tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498739347909985243.post4448531739216977551..comments2024-03-29T05:13:47.133+00:00Comments on The Speculative Scotsman: Book Review | Twelve by Jasper KentAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08713791516631476930noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498739347909985243.post-68016876026124061392011-05-11T17:39:08.362+01:002011-05-11T17:39:08.362+01:00I have just picked a copy of "Twelve", a...I have just picked a copy of "Twelve", and I am<br />looking forward to reading it at some point in the near future. The success of "Twilight",(think of an undead version of James Dean) and "True Blood" ( a more extreme update of<br />"Peyton Place") should not deter horror fans from tracking down fine books like Tim Powers' "The Stress Of Her Regard", Kelley Wildes' "Mastery" and Chris Golden's "Saints And Sinners". <br /><br />All are great variations on an old theme.<br /><br />As for Steve King, he is a far better writer than given credit for. I am not a huge fan, but Dan Brown will be dead and buried before he delivers anything in the same realms of "Pet Semetary" or "Cell". <br /><br />His short stories are always worth checking out, especially since it seems to be a artform falling into neglect....Rob Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498739347909985243.post-79251798388753368972011-01-05T13:39:23.308+00:002011-01-05T13:39:23.308+00:00Kris - In short, yes, Stephanie Meyer really is th...Kris - In short, yes, Stephanie Meyer really <i>is</i> that bad. Hardly a comprehensive answer to your question, I know, but you've moved me to start in on a proper post about the very questions you raise.<br /><br />In fact both of these comments, kindly though they were, have made work for me! :/<br /><br />The Fantasizer - Yep, I've been seriously thinking about doing a run-down of what speculative cinema we have to look forward to this year. It was such a lot of work last year and I'm not sure when exactly I'll find the time, but folks have been asking after another run-down, and I don't like to disappoint, so... alright. Stay tuned!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08713791516631476930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498739347909985243.post-28344792665268862202011-01-04T21:11:51.322+00:002011-01-04T21:11:51.322+00:00Great review as always!
Hey Niall I really loved ...Great review as always! <br />Hey Niall I really loved the posts you did on movies in 2010, it'd be great if you did those for 2011 too. I think 2011 might be a much stronger year for movies in general than 2010 was. <br />Also I found a number of pure goodies from your posts like Ondine, Never let me go, Centurion, kick-ass not to mention you were the first one to bring Inception to my attention. <br /><br />I am looking forwards to the Speculative Cinema posts for 2011.The Fantasizernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498739347909985243.post-1001142853830579332011-01-04T16:29:50.911+00:002011-01-04T16:29:50.911+00:00I've had enough of the current pop-culture rap...I've had enough of the current pop-culture rapture for Vampires and Zombies (especially the damned Zombies) that I can stand, but I could maybe make room for this. The modern incarnation of Vampires bores me to tears, but a historic take on them? Count me in for that. I think there is a ton of Eastern European myth and mysticism that is entirely overlooked by Western books and movies, and they're a helluva lot more compelling than what we're getting right now.<br /><br />One thing, though: I'm constantly stunned by the open hate for Stephanie Meyers and her books. I've never read a single word that the woman has written (though I've seen the first movie), but the fact remains that she has published a successful series of novels that were in turn adapted to a successful movie series. <br /><br />I'm playing devil's advocate here, because I am usually the type of person to observe what the masses are doing and then do the exact opposite of that. But I have to ask the question: Does the hate come from informed criticism, or is the genre fan base (mostly the fellows) simply insulted and offended by the fact that Meyers hijacked the vaulted Vampire legend and turned it into a romance that the female demographic gobbled up? Certainly we wouldn't be having this conversation if these books were not as popular as they've become.<br /><br />So, is she really that bad?<br /><br />Thanks for the review, Niall.<br /><br />Kris <br /><a href="http://kristopherdenby.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">The Sound and Fury of Kristopher A. Denby</a>Kristopher A. Denbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01334903630007014823noreply@blogger.com