I’ve just finished reading Empire of Ivory, the fourth book in Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series, and it is delightful.  It’s rare that the fourth book in a series is as thrilling as the first, but Empire of Ivory broadens the focus from the protagonists to their world, and the result is epic and majestic.

The series is bit like a cross between Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin books and McAffrey’s Dragonriders, a sort of historical fantasy.  If you have not read any of … READ MORE

I’ve been looking for a copy of this book since I first read a preview chapter online, several years ago. After such a long delay, the risk of disappointment is high, but this book met my expectations. Point of Honour is a period piece set in a period that never existed: Regency England where Queen Charlotte, not the Prince, was Regent.

Our Heroine is Sarah Tolerance, called Miss Tolerance throughout the book, a woman whose reputation has been ruined, … READ MORE

“How to Talk to Girls at Parties” has been nominated for a Hugo, and has been made available on-line. It’s one of the short stories in Gaiman’s collection, Fragile Things.

I should first admit that although I’m a bit of a comics geek, Gaiman’s not on my must-read list. Occasionally I will adore his work, mostly it’s merely an afternoon’s read. It’s nothing in particular against him, merely that he’s not interested in writing about things I’m interested in … READ MORE