In order to create a believable world, in which characters do more than simply hack and slash, some study and research will always be needed. In fact, to create the most effective game world possible, as much effort could be required as penning a novel. Penning a novel, however, need not be done from scratch – authors do tend to have a “toolbox” of useful story elements handy to make their jobs easier.
Continue reading...Wednesday, March 10, 2010
When I saw this book in my library, I immediately picked it up, and proceeded to blast through it in about two days. Though the book is not primarily about “gaming geeks” in a way that I was originally hoping for, it still offers an interesting trip through many avenues of fantasy fandom.
Continue reading...Wednesday, January 27, 2010
I've read a few Straub books and I've never been disappointed. His newest, A Dark Matter is hitting the shelves on February 9th. It sounds really interesting in that four high school friends each recount a supernatural event to a journalist friend of theirs, many years after. Each retelling is a bit different from the others but all suggest that the event in question may be responsible for not only the downturns in their lives, but in the world at large. Click through for the trailer.
Continue reading...Tuesday, January 12, 2010
In what I can only describe as a slight blow to literature everywhere but an interesting opportunity for literate gamers, Dante’s Inferno is being republished. In book form. By Electronic Arts. Oh, with Del Ray (ne Ballantine ne Random House) doing the bulk of the dead tree work. Don’t worry though, the fine folks who brought [...]
Continue reading...Friday, November 27, 2009
These are the best young adult (the jacket recommends the book for ages 8-12, though I would recommend it for anyone 8-120) fantasy books I have read since Artemis Fowl or Harry Potter. I would hasten to add, however, that the trilogy is meant for more than just fans of fantasy/sci-fi, as the fantasy elements are extremely subtle, especially in the first two books. It is fantasy like the Princess Bride is fantasy, good clean fun for everybody.
Continue reading...Friday, August 28, 2009
Richard Kadrey’s Sandman Slim kicks ass. I mean, the protagonist literally left the text and physically kicked me in my ass. Yeah, it’s that much fun. James Stark spent 11 years killing monsters in Lucifer's arena for the entertainment of fallen angels, but now he's back in seedy, magic-riddled L.A., trying to avenge his girlfriend's murder and hunt down Mason Faim, the black magician responsible for getting him sent downtown. After that it really starts to get interesting.
Continue reading...Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Currently on episode 62, the 20-something minute podcasts are spanning the entire history of the Roman empire, from Aeneas's (Aeneaus'? The grammatical evidence I'm finding points both ways) arrival in Italy to currently Claudius taking control after Caligula's interesting time in power.
Continue reading...Monday, July 6, 2009
My latest ramblings, in which we go on a journey from Snowy New Hampshire to stark Medievalville, passing through the far future on the way. Hopefully we'll be ending up with a clearer understanding of what it is to think like a 14th century person.
Continue reading...Monday, June 29, 2009
Whenever I think my life is hectic and a bit unreal I remind myself that Ender had it a lot worse. Most of the folks in the Culture Universe that I know, although vastly more advanced than I am, are in general a lot worse off. Having a group of highly advanced aliens plotting your downfall can be a real bummer, as can angry orcs charging with drawn swords.
Continue reading...Tuesday, May 19, 2009
It’s the new year, you’re a Navy pilot and you decide that keeping a journal would be a good idea. Little did you know that in the ensuing weeks and months, the world as you knew it would be going to Hell.
Continue reading...
Friday, March 12, 2010
1 Comment