I don’t usually review children’s books, but I have edited one series, and I spend a lot of time reading to my grandchildren, so that gives me an idea what a good Kids’ Lit book looks like. And here’s the first piece of advice that I would like to put out there for everyone who […]
“Kill Code” by Clive Fleury
Kill Code is a dystopian action tale, full of conflicts at several different levels. It even has a bit to say about the reality of reality. As opposed to virtual reality, of course. But authors have to be careful with VR scenes because they make it too easy for the author to manipulate the conflict. […]
“Long Daze at Long Binh” by Steve Donovan and Fred Borchardt
This book is not your usual memoir, either in form or in substance. Instead of a narrative, the writing mimics the dynamics of two guys sitting around trading tales. One starts a story, the other picks it up, then the first takes it back and so on. A kind of narrative ping-pong. It works relatively […]
“NeXt” by Lance Manion
The concept of the “fourth wall” comes from the theatre, where an actor breaks out of the play and speaks directly to the audience, severing their emotional connection to the story. Lance Manion, by his own proud admission, is a “bubble breaker from way back.” He glories in stepping out of his behind-the-scenes role as […]