Thumbs up for Passing Strange by Ellen Klages. Fantasy.
I’m not sure why the cover says “inspired by the pulps, film noir, and screwball comedy,” because this novella bears no resemblance to any of those things, except that it is set in San Francisco and one of the main characters paints covers for the pulps. What it actually is is a sweet love story with just a teeny bit of fantasy.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for Vixen: Return of the Lion by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Cafu. Fantasy graphic novel.
The shapeshifter “Vixen” goes home to Africa to avenge her mother’s death. The always-reliable G. Willow Wilson once again pleases reliably.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 by David Petersen. Fantasy graphic novel.
The setting owes, well, everything to Brian Jacques. The story is nothing to write home about. But the art! My God, I love the art.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman. Fantasy.
Irene the Librarian and her new protégé must (as Librarians do) travel to an alternate reality to steal a book. Solidly enjoyable; like Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series but not as effervescently zany. Personally, I missed the zaniness.
… >> Read more“It’s part of the scientific ethos of this place. Zeppelins, death rays—they haven’t quite got those working properly yet, though—and other instruments of destruction.
Thumbs up for LumberJanes, Volume 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson. Fantasy/graphic novel/young adult.
Very cute.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for The Doors of His Face, the Lamps of His Mouth by Roger Zelazny. Science fiction/fantasy short stories.
First, let’s get this out of our way: if you can’t deal with dated gender roles or the fact that Zelazny’s characters all chain-smoke, move along. But you will be missing out on some of the most beautiful, strange, and unique science fiction ever written.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for A Ride on the Red Mare’s Back by Ursula K. Le Guin. Children’s.
I love Dala horses. Le Guin is reliably great. The watercolors are lovely. Entirely delightful.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone. Fantasy.
When something that you think shouldn’t work, works, it’s immensely satisfying. Like this book. The magic-users are terribly overpowered; indeed, they are nearly God-like. They are also lawyers. There are gargoyles and a vampire ship-captain and a dorky chain-smoking engineer priest and actual, real Gods, one of whom is dying because of some bad contracts.… >> Read more