History That Never Was

Home of Dawn Vogel: Writer, Historian, Geek

The Non-Player Review of Video Games: Ranking the NPCs in Baldur’s Gate 3

| October 16, 2024

Like many gamers, Jeremy picked up a copy of Baldur’s Gate 3 pretty much as soon as it came out. In fact, I think that game was the impetus for him getting a new laptop, with specs that could handle the game. Since it’s on his laptop, rather than on a console, I hear it more […]

Interview with Ryder O’Malley

| September 11, 2023

Today, I’m talking with Ryder O’Malley, who writes superhero and supervillain fiction, including some on the gay and steamy part of the spectrum! Read on to learn more! DV: Tell me a little about yourself and your writing. RO: Howdy! Most people know me as Ryder O’Malley, the author of gay steamy superheroes. My origin […]

Review of The Crane Moon Cycle by J.C. Snow

| August 16, 2023

The Crane Moon Cycle by J.C. Snow (2023) is a wonderful epic fantasy novel duology filled with queer characters, slow-burn romance, and a deep historical world. Aili and Nora are preparing to ship out as military nurses, but before they do, they take opportunities to meet other queer women. In doing so, Aili meets an […]

Greek and Roman Myths in Old Legends and New Fables

| June 28, 2022

Because Greek and Roman mythology is some of the most commonly taught in the western world, it’s not surprising that a number of my pieces in Old Legends and New Fables reflect this knowledge. Even those pieces that deal with the legends of other cultures often get viewed through a Greek or Roman lens because of […]

Review of Against the Grain by Melanie Harding-Shaw

| February 16, 2022

Against the Grain by Melanie Harding-Shaw is a lovely urban fantasy novella about magic, romance, and celiac/coeliac disease. Told from the perspective of Trinity, a coeliac witch who believes she’s cursed when it comes to matters of love and romance, it’s a quick-paced story set against a glorious New Zealand backdrop. Trinity has always has […]

Review of The Awakening by Dusk Peterson

| October 27, 2021

The Awakening by Dusk Peterson (Love in Dark Settings Press, 2021) is the first book in their Dungeon Guards series. An alternate history story, it consists of four interconnected novellas about guards who work in the Eternal Dungeon and their lives both within and out of the dungeon. The alternate history aspect of this book […]

Review of Moth and Spark by Anne Leonard

| November 4, 2020

Moth and Spark by Anne Leonard (Viking, 2014) is a fast-paced fantasy novel with intrigue, romance, and dragons. It’s packed with wonderful characters and a story that will make you not want to put the book down. The novel features two point of view characters, with alternating chapters. Corin, the male protagonist, is a prince […]