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B. A. Brock’s Best Books of 2015

Best Books of 2015, in no particular order. They are novels I read in 2015, but weren’t necessarily published that year. Usually I try to do ten top books, but I couldn’t decide which one to leave out, so it’s eleven. Most are speculative fiction, because of my review work with QSF, but there are a few exceptions. Blue on Black by Carole Cummings Review: “Blue on Black” by Carole Cummings Channeling Morpheus by Jordan Castillo Price “Channeling Morpheus” by Jordan Castillo Price The Lightning-Struck Heart by T. J. Klune “The Lightning-Struck Heart” by T. J. Klune Zenith by Arshad … Read more

News: The Trailer for Deadpool

Deadpool

A new full-length Deadpool trailer gives us a closer look at Colossus and all the violent and bloody action you’d expect. If you want all the swearing and blood spatters then pick the red band version, or there’s a green band version that’s a little more family friendly for Christmas Day. Deadpool arrives in theaters on February 12th, 2016. From The Verge

Announcement: Sex on the Hoof, by Silvia Violet

QSFer Silvia Violet has a new paranormal book out: A stag and a vampire. Mortal peril. True love. Deer shifter, Jason Fleetfoot, has turned his life around. After years of taking chances, he’s working as a crime lab technician, and he’s determined to forgo the risky behavior of his past. Then he meets Drew Danvers, the only undead detective in the city. Jason hates vampires, or does he? Drew defies all the stereotypes of his kind and something about him has taken hold of Jason and won’t let go. Jason might just dare to take a chance on a man … Read more

News: Behold! The Building That Looks Like Star Trek’s “U.S.S. Enterprise”

Enterprise Building

In a grand exhibition of geekery, the Chinese gaming company NetDragon Websoft has licensed and built an office building shaped like the U.S.S. Enterprise from Star Trek. It’s a little difficult to see it from the ground, but in the following drone-shot video, you can really see how cool looking this thing is. According to My Modern Met, the building is just as interesting inside. It contains a replica display of a T-Rex dinosaur, 30-foot tall metal slides allowing instant access from the third floor to ground level, plus automatic sliding doors between offices. (I can’t help but picture Shatner … Read more

Announcement: Resistance, by Amy Rae Durreson

resistance

QSFer Amy Rae Durreson has a new Fantasy book out: Overthrowing the Shadow that ruled Tiallat was only the first step. For rebel leader Iskandir, rebuilding his shattered country is an even greater challenge. A poor harvest, religious conflict, and years of tyrannical governance combine with the challenge of getting the soldiers of the Shadow’s army home and rehousing the exiled who are flooding back into free Tiallat. Then people begin to get sick. A thousand years ago, after the Shadow’s first defeat, a blight fell upon the north: a disease that killed more than the war itself. Now, as … Read more

Discussion: Why is Your Sword So Big?

giant sword

Today’s topic comes from QSFer and Admin Angel Martinez: Why are fantasy swords so dang big and complicated? We’ve shared this before, but there’s a great post on Fantasy weapon tropes here: http://io9.gizmodo.com/10-tropes-involving-fantasy-weapons-that-should-die-in-1653194903 Which includes: 7. The Weapon Too Big to Be Useful: Like mystical metals, this is a trope that’s supposed to act as a metaphor. See how big this weapon is? It’s directly proportional to either how awesome or evil its owner is. There is no doubt that for many characters in fantasy, their sword is tied into their identity. But, seriously, unless the size is meant to … Read more

Review: The Young Protectors: Engaging the Enemy, by Alex Woolfson

OK, I just finished my second Christmas present – another graphic novel from Alex Woolfson, this one illustrated by the talented Adam DeKraker. And I loved it! But I’m going to level the same complaint against Alex that I have often gotten myself for my novellas. It’s not long enough. Now don’t get me wrong. This is a good thing. The main story kept me engaged right through, and I was thrilled with the relationship between the two characters. My anticipation was definitely whetted. Without giving spoilers, it’s hot hot hot. And it’s nice to see such an unapologetically gay … Read more

News: Jets With Frickin’ Laser Beams Attached to Their Heads

Jet With Laser

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, said it’s on track to demonstrate a working laser weapon on a fighter jet by 2020. “It really is a national tipping point,” said Kelly Hammett, chief engineer for the AFRL’s directed energy directorate. “We see the technology evolving and maturing to the stage where it really can be used.” Arming larger planes with laser weapons has been possible for years. But the more difficult challenge is to create lasers small, accurate and powerful enough for fighter jets, Hammett said. The g-forces and vibrations of near supersonic speeds make that tough. Hammett … Read more

Announcement: Dragon’s Treasure, by Qaida Harte

Dragon's Treasure

QSFer Qaida Harte has a new Fantasy book out: College student Ahndrai has the ill fortune of falling into the grasp of an attractive, sadistic vampire. He encounters Eita, a vampire who lusts for Ahndrai’s sweet blood and tears apart his world. Eita demonstrates that every myth and legend ever written is only too real, and they are far darker than portrayed in any story. Ahndrai must face a host of monsters that Eita allows to attack and kill him. Each time he dies, Eita revives him so he can continue to feed off of him. Ahndrai’s fears lead him … Read more