Classics of SFF

So, I mouthed off on Facebook....

Quelle surprise....

When DragonCon announced that they'd have a panel on looking back at classic SFF with regards to today's ideologies, I laughed at them. They would have to get reasonable panelists, a sane moderator, and an audience who wouldn't need to be handled with a whip and a chair.

But then again, I forgot who DragonCon could put on such a panel.

So, DragonCon did the only reasonable thing ... and put me on the panel.

This led to me to share a table with the Queen of SFF short stories, the editor of about half of the bestselling SFF in the business, and a living legend of the genre.

Which led me to overthinking things. Again.

Classics become classics because they survive the generation that spawned them. Edgar Rice Burroughs is a classic of SF. As are all of the pulps that have survived to this generation. Just ask Jeffro Johnson. He's got a book and a blog dedicated to that.

When I got this panel, one of my first reactions was "Funny. Most of the Classics of SF have outlived most of the "isms" around them. And let's face it, most isms are just ideologies -- and ideologies twist the facts to fit the framework. As opposed to a philosophy, that SHOULD adapt the framework to fit the available facts.

Classics are classics because they have a timeless quality to them. While John Carter of Mars was originally written as a response to Commies (I hear that ERB originally wanted to right a story about the Reds .... since he couldn't get away with that, he was allowed to write about red and green Martians), The Martian Chronicles will survive long after Communism is seen by ALL as the pile of crap it is. Because while it is rooted in events of the day, it will not die if removed from the circumstance. Because it's a good story, with timeless elements to it that make it accessible to everyone.

Let's face it, The Odyssey is a classic, and if published today, would end up in Fantasy. And it's not one of those books that are still around because of academics. I read it when I was ten years old. It's an adventure novel. And it was also a product of its day. Think of it as a fantasy version of Mission: Impossible, as Odysseus spends half his time outwitting creatures 1000 times more powerful than he is.

Today, Dante would be considered a classic of Fantasy. And while it is firmly rooted in the historical context, it's still timeless, if only because of sin. Right now, you can update Dante and have a level of Hell where two groups of politicians pushing against a Sysiphian rock (each side pushing against each other) because, while they voted with their party, they voted against their conscience. It's still a timeless concept, because traitors to conscience are forever, as are politicians.

... And I use that highly specific example because Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle wrote that exact book in 1976, when they did their own version of the Inferno.

So, yeah, when I looked at the panel, all I could think was "this is going to be an odd series of questions, ain't it?"

Then again, the panel was fun. And we probably barely scratched the surface.

Read the next Dragon Award nominated book for best Horror, Hell Spawn.

#CyberMonday, give the gift of books.

Welcome to Cyber Monday, when everyone takes the smart route and shops online, because no one in their right minds wants to be on the roads around Thanksgiving.

The following are my recommendations for the easiest, and best gift of all -- books.

.... Can you tell I'm the sort of person who enjoyed getting Barnes and Noble gifts cards growing up?

The Hidden Truth, Hans Schantz

A solid alternate history with enough conspiracy theories to make Umberto Eco happy. You can read my review of the latest book here. It's the perfect gift for anyone who likes science, or politics, or alternate history.

Good for juveniles, SF fans, and possibly fans of fantasy. And if you're a political junkie, you should certainly consider giving these as a gift. Or buying them for yourself.

You can buy SIGNED COPIES HERE.

Fade: Daniel Humphreys

If you're hungry for the next Jim Butcher novel, look no further than Daniel Humphreys. My review is here.

Great for anyone who consumes any urban fantasy. Unless they read Anita Blake novels for the porn, in which case, they might be disappointed.  Personally, I think they may make for solid YA-safe reading ... but then again, I was the kid who saw Die Hard at ten years old, so please read these before giving them to the pre-teen crowd. Let's call them PG-13, tops.

Making Peace: Adam Smith

The best fantasy I've read in years. Hands down. Possibly the best epic fantasy currently out there.

My review is here, but I recommend just buying it if and when you can. And handing it out as gifts to anyone who reads Terry Pratchett, Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind (seriously, what is it with the first name Terry and writing fantasy?)

I'm almost certain this this YA-safe, though the Die Hard warning is above.

Hell Spawn

A cop with saintly powers has been found out by a serial killer possessed by a demon. What does the demon want? How can it be stopped? And how do you do prosecute?

This one is straight horror. If you're a fan of horror, or dark urban fantasy, knock yourself out.

Death Cult

(pre-order only)

Sequel to Hell Spawn. There will be zombies.

A Pius Man: A Holy Thriller

Murder in the Vatican!

As the head of Vatican security, Giovanni Figlia must protect a new, African Pope who courts controversy every other day. The Pope’s latest project is to make Pius XII, “Hitler’s Pope,” a saint. Things haven’t gotten better since the Pope employed American mercenary Sean Ryan.

Then a body fell onto the Vatican doorstep.

Mercenaries, spies, beautiful women, international intrigue and ancient secrets – The Pius Trilogy has it all!

A Pius Legacy: A Political Thriller

How to make a thriller.

Step one, kidnap the Pope.

Step two, put him on trial for war crimes.

Step three, the only man who can save him has been kidnapped as well.

A Pius Stand: A Global Thriller

Making the war on God a lot more literal.

Pius Tales: The Complete Stories

This collection of short stories has

• Over two dozen terrorists
• Two exploding Christmas trees
• And a Boston Pops concert.

.... Not that Die Hard influenced me a lot.

Pius History: The Facts Behind the Pius Trilogy

James Rollins has this tendency to put in nearly a dozen pages of footnotes on some of his thrillers.

I made an entire book.

Honor at Stake 

The 2016 Dragon Award Nominee for Best Horror Novel!

One is a heartless, bloodthirsty killer. The other is a vampire.

College freshman, Amanda Colt knows few people and wants to know fewer still. She enjoys fencing and prefers facing a challenge every once in a while. She is beautiful, smart, and possibly the most interesting person on campus.

Then she finds tall, intense Marco Catalano in her fencing class. With a mind like a computer and manners of a medieval knight, he scares most people - but not Amanda. They both have secrets, for they are both monsters.

As they draw closer, they must find the line between how much they can trust each other, and how much they can care for each other. Each carries a secret that can destroy the other. But they must come to grips with their personal drama soon because a darkness rises around them. Bodies keep turning up all over New York, and an army of vampires closes in on all sides. 

They have only one hope - each other.

YA-safe, Christian-friendly, but written for people who like action scenes, suspense, and a romance subplot. Imagine if Jim Butcher wrote a Monster Hunter International novel. 

Demons are Forever

After saving Brooklyn from a nest of vampires, Amanda Colt and Marco Catalano are a little banged up. He's been given a job offer to deal with vampires in San Francisco, and it's a tempting offer - it would get him away from Amanda, his feelings for her, and get her away from the darkness inside him. When a death in the family compels Marco to move to the West Coast, they're both left to fend for themselves.

Then the creature known only as Mister Day leaves their world in tatters, and they must once more join forces against the darkness. Only Day is no vampire, but a creature beyond their experience. It will take the combined might of Marco, Amanda, and all of their allies just to slow it down. They have no weapons that can kill him. They have no way to imprison him. To even fight him is death.

But they have to try - or face the end of everything they love.

Live and Let Bite

My idea on having a romance happen.

Take two people who have accidentally friend-zoned each other.

Get them both angry at each other.

Have a supernatural assassin try to kill them both.

Good to the Last Drop

Werewolves. Armies of the damned. Minions who are as strong as vampires. And one bloodthirsty murderer who's been bit by one of the werewolves.

What could possibly go wrong?

Experiences

Suggested by Hans Schantz. Sequel to Innocents. 

 A.M. Sterling's 

The Mountain Throne

The Compleat Martian Invasion: 

Earth's Defense Awakens

Michael David Anderson

Teddy
Wake

In the House of Wolves

Previously Mentioned Books

This isn't the first time I've done this post. And books are forever.

And no, I'm not going to only talk about my books.

Torchship series by Karl Gallagher

For anyone who really wanted Firefly to be good, this should be your cup of tea. Heck, for fans of: Firefly, David Weber, early David Weber, and people who would be really entertained by protagonists in an SF novel doing their calculations by slide rule.

Iron Chamber of Memory
John C Wright

 For adults only, really...or any mature 12 year old, like I was. I don't care in what format you buy it, but you owe it to yourself to buy at least one copy for yourself, though I recommend buying half a dozen, just so you can immediately hand out copies to your friends.  Review here

The Big Sheep, Robert Kroese

Perfect for anyone who likes SF mysteries, mild dystopias, and Terry Pratchett. As far as I'm concerned, if Rob Kroese wants to keep putting out books about Erasmus Keane for the rest of his life, I'll happily use him as a substitute for Sir Terry Pratchett. (Review Here)

Chasing Freedom, Marina Fontaine

For anyone who sees the USA falling to fascism, but also sees some small hope in our future. A Dystopia that doesn't make you want to slit your wrists. Yay. (Review here)

Murder in The Vatican: 

The Church Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes
Ann M Lewis

If you've been reading my blog for a long time, you know that I loved this one, and I can't possibly recommend it enough.... and then there's The Watson Chronicles, which is even better.  The only books I will recommend over my own, and I'm told my books are pretty awesome, so, yeah...

The Book of Helen -- dang, this was a kickass little novel.  The West Wing meets the Trojan war, this novel goes beyond the "they all lived strangely ever after" of Helen of Troy, and follows the rest of her life after she came home from Troy.  Yes, Helen did have an "after Troy."  You know the mythology, and now, this is the rest of the story.

Black Tide Rising -- For those people who hate zombies ... you can like this, at the very least.

[Review here]

Ordinance 93:  I've reviewed this book (on Amazon), I've interviewed this author back when Examiner.com still existed. Ordinance 93 is a thriller that sort-of centers around abortion, but is mostly a fun chase novel. I'd actually like the next one to come up.

Infinite Space, Infinite God II .... a Catholic scifi-anthology, so, yeah...fun.

Greater Treasures -- Imagine the Maltese Falcon with dragons. Nuff said.

Stealing Jenny, by Ellen Gable: After 5 miscarriages, Jenny is about to have a pregnancy come to full term... until a psychotic woman kidnaps her and chains her in her basement with the intention of taking the child for her own. I liked this one.

Amy Lynn and Amy Lynn: Golden Angel.  Just buy them. Read them. The first one could be dark YA.  The second ... yeah, for adults only. One's a solid novel, the second one is a solid thriller. Just go with me on this one, okay?

Night Machines by Kia Heavey .... this one was interesting.  Almost Doctor Who-ish by way of Rod Serling.

And, of course, there is an endless list of books I can recommend, which happen to be a different tab at the top of the page -- includes Flynn, Ringo, Weber, Thor, etc, etc.

Tears of Paradox, by Daniella Bova, reviewed here

By the Hands of Men, Book One: The Old World.

Also, here's everything I suggested for the Dragon Awards in 2016

And here's everything nominated for a Dragon Award in 2016.

And everything I talked about for a Dragon Award in 2017.

And everything NOMINATED for a Dragon in 2017.

And the same for everything I talked about for the 2018 Dragon Awards .... no, I didn't put links in the Dragon Award FINALISTS this year, but if you want to look, click here for that list.

That should cover a fairly wide net.

If you have something you'd like to suggest for gifting opportunities, please feel free to mention it below.

You can also click one of the above tabs for suggested books.

Good luck with shopping, everyone.

Catholic Reads reviews Love At First Bite

So, over at Catholic Reads, they reviewed the entire Live at First Bite series.

Honor at Stake

Declan Finn is proving himself to be the go-to guy for the campy fun adventure book that is just smart enough to completely subvert your expectations in ways that never fail to delight....

One of the strongest features of the novel and one of the most Catholic is how it establishes a sense of reality by a great balance of sincerity and dramatic irony. Finn has a way of making things look one way, and then revealing things to be exactly the opposite.... It reminds me of Jesus saying he came to turn the world upside-down, and in a way, Finn seeks to do just that for Brooklyn via the lenses of vampire romance action horror (with light sci-fi and espionage elements). I loved its masterful use of dramatic irony and it’s a great portrayal of a young masculine perspective....

On a more technical level, the novel’s action scenes are well-thought out and epically described. The dialogue is sharp and witty, almost Whedon-esque. And throughout the novel, Finn takes any chance he can get to make fun of anything and everything about vampires, old books, and the strange, otherworldly, nearly undead world that is the culture of Brooklyn.

This is the first review that has ever, even slightly, ever compared me to Jesus.

Obviously, you can read the entire review here.

You can buy Honor at Stake right here.

Demons are Forever

Formerly known as Murphy's Law of Vampires

It’s a new day for horror....

.... if you haven’t read the [first] book yet, go do that; you’re missing a genuinely good time.

....All in all, Mr. Finn provides his readers with another fun ride through a world in which vampires, good and bad walk, among us while developing character relationships from the previous book and build even more on the distinctly Catholic mythology of his creation.

....Now, get yourself to Amazon, pick up Murphy’s Law of Vampires and set aside a weekend to sink your teeth into a genuine, page-turner.

The rest of the review

Purchase link for Demons.

Live and Let Bite

For those who read (Warning! Spoilers ahead) the previous books in Declan Finn’s Love at First Bite series, you know there has been no small amount of romantic tension... 

Someone is a master of understatement.

[The introduction of minions] results in things like a massive gun battle in the middle of San Francisco, a battle that introduces them to Nuala.... a very old vampire, powerful enough to handle direct sunlight for short periods and has an evil enough reputation that they are actively worried about her manifesting soul fire, which is pretty much the peak of a vampire’s destructive abilities. During the battle, she almost single-handedly takes out the whole crew in hand-to-hand combat, something no one has come even close to doing.

Barely surviving this initial encounter, Marco has to use everything and everyone at his disposal to develop a plan capable of taking down Nuala. Merle and his gang are included, along with the Vatican’s own team of vampire hunters, referred to my Marco and Amanda as the “Vatican Ninjas”. I won’t spoil the details but the intricacy of the plan further cemented my impression of Marco as basically this world’s Batman. He may not have any powers, but he is the last person that you want mad at you....

In the end, Finn gives readers another fun, vampire-slaying romp through the underworld that expands the lore, makes better use of some secondary characters, and trims some of the fat that the previous book suffered slightly from. With one more book left in the series, the question you should be asking is, “What could be sent after Marco that would be worse?”

The Rest of the Review

Purchase Link

Good to the Last Drop

In Good to the Last Drop, Declan Finn brings the story of Love at First Bite to its epic, if not unexpected, conclusion.....

Things really get kicked off with a werewolf attack on Marco, an attack that leaves him infected with the werewolf virus..... [which] increases the host’s personality traits. Given Marco’s own intense and often violent personality, one can see how this might be a problem.

I do like the reviewer's use of understatement.

The story comes to its conclusion .... with a massive battle between Misha’s army of vampires and the Vatican Ninja’s along with the rest of Marco’s allies. It comes down to a one-on-one battle between a fully revealed Misha and Amanda who at last is manifesting her true potential.

....Whatever the author’s future plans, I look forward to them and seeing my favorite Catholic vampire hunters at work again.

The Rest of the Review

Purchase Link

I look forward to their review of Hell Spawn

PRE-ORDER: Death Cult

Hell Spawn came out last week.

Book 2, Death Cult, is already up for pre-order

Yeah. I'm digging these covers.

Anyway, the link for Death Cult is here, and if you want Hell Spawn, it's over here.

Black Friday: Everything Gets a Hardcover

Standard operating procedure for every publisher that I know of is the simple, straightforward, hardcover / ebook, followed by paperback.

This is, of course, a method of the traditional book industry having to do with pricing, the requirements for print production in the early 1900s.

You know, stupid reasons.

Welcome to the 21st century. Everything can come out in different formats, so you can decide if you like something enough to get a more durable version of it.

This is just a roundabout way of saying that everything Silver Empire has published is going to come out in a hardcover edition.

Yes, everything.

So, I figured that this is now the time to do the black Friday post.

Because, frankly, from what I can tell, the easiest, best way to approach Christmas? Give the gift of books. Always.

And, of course, you can give the gift of hardcovers. (For the record, some of my books, after Honor at Stake, aren't yet out in hardcover, but they will be sooner rather than later. You can probably still get the entire vampire collection in hardcover by Christmas)

The Hidden Truth, Hans Schantz

A solid alternate history with enough conspiracy theories to make Umberto Eco happy. You can read my review of the latest book here. It's the perfect gift for anyone who likes science, or politics, or alternate history.

Fade: Daniel Humphreys

If you're hungry for the next Jim Butcher novel, look no further than Daniel Humphreys. My review is here. Great for anyone who consumes any urban fantasy. Unless they read Anita Blake novels for the porn, in which case, they might be disappointed.

Making Peace: Adam Smith

The best fantasy I've read in years. Possibly the best epic fantasy currently out there. My review is here, but I recommend just buying it if and when you can. And handing it out as gifts to anyone who reads Terry Pratchett, Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind (seriously, what is it with the first name Terry and writing fantasy?)

Hell Spawn

Death Cult

(pre-order only)

A Pius Man: A Holy Thriller

A Pius Legacy: A Political Thriller

A Pius Stand: A Global Thriller

Pius Tales: The Complete Stories

Pius History: The Facts Behind the Pius Trilogy

Honor at Stake 

Demons are Forever

Live and Let Bite

Good to the Last Drop

Previously Mentioned Books

This isn't the first time I've done this post. And books are forever.

And no, I'm not going to only talk about my books.

Torchship series by Karl Gallagher

For anyone who really wanted Firefly to be good, this should be your cup of tea. Heck, for fans of: Firefly, David Weber, early David Weber, and people who would be really entertained by protagonists in an SF novel doing their calculations by slide rule.

Iron Chamber of Memory
John C Wright

 For adults only, really...or any mature 12 year old, like I was. I don't care in what format you buy it, but you owe it to yourself to buy at least one copy for yourself, though I recommend buying half a dozen, just so you can immediately hand out copies to your friends.  Review here

The Big Sheep, Robert Kroese

Perfect for anyone who likes SF mysteries, mild dystopias, and Terry Pratchett. As far as I'm concerned, if Rob Kroese wants to keep putting out books about Erasmus Keane for the rest of his life, I'll happily use him as a substitute for Sir Terry Pratchett. (Review Here)

Chasing Freedom, Marina Fontaine

For anyone who sees the USA falling to fascism, but also sees some small hope in our future. A Dystopia that doesn't make you want to slit your wrists. Yay. (Review here)

Murder in The Vatican: 

The Church Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes
Ann M Lewis

If you've been reading my blog for a long time, you know that I loved this one, and I can't possibly recommend it enough.... and then there's The Watson Chronicles, which is even better.  The only books I will recommend over my own, and I'm told my books are pretty awesome, so, yeah...

The Book of Helen -- dang, this was a kickass little novel.  The West Wing meets the Trojan war, this novel goes beyond the "they all lived strangely ever after" of Helen of Troy, and follows the rest of her life after she came home from Troy.  Yes, Helen did have an "after Troy."  You know the mythology, and now, this is the rest of the story.

Black Tide Rising -- For those people who hate zombies ... you can like this, at the very least.

[Review here]

Ordinance 93:  I've reviewed this book (on Amazon), I've interviewed this author back when Examiner.com still existed. Ordinance 93 is a thriller that sort-of centers around abortion, but is mostly a fun chase novel. I'd actually like the next one to come up.

Infinite Space, Infinite God II .... a Catholic scifi-anthology, so, yeah...fun.

Greater Treasures -- Imagine the Maltese Falcon with dragons. Nuff said.

Stealing Jenny, by Ellen Gable: After 5 miscarriages, Jenny is about to have a pregnancy come to full term... until a psychotic woman kidnaps her and chains her in her basement with the intention of taking the child for her own. I liked this one.

Amy Lynn and Amy Lynn: Golden Angel.  Just buy them. Read them. The first one could be dark YA.  The second ... yeah, for adults only. One's a solid novel, the second one is a solid thriller. Just go with me on this one, okay?

Night Machines by Kia Heavey .... this one was interesting.  Almost Doctor Who-ish by way of Rod Serling.

And, of course, there is an endless list of books I can recommend, which happen to be a different tab at the top of the page -- includes Flynn, Ringo, Weber, Thor, etc, etc.

Tears of Paradox, by Daniella Bova, reviewed here

By the Hands of Men, Book One: The Old World.

Also, here's everything I suggested for the Dragon Awards in 2016

And here's everything nominated for a Dragon Award in 2016.

And everything I talked about for a Dragon Award in 2017.

And everything NOMINATED for a Dragon in 2017.

And the same for everything I talked about for the 2018 Dragon Awards .... no, I didn't put links in the Dragon Award FINALISTS this year, but if you want to look, click here for that list.

That should cover a fairly wide net.

If you have something you'd like to suggest for gifting opportunities, please feel free to mention it below.

You can also click one of the above tabs for suggested books.

Good luck with shopping, everyone.