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As a counterpoint, it was one of Rob Bedford's Books of the Year; it may have even been his Book of the Year.
Reading Fantasy / Horror in September 2026
- Thread starter Hobbit
- Start date
Westy
The Fifth Dominion
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2010
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- 4,481
I read Blacktail by Scott Hawkins, his second novel after the very good Library at Mount Char back in 2015. Blacktail is a half breed wolf who is on the run, chased by men ("two legs") after taking revenge when his mate is killed.
The story is told from the point of view of Blacktail, making it an unusual but ultimately engaging read. It swings between very brutal at times, and other times quite funny, but always insightful and sometimes a bit moving.
Similary to Mount Char it involves gods, and for me the only downside was towards the end this aspect overtook the narrative too much. But still a great above average read for something a bit different.
I also tried The Sword of Kaigen by ML Wang - started well, but the fight scenes were waaaaaaaayyyyy too long for my liking - overtook the story so put it down 1/3 through. Just not my thing usually.
Finished Book 7 of the Hellequin Chronicles by Steve McHugh. Glad it's done. But, is it? No, it's not. As is the case with so many of these KU titles, the story of Nate continues in another trilogy even though the "Hellequin" character is gone.
On to something else. I started the next Bobiverse book, but it's been some time since I've read those that I've forgotten a lot of characters and storylines. So "Not Til We Are Lost" isn't really grabbing me yet. I may persevere...or read something completely different. Not sure yet.
On to something else. I started the next Bobiverse book, but it's been some time since I've read those that I've forgotten a lot of characters and storylines. So "Not Til We Are Lost" isn't really grabbing me yet. I may persevere...or read something completely different. Not sure yet.
Reading a short story collection by Algernon Blackwood. The "John Silence" stories. Blackwood was a pretty interesting character in his own right. Born in 1869. These stories were published around 1908 or so. So the writing style is a bit old fashioned.
The MC is Dr. John Silence. A wealthy physician with a mysterious past. One that led him through the various mystery schools and magic of the other worlds. Fast forward now and he only does pro bono work on cases that interest him. In the parlance of this age he is considered a Doctor of the Psyche...or a Quack. Depending on whom you ask.
These stories could be an early precursor to the likes of Jim Butcher or Dresden. I've only read a few, but realize now I probably should have held off until the yearly October Horror Binge reading
.Some of these stories are downright creepy.
This sounds like something I should check out, especially with Spooky Season coming up.
Reading a short story collection by Algernon Blackwood. The "John Silence" stories. Blackwood was a pretty interesting character in his own right. Born in 1869. These stories were published around 1908 or so. So the writing style is a bit old fashioned.
The MC is Dr. John Silence. A wealthy physician with a mysterious past. One that led him through the various mystery schools and magic of the other worlds. Fast forward now and he only does pro bono work on cases that interest him. In the parlance of this age he is considered a Doctor of the Psyche...or a Quack. Depending on whom you ask.
These stories could be an early precursor to the likes of Jim Butcher or Dresden. I've only read a few, but realize now I probably should have held off until the yearly October Horror Binge reading
Some of these stories are downright creepy.
I finished The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice.
I'm continuing my reread of the early Vampire Chronicles books. Well, this is still good, and Lestat is still my boy! I had forgotten a lot of what happened here, so it was great to dig back into it.
The John Silence Stories
Yeesh. I should go back and edit. Anyway, I like them, but there is a bit of unevenness across the collection.
Yeesh. I should go back and edit. Anyway, I like them, but there is a bit of unevenness across the collection.
Reading a short story collection by Algernon Blackwood. The "John Silence" stories. Blackwood was a pretty interesting character in his own right. Born in 1869. These stories were published around 1908 or so. So the writing style is a bit old fashioned.
The MC is Dr. John Silence. A wealthy physician with a mysterious past. One that led him through the various mystery schools and magic of the other worlds. Fast forward now and he only does pro bono work on cases that interest him. In the parlance of this age he is considered a Doctor of the Psyche...or a Quack. Depending on whom you ask.
These stories could be an early precursor to the likes of Jim Butcher or Dresden. I've only read a few, but realize now I probably should have held off until the yearly October Horror Binge reading
Some of these stories are downright creepy.
There a book you both might want to check out
Sherlock Holmes The Breath of God by Guy Adams in this book Holmes is involved case in John Silence is called in. to assist Holmes along with Thomas Carnaki .
These stories are okay and bit creepy. Good for something different. But not something I'll be exploring further.
Yep, I'm seeing that as well. I doubt I'll go any further past these stories. But it's a nice change of pace. I've got another short story collection by M.R.James on tap. "The Complete Ghost Stories." But I think I'll hold up on that one until the October Horror Binge.
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Prairie_Dog
Registered Rodent
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I just finished Black Gods Kiss which is a “Guns & Sorcery” collection by Lavie Tidhar. It features tales of the gunslinger Gorel of Goliris. This individual is an exile from his own land, to which he seeks to return. In the meantime, he travels the world and seeks his fortune. It should also be mentioned that he is a helpless addict. He and many others in this world use “Dust” or “God’s Dust” which is a powerful and addictive drug.
The world he inhabits is filled with many fantastic races, like Avians (bird people), Falangs (frog people), Nocturnes (shadow people), and Ebongs (insect people), not to mention the living gods. Gorel often rides through his world on a graal, which are essentially giant photosynthetic scorpions.
This collection begins with the titular story, which tells how Gorel became an addict. The second tale is “Buried Eyes” in which Gorel and his sometimes partner, Jericho, go to retrieve jewels from a sorcerer. “Kur-a-len” is a novella wherein Gorel becomes Sheriff of a giant necropolis. “Dead Leaves” involves a visit to an anomalous forest in the Deadlands. “White Queen” describes Gorel’s attempt to retrieve a princess who has run away…
This world is 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 and refreshing setting. I now look forward to the upcoming “Guns and Sorcery” book that is expected to be published in 2027, although it might just be a new collection of the existing Gorel of Goliris stories. One might hope it will contain a few new stories, or other stories previously published elsewhere.
I just finished Black Gods Kiss which is a “Guns & Sorcery” collection by Lavie Tidhar. It features tales of the gunslinger Gorel of Goliris. This individual is an exile from his own land, to which he seeks to return. In the meantime, he travels the world and seeks his fortune. It should also be mentioned that he is a helpless addict. He and many others in this world use “Dust” or “God’s Dust” which is a powerful and addictive drug.
The world he inhabits is filled with many fantastic races, like Avians (bird people), Falangs (frog people), Nocturnes (shadow people), and Ebongs (insect people), not to mention the living gods. Gorel often rides through his world on a graal, which are essentially giant photosynthetic scorpions.
This collection begins with the titular story, which tells how Gorel became an addict. The second tale is “Buried Eyes” in which Gorel and his sometimes partner, Jericho, go to retrieve jewels from a sorcerer. “Kur-a-len” is a novella wherein Gorel becomes Sheriff of a giant necropolis. “Dead Leaves” involves a visit to an anomalous forest in the Deadlands. “White Queen” describes Gorel’s attempt to retrieve a princess who has run away…
This world is 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 and refreshing setting. I now look forward to the upcoming “Guns and Sorcery” book that is expected to be published in 2027, although it might just be a new collection of the existing Gorel of Goliris stories. One might hope it will contain a few new stories, or other stories previously published elsewhere.
Black Gods Kiss by C L Moore which has quite a different collection of stories.
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