Tag: book-reviews

A speculative fiction advent calendar of quotes: Dec. 13, 2025

On By janewisemanIn fantastic fantasyLeave a comment

Here in the mountains east of Albuquerque NM it’s a bright mild day in December and the real 1984 is decades in the past, but Orwell’s dystopian classic still fits, now more than ever. Sadly. What better quotation to use for my 13th? Happy holidays. You’re welcome.

cover for George Orwell's novel 1984, 75th anniversary edition
Find out how to get this 75th anniversary edition HERE. In general, be careful which edition of a “classic” book you read. Once a book leaves copyright protection and enters the public domain, scummy publishers out to make a quick buck may churn out a multitude of cheap and poorly edited editions. While Orwell’s novel still enjoys copyright protection in the U.S., the book entered the public domain in other parts of the world in 2021.

A speculative fiction advent calendar of quotes: Dec. 11, 2025

On By janewisemanIn fantastic fantasyLeave a comment

The Stars My Destination, by Alfred Bester, was first published in 1956 as “Tiger! Tiger!” Part Gulliver’s Travels, part Count of Monte Cristo, Bester’s hugely entertaining space opera is one of the classics of the Golden Age of SF.

cover of "The Stars My Destination," science fiction book by Alfred Bester
cover of 1957 Signet Books edition, retrieved from Wikipedia under Fair Use policy

A speculative fiction advent calendar of quotes: Dec. 10, 2025

On By janewisemanIn fantastic fantasyLeave a comment
quotation from Joe Abercrombie's fantasy novel "The Blade Itself"
Find out more HERE.

Abercrombie’s The Blade Itself is one of my favorite fantasy novels, ever. And Logen Ninefingers is one of my favorite fantasy characters, ever. I am not alone. Check out this Reddit with every single “Say one thing for” quote in The First Law series. The Blade Itself is Book One.

Cover of Joe Abercrombie's fantasy novel "The Blade Itself"
First published 2006