Children of Strife: Review & Analysis AI psychosis, tech oligarchs, samurai shrimp and the search for empathy

A review & analysis of @aptshadow.bsky.social's #ChildrenofStrife, an incredible addition to the Children of Time series and a look at what it means to be capable of change – both in our world and in Tchaikovsky's imaginative universe.

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/children-o...

#booksky #sff

Turning Conflict Into Community in Children of Time Finding common ground before it’s too late

Adrian Tchaikovsky's #ChildrenofTime series explores a myriad of ways in which conflict is tempered into new community, through a combination of empathy, communication and, when necessary, force.

I explore how this theme manifests in each novel:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/turning-co...

#books

Space Exploration & The Shape of Human Consciousness Explore the evolution of consciousness in Adrian Tchaikovsky's Children of Time series, from Avrana Kern's ant-based AI to the symbiotic Nod parasite and beyond.

Re-reading @aptshadow.bsky.social's Children of Time series on the way to enjoying #ChildrenofStrife, and had to write more about the many fascinating ways Tchaikovsky explores consciousness.

Is continuity of self simply an illusion?

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/space-expl...

#booksky #scifi

Persona by Aoife Josie Clements: Review & Analysis A new queer classic for Trans Day of Visibility

For #TransDayofVisibility, a review & analysis of one of my favourite new #horror books of 2026: Persona by @ravineangel.bsky.social!

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/persona-by...

#booksky #transbooks #transart #bookreview

Project Hail Mary & Science Fiction's Hero Problem Project Hail Mary & Science Fiction’s Hero Problem

I loved #ProjectHailMary, and can't fault Ryan Gosling's casting for a minute. But at the same time, it's yet another entry in the trend of science fiction in film and TV being extremely white and male.

Full thoughts here:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/project-ha...

#sff #booksky #filmsky

They're all friends with Thorin Oakenshield actually!

Catching Up: R.F. Kuang, Oscars, Other Books Decluttering my mind with a brief glance up from the page

Catching up on news and thoughts, discussing the human condition in 2026 and where we go from here:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/catching-u...

#books #booksky #taipeistory #rfkuang #oscars #blog

There Is No Antimemetics Division: Review & Analysis A requiem for the forgotten

There Is No Antimemetics Division. Anymore?

Today I gave a review & analysis to one of my favourite reads of the year so far, a book that takes science fiction in fascinating new directions!

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/there-is-n...

#sff #booksky #qntm #scp #bookreview

Postcolonial Narratives, Empathy Burnout & ADHD Take care of ourselves, and show up when we can. It sucks we can't solve every problem! But better one at a time, building our strength as we go, than none, and dissolving in an acidic blend of guilt ...

Anyone else feeling numb lately?

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/postcoloni...

What is Queerness in Media? These days, queer inclusion in media often boils down to a binary yes-or-no answer. Here's why it's a lot more complex – and interesting – than that.

Representation is more important – and more interesting – than a checkbox. In today's article, I explore what queerness means and how we can learn from it:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/what-is-qu...

#sff #booksky #tvsky #representation

The Perfect Home for Pulp Science Fiction & Fantasy I'm here to tell you that these meaningless stories, comprised of more proper nouns and action verbs than you'll know what to do with, have found a place to thrive in the power metal scene - and it's ...

Sometimes you just want to sit back and enjoy some sword-lasers and undead unicorns, and that genre of pulp SFF has found a perfect home in modern power metal:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/the-perfec...

#gloryhammer #devintownsendproject #sff #pulp #storytelling

On the Calculation of Volume I & II: Review & Analysis Explore Solvej Balle’s "On the Calculation of Volume," a mesmerizing time-loop series. Read my spoiler-free review of Tara Selter’s reflective journey.

Wrote about Solvej Balle's #OntheCalculationofVolume, one of my favourite new series I've read this year. A woman in a time loop, exploring her new world. But also so much more?

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/on-the-cal...

#sff #books #lifelessons #life #booksky

The Catharsis of Endings II: Death Ghost are consistently interested in subverting Catholic themes: so where a church service is all about securing that sweet sweet life after death, Ghost is here to remind you to live your life before...

Following up on my piece about catharsis from apocalypses, today I wrote about catharsis from death – this time wholly focused on #Ghost

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/the-cathar...

The Catharsis of Endings Part I: Apocalypse Through listening to music from my favourite bands, I've come to realize that existential reminders can be helpful for situating myself in space and time. Listen and read along!

Songs from bands like #Ghost, #LordoftheLost and #Avatar have a way of reminding me of the big picture with images of the end of the world. They inspire solace and clarity, and they inspire rage at how we got there.

Read here: proseandcontext.substack.com/p/the-cathar...

#metalmusic #mindfulness

Dune’s War on AI Back in 1965, Frank Herbert envisioned a world where humanity had overcome its reliance on and subjugation by machines. When will we make that dream a reality?

With "Thou shalt not make a machine in then likeness of a human mind," Frank Herbert's Dune (1965) feels more and more prophetic every day.

Do we need a Butlerian Jihad of our own? When?

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/dunes-war-...

#sff #dune #ai #artificialintelligence #humanity #booksky

[Stand for Renee Nicole Good. May her death radicalize you further.]

‘The Devils’ by Joe Abercrombie | Review & Analysis The Devils is different in many ways to Joe Abercrombie's most famous works, but also falls into a few of the same pitfalls. Is it worth the read?

Over the holidays I devoured Joe Abercrombie's #TheDevils, and wanted to share my thoughts on this delightful and deranged fantasy adventure.

A few of the problems I had with #TheFirstLaw remain, but by and large it's a great ride!

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/the-devils...

#sff #booksky #queer

[Vampires IX] You Are What You Eat Gluttony, identity and morality in ‘The Buffalo Hunter Hunter’

Today I wrote the ninth article in my series on #vampires, with a look at #TheBuffaloHunterHunter by #StephenGrahamJones.

Take a look!

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/vampires-i...

#sff #books #booksky #horror

Looking Back at Two Years of Prose and Context ADHD & Routine, Stories & Passion

Reflecting on two years of writing #ProseandContext, on my 2025 and the world's, and why I love stories.

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/looking-ba...

#yearinreview #twoyears #2025books #stories

Heroes, Villains, Gods & Monsters: We’re All Only Human How ‘Wicked’ and ‘Wind and Truth’ reminded me that authority is merely a mask

"The Wizard of Oz, pulling levers and maintaining his carefully crafted illusions, is a potent reminder that power and authority are always projected through a lens, or mask, such that people see only what they are supposed to see."

#stormlight #power

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/heroes-vil...

It Gets Better: Rhythm of War & Ghost’s “De Profundis Borealis” "I will not lie by saying every day will be sunshine. But there will be sunshine again, and that is a very different thing to say."

Wrote today about #depression, #stormlight and #ghost:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/it-gets-be...

Surviving with ADHD in the Addiction Economy We aren’t as doomed as we think

Patricia Lockwood's "Will There Ever Be Another You" is a terrifying vision of Long COVID, but also echoes my experience living with ADHD in the modern Attention Economy.

How can we survive, let alone string a thought together, with all these stimuli?

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/surviving-...

Songs for a Better World [I] "Purge the Poison", "Another Me (In Lak'ech)", "Consign to Oblivion"

I appreciate the hell out of songs which verbalize and elucidate ideas, feelings and fears which otherwise envelop me (and, I think, many of us) in a depressing yet undefinable miasma.

Here are three of my favourites, by #Epica and #MARINA:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/songs-for-...

#song #hope

A Thought Experiment Turned Into a Novel: The Unspoken Name & The Tombs of Atuan The magic of inspiration is a far departure from soulless amalgamation

Young women chosen as cult sacrifices to otherworldly beings, only to be rescued by a kindly visiting wizard. That's what 'The Tombs of Atuan' and 'The Unspoken Name' have in common, though published fifty years apart.

Here's where they differ, and why:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/a-thought-...

Labour, Life, Literature Is motivation real? And meaningful stories I have yet to share and explore

Not sure how to pitch this article, but suffice to say I open my heart and share about a lot of books I love and intend to write more about!

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/labour-lif...

#sff #blog #queerwriter #bookrecommendations #booksky

Life After Gods: Critical Role IV & The Divine Cities Chaos, mystery and mortal corruption

#CriticalRole Campaign IV got me thinking again about @robertjbennett.bsky.social's #TheDivineCities trilogy, and particularly about the mess that killing your gods leaves behind.

Has DM Brennan read the series? The parallels are certainly there:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/life-after...

#sff

Malevolent Places A swift riffle of haunting houses and dreaded demesnes

For #Hallowe'en this week, a look at a few truly evil fictional places from The Shining, The Haunting of Hill House and more:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/malevolent...

#horror #books #fiction #negativespace #hillhouse #sff #houseofleaves #writer

Community vs Imperialism Where is the line between symbiosis and parasitism?

Much like interpersonal relationships, power imbalances in interactions between nations and peoples can be a glaring red flag. Join me in exploring these ideas as they relate to #TheLeftHandofDarkness, #BuffaloIstheNewBuffalo, #StarTrek and more:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/community-...

#sff

Katabasis by R.F. Kuang: Review & Analysis A hellish journey in more ways than one

R.F. Kuang's Katabasis was one of my most anticipated reads this year, promising a fascinating look at hell & academia.

Upon reading it, I can't help but having mixed feelings. Should you read it? I go into it in my review & analysis:

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/katabasis-...

#booksky #sff

Worlds Without Gender As imagined by Ursula K. Le Guin and Ann Leckie

What would it look like to live in a world without gender? Ursula K Le Guin and Ann Leckie have written books about it, so let's take a look!

proseandcontext.substack.com/p/worlds-wit...

#sff #gender #nonbinary