I first read A Crack in the Line, the first in the Aldous Lexicon series, when I was perhaps ten or eleven years old, and I completely adored it. I recall being totally swept up in the book and unable to put it down, but despite the impression the book left on me I never got around to reading the sequels. Now, nearly two decades later, I’ve finally done it! Continue reading “The Aldous Lexicon (Withern Rise Trilogy) by Michael Lawrence | Book Reviews”
Bullet | Flash Fiction
All aboard! Please have your tickets ready to show the inspector. Failure to produce a valid ticket could result in fine. Enjoy your journey with us today.
The shot knocked him straight to the floor and for a split second he thought he was dead. But he wasn’t. He touched his fingers to the back of his head. Wet. Blood. And when he realised there was blood, the pain kicked in – searing, burning, debilitating pain. The pain was so bad that he almost wished he had died. And then he passed out. Continue reading “Bullet | Flash Fiction”
Reflected Echo by Teresa Grabs | Book Review
Reflected Echo follows the story of Echo Monat, a 15-year-old girl who is set to have her entire life decided by a Citizen Fitness Examination. Her home city of Bakerton strives to make every citizen earn their keep, and if they don’t seem capable of contributing to their hypercontrolled society, they risk being banished. When Echo’s exam doesn’t go as well as she hoped, she is cast out into a dangerous desert with only her dog and her dreams for comfort. Does she have it in her to survive against all odds? Continue reading “Reflected Echo by Teresa Grabs | Book Review”
A Sextet of Shorts by Chris Hall | Book Review
This short but ever-so-sweet collection of little tales is a wonderful way to idle away a lazy afternoon, and the perfect introduction to Hall’s work if you’re new to her writing. Continue reading “A Sextet of Shorts by Chris Hall | Book Review”
Waxing Lyrical & Tales in Teacups by Vivian Zems | Book Reviews
On New Year’s Day I decided to take the whole day out for a good, long read, and I gobbled up Zems’ debut poetry collection and debut short story collection in one sitting, so here we are with a double bill on the book review front. Continue reading “Waxing Lyrical & Tales in Teacups by Vivian Zems | Book Reviews”
Rosemary | Microfiction
“Delicious stew. What’s that lovely flavour?”
“Rosemary.”
“Nice. Fresh or dried?”
“She was pretty fresh. Got a lot left over though, so I might dry her out – make some jerky.” Continue reading “Rosemary | Microfiction”
Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel | Book Review
Waking Gods is the sequel to book one in the Themis Files, Sleeping Giants, which I read, loved and reviewed last year. Second books have a reputation for being not quite as good as the first; they can come off as fillers or as setups for book three, which can leave them a bit slow and dry and disappointing. Waking Gods was not that. I adored it. It was even better than the first. Continue reading “Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel | Book Review”
Pick a Post-it Out the Jar | Microfiction
The kids sit stiffly around the table, staring at the jar. Pretty thing, it is; embossed with stars. Mum’s reward system.
Behave like a little star,
Pick a Post-it out the jar!
Each Post-it would list a special treat – ice cream, dance party, movie night…
Now the treats are in the bin. Continue reading “Pick a Post-it Out the Jar | Microfiction”
Questions for Kids | Flash Fiction
“…so the pig offered a piece of his meat for the bloke to use as a muscle in his leg. That’s why they call it a hamstring.”
“Cool! Thanks, Dad.”
Kids are inquisitive. Too inquisitive, for Jez’s liking. They ask a lot of questions to which nobody really knows the answers, but if you try to fob them off with an “I don’t know, pet,” they’ll witter on and on and on until you’re about ready to lose your mind.
Jez came up with a solution to this problem. Just make shit up. Easy…
Oh, Chute | Microfiction
“Wait, wait, wait. There’s something wrong with this parachute.”
“Really? But I checked it myself.”
“Really. Look. Someone’s tampered with it.”
“Well, shit.”
“Fuck! Good thing I noticed now. But this is serious. Who would do this? Do you think someone has it in for him? Trying to kill him off?” Continue reading “Oh, Chute | Microfiction”