We discuss whether the central plot device (the hook!) of the Rook is a cliche or clever. Plus, how to find the best stories in SciFi and Fantasy and help authors get exposure at the same time.

We kick off our December book, the Rook by Daniel O’Malley and we are so excited for Lin-Manuel Miranda to team up with Patrick Rothfuss.

We wrap up our thoughts on the cartoon violence and snappy dialog of David Wong’s dissertation on lawlessness in Tabula Rasa. We think we know what it could be a metaphor for. Whether it is or not is left as an exercise for the reader.

We are optimistic for Dune, excited for The Expanse, and hopeful for Stranger in a Strange Land. But we’re certain of what we want Emilia Clarke to be in the Han Solo movie.

We congratulate Brandon Sanderson and the World Fantasy Award winners and try to calibrate the futuristic violence for you. The fancy suits calibrate themselves.

We discover that some people’s names just don’t work as awards. We’re excited about a site full of fictional timelines. And we ponder troubling jinni paternity questions.

We don’t want you to steal cats (not even books, really), just to take home the exhibit from the Museum of Science Fiction. We’ll explain! Plus, you must cast your vote for the classic or the new! Will you vote against Veronica?

We look for authors who satisfy like Scalzi, find out how dirty the new dirty editions of The Magicians are and discuss an ethical question regarding library books.

We look for authors who satisfy like Scalzi, find out how dirty the new dirty editions of The Magicians are and discuss an ethical question regarding library books.

We praise the underrated and print books, and we get into the dog-eat-dog world of Fire Upon the Deep!