Category: Articles

Epeolatry Book Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender–Imbalance Omnibus by Faith Erin Hicks, et al

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: Avatar: The Last Airbender–Imbalance Omnibus
Author: Faith Erin Hicks, Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino
Artist: Peter Wartman, Adele Matera
Genre: Kids, Fantasy, Action/Adventure 
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date:  August 30, 2023

Synopsis: Aang faces a decision from which there is no return!

When Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph return to Earthen Fire Industries–the factory owned by Toph’s father–Aang is surprised when their arrival is met with a cold shoulder. As soon as the team is asked for help at a business council meeting, the reason for the slight becomes clear: a massive bender-versus-non-bender conflict has gripped the town and is threatening to turn violent. In order to heal the divide and save the town, Aang and the team will all face tough decisions about power and identity that could tear them apart.

Join Faith Erin Hicks (The Adventures of Superhero Girl, The Nameless City) and drawn by Peter Wartman (Stonebreaker), in collaboration with Avatar: The Last Airbender creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko in this beautiful second edition of Imbalance! With a brand-new cover by Peter Wartman!

Collects Avatar: The Last Airbender–Imbalance volumes 1-3

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James Martin & Tickling Boundaries with his Eggplant Emoji

James Martin & Tickling Boundaries with his Eggplant Emoji 

By Angelique Fawns

 

James Martin is putting something refreshing and funny into the world. He just released Eggplant Emoji Volume 3: A Wealth of Comedy, a literary anthology that’s not afraid to make you laugh. These books are full of stories that are shocking, surreal, sexual, and full of giggles. 

My story, “The Social Media Hunk” is one of the off-kilter inhabitants of the third issue, and Martin’s main goal is to showcase the best comedic fiction he can find. I sat down with Martin to learn more about this cutting-edge (and edgy) project. 

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Epeolatry Book Review: Dark Woods, Deep Water by Jelena Dunato

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: Dark Woods, Deep Water
Author: Jelena Dunato
Genre: Horror
Publisher: Ghost Orchid Press
Release date: 19th September, 2023

Synopsis: In the depths of a remote forest, an enchanted castle preys on unwary travellers. The servants of the Goddess Morana sacrifice to their dark mistress every soul who crosses its threshold. One terrible night, three people who should never have met find themselves trapped there: a spoiled lady escaping an unwanted marriage, an aging warrior-prince on a deadly mission, and a resourceful rogue caught up in a botched heist. As their destinies entwine and the dawn approaches, the solution to the castle’s riddle becomes clear: if they want to escape, one of them must die.

A dark fantasy tale inspired by Slavic folklore, Dark Woods, Deep Water is the debut novel by Croatian author Jelena Dunato. Set in an intricately imagined world that staggers the line between fairytale and brutality, this novel will appeal to fans of Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik, as well as lovers of classic Gothic fiction.

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Epeolatry Book Review: Unquiet by E. Saxey

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: Unquiet
Author: E. Saxey
Genre: Gothic Horror, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Titan Books
Release date: 18 July 2023
Page count: 320

Synopsis: An intrepid young woman journeys across Victorian London and beyond in search of the truth behind the presumed death, and reappearance one icy evening, of her brother-in-law, in this gripping and mysterious gothic horror.

Perfect for fans of The Haunting of Hill House and readers of Sarah Waters.

London 1893. Judith lives a solitary life, save for the maid who haunts the family home in which she resides. Mourning the death of her brother-in-law, Sam, who drowned in an accident a year earlier, she distracts herself with art classes, books and strange rituals, whilst the rest of her family travel the world.

One icy evening, conducting a ritual in her garden she discovers Sam, alive. He has no memory of the past year, and remembers little of the accident that appeared to take his life.

Desperate to keep his reappearance a secret until she can discover the truth about what happened to him, Judith journeys outside of the West London Jewish community she calls home, to the scene of Sam’s accident. But there are secrets waiting there for Judith, things that have been dormant for so long, and if she is to uncover all of them, she may have to admit to truths that she has been keeping from herself.

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A Night of Literary Horror: Hosting a Spooky Book Dinner Party

A Night of Literary Horror: Hosting a Spooky Book Dinner Party

Now is the perfect time to host a horror-themed book dinner party. Your guests will love getting dressed up for the big night and you’ll enjoy playing the part of the charming, somewhat sinister host. 

 

Ensure that the night is a success by pairing spooky reads with an appropriately interesting menu. Consider planning some engaging activities, too, as this will get folks invested in the revelry and build excitement for a night of literary frights. 

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The Pros and Cons of Gore in Horror Fiction

The Pros and Cons of Gore in Horror Fiction

 

When writing horror, there are several elements to consider in addition to setting, character, plot, theme, and conflict. For many horror writers, gore is often a topic of debate. Is there such a thing as too much of it? Does a story even need tons of bloodshed and brutality to disturb or frighten its readers?

 

In this post, I’m going to explore the pros and cons of adding gore — which includes blood, violent acts, and vile imagery — to help you decide whether to incorporate it into your own writing.

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Marie Whittaker & The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch

Marie Whittaker & The Adventures of Lola Hopscotch

By Angelique Fawns

 

Marie Whittaker has a message of kindness to spread and Lola Hopscotch is her adorable conduit. Each book tackles social issues for children, and Halloween is the perfect time to sample Lola Hopscotch and the Spookaroo. 

When Lola and her friends hear scary sounds beyond the pumpkin patch they’re frightened. But when they see who’s doing the rustle-crunching they come to the rescue and help find a lost Mommy. Festive fall fun with friends is the best reward for helping others!”

Not only a children’s author, Whittaker also ventures into the darker worlds of horror, urban fantasy, and thrillers. Her supernatural thriller, The Witcher Chime, was a finalist for the Indie Book Awards in 2017.

I had a chat with Marie Whittaker about her career and future plans.

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Indie Bookshelf Releases 11/10/2023

Got a book to launch, an event to promote, a kickstarter or seeking extra work/support as a result of being hit economically by life in general?

Get in touch and we’ll promote you here. The post is prepared each Thursday for publication on Friday. Contact us via Horror Tree’s contact address or connect via Twitter or Facebook.

Click on the book covers for more information. Remember to scroll down to the bottom of the page – there’s all sorts lurking in the deep.

 

Before you scroll down through the books however, please could you consider checking out the ‘Creatives in Crisis’ section. This has been added to help those who need additional support at this time. Thank you!

 

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