None of the ants previously seen by man were more than an inch in length – most considerably under that size. But even the most minute of them have an instinct and talent for industry, social organization, and savagery that makes man look feeble by comparison.
Author Archives: 9siduri
Review of “Lucky” by Thomas Gaffney
“These dice might make your wildest dreams come true, child.”
Review of “Battle Ground” by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #17)
Plot: Harry Dresden is Chicago’s only wizard in the phone book. He specializes in finding things. He once ran a detective agency but now has a less-than-voluntary gig with the Mab, the Fairy Queen of Winter. This gives him certain powers and protections, but it also leaves him in Mab’s obligation. The book opens withContinue reading “Review of “Battle Ground” by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files #17)”
Review of “The Addams Family” (2019)
Saturday pizza and bad movie night turned up this gem. We’re saving Svengoolie for tomorrow night, fortified with a little red wine. Or vodka. Plot:Ghoulish, macabre Gomez and Morticia Addams (Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron ) get run out of town by locals with torches on their wedding night. Gomez promises to find a homeContinue reading “Review of “The Addams Family” (2019)”
Review of “The Serpents of Kthyb Seven” by Maura Yzmore
Plot: The security bot acknowledges the traveler: “Welcome, Master Xyay.” After scanning him for weapons, he asks about the traveler’s satchel. “It’s exactly what Rzay sent me out to get,” he answers. The robot offers no challenge and does not inspect the satchel. It’s obvious by his copper skin tone the traveler is a hybrid.Continue reading “Review of “The Serpents of Kthyb Seven” by Maura Yzmore”
Review of “Miss Graham’s Cold War Cookbook: A Novel” by Celia Rees
I recently joined a book club as a means of getting out of the house in the time of plague and exposing myself to books I wouldn’t ordinarily read. The one below is the first example. Plot: Following the end of WWII, Edith Graham decides to use her experience as a school teacher and becomeContinue reading “Review of “Miss Graham’s Cold War Cookbook: A Novel” by Celia Rees”
Review of “Glitch” by Wendy Nikel
Plot: The narrator’s roommate/old bandmate threatened to kick him (or her? It’s never specified) out of the flat if he didn’t start pulling his weight and become a responsible adult. He got a job at the teleporter terminal to spend his days sending “some businessperson or travel-blogger or snowbird” off in a puff of dustContinue reading “Review of “Glitch” by Wendy Nikel”
Review of “Mighty Joe Young” (1949)
Alas! The tummy has been complaining, so I had to forgo the jalapenos on the pizza for this week’s Saturday pizza and bad movie night. But there was still Svengoolie. Plot: Seven-year-old Jill Young (Lora Lee Michel), living with her widowed father in “darkest” Africa, trades her toys, some jewelry, and her daddy’s flashlight forContinue reading “Review of “Mighty Joe Young” (1949)”
Review of “Death in Vivid Blue” by Lawrence Buentello
Plot: Liam Terrell sees the beauty of the euthanasia agent when it first enters the sparse room. The agent is a robot and, though not designed to look human, displays an artistic form and grace. It walks on two legs. Its hands are crafted to handle delicate and fine manipulations. The whole body is finishedContinue reading “Review of “Death in Vivid Blue” by Lawrence Buentello”
Review of “Assisted Suicide” by Brian Wells
Plot: Keith spreads out the paint cloth across the dining room floor. His phone rings. His curiosity overcoming annoyance, he answers. Need help murdering your wife?This has to be a joke. Besides, no one could know what he was planning. “Who is this?” It’s his credit card app. It tells him it wants Keith toContinue reading “Review of “Assisted Suicide” by Brian Wells”
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 