Author: A. L. Kaplan
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Book Review: Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
Dragonfruit is a beautifully imagined world with a Pacific Island flare. Hanalei has been living as an exile from her homeland of Tamarind since she was nine. Her love and affinity for sea dragons is much deeper than it seems.
Makiia Lucier’s characters are rich and well developed. Some even pop out of the page. Or at least the tattoos magically move and come to life. This exciting adventure is entwined with betrayals, loyalty, and love.
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My Sunday Balticon Schedule
Here are some fun Sunday activities at Balticon 59
Sun 1:00 PM, May 25, What’s in a Name? (Kent)
Andrew McDowell (moderator), Bjorn E. Hasseler, Martin Wilsey, A. L. Kaplan, Jo Miles
Sun 2:30 PM, May 25, Short Fire Readings: (St. George)J. D. Blackrose, Carolyn Ives Gilman, Somto Ihezue, A. L. Kaplan, Mary G. Thompson
Sun 5:30 PM, May 25, The Prop Shop: Making Cosplay Props and Weapons (James)Tyaz Cosplay, A. L. Kaplan, Aaron Fors, Hanna Fors
Sun 8:30 PM, May 25, Eye of Argon Reading (Mount Washington)Ian Randal Strock, Jean Marie Ward, A. L. Kaplan, Mary G. Thompson
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My Saturday Balticon Schedule
Looking for something fun to do this Saturday?
Come to the ‘Everybody Eats’ panel at Balticon.
Sat 11:30 AM, May 24, Everybody Eats (Pride of Baltimore II)
Mark L. Van Name (moderator), Ruthanna Emrys, Martin Wilsey, A. L. Kaplan, Jo Miles
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Happy Book Birthday to STAR TOUCHED!
Great news! Star Touched is back in print.
You can now get it as an e-book, audio book, and in print!
Check with favorite book store and buy a copy.
Here are links to Amazon and Barnes & Noble
It’s been out of print since my previous publisher went out of business last year. The road to re-publishing entailed extra editing and reformatting. I love the way it looks.
It’s hard to be who you are meant to be.
Especially when your powers can get you killed.
Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.
Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble. Will Tatiana flee or stay and fight for the new life she has built? Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.
“A unique and finely crafted novel, the characters touched my heart as I was drawn into their plight and compelled to finish!” — New York Times bestselling author Maria V. Snyder
“Star Touched is fast-paced with well-defined characters and dialog that snaps. The ravaged, post-technological American society is depicted with sure strokes. The story draws one in and keeps one reading. And that’s exactly what one wants from a book.” — A. L. Sirois, author of THE BOHEMIAN MAGICIAN
“A great YA dystopian novel exploring the challenges of being different, acceptance, maturity, and friendship.” — Steven Southard
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Book Review: The Seastead Chronicles
The Seastead Chronicles is a nice collection of stories all connected by underwater cultures and communities. Steven Southard has created a rich undersea culture with varying beliefs and traditions. Even the language and music are water centric.
The stories range from mysterious islands that rise and sink, to smugglers in ships that mimic whales. There are war mongering dictators and religious fanatics along with goodhearted people and nods to racism and overcoming hate. It just goes to show that no matter where it lives, humanity suffers the same faults and weaknesses along with the unending resilience to do more than simply survive. To grow, learn, and defeat obstacles.
Some of my favorite stories were Eyes of Blue, which was about a whale poacher, and Gazelle’s Last Run, an exciting story concerning a smuggler. I love the way that the first story, Arrow of Life, comes full circle with the last story, The Whole Fish.
The Seastead Chronicles
Steven R. Southard
Pole to Pole Publishing
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Did you get my Spring Newsletter?
If you didn’t get the newsletter I sent last week, here is the LINK.
Don’t forget to sign up so you don’t miss important announcements.
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Book Review: A Language of Dragons – by S. F. Williamson
Exciting debut novel. Placed in 1923 London, this alternate history blends dragons with fantasy, civil unrest, a budding romance, and a corrupt government.
In an oppressive society split into three classes, Viv is racked with guilt over getting her best friend sent down to Third Class. Now her biggest worry is getting a summer internship to study dragon languages and keep her little sister safe. But her life takes a sharp turn when her parents and cousin are arrested and a civil war breaks out.
S. F. Williamson does an excellent job creating multiple dragons and dragon cultures, weaving them seamlessly into a world where dragons and humans have a tenuous peace. I look forward to reading the next book.
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Balticon 59 is Coming
This year’s Balticon is going to be great. These are the panels I’ll be on.
Sat 11:30 AM, May 24, Everybody Eats (Pride of Baltimore II)
Sun 1:00 PM, May 25, What’s in a Name? (Kent)
Sun 2:30 PM, May 25, Short Fire Readings: Blackrose, Gilman, Ihezue, Kaplan, Thompson (St. George)
Sun 5:30 PM, May 25, The Prop Shop: Making Cosplay Props and Weapons (James)
Sun 8:30 PM, May 25, Eye of Argon Reading (Mount Washington)May 23-26-2025
Renaissance Harborplace Hotel
202 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
