  Third books—especially third books that close a series—follow a certain pattern.  The first book sets up the world; the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Game of Thrones Finale Recap

Posted on May 19, 2019 by H.P.

Nine years, eight seasons, and 73 episodes later, we have come to the end of a grand journey.  If nothing else, there has never been another epic fantasy TV show like Game of Thrones.  I will always be thankful for … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Sundry | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Revisiting George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire: A Dance with Dragons

Posted on May 14, 2019 by H.P.

With HBO’s adaptation of Martin’s epic fantasy series almost finished, even if the series itself certainly isn’t, I will be revisiting my original reviews from 2011 of the five books in the series completed by Martin.  I have already posted … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Game of Thrones Recap: Season 8, Episode 5

Posted on May 12, 2019 by H.P.

After an episode that was much-maligned, including by me, can the writers of Game of Thrones get the magic back in the series’ penultimate episode?  The episode also promises our last big battle in a series that has given us … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Sundry | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Revisiting George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire: A Feast for Crows

Posted on May 7, 2019 by H.P.

With HBO’s adaptation of Martin’s epic fantasy series almost finished, even if the series itself certainly isn’t, I will be revisiting my original reviews from 2011 of the five books in the series completed by Martin.  I have already posted … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Fantasy | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Game of Thrones Recap: Season 8, Episode 4

Posted on May 5, 2019 by H.P.

Wow.  The show writers dealt us a serious twist in episode three.  It necessarily marks a significant split between the first half of the finale season and the second half.  We knew what to expect in the first half.  Now … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Sundry | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments