Libromancer's Apprentice

Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey / Lori Perkins (ed) ( Powell's Books ) I don't like Fifty Shades of Grey (and yes, I have read the entire series).  But then, if you've been reading my reviews, you'll find that I take issue with a lot of romance and erotic novels.  I'm picky about writing style, quality of editing, and the pervasiveness of certain troupes and abusive behavior (note, I am not talking about BDSM as abusive behavior), all of which stand out to me as issues with Fifty Shades of Grey . The contributors of Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey vary widely in their backgrounds and reactions to the book.  Authors, editors, doctors, educators, lawyers and more have shared their thoughts on Fifty Shades of Grey .  Some loved it, some hated it, but more importantly, they're taking the time to discuss their side, and the different opinions with their evidence are placed side by side for you to read.  Perhaps even more interestingly, the author...

Dead Heat (Alpha and Omega #4) / Patricia Briggs ( Powell's Books ) Dead Heat builds upon the world laid out in earlier Alpha and Omega novels, with some from the Mercy Thompson series. Anna and Charles are doing something for themselves for once, in this case, Charles takes Anna to Arizona on a horse shopping expedition and to meet a long time friend.  But a malicious fae attack threatens the family they are visiting, a family that happens to belong to the local pack's Alpha. The Alpha and Omega books are more within the realm of romance than those about Mercy Thompson.  While I enjoy a good steamy read, that's never been what drew me to Briggs' writing.  To me, Dead Heat felt more like a Mercy Thompson novel, and I like that.  I also enjoy the personal growth Anna has made over the series, and getting to see her be sassy to dominant werewolves who have no idea how to handle her.  Charles and Anna definitely are still exploring their relationship, ...

Gibbon's Decline and Fall / Sheri S. Tepper I first read Gibbon's Decline and Fall in my early teens.  I had never read anything like it before, it.  It starts out reading like a contemporary novel, but slowly slips into the otherworldly.  The story is unapologetically feminist, environmentalist, and philosophical.  It asks questions of the reader.  I was enthralled with Tepper's writing and went on to rip through her body of work.  She has become one of my favorite authors, and I re-read her work, including Gibbon's Decline and Fall , regularly.  I could have chosen any of a number of Tepper's books for Virtual Speculation, others that would have more solidly resounded as Science Fiction or Fantasy, but I went with this one. Discussion Fodder. Gibbon's Decline and Fall starts in 1959 and ends in a then 'near future' (the year 2000, now 15 years past).  What do you think about the changes (or lack of changes) in race and gender relations ...

The first panel I sat on at Arisia was Speculative Fiction : The Year in Review with Morgan Crooks and Gillian Daniels (mod). I went into this panel knowing there was no way I'd touch on even half the books I made note of in preparation.  Just listing off titles does not make for a very interesting panel, and does not make for any sort of organic conversation on a topic.  Of course, this being a blog post and not an organic discussion, there will be lists of books. Our discussion ranged from favorite new title from the past year (a surprisingly difficult question to answer), Utopia vs Dystopia in Speculative Fiction, YA vs Adult, issues with diversity, and what makes for good Science Fiction and Fantasy.  Taking part in the panel made for a fantastic time, and I hope to take part again next year.  A few honorable mentions were made, bringing up books published beyond 2014, in particular the works of Elizabeth Bear and titles published by Angry Robot.  Act...

A Highlander's Passion / Vonnie Davis This is a love story of a Scottish bear and a witch. Sadly, not this type of bear Also, Bear Scot Fest is a real thing.  This is amazing. Not exactly this type either, but closer to the mark The heart of the story is of two childhood friends (Bryce and Kenzie) coming together as soul mates, while they learn to put harsh elements of their past behind them and move forward into a new life.  Throw in an evil (as in signed his soul to the devil for unlimited power) father who needs his offspring's blood (all of it) for a ritual, lots of kilt-wearing dominant men (who happen to turn into bears), a sweet yet spoiled rotten child, and the randiest bunch of adults you'll find outside an orgy, and that about sums up the book. Personally, this book is not for me.  I found the writing style undeveloped, and I'm still not sure how I feel about the writing of (non-thought and non-spoken) expository text in an accent.  By and l...

Bound by Bliss / Lavinia Kent Previously reviewed in this series: Mastering the Marquess Revealing Ruby The Lady Bliss Danser (sister of Geoffrey, Marquess of Swanston from Mastering the Marquess ) has a bit of a reputation.  More specifically she's a sneeze away accidentally entangling herself into some scandal or another at any point, and if she did, well, she is a Danser.  When it comes down to it, Bliss finds the notion of marriage rather appalling (if not downright boring).  Why would she want some man who thinks he can tell her what to do when she has the means to live modestly on her own and maybe even travel?  Her brother puts a wrench into her plans, she has the option of marrying her childhood infatuation, Stephan Perth, Earl of Duldon, at the end of the summer, or finding her own fiancee before then.  Bliss is undeniably drawn to Stephen, but the man broke her heart before and now keeps threatening to punish her. Stephen Perth desires Lady...

Upgraded / Neil Clarke (ed) ( Powell's Books ) Better . . . Stronger . . . Faster . . . The doctors rebuilt Hugo Award-winning editor Neil Clarke and made him a cyborg. Now he has assembled this anthology of twenty-six original cyborg stories by Greg Egan, Madeline Ashby, Elizabeth Bear, Peter Watts, Ken Liu, Robert Reed, Yoon Ha Lee, and more! Neil Clarke is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Clarkesworld Magazine. His work at Clarkesworld has resulted in countless hours of enjoyment, three Hugo Awards for Best Semiprozine and three World Fantasy Award nominations. He’s also a current and three-time Hugo Nominee for Best Editor (Short Form). Upgraded is a phenomenal collection of speculative fiction.  The stories range from investigative mystery to post-apocalyptic, self-discovery to exploration of humanity.  Authors create cyborgs in unique ways and applications.  Characters possess cybernetic parts and enhancements for self-gain, for overcoming disability,...