Tag: Fantasy

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Fantasy Fuel! What Inspires Fantasy?

Fantasy Fuel! What is it? It’s those books, articles, pictures, and videos that spark the creativity that leads to fantasy stories. Let’s start with this one:

There are a LOT of castles in Europe–and there are more in Asia and Africa. Castles lend themselves to fantasy settings. I’ve dreamed of living in one and defending one from attack.

Which of the castles in this article is your favorite? Tell me and I’ll send you a free book. Just click here.

Fantasy Fuel – How about fantastic creatures?

Squashmingos! They remind me of the flamingos used by Alice in Alice in Wonderland. In case you’re not familiar with the reference, here is one of the original illustrations by Tenniel:

Fantasy Fuel Alice playing croquet with a flamingo.
Alice in Wonderland Illustration by Sir John Tenniel (28 February 1820 aa 25 February 1914)
19th Century Illustration

Here’s a snippet of the Disney movie:

I haven’t written a fantasy yet, but I have made up an imaginary, alien animal: the foxcat.

The alien foxcat. Click to get the book.

It’s called a ‘foxcat’ because it’s a combination of a fennec fox and a caterpillar. A foxcat is a marsupial amphibian. It’s a stowaway on a gigantic flying saucer in my book:

SciFi Fuel Paranormal Privateers Fantasy Fuel
The cover of my third novel Paranormal Privateers. Click to get yours.

My science fiction sounds like fantasy. I wonder what my fantasy will sound like? I’ll have to write my first fantasy to find out. My working title is ‘Sentience’.

More Fantasy Fuel Coming Up for You

You can’t beat reading great fantasy books to inspire your fantasy writing. Here’s one I just finished.

Fantasy Fuel The Fellowship of the Ring
My recent review

The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1)
by J.R.R. Tolkien

it was amazing

bookshelves: fantasy, favorites

Read 2 times. Last read September 13, 2022

The greatest novel of the 20th century, a true 5 star book, one that’ll be read in another hundred years.

My latest re-read was in the single volume edition with Christopher Lee’s artwork. His art is detailed and complex, with hidden elements that tell the story.

In this re-read, I saw the close connection between the start of the book, which is often called dull, and the end of the Hobbit. One dovetails into the other. The hobbit background is necessary for those who didn’t read the Hobbit, and provides additional detail on them, including their three races: the Stoors, the Harfoots, and the Fallowhides.

I also noticed in my re-read the masterful way Tolkien built tension and prolongs conflict and threats. He also increases the risks and dangers throughout the book. These details jump out at me more since I became an author.

Andy Zach‘s review

Yet More Fuel for Your Fantasy Writing

Why not use cartoons?

So, if you have a writer’s block, just get it off your desk!

How about some more fantastic architecture? Coming in from Kansas City we have the following:

Or how about we use some beautiful pictures of nature to inspire our writing?

Now, let’s try another cartoon.

Obviously, cartoons are my chief inspiration. I love talking animals.

I have a talking hamster in my Secret Supers books. Dancer taught himself how to read and type.

What Do Readers Think Fantasy Fuel
Chapter 1 icon of Villain’s Vacation

Here’s a fantasy come true: free books. Enjoy these freebies from me. I give them to all my subscribers. Click here to get your books.

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SciFi Fantasy Books and Reviews

SciFi Fantasy Books and Reviews I have curated for you during July 2022. I also have free book offers below.

Heck, let’s cut to the chase: Get your free books by clicking here.

Your First SciFi Fantasy Book

latest science news What's New Science SciFi Fantasy Books
Oops cover Click to get yours

And your review is next:

5.0 out of 5 stars 

A hilarious action-packed book 4 and series!

Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2022

Andy Zach, Tori Smith and Olivia Smith continue to create a fun interesting world in the Life After Life Chronicles series. The characters are refreshing, the world continues to build, and the insanity increases. Hilarious and action packed.

Audio Version: Michael Stafford does a great job with their respective characters and the overall narration. (Click to get your audiobook)

Nemesis

Your Next SciFi Fantasy Book Is Here

SciFi Fantasy Books
Governor cover. Click to get.

July 5, 2022

I stayed up until 1 am this morning to finish this one. It’s that good. If you’re familiar with the first book in Weber’s Honor Harrington series, ‘On Basilisk Station’ this one is comparable in quality and in battle chops. There are a lot of political factions on both sides, a lot of character development, a lot of plot pieces coming together.

A quick summary is the main character, Terrance Murphy, is a privileged, wealthy scion of a war hero. He’s married to the daughter of one of the richest men in the core systems. He’s considered a bit of a lucky fop, who’s only in the navy to improve his political chances.

It’s largely an act. He’s sharp and brave and noble, and everyone underestimates him, which is just the way he likes it.

Arrayed against his is a genocidal murdering admiral of the opposing space navy. Will she underestimate him too?

Read and find out!

Andy Zach Author 9 books, 77 followers

Have you read any of these books so far? Let me know and get a free book from me by clicking here right now!

Your Third SciFi Fantasy Book

SciFi Fantasy Books
Book cover. Click to get

June 21, 2022

The humor and action continue in L.G. Estrella’s series about unlikely heroes. First, they must rescue a powerful vampire from an impenetrable prison. Assuming they survive, they then have to fight the Eternal Empire, led by the world’s most powerful mage. He’s planning to use a powerful weapon against their homeland, Everton.

The humorous lines flow fast and free as an unlikely collection of powerful mages and other worldly beings battle.

Andy Zach, Author 9 books, 77 followers

Read Your Fourth SciFi Fantasy Book–Look Out Below!

Get Your Zombie Turkeys Laughter SciFi Fantasy Books
Zombie Turkeys front cover. Click to get a copy!

5.0 out of 5 stars 

Another exciting and hilarious story from Andy Zach.

Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2022

Another exciting and hilarious story from Andy Zach. If you have enjoyed other stories in the Life After Life Chronicles then you’ll definitely enjoy this one. A fun take on dispatching turkeys in general but of course the zombie variety. Great characters, a fun and interesting plot, and overall the world continues to develop and grow. I look forward to the next book in the Life After Life Chronicles.

Audio Version: Phil Blechman does a good job narrating Zombie Turkeys. (Get the audiobook by clicking here)


Nemesis

The Books Keep Coming! Here’s another

SciFi Fantasy Books
The book cover. Click

May 25, 2022

Dave Freer writes another great book. As usual, he populates it with fascinating characters. Keilin is a street rat with mysterious psi abilities. Then there’s Shalin, the selfish princess of the most brutal tyrant on the planet. Things go wrong for her when she flees her father’s assassins.

Along the way they meet desert drifters, beekeepers,and a trio of odd, superfighters.

But what does it all mean?

Read the book and find out.

Andy Zach Author 9 books, 77 followers

Your Sixth Book is Below

SciFi Story Fuel My Undead Mother-in-law SciFi Fantasy Books
My Undead Mother-in-law cover. Click to get yours.

5.0 out of 5 stars 

An action packed adventure!

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2022

This series is the first I have read of Andy Zach’s and I am not disappointed! This story has tons of action, well written characters, and the zombies are not mindless slow shells. A refreshing take on zombies as a whole. The plot moves at a good pace and the story arc continues to work well over the series. I look forward to book 3! Audio Version: Phil Blechman and Raven Perez do a great job with their respective characters and the overall narration.

Nemesis

I might as well give you another review to chew upon–the next book in my Life After Life Chronicles series and another July reiview.

SciFi Fuel Paranormal Privateers
The cover of my third novel Paranormal Privateers. Click to get yours.

5.0 out of 5 stars 

Action, humor, refreshing zombies; Yes please!

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2022

This series is the first I have read of Andy Zach’s and I am glad I picked it up! The series continues with lots of action, characters continue to be developed, humor, and the zombies are still not mindless shells ambling around awaiting an axe to the head. Still a refreshing take on zombies as a whole.

I look forward to what Andy writes next!

Audio Version: Phil Blechman and Raven Perez do a great job with their respective characters and the overall narration. (Click here to get the audiobook)

Nemesis

Do You Want Free Books to Review? Follow These Steps

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What’s New in June? Science SciFi Fantasy

What’s New in June? Science, SciFi, Fantasy – Just for you I’ve got the best science stories, and the best science fiction and fantasy reviews. Plus, pay attention to this post–I’ll give you free books as you read it.

Science SciFi Fantasy – Which one is this one?

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ is a hot new movie. It’s science fiction–right?

Um, not exactly. The USAF is rumored to have a new jet that looks suspiciously like the one in the movie. They actually designed an SR-72 which was rendered like this:

Science SciFi Fantasy SR-72
SR-72 rendering from 2016

“But Andy – that’s only a designer’s dream. That isn’t science”

But try to search on ‘Aurora’, a rumored plane SR-92. Here’s one video on it:

Aurora secret plane

What do you think? Does the US have a secret hypersonic jet or not? Let me know and get a free book by clicking here.

More Science SciFi Fantasy for you below

This is surely science fiction: a rover on Mars, traveling so far that it picks up a rock in its wheels. Don’t you hate that in your car?

But wait–it’s a real rover that is really on Mars. Here’s the video proof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXxb5SwGgtM
Ingenuity helicopter and Rover tracks

Where’s the SciFi? Where’s the Fantasy?

I’m glad you asked! Fantasy comes first. Here’s my latest review of:

Science SciFi Fantasy
Andy Zach’s Review

Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf (The Unconventional Heroes #1)
Rating 4 of 5 stars
Shelvesaction-adventure, fantasy, humor, read edit
FormatKindle Edition 
StatusJune 8, 2022 – Shelved as: action-adventure5 Show more
ReviewThis was my first exposure to L.G. Estrella and I definitely want more! The author creates humorous and ironic juxtapositions of characters and roles: Timmy, the dread, dark necromancer, who’s reluctant to kill. Katie, the whiz-bang apprentice who’s 10 and cute as a button and hates being called a kid, and is protected by invisible ninja rats.

Then we meet the bureaucrat who’s 6′ 6″ (two meters) skinny, and loves paperwork. But he can magically retrieve any paperwork at any time. As well as other things.

Finally, there’s the woodland elf who’s a pyromaniac because her magical power is creating fire.

I assure you, you will enjoy this romp.
But wait! There’s more!

You can get free books, but you must clicki here!

Enjoy This Fantasy Book Too!

Review ofThe Dungeoneers (The Dungeoneers, #1)
Rating4 of 5 stars
Shelvesaction-adventure, fantasy, humor, read edit
FormatKindle Edition
StatusJune 3, 2022 – Finished Reading Show more
ReviewThis book was my introduction to author Jeffery Russell and I assure you I will be reviewing more of his books.

His main character is a sheep gate guard–Durham. He’s unassuming and unambitious but over-talented for the little the job requires of him. He gets an order to join up with a party of dwarves off to retrieve the mace of an undead lich.

Things go humorously downhill from there. We’re introduced to the colorful crew of the Dungeoneers, who specialize in retrieving artifacts from dungeons.

There is more than meets the eye as they probe the ever more complex labyrinth under the necropolis. Then the animated skeletons appear and attack.
Do you want a science fiction book? Keep on reading!

Finally! A Science Fiction Book for you!

Science SciFi Fantasy
The gilded cage
Review ofThe Gilded Cage (The Science Officer #3)
Rating4 of 5 stars
Shelvesaction-adventure, military-scifi, read, science-fiction edit
FormatKindle Edition 
StatusMay 19, 2022 – Shelved as: science-fiction Show more
ReviewMuch to my delight, Blaze Ward continues his high-quality writing in the third installment of his military scifi series, The Science officer.

Javier was captured by space pirates, who destroyed his scout ship and upset his life. He negotiates his way out of slavery and into a valuable officer on their ship, where he can pay off his slave debt.

But things change. The imperturbable captain Zolokov keeps generating new challenges for Javier. Once again, Javier must risk his life to save a crew member or three. One of them hate his guts. They’re in a den of pirates. Oh my.

Oddly, Javier had been there before.

Read and find out what happens.
Read to the end for a final bonus!

Your last bonus for reading this far

You get another science fiction book. And it’ll go on sale on June 19th for .99. Don’t miss out!

Interesting Links Science SciFi Fantasy
Secret Supers – click for free audiobook through Audible. Join and it’s free!

Secret Supers: What happens when ‘differently-abled’ people become ‘super-abled’?

A fun story!

May 16, 2022

Format : Paperback

Jeremy has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair to get around. He is in a special education class with Dan, who is blind, Kayla, who was mute and used a walker, and Audrey, who lost her legs and uses crutches.

One afternoon, when conducting experiments in his laboratory, Jeremy accidentally gives himself superpowers. Specifically, he gains the ability of telekinesis, which he can use to help himself walk, cause his wheelchair to travel at much higher speeds, and even fly. Not wanting to keep this discovery to himself, Jeremy tells his 3 friends about it and gives each of them superpowers as well. But now that they have superpowers, what should they do?

Following the words of Uncle Ben of Spiderman, they decide they must use their powers for good, beginning by trying to solve a case of a stolen car, and keep their identities a secret, modeling their costumes on the Incredibles.

Click below for more

Jennifer C.