british fantasy – Cannonball Read 17

Cornwall – the unchanging landscape

Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper

April 1, 2025 by kittenkong42 Leave a Comment

Many years ago I wrote a review for The Dark is Rising which is the 2nd book in the sequence of the same name by Susan Cooper. This book is the first in the sequence but as I recommended then often better to be read second. I reread this on a recent holiday to Cornwall because in visiting the Cornish fishing villages/towns I immediately felt that sense of place I have with this book. If The Dark is Rising is a book that takes you […]

Witches, found family, and a big FU to transphobes.

Her Majesty's Royal Coven (Her Majesty's Royal Coven, #1) by Juno Dawson

December 4, 2022 by narfna Leave a Comment

This was a lot more emotionally fraught than I expected it to be. And that ending 😩 I was hopeful going in to this that Juno Dawson’s first adult book, and first fantasy book would be good, because that premise sounded like so much fun. And while I was rewarded with a quality book that I really enjoyed reading, it really wasn’t all shits and giggles. Come for the 90s nostalgia, female friendships, a cool take on contemporary witches, and then leave heartbroken by the […]

Fragile Things A Solid Collection of Stories from Gaiman

Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman

August 4, 2022 by MarkAbaddon Leave a Comment

So, and interesting story on why I re-read this collection. Being the Gaiman nerd I am, I purchased a 1st edition immediately when it came out and then had Neil sign it for my son who was very young at the time. That son is going to college in a few weeks and I decided to read the collection again before he leaves as a reminder of days gone by. My impression of the work has not changed, it is a good short story collection […]

A (very strange but lovely) fantasy for book lovers.

Among Others by Jo Walton

May 16, 2022 by narfna Leave a Comment

30 Books in 30 Days, Vol. 2 Book 3/30 “I didn’t ask to have my good leg replaced by a creaky rusty weathervane, but then I suppose nobody does. I would have made much greater sacrifices. I was prepared to die, and Mor *did* die. I should think of it as a war-wound, an old soldier’s scars. Frodo lost a finger, and all his own possibility of happiness. Tolkien understood about the things that happen after the end. Because this is after the end, this […]

How does one describe this book?

Freedom & Necessity by Steven Brust & Emma Bull

April 25, 2022 by narfna Leave a Comment

I’m having the hardest time writing this review, but I just need to suck it up and word vomit out something, because I read this back in March. The problem is, I have no idea how to describe this strange, strange book. And also, not sure how I feel about it? Like, I enjoyed it? I gave it four stars (well, 3.5)? But I also still find it confounding. By the way, Steven Brust and Emma Bull teaming up to write this somehow led me […]

A review mostly in quotes because I cannot ever adequately review a Terry Pratchett.

Monstrous Regiment (Discworld, #31) by Terry Pratchett

December 30, 2021 by narfna 4 Comments

This book was newly published when I first started reading Discworld eighteen years ago. I wanted to read it right then but, because I am me, I decided to wait until I could read it in order. Literally half my life later, I made it! And honestly, I’m kind of glad I waited. Eighteen year old me was smart, but I appreciate it more now than I think I would have then. This one has instantly made my top five Discworld books, right up there […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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