More on Deadlands at Black Gate

My Black Gate article this week takes a look at some of the books for the Deadlands tabletop rpg, mainly books dealing with firearms of the Old West period.

Rituals of the warrior

This week over at the Rogue Blades site I talk about the importance of warrior rituals.

Books read in 2021: No. 26 -- The Emperor's Soul

by Brandon Sanderson

Started: July 21
Finished: July 22

Notes: I've been reading older fantasy of late, so I thought I'd switch things up and read some more modern material. Plus, the girlfriend suggested this novella.

Mini review: That was a damn fine read. The world building is excellent. A magic system based upon forgery of souls ... it's not something I had considered. And while the writing here was easy to read, it was not simplistic, also fast paced. I enjoyed it. I'll have to check out more of Sanderson's work.

Books read in 2021: No. 25 -- Nomads of Gor

by John Norman

Started: June 27

Finished: July 20

Notes: I've never read any of the Gor novels though I've run across them for decades, so I thought now was the time to give one a try. This is the fourth book in the series, originally published back in 1969.

Mini review: Okaaaay. By modern standards, this one is not very politically correct, whether for good or bad depending on one's viewpoint. Issues of slavery and treatment of women are rampant throughout much of this novel, though to be fair the writing doesn't go into detail. For that matter, the writing here wasn't bad ... not great, but quite readable. And honestly, the world building was quite superb. Would I read another Gor novel? Actually, yeah, I might.

Beer of the Week: Beamish Irish Stout

Beer score: 5.4

Company: Beamish

ABV: 4.1
IBU: 35

Like any decent stout, this one pours a dark black color with perhaps hints of red around the edges. In the scent there's plenty of maltiness and hints of burnt chocolate with maybe a touch of coffee.

The taste also has some of that chocolate and coffee flavoring to it. This is one of the smoothest stouts I've ever tried, and it's not all that strong. For that matter, it's actually pretty flat but has a nice stoutesque kick on the way down.

I wouldn't say this is the best stout I've ever tasted, but it is different and is far from being one of the worst stouts. It's worth a try.

Rolling into battle at Rogue Blades

Over at the Rogue Blades site, this week I ask, "What's your soundtrack if you're rolling into battle?" Metallica, Wagner, The Carpenters?

Beer of the Week: Natural Ice

Beer score: 2.3

Company: Anheuser-Busch

ABV: 5.9
IBU: NA

Ever wonder why the folks at Anheuser-Busch never put much taste into Natural Light? It's because the beer would taste like this one. And that's not good.

The flavor is over-top-cheap American, and it can be hard to swallow because of the taste and the carbonation.

At least it pours a nice, light golden color. But then the smell hits you. It smells like grass and metal. Really. Even when you drink it out of the bottle.

It's fairly cheap and can get you drunk, so I suppose it's not all bad.