Songs of the Dying Earth, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois – review
The authors of the stories in this anthology all provide an afterward in which they talk about their first encounter with a piece of Jack Vance’s writing and how that piece of writing influenced their careers and inspired them. It seems only fitting that I add my own first encounter with Jack Vance. I know [...]
SF & Crime Fans – Matthew Hughes’ ‘Hespira’ now out!
Over the weekend Matthew Hughes dropped me a line letting me know that his latest book is finally out in the world, and this is indeed great news for me, as out of all the SF/Crime hybrids we’ve seen put out over the last several years, I think his Tale of Henghis Hapthorn novels are probably my favorite. Definitely not as visceral as some Richard Morgan offerings, but the mix here leaves something very identifiable and dare I say a welcome quality of quaintness for fans of either, as I think some – even those I enjoy – tend to try to go overboard in efforts to prove how they aren’t either or. In other words, it’s really an SF/Detective series, and not so much an attempt at noir, which I tend to (oddly) find to be the chosen vehicle of overbearing excess (which sometimes does lead to awesome!).
More after the jump…
‘Template’ by Matthew Hughes reviewed by Kurt Busiek
Tomio here, and this is a double treat for me. First, I simply love to read books by Matthew Hughes, and I think the review below says all that needs to be said with its first line. I think Majestrum and The Spiral Labyrinth were as fun as SF gets over the last few years, fusing SF/F and crime/mystery in what I think is an optimal way. Second, the reviewer here is Kurt Busiek, who simply is one of the best voices in comics period. Not just hype, he has the track record. Remember Marvels? How about Astro City? Reading Dark Horse’s Conan right now? Today, we have Kurt Busiek’s review of Template (BSC has the excerpt), that he has allowed us to reproduce at BSC (big thanks to him for that!).
Read it after the jump…
News – Jay Lake’s intro to Template by Matthew Hughes Online
I really love the fiction of Matthew Hughes so I’m glad he gave me a heads up that the introduction to his novel Template is now posted online. The intro was written by another talented chap, Jay Lake, a Campbell Award winning and World Fantasy and Hugo Award nominated author. Check out Lake’s intro at [...]
Book Review – Majestrum
Author: Matthew Hughes Cover Artist: Tom Kidd Publisher: Night Shade Books Binding: Paperback Publication Date: 2006 The back jacket copy describes Majestrum by Matthew Hughes, as “Sherlock Holmes meets Jack Vance’s Dying Earth…” H-m-m-m-m. Let’s take a look. This first person narrative chronicles the latest adventures of Henghis Hapthorn, freelance discriminator. Hapthorn is assisted by [...]
Exclusive – Template by Matthew Hughes (First Chapter)
TEMPLATE A Novel of the Archonate Matthew Hughes Chapter 1 The tall skinny one and the one with the shaved head kept circling to Conn Labro’s right. When they came at him their attack was well coordinated, the points of their epiniards darting in at different angles, aimed at different parts of his body. Now [...]
On the Spot at BSC – Matthew Hughes interview
This week our guest on ‘On the Spot’ is an author whose work I was recently introduced to, and the reading has been such a compelling and enjoyable experience it has had me as of late searching feverishly for other examples of the author’s work. Mind, you, it is not requirement to read the former [...]
