Which kind of monster do you love to hate?
Dec 23, 2022 6:27 pm
Banal horror
When looking for heist stories, I came upon The Feather Thief (nonfiction) and read it one sitting. The gist of it is that a man obsessed with recreating Victorian-era salmon flys stole dead birds from a museum to rip them apart for their feathers. That log line does not do justice to the absolute RAGE I felt when this brazen miscreant escaped anything like real justice. He destroyed priceless and irreplaceable artifacts to make money and got off with no real punishment.
The worst part is that, when interviewed, he showed zero remorse. He refused to even consider himself a thief, despite having admitted to stealing the specemins. And the crime itself was so face-smackingly wrong. It's equivalent to conquistadors melting down Aztec relics just for the gold. There's something so totally, irredeemably evil about an antagonist who doesn't see anything wrong with his deeds. He just wants to make some money and improve his reputation--things our society says are virtuous and good.
I used this in Parasitic Souls when a couple of money-hungry entrepreneurs invent the magical technology to put a soul into another person's body. The problem with new technology of any kind is that the capacity to hurt people outpaces the laws to stop it. Is it evil? Yes. Is it illegal? Not yet.
Step one: learn evil magic. Step two: do evil acts, Step three: profit! (Wide)
Did you read this book? I'd love your reviews and recommendations!
There's a place for villians who wring their hands and chortle. And true monsters delight in the suffering they cause others. But sometimes those who think they're doing nothing wrong commit the most heinous acts. For them, evil is just the cost of doing business.
This week's question: Which fictional bad guy do you love/hate the most?
Our parents are dead and we're the last three witches who can keep the family legacy alive. But none of us are ready to have children. I've been bitten by a werewolf so falling for a human is too dangerous. My younger brother wants a life without magic. And our little sister is not-so-secretly crushing on a vampire who's sworn off love altogether. So, no pressure or anything. (Wide)
The Diar Brothers are in for a wild ride of intrigue and betrayal when they meet a tyrant and a terrorist both fighting for control of a country that had already suffered under their demon king father's reign. Rayden and Rodrick must race against time to stop the war. (Free)
Haunted outcast Cole is one trial away from finally earning the protection of the nightmare-besieged Towers of Refuge. Then she stumbles over a shattered corpse—and a deadly conspiracy. Only Cole and her ghost hold the key to long-buried magic she needs. Can she take back her stolen power in time to escape a bloody end? (Wide)
Half vampire, half fae, Phoenix is an abomination in the eyes of the supernatural community. She’s more than happy to play human in the cosy Irish pub she calls home. At least until an annoying werewolf comes knocking. Because Phoenix may be done with the supernatural world, but it’s not quite done with her. (Wide)
Bright Fantasy for your Longest Night
Gratuitous Cat Picture
Hades was so kind to pose in the full sunlight for me.
Other Novels
