-
“Words of Advice at the End of the World”
In June of this year, my short story “Words of Advice at the End of the World” appeared in BSFA’s Fission Anthology #2, Volume 1. It is eligible for nomination for IGNYTE, Nebula, Hugo, BSFA, and other awards—I am making it freely available online on a temporary basis for your consideration. I hope you enjoy! Words of Advice at the End of the World by Aleksandra Hill 2,600 words Asked and Answered is a weekly advice column brought to you by Constance Sienkiewicz at Gneiss News. Have a question? Email her at constance@gneissnews.com. September 7, 20X3 Q. Rude realists: My spouseand I are realists and we’re raising our children (3,…
-
Recent Read: The Sisters of Reckoning
TL,DR: The Sisters of Reckoning is a fantastic follow-up to Charlotte Nicole Davis’ The Good Luck Girls. A wonderful combination of action, hope, tension, and deep emotion. There’s no need to re-read TGLG if your memory is spotty, but newbies to the series should start with Book 1. Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Teen for an ARC of this book. I finished The Sisters of Reckoning with tears in my eyes. This book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible; while I usually try predicting what a writer’s up to, here, I was happy to be along for the ride. I’d forgotten much of The Good Luck…
-
Recent Read: She Who Became the Sun
TL;DR: She Who Became the Sun is an amazing work of historical fantasy reminiscent of Mulan crossed with A Song of Ice and Fire. A young girl assumes the identity of her dead brother, for whom a fortune teller had seen a great future; we follow her rise through the political landscape of 14th-century China. It’s out TODAY (July 20th). Run (don’t walk!) to the bookstore and grab a copy now – you won’t regret it! Thanks to Tor Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. — When I was about a third the way through “She Who Became the Sun” by Shelley Parker-Chan, I preordered it for my…
-
Nothing But Blackened Teeth
TL;DR: Nothing But Blackened Teeth is a fast-paced, riveting haunted house story that I read straight through in one sitting. Five friends head into a Heian-era manor to celebrate the wedding of two of their number because of the bride’s wish to be married in a haunted house. It’s perfect for spooky evenings and hits bookstores October 2021. Find it on GoodReads. – I received a copy of Nothing But Blackened Teeth from NetGalley/Tor Nightfire in exchange for an honest review. This review contains no spoilers. I picked up this book about thirty minutes to midnight, alone in bed with the lights off. I figured I’d read a few pages…
-
On Open Doors
I’ve had trouble reading for the last few months. That funemployment put a pause on my reading was an unpleasant surprise, and I’ll dig into that some other post. COVID, however, has really done a number on me. I’ve wanted escape more than usual, but letting myself fall into new worlds has felt impossible. How wonderful, then, to find a book where a protagonist finds new worlds at every turn. I picked up The Ten Thousand Doors of January because I heard it was heartwarming. I’m stuck inside, in one of the epicenters of the current Coronavirus pandemic. I’m sharing a 700-square-foot apartment with someone I love, but whom I…
-
On Loose Threads
I wasn’t initially going to pick up Less. The first sentence of the blurb was, truth be told, an immediate turn-off, in spite of (or perhaps because of) its prizewinning status: “You are a failed novelist about to turn fifty.” I’ve read, or seen, enough of those stories. I didn’t think I needed another one. Fate intervened. A colleague saw my copy of Red, White, and Royal Blue on my desk, and mentioned it was recommended to him because he enjoyed Less. I’d loved RW&RB, so I figured I’d give Less a shot. Less does actually have a delightful premise. Arthur Less is a failed novelist about to turn fifty.…
