Author Archives: Michael

QUICK REVIEW: To Catch A Thief – Thomas Parrott

Featured in Aconyte Books’ first short story anthology, Tales From the Crucible, Thomas Parrot’s KeyForge story To Catch A Thief follows the daring, dangerous exploits of light-fingered elf Nalea Wysasandoral. After a particularly lucrative score from burgling the home of the Crucible’s High Councilor himself, Nalea is on the lookout for her next job, unaware that the investigation into her ongoing crimes has been supplemented by an outside investigator – the renowned sylicate detective Talus the Thief-Taker. As she prepares for a risky new endeavour, the jaws of a trap begin to close around her.

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RAPID FIRE: Chris Wraight Talks The Regent’s Shadow

Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, my ongoing series of quick interviews with authors talking about their new releases. These are short and sweet interviews, with the idea being that each author will answer (more or less) the same questions – by the end of each interview I hope you will have a good idea of what the new book (or audio drama) is about, what inspired it and why you might want to read or listen to it.

In this instalment I spoke to Black Library author Chris Wraight about his new novel The Regent’s Shadow, book two in his Watchers of the Throne series, which is available to order now as part of the 2020 Black Library Celebration. If you’re keen to know more about what happened on Terra in the wake of Guilliman’s return, this looks like being a very interesting book indeed!

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RAPID FIRE: David Guymer Talks Lion El’Jonson Lord of the First

Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, in which I spoke to Black Library author David Guymer about his new novel Lion El’Jonson: Lord of the First, his second contribution to the Horus Heresy Primarchs series. It was available to order in Limited Edition hardback format as part of the 2020 Black Library Celebration, and while the standard edition was delayed for a few months over the summer, it’s now available to order at last. If you’re a Dark Angels fan, or have been looking forward to finding out more about the Lion, this is going to be the book for you.

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RAPID FIRE: Gav Thorpe Talks The First Wall

Welcome to this instalment of Rapid Fire, my ongoing series of quick interviews with authors talking about their new releases. These are short and sweet interviews, with the idea being that each author will answer (more or less) the same questions – by the end of each interview I hope you will have a good idea of what the new book (or audio drama) is about, what inspired it and why you might want to read or listen to it.

In this instalment I spoke to veteran Black Library author Gav Thorpe about his new novel The First Wall, the third book in the Siege of Terra series. After its initial release in Limited Edition hardback in November 2019, it’s now available in standard formats, so if you want to find out what happens next in the concluding part of the Horus Heresy, now’s your chance. Here’s Gav to give you a head’s up on what to expect…

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Justin T. Call Talks Master of Sorrows

Welcome to this Track of Words Author Interview, part of my ongoing series of quick interviews with authors talking about their new or upcoming books. These are short and sweet interviews, with the idea being that each author will answer (more or less) the same questions – by the end of each interview I hope you will have a good idea of what the new book (or audio drama) is about, what inspired it and why you might want to read or listen to it.

In this instalment I spoke to Justin T. Call about his debut novel Master of Sorrows, which was released in the UK by Gollancz in 2019 and is out now in the US as well. If you’re interested in an engaging modern fantasy novel which subverts the usual Chosen One/Dark Lord tropes a little bit, this is well worth checking out!

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: T.R. Napper Talks Neon Leviathan

Welcome to this Track of Words Author Interview, part of my ongoing series of quick interviews with authors talking about their new or upcoming books. These are short and sweet interviews, with the idea being that each author will answer (more or less) the same questions – by the end of each interview I hope you will have a good idea of what the new book (or audio drama) is about, what inspired it and why you might want to read or listen to it.

In this instalment I spoke to Australian author T.R. Napper about his debut short story collection Neon Leviathan, which is out now from Grimdark Magazine. Over the course of the interview we cover topics including the challenges and joys of short stories, being under surveillance in Southeast Asia, the impact of memory on science fiction (and in particular Cyberpunk), and the differences that Australian and Southeast Asian influences bring to Napper’s stories. If you’re at all interested in Cyberpunk and a fantastic new collection of short stories, check this out and then make sure you pick up a copy of Neon Leviathan.

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QUICK REVIEW: The Case of the Somewhat Mythic Sword – Garth Nix

A short but satisfying homage to the classic Conan Doyle tales, Garth Nix’s occult detective story The Case of the Somewhat Mythic Sword features Sir Magnus Holmes, the somewhat less famous cousin of the legendary literary sleuth. Responding in Sherlock’s stead to a case more suited to his esoteric talents, Sir Magnus – accompanied by Almost Doctor Susan Shrike – investigates the appearance of a medieval knight in the cellar of a London pub. Although Holmes quickly deduces what’s happening, it turns into a case which tests his willpower and Shrike’s wits, and reveals the darkness lurking beneath the dapper detective’s civilised veneer.

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The Horusian Wars: Divination – John French

The third book in John French’s Horusian Wars series, Divination is not a novel but rather a collection of short stories, exploring some of the key characters in Inquisitor Covenant’s warband to add depth and emotional weight to the series as a whole. Covenant himself remains a slightly distant figure, always seen through others’ eyes (as per the novels), but over the course of these eleven stories French delves into the backstory and/or mindset of all the inquisitor’s key companions, and even an old ally. Each story takes a very different approach, some more action-packed than others, but they’re all united in shedding light on these intriguing characters and through them Covenant’s philosophy.

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Gareth L Powell Talks Light of Impossible Stars

Welcome to this Track of Words Author Interview, part of my ongoing series of quick interviews with authors talking about their new or upcoming books. These are short and sweet interviews, with the idea being that each author will answer (more or less) the same questions – by the end of each interview I hope you will have a good idea of what the new book (or audio drama) is about, what inspired it and why you might want to read or listen to it.

In this instalment I spoke to the fantastic Gareth L. Powell about his new novel Light of Impossible Stars, which is the third and final volume of his Embers of War trilogy. With the release of this book, all three novels are out now in paperback, ebook and audiobook formats from Titan Books, and if you’re after engaging, character-driven British space opera then this series should definitely be on your list. Especially if you’re a fan of worn-down, relatable characters and sentient, talking spaceships!

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QUICK REVIEW: Voice of Experience – JC Stearns

JC Stearns’ Warhammer 40,000 short story Voice of Experience takes a look at the T’au Empire through the eyes of its auxiliaries, exploring how the t’au interact with their gue’vesa allies. Having turned from the Throne and firmly embraced the Greater Good, Captain Kalice Arkady of the Follaxian 113th is now the highest-ranking and most trusted human on the orbital shipyard Suu’suamyth. When a series of worrying accidents seem to suggest sabotage, she’s called upon to investigate on behalf of the ruling council, and in the process comes to question her understanding of – and place within – t’au society.

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