By Jason Zapata
I ruthlessly sought to end Wallachia’s state of unrest
By enslaving the Boyars who could not escape guilt
Traitors who labored until Poenari’s walls were rebuilt
Because they dared to aid the Ottomans in their conquest
Those slaves who survived were impaled on my behest
On the shores of the Raul Roameni their blood was spilt
Where I had recovered Elisabeta’s body from the silt
With my power secure I began the campaign in Bucharest
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Cathrine Langwagen is a digital artist who specializes in fantasy and natural element themed works. A resident of Cardiff, Wales – her inspirations come from nature, myths, and fairy tales. In creating her art, Cathrine primarily uses a Wacom Tablet and Adobe Photoshop.
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By: Jason Zapata
By the Order of The Dragon I was knighted
To defend Wallachia and faithfully support
His holiness Pope Pius II’s crusade to thwart
The Turks who left Constantinople blighted
Crescent moons marked that land as benighted
Many prayed for the fall of the Ottoman Court
I never possessed a tongue for such a resort
Battle was the only psalm I wished recited
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Minna Sundberg is a Finnish Artist. She’s been creating art every day since she was a teenager. Minna didn’t start out with the goal of being a professional artist. With some goading from her teachers, Ms. Sundberg pursued an education in art. She attended the Aalto University School of Art and Design in Helsinki. (more…)
Gregory Maguire’s Wicked is a victory in revisionist fictional writing. The novel is based on the origins of the Wicked Witch of the West. The author takes his time in establishing his interpretation of OZ. In wonderful detail we are told of the different races such as the Munchkin Landers, Quadlings, and Arjiki. Maguire even goes so far as to create a volatile political climate. The Wizard of Oz is portrayed as a cruel dictator determined to strip away the rights of Animals (not to be confused with animals). These are talking beasts who strive to be first class citizens. But the real fulcrum on which this story rests is the complicated character of Elphaba – who eventually becomes the infamous Wicked Witch of the West.
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By: Jason Zapata
To watch the dancing ghosts promenade and pirouette
Rydia enters the castle ruins bathed in moonlight
Letting herself become lost in the shadowy minuet
James Patterson’s new novel, “Witch and Wizard” is intriguing to me conceptually. The story is based on two siblings named Whit and Wisty Allgood. Average teenagers living with their parents until the day their home is raided by the New Order. The brother and sister are accused of practicing magic by this oppressive new regime of the federal government that has come to power. Under the leadership of “The One Who Is The One”, they seek to imprison and execute all practitioners of magic.
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By: Jason Zapata
Gruesome murders occurred in the winter of 1878
The Indian swift runner would be hung at dawn
Guilty of cannibalism or being a wendigo’s pawn
I wanted to hear the mans side before he met his fate
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Angel Time by Anne Rice is a departure from her previous work. In the past, Anne’s characters struggled with the fact that their very existences were irredeemable. Characters like Lestat fought against their innate evil, but were doomed to live with it. This new novel reflects Anne’s Christian conversion and offers her protagonist salvation. This is a surprising change for those who follow Anne’s work.
The Child Thief is Brom’s third major publication and first full length novel. I was excited to hear about his dark retelling of the classic Peter Pan Myth. When I got my hands on the novel itself, I was very surprised. This wasn’t an illustrated story like his previous works The Devil’s Rose or The Plucker. This was a full length novel. As usual the story is illustrated, but the art takes a back seat for the writing with this venture.