The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen Transworld, hb, £17.47 Reviewed by Mikaela Silk Natasha’s life has been defined by a single word, spoken over her at her christening by the mysterious and powerful Drosselmeyer. That word was ‘dark’. Yet more impactful even than this was the word he spoke… Read More »The Kingdom of Sweets
Dream Fox and Other Strange Stories by Rosalie Parker Tartarus Press, p/b, £7.99 (Ebook) Review by Tori Borne Rosalie Parker’s 2023 collection Dream Fox and Other Strange Stories is an enigmatic tour de force, which does weird right. Published by independent UK publisher Tartarus Press – which Parker co-runs along… Read More »Dream Fox
The Collector by Laura Kat Young Titan Books, £8.99, paperback Reviewed by Nadya Mercik The Collector – a nightmarish dystopia by Laura Kat Young – was advertised in some of the sources as a combination of 1984 and Never Let Me Go. The book definitely provides an unsettling, in some… Read More »The Collector
TWICE CURSED edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane Titan Books, pb, £9.99 Reviewed by Pauline Morgan One of the things that helps an anthology sell is the quality of the names on the contents list. Fans of certain authors will buy books for the first publication of someone they… Read More »TWICE CURSED
Every Friday, we’ll meet a member of the BFS and peer deep into their soul (or, at least, a form they filled out). This week we meet our first literary agent, and soon-to-be BFS columnist: Laura Bennett.
Today, Britain’s longest-running SFFH show turns the big 6-0. To celebrate, Brian M. Milton reflects on the generational influence of our favourite Time Lord. We’d love to hear your memories and thoughts about Doctor Who, too! Let us know in the comments at the bottom of this article.
Silent Key by Laurel Hightower Flame Tree Press, £12.96 paperback, £20 hardback Reviewed by Nadya Mercik Silent Key, being primarily a horror and supernatural story, has sturdy elements of a police detective and crime story and even some elements of historical espionage, which work wonderfully together. On top of that,… Read More »Silent Key
The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft Orbit, p/b, £9.99 Review by Tori Borne ‘“The king wishes to be cooked alive,” the royal secretary said(…)’ is the bizarre and curious opening statement of Josiah Bancroft’s 2023 novel The Hexologists, a charming ‘whodunnit’ tale of royal conspiracy, political intrigue and magic. Our protagonists… Read More »The Hexologists
Younger readers have certain expectations and needs from their books, and there is plenty of perceived wisdom about how authors should work within those boundaries. Ahead of the release of her novel The Butterflies of Meadow Hill Manor next week, fantasy author Stefanie Parks shares her tips for writing fantasy for children—as well as the rules she ignored!
Leech by Hiron Ennes Tor, pb, £9.99 Reviewed by Sarah Deeming A wealthy baron’s physician has died, and the Institute, the medical organisation the physician came from, has sent a new one to support the baron and uncover why the previous physician died. The autopsy reveals the physician had become… Read More »Leech