Historical debates
Review: 'The Blood Jaguar', by Michael H. Payne
Posted by Fred on Sun 10 Jun 2012 - 00:31
I already reviewed this in Yarf! #56, January 1999. But The Blood Jaguar is a good enough novel that I am glad for an excuse to read it again, especially when this edition has eight new full-page illustrations by Louvelex (Lauren Henderson).
Michael H. Payne has been writing his “Around About Ottersgate” tales since at least May 1989, when the short story version of “Rat’s Reputation” appeared in FurVersion #16 (reprinted in my Best in Show: Fifteen Years of Outstanding Furry Fiction anthology in 2003).
After several more “Ottersgate” short stories appeared in s-f magazines and anthologies during the ‘90s, Tor Books published The Blood Jaguar as Payne’s first novel, in hardcover in December 1998. Tor reprinted it in paperback in September 1999 (with a better cover by Julie Bell), but apparently it did not sell well enough for Tor to buy Payne’s sequel.
Now Sofawolf Press has reprinted The Blood Jaguar as an attractive trade paperback with a third cover and interior artwork, and will soon publish the original sequel, a fixup novel of Payne’s “Ottersgate” short stories, also titled Rat’s Reputation.
Sofawolf Press, June 2012, trade paperback $15.95 (vii + 217 pages). Illustrated by Louvelex.
'Twokinds' book project blasts through $25,000 funding goal
Posted by GreenReaper on Sat 12 May 2012 - 15:02
Fans have come out in force for a printing drive for Volumes 1 and 2 of Twokinds. [Killbunny90210]
The Kickstarter drive reached its $25,000 goal in 12 hours, and now stands at $69,581 from 716 backers.
In response, Twokinds artist Tom Fischbach has promised to switch to twice-weekly updates if pledges reach $100,000 in the next 28 days. Update (17 May): Total: $197,513/2,463 backers.
Twokinds was voted Best Anthropomorphic Graphic Story in the 2010 Ursa Major Awards, but was not nominated (or declined nomination) this year.
The drive is to provide stock for Volume 2, and replace the print-on-demand edition of Volume 1.
A wide variety of pledge rewards are on offer, including a map, poster, larger and limited-edition hardback editions, side-comics, digital downloads, sketches and cameo placements.
Video: A teddy bear with a potty mouth
Posted by Fred on Wed 4 Apr 2012 - 04:24Coming in July from Universal: an R-rated comedy about a teddy bear who says s*** and f***. You are supposed to be 17 or older to watch this trailer.
Review: ‘Unity Book 1: Ascent’, by fluffy
Posted by crossaffliction on Sat 17 Mar 2012 - 20:49
I usually do not like furry science fiction.
My problem is that furries tend to start with furry, and add the science fiction later. The visual of a walking, talking fox/cat/rabbit/whatever is introduced in the mind of the furry author, and an explanation is cobbled together as an afterthought. To call this a disservice to science fiction is an understatement.
The comic strip Unity written by fluffy (the author is dedicated to the pseudonym, even putting it on the spine of this collection of the first major storyline), is a rare example where the science fiction does not suffer as a consequence of the furry aspects of the piece.
Review: 'Bonds of Silver, Bonds of Gold', by Kristina Tracer
Posted by Fred on Sun 4 Mar 2012 - 19:38This is a mature content book. Please ensure that you are of legal age to purchase this material in your state or region. (publisher’s advisory)
In an anthropomorphic mixed-species medieval world, Stannis, the eighteen-year-old rabbit narrator, sells himself into slavery at the Slavers’ Guildhall in Jazinsk’s capital for the 100 ducats it will bring to his impoverished mother, and to remove one mouth to feed among his large family. He immediately begins to learn his new status:
The [slave] lynx’s eyes widened, snapping away from mine to look over my shoulder. A moment later, a single clawtip touched the back of my neck, just above the collar that had already begun to itch. ‘That was your one free mistake,’ the [raccoon] slaver said, her voice suddenly full of ice. ‘I warned you before you crossed that threshold: your life is no longer your own. At this point, it no longer matters what happens to you. If I were a harsh master, I’d have beaten you the instant you spoke. If I were a cruel one, I’d have beat you before I collared you and made you thank me for being owned. You won’t always be told the rules. They may change without warning. They may not exist. Regardless, you must do your best to obey. Eventually, you’ll fail, and even if you don’t, you’ll still suffer for it. I’ll try to teach you the basics of your new life, but I will not hesitate to reprimand you, even for rules you do not yet know. Do you understand?’ (p. 8)
Bonds of Silver, Bonds of Gold is a novel of humiliation. Primarily sexual humiliation, described in graphic detail, but whatever kind his masters, their families, and his fellow slaves can put Stannis into.
FurPlanet Productions, January 2012, trade paperback $19.95 (304 [+ 1] pages).
Review: 'Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy'
Posted by Rakuen Growlithe on Sat 26 Nov 2011 - 20:40
Matthew Scully is an unusual proponent of animal rights, coming from the Christian-favoured, U.S. Republican party. Indeed, he speaks about people automatically assuming he is on the side of hunters and pig 'farmers' when, in fact, he has been a vegetarian for over 30 years.
While Scully does support animal rights, he makes that stand from a generally religious perspective, arguing that current treatment of animals is an abuse of god-given dominion, and disagreeing with the secular reasoning of animal rights proponents like Peter Singer.
Scully's ability is shown when coming to the main thrust of his book, where he writes about animals, how they are treated and how they should be treated. He is an excellent writer (a former speechwriter for then-president George W. Bush), and a dutiful investigator, travelling to most of the places about which he writes.
Ready or not, the ponies return this Saturday
Posted by Sonious on Fri 16 Sep 2011 - 01:24The Bronies (the chosen name of post-adolescent My Little Pony fans) rejoice as a second season of the hit cartoon show Friendship is Magic begins tomorrow on Discovery Channel's cartoon channel The Hub (9 AM EDT). But before it comes out, it might be a good time to reflect and review what made the show such a hit in its first season.
A Furry "rare" book again?
Posted by Fred on Mon 5 Sep 2011 - 14:54Four months ago, Amazon.com was selling the out-of-print first edition of "Best in Show: Fifteen Years of Outstanding Furry Fiction" for $348.33. Now it's $477.82 (+ $3.49 shipping). Is anyone really paying these prices? (Retitled second edition Furry! is still in print for $11.11)
Should Flayrah feature selected fiction, like 'Anthro'?
Posted by GreenReaper on Sun 7 Aug 2011 - 20:52Two liger cubs nursed by dog
Posted by Fred on Tue 24 May 2011 - 19:41BBC News reports that two liger cubs, the offspring of a male lion and a female tiger, are being nursed by a dog at the Xixiakou Wildlife Zoo in China after the cubs' mother stopped feeding them. The ligers are very rare and are believed to only result from matings in captivity.