Author: Civilian Reader

Quick Review: RED DEAD’S HISTORY by Tore C. Olsson (St. Martin’s Griffin)

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An engaging introduction to a certain period of US history, through the lens of one of the greatest video games ever made

A pathbreaking new way to examine US history, through the lens of a bestselling video game

Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption II, set in 1911 and 1899, are the most-played American history video games since The Oregon Trail. Beloved by millions, they’ve been widely acclaimed for their realism and attention to detail. But how do they fare as re-creations of history?

In this engaging book, award-winning American history professor Tore Olsson takes up that question and more. Weaving the games’ plots and characters into an exploration of American violence between 1870 and 1920, Olsson shows that it was more often disputes over capitalism and race, not just poker games and bank robberies, that fueled the bloodshed of these turbulent years. As such, this era has much to teach us today. From the West to the Deep South to Appalachia, Olsson reveals the gritty and brutal world that inspired the games, but sometimes lacks context and complexity on the digital screen. Colorful, fast-paced, and dramatic, Red Dead’s History sheds light on dark corners of the American past for gamers and history buffs alike.

Like many (many) people, I am a fan of the Red Dead Redemption franchise. The second game is a masterpiece, and I remember being completely swept up in the world and gameplay for many, many hours. When I saw that Professor Olsson had written a book looking at US history through the lens of the franchise, I knew I had to read it. While it took me a little time to get around to it (it’s now available in paperback), I am very happy to report that it’s an engaging and even valuable read.
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Excerpt: WITHOUT PREJUDICE by Harvey Brownstone (ECW Press)

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Today, we have an excerpt from Without Prejudice, the memoir of Harvey Brownstone, Canada’s first openly gay judge. The book tracks his life from his tumultuous childhood, through to his distinguished judicial career. The memoir is also in the process of being adapted into a movie of the same name, and starring David Arquette.

The excerpt covers some of the author’s thoughts on life on the bench, what it means to be a judge, and some of his early observations and training.

The book is out now, published by ECW Press. Here’s the synopsis:

This searing and unforgettable memoir chronicles the turbulent trajectory of Canada’s first openly gay judge. Harvey Brownstone recounts the astonishing obstacles he confronted and surmounted with fearless resolve, including parental rejection, poverty, depression, homophobia, institutional inertia, and professional sabotage.

Harvey Brownstone’s story is a tumultuous, sometimes hilarious, and uplifting journey from bullied child to outcast after coming out to his parents, to trailblazing lawyer, to distinguished judge.

Brownstone colorfully details his momentous and inventive judicial career marked by his numerous innovations of the justice system, particularly revolutionizing Ontario’s child support enforcement program.

In retirement, he is no longer shackled by the restraints traditionally imposed on the judiciary, and thus Brownstone provides a frank, unfiltered, and refreshing glimpse into the inner workings of the justice system, boldly delineating the strengths and weaknesses of criminal and family courts, both of which he claims are sorely in need of comprehensive reform. His remarkable story, reinventing himself from high-profile judge to highly acclaimed talk show host, is a testament to the resilience and triumph of the human spirit.

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Upcoming: THE DOG STARS (20th Century Studios)

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On August 28th, Ridley Scott’s adaptation of The Dog Stars will arrive in theatres. It stars Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Allison Janney, Guy Pearce, and others; and the screenplay was written by Mark L. Smith. Based on Peter Heller’s debut novel, it’s one of my most-anticipated movies of the year. Well, it recently became one of my most-anticipated movies of the year, because it’s been quite easy to forget that it’s on the way — it has not been getting much attention in the various online spaces I spend time in. Continue reading →

Excerpt: A NUMBERS GAMES by R.J. Dark (Datura)

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“R.J. Dark” is the crime-writing alter-ego of RJ Barker, best-selling fantasy author — and, in my opinion, one of the best SFF writers at the moment. When I first learned that he was writing crime/mystery novels as well, I was certainly intrigued. Datura Books are due to publish the first novel in the Mal & Jackie series, A Numbers Game, on August 18th, and they have allowed us to share an exclusive pre-publication excerpt! First, here’s the synopsis:

All Malachite “Mal” Jones wants is a quiet life as the foremost (fake) psychic medium on the Blades Edge estate.

Enter his new client: Janine, the widow of a man who hid away a huge amount of money. Mal is drawn into a mystery he never asked for in an attempt to help Janine find the cash and escape the estate once and for all.

Problem is, Mal’s not the only one hoping to get his hands on the cash. The crime lord of the estate to other criminals are all on the hunt. Plus adding to his worries, there are some corrupt cops after Mal’s best and only friend, Jackie.

Aided by Jackie and Beryl, Mal’s nosy secretary, Mal sets out to find the cash and a solution that pleases everyone. If he can’t, he’ll have to pay the price. After all, it’s a numbers game…

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Excerpt: THE SLEUTH OF FERREN CITY by S. M. Beiko (ECW Press)

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Next week, ECW Press will publish The Sleuth of Ferren City, the third novel in the Brindlewatch Quintet by S. M. Beiko. To mark the occasion, the publisher has provided CR with an excerpt to share; something to tide existing series fans over until the book’s release, and also give new readers a taste of what they can expect from the novel/series. First, here’s the synopsis:

Monsters are real. Well, monstros are, anyway — an emerging group of citizens trying to find their place in Brindlewatch, ever since the Camillites made a splash in the small town of Quixx, and the Jettites climbed out of their subterranean city beneath Lake Mallion. The Far Cities are bristling with newcomers looking for a fresh start in this brand-new world, but is it as safe for them as they think?

Sable, a Camillite who still lives on Mount Quixx, isn’t so sure. She sees the world through the distorted lens of the novels she steals from Professor Bedouin’s observatory and is slow to trust the strangers in the world beyond the page. She is a side-character in her own story, and she wants to keep it that way.

But a desperate letter begging for help rewrites Sable as the protagonist sleuth of her favorite novels, and hot on the trail trying to find her vanished friend, Sable uncovers more than she bargained for in the bright lights of the big a famous author with the ability to make every monstro’s dream come true, a dastardly underworld targeting vulnerable monstros, and a sweet bookseller who may be at the heart of the mystery.

And on the airwaves, a broadcast like no other promises a bold new world for everyone. Will Sable find her voice and save those terrified of speaking up, before it’s too late?

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CR Abroad…

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Currently travelling, so things will be a bit quieter on here for the next few days. Popped to Shakespeare and Company, in Paris, but the very long line meant we didn’t go in — the thought of being in any way rushed through a bookstore is sacrilegious! Will visit another time.

We did manage to go to Victor Hugo’s house, where they were having a special exhibition: Hugo et l’Architecture, which featured many of the author/poet’s architectural sketches. I had no idea about this side of his creativity, but the main piece for the exhibition (see below), had such strong fantasy vibes, I thought I’d share it here:

To me, that looks like perfect short story-fodder. (So, I’ll try to whip something up.)

Hope you’re all reading good books.

Excerpt: A BOTANIST’S GUIDE TO TRADITION AND TRAGEDY by Kate Khavari (Crooked Lane)

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A Botanist’s Guide to Tradition and Treachery is the fifth novel in Kate Khavari‘s popular Saffron Everleigh Mystery series, and it is due to be published tomorrow (June 9th) by Crooked Lane Books. To celebrate the release, and give readers a taste of the novel (and series as a whole, for newcomers), CR has an excerpt to share! First, though, here’s the synopsis:

Brilliant botanist Saffron Everleigh has set sail on her first research expedition, but it’s disrupted by accusations of murder when one of her fellow scientists is murdered…

Saffron Everleigh is newly engaged and full of optimism as she sets off on the adventure of a lifetime for any scientist: a research expedition. She sails to newly formed Turkey with her fiancé, Alexander Ashton, and a bevy of fellow researchers under the watchful and reformed eye of Dr. Henry. With only two other women on board, Saffron soon finds she is right back in the same infuriatingly misogynistic environment that marked the earliest days of her career. Only this time, Saffron is determined to show everyone, including Alexander, that she can handle the trials of an expedition.

And trials she has in spades. Before the expedition team has even arrived, Saffron has managed to find an enemy in historian Joseph Clark, who frequently torments the assistant that Saffron has taken under her wing, Martin Neill. But when Martin unexpectedly dies, Saffron is targeted as the main suspect.

Falling ruins, venomous snakes, and mysteriously blocked passages are the least of Saffron’s worries. With unexpected help from a familiar face, Alexander and Saffron have to work fast to prove not only that Saffron is innocent but that they both have nothing to do with a larger conspiracy at play among the expedition crew.

And now, on with the excerpt…

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CR20 Favourites: MILKWEED TRIPTYCH by Ian Tregillis (Tor/Orbit)

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As you may have noticed, Civilian Reader recently celebrated its 20th anniversary — a milestone that is still quite amazing to me. In addition to sharing the first review and interview I posted, I wanted to publish some other “CR20” content. One of the ideas I keep coming back to, recently, is some kind of “CR20 Favourites” series of posts: what are the books, interviews, and other things over the past 20 years that have stood out to me.

I thought I’d kick off this series of posts by revisiting, and re-recommending, Ian Tregillis‘s superb, not-as-widely-read-as-it-deserves Milkweed Triptych! Continue reading →

Quick Review: A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE by Jordan Harper (Faber / Mulholland)

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Another grim, brutal exploration of the darker sides of human nature

For some people there are no rules, only prices…

This place is a crime that can’t be solved. And that’s why we love it.

LA is a brutal, burning city. It is America with nowhere to run. Each night Jake Deal captures it on a livestream to his blood-hungry subscribers. Above board, Doug Gibson is a street lawyer trying to fix the system one case at a time. Underground, Kara Delgado is working for a private concierge company – a make-a-wish foundation for the terminally rich.

When Kara’s best friend Phoebe goes missing, she soon finds herself in the worlds of both Jake and Doug. Will the remaining humanity of this fragile team kill them all or expose one enormous, unspeakable crime?

Jordan Harper has fast become a must-read author for me. His novels are consistently gripping, unafraid to venture into the darker corners of human nature and what the powerful can get away with. A Violent Masterpiece is no exception, and examines the worst-possible-scenario of Hollywood power and corruption. Continue reading →