For the Love of Books #22

Approaching the end of LGBTQ+ history month here in the UK, and I thought I would share two SFF titles, if not for historical relevance, for the significance of representation. Sci-fi has often been seen as ahead of the curve in breaking barriers, and across the genres, marginalised voices are coming to the fore.

The Four Profound Weaves; by R.B. Lemberg

The first of the four profound weaves is woven from wind to signify change, invisible threads woven into whispered weaves, spun from a captured wind and revealing hints pf pink and silver desert hues. This type of descriptive narrative flows throughout this magical novella, with tantalising magic woven from the surrounds, almost plain to see but impossible to catch – just like a magic carpet, which was one of the reasons I was drawn to this book.

The story begins with Uiziya, sitting in her goatskin tent waiting for the return of her exiled Aunt Benesret. Her weaves cannot compare to Benesret’s, whose expert fingers could weave even from bones. Uiziya’s lessons of the Four Profound Weaves are unfinished, and still she waits to inherit her aunt’s loom, waiting to learn the weave of death. It’s a weave that involves an actual death. Benesret previously killed Uiziya’s husband for the sake of the weave. It was the reason Benesret was banished, because she killed. Nevertheless, it is a weave Uiziya must learn, since she is destined to become a great weaver of the Four Profound Weaves, one who would bring the gods themselves to her bidding.

Uiziya’s search for Benesret coincides with the Nameless Man’s search for his name. It is three months since the Nameless Man’s transformation at the ceremony of change, but his people, the Khana, don’t recognise transformed people, instead insisting that the shape of one’s body determines one’s fate. Uiziya is also a changer, since after weaving her cloth, the sandbirds came to her.

This is a brooding tale against a colourful backdrop, incorporating thought-provoking contemporary discussion of gender identity and transitioning. The Nameless Man ponders the social impact of his transformation: all his life he had been a lover, trader, and reluctant grandmother who cared for their grandchildren. Now he was a grandfather. But in his culture, grandchildren never saw their grandfathers. It is insight like this that gives real depth to character, narrative and backdrop. Fantasy woven alongside these personal journeys of transformation, reveal the challenges of surrounding microaggressions designed to undermine an identity to uphold another. I loved the simple statement given in one response to tireless questioning of a person’s identity: ‘This is what feels right to me.’

Thought-provoking themes set against an imaginative world called Birdverse, described with magical lyricism that is a feast for the senses, makes for a truly memorable story.

Gideon the Ninth; by Tamsin Muir

Enter the world of lesbian necromancers…

Gideon lives on a remote planet, home to both the stronghold of the House of the Ninth, and a tiny prison used for criminals whose crimes are so repugnant, they cannot be rehabilitated in their own houses. The Ninth House is an enormous hole cracked vertically into the planet’s core, and the prison is a bubble installation set halfway up into the atmosphere. Gideon first arrived when her mother mysteriously appeared, falling down the planetary shaft. Gideon, just one year old at the time, survived the fall. She was chipped, surnamed and put into the nursery. By age five they knew that she was not a necromancer, and by eight that she would never be a nun. By ten they knew she knew too much and could never be allowed to leave. By the time she is eighteen, Gideon has attempted to run away eighty-six times. The alternative would be to die in this dark netherworld, which would only be the beginning.

On the tenth thousand year of the King of the Undying, Prince of Death, Gideon makes another attempt, only to be thwarted by the Lady of the Ninth House, Reverend Daughter Harrowhawk. Harrowhawk has her own plans for Gideon: for Gideon to become cavalier primary of the House of the Ninth. Serving Harrowhawk may not be Gideon’s idea of a good time, but it’s the only way to leave. But what will she be leaving for?

Welcome to an inventive and ghoulish world, where mysterious tendrils lie in wait to ensnare and crush the life out of those still living; a labyrinth of death, bones, panic, quest and mayhem. Disorganised chaos is punctuated with sarcastic, sadistic and mysterious notes that speak to the reader as much to the characters, tempting you to turn the page and delve further into this Alice in Wonderland-esque creepy maze. Magically weird, dark worldbuilding, with lively narrative and well-scripted dialogue brings to life the humanity of necromancers.

What are you reading?

 

February Sun

Pausing to reflect on how lovely it has been to see the sun this February. After many weeks of rain, it’s felt like a real treat to be able to bask in some sun traps. This curly-whiskered furball adores soaking up the rays, the hotter the better, despite her thick fur.

And crisp dry weather is great for getting out and about. Huge thanks to Devon Wildlife Trust for creating and preserving some wonderful natural habitats to enjoy. Including along the River Otter, where we recently ventured. It’s a river with a well-known and long history, including its role in driving watermills used to power local textile and corn mills. Milling has taken place for over a 1,000 years at Otterton, and continues!! And so, on the river’s epic journey from the Blackdown Hills to the English Channel at Budleigh, we met up with it at the salt marshes and reed beds, overlooked by the red Jurassic cliffs, home to millions of years of earth’s history…

Home to birds a plenty… Well, perhaps on another day we’ll get lucky with the kingfishers and egrets, but it was fabulous to spot a curlew, especially since they’re on the UK’s red list, a priority for bird conservation…

And I look forward to an evening amble, keeping an eye out for the industrious beaver…

But where did all the otters go?

And finally a gulp of sea air, and a lucky find, spotting the colour among a sea of pebbles…

Now it’s back to work for me…

Have a great week!

For the Love of Books #21

2023 so far has been filled with some magical reads. As writers we look for those layers to encapsulate and bring to life the essence of characters, cultures, worlds… and two titles stand out, for their intrinsic connection with music, that adds depth in a way that is difficult to define, because it’s as omnipresent as culture in stories masterfully woven.

Nine Bar Blues, by Sheree Renee Thomas

Nine Bar Blues is an extraordinary collection of evocative tales, rich, layered and textured with magic that haunts, uplifts and ascends any bounds of expectation. With prose that sings and muse that flies through the pages, I was hanging onto every word that guided me deeper into the authors layered imaginings and startling observations. From curse-bound sisterhood journeying to the source of ancestry, through poisoned landscapes of an other-worldly earth, to golden mermaids, tales are woven with musical renditions that move with the rhythm of cultural change, alive with the sounds of souls.

This is magic and fantasy rooted in the real; snapshots of life as sharp as cut glass that stop you in your tracks and make you lose your breath for a long pause. From contemporary social justice concerns, and words that carry the weight of history in finely-drawn prose, this collection speaks truth to the abuse of power, truths that sing to slave songs, lost souls, and the blues. An inspiring and masterfully woven collection.

Songspinners, by Sarah Ash

Orial works with her father, Dr Magelonne, in the Sanatorium of the spa city of Sulien. She is close to her father, more so since her mother, Iridial, died. Iridial had lived and breathed music, and now Dr Magelonne forbids music, since it provokes memories too painful to endure. But, like her mother, music flows from Orial like water. Only in the Undercity, at her mother’s shrine, can she practice the art that she has taught herself. But there she experiences strange visions in a waking dream – the searing pain of burning flames.

The underground labyrinth of the Undercity was built by ancient builders, the Lifhendil, commonly known as Songspinners in modern-day Sulien. Their artwork is still displayed on the Undercity’s walls, but their beliefs and language are lost, save for fairy stories and folk tale. This mysterious race possessed a unique trait – multi-coloured irises, which Orial and her mother shared. And as the world unfolds, revealing the depth of Orial’s gift, wonder, intrigue and danger merge.

In the Undercity, Orial is approached by refugees from Bel’Esstar, fleeing persecution from the Commanderie. One of the refugees, Amaru Khassian, is a composer, whose hands have been badly burned, injuries so severe, he won’t regain the use of his hands. A strange and unique connection exists between Orial and Khassian, one that makes clear to Orial that she simply must have music in her life, whilst for Khassian, a dangerous chain of events are triggered. Their personal music describes their uniqueness, and their contrasting and connected plights: Orial’s as darting and bright as a dragonfly’s flight; Khassian’s with despair and madness fuelled by ego.

This is an evocative, beautifully drawn world. I adored the magic, memorable, tangible, yet delightfully just beyond our reach, with tales of musical telepathy, faeries and dragonflies, and mystical reservoirs. Orial’s character was utterly captivating from the start, a thoughtful, determined, empathic young woman, and utterly intriguing in her magic as the story unfolds like an orchestral song. And as tensions run high in this complex world, the question remains, will Orial succumb to madness?

What are you reading?

Connections of a Bookish Kind

In my last post I talked about the importance of reading for writers. It is advice I follow, as seen in my ‘For the Love of Books’ blogs. On my reading journey, every so often I discover an author that stands out for all kinds of reasons, and upon discovering one of their titles, I look for more. Examples include Nnedi Okorafor, Eugen Bacon, Rivers Solomon and Patricia McKillip. To be clear, some of these authors have been around for some time, I just hadn’t been lucky enough to discover them sooner. The most recent example is Sarah Ash, after reading her fantasy novel, Songspinners. Look out for my review on a ‘For the Love of Books’ blog coming soon… I am grateful to have been able to forge a connection with this author, whose titles are many and I look forward to reading more. And I was thrilled to appear as her first guest of 2023 on her website. Click here.

It’s always interesting to uncover the story behind the story, the seed that develops into a whole new portal bound in pages. Small beginnings evolve, and it was wonderful to remember the encounters that developed into the genesis of my fantasy series Blood Gift Chronicles. What earthly sway inspires dragons? What layers do we seek to create to establish culture embodied within our characters. For me, art is one thing: representations and significance of art in the worlds; and narrative that seeks to bring visual scenes to the reader. It’s a train of thought I plan to revisit in the future. I’m in the business of culture, societies, landscapes, seascapes, worlds. My current work in progress is Book 3, an origin story giving closure to the big mysteries, while introducing new characters, a new landscape and a timeslip plot. We are interconnected, the past informs the present, the future is ours for the taking. I think fondly of my characters that I have lived with for so long, as I think of them tackling these life lessons.

Until next time…

Have a great week!

 

Just Write, Right?

I don’t often give out writing advice, mainly because I feel more like an eternal learner, but then again, maybe that’s the point. That and the fact I was thinking about how writing, how stories, are a form of communication, and then comes the importance of reading. In a complex world we want our words to hit home, to reflect, to challenge, to inspire… And so we must be open, to grow, to learn… and to read.

Read and learn from what you read, about language, plot, character, and overall flow. Think about the good, the not so good, and those stories that pull you in and keep you there in every beat, engrossed to the final page. What flow, what depth, keeps you turning the page? What do you look for? What do you want to produce?

Write. Read your work out loud, to yourself, to another, to a roomful of others. Stretch and test yourself, until the words sound like music to your ears. Then write, revise, edit, produce more. We’re always striving, always learning, always growing. And when it comes to seeking publishing, always keeping on going. Live with the rejections, keep submitting, and in the meantime write some more, rest, refresh, revisit with clarity and the courage to keep producing, revising, transforming into unique pieces of something new.

You may have inspiration. You may have that elusive talent. The good news is that writing depends on neither. Hard work can produce talent. Engaging in the process can produce inspiration.

Octavia Butler said, “Forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won’t. Habit is perseverance in practice.”

So form the habit. Create routines. Write, explore and flex the imagination muscle. Stay determined to develop and grow and produce work to the best that it can be. Listen to the response. Adapt, learn, grow, and persist.

Read. Write. Persist.

And once your book is produced, you have the pleasure of spotting it on a bookshop bookshelf, as I spotted mine last week when visiting Tiverton’s lovely Liznojan bookshop.

Keep writing. Keep reading. Love Books.

Have a great week!

For the Love of Books #20

The new year begins with a flurry of writing projects, and a stack of books just waiting to be devoured. I can’t wait to get stuck into my Xmas haul:

Nnedi Okorafor’s Binti series has been on the list for a while now, as I steadily devour everything this author has written from her ever-expanding wonderfully inventive collection. Which brings me to my ‘For the Love of Books’ book recommendations, both titles by this brilliant author.

Broken Places and Outer Spaces, By Nnedi Okorafor

Broken Places & Outer Spaces is an extraordinary, powerful and intimate biographical read. From star athlete with lifelong scoliosis, to a paralyzed patient following what should have been routine surgery, Nnedi Okorafor shares a journey she was forced to navigate. It was a battle that would ignite her passion for storytelling and the transformative power of imagination. It is a journey that, combined with her strong ties with Africa, in turn brought her back to science, allowing her to forge a connection with science fiction where previously she had felt disconnected.

‘In much of science fiction, when something breaks, something greater often emerges from the cracks. This is a philosophy that positions our toughest experiences, not as barriers, but as doorways, and may be the key to us becoming our truest selves.’

‘Inventive’ and ‘illuminating’ spring to mind when describing this author’s work. There is vivid colour and tone in her work that touches the senses, and a truth to the content and style that is steadfast, determined, and perhaps deeply driven to connect with the deepest parts of self. After reading this book, I have a greater appreciation of where that colour comes from. It is an account touching on illness and disability, with experiences I could relate to on a personal level, which in turn was incredibly illuminating and inspiring. In true form of where reality meets science fiction, this is Nnedi’s potentially true story of transforming into a cyborg.

Noor, By Nnedi Okorafor

Anwuli Okwudili, by definition to many Nigerians, is trouble. In her home of Abuja she is a demon, a witch, an abomination. To replace an organ or two with cybernetic, 3D-printed, non-human parts was fine, but go too far and you will be seen as more machine than human, the lowest of the low, cultureless offspring of the elite. In truth her cybernetics made her a damn good mechanic, but fixing cars, phones, problems… making people happy, still wasn’t enough to be understood. Disabled at birth, further disabled in a following car accident, she had been building on herself for years. The neural implants cost her her fiancé who claimed enough was enough, but AO saw no reason why she shouldn’t make her own decisions, that would mean she could move through the world on her own terms. And she did, in her hometown Abuja, until events took a turn and she was forced to flee into the desert.

‘There are times when you either save yourself or you don’t.’

Interesting characters come and go, including Baba Sola, a white man in the desert, not there to colonize, appropriate, seize and destroy, but rather to travel, learn, laugh, share and observe. And her main companion, a herdsman from nowhere, called DNA. Baba Sola leaves them with a message: they’re coming, and when they come, know your worth. And they did come, and AO knew her worth, and her capability at taking on the Ultimate Corporation.

I adored the unlikely heroine, a real survivor, feisty and determined in her independence and self-worth. It is an inventive story set in Nigeria, with mysterious haboobs and Ultimate Corp warehouses – a place you’ll never understand unless you enter one, and when you do, prepare for a ride. And the city of legend, the Hour Glass, where people go to be found, to disappear or to just be. It is there where AO discovers her true powers, that will make her question whether she was an experiment, an accident, a glitch or a mutation. Whatever she was, now the whole world knows it. Game on. A brilliantly inventive read.

What are you reading?