Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2004) Written by: Susanna Clarke Genre: Historical Fantasy Pages: 866 (Kindle) Publisher: Bloomsbury (UK)/Tor (US) Why I Chose It: This book was my Resolution Project 2017 goal for Speculative Chic. Long story short: I picked up the gigantic hardback edition in 2005, and it’s been anchoring my To Be Read pile […]

A Gathering of Shadows (2016) Written By: V.E. Schwab Genre: Fantasy Pages: 512 (Trade Paperback) Series: Shades of Magic (Book 2) Publisher: Tor Books Why I Chose It: I really liked the first one, which didn’t end on a cliffhanger. Strangely enough, I find that more of a reason to read a sequel than when […]

One episode left. There was barely a preview for tomorrow’s episode (don’t worry, no spoilers), and all I have to say is wow. Just wow. There’s been a part of me that thought this penultimate episode would be a kind of final showdown, with the final episode being a kind of slower denouement, but who […]

Graft (2016) Written by: Matt Hill Genre: Science Fiction Pages: 448 pages (Kindle) Publisher: Angry Robot Why I Chose It: At Speculative Chic, we decided to review all of the Philip K. Dick Award nominees, and as Editor-in-Chic, it was my responsibility to coordinate that. One by one, books were selected, until one was left, […]

Welcome to Coach’s Corner, where I offer some thoughts on the creative process and breaking through moments of self-doubt. Photo Credit: Ice Flow Studios Do you ever have days when you’re sitting at your computer, staring at the screen, and wondering why you’re doing this yet again, on a Friday night, again? Have you thought, […]

Game: Seedship Developer: John Ayliff Platform: android, apple, mobile, online As I’ve I mentioned before I love playing mobile games on my commute. So I thought it was high time that I start reviewing the games that have captured my heart. One of my friends introduced me to this game and at first, I wasn’t really […]

They might not be raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens, but that doesn’t mean that we love them any less. Welcome back to My Favorite Things, the weekly column where we grab someone in speculative circles to gab about the greatest in geek. This week, we sit down with poet and author K. Ceres […]

Holding Smoke (2016) Written by: Elle Cosimano Genre: Paranormal Thriller Pages: 322 (Hardcover) Publisher: Hyperion Why I Chose It: As much as I try to keep up on new Horror, a lot slides by me, including this Stoker-nominated YA novel. It caught my eye for its premise — a paranormal thriller set inside a prison facility. Now […]

DC Comics can be a bit of a clusterfuck, rebooting their own lines every few years, retaining some aspects of the previous comics while throwing others right out the window. But sometimes, a fresh start is just what the doctor ordered, which is what DC decided after the uneven results of their New 52 experiment. […]

I’m a straight cis man and, when given a choice, I will usually play as a female character. Not always. I played a man in Fallout 4 because I could make Codsworth, my robo-butler, actually say my name, and I played as a man who looked like Ozzy Osborne in Bloodborne because, of course you […]

Of Lips and Tongue (2016) Written by: A.G. Carpenter Genre: Dark Fantasy, Southern Gothic Pages: 113 (Kindle) Series: Touch Trilogy Book 1 Publisher: Falstaff Books Why I Chose This: I’ve heard amazing things about this book and been looking for something dark to sink my teeth into. The premise: Delaney Green is one of them that […]

Welcome back to Sound Off!, a semi-regular column where members of Speculative Chic gather together to chat about the latest BIG THING in entertainment. This time, revisit a favorite dystopian cityscape and discuss Blade Runner 2049, which premiered in the United States on Friday, October 6, 2017. Sound Off! is meant to be a reaction, but not […]

Happiest of bookdays to Seanan McGuire! Today, the newest installment of her InCryptid series is released upon the unsuspecting world. I’ve already given you a good list of reasons to pick up the series at the link above. This week is for the existing fans. If you, like me, have been charmed or heartbroken by […]

Dear Sherry, I don’t know if you can help me. You probably can’t, but I’m going to ask you anyway in hope you can. Here’s the situation. I’m falling behind in my writing and I’m getting really frustrated with it, and myself. I go on Facebook and I see all my writing friends getting book […]