This is the book everyone begged for after The Black Tongued Thief. BTT was more fun to read, with wit; however, while gritty to the point of flinchinThis is the book everyone begged for after The Black Tongued Thief. BTT was more fun to read, with wit; however, while gritty to the point of flinching, this prequel is the better book.
Buehlman delivers the book fans craved: Galva’s story. He also delivers a book about family, both blooded and found.
Small detail that I appreciated: late in the novel he introduces a character named Simon. Simon is not important to the overall plot, but he and Galva develop a friendship that anyone who has had a “battle buddy” can relate to. It was a nice touch.
My only complaint, after Galva’s big show down with _______ (I won’t say, but it was inevitable), Buehlman rushes to the finish line. I would have supported a part two that took its time getting to the fate of two important side characters (again, I don’t wish to give spoilers and say who, but it will be apparent). However, I’m torn in this. Part of the charm of this and his first book in this world is that while they relate, one need not read the other. Both are enjoyable on their own.
That being said, while this is a prequel, I recommend that if you want to read “the series”, start with The Black Tongued Thief. Galva’s narrative assumes you have and reading Daughters’ War first will give slight spoilers. ...more
The excellence continues. Cary Nord art. Two Conan tales, the conclusion to a three part Solomon Kane story, an excerpt from John C. Hocking’s Conan CThe excellence continues. Cary Nord art. Two Conan tales, the conclusion to a three part Solomon Kane story, an excerpt from John C. Hocking’s Conan City of the Dead and a short autobiography of Hocking and how he came to write said book. ...more
I needed a fun and furious read to snap me out of a slump. I had some Dashiell Hammett in mind, or possibly some Ray Chandler, but I stumbled upon a rI needed a fun and furious read to snap me out of a slump. I had some Dashiell Hammett in mind, or possibly some Ray Chandler, but I stumbled upon a review of The Deep, saw a copy at my library and decided to give it a read.
I’ve never read Mickey Spillane before, but I enjoyed this tough guy read. Spillane is known for having a “big twist”. I saw the twist early on, but it all added up so I didn’t mind. ...more
This is the last issue with Goodman Games as the publisher. Outland Entertainment will take over with issue 13. I hope we see favorite authors and chaThis is the last issue with Goodman Games as the publisher. Outland Entertainment will take over with issue 13. I hope we see favorite authors and characters return and that the quality remains high.
This issue delivers another Benhus story by John C. Hocking. Benhus is one of my favorite recurring characters. In this tale, he discovers that he knows even less about his self titled position as the King’s Blade than he thought he knew.
The remaining authors are not as well known to me, but there isn’t a stinker in the batch.
As always, the Skull serves up a heaping plate of new sword and sorcery goodness. ...more
“The Last White Man and 6 Essays on the Bard of Cross Plains” is a slim 150 page book published on demand (PoD) love letter to REH from fans in Italy.“The Last White Man and 6 Essays on the Bard of Cross Plains” is a slim 150 page book published on demand (PoD) love letter to REH from fans in Italy. It contains the short story, “The Last White Man” by REH. It is not an often republished story. It did not see publication during Howard’s lifetime. It first came to print in 1964, in The Howard Collector #5. Most recently, prior to this book, it was published in Adventures in Science Fantasy, REH Foundation Press, May 2012. It is a story of Howard’s I had not read before, and my reason for purchasing this book.
The story itself portrays a grim narrative of racial conflict and is set in a post-apocalyptic future. Unfortunately, the stew is seasoned with Howard’s racial beliefs, which were a product of his time. It will not pass the muster for audiences discovering Howard in this generation. Its ending may, as it ends with a reflection on the eventual decline of all empires from the rot of inner decay and over extension. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it, and I’m glad I now have a copy in my library.
The essays in the book I’m not glad to have read or have in my library. The book’s biography of Howard contains historical errors, such as the belief that REH drove away from his home to commit suicide. This I can forgive, and I can even forgive the reoccurring statement that Howard was famous. Howard did not obtain fame in his lifetime. He did reach his goal of writing for a living; however, his stories and poems were published in the pulps not “the slicks”. Pulps were cheaply made magazines. The paper used was so thin that the type would often smear. Pulps did not pay well. Slicks were Howard’s goal. The slicks were printed on better quality paper, paid more and attracted authors with more fame than Howard. This isn’t enough to have made me toss the book across the room, but I chuckled when the author, Andrea Larson, wrote “the prestigious Weird Tales”. Weird Tales is looked at longingly now, but back then, it was not prestigious. Due to translation issues, there are odd turns of phrases, none of which are so jarring as to force me place the book on my DNF pile, but they are there. The use of the word “prestigious” may also be a result of translation from Italian to English.
“Brief Reflection on R.E. Howard and Jack London”, by Andrea Larson is the first of the “6 essays”. It is fine. Again, there are some translation issues, but nothing glaring. It is the best essay of the six.
“Why Robert E. H. (in my opinion) didn’t kill himself”, by Andrea Larson is a laughable attempt to paint a picture in which REH had enemies that were willing to stage his murder to appear as a suicide. None of the logic holds up. Read this for a giggle.
Honestly, I only read this book a few days ago, but the meat of the remaining three essays escapes my memory. They were not strong enough to have planted any seeds. They are: “Some interesting facts about R.E. Howard” (Larson), “On the Last White Man” by Ninni Raimondi and “Howard, in the sign of the snake”, by Mariella Bernacchi. The last offering of the book is a reprint of H.P. Lovecraft’s “In Memoriam: Robert Ervin Howard”. It is reprinted in its entirety and is a nice addition.
The book has a handsome cover. It is bound well and is of good quality paper. The spine on my volume runs down and up instead of up and down forcing me into the odd decision of should I store this book cover up and to the right (which forces the spine lettering to read bottom to top) or cover upside down and to the left which aligns the spine to read top to bottom.
This is a book for completionists. If you do not own a copy of REH’s “The Last White Man” and would like to, then this is a good purchase. If you have a copy in your library, you might get a giggle out of Larson’s attempt to prove REH was murdered, or it may anger you. The choice is yours....more