Review – The Last Straw: A Critical Autopsy of a Galaxy Far, Far Away by John C. Wright

The last time this author listened to an audiobook, it was on CD. While quite interesting, it required more attention than reading a novel. This means she had to be engaged in some kind of mindless activity that allowed her to focus on what is being read aloud rather than on what is before her …

Review – The Wisdom of Walt Disney: The Themes, Ethics, and Ideas of His Greatest Films by David Breitenbeck

This review is a special one, readers. Longtime followers of A Song of Joy will undoubtedly recognize Mr. Breitenbeck’s name, as he has been cited and/or mentioned here several times (plus, his site is in the blogroll). One of his short stories was discussed in this examination of Fantastic Schools, Vol. 2, and today, one …

Review – Cirsova Magazine of Thrilling Adventure and Daring Suspense Issue #6/Spring 2021 by Cirsova Publishing

Here we have a special review, readers! I was privileged to receive an advance copy of Cirsova Magazine’s 2021 Spring Issue* in order to review it. From the description: The Artomique Paradigm (Part 1 of 3) by Michael Tierney           Earth is now in contact with their intergalactic cousins! But during recent conflicts with aliens …

Review – The Carter Files, Book 1: Phoenix by Lori Janeski

Liger Zero Phoenix No, fellow Zoids* fans, the title of the book being reviewed today has nothing to do with the franchise. I just couldn’t resist the reference. While it was not the best entry in the franchise by a long mile, not everything in Zoids: Fuzors was bad. Liger Zero and the Phoenix were …

Review – Galen’s Way: A Starquest Novel of the 4th Age by Richard Paolinelli

Well! That was quite the ride, readers. I received this book as a free eARC in order to review it, and it was enormous fun. It felt like going to see a film you think you will recognize, only to find that there is a new movie on and you like it! From the blurb: …

Review – Mecha: A Cannon Anthology, Edited by J.F. Holmes

Here we have another review, readers! Today’s book is an anthology put together by Mr. J.F. Holmes* for Cannon Publishing. It focuses on mecha, the titanic battle machines (usually with humanoid or animal forms) that serve as tanks in speculative fiction. From the blurb on the back: Feedback from the slight pressure of a hand …

Review: The Unexpected Enlightenment of Rachel Griffin by L. Jagi Lamplighter

And here we are with another review, readers. You might recall that I mentioned I had read The Unexpected Enlightenment of Rachel Griffin* in my review of Fantastic Schools, Vol. 2*, which you can read here. For this reason, this author had enough familiarity with Ms. Lamplighter’s world that reading the short story was a …

Review: Queen of the Martian Catacombs by Leigh Brackett

To the best of this writer’s knowledge, the previous Eric John Stark novella reviewed here is the third one in the series. Queen of the Martian Catacombs* is, judging by the writing, the first in the trilogy: MARS IS ON THE VERGE OF WAR!           Trouble is brewing on Mars… With civil war about to …

Review: Hell Spawn by Declan Finn

Once is impressive. Twice is a record. I should have known that if it took two days to get through one of Declan Finn’s novels*, it should be a fast trip through the second one. Yet I was still surprised when I finished this book in two separate sittings: My name is Officer Tommy Nolan, …

Review: Fantastic Schools, Volume 2, edited by Jagi Lamplighter

I should have bought volume one first, I suppose, but what can one do? Fantastic Schools, Vol. 2 was right there. So this author purchased it. Have you ever wanted to go to magic school? To cast spells and brew potions and fly on broomsticks and – perhaps – battle threats both common and supernatural? …