Jan 31 2025

Tantalizing Tales — January 2025 — Part Three

What a busy month filled with some terrific books! We’re on our third round-up of January so let’s dive straight into some of the really terrific books I’m hoping to find time to read soon.

First up is Linda H Codega’s Motheater. Being a game designer, I know Mx Codega from their excellent work reporting on developments in the indie tabletop field, so was super excited to check out their fiction-writing, too. Their debut novel is a queer fantasy set amid the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, as the last witch of the Ridge must choose sides in a clash between industry and nature.

After her best friend dies in a coal mine, Benethea “Bennie” Mattox sacrifices her job, her relationship and her reputation to uncover what’s killing miners on Kire Mountain. When she finds a half-drowned white woman in a dirty mine slough, Bennie takes her in because it’s the right thing to do — but also because she hopes that this odd, magnetic stranger can lead her to the proof she needs.

Instead, the stranger brings more questions. The woman called Motheater can’t remember her true name, or how she ended up inside the mountain. She knows only that she’s a witch of Appalachia, bound to tor and holler, possum and snake, with power in her hands and Scripture on her tongue. But the mystery of her fate, her doomed quest to keep industry off Kire Mountain, and the promises she bent and broke have followed her a century and a half into the future. Now, the choices that Motheater and Bennie make together could change the face of the mountain itself.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/01/31/tantalizing-tales-january-2025-part-three/

Jan 30 2025

The Whitestone Chronicles, Volume 1: Ripley by Marieke Nijkamp & Tyler Walpole

with input from Critical Role, ofc, as this is part of the Legend Of Vox Machina universe.

I have to admit that I’ve never really gotten into the CR lore and fandom, mostly due to the fact that when I have time for role-playing games, it’s because I’m playing them, not watching other people play them. I did manage to find time for the brilliant Exandria Unlimited: Calamity miniseries because it was only 16 hours or so long, but since I don’t have time for regular TV (she says, typing while keeping one eye on the Arsenal game at Girona,) watching Actual Plays is pretty low on my list of priorities. Still, as a committed RPG enthusiast, I’ve definitely been interested in the iterations of CR across multiple media, if only to keep up with current trends in one of my favorite hobbies.

So I absolutely jumped at the chance to read this graphic novel and get a better idea of the much-celebrated world created by Matt Mercer & Co. EU:C aside, I’ve also run the Frozen Sick campaign for my local group, some of whom are much more interested in the setting than I am. I thus have a general understanding of the worldbuilding, and was looking forward to expanding that with this graphic novel.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/01/30/the-whitestone-chronicles-volume-1-ripley-by-marieke-nijkamp-tyler-walpole/

Jan 29 2025

Shadow Of The Eternal Watcher by Josh Mendoza (EXCERPT)

Hi, readers! Today we have an excerpt from a very cool speculative fiction debut by screenwriter Josh Mendoza, the genre-bending Shadow Of The Eternal Watcher.

From the blurb: “Private detective Duster Raines has demons. Some visit him in his dreams, reminding him of the choices he made in combat to survive. Others visit him while he’s awake, demanding he pay penance for those sins. But lately, he’s started seeing an alternate version of reality where he leads a life of importance, full of wealth and power. Visions so vivid, they seem more real than the life he lives as a private investigator, scrounging the gutters of Los Angeles for an easy buck. It’s enough to drive anyone insane.

“Pulled into a missing persons case he never wanted, Raines finds himself framed and hunted by the government. But as he searches for answers to clear his name, he discovers a truth he never could have imagined: he possesses the ability to bend spacetime to accomplish incredible feats. With these powers, maybe he’s got a shot at the life he deserves.

“There’s only one problem standing in his way: another Duster Raines.”

Read on for a pulse-pounding excerpt that shows exactly what Raines is up against as he navigates (for now) our Los Angeles!

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/01/29/shadow-of-the-eternal-watcher-by-josh-mendoza-excerpt/

Jan 28 2025

Gastronogeek: Gothic Recipes by Thibaud Villanova

The Gastronogeek himself Thibaud Villanova flies solo for this installment of his thoughtfully designed, geek-culture-inspired cookbook series.

Despite embracing something of a goth aesthetic myself during college, I haven’t really consumed a lot of gothic media, as this book has definitely enlightened me to. Dracula and The Addams Family were, ofc, two unmissable properties, showcasing multiple facets of the gothic experience. And while I definitely wish I had more time in my life to watch such entertainments as Penny Dreadful and Crimson Peak — both of which inspired recipes in this book — a small part of me is surprised that properties such as It and Evil Dead made the cut here. But hey, the more the merrier, as M Villanova treats us to over 40 delicious recipes that he’s concocted around the theme.

A note for those who’ve never encountered these books before: each recipe is legit, and I say that as someone who writes a weekly cooking column over at CriminalElement.com. The flavors are exquisite and the techniques, tho best suited for someone already familiar with the basics of cooking, are not at all complicated. Everything I’ve tried from these books so far has been a joy to eat. That said, these books were definitely written by a European for a European audience, with no localization for American readers. So if you don’t automatically know the conversion for Celsius/gas marks to Fahrenheit on your stove, make sure to keep the Internet or other reference tool handy. Don’t be afraid to look up food terms and make appropriate substitutions as well!

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/01/28/gastronogeek-gothic-recipes-by-thibaud-villanova/

Jan 27 2025

Carla’s Glasses by Debbie Herman & Sheila Bailey

It’s so uncommon to find a book that perfectly captures both exuberance and empathy as well as Carla’s Glasses does! And especially in so few pages, and in a way that’s perfect for readers of all ages.

Carla is one of those rare but delightful grade schoolers who loves standing out. When her teacher Ms Pimento announces that everyone will be getting a vision test from the school nurse next Monday, she’s super excited. As she tells her classmate and good friend Buster, she hopes she’ll need glasses so that she can be the only kid in class who has them.

Over the course of the next few days, she comes to school with brand new “glasses” she’s constructed from various craft materials. She gleefully discusses them with all the other students, as they consider which ones suit her best.

The day of the vision test arrives and Carla is amped up about possibly missing one of the letters. The next day, however, brings only disappointment. According to the nurse, Carla’s eyesight is just fine. The only person who needs glasses is Buster, and he is not happy about it at all.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/01/27/carlas-glasses-by-debbie-herman-sheila-bailey/

Jan 24 2025

Tantalizing Tales — January 2025 — Part Two

Hello, readers! There have been so many exciting books publishing this month that January’s Tantalizing Tales is expanding to three columns. Let’s dive in!

First off are several books that debuted on January 14, also known as (to give him his full title: my kids’ future stepdad) Declan Rice Day! First is a hilarious thriller that I’m itching to find time for, that sends up reality television while also playfully blurring the line between reality and fiction itself. Its author, Astrid Dahl, is not actually a real person. She’s a construct of Anna Dorn’s, and stars in several of Ms Dorn’s other books. But “Astrid” has now written a standalone novel, The Really Dead Wives Of New Jersey, that doesn’t require any knowledge of the rest of Ms Dorn’s oeuvre to enjoy (tho it probably couldn’t hurt!)

In this thriller, one of the (fictional) Huzzah channel’s most popular shows, Garden State Goddesses, is in need of a refresh. Largely centering on the Sicilian American Fontana family of Shady Pond, New Jersey, showrunner Eden Bennett has used it to find a solution to more than just one of her problems. Sparks flew after she introduced lovable bachelor Leo Fontana to her estranged cousin Hope, a blonde beauty and aspiring singer. Following a whirlwind romance, the latest season of GSG opens on the ratings bonanza of Hope and Leo’s wedding.

But not everyone is happy about this, least of all Hope’s new sister-in-law Carmela, who finds Hope’s lack of family, friends, pop cultural knowledge and social media presence deeply sus. Regardless of Carmela’s feelings, Hope is joining her and their other sister-by-marriage Valeria (a lovable ditz who’s probably too dependent on Carmela,) as well as wealthy grand dame Birdie St. Clair as GSG’s new leads. Hope quickly bonds with their other castmate Renée, a down-to-earth single mom whose daughter Ruby aspires to become the next Ariana Grande.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/01/24/tantalizing-tales-january-2025-part-two/

Jan 23 2025

Lost In The Future Vol 1: The Storm by Damian & Alex Fuentes

translated from the original French by Tom Imber.

This cute portal fantasy revolves around a group of school kids who go on a field trip to the ruins of a castle once owned by the Knights Templar. As a thunderstorm approaches, their teacher calls them all back to the bus. One “nerdy” group is carefully navigating a set of tower stairs down when a bully named Piero decides to give them a scare. Unfortunately for everyone, he’s successful, and like a total douchecanoe accidentally sends both himself and Sara, who uses crutches to walk, careening towards the central stairwell. Her friends try to save her but lightning strikes the crumbling foundation, sending them all tumbling into the pit below.

So far so horrifying, but it gets worse as rainwater begins to fill the pit. The kids try to find an exit. What they find instead leads them on a journey into a very different world, populated by monsters and knights and both people and things who aren’t at all what they seem to be. Will the kids be able to make their way home in one piece? Will some of them even want to?

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/01/23/lost-in-the-future-vol-1-the-storm-by-damian-alex-fuentes/

Jan 22 2025

Beginner Chess Puzzles by Martin Bennedik

subtitled 500 Practice Exercises to Take Your Game to the Next Level.

Despite being a huge fan of games and puzzles of all kinds, chess has never been my thing. I have tried since I was a kid to learn and enjoy it but I get super bored and, frankly, can’t see all the options on the board and usually lose. Some people might believe that this says something about my psychological makeup, tho I suspect it only means that I don’t care for chess. I’m a monster at checkers tho, lol.

So when Beginner Chess Puzzles landed on my desk, I figured this would be a good time to learn some tricks and tips, especially since my eldest has recently learned how and likes to play, usually against his dad. Eldest has also taken to making me play a game of chess for every game of Magic The Gathering: Bloomburrow that I can successfully pester him into. And while I am a good loser, I do get tired of losing at chess all the time, so I figured that reading this book certainly couldn’t hurt my chances. Worst case scenario if my lack of competence at the game of kings proves irremediable: I could give my eldest this book to help him improve his own game going forward.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/01/22/beginner-chess-puzzles-by-martin-bennedik/

Jan 21 2025

Revony Rhinoceros Starts To Smile by Patricia Bardina, Joanne Burgess & Paul Sharp

subtitled A Lesson in Body Language.

So I have two children on the autism spectrum, and one thing I don’t have patience for is autism advice that centers the parent over the child. That is, unfortunately, a perspective that drives way too many of the books available for people looking to better aid and understand their autistic family members. It was thus a huge relief to me that, while Revony Rhinoceros Starts To Smile definitely has Revony’s mom play a large role in the proceedings, the main drivers of this story are absolutely and always Revony’s interests and needs.

The tale starts in a fictional Namibian town where the anthropomorphic animals are gathering to celebrate Bixby Baboon’s birthday. Revony is anxious about being around so many strangers, so stands apart from the rest of the kids as they play together. Her mom notices her tense posture, and asks afterwards whether she was angry at something. Revony admits that she wasn’t angry, just anxious, and now she’s sad that no one asked her to play.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/01/21/revony-rhinoceros-starts-to-smile-by-patricia-bardina-joanne-burgess-paul-sharp/

Jan 17 2025

Tantalizing Tales — January 2025 — Part One

Hello, readers! January is always such a weird month, feeling at once packed with activity and strangely prolonged. Depending on how many recent releases I can spotlight here, I might have to do three round-up columns this month, starting with this one!

Late last year, I was sent a delightful gift bundle featuring Ramsey Campbell’s latest horror novel, The Incubations. Packaged in a gorgeous foiled hardback edition — a Flame Tree Press specialty — this is a can’t-miss volume for fans of traditional horror.

The story revolves around an Englishman named Leo Parker. Moved by the spirit of improving international relations that have been inculcated in him since he was a child, he goes to visit the German town of Alphafen as an adult. His stay, however, is marked by a series of unsettling experiences that he tries at first to shake off as being merely unfortunate.

Things only get worse after he leaves Alphafen, as “an airport turns into a labyrinth, his own words become treacherous if not lethal, a family meal grows unnaturally active[…] and what are those creatures that have appeared in the photographs he took? Even the therapy Leo undertakes becomes a source of menace.” Has Leo somehow awakened an ancient Alpine legend? Worse, has it decided to follow him home?

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/01/17/tantalizing-tales-january-2025-part-one/