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Cover Reveal: Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan
I met Brian McClellan last year at ConFusion in Detroit, Michigan. He was being shown the ropes by another Orbit author by the name of Brent Weeks. McClellan, a young guy and a former student of...
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A recent reading log. . .
I write this post with trepidation It’s a gross departure from what Staffer’s Book Review has been about since day one. Nevertheless, the new job, the death of my father-in-law, Christmas, an...
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Another reading log. . .
In an effort to “catch up”, I’ve compressed several books into a single post. I hope this will be the last of my omnibus reviewing. Enjoy! The Kassa Gambit by M.C. Planck – Held back by an ending...
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Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan
Sharing an editor at Orbit Books, Brian McClellan got a nice boost when bestselling author Brent Weeks called Promise of Blood, “a hugely promising debut. . .[and] the finest flintlock fantasy I’ve...
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A Shambling Guide to Tao: How Plot Structure and Character Arc are Overrated
Since the moment I finished Wesley Chu’s debut novel, The Lives of Tao, I called reading it ‘the most fun I’ve had this year.’ I wouldn’t call it the best novel, and maybe not even the best debut, but...
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The Oathbreaker’s Shadow by Amy McCulloch
I’m going to say some stuff about ‘Young Adult’ fiction. Some of it’s going to be really wrong, but I’ll hedge by saying it’s my interpretation. Let’s try not to crucify me for it. For me, what makes...
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Duck and Covers: I Can’t Get Over How Awesome These Are
I posted the first four covers a few weeks ago in Gollancz’s new series of Fantasy Masterworks. Here are two more gorgeous additions. I absolutely applaud the art director on these. I wish I could find...
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The Daedalus Incident by Michael J. Martinez
If you’ll recall, I wrote a post about the demise of Night Shade Books in which I admitted to being sent two manuscripts by the publisher to give my feedback on. Michael Martinez’s The Daedalus...
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Napoleonic Bechdel Tests by Michael J. Martinez
There’s been a lot of intense debate in recent weeks about the treatment of women in the SF/F community, as well as the depiction of women in SF/F works. For the former, I can only express my dismay...
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How about five (more) mainstream novels for science fiction and fantasy readers?
Damien Walters of the Guardian did a list last week of genre novels that would/should appeal to mainstream readers. That’s cool, but such discussions always strike me as a little hat in hand to the...
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Playing Tyler by T.L. Costa (a quick review for a quick read)
I’ve read more young adult this year than ever before and by and large it’s been a tremendous decision. I continue to be impressed with the quality of character and story, demonstrating why the...
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Duck and Covers: Another gorgeous Donato Giancola, and others
I can almost provide this cover image without comment. The third in Elizabeth Bear’s brilliant Eternal Sky trilogy, Steles of the Sky continues the story of Re Temur and the Wizard Samarkar in their...
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A Review of the anthology Unfettered
Brought together by a ubiquitous desire to help two-time cancer survivor Shawn Speakman pay his onerous medical bills, Unfettered is a mishmash of stories from a host of the most well known authors in...
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It’s like a melody in my head by T.L. Costa
So, when it comes to voice in fiction, I feel I can only speak to my opinion of what voice is and how I use it in my writing. The answer, simply enough, is music. When I was little I remember sitting...
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Staffer’s Book Review 3.0 — Feedback Wanted
With my recent career change and relocation, I was considering a full re-brand of Staffer’s Book Review. I had a new name picked out, a new domain bought, and I began to rebuild the site. When push...
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A few things I’ve read of late, and (very briefly) Pacific Rim
Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan If ever there’s been a book most closely described by a single word, it would be Altered Carbon and the word would be visceral. It’s a word with many connotations,...
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2014 Hugo Nominations, because it’s never too early
With the deadline for voting in the 2013 Hugo Awards looming (July 31), I thought it might be appropriate to start considering, at least, the things from the first half of 2013 that might be worth...
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Broken Promises Can Never Be Put Back Together
I announced on Twitter that if I got to 1,000 followers on Tuesday, I would read a self-published novel nominated by my followers. The time has come to pay the piper, so to speak. The overwhelming...
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Duck and Covers: Don’t you love it when artists find inspiration?
First up, #1 New York Time Bestseller Divergent from HarperCollins and Skulk from Strange Chemistry. Skulk attempts to capitalize on the catching quality that the fiery logo in the sky communicates on...
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The Writer as a Meme in SF&F Culture
I went to Balticon some weeks ago. It was not the best experience. The panels were weak. The turnout from professionals was not impressive. And the general tone was back-slapping cronyism that calls...
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