M.A. Kropp: Writer, Blogger, GeekGirl. My Life. My Words. My Way.
I have been able to get some steady work done on writing this week. That's a nice improvement from all of last year, where I got very little done. I have gotten through a first read-through and revision on all twenty-four of the short short stories. That was one of the big goals for this … Continue reading More Writing Getting Done
My rating: 4 of 5 starsSet five years after the first book in the Defenders trilogy, we find Paxon Leah more comfortable in his role as paladin of the Druid order. He has settled in to his life at Paranor and his duties to protect and defend the Druids from any and all danger. But … Continue reading Friday Review: The Darkling Child (Defenders of Shannara #2) by Terry Brooks
Well, not "done" as in finished and ready to go. But as of today, the first drafts of all the stories for my very short story collection are written. Of course, first drafts means there is still a lot of work to be done, but this first phase is always a relief to have behind … Continue reading And Done
My rating: 4 of 5 starsIn this historical fantasy, Kay once again takes us on a journey through time. Fifteen-year-old Ned Marriner is in Aix-au-Provence with his celebrated photographer father. Edward Marriner is photographing local places for an upcoming book. While his father and his assistant, Melanie, are working on shooting the exterior of a … Continue reading Friday Review: Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 starsIn this cozy urban fantasy mystery, Mara (a practicing witch) is having a bad year. She's been evicted from her apartment, fired from her job, and she is persona non grata in Beverly Hills. And now, her Tarot cards are predicting her death. She decides to use a little magic … Continue reading Friday Review: Somebody Tell Aunt Tillie She’s Dead (Toadwitch #1) by Christiana Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 starsThis is the second in the Legends of Shannara duology, following directly from the events of Bearer of the Black Staff. As Sider Ament, the last known Knight of the Word lay dying after his battle with and defeat of a powerful demon, he passes possession of his black staff … Continue reading Friday Review: The Measure of the Magic (Legends of Shannara #2) by Terry Brooks
My rating: 4 of 5 starsIn this third installment of the Tufa series of novels, we meet Bo-Kate Wisby who, with her lover Jefferson Powell, are the only two Tufa ever permanently banished from their tribes. Now, Bo-Kate has managed to find her way back to Needsville, and she arrives with plans for revenge on … Continue reading Friday Review: Long Black Curl (Tufa #3) by Alex Bledsoe
One of the trending discussions that cropped up among the genre social media feeds during the past month revolved around the idea of canon. Specifically, the perceived loss of reverence for what the complaining folks considered the classics of science fiction literature. They complain that "these kids today" have no idea what great scifi is … Continue reading Canon? Or Cannon?
My rating: 4 of 5 starsThis is the third in the Custard Protocol series by Gail Carriger. The series follows the crew of the dirigible The Spotted Custard as they travel the globe, investigating, uncovering, and aiding supernatural events and beings. Oh, and there are hats, proper gowns, and tea time, of course. In this … Continue reading Friday Review: Competence (Custard Protocol #3) by Gail Carriger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars These short pieces were written as add-on stories in the larger Shannara world. As such, none really add a whole lot to the bigger picture, but do give us a bit of a spotlight on events not essential to the novels. They are: Allanon's Quest: This one is set … Continue reading Friday Review: The Paladins of Shannara (Three Short Stories) by Terry Brooks
And So On... 