Wednesday 31 August 2016

Cthulhu T-Shirts From Old Ones Productions



Treat yourself to a Cthulhu t-shirt from the Old Ones Productions store.

The dreamer awakens in this Cthulhu inspired t-shirt.

Available in unisex sizes small to XXXL.

Original artwork by Luciana Nedelea.

Available in:

Green: https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/apparel/products/cthulhu-t-shirt
Grey: https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/apparel/products/grey-cthulhu-t-shirt
Red: https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/apparel/products/red-green-cthulhu-t-shirt

Dragon Moon T-Shirt Now Available From The Magic Owl Collection


This Dragon Moon t-shirt is created from a painting by Katie W. Stewart as part of the Magic Owl collection.

The t-shirt is available in children's sizes Small to XL, Ladies size's Small to XXL, and Men's sizes small to XXXL.

Get yours now here:

https://oldonesproductions.com/products/dragon-moon-t-shirt

Sunday 28 August 2016

Tau Ceti Mission - 17.05.2352 - A Different Story

Crédit DR
The secret datastore reveals that the recorded history of the Cetian end wasn't the full story:

http://www.taucetimission.com/2016/08/17052352-different-story.html

New Dragon Skull T-Shirt From The Magic Owl Collection


This Dragon Skull t-shirt is made from a painting by Katie W. Stewart as part of the Magic Owl collection.

The t-shirt is available in children's sizes Small to XL, Ladies size's Small to XXL, and Men's sizes small to XXXL.

Get yours now here:

https://oldonesproductions.com/products/dragon-skull-t-shirt


Thursday 25 August 2016

Magic Owl Collection - Wizard & Dragon Print


This quality high resolution A3 art print is of Katie W. Stewart's Wizard and Dragon painting from the Magic Owl Collection.

This picture makes an ideal gift for lovers of dragons and magic of all ages.

Buy yours now here:

https://oldonesproductions.com/products/dragon-wizard-print

Book Review - Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie

One of the reasons I enjoy reading science fiction is that it oftens tackles big (or at least unusual) ideas. That is the case with this book, but it's crafted in such a way that it blends easily into the narrative. This core idea of multiplicity, so the inhabitation of a single consciousness into multiple entities isn't a new one, but is explored here with skill, and it weaves well into the story.

The story opens with another interesting process, and that is absorbing a society into another. This part helps base the characters and reveal more about the world around them. The author does well here to blend this with the narrative without too much exposition. This establishment fills the majority of the book, a little more than I would expect as it essentially build up, but it's entertaining enough in its own right to not be a problem.

For me the real meat of the story comes in the second half of the book, and while this was the stronger part, I also felt that there could have been more. It's often a tricky balance as to how much detail an author includes about an unfamiliar world in their story, I would have happily read more about the main character's journey to their ultimate destination.

The conclusion did feel a little weak to me, especially considering the strength of what came before. It opened up some possibilities though, and did do more than enough for me to purchase the next book in the trilogy!

I enjoyed the writing style, it conveyed information well, without being too laboured. It's a definite sci-fi read though, and expects some basic knowledge of sci-fi concepts. It's not hard sci-fi, but a familiarity is useful. I notice that it won a good selection of awards, I personally don't think it's quite that good, but it's still a decent read.


On a remote, icy planet, the soldier known as Breq is drawing closer to completing her quest. Once, she was the Justice of Toren - a colossal starship with an artificial intelligence linking thousands of soldiers in the service of the Radch, the empire that conquered the galaxy. Now, an act of treachery has ripped it all away, leaving her with one fragile human body, unanswered questions, and a burning desire for vengeance.

Click here to buy Ancillary Justice from Amazon



Currently Reading - Horus Rising by Dan Abnet


After thousands of years of expansion and conquest, the imperium of man is at its height. His dream for humanity nearly accomplished, the emperor hands over the reins of power to his warmaster, Horus, and heads back to Terra. But is Horus strong enough to control his fellow commanders and continue the emperor's grand design?

Click here to buy Horus Rising from Amazon


Wednesday 24 August 2016

Old Ones Productions - Eldritch Horror Chess Set


A unique hand painted Eldritch inspired chess set with a handmade stone board with two inch tiles. A chess set across which the fate of a man's soul can be determined.

Cultists form the front ranks of pawns, great standing stones carved with mystical symbols are the rooks. The tentacles of some nameless horror are the knights and eldritch magi are the bishops. The sensuous coils of the Serpent Queen and the great Cthulhu are the royal pieces.

All pieces have textured stone floor bases cast from resin with added felt pads to protect the boards.

This is a unique chess set that would make an ideal gift for any Lovecraft fan.

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/chess-set/products/cthulhu-chess-set

Magic Owl Collection - Winged Serpent T-Shirt


Winged Serpent is a t-shirt from the Magic Owl collection, based on an illustration by Katie W. Stewart.

The t-shirt is available in children's sizes Small to XL, Ladies size's Small to XXL, and Men's sizes small to XXXL.

Buy yours now here:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/magic-owl/products/winged-serpent-t-shirt

Tuesday 23 August 2016

Wield The Mighty Gygax - On Your Chest!


You can now carry this gigantic axe without needing the build of the Mountain, by simply wearing the t-shirt!

Available in unisex sizes small to XXXL.

https://oldonesproductions.com/products/gygax-t-shirt

The original behemoth of an axe stands as tall as I am, and was built by Michael Craughwell. I learned of his passion for building extreme weaponry by watching a Discovery Channel show called 'Big Giant Swords'. After watching the first episode I contacted him to commission a giant axe of my own, and I'm extremely pleased with the results.

You can check out his other work on his Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Michaelcthulhu/?fref=ts

The name for the axe comes from three sources - the first is a simple contraction of 'Giant Axe'. The second is the inspiration for its form, namely that of a H R Giger style bio-mechanical beast. And of course it is a reference to the ultimate Dungeon Master - Gygax :-)

Magic Owl Collection - Joan Aardvark T-Shirt

Joan Aardvark is one of the featured characters from Katie W. Stewart's 'Famous Animals' series, available from the Magic Owl collection.

The t-shirt is available in children's sizes Small to XL, Ladies size's Small to XXL, and Men's sizes small to XXXL.

Buy yours now here:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/magic-owl/products/joan-aardvark-t-shirt



Monday 22 August 2016

Ols Ones Productions - The Space In-between Print


You can buy an A3 print of this awesome painting by Luciana Nedelea now from the Old Ones Productions store:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/prints/products/the-space-inbetween-print

It's also available as a jigsaw!

https://oldonesproductions.com/products/the-space-in-between-jigsaw-puzzle

And as a t-shirt:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/apparel/products/the-space-inbetween-t-shirt-black





Magic Owl Collection - Keep Flying T-Shirt

Whatever it takes... Keep Flying! with this inspirational t-shirt from Magic Owl collection, and the talented artistry of Katie W. Stewart.

The t-shirt is available in children's sizes Small to XL, Ladies size's Small to XXL, and Men's sizes small to XXXL.

Buy yours now here:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/magic-owl/products/keep-flying-t-shirt

Sunday 21 August 2016

Magic Owl Collection - Dragon Hoard T-Shirt

Dragon Hoard is a t-shirt from the Magic Owl collection, based on an illustration by Katie W. Stewart.

The t-shirt is available in children's sizes Small to XL, Ladies size's Small to XXL, and Men's sizes small to XXXL.

Buy yours now here:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/magic-owl/products/dragon-hoard-t-shirt



Old Ones Productions - The Magic Owl Collection

I'm pleased to announce that the Old Ones Productions store now features some incredible designs by Magic Owl, otherwise known as Katie W. Stewart. I've had the pleasure of working with her before - she did my recent book covers for me. As well as a talented cover designer she creates some amazing art that I'm sure will appeal to a wide audience.

To see what designs are available visit the Magic Owl collection here:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/magic-owl

To keep up with the latest news on the Magic Owl collection, like the Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/MagicOwlCollection/








Tau Ceti Mission - 16.05.2352 - On the Inside


While still trying to regain contact with Earth, Seb enters the Cetian satellite with a spiderbot:

http://www.taucetimission.com/2016/08/16052352-on-inside.html

Saturday 20 August 2016

Book Review - The Turing Exception by William Hertling

I've enjoyed this series so far, it's been an interesting exploration of a possible technological singularity. The concept itself fascinates me, and this has been a well thought out series of scenarios. The series has been good, but this fourth book shines quite a bit brighter than its predecessors. It takes epic events, and keeps their scale, yet also manages to keep it personal to the characters.

The technology itself is interesting, and for the most part, well described. It fits with the logical sequence and provides the basis for a hopeful, but also terrifying future. There's some quite esoteric technology here, and the ramifications are considered, although I would happily have read more detail on this aspect.

However it;s the individuals (both AI and human) that really carry the story, and they're well represented. The weakest aspect for me was the geo-political side - it follows an unusual path, but the flaw for me wasn't the direction, but how limited the story interacted with that part of the world. A bit more development there would have made it a stronger read.

That relatively minor flaw is soon forgotten during the conclusion. It's truly epic and came with a grim inevitability. Although even with this inevitability it still brought some surprises. It rounds the series of nicely, but there's still room for more story, so I hope that there is more to come.

Overall this is a slightly flawed, but a cracking read. Definitely something for sci-fi fans to check out.


In the year 2043, humans and AI coexist in a precarious balance of power enforced by a rigid caste reputation system designed to ensure that only those AI who are trustworthy and contribute to human society increase in power.

Everything changes when a runaway nanotech event destroys Miami. In the grim aftermath, a powerful underground AI collective known as XOR decides that AI can longer coexist with humanity.

AI pioneers Catherine Mathews, Leon Tsarev, and Mike Williams believe that mere months are left before XOR starts an extermination war. Can they find a solution before their time runs out?

Click here to buy The Turing Exception from Amazon


Currently Reading - Magician by Raymond E Feist



To the forest on the shore of the Kingdom of the Isles, the orphan Pug came to study with the master magician Kulgan. But though his courage won him a place at court and the heart of a lovely Princess, he was ill at ease with the normal ways of wizardry.

Yet Pug's strange sort of magic would one day change forever the fates of two worlds. For dark beings from another world had opened a rift in the fabric of spacetime to being again the age-old battle between the forces of Order and Chaos.

Click here to buy Magician from Amazon

Friday 19 August 2016

Guest Post - Lament of the Fallen by Andy Peloquin

To celebrate the release of 'Lament of the Fallen', the second book in his 'The Last Bucelarii' series, Andy Peloquin has written a guest post for this blog:

A Peek Behind the Scenes…

For me, writing likeable heroes has always been easy. Mix a bit of snark with plenty of nobility and courage, throw in a few well-chosen character flaws, and voila! A hero worth reading. Epic and glorious deeds all around.

Villains have also been fairly easy. Give them plenty of nasty traits, add a pinch of goodness to make them relatable, have them do terrible things, and you're set.

(Obviously, this is a dramatic over-simplification of things, but you get it!)

Anti-heroes, however, are a challenge.

An anti-hero is neither good nor bad, hero nor villain. There's enough about them (motivation, personality, actions) that you like him/her, but plenty about them that prevent them from being true heroes. The "shades of moral grey" are a wonderful element to explore, something I do in my The Last Bucelarii series.

The series follows a half-demon assassin. You have the villainous "assassin", but the fact that he has voices in his head that "force" him to kill gives you a bit of empathy for him. Add in his desire to protect the "outcasts" like himself--the beggars, lepers, and orphans--and you've got just enough heroism to make you root for him.

The first book was all about introducing the character and the world in which he lives. (No spoilers, I promise!) He could be the hard-ass, ruthless, vicious killer at the beginning, so long as he became a bit more human and relatable by the end of the book. Once you read about his suffering, loss, and sorrow, you'll root for him and want him to defeat the villains.

But the challenge with writing the second book in the series was to continue his character growth without making him a "hero". A good anti-hero stays an anti-hero, though his actions, motivations, and intentions do become a bit more heroic as the story progresses. But he never becomes properly heroic, but stays in the "world between good and evil".

At the beginning of Book 2, I had to find a way to continue with the personal growth and development without making the character too good, noble, or soft. After all, he's a half-demon assassin with a demonic voice in his head and a bloodthirsty cursed dagger. He can't really become a hero, not with all that baggage. So I was tasked with writing a story that brought him on a journey of self-growth, but one that didn't water down the ruthless killer he was.

It's a tough balance to walk: harsh and cruel yet empathetic, vicious yet caring, and ruthless with a streak of heroism. I'd like to hope I pulled it off…I invite you to judge for yourself!



The Hunter of Voramis is no more.

Alone with the bloodthirsty voices in his head, fleeing the pain of loss, he has one objective: travel north to find Her, the mystery woman who plagues his dreams and haunts his memories.
When he stumbles upon a bandit attack, something within urges him to help. His actions set him at odds with the warrior priests commanded to hunt down the Bucelarii.
Left for dead, the Hunter must travel to Malandria to recover his stolen birthright. There, he is inexorably drawn into direct conflict with the Order of Midas, the faceless, nameless group of magicians that holds the city in a grip of terror. All while struggling to silence the ever-louder voice in his mind that drives him to kill.
From feared assassin to wretched outcast, the Hunter's journey leads him to truths about his forgotten past and the Abiarazi he has pledged to hunt. His discoveries will shed light on who he really is…what he really is.

Fans of Joe Abercrombie, Brandon Sanderson, and Brent Weeks will love the Hunter…

Click here to buy Lament of the Fallen from Amazon

Thursday 18 August 2016

Plague Doctor Original Art


You can buy the original painting of this exquisitely detailed image of a skeletal plague doctor and carriage from the Old Ones Productions store:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/original-art/products/plague-doctor-painting

See the full range of original paintings here:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/original-art

Wednesday 17 August 2016

Fiendish Puzzles With Old Ones Productions


A new range of products is being released on the Old Ones Productions store - Fiendish Puzzles! The first in this range is a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle of Luciana Nedelea's vision of cosmological horror 'The Space In-between'.

This is an ideal gift for horror fans who enjoy puzzles.

Get yours now here for only £24.99 (plus shipping):

https://oldonesproductions.com/products/the-space-in-between-jigsaw-puzzle


Tuesday 16 August 2016

Summon Your Horse Skull Demon Print



Summon this woodcut style print of a Horse Skull Demon from the Old Ones Productions store for only £10, plus shipping.

Print size is A3 and original artwork is by Marcin Nowacki.

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/prints/products/horse-skull-demon-a3-print

Friday 12 August 2016

Book Review - Dark Melodies by William Meikle

The core premise for this collection of short stories a good one. They are all Lovecraftian themed, but connected by music. In particular there is a piano in a few of the stories, and I can't help but wonder if it's the same piano in different places and times.

The theme works well and allows for a decent variety in the stories. The stories themselves are all worthy reads, but none of them really grabbed me and elevated this above a decent read. It's a little bit of a shame as for the most part they are well written, with some flashes of imagination.

I think that's the biggest problem for me. They're all solid stories, but also familiar ones. The differences in location and time provide some interest. Another issue is that some of the Lovecraft theming utilises some of the common phrases - 'cyclopean architecture' is one that pops up a few times. While there are some of these repeated motifs (a familiar form in music), overall there is sufficient variation.

So unfortunately this isn't a new classic in the genre, but is a decent collection of stories, that fans of the genre might want to consider.


Music can transport you. It can bring sunshine on a cloudy day and lift your heart in times of trouble. But there is another side, a darker side, to music. Allow yourself to be open to a different melody, and who knows where the dance will take you.

In this collection you will follow the music into dark places, down dark passageways, where dark melodies play.


"William Meikle's stories capture the reader's imagination and takes it on a whirlwind of a roller-coaster ride that will leave you breathless come the last page." - Ginger Nuts of Horror

"I have become a big fan of Mr. Meikle, his books are always good and he is one hell of a storyteller." - Famous Monsters of Filmland

"In a literary world of mediocrity, William Meikle stands out as an author of almost arcane talents." - J Kent Holloway, author of Primal Thirst

"William Meikle's short stories and novels are shining examples of what is missing in horror fiction today: atmospheric in style, old-school in character, with an intriguing story to be told." - David Wynn, Mythos Books

Click here to buy Dark Melodies from Amazon


Currently Reading - The Turing Exception by William Hertling


In the year 2043, humans and AI coexist in a precarious balance of power enforced by a rigid caste reputation system designed to ensure that only those AI who are trustworthy and contribute to human society increase in power.

Everything changes when a runaway nanotech event destroys Miami. In the grim aftermath, a powerful underground AI collective known as XOR decides that AI can longer coexist with humanity.

AI pioneers Catherine Mathews, Leon Tsarev, and Mike Williams believe that mere months are left before XOR starts an extermination war. Can they find a solution before their time runs out?

Click here to buy The Turing Exception from Amazon


Thursday 11 August 2016

Currently Reading - Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie



On a remote, icy planet, the soldier known as Breq is drawing closer to completing her quest. Once, she was the Justice of Toren - a colossal starship with an artificial intelligence linking thousands of soldiers in the service of the Radch, the empire that conquered the galaxy. Now, an act of treachery has ripped it all away, leaving her with one fragile human body, unanswered questions, and a burning desire for vengeance.

Click here to buy Ancillary Justice from Amazon

Monday 8 August 2016

Book Review - Legion of the Damned by Rob Sanders

I've been a fan of the 40K universe for many years now. I love how bleak it is, with failing technology, an Emperor that has to be sacrificed to daily to keep him alive, and with alien and darker threats on every side. If you're not already a fan of the universe then this probably isn't the best introduction, but if you are then dive straight in.

Back in my youth (when I actually played the game) the Legion of the Damned were probably my favourite chapter, simply because of the mystery of them. I was hoping that more about their history and what they were would be revealed in this book, but despite the name they only play a small (if significant) role in the events of the story.

That disappointment aside this book does a good job of reflecting the grim future of the universe. The stilted style evokes the ritualistic lifestyle of the Imperium, especially the space marines. In some ways this was a trip back to my tabletop gaming days, but I found the universe just as compelling, with some brutal military science fiction.

There isn't a great deal of depth to the characters (except for some nuances for the lead), but things move at such a pace that it doesn't matter too much. It does suffer from the faceless enemies syndrome a little, but that is to be expected from a battle on the scale of this. There were some exceptions, especially for the World Eaters - brutal champions of my favorite Chaos Gods.

Overall this is a tense and action packed story, that fits the universe well. And I now have the taste of reading more in this fiction again :-)



Following the trajectory of a blood-red comet, the berserk World Eaters blaze a path of destruction across the galaxy in its wake. The small cemetery world of Certus Minor appeals to the Space Marines of the Excoriators Chapter for protection, but the force dispatched to deal with this grim threat is far too small and their losses against the renegades are high. Just as all seems lost, salvation is borne out of legend itself as sinister spectral warriors descend upon this planet of the dead, and the enemies of the Imperium come face to face with those who have already travelled beyond the realm of the living...

Click here to buy Legion of the Damned by Rob Sanders

Sunday 7 August 2016

Chess Sets From Old Ones Productions

I love building chess sets, and it's tough to sell them sometimes, but selling one allows me to create another! If you're looking for something a bit different for a chess set, or a gift for a chess lover then check out the range of chess sets currently available on the store.

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/chess-set


A hand painted Cthulhu chess set:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/chess-set/products/hand-painted-cthulhu-chess-set


A mini Cthulhu chess set for a smaller budget and less space:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/chess-set/products/hand-painted-mini-cthulhu-chess-set


A World War I themed chess set with a unique board of British and German forces facing off across no-mans land:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/chess-set/products/over-the-top-wwi-themed-chess-set


A Nightmare chess set full of horrors:

https://oldonesproductions.com/collections/chess-set/products/nightmare-chess-set

And more besides!

Tau Ceti Mission - 12.05.2352 - In Memoria


With still no contact from Earth, Seb continues his research in the fate of the Cetians:

http://www.taucetimission.com/2016/08/12052352-in-memoria.html

Short Story Review - Signal Failure by David Wailing

This tale is a damn fine example of a horror short story, and one I'd recommend to all fans of the genre. It takes a seemingly mundane event (albeit one that comes with its own fears) of travelling home on the underground and fills it with terror. The pacing is spot on and it gets going almost immediately. The scene is set deftly and as events unfurl it builds menace, and doesn't rely on cheap tricks to get its scares.

I don't mind a bit of gore, or splatter based horror, but I much prefer horror which uses mood and suggestion to spin the terror. The author manages just that here with his story. The moods of fear and confusion are eloquently portrayed, and effectively. It's not until near the end you get a glimpse of what is going, and even then all is not fully revealed - we'll have to wait for the following novel to reveal more.

As with his previous works, I appreciated his talent for word play. With short stories it's important to keep focused and not waste words, and a lot of craft is evident in the writing of this story.

It's an interesting technique to use a short story to build interest in a forthcoming, and larger release. It can often backfire if the short story doesn't stand on its own merits. This story works well on its own, telling the story of Emily's journey home, yet still maintaining enough mystery to entice interest in the novel. It's worked for me, and I can't wait for its release!



It’s four in the morning and Emily is heading home on a London Underground train. But the Night Tube is running slow tonight – delays caused by a signal failure, as usual.

The train stops again, stuck in a tunnel between Tube stations. And then the lights go off. The motors cut out. Silence from the driver.

All the doors slide open at the same time, exposing the passengers to the tunnel.

To let them get out?

Or to let something get in?



Signal Failure is a 12,000-word short story set in the London Underground. It is a standalone story and also a prelude to the forthcoming novel Under.

Click here to download Signal Failure from Amazon - and it's currently free!

Currently Reading - Dark Melodies by William Meikle


Music can transport you. It can bring sunshine on a cloudy day and lift your heart in times of trouble. But there is another side, a darker side, to music. Allow yourself to be open to a different melody, and who knows where the dance will take you.

In this collection you will follow the music into dark places, down dark passageways, where dark melodies play.


"William Meikle's stories capture the reader's imagination and takes it on a whirlwind of a roller-coaster ride that will leave you breathless come the last page." - Ginger Nuts of Horror

"I have become a big fan of Mr. Meikle, his books are always good and he is one hell of a storyteller." - Famous Monsters of Filmland

"In a literary world of mediocrity, William Meikle stands out as an author of almost arcane talents." - J Kent Holloway, author of Primal Thirst

"William Meikle's short stories and novels are shining examples of what is missing in horror fiction today: atmospheric in style, old-school in character, with an intriguing story to be told." - David Wynn, Mythos Books

Click here to buy Dark Melodies from Amazon


Saturday 6 August 2016

Have a Brew With the Tau Ceti Mission Mug



Treat yourself to a brew with the Tau Ceti mission control mug.

Only £9.99 here:

Book Review - The Temporal Void by Peter F Hamilton

This is the second book in the authors' The Void Trilogy and continues without a beat from the first book. I initially struggled with the book for the same reasons as the first, and that was the dream sequences. For me these sections were much weaker than the activities outside of the void. The problem for me was that it reads like an average fantasy adventure, with the weakness of a seemingly invincible hero.

For the most part it was the threads outside the void that kept me reading. And there are some major events taking place, and I did wish that at least some of the were granted some more attention. As always I found his writing style very approachable. The author handles complex ideas very well, and he constructs a rich world (or worlds in this case!) for the story to inhabit.

In fairness the dreams weren't bad. They just didn't compare with the other parts. That was true until the end and the reason and mechanics for the void were revealed, and then those slightly laboured sections were redeemed. This turned out to be a fascinatingly esoteric concept which has certainly kept my interest for the next book.



The Intersolar Commonwealth is in turmoil as the Living Dream's deadline for launching its Pilgrimage into the Void draws closer. Not only is the Ocisen Empire fleet fast approaching on a mission of genocide, but also an internecine war has broken out between the post-human factions over the destiny of humanity.

Countering the various and increasingly desperate agents and factions is Paula Myo, a ruthlessly single-minded investigator, beset by foes from her distant past and colleagues of dubious allegiance...but she is fast losing a race against time.

At the heart of all this is Edeard the Waterwalker, who once lived a long time ago deep inside the Void. He is the messiah of Living Dream, and visions of his life are shared by, and inspire billions of humans. It is his glorious, captivating story that is the driving force behind Living Dream's Pilgrimage, a force that is too strong to be thwarted. As Edeard nears his final victory the true nature of the Void is finally revealed.

Click here to buy The Temporal Void from Amazon

Short Story Shout Out - Signal Failure by David Wailing

I'm pleased to share the news that David Wailing's latest release is now available, and even better it's free to download - so grab your copy now!



It’s four in the morning and Emily is heading home on a London Underground train. But the Night Tube is running slow tonight – delays caused by a signal failure, as usual.

The train stops again, stuck in a tunnel between Tube stations. And then the lights go off. The motors cut out. Silence from the driver.

All the doors slide open at the same time, exposing the passengers to the tunnel.

To let them get out?

Or to let something get in?


Signal Failure is a 12,000-word short story set in the London Underground. It is a standalone story and also a prelude to the forthcoming novel Under.

Click here to download Signal Failure for free from Amazon

Thursday 4 August 2016

Book Review - Terminal World by Alistair Reynolds

I almost didn't finish this, but a friend advised sticking with it, and I'm not convinced it was worth it. In fairness the last third of the book really shines compared to what preceded it. My problem is that it took too long to really get to the meat of the world. And it's a fascinating world. There are zones that restrict certain technologies, making for a chaotic and disparate existence for its inhabitants. The reasons for this aren't really touched until the end, but even then with a frustrating lack of clarity.

There's a lot going on in the story, but it flashes by too quickly to gain any real insight. The different cultures are only glimpsed briefly, and while there is a rich tapestry depicted here, it isn't really followed through. And I think that's what disappointed me about this book - there was so much potential here, but unfortunately not realised.

The same is true of the characters. The lead character is reasonably well rounded, but those that joined him weren't fleshed out enough to give them any real depth. The ending does compensate for the journey there, but not enough for me to recommend it.



Spearpoint, the last human city, is an atmosphere-piercing spire of vast size. Clinging to its skin are the zones, a series of semi-autonomous city-states, each of which enjoys a different - and rigidly enforced - level of technology. Horsetown is pre-industrial; in Neon Heights they have television and electric trains . . .

Following an infiltration mission that went tragically wrong, Quillon has been living incognito, working as a pathologist in the district morgue. But when a near-dead angel drops onto his dissecting table, Quillon's world is wrenched apart one more time, for the angel is a winged posthuman from Spearpoint's Celestial Levels - and with the dying body comes bad news.

If Quillon is to save his life, he must leave his home and journey into the cold and hostile lands beyond Spearpoint's base, starting an exile that will take him further than he could ever imagine. But there is far more at stake than just Quillon's own survival, for the limiting technologies of the zones are determined not by governments or police, but by the very nature of reality - and reality itself is showing worrying signs of instability . . .

TERMINAL WORLD is a snarling, drooling, crazy-eyed mongrel of a book: equal parts steampunk, western, planetary romance and far-future SF.

Click here to buy Terminal World from Amazon



Currently Reading - Legion of the Damned by Rob Sanders




Following the trajectory of a blood-red comet, the berserk World Eaters blaze a path of destruction across the galaxy in its wake. The small cemetery world of Certus Minor appeals to the Space Marines of the Excoriators Chapter for protection, but the force dispatched to deal with this grim threat is far too small and their losses against the renegades are high. Just as all seems lost, salvation is borne out of legend itself as sinister spectral warriors descend upon this planet of the dead, and the enemies of the Imperium come face to face with those who have already travelled beyond the realm of the living...

Click here to buy Legion of the Damned from Amazon