Gender-Based Magic Systems, Plus Moviegoing During a Pandemic

To view this email as a web page, go [here.]( [Tor.com Newsletter]( [Forward to a Friend]( MAGIC AND WORLDBUILDING [Moving Beyond Binaries in Gender-Based Magic Systems: The Wheel of Time and Iron Widow]( The Wheel of Time is a beloved, foundational series for many. But it’s interesting to look back and note the way our own reactions to elements of the books have changed over time, and the way the fantasy genre has evolved in the decades since the first books were published. Allison Alexander takes a look at the intricate, gender-based magic system Robert Jordan created, and how contemporary authors like Xiran Jay Zhao are changing the conversation in their own fiction. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( ROHAN WILL ANSWER [Actually, Théoden Has the Best Dialogue in The Lord of the Rings]( Peter Jackson’s adaptations of the Lord of the Rings series feature some pretty iconic lines of dialogue, between Samwise’s loyalty, Aragorn’s wisdom, and Gandalf’s sharp tongue. But it’s Théoden of Rohan who really nails it every time. Elayne Audrey Becker highlights some flawless moments, and be sure to add your own favorites in the comments! [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( TO POPCORN OR NOT TO POPCORN [Moviegoing During a Pandemic]( The debate about going out to movies during what is still very-much-ongoing pandemic keeps spiking every time Denis Villeneuve or Christopher Nolan gives an interview, and every time a movie trailer ends with the proud declaration: “Only in Theaters.” But for those of us in the audience, actually going to the theater again brings up a lot of feelings. The Tor.com team shares their thoughts about returning to the movies (or not) during the pandemic. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( FOR YOUR BOOKSHELF [Five Books With BIPOC Chosen Ones]( Sometimes, a well-loved trope is deemed “overdone,” often as a reaction to BIPOC authors including it in their stories. But it’s important to remember who has been allowed to tell stories up until now, and how a trope can change through the lens of different experiences. June CL Tan recommends five books with BIPOC Chosen Ones. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( SPOOKY SEASON [What Makes John Carpenter’s The Thing So Effing Scary?]( John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), was panned by critics at the time of its release, but today is recognized as one of the most effective, shocking, and suspenseful horror movies of all time. Maybe, at the time, its bleak, uncertain ending was too much to handle. Robert Repino delves into exactly what makes The Thing so indelibly disturbing. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( CLASSIC SCI-FI [Five SF Novels Featuring Ancient Alien Artifacts]( While it might not be realistic from a scientific perspective, the discovery of alien relics is story candy for SF authors. No matter how implausible, we love to imagine that aliens have visited long before, and there’s evidence waiting to be discovered (even though it rarely turns out well for the humans involved). James Davis Nicoll shares five classic examples, with plenty more discussed in the comments! [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( MARK AS READ [What to Read When You Are Worn Out on World-Saving]( In the face of feeling only “pandemic okay,” it’s clear that our relationship to reading has shifted. And sometimes, the big world-saving, prophecy-fulfilling stakes that SFF leans toward feels like too much. Molly Templeton dives into the comfort of stories with low stakes and good character growth. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( TOOK A MIDNIGHT TRAIN GOING ANYWHERE [All Aboard! Five SFF Stories About Trains and Railways]( As much as we like to dream about top-quality, high-speed rail making our lives and commutes easier, that’s not day to day reality for most of us in the U.S. and Canada. But we can dream, and plenty of SF authors have cooked up stories about trains transporting characters to their destinies over the years. Here are five SFF stories featuring trains and railways—on Earth, on other planets, and beyond! [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( ORIGINAL FICTION [“Sand” by Jasmin Kirkbride]( When Suzy was born, her parents filled her mouth with sand. But this is normal and natural and the way things are always done. And if she finds it uncomfortable to keep it there, to eat with it there, to talk with it there, she’s just going to have to learn to live with it. “Sand” is a heart-wrenching tale about generational trauma and healing. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( Follow Tor.com to get updates on all of our original fiction. FOLLOW US: [Follow Us on Facebook]( [Follow Us on Twitter]( [Follow Us on Tumblr]( [Follow Us on Pinterest]( This email was sent by: Macmillan 120 Broadway New York, NY, 10271, US We respect your right to privacy - [view our policy]( Macmillan believes piracy hurts writers, readers and everyone who loves books. Learn more and report suspicious activity [here.]( To subscribe to this or other email communications from Macmillan, please click [here](. Visit our [profile center]( to update your email address and/or other information. If you no longer wish to receive this email communication, click [here]( to unsubscribe.