⚔️ 𝕭𝖗𝖞𝖈𝖊 - 𝖅𝖊𝖓𝖎𝖙𝖍 & 𝕭𝖑𝖆𝖉𝖊 ⚔️
@zenith-and-blade.bsky.social
SF&F + horror reader. Long & short blade martial artist. Warhammer 40k lore junkie. Full of rage, oolong & literary hot takes, not necessarily all at once. She/Her. 💙
https://zenandblade.wordpress.com/
https://zenandblade.wordpress.com/
Pinned
Hi! Do you like:
📚 Books, books, books
🏰 Epic, dark & fairytale fantasy
🚀 Cyberpunk & military sci-fi
👻 Paranormal horror
📚 Reading/writing indie SFF
🩸 WH40k lore
⚔️ Martial arts, wuxia
Let's be friends! ⬇️
📚 Books, books, books
🏰 Epic, dark & fairytale fantasy
🚀 Cyberpunk & military sci-fi
👻 Paranormal horror
📚 Reading/writing indie SFF
🩸 WH40k lore
⚔️ Martial arts, wuxia
Let's be friends! ⬇️
Very overdue, but here is my review of @moewanders.bsky.social's amazing book, The Winds of War. A wonderful gem and an absolutely stellar show for an indie book (and yes, comparisons that readers are making to GRRM's ASoIaF are very apt!)
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/b...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/b...
Book Review: The Winds of War by Mosha Winter
Quick summary: The Astaris Empire is fracturing. Empress Seline and her Gold Council vie to maintain control, but what is control for a nation built on blood and lies? In the east, the storied Rhaa…
zenandblade.wordpress.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Very overdue, but here is my review of @moewanders.bsky.social's amazing book, The Winds of War. A wonderful gem and an absolutely stellar show for an indie book (and yes, comparisons that readers are making to GRRM's ASoIaF are very apt!)
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/b...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/b...
I know I'm old because my phone contacts are the actual names of people. No matter how many times kids tell me this is absolutely insane, I don't understand what's wrong with it.
November 13, 2025 at 2:03 AM
I know I'm old because my phone contacts are the actual names of people. No matter how many times kids tell me this is absolutely insane, I don't understand what's wrong with it.
My brother got me shine muscat for my birthday! They’re heavenly and worth the price, but I’m genetically predisposed to being on board for expensive artisan gift fruit. ❤️
Will be gone for the rest of the weekend & upcoming week for birthday shenanigans.
Will be gone for the rest of the weekend & upcoming week for birthday shenanigans.
November 8, 2025 at 5:11 AM
My brother got me shine muscat for my birthday! They’re heavenly and worth the price, but I’m genetically predisposed to being on board for expensive artisan gift fruit. ❤️
Will be gone for the rest of the weekend & upcoming week for birthday shenanigans.
Will be gone for the rest of the weekend & upcoming week for birthday shenanigans.
GIRD YOUR LOINS, it’s starfruit season.
Everyone here knows someone who has been locked in eternal battle with a tree in their yard: they try to kill it, and the tree throws gallons of fruit at them. Then we all have to eat it. No one wins.
Everyone here knows someone who has been locked in eternal battle with a tree in their yard: they try to kill it, and the tree throws gallons of fruit at them. Then we all have to eat it. No one wins.
November 3, 2025 at 11:05 PM
GIRD YOUR LOINS, it’s starfruit season.
Everyone here knows someone who has been locked in eternal battle with a tree in their yard: they try to kill it, and the tree throws gallons of fruit at them. Then we all have to eat it. No one wins.
Everyone here knows someone who has been locked in eternal battle with a tree in their yard: they try to kill it, and the tree throws gallons of fruit at them. Then we all have to eat it. No one wins.
I read ONE short story in October. 🫠 Yey. I'm in the middle of multiple books, though. It's just a matter of finding time right now.
My November is an absolute mess of busywork on multiple fronts of my life, to say nothing of the holiday prep. My online presence may be erratic.
My November is an absolute mess of busywork on multiple fronts of my life, to say nothing of the holiday prep. My online presence may be erratic.
November 3, 2025 at 8:54 AM
I read ONE short story in October. 🫠 Yey. I'm in the middle of multiple books, though. It's just a matter of finding time right now.
My November is an absolute mess of busywork on multiple fronts of my life, to say nothing of the holiday prep. My online presence may be erratic.
My November is an absolute mess of busywork on multiple fronts of my life, to say nothing of the holiday prep. My online presence may be erratic.
#Spooktasticreads Day 13: this post was supposed to be a lot more interesting, but I ran out of time this week. Instead it's just a hodgepodge of creepy stories and media to enjoy this Halloween.
Have a great night! 💙📚🩸 #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/s...
Have a great night! 💙📚🩸 #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/s...
October 31, 2025 at 9:48 PM
#Spooktasticreads Day 13: this post was supposed to be a lot more interesting, but I ran out of time this week. Instead it's just a hodgepodge of creepy stories and media to enjoy this Halloween.
Have a great night! 💙📚🩸 #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/s...
Have a great night! 💙📚🩸 #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/s...
#spooktasticreads Day 12: Sorry for the late post (although to my credit, it's still technically Oct 30th here.) I'm sharing one of my of my favorite horror storytelling mediums: analog horror. 💙📚🩸 #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/s...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/s...
Spooktastic Reads (Day 12): Analog Horror YouTube Channels
It’s the day before Halloween, and Spooktastic Reads is nearly winding down. Today I’m sharing a bunch of frightening rabbit holes, a great form of storytelling called analog horror. Analog h…
zenandblade.wordpress.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:34 AM
#spooktasticreads Day 12: Sorry for the late post (although to my credit, it's still technically Oct 30th here.) I'm sharing one of my of my favorite horror storytelling mediums: analog horror. 💙📚🩸 #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/s...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/s...
#spooktasticreads day 11: book review of This Wretched Valley by Jenny Kiefer. Gory and somewhat confusing, this horror is a mishmash of everything, served with a liberal dose of blood. 💙📚🩸 #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/b...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/b...
Book Review: This Wretched Valley, by Jenny Kiefer
Quick summary: “This trip is going to be Dylan’s big break. Her geologist friend Clay has discovered an untouched cliff face in the Kentucky wilderness, and she is going to be the first perso…
zenandblade.wordpress.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:24 AM
#spooktasticreads day 11: book review of This Wretched Valley by Jenny Kiefer. Gory and somewhat confusing, this horror is a mishmash of everything, served with a liberal dose of blood. 💙📚🩸 #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/b...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/b...
"Give me your favorite Star Trek ship."
I'm a DS9 girl, what can I say?
I'm a DS9 girl, what can I say?
October 30, 2025 at 12:14 AM
"Give me your favorite Star Trek ship."
I'm a DS9 girl, what can I say?
I'm a DS9 girl, what can I say?
No one:
The new Bluesky app icon:
The new Bluesky app icon:
a man with blue paint on his body and glasses is talking to another man .
Alt: A man with blue paint on his body saying, “I’m afraid I just blue myself.”
media.tenor.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:36 PM
No one:
The new Bluesky app icon:
The new Bluesky app icon:
Got summoned for a jury pool, and am full of UNMITIGATED RAGE about having to wake up at 5am to drag my ass through rush hour traffic all the way to find street parking in the FiDi. There's a reason I live in the freaking mountains. I'm strictly a weekend/lunch date city girl.
I am scandalized.
I am scandalized.
a cartoon of a girl with pink hair and a cat ear
Alt: Anime scene of a girl on the ground throwing a tantrum.
media.tenor.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Got summoned for a jury pool, and am full of UNMITIGATED RAGE about having to wake up at 5am to drag my ass through rush hour traffic all the way to find street parking in the FiDi. There's a reason I live in the freaking mountains. I'm strictly a weekend/lunch date city girl.
I am scandalized.
I am scandalized.
#spooktasticreads Day 10: here are some of my favorite podcasts that specialize in creepy stories (of both the written & experienced variety.) Everything from classic creepypastas and indie tales to paranormal war stories and work hauntings. 💙📚🩸 #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/s...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/s...
Spooktastic Reads (Day 10): Scary Podcasts
Unsurprisingly, I am subscribed to several paranormal podcasts. For day 10 of Spooktastic Reads, I’d like to share a few of my favorite audio storytellers. Like my favorite books, these run the gam…
zenandblade.wordpress.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:13 PM
#spooktasticreads Day 10: here are some of my favorite podcasts that specialize in creepy stories (of both the written & experienced variety.) Everything from classic creepypastas and indie tales to paranormal war stories and work hauntings. 💙📚🩸 #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/s...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/s...
#spooktasticreads Day 9: this is my favorite horror short on YT, and it came from a comedian. 5/5 acting & writing. No paranormal/slasher terror, just surreal, creeping cosmic dread of the spreadsheet variety. You think you know where it’s going? You don’t. #horror
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbfu...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbfu...
Earn $20K EVERY MONTH by being your own boss
YouTube video by brian david gilbert
www.youtube.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
#spooktasticreads Day 9: this is my favorite horror short on YT, and it came from a comedian. 5/5 acting & writing. No paranormal/slasher terror, just surreal, creeping cosmic dread of the spreadsheet variety. You think you know where it’s going? You don’t. #horror
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbfu...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbfu...
Oops, I forgot to post my #spooktasticreads Day 8: a review of T.Kingfisher's first two novellas in the Sworn Soldier series. (A third one released last month, and is in my library queue.) I enjoyed these bite-sized gothic treats. 💙📚🩸
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/s...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/s...
Series review: Sworn Soldier (#1-2), by T. Kingfisher
A series review is for every book I’ve personally read in a series, not necessarily every book in the series itself. Only the summary of the first book or an overall series summary is given t…
zenandblade.wordpress.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Oops, I forgot to post my #spooktasticreads Day 8: a review of T.Kingfisher's first two novellas in the Sworn Soldier series. (A third one released last month, and is in my library queue.) I enjoyed these bite-sized gothic treats. 💙📚🩸
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/s...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/s...
For the weekend, my #spooktasticreads Day 7 post is all about tone and my favorite ambients to set the perfect spooky atmosphere for your reading. 💙📚🩸 #horror #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/s...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/s...
Spooktastic Reads (Day 7): Haunted Ambients for reading (or just being scared)
It’s the end of the first week of Spooktastic Reads, and hopefully you’ve found something spooky to occupy your time. I don’t know about anyone else, but I love to have ambients o…
zenandblade.wordpress.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
For the weekend, my #spooktasticreads Day 7 post is all about tone and my favorite ambients to set the perfect spooky atmosphere for your reading. 💙📚🩸 #horror #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/s...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/25/s...
Except for my spooktastic reads posts, I'll be offline for a few days. Among other things, I need to finish this chonker of a book in like three days (slept on the non-renewable due date.)
Have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend!
October 25, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Except for my spooktastic reads posts, I'll be offline for a few days. Among other things, I need to finish this chonker of a book in like three days (slept on the non-renewable due date.)
Have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend!
So like...how many Crescent City books are there?
Because my guy keeps barging in on my tea time with my brother so he can provide updates that we didn’t ask for. We have no idea what he's trying to tell us. (But to be fair, every reader sounds like this at some point.) 💙📚 #sjm #crescentcity
Because my guy keeps barging in on my tea time with my brother so he can provide updates that we didn’t ask for. We have no idea what he's trying to tell us. (But to be fair, every reader sounds like this at some point.) 💙📚 #sjm #crescentcity
October 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM
So like...how many Crescent City books are there?
Because my guy keeps barging in on my tea time with my brother so he can provide updates that we didn’t ask for. We have no idea what he's trying to tell us. (But to be fair, every reader sounds like this at some point.) 💙📚 #sjm #crescentcity
Because my guy keeps barging in on my tea time with my brother so he can provide updates that we didn’t ask for. We have no idea what he's trying to tell us. (But to be fair, every reader sounds like this at some point.) 💙📚 #sjm #crescentcity
#Spooktasticreads Day 6: This 2.5min horror short went viral and spawned a whole movie. Told without dialogue, Lights Out proves even the smallest tales can produce big terror. #horror #horrorsky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUQh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUQh...
Lights Out - Who's There Film Challenge (2013)
YouTube video by ponysmasher
www.youtube.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
#Spooktasticreads Day 6: This 2.5min horror short went viral and spawned a whole movie. Told without dialogue, Lights Out proves even the smallest tales can produce big terror. #horror #horrorsky
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUQh...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUQh...
#Spooktasticreads day 5: tired of the typical angry/tragic-ghost/demon/possession/curse in a house? Craig DiLouie has written something truly special and bendy with this mixed media horror. 💙📚🩸 #horror #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/23/b...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/23/b...
Book Review: Episode Thirteen, by Craig DiLouie
Quick summary: “Fade to Black is the newest hit ghost hunting reality TV show. Led by husband and wife team Matt and Claire Kirklin, it delivers weekly hauntings investigated by a dedicated t…
zenandblade.wordpress.com
October 23, 2025 at 7:18 PM
#Spooktasticreads day 5: tired of the typical angry/tragic-ghost/demon/possession/curse in a house? Craig DiLouie has written something truly special and bendy with this mixed media horror. 💙📚🩸 #horror #horrorsky
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/23/b...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/23/b...
#spooktasticreads day 4. My favorite thing to share around #Halloween is first person stories from creepy Askreddit posts. Here's my selection this year. (Not to sound click-baity, but the last one is my favorite. I'm a sucker for a sea cryptid.) #horror 🩸📚
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/s...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/s...
Spooktastic Reads (Day 4): Scary AskReddit Posts
The best scary story is a true one, that’s just a fact. Over the years, I’ve always loved the creepy posts on AskReddit; I can get lost in the comments for hours. For the 4th day of Spo…
zenandblade.wordpress.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:25 AM
#spooktasticreads day 4. My favorite thing to share around #Halloween is first person stories from creepy Askreddit posts. Here's my selection this year. (Not to sound click-baity, but the last one is my favorite. I'm a sucker for a sea cryptid.) #horror 🩸📚
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/s...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/21/s...
I wore arm braces and stuck to flow drills last night, in order to protect myself during combat class. While gently disarming my training partner (at my teacher's instruction) his dagger fell, and the pommel bashed my foot and gave it a painful, ugly bruise.
October 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I wore arm braces and stuck to flow drills last night, in order to protect myself during combat class. While gently disarming my training partner (at my teacher's instruction) his dagger fell, and the pommel bashed my foot and gave it a painful, ugly bruise.
For #spooktasticreads Day 3, I'm sharing a great horror short. At a mere 7mins, Portrait of God is concise storytelling w/o jump scares.
"A religious girl prepares a presentation about a painting titled "Portrait of God". What she sees challenges her beliefs."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI9f...
"A religious girl prepares a presentation about a painting titled "Portrait of God". What she sees challenges her beliefs."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI9f...
Portrait of God (Short Horror Film)
YouTube video by Dylan Clark
www.youtube.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
For #spooktasticreads Day 3, I'm sharing a great horror short. At a mere 7mins, Portrait of God is concise storytelling w/o jump scares.
"A religious girl prepares a presentation about a painting titled "Portrait of God". What she sees challenges her beliefs."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI9f...
"A religious girl prepares a presentation about a painting titled "Portrait of God". What she sees challenges her beliefs."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI9f...
Reposted by ⚔️ 𝕭𝖗𝖞𝖈𝖊 - 𝖅𝖊𝖓𝖎𝖙𝖍 & 𝕭𝖑𝖆𝖉𝖊 ⚔️
Well this is embarrassing, but necessary. Insurance just doesn't cover enough. gofund.me/8f49a0c27
Donate to Support Needed for Vital Lung and Heart Care, organized by Kiley Fox
After 10 years of starting GoFundMe's for others, I have to swallow my own prid… Kiley Fox needs your support for Support Needed for Vital Lung and Heart Care
gofund.me
October 21, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Well this is embarrassing, but necessary. Insurance just doesn't cover enough. gofund.me/8f49a0c27
For #spooktasticreads day 2, it's my first full review of a horror book, and what a book! If paranormal terror is your jam, this popular nosleep-story-turned-novel will definitely have you afraid to look out your windows. #booksky 🩸📚
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/b...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/b...
Book Review: Stolen Tongues, by Felix Blackwell
Quick summary: “High up on the windswept cliffs of Pale Peak, Faye and Felix celebrate their new engagement. But soon, a chorus of ghastly noises erupts from the nearby woods: the screams of …
zenandblade.wordpress.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:44 AM
For #spooktasticreads day 2, it's my first full review of a horror book, and what a book! If paranormal terror is your jam, this popular nosleep-story-turned-novel will definitely have you afraid to look out your windows. #booksky 🩸📚
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/b...
zenandblade.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/b...