The magic returns (or comes into being) to our technological modern day world is not a new idea in fantasy. Rachel Pollack’s Unquestionable Fire. The novels of Alyx Dellamonica. The roleplaying games Shadowrun and GURPS: Technomancer hypothesize what would happen if magic erupted into the modern world. Other novels and stories ponder a return [...]
Welcome to All Things From My Brain. eBooks. Ugh. Recently paid $13 for an eBook. I know, I know – you’re thinking, “What the Hell?” Me too. I did it because I was curious about the author, Elmore Leonard, whose stories about a U.S. Marshall named Raylan Givens, served as inspiration for the FX TV [...]
In episode 100 of the Functional Nerds podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome J.C. Hutchins and Chuck Wendig on to talk about Transmedia. About J.C: J.C. Hutchins is an award-winning fiction and nonfiction storyteller, with 15 years of professional writing experience. His two novels – 7th Son: Descent and Personal Effects: Dark Art — [...]
When last we left Liam Kelly, the slow revelation of who and what he was had left him if not in a happy place, at least a relatively stable place. True, he had lost much in discovering his true heritage, lost his wife, lost friends, lost (or should we say, walked away) from his [...]
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated Publication date: 4/24/2012 ISBN-10: 1937007502 Official Description: Sylvie Lightner is a P.I. specializing in the unusual—in a world where magic is real, and Hell is just around the corner. After escaping secret government cells and destroying a Miami landmark, Sylvie’s trying to lay low—something that [...]
Book Review: Songs of the Earth by Elspeth Cooper. Gair has been keeping a secret. Although he a good warrior for the Church, he has a talent for magic that the Church decries as witchcraft. It comes as a terrible song that he cannot stop hearing, and when it manifests too strongly, the magic [...]
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Roc; Original edition (April 3, 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 0451464486 Official Description: Allison Beckstrom’s talent for tracking spells has put her up against some of the darkest elements in the world of magic. But she’s never faced anything like this. Magic itself has been poisoned, and Allie’s undead father [...]
“The work is challenging, the public is hostile, and the monsters are hungry, but the MMD crew has science, teamwork … and a secret weapon on their side. Together, they can save Japan, and the universe!” – from the back cover Hiroshi Yamamoto’s novel, about an alternate history where all of those rubber suit monster [...]
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Roc; Original edition (April 3, 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 0451464494 Official Description: The power swelled inside me, burning, hurting, but I let it center me. Pain means I’m still here, fighting. I envisioned it swelling in my hand in a seething rush, gathering, gathering, and then I sent it [...]
In episode 98 of the Functional Nerds Podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome John Joseph Adams and Karin Lowachee to discuss the new Armored anthology from Baen. About John: John Joseph Adams is the bestselling editor of many anthologies, such as Under the Moons of Mars: New Adventures on Barsoom, Brave New Worlds, Wastelands, [...]
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Ace; Original edition (March 27, 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 1937007383 Official Description: For three years, Miranda Grey-Solomon has kept her role as Vampire Queen of the South separate from her Grammy-winning music career. But now, her dual lives are starting to collide, threatening everything Miranda and David, her Prime, [...]
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Roc; Original edition (March 6, 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 0451464443 Official Description: Half-human/half-monster Cal Leandros knows that family is a pain. But now that pain belongs to his half-brother, Niko. Niko’s shady father is in town, and he needs a big favor. Even worse is the reunion being held [...]
In episode 97 of the Functional Nerds podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome book bloggers Paul Weimer and Justin Landon. About Paul: Paul Weimer is a blogger, commenter, and writer who writes book reviews, columns and Mind Melds for SF Signal, and does posts and book reviews for the Functional Nerds as well. About [...]
When I picked up American Gods by Neil Gaiman, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew only two things: 1.) It was cited as a genre classic and 2.) the podcast, Writing Excuses, mentioned a scene from the book where a god burned his fingers on a hot apple pie. And while I admit [...]
Subscribe to The Functional Nerds Podcast on iTunes and never miss an episode!