Fantasy Books

*The Ministry of Time* is a 2024 debut novel by Kaliane Bradley. In the 21st century, the government of the United Kingdom finds a door that allows time travel. They create the Ministry of Time. The Ministry rescues several historical figures and brings them to the present; to avoid disrupting the past, they specifically choose people who would have died in their original timelines. We'll start our discussion at 7:30. Food and drink are available for purchase.

[[RESULTS](https://opavote.com/results/6251599225946112) of the poll for this event] ABCD Reads AND Watches "**Bullet Train**", a novel by Kōtarō Isaka, and a movie adaptation starring Brad Pitt. **:: ABOUT THE BOOK ::** "A dark, satirical thriller by the bestselling Japanese author, following the perilous train ride of five highly motivated assassins. A massive bestseller in Japan, Bullet Train is an original and propulsive thriller that fizzes with an incredible energy and surprising humor as its complex net of double-crosses and twists unwind. Award-winning author Kotaro Isaka takes readers on a tension packed journey as the bullet train hurtles toward its final destination. Who will make it off the train alive—and what awaits them at the last stop?" (from [Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56969543-bullet-train)) **:: ABOUT THE MOVIE ::** "In Bullet Train, Brad Pitt stars as Ladybug, an unlucky assassin determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug's latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe -- all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives -- on the world's fastest train. From the director of Deadpool 2, David Leitch, the end of the line is only the beginning in a wild, non-stop thrill ride through modern-day Japan." (from [Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bullet_train_2022)) **:: ABOUT THE EVENT ::** Instead of just reading the book as usual, this time we're asking that you also watch the movie adaptation. During our discussion, we'll explore the strengths of both the book and the movie, evaluate the adaptation's effectiveness, and touch on any other topics that arise. You are welcome to arrive 30 minutes before the event and stay 30 minutes or longer afterward to connect with other attendees outside the book talk. Please ensure you have read the book and watched the movie before attending (though finishing either is not a barrier to participating, as long as you don't mind spoilers). First-time attendees can join for free. If the event is full, we maintain an unofficial waitlist. Please send [Michael](https://www.meetup.com/members/55295192/) a direct message for more information, in either case. We request a $3 contribution from regular attendees to help cover our monthly meetup costs. **:: ABOUT OUR NEXT READ&WATCH ::** At the end of each event, we will ask for nominees for our next Read & Watch (date TBA). If you have a good pairing in mind, please ensure that the book is between 200-400 pages long, available from the Toronto Public Library, and counts as contemporary literary fiction (though these are not hard and fast rules), and that the movie or TV-series is readily available. When enough nominees are collected, Michael will send the members a direct message with a link where you can vote.

Go Medieval! Learn Medieval arts, sciences, dancing and games! Have somefun with like minded history geeks. Tuesdays, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm St. Andrew’s United Church 117 Bloor St EAST (near Church Street) Ring the buzzer for the gate keeper more info? www.eoforwic.ca

\*\*\*PLEASE READ\*\*\* This listing is for information purposes only. To reserve a spot, sign up here: https://www.woodforsheep.ca/pages/event-scheduling What is DDAL? The D&D Adventurers League is an ongoing official organized play campaign for Dungeons & Dragons. It uses the fifth edition of the Dungeons & Dragons rules, and features the Forgotten Realms setting. You can play D&D Adventurers League games at any place that features adventures bearing the D&D Adventurers League logo. You can create a character and bring that character to games anywhere D&D Adventurers League is supported. More details: https://dnd.wizards.com/playevents/players Sitting fees apply.

Toronto Lodge invites you to join us for: 7:00 pm Council of Solace 7:30 pm Open Meeting **-** Topic "The Radiant Dawn" by Bill Anderson. *Rosicrucian Beacon*, June 2024 Both of these events are open to the public. Members are asked to please bring current membership credentials. Location: 7:00 pm Council of Solace - Toronto Lodge, 831 Broadview Avenue, Toronto, ON 7:30 pm Open Meeting, Rosicrucian Cultural Centre, 835 Broadview Avenue, Toronto, ON

A brand-new downtown Toronto spot in the Canary District on the east end, a short walk from the Distillery District. Large patio, chic decor, pool table, large screen TVs, tasty food and drinks. Perfect for a night out or any type of event

The Toronto Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers have been invited to Indigo at The Well! https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/events/ The following Toronto spec-fic authors will be at Indigo for a book signing: * **J.P. Babb** (fantasy) - Reality's End: A Theory of Magic * **Brandon Butler** (science fiction) - The Science Fiction Tarot: Luminous Symbols of All the Tomorrows to Come * **K.M. McKenzie** (fantasy) - The Civilization * **Jesse McMinn** (fantasy) - Mero and the City of Ghosts; The Greencloak Wanderer * **Don Miasek** (science fiction) - Pale Grey Dot * **Y.M. Pang** (fantasy & science fiction) - All the Broken Blades: Epic Fantasy & Dark Fairy Tales * **P.G. Reynolds** (children's author) - Stitches in Time Travel; Lost Hallway: Where do Lost Things Go? * **Danny F. Santos** (fantasy) - A Veil for the Vanguard * **Colin Searle** \- The Call of Abaddon Come hang out, get a book or two signed, and chat about all things science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction! Want to ask Y.M. Pang about her recent Aurora Award victories? Go for it! Interested in learning the future of the Abaddon Cycle? Hassle Colin Searle! Curious if Brandon Butler actually believes in tarot cards? Now is your chance to find out!

Hi girls!!! 💕 No pressure at all for this first meetup! let’s keep it fun and easy! Since it’s our first one, bring 1–2 of your favourite books so we can chat about them and share why we love them. Also, come with 1–2 ideas of books that you’re really wanting to read. We’ll write them down, put them in a bowl, mix them up, and pick our next read together! I’m so excited to meet you all 🥰📚✨ ALSO: if you can’t attend at this time or date and prefer a different day, let me know!

Join us for our in-person Saturday critique session! We'll be meeting in the basement of **The Blake House**, which is located near Wellesley and Jarvis, about a 10-minute walk from Wellesley Station or Sherbourne Station. **In respect to the Blake House for hosting us, we humbly request that attendees purchase a meal, dessert, or drink if you are able to do so.** Feel free to bring in a piece of writing up to **2000 words** for reading and critique. Please bring paper copies so that listeners can easily follow and make notes. Dedicated listeners are equally welcome. In larger groups, please be mindful of giving everyone a fair chance to speak. Our group values and meeting structure can be found here: [https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines](https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines) We ask that writers provide content warnings when necessary. To limit the spread of diseases, we kindly ask that you stay home if you're feeling sick. We will be here every week! **\*\*We support the hard work and effort that goes into writing fiction, and do not condone the use of AI to replace the creative process.\*\*** And, that's everything! See you there!

Struggling with motivation and focus as you hammer away on your manuscript at home? Want to join a community of writers as we embrace the joys and pains (mostly pains) of writing together? Bring your laptop, pen & paper, old-school typewriter, or futuristic writing gadget, and join an enthusiastic community of science fiction and fantasy writers as we work on our current projects in the same space. The format will be similar to our online writing sprints: 30-minute blocks of focused, quiet writing time (the sprints), interspersed with breaks where we can chat, ask questions, and share our writing experiences.

*Physically Accessible Venue* This is an opportunity to meet up for some LGBTQ2IA-flavoured gaming and socializing—allies also welcome. Come for the gaming, socializing, not to mention the draft! :) Be sure to invite friends and such, too. Although Fred, your amiable host, starts the event at 3pm, feel free to drop in when you are able, Steadfast opens at Noon! You'll have access to a robust library of board games, and attendees are welcome to bring their own games. There is no event fee. Instead we ask attendees to purchase beverages or food from the venue, Steadfast Brewery, conveniently located at Lansdowne and Dundas, 301 Lansdowne Ave. Of course, since they are offering us their space for free, please consider buying a drink if you can. Note - Sunday's is usually Miguel's day off, he may or may not pop in to cook up his amazing tacos, if the kitchen is closed, Steadfast welcomes outside food should you be hungry. We provide nametag stickers with a pronoun field; we want this to be a comfortable environment for everyone, kindly respect people's listed or stated pronouns. * If you are unsure of someone's pronouns, don't assume: Ask, Respect and Practice * Definitely ask before taking pictures/videos Steadfast Brewery is an accessible space with a smooth entrance and large single stall washrooms available on the main floor. For those with sensory concerns, there may be possible loud noises. Steadfast offers an annual Brew Membership called **The Mug Club** that offers the following: Your own mug! It has your name on it and is reserved for you. A larger pour-19.5 oz vs 16 oz 1$ off pours in that mug (if you do the math, this sums to about a 40% discount on beer to stay, I think) 1 free growler fill a month (15$ value each, so $180 value for the year) 30% off merch. It costs $150 year one, $100 every year after that.

Every Wednesday Night! Free Magic The Gathering Commander games at Hairy Tarantula, hosted by Toronto Gaymers! Please note: Masks are required in store! For more information and to RSVP please over to harryt.com/events

Our April book will be Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! Book summary: A data-savvy temp worker for supervillains exposes how much collateral damage "heroes" really cause.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The Secrets of Runes,”** on the origins, development, and interpretation of the runic script, with Lilla Kopár, runologist and a professor of medieval literature and culture at Catholic University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-rune-secrets](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-rune-secrets) .] The fame of runes outshines that of any other ancient script. They can be found not just on Viking Age rune stones, but on Bilbo’s door and as the Bluetooth logo on your cell phone. Runic script is commonly associated with magic, used by modern practitioners of neopaganism, and in recent decades has captured the imagination of filmmakers and video game designers. Yet most of us know little about the historical origins of runes and have no clue how to read or use them. Come to Crooked Run Fermentation in Sterling, Va., to get schooled on runic script with the help of Lilla Kopár, a veteran scholar of runes who has earned a following among Profs and Pints fans by giving fantastic talks on medieval monsters and Norse mythology. As someone who has carried out extensive field research on runes, published several articles on runic objects, and even appeared on the History Channel commenting on runes in America, she’s exceptionally qualified to introduce you to runology and the fascinating things that runes tell us. Dr Kopár will discuss the development of runic script from its humble origins on the borders of the Roman Empire in the first or second century CE, through its popularity in the Viking world, to its use and misuse in modern times. She’ll discuss how runes are a set of related alphabets that underwent changes over time and she’ll describe what inspired changes in this writing system and where and how runes were used in the medieval period. Her richly illustrated talk will highlight some of the most intriguing objects with runic inscriptions, from humble bone fragments to impressive rune stones, and offer insight into the scholarly methods of deciphering and interpreting runic inscriptions. We’ll also look at the function of the runic script from simple practical notes and memorial inscriptions to cipher-runes and magic. The most fun might be the in-class assignment, which will involve reading a few runic inscriptions and writing your name and other words in runes. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Part of Codex runicus, a rune manuscript written on animal skin and dating to about 1300 (University of Copenhagen / Wikimedia Commons).

A Starfinder Society Scenario designed for 3rd- through 4th-level characters, playable in 2-3 hours. The Starfinder Society’s negotiations with Bo-Shek and the Beasts of Bo have been interrupted by a violent joint assault launched by agents of the Functionary and forces from the Wreck of the Returned. Amid chaos and explosions, the Starfinders on site team up with the Beasts of Bo to take down this greater threat and avoid their mutual destruction. Will you survive the assault? This is an adventure in the ongoing Invasion’s Edge metaplot, and is part two of a two-part scenario series. This adventure is a direct sequel to *[Starfinder Society Scenario #1-14: The Beasts of Bo: Part One](https://store.paizo.com/starfinder-society-scenario-1-14-the-beasts-of-bo-part-one/)*. Written by Victoria Sullivan.

A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for 1st- through 4th-level characters. A small earthquake and landslide near the mining operations of Marivit Kopje, a Kalistocrat of minor standing, have opened a vault long thought lost. Shimia Renveld was an oddity even among Kalistocrats. She collected oddities that held no real monetary value, or at least that was what she thought. Marivit believes that her recently uncovered collection might hold a key to helping turn around his fortunes, and he's promised the Pathfinders everything else in the vault in order to get it. Written by Genevieve Olejnik **Scenario tags**: Faction (Envoy's Alliance, Grand Archive)