Reading Fantasy / Horror in September 2026

[Westy]

I just finished reading Gorel and the Pot Bellied God which is described as a “Guns & Sorcery Novella” by Lavie Tidhar. It features the gunslinger Gorel of Goliris. This character is an exile from his own land, to which he seeks to return and have his revenge. In the meantime, he travels the world and seeks his fortune. It should also be mentioned that he is a helpless addict.

The world he inhabits is filled with many fantastic races, like Avians (bird people), Falangs (frog people), not to mention the living gods. This novella features an adventure to Wat Falang, which is the fane of the titular Pot Bellied God of the frog people. Along the way, Gorel teams up with Kettle (an Avian) and Sereli (an aquatic hybrid). All of them have their own reasons to be on this adventure, and it is unlikely they can succeed or even survive.

This world is rather refreshing, and reminds me of the old style sword and sorcery stories like those of Faferd and the Grey Mouser, or Michael Moorcock’s Eternal Champion tales. It’s an interesting setting! I now look forward to reading the other Gorel of Goliris novella The Black God’s Kiss.

Had been on my TBR for a while...he's a great writer!

 

[Randy M.]

I just finished reading Gorel and the Pot Bellied God which is described as a “Guns & Sorcery Novella” by Lavie Tidhar. It features the gunslinger Gorel of Goliris. This character is an exile from his own land, to which he seeks to return and have his revenge. In the meantime, he travels the world and seeks his fortune. It should also be mentioned that he is a helpless addict.

The world he inhabits is filled with many fantastic races, like Avians (bird people), Falangs (frog people), not to mention the living gods. This novella features an adventure to Wat Falang, which is the fane of the titular Pot Bellied God of the frog people. Along the way, Gorel teams up with Kettle (an Avian) and Sereli (an aquatic hybrid). All of them have their own reasons to be on this adventure, and it is unlikely they can succeed or even survive.

This world is rather refreshing, and reminds me of the old style sword and sorcery stories like those of Faferd and the Grey Mouser, or Michael Moorcock’s Eternal Champion tales. It’s an interesting setting! I now look forward to reading the other Gorel of Goliris novella The Black God’s Kiss.

"The Black God's Kiss" was the title of the first Jirel of Joiry story by C. L. Moore. I'd be interested in hearing about it.

 

[Fryan]

"The Black God's Kiss" was the title of the first Jirel of Joiry story by C. L. Moore. I'd be interested in hearing about it.

There’s also a traditional metal band named Smoulder and that’s one of their song titles. They also have at least one Eternal Champion inspired song.

 

[Cicero]

"The Black God's Kiss" was the title of the first Jirel of Joiry story by C. L. Moore. I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Ive read the Jirel stories top notch stuff. he husband Henry Kuttenr was quite good too . Elak of Atlantis and The Dark World , both classics.

 

[Prairie_Dog]

"The Black God's Kiss" was the title of the first Jirel of Joiry story by C. L. Moore. I'd be interested in hearing about it.

I’ll report back when I read it! I have to say the cover art would have me interested even if I knew nothing about Gorel.

 

[Prairie_Dog]

Had been on my TBR for a while...he's a great writer!

I really agree! I started off with Central Station…

 

[Westy]

I read A Trade of Blood, the 3rd book in the Ana and Din Mysteries series by Robert Jackson Bennett.

Like others here, not as good as the first two. It felt a bit formulaic at times and not as interesting/exciting, plus there was a lot less of Ana, and pretty much nothing about the Leviathans at all.

Still a decent read but, like with many books in series (for me anyway), the enjoyment of the originality of the first book starts to wear off after a while. And apparently book 4 is in the works and he could be writing 7 or 8 of them if the demand is there! They are popular so I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Hobbit]

I read A Trade of Blood, the 3rd book in the Ana and Din Mysteries series by Robert Jackson Bennett.

Like others here, not as good as the first two. It felt a bit formulaic at times and not as interesting/exciting, plus there was a lot less of Ana, and pretty much nothing about the Leviathans at all.

Still a decent read but, like with many books in series (for me anyway), the enjoyment of the originality of the first book starts to wear off after a while. And apparently book 4 is in the works and he could be writing 7 or 8 of them if the demand is there! They are popular so I wouldn't be surprised.

I still have this in the pile. It is beginning to sound like the series is running out of steam, sadly.

 

[Cicero]

I remember read Jose Phillip Farmer River books I read the most 2 and they were excellent book 3 , I absolutely couldn't finish. .

 

[Westy]

I still have this in the pile. It is beginning to sound like the series is running out of steam, sadly.

Still getting great reviews generally so you may find differently!

 

[tpetty]

While driving I listen to audiobooks a lot more than music, and am about 3/4 through Between Two Fires by Buehlman. Really interesting story, and a cross between medieval fantasy and horror. Narrator does a good job too.

Reading Shards of Earth by Tchaikovsky. His books are all so different, and typically excellent. With many authors, you know what to expect, but Tchaikovsky seems to be able to come up with completely different concepts with every story.

 

[Cicero]

While driving I listen to audiobooks a lot more than music, and am about 3/4 through Between Two Fires by Buehlman. Really interesting story, and a cross between medieval fantasy and horror. Narrator does a good job too.

Reading Shards of Earth by Tchaikovsky. His books are all so different, and typically excellent. With many authors, you know what to expect, but Tchaikovsky seems to be able to come up with completely different concepts with every story.

By him i've read Children of Time. book 2 and 3 are on my to read list.

 

[Westy]

I read The Calamities by Chuck Wendig, a horror fantasy about family power through the capturing of souls.

At the very start the twin siblings came across as cartoonishly evil and over the top, and I thought the book wouldn't be for me. But once the plot was established and the main character started a journey looking for his missing father and meeting up with some unusual acquaintances, it was very readable.

Then the last quarter ended in an extended and fairly derivative good v evil battle, and I found it harder to get through. So very uneven overall; maybe a 3 out of 5 for me.

 

[Randy M.]

Missed this earlier.

Re: Ramsey Campbell

Im surprised he's never been adapted for film or television. I'd love see Jordan Peel Guillermo Del Toro or maybe Alex Proyaa or Ridley Scott give it go.

He has been. The Nameless, Pact of the Fathers (as Second Name) and The Influence were all filmed in Spain. What surprises me as much is how few of his short stories have been adapted to television.

Off the tangent: I finished Cynthia Pelayo's The Children of Chicago and would heartily recommend it to anyone wanted a layered, textured horror novel. Currently reading Fog Heart by Thomas Tessier as a kind of tribute to the author who died earlier this year; only 40 pages in, but this is looking quite good so far.

 

[Prairie_Dog]

I just finished off Direct Descendant which is a standalone novel by Tanya Huff that is set in the small Canadian town of Lake Argen. This quiet and insular place has an economy based mainly on the presence of a very productive silver mine. The founding families of this community established this mine, and also their Agreement with The Dark.

The story is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of Cassie, who is a local resident and direct descendant of the founders, and Melanie, who is a unemployed teacher from Toronto who is being paid to investigate the disappearance of a young man. As things progress, the oddness of the community becomes apparent, and then is explained. Think of a cozy sort of a “Welcome to Nightvale” community.

As things progress we also see the development of a sapphic romance between Cassie and Melanie. However, can this developing relationship stand the exposure of the reality of Lake Argen? Can Melanie accept that her new girlfriend is The Voice of The Dark?

This novel is a darkly humorous fantasy with romantic themes and good world building. It is a refreshing and different setting and I’m sort of sorry it consists of only one novel, although it appears complete in itself.