From Modern Mythcraft to Magical Surrealism

Archive for July 2009

Game Review: The First Taste Is Free (NeoSteam)

…fantasy, dating sims, war-games, anime, hard sci-fi, you name it, there’s an MMO out there or in development that is aimed squarely at your heart by way of your wallet. They all have a niche draped with suggestive banner ads and the sweet sweet perfume of “Free to Play” to lure you in past the threshold like a firefly answering the call of the bug-zapper.

True Blood Season 2, Episode 4: “Shake and Fingerpop”

This week, in True Blood: lessons in glamor, wooden bullets, and coffins that open from the inside. For my money, “Shake and Fingerpop” is Season 2′s best episode yet: hilarious, well-paced, and beautifully directed, with at least one stand-out moment for every major character. There are a few minor points to snark about, and snark I will, but any and all quibbles are ultimately overshadowed by the fun stuff.

Writing At WorldCon

If you’re an aspiring writer attending this year’s WorldCon, Anticipation in Montreal, are you considering the writers workshops they’re offering this year? Your deadline to register for them is approaching fast.

Listening to Sane People Is No Use at All: Catherine J. Gardner

We all know there are fairies at the bottom of the garden, don’t we? It would be nice to think most people at least hope there are. The saying ‘away with the fairies’ would be well placed here, I think. The thought made me smile anyway.

TV Review: Eureka and Warehouse 13

Let us just say that there are supernatural happenings, a mystical artifact, and bright flashing purple lights and leave it at that. Exactly what happens doesn’t matter.

Twitter Updates for 2009-07-15

One of our Fantasy Magazine authors is running a contest, w/ prizes: http://bit.ly/8qesS # Powered by Twitter Tools.

Book Review: Evil Ways by Justin Gustainis

Evil Ways belongs to what I think of as the new generation of urban fantasy. Magic isn’t creeping into the real world to astonish and enchant the lucky few, it’s already here, walking around in broad daylight for anyone to see. This particular example of the genre is not of the best, but in some ways it seems unfair to review it harshly.

Charles N. Brown, 1937-2009

Locus publisher, editor, and co-founder Charles N. Brown, 72, died peacefully in his sleep July 12, 2009 on his way home from Readercon. Charles Nikki Brown was born June 24, 1937 in Brooklyn NY, where he grew up. He attended the City College of New York, taking time off from 1956-59 to serve in the [...]

Game Review – Galaxy: The Dark Ages

Much like classic tabletop games like Diplomacy or Nuclear War, the truly interesting bit comes in when the players start to barter, bargain and backstab one another.

Trench Foot

Scary Sandra loitered on the stairs. Her shoulder bones poked through a faded yellow cardigan as she sat hunched on the top stair. “I’m bored. I’ve picked all the nits out of my hair and licked all of the dead skin off my dressing table and all the ghosts have gone to have tea with the Queen.”