⚠️ Here be spoilers. You have been warned. ⚠️ The story so far Conseca maern Azzar first appears in Raven Queen, Arise when Saeverra tempts Illyria with salvation from the slaughter planned for the highland clans. Conseca is a bedslave who is being sexually abused by Saeverra’s older brother, Deffaen. Without knowing who Conseca is,Continue reading “Spoiler: The bedslave who became the first priestess of the Raven Queen”
Author Archives: Dave Reed
The Damsel in Distress Problem
TL;DR: I came not here to praise the trope, but to bury it. Just not for the reasons you might think. A lot of people have deconstructed, lampooned, or otherwise whined about the Damsel in Distress trope and its misogynistic underpinnings. All of that is valid and true. I’m not going to dispute any ofContinue reading “The Damsel in Distress Problem”
Book Recommendation: Sons to Keep by A.S. Etaski
You think you want the Matriarchy? You can’t handle the Matriarchy. Born a healer into a culture obsessed with power, Irrwaer had few prospects beyond changing bandages and emptying bedpans. Among the matriarchs, sex is power. Sex is magic. Irrwaer knows nothing of either. But she longs to… Etaski delivers a portrait of drow societyContinue reading “Book Recommendation: Sons to Keep by A.S. Etaski”
We are all shapeshifters.
You don’t have to be a writer or storyteller for this to resonate. Let’s discuss how we all shift between archetypes and why it’s important to recognize this aspect of ourselves. Within the context of story, of course. We are all simply the sum total of the stories we tell ourselves. As humans, we tendContinue reading “We are all shapeshifters.”
Barely Controlled Chaos
In writing milestones, I’ve finished the next novella in the Temple of Vengeance series and it’s off to my editrix. Once she’s had her way with it, the ebook will ship to YOU and to my lovely and talented narrator to produce the audio book for those of you who prefer them. Novellas are partContinue reading “Barely Controlled Chaos”
To airt or not to airt: Some thoughts
As someone who has spent thousands and thousands of dollars to commission art surrounding and inspired by my novels, I’m deeply committed to human artists. Caterina Kalymniou, J-P Mavinga, and Epic Made have all produced some amazing commissions for me. Such as my covers (by Caterina) and the Kickstarter art cards by J-P and E-M.Continue reading “To airt or not to airt: Some thoughts”
Next in the ongoing saga… Art reveal!
Last January, I commissioned my friend and super-talented artist, J-P Mavinga, to create a piece of art for the Raven Queen, Arise Kickstarter. The “Thunderbird and the Priestess” was inspired by a sequence of the story that didn’t make it into the final novel—because Illyria isn’t in it at all. However, it will (soon!) beContinue reading “Next in the ongoing saga… Art reveal!”
Tentacles, Yeah, but Beware the Bite
As heroines go, Askari isn’t the most lovable—she’s downright antisocial sometimes. But in a world where megafauna rule the day AND the night, humans have to stick together. Even when they don’t like each other much. Zero sexy times in this YA action romp, despite the opportunities presented by the titular tentacles and/or teeth. FunContinue reading “Tentacles, Yeah, but Beware the Bite”
Something a little different: My favorite reverse harem (so far)
The author, Naiya Bladesinger, has inverted and subverted the reverse harem cosmos and its tropes as we know them in a delightful and satisfying way. (Be warned! It’s not my normal grimdark fare. This book might make you laugh out loud—it will certainly make you smile.) The Kitchen Is Always Open is (ironically) a clean,Continue reading “Something a little different: My favorite reverse harem (so far)”
It’s always Wednesday. In my heart.
My love for Wednesday surprises no one. Yet…it should. For all its neu-retro gothic vibe, the Netflix series—like its source material—isn’t grim or dark. Not really. While its humor might be, but the superb writing, the lovely cinematography, and the primary plot are all… Dun dun dun! A cozy mystery. (Specifically, it’s a para-cozy: paranormalContinue reading “It’s always Wednesday. In my heart.”