Time travel novels Kindred and The River of No Return question how the evolving ethics of society shape our sense of self.
Read moreMilitary Space Opera: New Adventures in the Vast Space of a Subgenre of a Subgenre
Military space opera sends carefully-crafted heroes on bold interplanetary adventures where ethical choices are not always black and white. Complex plots explode with military action, side love interests and high consequences for war's losers, while its themes often explore the consequences of bigotry and prejudice.
Read moreThe Future of the Princess: Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles
In The Lunar Chronicles, Marissa Meyer re-imagines four classic princesses and their associated princes. With the five-book series now complete, it's time to unpack these princesses and see what patterns, new and old, have emerged in their heroic journeys.
Read moreMorning Star Deserves Several Stars
Morning Star is everything a final book in a series should be: compelling, surprising, heartbreaking, hopeful and ultimately pretty damn satisfying.
Read more"Slade House": David Mitchell's Horror-Fantasy Hybrid
David Mitchell appropriates the tropes of horror fiction to pose questions about greed, privilege, and power.
Read moreMiéville and Miéville: A Split Review
The City & The City and This Census-Taker, reviewed and reviewed.
Read moreRevolt 1680/2180: Past as Prologue
"Revolt 1680/2180" is on view at the Denver Art Museum until May 1, 2016. Installation view of Revolt 1680/2180: Virgil Ortiz, © Virgil Ortiz.
In "Revolt 1680/2180," an exhibition at the Denver Art Museum, artist Virgil Ortiz explores a post-apocalyptic world informed by the Pueblo Rebellion of 1680, where the future echoes the past.
Read moreThe Unbearable Lightness of Undermajordomo Minor
Patrick deWitt uses the tropes of the fairy tale to stumble into the tropes of the postmodern novel.
Read moreHey, Disney, Thanks for the Star Wars Tribute Movie, The Force Awakens!
The Force Awakens is both a loving tribute to the first Star Wars movie and a nod to how the world has progressed since the ‘70’s. The heroine, Rey, is a tough, young woman whose sidekick is Finn, a black ex-stormtrooper. There are also a conflicted villain, Kylo Ren; a cute droid, BB-8; a dusty desert planet; a hero’s call to action…The Unbound Writers have plenty to say about it.
Read more2015 Unbound: Our Favorite Books and Posts from Year One
A look back at the year that was. At least, the cool stuff.
Read moreSpeculative Fiction Podcasts That Will Make You Wish Your Commute Was Longer
How do we insert the wonder of short stories into the crowd of things there’s no time for as easily as we watch our favorite Netflix shows? Speculative fiction podcasts!
Read moreRules Are For Fools - Evidence: Patrick Rothfuss's THE NAME OF THE WIND
The Name of the Wind (2007), by Patrick Rothfuss
At more than a quarter million words, Patrick Rothfuss's first book of the Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy, THE NAME OF THE WIND, defied the rules for a first novel and not only got published but debuted at #11 on the New York Times Best Seller list. In October 2015 it was optioned by Lionsgate for a movie, TV series and video game. How did he do it? A far-out Jedi mind trick? CH Lips has some ideas.
Read moreCorruption & Control: Naomi Novik's Uprooted
Naomi Novik's Uprooted
Questions of corruption and its ability to change and control us take center stage in Naomi Novik's latest, Uprooted, which reminds us how easy it can be to forget to see the (evil) forest for the (evil) trees.
Read moreYour Speculative Holiday Gift Guide for 2015
Bow River, Calgary, Alberta photo by Dburhoe
The holidays are all about magic and miracles in the midst of a cold dark night. What better way to while away the evenings than with a book that leads you into dreams of other worlds? Books are the perfect gift. The writers here at Fiction Unbound have suggestions for every speculative fan on your list.
Read moreCinéma Multivérité: Catherynne M. Valente's RADIANCE, Reviewed
What's truth, in a decopunk alt-history novel about movies about alien whales? Lisa Mahoney and Theodore McCombs review Catherynne M. Valente's stunning Radiance.
Read moreSidekicks: A Speculative Fiction Anthology for MileHiCon
Sidekicks is available on Amazon - perfect gift for the speculative fan on your list.
Sidekicks have always remained in the shadow of the hero...until now. MileHiCon's first speculative fiction anthology knocks it out of the park!
Read moreNeed More Halloween? New Colorado Publisher Hex Specializes in Horror
Hex Publishers "Publishers of Dark and Twisted Fiction"
We believe in supporting the local SF/F scene, which includes keeping up with the latest speculative fiction put out by a new Colorado publishing house, Hex Publishers.
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Halloween Thrills: Our Favorite Unbound Chills
Halloween weekend starts now, but the Unbound Writers have compiled enough frightening favorites to keep you shivering through the many cold months ahead.
Read moreKafka's Social Insecurity: "The Metamorphosis" and Worker's Comp
Was "The Metamorphosis" the worst worker's comp claim, ever? Theodore McCombs talks Kafka as author by night, insurance adjuster by day, and introduces his own homage to poor Gregor Samsa on the 100th anniversary of this seminal story's publication.
Read moreCelebrate the #SamsaCentennial on 100th Anniversary of Kafka's "The Metamorphosis"
Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" turns 100! Run your antennae over these links for articles and events in celebration of a haunting masterpiece.
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