Aristophanes Athenaeum

Aristophanes Athenaeum focuses on reviewing overlooked books across various genres, including fiction, science fiction, children's literature, and fantasy, with an emphasis on storytelling, thematic exploration, and underrepresented authors. It critiques the mainstream publishing industry's biases and champions independent and diverse literary voices.

Literature Review Science Fiction Children's Books Publishing Industry Critique Fiction Fantasy Fiction Book Recommendations Reading Culture Author Interviews Writing and Storytelling

The hottest Substack posts of Aristophanes Athenaeum

And their main takeaways

Anthology: Death Flex, Shadow of the Executioner

373 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
📚 Literature Horror Short Stories Book review Authors
  1. Death Flex is a unique horror anthology inspired by the diary of Franz Schmidt, the Chief Executioner of Nuremberg in the 1500s.
  2. The stories in Death Flex are varied and unique, each offering a different perspective on the diary and keeping readers engaged.
  3. The anthology features well-crafted stories like Thirty-One Blows and The Kobolds Stare, offering a mix of historical insight and thrilling narrative.

The Bullfrog Review

1375 implied HN points • 28 Jul 22
  1. The traditional literary industry is focused on political and ideological books, ignoring serious writers and storytellers.
  2. There is a thriving community of writers known as "frogs" who are dedicated to writing and sharing good stories.
  3. The Bullfrog Review intends to focus on reviewing fiction and kids' books by deserving authors who are often overlooked by the traditional publishing industry.

Science Fiction Review: Steelstorm

452 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
📚 Literature Science fiction Book review Author Writing Style Imagery
  1. Steelstorm is a speculative science fiction story with multiple timelines, including a Cold War setting and a dystopian future.
  2. The author successfully switches between different perspectives, like a psychopathic character and a soldier, keeping the story coherent.
  3. The book is short but written with unique prose that captures grand imagery and deep themes, making it a satisfying read.
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Guest Review: Cowboy Church by J.L. Mackey

452 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
📚 Literature Review Crime Character development
  1. The novella 'The Cowboy Church' by J.L. Mackey is a straightforward story with gritty characters.
  2. The book focuses on family, loyalty, and hard decisions in a simple and direct narrative.
  3. Readers can expect a refreshing read that doesn't rely heavily on twists and backstory, offering specific and believable characters.

Science Fiction Review: Horus Rising

432 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
📚 Literature Science fiction
  1. Horus Rising is the first book of the Horus Heresy prequels set in the 31st millennium.
  2. Warhammer 40k depicts a universe surviving through ignorance and faith in the Emperor of Mankind.
  3. The book provides a different perspective of the Imperium with artists, culture, and an optimistic outlook.

Fake Meat and the Samizdat Grindset

825 implied HN points • 13 Jul 22
  1. The fake meat industry uses tactics like giving products for free to restaurants to grow market share.
  2. Fake meat products are made from waste byproducts from Chinese agriculture, impacting food security.
  3. Individuals can participate in acts of resistance by subtly affecting the sales and production of fake meat.

Science Fiction Guest Review: Red Rising

393 implied HN points • 29 Nov 22
  1. Red Rising is a sci-fi series with a unique neo-feudal setting involving nanowire whips and dueling nobles.
  2. The story delves into themes of leadership, betrayal, and political systems without glorifying a particular ideology.
  3. The sci-fi elements in Red Rising offer a mix of space battles, honor duels, and medieval tech, making it a diverse and engaging read.

We've made the big time!

432 implied HN points • 25 Oct 22
  1. The author has an article published on The Federalist about the publishing industry.
  2. The author expresses excitement about the published article.
  3. The publication is reader-supported and offers subscriptions.

Fiction Review: Blood of the Levant

412 implied HN points • 06 Nov 22
  1. The book 'Blood of the Levant' creates a unique world blending industrialism and militarism in a 1880-1920s setting.
  2. The story follows Omar Braun, an 'Ichor Heart' with superhuman abilities, in a forever war between empires.
  3. The book excels in setting and visualization, with descriptive scenes and familiar vibes for 'Fullmetal Alchemist' fans.

Review: Wrath of the Wendigo

275 implied HN points • 02 Jan 23
  1. Wrath of the Wendigo is a story set in a near future North America where secession has occurred.
  2. The book is heavy on exposition and world-building, presenting a unique vision of an alternate future.
  3. Clay Martin's writing features well-crafted fight scenes and vivid descriptions, making the story engaging.

Science Fiction Review: Spire

334 implied HN points • 21 Oct 22
  1. Spire is a short yet captivating science fiction book with a complete story that can be finished in a few sittings.
  2. The theme of cosmic horror, reminiscent of older science fiction, adds an element of the unknown and insignificance of humanity.
  3. Spire's world-building and character development are well-balanced, providing an immersive experience in a concise format.

Fiction Review: Lost Causes

353 implied HN points • 04 Oct 22
  1. The plot of Lost Causes follows a British operative unravelling a terrorist plot in Mexico.
  2. The writing style of the book combines elements of famous authors in the action genre like Clancy and Child.
  3. The novel explores themes of British identity and the importance of upholding traditional masculinity.

Childrens Book Review: The Squirrel Manifesto

275 implied HN points • 08 Nov 22
  1. The Squirrel Manifesto is a kids book about the benefits of saving money.
  2. The book introduces various animal species and teaches important life lessons.
  3. It conveys the message of financial security, delayed gratification, and the importance of investing in the future.

Podcasts & Commentary

275 implied HN points • 02 Nov 22
  1. This article discusses recent podcasts and commentaries by the author with various individuals, focusing on topics like publishing, writing, family, fatherhood, and service in the US Military.
  2. The author has collaborations with different personalities like Brett Cain, Braxton McCoy, and Dave Martel, delving into their backgrounds, experiences, and expertise.
  3. The post also highlights the author's engagement with different publishers and self-published authors, emphasizing the diversity and creativity within the sphere of writing and publishing.

Guest Review: Shagduk

235 implied HN points • 09 Dec 22
  1. The book 'Shagduk' is a supernatural mystery set in 1970s Texas.
  2. The story is presented in a journal format, adding depth to the supernatural events.
  3. The book blends horror and comedy effectively, with relatable characters facing dark temptations.

Science Fiction Book Review: Automaton

314 implied HN points • 06 Sep 22
  1. Automaton is a science fiction novel set in a post-cataclysmic world with a focus on two major factions engaged in a robotic arms race.
  2. The characters in Automaton, especially the protagonist Michael Connors, are well-written and engaging, making the story compelling.
  3. The book offers a fascinating setting, intriguing storytelling, and leaves readers hungry for more, with plans for a trilogy.

Fiction Book Review: Let Them Look West

314 implied HN points • 31 Aug 22
  1. The book focuses on ideological struggle without being overly preachy or political.
  2. The characters are portrayed as believable and fleshed out, avoiding stereotypes.
  3. The story provides a timely and engaging narrative about the clash between the spiritual and secular in contemporary America.

Books as Food to Nourish the Mind

275 implied HN points • 07 Sep 22
  1. Characters are the taste, plot and setting are the presentation in a book
  2. Balancing world-building in a story keeps the reader intrigued
  3. Good writing is like a well-prepared meal: beautiful presentation, exquisite taste, and satisfying portion

Fiction Book Review: 299 Days

275 implied HN points • 15 Aug 22
  1. The book '299 Days' presents a realistic scenario for a partial collapse, showing how the protagonist prepares and evolves through hard times.
  2. The series focuses on complex and plausible events like economic crises, state defaults, and societal breakdowns, making it insightful.
  3. Consider reading '299 Days' for its valuable knowledge, although be aware that some aspects of the narrative may feel dated compared to the time it was written.

Fantasy Fiction Book Review: The Turquoise Serpent, by Alexander Palacio

275 implied HN points • 28 Jul 22
  1. The Turquoise Serpent is a fantasy book with a Meso-American setting, which is a unique and refreshing concept.
  2. The book offers detailed descriptions of the world, creating a vivid and captivating environment for the readers.
  3. The characters are well-developed, and the fight scenes are well-executed, providing an engaging reading experience.

Kids Book Review: What Kind of Man Will I Be?

255 implied HN points • 07 Aug 22
  1. A good children's book should balance simplicity and complexity in design and illustrations.
  2. The message of 'What Kind of Man Will I Be' is about the choices a child has in life and the different paths they can take.
  3. The book serves as a way for a father to connect with his son and encourages thoughtful discussions about future aspirations.

Come check out Substack chat!

117 implied HN points • 15 Dec 22
  1. Substack chat is set up for book lovers via the mobile app
  2. Topics will be created for mutual discussions
  3. Encouragement to subscribers to engage and provide feedback

Kids Book Review: King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table

157 implied HN points • 29 Jul 22
  1. Beautiful illustrations simplify a complex story with multiple characters.
  2. The book covers high-level themes like marriage, betrayal, death, and fighting for kids.
  3. Thoroughly demonstrates positive values like humility, nobility, and strength for young readers.