What is Mark reading?

Any of my reviews of books or magazines are summarised here. I don’t review very often any more, so this is more of an archive but who knows – maybe the muse will take me again one day!

Many of the podcasts/reviews etc I consume are by long standing members of the industry who are much more qualified to judge the merits of the many, many works that populate the speculative fiction landscape than I am. My tastes run to the more pulp/populist and I don’t seem to pick up on the deep underlying themes that others do. So be warned, if you are in search of a sensitive assessment of the literary merits of a story, with comparisons to obscure/worthy/classic authors and use of words like ‘zeitgeist’ then you’ve come to the wrong place. If on the other hand you like a good old fashioned ray gun…

 

Shadowmancy by Jason Franks – a review

Created June 15, 2020. Last modified June 15, 2020. 0 comments. Top.

I’ve long been a fan of Australian author Jason Franks. His previous books, Bloody Waters and Faerie Apocalypse were both weird, but in the best possible way.

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What’s shakin’? – July, August and September 2018

Created October 8, 2018. Last modified October 10, 2018. 0 comments. Top.

What have you been looking at lately?

TV

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Matters Arising for the Identification of the Body by Simon Petrie – a review

Created July 9, 2018. Last modified July 9, 2018. 0 comments. Top.

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What’s shakin’? – June 2018

Created July 8, 2018. Last modified July 9, 2018. 0 comments. Top.

So, what have I been up to in June, culture consumed wise?

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Crossroads of Canopy by Thoraiya Dyer – a review

Created May 19, 2018. Last modified May 19, 2018. 0 comments. Top.

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Faerie Apocalypse by Jason Franks – a review

Created April 1, 2018. Last modified April 1, 2018. 0 comments. Top.

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Swarm and Nexus by Deborah Biancotti, Margo Lanagan and Scott Westerfeld – a review

Created December 17, 2017. Last modified December 17, 2017. 0 comments. Top.

I recently read the second two books in the Zeroes trilogy by Deborah Biancotti, Margo Lanagan and Scott Westerfeld (Swarm and Nexus). Long time blog readers might recall that I read, and enjoyed, the first book in the series a while back.

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Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier (Blackthorn and Grim Book 3) – a review

Created April 5, 2017. Last modified April 5, 2017. 0 comments. Top.

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Vigil by Angela Slatter – a review

Created July 24, 2016. Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.

Australian Women Writers' Challenge 2016This review forms part of my contribution to the Australian Women Writers 2016 Reading Challenge. All my 2016 AWWC reviews can be found here.

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Monthly roundup culture consumed – May 2016

Created June 5, 2016. Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.

So, what did everyone else do in May?

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Monthly roundup culture consumed – April 2016

Created May 8, 2016. Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.

So, what did April have in store for me?

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Sheep Might Fly (a fiction podcast) by Tansy Rayner Roberts – a review

Created May 1, 2016. Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.

Australian Women Writers' Challenge 2016This review forms part of my contribution to the Australian Women Writers 2016 Reading Challenge. All my 2016 AWWC reviews can be found here.

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Musketeer Space by Tansy Rayner Roberts – a second review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Monthly roundup culture consumed – March 2016

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody – a review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Monthly roundup culture consumed – February 2016

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan and Deborah Biancotti – a review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 1 comment. Top.


Monthly roundup culture consumed – January 2016

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier – a review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 3 comments. Top.


Dreamer’s Pool by Juliet Marillier – a review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 2 comments. Top.


Monthly Roundup – August through December 2015

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Peacemaker by Marianne de Pierres – a review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 1 comment. Top.


Monthly roundup – June and July 2015

Last modified April 17, 2016. 0 comments. Top.


The Dagger’s Path by Glenda Larke – a review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Monthly roundup – May 2015

Last modified July 9, 2018. 0 comments. Top.


Clariel by Garth Nix – a review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Bound by Alan Baxter – a review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 4 comments. Top.


Monthly roundup – April 2015

Last modified April 17, 2016. 0 comments. Top.


Thief’s Magic by Trudi Canavan – review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 1 comment. Top.


The Lascar’s Dagger by Glenda Larke – review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 1 comment. Top.


Monthly roundup – March 2015

Last modified April 17, 2016. 0 comments. Top.


Cold Comfort & Other Tales by David McDonald – review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Monthly Roundup – January & February 2015

Last modified April 17, 2016. 0 comments. Top.


The Marching Dead by Lee Battersby – review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Zeroes – news

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Horizon by Keith Stevenson – review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 1 comment. Top.


The Female Factory by Lisa L Hannett and Angela Slatter – review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Kaleidoscope edited by Alisa Krasnostein and Julia Rios – review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 3 comments. Top.


Musketeer Space by Tansy Rayner Roberts – review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 4 comments. Top.


Secret Lives by Rosaleen Love – review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 2 comments. Top.


North Star Guide Me Home by Jo Spurrier – review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 1 comment. Top.


Black Sun Light My Way by Jo Spurrier – review

Last modified April 5, 2015. 3 comments. Top.


Monthly roundup – November and December 2014

Last modified April 5, 2015. 3 comments. Top.


Monthly Roundup – October 2014

Last modified April 5, 2015. 2 comments. Top.


The Godless by Ben Peek – review

Last modified March 4, 2017. 0 comments. Top.


Monthly Round Up – August and September 2014

Last modified April 5, 2015. 2 comments. Top.


Winter Be My Shield by Jo Spurrier – review

Last modified April 5, 2015. 1 comment. Top.


Monthly Round Up – July 2014

Last modified April 5, 2015. 2 comments. Top.


Watermarks by Jason Nahrung (Cosmos magazine)

Last modified April 5, 2015. 0 comments. Top.


Monthly round up – June 2014

Last modified September 28, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


Traitor Queen by Trudi Canavan – review

Last modified September 28, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


May 2014 – mini reviews

Last modified September 28, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


The Rogue by Trudi Canavan – review

Last modified September 28, 2014. 1 comment. Top.


April 2014 – mini reviews

Last modified September 28, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


The Ambassador’s Mission by Trudi Canavan – review

Last modified September 28, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


Catch up December 2013 – March 2014 – mini reviews

Last modified September 28, 2014. 2 comments. Top.


The Darkness Within by Jason Nahrung – review

Last modified May 29, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


Path of Night by Dirk Flinthart – review

Last modified May 29, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson – review

Last modified May 29, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


Bloody Waters by Jason Franks – review

Last modified April 13, 2014. 1 comment. Top.


2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson – review

Last modified April 27, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


Wizard Undercover by K. E. Mills – review

Last modified February 16, 2014. 3 comments. Top.


Wizard Squared by K. E. Mills – review

Last modified February 16, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


Witches Incorporated by K. E. Mills – review

Last modified March 30, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


Caution: contains small parts by Kirstyn McDermott – review

Last modified January 5, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


The Expanse Trilogy by James S.A. Corey – review

Last modified January 5, 2014. 2 comments. Top.


Redshirts by John Scalzi – review

Last modified September 3, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin – review

Last modified August 19, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Suited by Jo Anderton – review

Last modified August 4, 2013. 1 comment. Top.


Angel Rising by Dirk Flinthart – review

Last modified June 22, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


The Corpse-Rat King by Lee Battersby – review

Last modified June 10, 2013. 2 comments. Top.


Asymmetry by Thoraiya Dyer – review

Last modified June 8, 2013. 5 comments. Top.


A Trifle Dead by Livia Day – review

Last modified May 19, 2013. 1 comment. Top.


New Ceres Nights edited by Alisa Kranostein and Tehani Wessely – review

Last modified May 5, 2013. 5 comments. Top.


The Accidental Sorcerer by K. E. Mills – review

Last modified April 7, 2013. 5 comments. Top.


Black Glass by Meg Mundell – review

Last modified April 4, 2013. 5 comments. Top.


Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillis – review

Last modified April 17, 2013. 2 comments. Top.


The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina – review

Last modified January 11, 2015. 5 comments. Top.


Dark Space by Marianne de Pierres – review

Last modified February 3, 2013. 11 comments. Top.


Old Man’s War by John Scalzi – review

Last modified February 7, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Blood and Dust by Jason Nahrung – review

Last modified January 22, 2013. 3 comments. Top.


Perfections by Kirstyn McDermott – review

Last modified January 22, 2013. 5 comments. Top.


A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandan Sanderson – review

Last modified January 17, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Quiver by Jason Fischer – review

Last modified January 22, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Evaporating Genres – Essays on Fantastic Literature by Gary K. Wolfe – comment

Last modified January 11, 2013. 2 comments. Top.


Astonishing X-Men – review

Last modified December 28, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


Pyrotechnicon by Adam Browne – review

Last modified December 28, 2012. 2 comments. Top.


Through Splintered Walls by Kaaron Warren – review

Last modified December 16, 2012. 4 comments. Top.


Cold Days by Jim Butcher – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


Aurealis #56 (November 2012) – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 1 comment. Top.


Asimov’s Science Fiction – April/May 2012 – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


Cracklescape by Margo Lanagan – review

Last modified December 16, 2012. 4 comments. Top.


Salvage by Jason Nahrung – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 5 comments. Top.


Aurealis #55 (October 2012) – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 1 comment. Top.


Aurealis #54 (September 2012) – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


The Light Heart of Stone by Tor Roxburgh – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 6 comments. Top.


The Eternal Tide (Star Trek: Voyager) – Kirsten Beyer – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


Watching the Clock (Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations) – Christopher L. Bennett – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


May Contain Traces of Magic by Tom Holt – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


Children of the Storm by Kirsten Beyer – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 1 comment. Top.


The Heir of Night by Helen Lowe – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


The Magicians by Lev Grossman – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


Aurealis #53 (August 2012) – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


Aurealis #52 (July 2012) – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


Aurealis #51 (June 2012) – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


Viral Novella series – -30-, Anomaly, Martyrs and The Call – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 1 comment. Top.


The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 1 comment. Top.


Madigan Mine by Kirstyn McDermott – review

Last modified December 8, 2012. 9 comments. Top.


Reign of Beasts by Tansy Rayner Roberts – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 3 comments. Top.


Analog – May 2012

Last modified June 17, 2012. 0 comments. Top.


The Shattered City by Tansy Rayner Roberts – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 1 comment. Top.


Damnation and Dames edited by Liz Grzyb and Amanda Pillar – review

Last modified May 19, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


Mistification by Kaaron Warren – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 8 comments. Top.


Aurealis #50 (May 2012)

Last modified June 3, 2012. 2 comments. Top.


Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 9 comments. Top.


Ishtar by Kaaron Warren, Deborah Biancotti and Cat Sparks – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 10 comments. Top.


When We Have Wings by Claire Corbett – review

Last modified August 4, 2015. 1 comment. Top.


Star Trek Enterprise: To Brave the Storm by Michael A. Martin

Last modified January 11, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Analog – April 2012 – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


SQ Mag – Edition 1 (March 2012) – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Aurealis #49 (April 2012) – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Asimov’s Science Fiction – March 2012 – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Analog – March 2012 – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Rise Like Lions by David Mack – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Showtime by Narrelle M Harris – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 6 comments. Top.


Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #53 – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 3 comments. Top.


Aurealis #48 (March 2012) – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 6 comments. Top.


Sprawl edited by Alisa Krasnostein – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 5 comments. Top.


Aurealis #47 (February 2012) – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 3 comments. Top.


Asimov’s Science Fiction – February 2012 – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Asimov’s Science Fiction – January 2012 – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 2 comments. Top.


The Silver Wind by Nina Allan – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 1 comment. Top.


Tobacco-Stained Mountain Goat by Andrez Bergen – review

Last modified March 3, 2014. 2 comments. Top.


Aurealis #46 (November 2011) – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 2 comments. Top.


Analog – January/February 2012 – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Debris by Jo Anderton – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 8 comments. Top.


A Book of Endings by Deborah Biancotti – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 6 comments. Top.


Above/Below by Stephanie Campisi/Ben Peek – review

Last modified February 6, 2016. 9 comments. Top.


The Last Days of Kali Yuga by Paul Haines – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 4 comments. Top.


Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Zoo City by Lauren Beukes – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


The Courier’s New Bicycle by Kim Westwood – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 7 comments. Top.


Bad Power by Deborah Biancotti – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 11 comments. Top.


Power and Majesty by Tansy Rayner Roberts – review

Last modified January 8, 2015. 14 comments. Top.


Inheritance by Christopher Paolini – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Asimov’s Science Fiction – December 2011 – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Analog – December 2011 – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Anywhere But Earth – edited by Keith Stevenson – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 6 comments. Top.


Zero History by William Gibson – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 1 comment. Top.


Spook Country by William Gibson – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 2 comments. Top.


Antipodean SF Issue 162 – December 2011 – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Nightsiders by Sue Isle – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 1 comment. Top.


Thief of Lives by Lucy Sussex – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 1 comment. Top.


Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #52 – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Analog – November 2011 – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Asimov’s Science Fiction – October/November 2011 – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Analog – October 2011 – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 2 comments. Top.


Aurealis #45 – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Love and Romanpunk by Tansy Rayner Roberts – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 4 comments. Top.


Snuff by Terry Pratchett – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 0 comments. Top.


Asimov’s Science Fiction September 2011 – review

Last modified August 16, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 2 comments. Top.


Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #51 – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 4 comments. Top.


Aurealis #44 – review

Last modified January 2, 2013. 1 comment. Top.


Analog – September 2011 – review

Last modified August 16, 2014. 0 comments. Top.


Worldshaker by Richard Harland – review

Last modified January 11, 2013. 1 comment. Top.