Sunday, July 31, 2016

Keith Yatsuhashi: Kojiki

Keith Yatsuhashi: Kojiki


Every civilization has its myths. Only one is true.

When eighteen year old Keiko Yamada’s father dies unexpectedly, he leaves behind a one way ticket to Japan, an unintelligible death poem about powerful Japanese spirits and their gigantic, beast-like Guardians, and the cryptic words: “Go to Japan in my place. Find the Gate. My camera will show you the way.”

Alone and afraid, Keiko travels to Tokyo, determined to fulfil her father’s dying wish. There, beneath glittering neon signs, her father’s death poem comes to life. Ancient spirits spring from the shadows and chaos envelops the city. As Keiko flees its burning streets, her guide, the beautiful Yui Akiko, makes a stunning confession – that she, Yui, is one of a handful of spirits left behind to defend the world against the most powerful among them: a once noble spirit now insane. Keiko must decide if she will honour her father’s heritage and take her rightful place among the gods.

Praise for Kojiki:

“A unique spin on fantasy, a space where dragons and elementals war with each other over broken Tokyo – then this book is worth your time.”
– Sci-Fi & Fantasy Reviews

“If you are looking for an exciting fantasy novel, I definitely recommend that you give Kojiki a try. You won’t be disappointed.”
– Masquerade Crew

Keith, vital stats:

Location:
Massachusetts

Interests:
Rollerblading (ask his broken arm!)
His family
Golf

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Foz Meadows: An Accident of Stars

Foz Meadows: An Accident of Stars


When Saffron Coulter stumbles through a hole in reality, she finds herself trapped in Kena, a magical realm on the brink of civil war.

There, her fate becomes intertwined with that of three very different women: Zech, the fast-thinking acolyte of a cunning, powerful exile; Viya, the spoiled, runaway consort of the empire-building ruler, Vex Leoden; and Gwen, an Earth-born worldwalker whose greatest regret is putting Leoden on the throne. But Leoden has allies, too, chief among them the Vex’Mara Kadeja, a dangerous ex-priestess who shares his dreams of conquest.

Pursued by Leoden and aided by the Shavaktiin, a secretive order of storytellers and mystics, the rebels flee to Veksh, a neighboring matriarchy ruled by the fearsome Council of Queens. Saffron is out of her world and out of her depth, but the further she travels, the more she finds herself bound to her friends with ties of blood and magic.


Can one girl – an accidental worldwalker – really be the key to saving Kena? Or will she just die trying?

Praise for An Accident of Stars:

“An Accident of Stars‘ interwoven, beautifully rendered cultures are filled with rich details, complex family bonds of all kinds, and deeply layered politics. To enter Kena and the surrounding lands is to be irrevocably and powerfully changed. Foz Meadows has created an epic adventure unlike any I’ve read before.”
- Fran Wilde, Nebula- and Norton-nominated author of Updraft and Cloudbound

“A portal fantasy for grownups, with grit and realism,
and characters I loved from the first page.”
- Trudi Canavan, author of the Black Magician trilogy


Foz, vital stats:

Location:
Queensland, Australia

Of note:
Can sing every line of the musical Hamilton
Loves 'shipping and Dragon Age
Has previously been nominated for a Hugo Award
Self proclaimed dork

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Health Update


As many of you know, i suffer from Diabetes and hearth disease and various other diseases caused by Agent Orange.

Recently I was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes caused by diabetic retinopathy and was scheduled for surgery to remove them.

Since then AO has raised its ugly head and now I have a large cataract on my left eye as well as macular edema and an ischemic bleed that makes it almost impossible to see.

The procedure consisted of an ultra sound of the eye, a retinal and corneal exam to make sure they were undamaged. as of today, they are fine, but I had to have a shot in my eye to try and remove the blood and stop the bleeder. He scheduled me for twelve treatments, once a month or until it's better. If that doesn't work, I will undergo laser surgery to stop it. When all that is done I can have my cataract surgery.

I will be erratic in posting on the blog and I hope you understand and I hpe to return as soon as I can.

Pete is working on the latest and possibly last Baryon depending on how things go.

Prayers, blessing, Wiccan rituals are all welcomed.

My best to all of you.

I hope to be back soon.