Books I Read in August 2025

Besides the Arthurian Short stories I wrote about in my previous post, I read one book and two volumes of comics this month. 

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Ballantine Books, 1979. First published in 1912)

I have very fond memories of A Princess of Mars. It’s one of the first paperbacks I bought at the local mall after reading all the Star Trek books I could find. I devoured it quickly and then jumped into the next two in the series. The wrap around cover by Michael Whelan is one of my all-time favorite book covers. It’s what got me to buy the book, and Whelan has been my favorite cover artist ever since. 

This didn’t wow me as much as it did the first time I read it in my teenage years. John Carter is too good at everything he does, there are too many coincidences, and more than a few ideas are outdated. But even with its imperfections it's still an enjoyable read. While the world building often gets in the way of the story, the world of Mars/Barsoom and many of its characters are quite imaginative. Sure, part of it is nostalgia, but it's also just plain fun. 

Hellboy: The Complete Short Stories, Volume 1 by Mike Mignola, Richard Corben, and Duncan Fegredo (Dark Horse Books, 2018)

This collects fifteen Hellboy stories by Mike Mignola with art by a nice variety of artists, including Richard Corben. Most were great, some were okay, and some were outstanding. One of my favorites was “The Crooked Man,” which was written in tribute to author Manly Wade Wellman. It was the basis for the most recent Hellboy film which I really enjoyed even with its low budget. 

Absolute Batman Vol. I: The Zoo by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, and Gabrial Hernandez Walta (DC Comics, 2025)

This is an absolutely wild and over the top alternate universe take on Batman. The art by Nick Dragotta compliments Scott Snyder’s script really well with some outstanding, jaw dropping panels. I’m not sure how long they can keep up the momentum, but I’m in. 

Next month: Cimmerian September! 

Some Arthurian Short Stories

While I’m familiar with the Arthurian Saga by Mary Stewart as well as the short story “The Last Defender of Camelot” by Roger Zelazny (I’ve had the collection the story appears in for quite a while but just never got to it until now), it wasn’t until recently that I discovered how much Arthurian fiction is actually out there. I decided to read a few stories so here are some reviews. 

“The Last Defender of Camelot” by Roger Zelazny

(The Last Defender of Camelot, Pocket Books, 1980) 

The story begins with Sir Lancelot alive in the present day. Believing he has been cursed with immortality, he searches for the Holy Grail in hopes that it will end the curse. After running into someone from his past he seeks out Merlin, but things don’t turn out as planned. A suspenseful start that leads to conflict with a moving ending. 

Rating 5/5 

“Running to Camelot” by Darrell Schweitzer 

(The Darrell Schweitzer Megapack, Wildside Press, 2013)

Each time Lancelot visits the castle of a sorceress, a former lover, she tries to convince him to stay by showing him his tragic future. I enjoyed the prose and the haunting, melancholy-like atmosphere. This story first appeared in the Summer 1998 issue of Marion Zimmer’s Fantasy magazine with a great cover by Mark Harrison. 

Rating: 4/5

“A Once and Future Reckoning” by Rajan Khanna

(Beneath Ceaseless Skies #361, July 2022

An alternate version of the life of King Arthur from the time he pulls the sword from the stone to his death. In between short paragraphs that chronicle the version of legend we are familiar with; we are told the story of how Merlin guides Arthur throughout his life in an attempt to re-awaken something quite old.

The use of names really adds to the feeling that the story being told is an ancient one. Arthur is called Artur, Guinevere is called Gwenhwyfar, and Merlin is called Myrddin. Myrddin the Wyllit (Myrddin the Wild) is a figure from medieval Welsh legend who served as the inspiration from Merlin in Arthurian legend. Overall, this has an epic feel to it and deftly mixes existing legend with gradual hints of the true nature of the story. Outstanding. 

Rating: 5/5

“Uncounted Leaves of Ends of Camelot” by R.K. Duncan 

(Beneath Ceaseless Skies #361, July 2022

Merlin sends King Arthur to the Forest Perilous after Arthur asks how he may avert the doom that will befall Camelot. There he enters a tree created by Merlin that contains the branches of all futures in hopes of finding a path in which Camelot does not fall. Intriguing and I really liked where the story led. Beneath Ceaseless Skies is available on Kindle but also free to read online. 

Rating: 4/5

“Soothes the Fire” by Josh Reynolds 

(Shadows Over Avalon, 18thWall Productions, 2022)

The book this story appears in collects stories that mix Arthurian legend with the Cthulhu mythos, hence the title Shadows Over Avalon. After the death of King Arthur and the fall of Camelot, the last knight of the Round Table narrates his attempt to stop Morgan Le Fay from opening a gate that will allow the return of the old ones. I really enjoyed how the story mixes legend, particular about one of the lesser-known knights, and the Cthulhu mythos. Outstanding. 

Rating 5/5

These were all enjoyable reads and I’m looking forward to reading more Arthurian fiction in the future. Now if I can just fit that in with all the other stuff that I want to read...

Old Moon Quarterly Issues 1 - 4

I didn't read any books this month, but I did read the first four issues of Old Moon Quarterly, a magazine dedicated to dark fantasy/sword & sorcery available in print or in inexpensive ebook form. Each issue has a variety of short stories and beginning with the second issue an introduction and an interview or book review. 

I actually bought and read the first issue in 2022 and while I enjoyed it and saw good reviews for the other issues, I didn’t continue for some reason. That changed after reading the new Warhammer short stories this month and learning that one of the authors also has fiction in Old Moon Quarterly. While I enjoyed some more than others, there was quite an interesting range of stories, and I got something out of all of them. 

Old Moon Quarterly #1

A Town Called Trepidation by Paula Hammond 

A bounty hunter/sorceress chases down troublemakers in an interesting world based on ancient Egypt.

Stella Splendens by Graham Thomas Wilcox 

The ending seemed abrupt, but I enjoyed the prose and dream/nightmare-like atmosphere.

The Questing Beast by Carys Crossen 

A creatively told story of Pellinore of Camelot narrated by the Questing Beast that had me hooked from the beginning. 

Brightstar by Mob 

An atmospheric and dark Viking horror story. 

Old Moon Quarterly #2

The Last Line by Jonathan Olfert 

A dark and poetic tale of a last stand. 

The Bloody Staircase by Gabriella Officer-Narvasa 

A tale narrated by an assassin haunted by something from her past. I was hooked from the first sentence. 

The Silence of the Rogue by Jason Ray Carney 

After the Rogue is sold into slavery, his enslavers run into trouble and need his help. I liked the folk tale-like vibe. 

The Hoard by Mathew Castleman 

I really enjoyed this story about a Soloman Kane type of character hired to kill a dragon. Action, humor, an interesting protagonist, and the take on dragons was fascinating.

I also enjoyed the introduction, the interviews with author John Langan and author/publisher D. M. Ritzlin, and after reading the book review, I’ve added World Beyond Worlds by John R. Fultz to my to-be-read list.

 

Old Moon Quarterly #3

Evil Honey by James Enge 

Enge’s character Morlock Ambrosius is tasked by the god of bees with coming up with a non-lethal solution after killer bees go on a rampage. Interesting scenario and I liked the dark humor. 

  

Knife, Lace, Prayer by T.R. Siebert 

A girl seeks to kill the creator of her world as the creator begins destroying it in order to remake it. I liked the atmosphere and how everything came together in the end. Epic.

Singing the Long Retreat by R.K. Duncan 

As their lands are invaded, a cavalry group fights against overwhelming odds. Beautifully told. 

The Feast of Saint Ottmer by Graham Thomas Wilcox 

A grim and gritty novelette about oaths, honor, and family versus prowess. I loved the ornate prose and vocabulary.

Old Moon Quarterly #4

Pain Wins by Sasha Brown 

A dark tale about a dark time. Brutal. 

Scourge of Gods by e rathke 

A warrior versus a dragon. I was rooting for the dragon.

The Witches Were Mine All Along by Marion Koob 

The Tragedy of MacBeth with a twist. Well done. 

The Call of the Void by Kyle Miller 

I wasn’t sure what to make of this one, but it was a wild ride.

This is Not the Only Kingdom by Jennifer R. Donohue 

A reverse portal story. Very moving. 

Death to Your King, and All His Loyal Subjects by Nelson Stanley 

A very atmospheric dark fantasy/sword & sorcery tale. I was swept away by the story.

This issue includes a book review for Son of the Morning by Mark Adler. It sounds like an interesting mix of historical fiction and dark fantasy. I now have another book on my to-be-read list. 

In Conclusion

I read these on my Kindle, but I may switch to the print versions for the rest, one reason being the gorgeous covers. The magazine is currently up to issue #8. Looking forward to reading them. 

Warhammer: Raiders of the Realms Short Stories

Black Library released five digital short stories set in their Warhammer fantasy universe last month. They were available as part of their Raiders of the Realms eShort Subscription Week which offered all five stories for the price of four. I wasn’t sure if I’d be interested in them based on their descriptions alone, but after reading a review online I decided to go for it and I’m glad I did.

Slinktalon by Robbie MacNiven 

Things don’t go as planned after Skaven (rat-like creatures of the Warhammer universe) assassins are hired to take out a mark. Clear action with interesting twists and turns. 

Rating: 3.5/5

Conn Crowhand’s Last Oath by Graham Wilcox

Two Darkoath warriors are faced with difficult decisions regarding loyalty and oaths when their chieftain sends them on a mission to root out those he perceives as disloyal. A page turner of a story with fascinating characters and some noir-like prose that really grabbed me. 

Rating: 5/5

Reclaimed Honor by Jacob Peppers 

Gideon Vell, a disgraced Freeguild member, now demoted to Wildercorp Hunter, joins a group of soldiers investigating a mysterious death in the wilderness. I enjoyed the frontier setting, Gideon and his tragic past was an interesting character, and the story was suspenseful with an action filled finale.

Rating 4.5/5

Vipers of the Marsh by Bryce Mainville 

Cousins Mathais and Jakk join a squad of Wildercorps Hunters on a mission into a swamp. Trouble ensues. I’m not a fan of the villains in this, the Warhammer version of orcs called orruks with group names like Kruleboyz and Gutrippaz. Those names and their spellings pulled me out of the story every time I read them. On the other hand, the author did a great job of bringing the dangerous marshland to life and had me rooting for the cousins. 

Rating: 4/5

This Rough Beast by Graham Wilcox 

The vampire knight Marcuccio and his wolf companion are part of a group of vampire knights searching for The Black Chalice. After they attack a group of duardin warriors (dwarves of the Warhammer universe) they find that they have bitten off more than they can chew. As in Wilcox’s previous story, oaths and honor come into play. Loved the characters, action scenes, prose, use of vocabulary, and where the story leads. If you’re a fan of Robert E. Howard, Fritz Leiber, and Clark Ashton Smith, you’re probably going to like this story. 

Rating 5/5

Not a bad story in the bunch. I enjoyed them all, especially the two by Graham Wilcox. The subscription deal is over, but the stories are available individually on the Black Library website as well as on Amazon and Kobo.

Brothers of the Snake by Dan Abnett

Brothers of the Snake (Black Library, 2007) follows Priad of Damocles Squad as he rises through the ranks of a Space Marine chapter known as the Iron Snakes of Ithaka. Each chapter is basically a short story or novelette about Priad and his brothers in arms fighting against aliens and other agents of Chaos in the Warhammer 40K universe. Some good character development in between the action, and I liked the use of Greek and pseudo-Greek names which brought to mind Greek mythology. The final chapter, the longest in the book, had an epic feel to it and I liked how it tied into the first story. I really enjoyed how I learned more about the characters and their world as each story progressed, something I see in the sword & sorcery genre but not often in other genres. 

Part One: Grey Dawn - Undertaking to Baal Solock 

After something crash lands on their planet, the inhabitants reach out to the legendary Iron Snakes, who have not been needed for 600 years. When help arrives it’s not what they were expecting. As a reader new to Warhammer, I liked how we follow from the perspective of people who don’t know much about these legendary warriors. A suspenseful start that held my attention, which moved to gradual revelations and an explosive finale. 

Rating: 5/5

Part Two: Black Gold - Undertaking to Rosetta 

Damocles Squad is sent to a planet to liberate an oil refinery from invaders. A straightforward and well done “men on a mission” and “things don’t go as planned” story with lots of action. 

Rating: 4/5

Part Three: White Heat - Undertaking to Eidon 

Chapter Librarian Petrok is introduced as he joins Damocles Squad during a mission to retake a city from the Dark Eldar. It’s an okay “men on a mission” story but I didn’t get a handle on Petrok or his role as Chapter Librarian. 

Rating: 3/5

Part Four: Red Rain - Undertaking to Ceres 

Four squads of Iron Snakes investigate towns that may have been taken over by Chaos forces on the agricultural world of Ceres. I enjoyed the build-up of tension and the creepy folk horror-like atmosphere.

Rating: 4/5

Part Five: Crimson Wake - Ithaka 

The squad returns to their home planet to honor team members lost in battle and to decide on replacements. Priad investigates when one of his choices is refused. An excellent “between missions” story with some great world building. I loved getting to see Ithaka up close after hearing about it in the previous stories.

Rating: 5/5

Part Six: Blue Blood - Undertaking to Iorgu 

The squad is sent to a planet as emissary guards for the coronation of a new king. Priad is disappointed about being sent on a non-combat mission but then Chaos ensues. I liked the fast pace and the introduction of the mysterious Inquisitor, a kind of intelligence agent in the Warhammer 40K universe.

Rating: 4/5

Part Seven: Green Skin - Undertaking to Ganadarak 

The longest story in the book brings more character development, more world building, and adds conflict within the squad. The story then moves on to an epic battle with the realization that brawn and force of arms alone isn’t always enough to lead to victory in battle. There are so many things I liked about this novella, including the reintroduction of Chapter Librarian Petrok, as I got a much better handle on his character this time, how the story eventually ties into the first story, and how the conflict within the squad was eventually resolved.  

Rating: 5/5

This was my second Warhammer 40K read and I found it to be a fantastic introduction to the 40K universe. Looking forward to reading more.