Tap and Die
by Lancelot Schaubert
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Pub Date Oct 31 2023 | Archive Date Apr 30 2023
Vale | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles
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Description
"This is an author indulging in some pretty amazing tongue-and-cheek metatextual analysis — in one short text, they've recognized that Die Hard is a Western, that Westerns have solid story beats that can be abstracted into any genre, and then kneaded those story beats into a fantasy narrative that has more to say about family, growth, and excitement than any of the original material. This feels like Moorcock's Second Ether series, or even Jasper Fforde's stuff. Either way, I feel like this is really more genre-bending fiction than fantasy, but will excite fiction enthusiasts who need a familiar story to finally understand the appeal in the fantasy genre.
"One of the best atmospheric elements in the text is the clear reverence the author has for the inspirational material. The addition of a family-life, loving daughter, personal history and internal monologue for our Jack Dawes/Mclean/jackdaw character adds a lot of depth to the frame of the plot. I would love to see more action movies chopped and remixed in this manner, I think it could be a whole new genre: Die Bard.
"I'm going to handsell this, but not as fantasy, and suggest customers ignore cover summaries."
— a bookseller from Canada
★★★★★ (5/5)
A cowboy separated from his wife visits an ambassador's gala above an active volcano. Magical terrorists attack. Separated from his clothes and family, he must wield a lightning wand against an invading army in hopes to set the fantastic world's diplomats free.
Will he make it out clothed, reunited, and unsinged?
Lancelot Schaubert has 5 books coming out in 2023, all f them currently available on Netgalley. Search "Lancelot" in the "Search for titles" section of Netgalley to find all five!
A Note From the Publisher
Kindle — ASIN: B0BLCZSGLZ
Ebook — 9781949547122
Kindle — ASIN: B0BLCZSGLZ
Advance Praise
"[Schaubert's work] is a hoot."
- Publisher's Weekly
"Lancelot Schaubert is an entertaining and intelligent writer with a flair for world-building. His work is full of good surprises."
- Juliet Marillier, Aurelius award winning author of the Blackthorn & Grim and Warrior Bards series
"Schaubert is a powerful fantasist, a multi-layered thinker and a pure craftsperson with words. This is a writer who will make waves, break boundaries and be heard."
- Kaaron Warren, Aurelius + Stoker award-winning author and Guest of Honor at the World Fantasy Convention
"Schaubert's complex stories weave together sly humor, subtle satire, and heightened language to push fantasy into unexpected places: sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes perplexing, but always intriguing."
-LJ Cohen, author of Derelict
"I f***ing love this entire synopsis. I didn't read the book, but the synopsis is b*tchin'."
- Alin, editor of The Dread Machine
"Schaubert's words have an immediacy, a potency, an intimacy that grab the reader by the collar and say, 'Listen, this is important!' Probing the bones and gristle of humanity, Lancelot's subjects challenge, but also offer insights into redemption if only we will stop and pay attention."
- Erika Robuck, national bestselling author of Hemingway's Girl
"Loved BELL HAMMERS because Lancelot wrote about people who don't get written about enough and he did it with humor, compassion, and heart."
- Brian Slatterly, author of Lost Everything and editor of The New Haven Review
"I'm such a fan of Lancelot Schaubert's work. His unique view and his life-wisdom enriches all he does. We're lucky to count him among our contributors."
- Therese Walsh, author of The Moon Sisters and Editorial Director of Writer Unboxed
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781949547139 |
| PRICE | $15.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 140 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Kathryn M, Reviewer
A gala above a active volcano with a cowboy husband, wow that is one heck of a concept and made me want to check this book. It delivers on the description plot, I really enjoyed getting to read this and enjoyed the characters themselves. Lancelot Schaubert does a great job in telling this story and I'm excited to read more from them.
"Now that it demands your help — now that you got to come down here — you have to stop and fix what she prefers." They pulled up to the carriage line, with the great steam and smoke rising in a ring around the base of the tap. Black Jack pointed to a sign: WATCH FOR FALLING ROCKS. "What rocks?" he said. "Mountain's clear." "They vent the lava flow beneath by reverse gravity around the walls of the tap."
Lori C, Reviewer
This was completely different than what I expected going in. And I enjoyed it. This wad very very good and I would definitely read more from this author.
I just reviewed Tap and Die by Lancelot Schaubert. #TapandDie #NetGalley
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Bookseller 1123453
This is an author indulging in some pretty amazing tongue-and-cheek metatextual analysis - in one short text, they've recognized that Die Hard is a Western, that Westerns have solid story beats that can be abstracted into any genre, and then kneaded those story beats into a fantasy narrative that has more to say about family, growth, and excitement than any of the original material. This feels like Moorcock's Second Ether series, or even Jasper Fforde's stuff. Either way, I feel like this is really more genre-bending fiction than fantasy, but will excite fiction enthusiasts who need a familiar story to finally understand the appeal in the fantasy genre.
One of the best atmospheric elements in the text is the clear reverence the author has for the inspirational material. The addition of a family-life, loving daughter, personal history and internal monologue for our Jack Dawes/Mclean/jackdaw character adds a lot of depth to the frame of the plot. I would love to see more action movies chopped and remixed in this manner, I think it could be a whole new genre: Die Bard.
Angie L, Reviewer
What a wild ride for the mix of cowboys and fantasy. I loved every minute of it from first page to last page! Who knew cowboys could in fantasy but they really do so much fun. Until next time Happy Reading!
Andy M, Reviewer
How do you make a character so riveting in so short a time span? Well, you call him Black Jack, strip him naked and set a furious pace while revealing his character. Even Ser Forty was built awesomely that he could be his own series. This story line could have played out to everyones delight yet sadly it ended too soon.
Awesome short story. I want a full novel or a series about Black Jack!
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