New Review of The Impossible Object

I was rather pleased to see this review go up the other day, of the first my connected novella series The Impossible Object. at Best Science Fiction Stories.

"The Impossible Object is what I have been waiting to read of Lovecraftian fiction since pretty much forever. It delves into the specifics of the entities of the Mythos, presents horrifying sights and hints at a far greater mystery (and threat) in quick succession, making the reader dive head-first into the horrifying world that is the world of Harisson Peel."

So if you are sitting on the fence about whether  or not to read my book, the rest of the  review by Konstantine Paradias might sway you one way or the other.

Well, I better hurry up and get the sequel, The Weaponized Puzzle, up on Kindle soon.

Amazon Review of "The R'lyeh Singularity"

Very cool review of Cthulhu Unbound 3 and "The R'lyeh Singularity" by David Anderson has recently turned up on Amazon:

In "The R'lyeh Singularity", it seems like David Conyers normal knowledge of the military and spy agencies is enhanced, and I can only guess this is due to the involvement of Brian M. Sammons, who clearly has a love for this kind of thing. That is a staple of the series, the military action, but here it is just cranked to the max, and as a result we get a very harrowing and realistic Naval battle sequence, complete with aircraft. Conyers has an elegant grasp on quantum physics, while Sammons knows how to get all the "big military toys" in the sandbox. They both fuse together to create some kind of mad orchestrator that doles out awesomeness by the handfuls.

I feel very accomplished.

Second Eye of Infinity Review at Albedo One

The Eye of Infinity has a second review at Albedo One, this one in Issue 42 by Peter Loftus:

The Eye of Infinity is a cracking example of a modern mythos story done well. The pacing is excellent as Peel finds himself more and more out of his depth and moves steadily closer to the horrifying truth. Peel is a likeable, believable and well-rounded character and the central premise fits in well with what readers expect from this kind of yarn, with a resolution that is intelligent and satisfying.

The Eye of Infinity Reviewed at Albedo One

The Eye of Infinity got a great review over at Albedo One from editor and publisher Robert Neilson:

The Eye of Infinty is a splendid mix of SF and cosmic horror. The action is unceasing and the pace relentless. It is almost a relief when Peel pauses to consider the dilemma presented by the relationship he has with his girlfriend and considers the one that she wishes. Peel is a hero in the true sense and one you can enjoy spending an all-too-short 84 pages with.  The novella itself, though part of a series, is comfortably self-contained, though the ending points towards a continuing story. Having read this much I would love to see Harrison Peel’s adventures at novel length.

Read the rest of the review here.

Midnight Echo 6 Reviewed

Midnight Echo 6: The Science Fiction Horror issue edited by David Kernot, Jason Fischer and myself was recently reviewed at Thirteen O'Clock.

This particular issue is dedicated to fiction that marries the genres of science fiction and horror, which leads to some truly wonderful and creepy tales. I’ve always felt those two genres go hand in hand; the future often seems bleak and a lot of sci-fi tends to venture into darker territory anyway. There’s something for everyone here, from dystopian futures to hard sci-fi to Lovecraftian mythology ... All in all I can’t recommend this issue of Midnight Echo enough. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a better way to spend two dollars (and even the printed version is a steal at ten dollars). I have a feeling a subscription may be finding its way onto my credit card sometime soon. - Andrew Kliem

He also said this about David Kernot and my story in the magazine:

"Winds of Nzambi" by David Conyers and David Kernot is a unique and rather dark tale of Portuguese colonisation and gods brought to life.

Read the full review here.

"Expectant Green" reviewed on SF Crowsnest

Rod MacDonald over at SF Crowsnest gave my latest short story publication, "Expectant Green", a rather cool review:

The opening piece, ‘Expectant Green’ by David Conyers and John Kenny, was very well written. The attention of the reader was hooked by the first couple of paragraphs and from then on it was compelling stuff right through to the end of this adventure story. Francesca's youthful spirit had been deflated because her mother's death had forced her to leave home on Mars to join her father on the planet Morrocoy. Not only was this a rather steamy hot world, uncomfortable even on a mild day, the religiously imposed restrictions on technology meant that there wasn't much in the way of entertainment.

Her father was absent-minded but focused on alien anthropology. Convinced that there was a form of insect life on the planet, his efforts to find it had been squashed over the years by all manner of setbacks. With his goal in sight, Francesca was being dragged into the jungle. Unfortunately, there seemed to be plenty of shady characters on Morrocoy and, as luck would have it, they became involved in the search. Atmospheric and engaging, this well told story is a delight to read.

Edited and published by Ian Redman, issue 35 of Jupiter can be purchased here and here on Kindle, or here in print format.

Always Good to Get a Nice Review

A story I wrote over five years ago, "Soft Viscosity", got a rather nice review from sf writer, Guy Salvidge on his website. In fact, it was his favorite story in the anthology: 
   

 
"Soft Viscosity” by David Conyers is the longest story in 2012 and it’s probably my personal favourite. Set in South America, it features Ecuadorian terrorists, an oil war, the machinations of the CIA, and more. Told from multiple points of view, the story weaves together disparate narratives that are all nevertheless infused with dark and gritty violence. "Soft Viscosity” demonstrates a level of realism greater than in some of the other stories in this volume, and indeed in speculative fiction in general. There’s enough material for a novel in here, and yet Conyers packs it into twenty or so incendiary pages. - Guy Salvidge
   
Always nice to get a good review.
  
When I was asked by the editors to write a story for the 2012 anthology, I thought it was going to be a collection of science fiction, but most of the stories selected were fantasy or weird speculative fiction, so my tale feels a little out of place. That said, there were excellent stories in the book from Sean McMullen and Dirk Flinthart who wrote strong sci-fi pieces. Still, I must have done something right because my story got a 2009 Ditmar Award nomination.
  
I'm not sure if the anthology is still in print or not. Perhaps I should post "Soft Viscosity" on my website.

SF Crowsnest Reviews Midnight Echo 6

Midnight Echo 6: The Science Fiction Issue is reviewed on SF Crowsnest:    

The overall quality of the fiction was of a high standard, professional in its delivery and command of the English language. A pleasing range of styles and subject matter, sufficient to keep you interested all the way through the magazine.
   
Read the rest of the review here.

David Agranoff reviews The Eye of Infinity

Dark fiction author David Agranoff has posted a review of The Eye of Infinity on his blog:

Jam packed title that left me wanting more. That is a sign of a good read. Cool book, I am first in line and excited for the further adventures.

The Eye of Infinity is reviewed at Innsmouth Free Press

Conyers’ story works as a spy thriller – with Peel and even his NSA superiors locked out of the secrets of INFINITE EYE and somebody suborning or murdering members of the project – and as Lovecraftian horror justified by quantum physics and sudden, violent assaults on Peel and others ... I liked the story enough that I’m going to pick up The Spiraling Worm and will follow Peel’s future adventures. - Randy Stafford, Innsmouth Free Press.

I like this review because it says nice things about the interior art:

And, lest you think $12 is a mite steep for a novella, this one comes with some nice black and white drawings by Nickolas Gucker. His work nicely illustrates dramatic points of the story – whether they’re alien landscapes or sudden and gruesome deaths.

Nick Gucker did a fantastic job at illustrating "The Eye". I felt like he was picking images right out of my mind as I imagined them, he drew it that well.

Read the rest of the review here.

Best Horror of the Year Volume 3

Reading through the introduction to Ellen Datlow's The Best Horror of the Year Volume 3 recently, I noticed this description on Cthulhu's Dark Cults:

"Cthulhu's Dark Cults: Ten Tales of Dark & Secretive Orders edited by David Conyers (Chaosium) is an impressive anthology of original stories about the various cults that H.P. Lovecraft dreamed up. Most of the stories are true to their source yet bring something new to the material. Notable stories by John Sunseri, David Conyers, Cody Goodfellow and David Witteveen."

I also got a nice comment on my collaboration "Sweet as Decay" whcih appeared in Macabre.

"The most powerful originals are by Gary Kemble, Kyla Ward, Stephen M. Irwin, Kirstyn McDermott, Richard Harland, Susan Warlde, and a collaboration by David Witteveen and David Conyers."

Always nice to get a review like this, particularly from one of the most respected editors in the horror field.

Review of Interzone 233 at Albedo One Website

I've reviewed one of my favourite magazines, Interzone, at Albedo One online. This issue is edited by Andy Cox and features fiction from Nina Allan, Chris Butler, Ray Cluley and Tim Lees.

Science fiction and fantasy print magazine Interzone has been around for more than 25 years, and has launched the careers of many well-known authors of the genre writing today. Originally edited by David Pringle from 1982 to 2004, editorship then passed to Andy Cox (who is also editor of Black Static). Andy has produced approximately thirty issues of Interzone thus far and has kept the magazine going strong, achieving accolades from authors such as Greg Egan, Michael Moorcock, Arthur C. Clarke, Terry Pratchett and Christopher Fowler.

Read the full review here.

Review of Cosmos Online at Albedo One

My review of Cosmos Magazine, a nifty science magazine published in Australia and edited by Wilson da Silva that I devour every second month when it comes out, is now available online at Albedo One. I've reviewed issue 36. which came out in December last year.


Cosmos is an excellent magazine, one that I eagerly look forward to reading with each new issue, because once done I know my brain will be buzzing with so many new ideas for my own writing, but also because I know I’ve just enjoyed a damn fine read.

Wayne J. Harris has just reviewed Cthulhu's Dark Cults online at Albedo One:

If you like horror stories with dark magical gods then this is the series for you. The editor has chosen well. Most of the plots are based on "Tragedy" (see The Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker for more details) although there are a few that are based upon “Overcoming the Monster”. All of the plot lines are satisfying. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and recommend it to lovers of fantasy and horror.

His favorite stories were by John Sunseri, Penelope Love, Oscar Rios and Shane Jiraiya Cummings. Cthulhu's Dark Cults can be purchased online at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Harry Potter 7 Movie Review up at Albedo One

Yes, my reviews at Albedo One have kicked up a notch, with their new and exciting revamped website delivering all kinds of reviews, and very few of them from me. My latest however is Harry Potter and the Dealthy Hallows Part I movie review. Read it here.

Brian Keene Reviews Cthulhu's Dark Cults

Well the reviews keep coming. Two times Stoker Awarding winning horror author Brian Keene has placed Cthulhu's Dark Cults in his Top 10 read for 2010. He was particularly impressed with John Goodrich's tale:

In this Lovecraft-inspired anthology, editor David Conyers has done a commendable job of compiling a collection of first-rate tales by some lesser-known but certainly capable writers. Indeed, I was so impressed with most of the stories that after finishing the book, I had a list of new authors to Google. All of the tales deal with cults engaged in the worship of Cthulhu and other Lovecraftian deities. The stories run the gamut from literary to pure pulp (and I’m glad for that). While all of the tales are enjoyable, the stand-outs include “The Eternal Chinaman” by John Sunseri, “Perfect Skin” by David Witteveen, “The Devil’s Diamonds” by Cody Goodfellow, and “Captains of Industry” by John Goodrich (indeed, that last one is my favorite short story I’ve read this year). A worthwhile addition to any horror bookshelf.

Fantastic Review of "Dream Machine"

Just found this fantastic review of Scenes from the Second Storey by Shane Jiraiya Cummings on Horrorscope. I mean, I can't ask for a better review than this one:

Imagine this reviewer's surprise, then, when the first story in Scenes, "Dream Machine" by David Conyers, turned out to be one of the best stories of 2010! "Dream Machine" follows Adamson, a man literally pulling himself back together after countless years of torture in Hell. Satan raises Adamson up as Hell's Assassin and then the fun begins! Adamson's journey to learn his trade shows Conyers at his imaginative best. Not only that, as part of this training, the reader is offered glimpses into scenes from the other stories in the anthology (a literal pun on the anthology's title, particularly given the perspective with which Adamson views these scenes). Conyers prose in "Dream Machine" is much more assured than in his earlier work, and his seamless portrayal of a somewhat unsympathetic protagonist (in light of the reveal at the end) shows his growth as a storyteller. Dark, flawed, but sympathetic protagonists is a theme amongst many of the later stories.

Read the rest of the review here, which is very complementary to the whole anthology. Congrats to the editors Amanda Pillar and Pete Kempshall, and publisher Mark S. Deniz.

New Review of Two Magazines

Albedo One has just posted a review I did of Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #46 and On Spec #77, which can be read here.

"Overall, I believe both On Spec and Andromeda Spaceways do a great service to speculative fiction communities, because each has produced some exceptional tales over their long lives, fostering some respectable authors, and providing many a reader with many hours of entertaining reading. If you want to get a handle on what some of the other English language speaking countries other than the United Kingdom and the United States are producing, these are the best from each nation."

Another Review for Scenes from the Second Storey

Amanda Pillar found another review of Scenes from the Second Storey, the anthology she edited with Pete Kempshall for Morrigan Books. A mini-review from Scoop Magazine, said the following:

"Featuring only work by Australian writers...every short story in this anthology takes its name and inspiration from a song title. A sampler for our best new talent, standouts are Andrew J McKiernan’s post-apocalyptic outback western, a nuanced tale of lost love by Stephanie Campisi and a glimpse into Hell from David Conyers..."

"Dream Machine" reviewed by Jennifer Brozek

The Morrigan Books anthology, Scenes from the Second Storey, has been reviewed by Jennifer Brozek on the Apex Book Company website, and my story gets a special mention:

There are a couple of standout stories—both in the story itself and the connection to the song inspired by it. First is “Dream Machine” by David Conyers – The story is horrific, creating a man into a demonic assassin who finds a peace of sorts with his new place in life and death. Over all, there is a velvety dreamlike quality to the story with its use of picture frames as portals and the protagonist roaming dark stone corridors. This story is enhanced by the song, “Dream Machine,” with its velvety sound and lyrics.

The rest of the review is very positive, and features an interview with the editors, Amanda Pillar and Pete Kempshall.