Wombling Along
Helloooo!
Welcome to Wombling Along - the blog’s weekend supplement where I share the reviews and other interesting things online that caught my eye in the week. Grab a COLD drink and relax with it
A week of two halves! On the bright side my reading has gone well getting several books done but the blogging side has been quiet as the U.K. has been sweltering. We are a nation not used to multiple days of 30 degree temperatures and most buildings do not have air conditioning, and our public tansport system tends not to either! Day job in this heat was a challenge, sleep has been tricky and so no energy to put blog words in order. But fear not lots to tempt soon
Reviews
Jam Reads really enjoyed After The Fall by Edward Ashton
https://jamreads.com/reviews/after-the-fall-by-edward-ashton
And also impressed by Radiant Star by Ann Leckie
https://jamreads.com/reviews/radiant-star-by-ann-leckie
And tempts with The Tinder Box by MR Carey
https://jamreads.com/reviews/the-tinder-box-by-m-r-carey
Locus adds to the many people impressed by Moon Over Brendle by Jeff Noon
https://locusmag.com/review/moon-over-brendle-by-jeff-noon-review-by-paul-di-filippo/
They also found Glyph by Ali Smith an interesting read
https://locusmag.com/review/glyph-by-ali-smith-review-by-niall-harrison/
Gav Reads enjoyed Floodlines by Saleem Haddad
https://gavreads.co.uk/2026/06/20/review-floodlines-by-saleem-haddad-2026/
They also were very impressed by The Tinder Box by M R Carey
https://gavreads.co.uk/2026/06/21/review-the-tinder-box-by-m-r-carey-2026/
Books, Bones and Buffy really like The Sixth Nik by Daniel Kraus
https://booksbonesbuffy.com/2026/06/22/the-sixth-nik-by-daniel-kraus-review/
The Fantasy Hive invokes Wombles when they give their great impressions of Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky
https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2026/05/green-city-wars-by-adrian-tchaikovsky-book-review/
Harare Review of Books enjoyed The Many by Sylvain Neuvel
https://hararereview.com/2026/06/23/the-many-x-sylvain-neuvel/
Strange Horizons has a balanced look at Vigil by George Saunders
https://strangehorizons.com/wordpress/non-fiction/vigil-by-george-saunders/
Blue Book Balloon was very happy to read The Knight Watch by Thomas D Lee
http://bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2026/06/the-knight-watch-by-thomas-d-lee.html
Gingernuts of Horror has an great new horror debut to discuss in the shape of While They Watch by Leicole Lang
https://gnofhorror.com/while-they-watch-by-leicole-lang-book-review/
They also really liked Steal Me by Helen Grant
https://gnofhorror.com/steal-me-by-helen-grant-review-folk-horror/
Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub make me feel the cold with this look at The Winter Folk by Jen Julian
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.home.blog/2026/06/24/book-review-the-winter-folk-by-jen-julian/
Ancillary Review of Books goes to the strange world of Pandemonium Waltz by Jeffrey Ford
https://ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2026/06/25/accepting-the-strange/
Fanatsy Book Nerd did not click with Clatter Man by Janelle Schieke
https://www.fantasybooknerd.com/2026/06/book-review-clatter-man-janelle-schieke.html
Happily Crooks Books also enjoyed The Last Knight by Thomas D Lee
https://crooksbooks.blog/2026/06/25/the-knight-watch-by-thomas-d-lee-arc-review/
Reading Reality also adds to the good reviews of Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovsky
https://www.readingreality.net/2026/06/a-bookreview-green-city-wars-by-adrian-tchaikovsky/
Nerds of a Feather were very struck by Villain by Natalie Zina Walschotts
http://www.nerds-feather.com/2026/06/review-villain-by-natalie-zina.html
In Other News
The Future Worlds winner has been announced!
https://www.futureworldsprize.co.uk
Borrowed and Blue has its Queersar exercise ending in 2024
https://borrowed-and-blue.beehiiv.com/p/the-queersar-not-an-award-2024
Fansplaining looks at censorship rising across the world
https://fansplaining.com/the-global-crackdown-on-creativity/
Starlog a SF focused magazine is reborn!
https://thelodestar.starlog.com/p/the-lodestar-no-001-first-contact-june-26-2026
Jessica Woodbury talks about Darker Times (just me or does it sound like blogs/websites may be coming back in vogue!?)
https://editdesk.wordpress.com/2026/06/22/qa-with-jessica-woodbury-of-darker-times/
The bookseller looks at barriers for diver voices in publishing
https://www.thebookseller.com/comment/the-barriers-for-diverse-voices-remain-higher-than-others
Reactor has a lovely and for me accurate explanation of how you can read more (this is why I am so behind on any TV brilliance)
https://reactormag.com/the-way-to-read-more-is-to-read-more/
They also have a fascinating look at how sword and sorcery needs to be weirder
https://reactormag.com/the-rebirth-of-sword-and-sorcery-and-the-death-of-the-weird/
And Gingernuts of Horror has an explanation of why Backrooms horror links into the life many of us have felt in jobs in the U.K. - this is a funny, smart and thoughtful read!
https://gnofhorror.com/backrooms-horror-the-british-working-class-truth/
As always treat yourself to The Full Lid
https://mailchi.mp/5eae45a7eabd/the-full-lid-12th-june-17249581
And as always for more excellent insights read Renay’s Intergalactic Mixtape
https://buttondown.com/intergalacticmixtape/archive/intergalactic-mixtape-59/
Stay cool read books and I’ll see you soon
