Six months after the Hand’s infiltration, change is rippling through the Vatican’s most secret Society. Politics swirl in advance of the appointment of a new Cardinal. Trust must be re-established between teams so recently at each other’s throats. The Black Archives have received funding for research – although not everyone shares Asanti’s conviction that the best way to fight magic is to study it. But beyond Rome, the tide of magic is rising…
urban fantasy
I really enjoyed my recent reread of space opera thriller The Vela, so I’ve been excited to pick up season two to find out what happens to its conflicted characters in the wake of the battle of Gan-De. The Vela: Salvation sees a new writing team take up the reins as humanity struggles to save itself from disasters of its own making.
Sal Brooks has been getting her little brother out of trouble all his life, but she never expected to have to face down literal demons for him. When Perry is seduced by a stolen book, Sal finds herself teaming up with a mysterious team of specialists to get it – and, with luck, Perry – back…
I was drawn into Paul Cornell’s ever-so-English rural fantasy after hearing him read from The Lost Child of Lychford at Super Relaxed Fantasy Club, and I’ve been a big fan ever since. With the series now complete – and in lieu of reviewing the last two novellas, natch – let’s take a look at why it makes my heart sing.
One set of books that I failed to keep on top of reviews for this year was the Subjective Chaos shortlist. My focus ended up always being finishing the books on time; reviewing them was a bridge too far. Time to put that right – not least because this one went on to win our Blurred Boundaries category!
We’re counting down the days to Hallowe’en with some #SpooktasticReads. Today’s prompt – dark fantasy – is the perfect excuse to enthuse at you about one of my favourite series: Aliette de Bodard’s Gothic fantasy Dominion of the Fallen.
Come, enter the shadows of Fallen Paris with me…
October is here: leaves are a-crunching, pumpkin spice is a-calling and Spooktastic Reads is nearly upon us. Will you join us for Wyrd and Wonder’s annual celebration of dark fantasy, Gothic horror and autumnal scares?
When House Harrier explodes into civil war, Paris holds its breath to see who comes out on top. With Silverspires and Hawthorn already weakened, this could be an opportunity for the ruthlessly ambitious – but no-one is ready for what emerges from the fires of Harrier…
As the month ended, the adventurers gathered in the inn once more to share their exploits. It had been an epic season of Wyrd and Wonder, made delightful by friends well-met and tales well-told. While all good things proverbially come to end, there was comfort in knowing this was less an ending than a hiatus.
Can you believe how far our Wyrd and Wonder journey has taken us? What a few weeks it’s been – this fourth round-up of your adventures is as epic as any that have gone before! Before we tackle the last week, let’s take a moment to take a look back at the chatter along the road.
Week after week, the adventurers sent word back of their travels: venturing into uncharted subgenres, updates to follow. Taking tea with dragons, see you next week. Beset by TBRs, send aid! That last was the most common, but the TBRs proved friendly as a rule – just given to multiplying at alarming rates.
Out across the wild worlds of fantasy, the adventurers went in search of adventures. Some went alone. Some went with buddies. Some traversed the same worlds by different paths. And from time to time, they gathered back at the tavern to hear the bards sing the news of their journeying.
They gathered at the tavern. Some came alone, some came with friends; all came with books. Many called out happy greetings to familiar faces. New faces were welcomed with a smile and found a seat. Soon all were deep in discussions of other worlds and fantastic beasts. And so it began.
Summon your friends! Stock up your book bags of holding! Fear no creaking TBR! It’s May the 1st and you know what that means: it’s the start of an epic month of celebrating the fantastic with Wyrd and Wonder.
Agent Hamed has heard of haunted public buildings. Haunted homes. Even a haunted mausoleum. But a haunted tram car is unusual – and this case will test his ingenuity (and his budget) to its limits…
