Category Archives: Fantasy

The City We Became

Posted on 10 September 2021 by Barbara Howe

The City We Became, the first book in N. K. Jemisin’s Great Cities series, is a love letter to New York City, in all its exuberant, chaotic, contradictory glory. And to city life in general. The idea here is that … Continue reading →

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Book Announcement: The Forge

Posted on 8 August 2021 by Barbara Howe

The Forge, the fifth and final book in the Reforging series, is scheduled to be released on 3 December. I’ve just seen the cover art, and it’s gorgeous: The artist, Catherine Archer-Wills, has done a fantastic job with all five … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Epic Fantasy | Leave a comment

Witchy Fiction

Posted on 26 June 2021 by Barbara Howe

Does a collection of optimistic, easy-to-read fantasy novellas sound appealing? Especially if they include a bit of romance? Then check out the books at WitchyFiction.com. This brand is the brainchild of a group of New Zealand writers who began these stories … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, Kiwi author | Leave a comment

A Few Short Reviews

Posted on 14 May 2021 by Barbara Howe

The Stone Wētā by Octavia Cade is a timely and rather chilling take on the repression of scientific data by climate deniers and corporate/political interests. It reads a bit like a World War II spy story, with the scientists acting … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Kiwi author | Leave a comment

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking

Posted on 5 March 2021 by Barbara Howe

Ironically I am publishing this in the midst of COVID-19, when we all started making sourdough at home and then started protesting police brutality. Suddenly a twelve year old book was actually relevant. Go figure. ― T. Kingfisher Meet Bob, the … Continue reading →

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Elatsoe

Posted on 5 February 2021 by Barbara Howe

As Ellie Bride’s cousin Trevor lies in hospital, dying of injuries from an automobile crash, he appears to her in a dream, saying he has been murdered and begging her to protect his family: wife Lenore and baby Gregory. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Fiction, Fantasy | Leave a comment

The Ten Thousand Doors of January

Posted on 5 December 2020 by Barbara Howe

January Scaller, a seven-year-old girl with coppery-red skin, finds a Door and slips through into another world. She’s called back into this one by her guardian, Mr Cornelius Locke, who destroys the Door and does his best to drive all … Continue reading →

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The Black God’s Drums

Posted on 24 October 2020 by Barbara Howe

Creeper—who doesn’t want to be called by her real name, Jacqueline—is s 13-year-old living on the streets in New Orleans. She’s an orphan, but she’s not alone; wherever she goes, Oya, the goddess of winds and storms, is with her, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternate History, Fantasy | Leave a comment

Sorcerer to the Crown

Posted on 9 October 2020 by Barbara Howe

England’s magic is dwindling. It is a matter of great concern to the members of the Royal Society of Unnatural Philosophers, and contributes to the finger pointing, rumour mongering, and agitation in the ranks that is complicating the work of … Continue reading →

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The Prince of Secrets

Posted on 12 September 2020 by Barbara Howe

The Prince of Secrets, the second book in the Stariel series by New Zealand author A J Lancaster, takes us deeper into the world of the fae we were given only glimpses of in the first book, The Lord of … Continue reading →

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