His sister had known how to hold conflicting truths in her mind, though she had never liked it. The knight wished she were here. But banishment was banishment. In her absence, one’s familial obligations had rather intensified. So here one sat, doing one’s best. DEAD HAND RULE

“Hold on, I have your CV here... Let’s review your accomplishments. One atrocity, scattered cases of vandalism, theft, and thaumaturgical espionage, a few murders, and—what else?” The final side was blank. “I'm sure you have the global necromantic system quaking atop its throne of skulls.” DHR

The bouncer had tried to bounce her in the most rude and condescending fashion, so Donnie had turned the bouncer into a toad—just a little. Despite Al’s protests, Donnie believed that had been a perfectly legitimate and restrained use of Craftwork under the circumstances. DEAD HAND RULE

His sister had known how to hold conflicting truths in her mind, though she had never liked it. The knight wished she were here. But banishment was banishment. In her absence, one’s familial obligations had rather intensified. So here one sat, doing one’s best. DEAD HAND RULE

The bouncer had tried to bounce her in the most rude and condescending fashion, so Donnie had turned the bouncer into a toad—just a little. Despite Al’s protests, Donnie believed that had been a perfectly legitimate and restrained use of Craftwork under the circumstances. DEAD HAND RULE

"You walk a high rope, and the ground is oh so far below.” Abelard looked down. He felt very cold. “Are you threatening me?” Kopil almost swallowed his cigarette. Might have, if he still had an esophagus. “What? No. It’s a metaphor. I’m making conversation." DEAD HAND RULE

How do you think political elections would work in the Craft Sequence? I don't think we've seen anything even resembling a democracy in the Domain thus far, and with the way political power is so closely tied to magical power (whether Craft or theological) it doesn't seem an easy fit.

NYC’s mayor should figure out why 1 in 100,000,000 subway trains vanish for a month and then arrive at the next station with all the passengers turned to bare skeletons. It’s not the city’s biggest problem but it should be looked into eventually

"You walk a high rope, and the ground is oh so far below.” Abelard looked down. He felt very cold. “Are you threatening me?” Kopil almost swallowed his cigarette. Might have, if he still had an esophagus. “What? No. It’s a metaphor. I’m making conversation." DEAD HAND RULE

In general Gladstone is showing off so much I was eager to see about his world in this book, and in his typical style: drawing out wry grins and thoughtful pauses in equal measure and often in quick succession

I am Not Quite Getting the main plot of DEAD HAND RULE yet (tbf I'm only 10-20% in) but in the meantime this entire side story with Belladonna Albrecht's daughter pinballing around the conclave and city is delightful

After a double shift of disappearances, assaults, riots, assignations and assassinations, traffic, murder, and seventy-plus other forms of skullduggery, even a head of diplomatic security needed a few hours’ sleep. Cat understood this, in principle. DEAD HAND RULE

Semi-regular reminder that the Craft Wars trilogy is now a quartet! As well as Dead Country, Wicked Problems, and Dead Hand Rule, we are getting the as-yet-unnamed Craft Wars #4 next year! (I keep seeing people surprised, and my v short news article about it gets a lot of hits. Spread the message!)

With new Camlaander characters introduced*, here's a reminder of the last time I wrote about Camlaan! Definitely due an update, shall add to my ever-expanding to-write list. (*Gav, my dear Knight of the Plumes, I adore you in all your ridiculousness) www.thehiddenschools.com/articles/gal...

Semi-regular reminder that the Craft Wars trilogy is now a quartet! As well as Dead Country, Wicked Problems, and Dead Hand Rule, we are getting the as-yet-unnamed Craft Wars #4 next year! (I keep seeing people surprised, and my v short news article about it gets a lot of hits. Spread the message!)

“I don’t want to lose.” Tara’s voice sounded ragged. “I won’t let you.” And then, before gods or fate or the march of history or Tara’s fetish for having the last word could interrupt, she kissed her. DEAD HAND RULE

"Sooner or later, the system was bound to wake up. The question was only, what would it think of us when it did.” “If you hoped it might be benign,” Tara said, “perhaps some of you should not have let Alexander Denovo torture it for forty years.” DEAD HAND RULE

I have been asked to clarify that my friend (welsh) means "and he's ENGLISH" pejoratively. "I can't risk people thinking otherwise."

Kai knocked on the hatch. Heavy bolts unbolted. Latches clunked. The hinges were too well oiled to groan. To the Shadow King of Alikand, God-Eater and Blightwalker, Blue Lady’s chosen, she said, “Hi.” She would have said more, but Izza’s arms were around her, so tight they cut off breath. DHR

Kai knocked on the hatch. Heavy bolts unbolted. Latches clunked. The hinges were too well oiled to groan. To the Shadow King of Alikand, God-Eater and Blightwalker, Blue Lady’s chosen, she said, “Hi.” She would have said more, but Izza’s arms were around her, so tight they cut off breath. DHR

It’s Mailbag Monday! This week we have monks in space, medieval monsters, otherworldly entities in cities real and unreal, short stories and epic sagas, horrid hospitals, towering trees, wriggling worms and soooo many bones. What looks good to you?

As a teen I had a couple of short stories published in a local writing journal, and they gave me a Young Writer Award (invented for me I think...) Just been asked if they can reprint one in a best of anthology. DEFINITELY because of my then-age, not the quality, but it was very nice to be asked ❤️

UK folks, THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR is a monthly Kindle deal for November: just 99p! Often this sort of deal leads to price-matching at other online retailers, too. Happy reading!

Ohhh the books look so good together! (Photo from dany.alvy on instagram. Alas paperback doesn't come out here until December)

The Hidden Schools glimmered above Alt Coulumb, a chandelier replacement for stars. Crystal towers broke the light of moon to rainbow shards that cut the shadows of the city, & through those shards slipped Deathless Queens, clerks, priests, scholars, crooks, degenerates & weirdos on their quests.

People expected him to have opinions now. A man had asked Abelard what he’d thought of Ms Sun’s speech, and he had said, “It was pleasant,” and the vine-man had said, “Interesting," leaving Abelard in a state of dread that he had, in fact, said something interesting, if only he knew what. DHR

I don’t usually fancast, but if we ever get a Craft Sequence adaptation and if it’s live action, can we please do that before Patti Harrison ages out of playing Kai Pohala?

It was fascinating to watch Belladonna parent, because her traditional approach to problem-solving, to wit, overwhelming firepower and/or blood sacrifice, was distinctly unsuited for the task. DEAD HAND RULE

Discworld QOTD, from Unseen Academicals “‘As a wizard I must tell you that words have power.’ 'As a politician I must tell you I already know.’”

"Sooner or later, the system was bound to wake up. The question was only, what would it think of us when it did.” “If you hoped it might be benign,” Tara said, “perhaps some of you should not have let Alexander Denovo torture it for forty years.” DEAD HAND RULE

It was fascinating to watch Belladonna parent, because her traditional approach to problem-solving, to wit, overwhelming firepower and/or blood sacrifice, was distinctly unsuited for the task. DEAD HAND RULE

“Jax,” she said. “I don’t know what to say.” (5 min later) “Can you believe the godfucking audacity. That madman. That idiot. Can he be so disconnected from even the semblance of reality? Of course he can. Of course for him the end of the world is something with which you just fuck around.” DHR

“Why did you let me go?” “You were my direct report, Tara. Not my servant.” “I must have seemed like an idiot. Throwing away your advice, your friendship—” “Never that.” The interruption struck her silent, though Elayne had spoken with no force but care. DEAD HAND RULE

Earlier this month we talked about the existence of Craft Sequence short story, Man in the Middle, published in a horror anthology. To mark Halloween, here are my top 10 favourite details from the spooky(ish) and horror(ish) story: www.thehiddenschools.com/articles/top-ten-details-man-in-the-middle

“Why did you let me go?” “You were my direct report, Tara. Not my servant.” “I must have seemed like an idiot. Throwing away your advice, your friendship—” “Never that.” The interruption struck her silent, though Elayne had spoken with no force but care. DEAD HAND RULE

Earlier this month we talked about the existence of Craft Sequence short story, Man in the Middle, published in a horror anthology. To mark Halloween, here are my top 10 favourite details from the spooky(ish) and horror(ish) story: www.thehiddenschools.com/articles/top-ten-details-man-in-the-middle

[redacted] and [redacted] pulling a Rick and Elsa (there’s probably a more exact wartime movie parallel but this is what I see in my head)

Happy Halloween! Quote with your creepy art 🎃

“That,” Caleb said, “is bullshit.” Tara blinked. There sat Caleb, arms crossed, composed, markedly unmurdered. As if he had not just called bullshit on someone who used to kill gods for a living. Somewhere, thunder rolled. Oh, Tara thought, here it comes. Then she realized Kopil was laughing. DHR

Tara had dreamed of moments like this as a girl: saints and Deathless Kings hanging on her words. She had thought that when those moments came, she would not feel so scared. DEAD HAND RULE

“Jax,” she said. “I don’t know what to say.” (5 min later) “Can you believe the godfucking audacity. That madman. That idiot. Can he be so disconnected from even the semblance of reality? Of course he can. Of course for him the end of the world is something with which you just fuck around.” DHR

If you haven't picked up DEAD HAND RULE yet, here's somebody who isn't me telling you how amazing it is.

If you haven't picked up DEAD HAND RULE yet, here's somebody who isn't me telling you how amazing it is.

I was well and truly hooked ten years ago by Three Parts Dead. I love how the gonzo world building refracts our own world. But even more I love all of the broken people trying to do better despite their limitations who populate these books. I shouldn’t love Kopil or Elayne or Temoc but I do.

Convalescing is not my strong suit. But if I’m going to have to convalesce, convalescing with the latest installment of @maxgladstone.bsky.social’s Craft Wars is the way to go. Late stage capitalist bullshit, necromancy, malevolent squid gods, spiders from beyond the stars, all the good stuff.

Has anyone got to this bit yet because I need to talk about it

What better way to celebrate the launch of a new Craft Sequence book than taking a look at the inimitable Elayne Kevarian? Your favourite Craftswoman's favourite Craftswoman, Elayne needs no further introduction: www.thehiddenschools.com/articles/ela...

Tara had dreamed of moments like this as a girl: saints and Deathless Kings hanging on her words. She had thought that when those moments came, she would not feel so scared. DEAD HAND RULE

“That,” Caleb said, “is bullshit.” Tara blinked. There sat Caleb, arms crossed, composed, markedly unmurdered. As if he had not just called bullshit on someone who used to kill gods for a living. Somewhere, thunder rolled. Oh, Tara thought, here it comes. Then she realized Kopil was laughing. DHR

I have been asked to clarify that my friend (welsh) means "and he's ENGLISH" pejoratively. "I can't risk people thinking otherwise."