Category Archives: Fantasy

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 →

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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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Book Announcement: The Wordsmith

Posted on 29 August 2020 by Barbara Howe

Irene van Gelder’s drudge job is killing her, but how can she earn a living as an air witch when her own guild calls her a fraud? The Fire Warlock doesn’t ask for her credentials, but with tensions rising between … Continue reading →

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

The Clockill and the Thief

Posted on 21 August 2020 by Barbara Howe

Sin, street urchin turned trainee spy, is back in Gareth Ward’s YA novel, The Clockill and the Thief, the sequel to The Traitor and the Thief. Both books won New Zealand’s Sir Julius Vogel award for Best Youth Novel in their … Continue reading →

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Short Takes on a Trio by New Zealand Authors

Posted on 8 May 2020 by Barbara Howe

Aftershocks (Earthcore Book 3) by Grace Bridges Aftershocks is a fine addition to the Earthcore series, with a more interesting conflict than the earlier books (RotoVegas and Volcano City). Anira Fraser—the leader of the Earthcore team, when her mind isn’t … Continue reading →

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