http://www.dragonpage.com Conversations with the Creators of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Thrillers! Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:03:52 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 2004-2011 podcast@farpointmedia.net (Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole) podcast@farpointmedia.net (Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole) 1440 http://www.dragonpage.com/images/farpointmedia/tDPC2C144x144.jpg http://www.dragonpage.com 144 144 http://feeds.feedburner.com/tDp/C2C Conversations with the Creators of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Thriller fiction today! Conversations with the Creators of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Thriller fiction today! If you love SF literature, are an author or aspire to become one, you'll enjoy this podcast. Science, Fiction, Fantasy, Literature, Writers, interviews, reviews Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole podcast@farpointmedia.net no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/12/22/review-empire-state-by-adam-christopher/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/12/22/review-empire-state-by-adam-christopher/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:28:17 +0000 Laith Preston http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3400 Empire State, a Superhero-Noir Science Fiction story set in a dark distorted reflection of New York City of the '30s.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/12/22/review-empire-state-by-adam-christopher/feed/ 2 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/12/05/review-roil-by-trent-jamieson/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/12/05/review-roil-by-trent-jamieson/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:27:16 +0000 Laith Preston http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3312 Roil, the first book in The Nightbound Land duology, promises... and delivers.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/12/05/review-roil-by-trent-jamieson/feed/ 0 0:02:43 Trent Jamieson’s Roil, the first book in The Nightbound Land duology, promises... and delivers. Trent Jamieson’s Roil, the first book in The Nightbound Land duology, promises... and delivers. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/12/01/review-the-last-dragon-by-jane-yolen-rebecca-guay/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/12/01/review-the-last-dragon-by-jane-yolen-rebecca-guay/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:33:28 +0000 Laith Preston http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3309 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/12/01/review-the-last-dragon-by-jane-yolen-rebecca-guay/feed/ 2 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/11/25/review-mercury-rises-by-robert-kroese/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/11/25/review-mercury-rises-by-robert-kroese/#comments Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:32:50 +0000 Tia Bowman http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3351 Mercury Rises is, above all things, a humorous book. It made me laugh, snicker, giggle, and snort (an embarrassing but satisfying thing to happen in the middle of a crowded room).]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/11/25/review-mercury-rises-by-robert-kroese/feed/ 0 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/11/22/review-debris-by-jo-anderton/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/11/22/review-debris-by-jo-anderton/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:11:27 +0000 Laith Preston http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3314 Debris is told from the point of view of the protagonist Tanyana, as the story progresses she searches for the truth behind her change of circumstances and meets a number of interesting characters along the way.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/11/22/review-debris-by-jo-anderton/feed/ 4 0:02:48 Jo Anderton’s debut novel is a compelling tale which pulls you in right from the start. Debris is told from the point of view of the protagonist Tanyana, as the story progresses she searches for the truth behind her change of circumstances and mee[...] Jo Anderton’s debut novel is a compelling tale which pulls you in right from the start. Debris is told from the point of view of the protagonist Tanyana, as the story progresses she searches for the truth behind her change of circumstances and meets a number of interesting characters along the way. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/09/25/dual-review-twelve-thirteen-years-later-by-jasper-kent/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/09/25/dual-review-twelve-thirteen-years-later-by-jasper-kent/#comments Sun, 25 Sep 2011 23:09:06 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3216 Twelve” and "Thirteen Years Later" I have to go on a rant, a rant about books with serial killers. The success of "The Silence of the Lambs" has meant a huge number of books featuring serial killers. I find the popularity of serial killer characters unnerving and annoying. Unnerving, because this hero worship of insane killers, is well unnerving.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/09/25/dual-review-twelve-thirteen-years-later-by-jasper-kent/feed/ 0 0:05:58 Before I start reviewing “Twelve” and "Thirteen Years Later" I have to go on a rant, a rant about books with serial killers. The success of "The Silence of the Lambs" has meant a huge number of books featuring serial killers. I find the popula[...] Before I start reviewing “Twelve” and "Thirteen Years Later" I have to go on a rant, a rant about books with serial killers. The success of "The Silence of the Lambs" has meant a huge number of books featuring serial killers. I find the popularity of serial killer characters unnerving and annoying. Unnerving, because this hero worship of insane killers, is well unnerving. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/08/31/review-steampunk/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/08/31/review-steampunk/#comments Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:05:35 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3203 Steampunk really fits the bill. It offers 14 terrific stories all in the Steampunk genre (although some of them are pretty loosely connected -- I'm looking at you Garth Nix!). And the quality of the stories are uniformly good.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/08/31/review-steampunk/feed/ 1 0:03:44 I do enjoy a good short story anthology and Steampunk really fits the bill. It offers 14 terrific stories all in the Steampunk genre (although some of them are pretty loosely connected -- I'm looking at you Garth Nix!). And the quality of the storie[...] I do enjoy a good short story anthology and Steampunk really fits the bill. It offers 14 terrific stories all in the Steampunk genre (although some of them are pretty loosely connected -- I'm looking at you Garth Nix!). And the quality of the stories are uniformly good. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/08/17/review-7th-sigma-by-steven-gould/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/08/17/review-7th-sigma-by-steven-gould/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:26:47 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3217 7th Sigma because of the excerpt called "Bugs in the Arroyo" that you can find for free on the Tor website. I bought it because of Summer's love for Steven Gould's Jumper. I've never read Jumper, but Summer's enthusiasm for Gould is contagious.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/08/17/review-7th-sigma-by-steven-gould/feed/ 2 0:03:05 I have to admit that I didn't buy 7th Sigma because of the excerpt called "Bugs in the Arroyo" that you can find for free on the Tor website. I bought it because of Summer's love for Steven Gould's Jumper. I've never read Jumper, but Summer's enthu[...] I have to admit that I didn't buy 7th Sigma because of the excerpt called "Bugs in the Arroyo" that you can find for free on the Tor website. I bought it because of Summer's love for Steven Gould's Jumper. I've never read Jumper, but Summer's enthusiasm for Gould is contagious. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/08/05/review-hearts-blood-by-juliet-marillier/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/08/05/review-hearts-blood-by-juliet-marillier/#comments Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:32:58 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3198 Heart's Blood Ms. Marillier has created believable characters, both living and dead who grow and change through the book. Far from being a knock-off, the story and style stand out nicely on their own. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to discover her work.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/08/05/review-hearts-blood-by-juliet-marillier/feed/ 0 0:02:23 In Heart's Blood Ms. Marillier has created believable characters, both living and dead who grow and change through the book. Far from being a knock-off, the story and style stand out nicely on their own. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to dis[...] In Heart's Blood Ms. Marillier has created believable characters, both living and dead who grow and change through the book. Far from being a knock-off, the story and style stand out nicely on their own. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to discover her work. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/29/review-the-goddess-test-by-aimee-carter/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/29/review-the-goddess-test-by-aimee-carter/#comments Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:50:47 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3204 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/29/review-the-goddess-test-by-aimee-carter/feed/ 0 0:03:48 What I didn't expect was to be reaching for a tissue in the first twenty pages. Ms. Carter nicely sidesteps the whole unequal romance trope by placing the emotional center of the novel in the relationship between our heroine Kate and her mother Dian[...] What I didn't expect was to be reaching for a tissue in the first twenty pages. Ms. Carter nicely sidesteps the whole unequal romance trope by placing the emotional center of the novel in the relationship between our heroine Kate and her mother Diana. Kate's frantic grief over her mother's looming death drives the plot and gives more weight to the story than a YA romance would normally command. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/27/review-happily-ever-after-edited-by-john-klima/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/27/review-happily-ever-after-edited-by-john-klima/#comments Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:18:12 +0000 Tia Bowman http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3210 Happily Ever After is an anthology edited by John Klima, in which each story was in some way inspired by a fairy tale. I am an absolute sucker for any kind of fairy tale retelling, but good ones are few and can be difficult to find. So this particular anthology was right up my alley. Plus any editor who was inspired to make an anthology by Neil Gaiman’s “The Troll Bridge” is guaranteed to have fantastic taste in stories.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/27/review-happily-ever-after-edited-by-john-klima/feed/ 0 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/22/guest-review-dead-reckoning-by-charlaine-harris/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/22/guest-review-dead-reckoning-by-charlaine-harris/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 22:41:09 +0000 Summer Brooks http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3211 Dead Reckoning, you don't see her grow much as a character, as she doesn't have time to do much of anything except try to stay alive.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/22/guest-review-dead-reckoning-by-charlaine-harris/feed/ 0 0:03:50 I get a bit exhausted for Sookie. There are always someone or some things "out to get her." Throughout Book 11, there are constant threats from different sources, and Sookie is on high alert most of the novel. Sookie still struggles with being a goo[...] I get a bit exhausted for Sookie. There are always someone or some things "out to get her." Throughout Book 11, there are constant threats from different sources, and Sookie is on high alert most of the novel. Sookie still struggles with being a good person, for her world is continually violent and evil visits her seemingly day in and day out. In Dead Reckoning, you don't see her grow much as a character, as she doesn't have time to do much of anything except try to stay alive. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/15/review-the-enterprise-of-death-by-jesse-bullington/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/15/review-the-enterprise-of-death-by-jesse-bullington/#comments Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:07:39 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3201 The Enterprise of Death really broke my normal reading rules. You see, normally if I stop reading a book that's it -- Game Over. I just don't pick books back up and continue them. I did put The Enterprise of Death down several times, because it was just too intense for me. And, at one point I stopped reading it for a couple of weeks while I went on to other books But I kept coming back to The Enterprise of Death, because I just had to find out what happened to the characters.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/15/review-the-enterprise-of-death-by-jesse-bullington/feed/ 0 0:03:06 The Enterprise of Death really broke my normal reading rules. You see, normally if I stop reading a book that's it -- Game Over. I just don't pick books back up and continue them. I did put The Enterprise of Death down several times, because it wa[...] The Enterprise of Death really broke my normal reading rules. You see, normally if I stop reading a book that's it -- Game Over. I just don't pick books back up and continue them. I did put The Enterprise of Death down several times, because it was just too intense for me. And, at one point I stopped reading it for a couple of weeks while I went on to other books But I kept coming back to The Enterprise of Death, because I just had to find out what happened to the characters. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/08/review-coronets-and-steel-by-sherwood-smith/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/08/review-coronets-and-steel-by-sherwood-smith/#comments Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:30:35 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3195 Coronets and Steel reminds me irresistibly of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Glenraven. Tho' to be honest. I think this is a better book with more realistic characters. And that is saying a lot when the plot involves identical cousins, magic, kidnappings, royalty, mysterious middle European countries and much daring do and plot twists.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/07/08/review-coronets-and-steel-by-sherwood-smith/feed/ 1 0:02:30 The setup for Coronets and Steel reminds me irresistibly of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Glenraven. Tho' to be honest. I think this is a better book with more realistic characters. And that is saying a lot when the plot involves identical cousins, magic,[...] The setup for Coronets and Steel reminds me irresistibly of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Glenraven. Tho' to be honest. I think this is a better book with more realistic characters. And that is saying a lot when the plot involves identical cousins, magic, kidnappings, royalty, mysterious middle European countries and much daring do and plot twists. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/06/28/review-enclave-by-ann-aguirre/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/06/28/review-enclave-by-ann-aguirre/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:57:08 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3190 Enclave. It is the first book in a proposed series. Enclave deals with the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse in a world where those people who are trying to maintain civilization are all very young with a life expectancy of only their early twenties.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/06/28/review-enclave-by-ann-aguirre/feed/ 0 0:03:32 I was given a promotional copy of Enclave. It is the first book in a proposed series. Enclave deals with the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse in a world where those people who are trying to maintain civilization are all very young with a life expect[...] I was given a promotional copy of Enclave. It is the first book in a proposed series. Enclave deals with the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse in a world where those people who are trying to maintain civilization are all very young with a life expectancy of only their early twenties. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/06/24/review-red-glove-by-holly-black/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/06/24/review-red-glove-by-holly-black/#comments Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:58:28 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3188 Red Glove is promoted as a YA novel, although I'd put it more at the 18 year old to adult end of the spectrum than the 13-16 year old range. If your kids are old enough to watch the "Sopranos" or "The Riches" and they like those shows, then this is the right book. Much like those shows, Red Glove contrasts the supposed glamour of a criminal lifestyle with the pain it causes our hero. A younger reader might only see the glamour and magic and miss the misery.]]> http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/06/24/review-red-glove-by-holly-black/feed/ 0 0:03:55 Red Glove is promoted as a YA novel, although I'd put it more at the 18 year old to adult end of the spectrum than the 13-16 year old range. If your kids are old enough to watch the "Sopranos" or "The Riches" and they like those shows, then this is[...] Red Glove is promoted as a YA novel, although I'd put it more at the 18 year old to adult end of the spectrum than the 13-16 year old range. If your kids are old enough to watch the "Sopranos" or "The Riches" and they like those shows, then this is the right book. Much like those shows, Red Glove contrasts the supposed glamour of a criminal lifestyle with the pain it causes our hero. A younger reader might only see the glamour and magic and miss the misery. Michael R. Mennenga, Summer Brooks, Michael A. Stackpole no no http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/05/14/review-thirteenth-child/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/05/14/review-thirteenth-child/#comments Sat, 14 May 2011 15:57:47 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3174 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/05/14/review-thirteenth-child/feed/ 0 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/04/27/review-phoenix-rising-a-ministry-of-peculiar-occurrences-novel/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/04/27/review-phoenix-rising-a-ministry-of-peculiar-occurrences-novel/#comments Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:35:04 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3171 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/04/27/review-phoenix-rising-a-ministry-of-peculiar-occurrences-novel/feed/ 1 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/02/07/review-star-war-red-harvest/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/02/07/review-star-war-red-harvest/#comments Mon, 07 Feb 2011 22:00:38 +0000 Michael Hickerson http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3157 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/02/07/review-star-war-red-harvest/feed/ 0 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/02/07/review-feed-by-mira-grant/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/02/07/review-feed-by-mira-grant/#comments Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:25:14 +0000 Michael Hickerson http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3156 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/02/07/review-feed-by-mira-grant/feed/ 0 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/25/review-the-prisoner/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/25/review-the-prisoner/#comments Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:28:15 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3146 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/25/review-the-prisoner/feed/ 0 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/18/review-omnitopia-dawn/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/18/review-omnitopia-dawn/#comments Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:43:12 +0000 Tia Bowman http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3141 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/18/review-omnitopia-dawn/feed/ 0 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/14/review-troubled-waters/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/14/review-troubled-waters/#comments Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:16:33 +0000 WebGenii http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3145 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/14/review-troubled-waters/feed/ 0 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/12/review-star-wars-crosscurrent/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/12/review-star-wars-crosscurrent/#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2011 01:39:36 +0000 Tia Bowman http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3140 http://www.dragonpage.com/2011/01/12/review-star-wars-crosscurrent/feed/ 0 http://www.dragonpage.com/2010/12/29/review-star-wars-death-troopers/ http://www.dragonpage.com/2010/12/29/review-star-wars-death-troopers/#comments Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:13:03 +0000 Tia Bowman http://www.dragonpage.com/?p=3139 http://www.dragonpage.com/2010/12/29/review-star-wars-death-troopers/feed/ 0