world-building

Dune: Part Two (2024) – Film Review

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Dune: Part Two (2024) – Film poster

Denis Villeneuve took on a monumental challenge in 2023: adapting a sci-fi classic that had defeated every filmmaker before him. Yet, against all odds, Villeneuve pulled it off surprisingly well. He brought Frank Herbert’s colossal saga to the big screen with minimal alterations—at least in terms of its essence—faithfully adapting the first book (or, to be precise, roughly its first half). But when it comes to Dune: Part Two, things aren’t quite as straightforward.

Dune: Part Two is a GOOD movie, if…

…you haven’t read the book.

If that’s the case, you’re in for a spectacular, at times overwhelming revenge story. After being exiled and losing his father due to the schemes of the Emperor and the villainous Baron Harkonnen, Prince Paul Atreides finds himself in the best possible place to exact his revenge: the most hellish place in the universe, the desert planet Arrakis—also known as Dune.

This barren wasteland is home to the Empire’s most valuable resource: the spice, a substance that extends life and expands human consciousness. The planet’s oppressed native tribes, the Fremen, have long been impatiently awaiting their prophesied messiah. Meanwhile, the mysterious Bene Gesserit order, which has spent millennia manipulating noble bloodlines in hopes of bringing forth the human supercomputer known as the Kwisatz Haderach, has already laid the groundwork centuries in advance.

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Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir – Book Review

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Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir – Book Cover

Tamsyn Muir has taken a step forward from her debut Gideon the Ninth, which was extremely promising but quickly descended into childishness. Its sequel, Harrow the Ninth, managed to shed some of its growing pains but in return became utterly incomprehensible. With Nona the Ninth, the Australian author continues her utterly unique sci-fi fantasy series that propels necromancy into space. But it feels like a few things in this part aren’t COMPLETELY clear either. For example:

Who, where, and what?

Oh, and why?

Let’s start with the easiest question: “Where?”

Both of the first two parts were set in pretty confined locations. Even though Tamsyn Muir’s universe opens up wide, the author—who exclusively moves necromancers, otherworldly monsters, and skeletons around—shoved them all into one single place. Nona the Ninth finally steps out into the world of humans.

This fixes one of the biggest shortcomings of the first two parts. Sure, it’s fine that the omnipotent emperor of the universe rules everything through necromancy, but wouldn’t it be even more interesting to know how that affects ordinary people? Spoiler: Not well, by the way. Not well at all.

And the answer to “Where?” is: in the city of Who-The-Heck-Knows on the planet God-Knows-Where. Or somewhere like that.

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The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman – Book Review

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The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman – Book

The education system, as a whole, is a real pain. By the time you earn a serious qualification, you’re already neck-deep in debt. If you’re studying to become a thief, the situation is even worse. The Association of Thieves, known as the Takers’ Guild, is well aware that from this point on, you possess every skill necessary to make money. So, they’ll make you work your guts out for them. Kinch Na Shannack, the protagonist of The Blacktongue Thief, finds himself in an even worse predicament. The mysterious mission he’s forced into offers nothing but loss. However, Christopher Buehlman’s readers are in for a treat, as Kinch Na Shannack’s adventures are incredibly entertaining.

Christopher Buehlman – A Refreshing Voice in Fantasy

Standing out in the fantasy genre is no easy feat, that’s for sure. On one hand, there’s an overproduction crisis, and on the other, thanks to sites like Goodreads, it’s often the most mediocre works that gather the biggest fanbases (see: S. A. Chakraborty’s City of Brass). Yet, the multi-talented Buehlman—writer, poet, actor, comedian—has the ability to disarm readers almost immediately, particularly with his humor.

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The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons – Book Review

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The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons – Book Cover

Exciting Opening with a Talking Dragon

Jenn Lyons’ book The Ruin of Kings begins with an exciting premise: we have a hero who isn’t going to save the world, but rather tear it apart like a kid with a piñata. At least, if the prophecies are to be believed. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; if we’re counting correctly, this won’t happen until about 2100 pages later. Assuming the next two volumes turn out to be similarly hefty bricks. (Yep, exactly that.)

You’ll notice from the very first pages that the story in The Ruin of Kings is densely woven, as is typical of high fantasy, with an incredibly detailed background world. Almost every page includes some integral piece of background information seamlessly integrated into the text. The story is teeming with gods, mages, demons, and dragons, but fortunately, Jenn Lyons’ writing doesn’t suffer from any excessive magical antics. Magic is barely used, and the author’s commendable restraint ensures that the result doesn’t come off as ridiculous.

Oh, and there’s a talking dragon too. Yes, those don’t always turn out well. Somehow, though, it doesn’t come across as a major issue here.

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The Traitor God by Cameron Johnston – Book Review

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The Traitor God by Cameron Johnston - Book Cover

The protagonist of Traitor God, the mage Edrin Walker, returns to his hometown of Setharis after 10 years of exile to avenge the death of his best—and only (!)—friend. It’s fair to say Setharis doesn’t exactly welcome him back with open arms. After all, he did kill a god there. Or so people say. He doesn’t remember doing it. Then again, you’d probably claim the same thing in his shoes, wouldn’t you?

Cameron Johnston’s debut novel features an unusual hero, a unique magic system, and a genre experiment that’s anything but conventional: a blend of dark fantasy, detective noir, and horror-thriller elements.

Edrin Walker is NOT Your Friend

Edrin Walker is the walking embodiment of self-destruction. He’s a drunk, a rule-breaker, and a foul-mouthed, unpleasant jerk who despises himself far more than he could ever despise anyone else. Yet, it quickly becomes clear that Edrin possesses what is arguably the coolest magical ability around. And yet… maybe not.

Being able to peek into other people’s minds? That’s handy, especially if you want to insult them with flair. But invading someone’s mind? That’s a whole other level. Edrin is a telepath who can take complete control over others’ minds. Unfortunately, Setharis has a bit of a history with mind-mages. So, here’s the general consensus:

#1. Blowing someone to bits or peeling their skin off with magic? Fine.
#2. Turning people into mindless puppets? Absolutely not fine.

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