10 Fantasy books that will change how you think

 

Fantasy literature is often dismissed as mere escapism, but the truth is that the genre has the power to challenge our assumptions, expand our imaginations, and change the way we think about the world. Here are ten fantasy books that have the potential to do just that:

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: This classic epic fantasy is more than just a thrilling adventure story. Its themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the struggle between good and evil can inspire readers to think deeply about what it means to live a meaningful life.


A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin: This coming-of-age story follows the journey of a young wizard as he grapples with power, responsibility, and the consequences of his actions. Its exploration of the nature of magic and the human psyche is thought-provoking and profound.


The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood: This dystopian novel may not seem like a typical fantasy book, but its themes of gender, power, and oppression are just as relevant to the genre. Atwood's powerful prose and incisive social commentary make this a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of fantasy and politics.


The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: This lyrical, beautifully crafted novel is a masterclass in world-building and character development. Its protagonist, the enigmatic Kvothe, is a flawed and complex hero whose journey will resonate with readers long after the last page.


The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin: This series of novels and short stories set in the same universe as A Wizard of Earthsea explore themes of power, identity, and morality through the eyes of a diverse cast of characters. Le Guin's writing is rich, nuanced, and thought-provoking.


The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin: This groundbreaking series reimagines the conventions of epic fantasy through the lens of race, gender, and social justice. Its world-building is both intricate and immersive, and its exploration of power and oppression is both timely and timeless.


The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: This beloved children's series is often dismissed as simplistic or didactic, but its themes of faith, courage, and sacrifice are just as relevant to adults as they are to children. Its exploration of the nature of evil and the power of redemption is both moving and inspiring.


The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss: This sprawling, multi-layered series follows the life of Kvothe, a legendary wizard and musician, as he recounts his adventures to a chronicler. Its intricate plot, vivid characters, and lyrical prose make it a standout in the fantasy genre.


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: This dystopian series explores themes of power, inequality, and resistance through the eyes of a young heroine fighting for survival in a brutal, totalitarian society. Its vivid depiction of a world gone wrong is both gripping and disturbing.


The Gormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peake: This surreal, Gothic series is a tour de force of imagination and language. Its vivid descriptions of a decaying castle and its bizarre inhabitants are both unsettling and mesmerizing, and its exploration of power and identity is both haunting and thought-provoking.

These ten fantasy books are just a small sampling of the many works in the genre that have the power to change a person's thinking. Whether you're looking for escapism or enlightenment, fantasy literature is a rich and rewarding source of both.

The Desire to Write

Many people have a deep desire to be a writer. Whether it's a dream they've had since childhood or a newfound passion, the idea of creating something that resonates with others and potentially changing lives is a powerful motivator. However, for many aspiring writers, the path to realizing this dream can be challenging and daunting. Here are some thoughts on why people have the desire to be a writer, and what it takes to make that dream a reality.

Writing is a form of self-expression. It allows individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings in a creative way, and to share those ideas with others. Writing provides a means of connecting with the world and leaving one's mark on it, even if it's just through a few lines of prose or poetry. It's a way of saying, "I was here, and this is what I had to say."

Writing can be a form of escapism. Through writing, individuals can create their own worlds, characters, and stories that allow them to escape from the pressures and realities of everyday life. It can be a therapeutic way to deal with stress and anxiety, and can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

The desire to be a writer is not enough on its own. It takes hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and grow as a writer. It's important for aspiring writers to study the craft, read widely, and practice regularly. They should also be open to constructive feedback and willing to revise and refine their work as needed.

Aspiring writers must also be prepared to face rejection and criticism. The road to success as a writer is rarely straightforward or easy, and rejection is a common experience. It's important for writers to stay resilient and keep pushing forward, even when it feels like their work is not being appreciated.

The desire to be a writer is a powerful motivator, but it's important to remember that writing is not just about the end result. The act of writing itself can be fulfilling and rewarding, and can provide a sense of purpose and meaning. If you have the desire to be a writer, go ahead and pursue that dream with all your heart. With hard work, dedication, and perseverance, you can turn that dream into a reality.

1968 Film Night of the Living Dead

Night of the Living Dead is a 1968 horror movie directed by George A. Romero that revolutionized the zombie genre and became a classic of the genre. The film was made on a budget of just $114,000, but its impact on the horror genre was immense.

The movie tells the story of a group of people who become trapped in a rural farmhouse in Pennsylvania during a zombie apocalypse. The undead, reanimated corpses of the recently deceased, are rising from their graves and attacking the living. The group must band together to survive the night and fend off the zombie hordes.

One of the key elements that sets Night of the Living Dead apart from earlier zombie movies is its depiction of the zombies. Unlike the mindless, obedient zombies of earlier films, Romero's zombies are flesh-eating monsters that can only be killed by destroying the brain. They are also the result of a mysterious virus that spreads through bites or scratches from other zombies.

The movie is also notable for its casting of African American actor Duane Jones as the lead character, Ben. In a time when racial tensions were high, Jones' casting was groundbreaking and controversial. His character is the de facto leader of the group, and his interactions with the other characters reflect the racial tensions of the time.

Night of the Living Dead was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $30 million at the box office. Its impact on the horror genre was immense, inspiring numerous imitators and spinoffs. It is often cited as one of the greatest horror movies ever made and remains a classic of the genre.

The film's influence can be seen in countless works of popular culture, including the hit TV series The Walking Dead, which was directly inspired by Romero's movie. The use of zombies as a metaphor for social and political issues is also a common theme in many modern horror movies and TV shows.

Night of the Living Dead is a groundbreaking and influential horror movie that revolutionized the zombie genre. Its depiction of flesh-eating monsters, its casting of a black actor as the lead character, and its use of zombies as a metaphor for social and political issues have all left a lasting impact on the genre. If you're a horror fan, this classic movie is definitely worth a watch.

A History of Zombies

Zombies have become a popular fixture in movies, TV shows, and video games in recent years. These undead creatures, often depicted as mindless and flesh-eating, have a rich history that goes back centuries.

The word "zombie" comes from Haitian Creole, where it refers to a person who has been reanimated after death. The idea of zombies originated in Haitian folklore, where it was believed that a sorcerer, known as a bokor, could bring a dead person back to life and control them as a slave.

The first known mention of zombies in Western literature is in William Seabrook's book, "The Magic Island," published in 1929. Seabrook, an American journalist, visited Haiti and wrote about his experiences with voodoo practitioners, including witnessing a ceremony in which a woman was supposedly turned into a zombie.

In the 1930s, zombies started to appear in American horror movies, inspired by Seabrook's book and other stories about Haitian voodoo. These movies, such as "White Zombie" (1932) and "Revolt of the Zombies" (1936), depicted zombies as mindless, undead slaves under the control of a master.

In the 1960s, director George A. Romero revolutionized the zombie genre with his classic film "Night of the Living Dead" (1968). Instead of being controlled by a master, Romero's zombies were reanimated corpses who rose from the dead and spread a mysterious virus that turned other people into zombies.

Romero's vision of zombies as cannibalistic, flesh-eating monsters has since become the standard in popular culture. The term "zombie apocalypse" is now widely used to describe a catastrophic event in which the dead rise and the living are forced to fight for survival.

Today, zombies continue to be a popular subject in movies, TV shows, and video games. From "The Walking Dead" to "Resident Evil," the zombie genre shows no signs of slowing down.

Zombies have a long and fascinating history that dates back to Haitian folklore. From their origins as slaves controlled by sorcerers to their modern portrayal as flesh-eating monsters, zombies have evolved over time but remain a fixture in popular culture.

Purchase the new release Forgotten Princess (Complete Duology) at Midnight Ledger

 

Hey all!

Forgotten Princess Releases tomorrow!

Midnight Ledger is the only retailer of my signed Hardcovers and Paperbacks. Nearly all of my current books are listed there. If you prefer ebooks, you can also purchase ebooks from the site. Take a peek.

Midnight Ledger also sells new and used books. Click the image below to shop!

Happy Reading!

Forgotten Princess Complete Duology available 3/22

 

Forgotten Princess is a sweet YA romance set in Europe. The heroine is a gypsy girl who catches the eye of a young prince. If you're looking for a feel-good story, this one is for you. Forgotten Princess Complete Duology eBook is available for preorder on all platforms (Kindle, iBooks, Nook, Borrow Box, Scribd, Vivlio, KOBO) Kindle Pre-order All other platforms Pre-order You can also borrow this book from your local library.

Deep thoughts on sci-fi-friday

 

The Safest City on Earth

 I've been going through my backlist and sending out reminders of all the free ebooks I have listed. The Safest City on Earth is a piece of flash fiction that inspired the full length novel The Man Who Fell to Earth. Both are available on all eReader platforms.

All other platforms

Amazon

Happy New Year.

 

I don't think I sent out any newsletters in 2020 or posted many updates, so hopefully this will cover it all. It was an interesting year filled with panic, deep thought, and preparation for the future. I hope you all stayed healthy and are hanging in there. Writing was hard to do with the tension of the pandemic and political atmosphere. I can't say it didn't affect my writing. I watched a lot of TV and movies in 2020. My mom always said it would rot my brain but I think it just kept my brain from the fast toilet-flush swirling of everything going on around me. Any who, here we are. I am grateful if you are reading this amongst everything that's going on. Two of my short-stories have finally published (see below). I've been hanging on to both for years. One was meant for a collaboration that never came together, the other was written from a writing challenge and then I was never able to find a home for it-although I did garner some nice reviews from horror journals. Yes, I said horror. Nightmare is definitely the darkest prose I've ever written. Just to warn you all. In 2019 we opened a bookstore: Midnightledger.com. It's only online for now, until we find a storefront and better faith in the economy. Check us out if you want a break from the Zon. I've been reading but not nearly as much as I used to. In 2020 I reread The Border Keeper by Kerstin Hall about 7 times. It is just an amazing fantasy and dark lore read. I highly recommend this book if you love fantasy. The Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes was pretty good, it felt like home being back in Panem so many years after reading The Hunger Games Trilogy. Tor.com Short Fiction for each season was good in 2020. They've had stronger compilations but I always find 1-2 shorts in there that are just so creative. Right now I'm reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab, I'm about halfway through and loving it. I hope to keep reading and limit my distractions, especially since my husband loaded me up with lots of books for Christmas, including The Witcher series (woot woot).  If you follow me on Facebook, I'll be posting a lot of pictures of the stars. I'll also be doing my best to finish the novel I've been working on for the past few years.  Stay healthy and happy. I am grateful for you all. Happy Reading! Meredith (M. R. Pritchard)

Kale is a sixth generation Colony settler. While he’s evolved to survive the harsh landscape of his moon, everyone else has perished. Being alone for seventeen years can weigh heavy on the mind, and when strange things start happening, Kale is sure that he’s losing his. Get your copy here   Clark stands on the precipice of reality and dreams. Dragged from his sleep, is this a nightmare or something more? Get your copy here

Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

It has been so long since we visited Panem in the original Hunger Games trilogy. I wasn't super interested in learning about Snow's background and about the first 50% of the book was hard for me to really get into but once we get back to District 12 I finally felt right at home. It was nice to see some origins and history and connections to Katniss. Overall, if you're a Hunger Games fan you might like this read.

5/5 stars







Blurb:

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined - every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

New Release: Heartbeat by M. R. Pritchard

New Release 1/28/2020 

💓 HEARTBEAT by M. R. Pritchard💓

The mountain has provided Jessie with everything a growing kid could ever need: safety, shelter, an education. Then Ginger went dark. Now Jessie needs spare parts to fix the robot, but the world outside is nothing like what’s described in the books from the Oldworld. A mountain education didn’t prepare Jessie for this. 🏔

#NewRelease #KindleEbook #ScienceFiction #PostApocalyptic #ComingOfAge #QuickReads #ShortStory #Goodreads

Book Review: The God Game by Danney Tobey

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of THE GOD GAME from St. Martin's Press. First off, the cover was catching, bright and shiny and easy to pick up. The book starts off quickly by introducing a group of high schoolers, Charlie and his friends and the way they are pulled into a dangerous augmented reality game.

This story was fast paced with an alternating point of view. There were a few anti-trump references that didn't add to the story and could have been edited out. Overall THE GOD GAME was a thrilling, fast read. 3/5 stars.


#TheGodGame #SurviveTheGodGame

"Smart, propulsive and gripping, THE GOD GAME is an ambitious thriller and a terrifying examination of what could--and probably already is--happening in the world of artificial intelligence."―Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Run Away

A technological thriller with an all-too-believable premise, award-winning author Danny Tobey's The God Game follows five teenagers obsessed with an online video game that connects them to their worst impulses and most dangerous desires.

They call themselves the Vindicators. Targeted by bullies and pressured by parents, these geeks and gamers rule the computer lab at Turner High School. Wealthy bad boy Peter makes and breaks rules. Vanhi is a punk bassist at odds with her heritage. Kenny's creativity is stifled by a religious home life. Insecure and temperamental, Alex is an outcast among the outcasts. And Charlie, the leader they all depend on, is reeling from the death of his mother, consumed with reckless fury.

They each receive an invitation to play The God Game. Created by dark-web coders and maintained by underground hackers, the video game is controlled by a mysterious artificial intelligence that believes it is God. Obey the almighty A.I. and be rewarded. Defiance is punished. Through their phone screens and high-tech glasses, Charlie and his friends see and interact with a fantasy world superimposed over reality. The quests they undertake on behalf of "God" seem harmless at first, but soon the tasks have them questioning and sacrificing their own morality.

High school tormentors get their comeuppance. Parents and teachers are exposed as hypocrites. And the Vindicators' behavior becomes more selfish and self-destructive as they compete against one another for prizes each believes will rescue them from their adolescent existence. But everything they do is being recorded. Hooded and masked thugs are stalking and attacking them. "God" threatens to expose their secrets if they attempt to quit the game. And losing the game means losing their lives.

You don't play the Game. The Game plays you....

Book Review: Inspection by Josh Malerman

Josh Malerman is best known for his best selling novel and Netflix movie Bird Box and I was lucky enough to interview him back in 2015 (see the interview here). Inspection is just as well written as Malerman's other works, but follows a drastically different plot than Bird Box. The Alphabet Boys and Letter Girls are raised on the theoretical values of a wealthy husband and wife. Raised in fear of being "spoiled rotten" and the punishment of "the Corner" none of the children have forgotten the unexplained deaths of their childhood friends. A social experiment gone wrong, raising children on lies appears to be more detrimental to the children than raising them without the distraction of the opposite gender. Another great read by Josh Malerman.







Check out www.MidnightLedger.com for all of your book collecting needs.

Review: "Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens

“Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens was amazing. I loved the southern setting, especially since I just finished my own novel set in the south. So many beautiful sentences. I need to read this a few more times.

5/5 Stars
 

New Release: The Man Who Fell To Earth!

FREE on Kindle 6/11-6/15

Blurb:


The Heat Wave drew a violence that was as unexpected as the bioluminescent flora that had begun sprouting in the slopes and valleys of Appalachia. It was swift and efficient at breaking humanity but now Abraham’s people have come to the rescue—although, only for those they deem worthy. Banished with the task of culling this planet and others, Abraham struggles with the reality that he is different from his own people and that the relationship with his brother has never been the same since exile. While Abraham is pressured to meet his quota, the population dwindles, and he is disturbed by the violence of humanity.

Until he meets Nova. Twice. She’s the woman who got away, the single person who’s refused his offer of sanctuary because the promise of a floating city in the sky sounds absurd, even if it does offer relief from the sweltering heat and violence. Nova goes her own way. She carves her own path even in the most vulnerable of times. But this planet has a way of bringing certain people together, especially when they need it most. At the end of the world, there will be violence and there just might be a man playing 90’s tunes on a harmonica.

Live Interview: Filmmaker Tara Johnson-Medinger (My Summer as a Goth)

I was lucky enough to get a preview of Tara's latest film "My Summer as a Goth" and it was pretty awesome. A lighthearted, coming-of-age story with lots of witty teenage banter and a full dose of "Who are you really?" leaves angsty teenager Joey with a summer she won't soon forget. And then there's the Goth makeup. And the Drag Queen Bingo. You'll be smiling from ear to ear just before your heart breaks. Loved it.

See official blurb below.

Filmmaker Tara Johnson-Medinger (My Summer as a Goth; mysummerasagoth.com) joins us on Stacey Cochran Live with co-hosts Rachel Carr and Meredith Pritchard Friday at 10 EST (7 Pacific)! Audience comments and questions will be featured on-screen, so make plans to join us by clicking “Get Reminder” below and help us by sharing this post! Likes help, too!


https://facebook.com/121511121236936/videos/1191533051007229/

Blurb:

"My Summer as a Goth is a coming-of-age story about the sometimes painful—often entertaining—search for identity and love in adolescence.

After the sudden death of her father, 16-year-old, Joey Javitts is sent to stay with her eccentric grandparents while her author mother promotes her latest novel. Joey promptly falls for the beguiling Goth boy next door, Victor, and is transformed by him and his merry band of misfits in black.

Set in present-day Portland, My Summer as a Goth navigates Joey’s relationships with her new friends, her family and herself, and will resonate with anyone who survived the social alienation of adolescence—and that first summer heartbreak." -MySummerAsAGoth.com

Review: All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

It's been a while since I've done a book review, that doesn't mean I haven't been reading I've just been reading a multitude of books and finding in hard to finish one.

All The Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders was a really interesting read. A combination of sci-fi and fantasy that takes the reader through the scenic route of intertwining moments of Patricia and Laurence's lives as they are children, then young adults, and then adults. The dialogue is quippy and smart and the world was a bit like ours but more dire.

It was a good read. 4/5 Stars.





Blurb:

A novel about the end of the world--and the beginning of our future

Childhood friends Patricia Delfine and Laurence Armstead didn't expect to see each other again, after parting ways under mysterious circumstances during high school. After all, the development of magical powers and the invention of a two-second time machine could hardly fail to alarm one's peers and families.

But now they're both adults, living in the hipster mecca of San Francisco, and the planet is falling apart around them. Laurence is an engineering genius who's working with a group that aims to avert catastrophic breakdown through technological intervention into the changing global climate. Patricia is a graduate of Eltisley Maze, the hidden academy for the world's magically gifted, and works with a small band of other magicians to secretly repair the world's ever-growing ailments. Little do they realize that something bigger than either of them, something begun years ago in their youth, is determined to bring them together--to either save the world, or plunge it into a new dark ages.

A deeply magical, darkly funny examination of life, love, and the apocalypse.

New Release! Collector of Space Junk and Rebellious Dreams

It’s been ten years since Jack’s mother nearly died while saving the world against the Venom invasion. She’s moving on, but Jack is having a hard time doing the same. Hell bent on revenge, Jack’s going to hunt down every last bit of space junk that falls from the sky, hoping to find a lead to the Venom—even if those closest to him keep getting in the way.

Get the Kindle eBook free 4/4-4/8   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QC3M4LT

Bookies Live-N it Up Event - A video in which I talk about myself and books