The Poppy War uses the general frame of Chinese history in the 20th century, but reshapes it with its own fantasy elements. So there’s an invasion from an island nation (Japan), the influx of opium and heroin but then the fantasy elements of being able to call upon gods and become shamans are mixed in with all that. Continue reading
The novel’s central premise is that there are doors between worlds, they appear in thin places between worlds and people can cross the Threshold and end up in another world. And in these words are vampires, witches, normal people, magic or terrible things. Continue reading
We once again follow the exploits of our favourite humans and vampires (and occasionally some demons as well). Greta is filling in as medical director at a mummy wellness spa in France, where a strange phenomenon is making the mummies weak and dizzy. When the intrepid characters find out what is going on, it’s on a scale that no one can handle, not even all the denizens of Hell itself. Continue reading
The story really centres on Muna and Sakti, who find themselves on Janda Baik (the island where Mak Genggang is from), but they don’t remember anything about themselves. Continue reading
The plot of Sorcerer to the Crown is mainly straightforward. It’s early 19th century (or so I guess because of the references to Bonaparte) and there is a noticeable decline in English Magic. Zacharias Wythe, the Sorcerer to the Crown needs to discover what that’s all about. Continue reading
Like the two previous novels, the author takes elements of fantasy and mixes them in with the real word. In this case it’s Mayan gods alive in Mexico during the jazz age. Continue reading
Phyllis reminded me of Reggie from The Rewind Files, though if anything more fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pantsness. But delightful, flawed, tough, sarcastic and with a deep sense of fairness and faith in her friends. Sarcastic lead characters win my heart every time. Continue reading
