M.S. KAMINSKY

FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION

THE READING ROOM

Notes from
other worlds.

Book recommendations, mythology, science fiction, favorite tropes, and occasional dispatches from behind the stories.

FEATURED READING

Selkie Mythology: Why the Seal-Wife Legends Aren’t Romance

Fantasy Deep Dives · Mermaids & Ocean Fantasy

Selkie mythology from Orkney, Shetland, Ireland and the Faroes: stolen seal skins, a curse that isn’t finished, and why these legends aren’t love stories.

LATEST FROM MSK

Keep exploring.

Choose a doorway: deep water, distant planets, beloved tropes, or the stories behind the stories.

Mystery and Magic

Tropes & Worldbuilding

Mystery and Magic: The Enchanting Dance of Whodunits and Wizardry

In the vast landscape of literature, there's an irresistible sub-genre that has charmed countless readers: novels that artfully blend the […]

Longest-Fantasy-Series

Book Recommendations

The Fantasy Marathon: The Three Longest Fantasy Series Ever Written

Ever found yourself trapped in the sprawling realms of a fantasy world, where every turn of the page leads to […]

royalty-in-ya-fantasy

Book Recommendations

The Allure of Royalty in YA Fantasy Fiction

Raise your hand if you've ever been suckered into reading a Young Adult (YA) fantasy novel purely because it had […]

Book Recommendations · Tropes & Worldbuilding

Magic-less Fantasy: An Emerging Sub-genre Worth Your Attention

When I think of the fantasy genre, my mind usually flutters to images of fiery dragons, wise wizards, and enchanted […]

Urban Fantasy vs High Fantasy

Book Recommendations · Fantasy Deep Dives

Urban Fantasy vs High Fantasy: When Dragons Roost on Skyscrapers

Ever found yourself torn between exploring a world filled with epic quests, mystical creatures, and legendary magic, and the gritty […]

mystic voyage

Tropes & Worldbuilding

The Mystic Voyage: Exploring Mystical Themes in Young Adult Fiction

Let's talk about a fascinating aspect of literature that we often overlook - the mystical themes that run through Young […]

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