Valerie Frankel: 58 books

Sample chapters of the greatest fannish guides by Valerie Estelle Frankel: Every Canon Reference You May Have Missed in BBC’s Sherlock, Series 1-3. Guides to all the pop culture in Doctor Who along with background on the characters and top fan questions. There's a similar, incredibly popular...

“Three books were given to the fans, with many appendices to boot, and from them sprang a mighty genre.” An Unexpected Parody: The Unauthorized Spoof of The Hobbit revisits the film with mayhem, mirth, and magic missiles—or at least, crumpled newspaper missiles. Torn Teepeeshield, the Hot Prince...

Throughout the world of story, the heroine’s journey story pattern has always existed – less common than the hero’s journey, perhaps, but just as dramatic and transformative. The great children’s classics like Alice in Wonderland and Narnia show young girls redeeming the world with faith and...

This book explores characters’ agendas, from Sansa’s secret schemes to Arya’s ultimate goal. What is Cersei’s true fear? What do trout or golden roses symbolize? Is the show a feminist success or a male playground? This book answers all these and more, revealing the enigmas and surprises hidden...

Gushing fans of Outlander name it the feminist Game of Thrones. Is it? More action-packed than a romance, this historical time travel narrative soon transforms into a war saga. Claire delights as the fierce, prickly World War II nurse who falls for Jamie, the sensitive Highlands outlaw. He offers...

Wonder Woman is an icon…but an icon of what? To some, she’s Lynda Carter, spinning into star-studded shorts to save the day. To others, she’s a racy Halloween costume or inspiring feminist role model. Which is true? This book analyzes each era of Wonder Woman, from the Golden Age to George Pérez...

The devious Lord Revolting has split his soul into seven Plot Devices, from the One Ring to the Really Gross Wooden Eyeball. Can Henry Potty, lousy student and heroic Chosen One, destroy them in time? Or will a paper shortage kill him, as the corporeally challenged Bumbling Bore foresees? Join Henry...

BBC’s Sherlock has brought the classic adventures into brilliant life—fans across the world are delighting in every moment. But more is hidden within the episodes for the more serious fans—nonstop hints to the original adventures and the classic films as well. Within this book are all the references,...

Adoring fans have explored much about Harry Potter, especially his classic hero’s journey. However, many don’t notice how the other characters suffer through the same struggle at every stage of life – one Dumbledore and Neville Longbottom pass but Draco Malfoy and Voldemort do not. Exploding...

Did you know that Ellen is a good name for an astronaut and Emma for an action heroine? Or that dark lords are predetermined? Given all this, what’s the best name for your scifi baby? True, those more fannish than sensible might go with Darth, Zoidberg or Katniss. Crueler yet are Mekaneck, Mundungus,...

Heroines have existed since the earliest prehistoric myths, questing to become the all-powerful mother goddess in an epic that has them descend to hell and pit themselves against tyrants and vicious matriarchs. Nonetheless, the nineties TV show Xena: Warrior Princess was one of the first to face this...

Part of the delight of Xena: Warrior Princess comes from its campiness – she duels with swordfish, beats thugs with a diaper, flips and spins without a thought for gravity. As she and Gabrielle spar with Santa Claus, Lao Tzu, Julius Caesar, Goliath, Beowulf, Homer, Ulysses, Caligula, Odin, and Genghis...

Doctor Horrible, Jayne Cobb, Oz, Fitz-Simmons, Echo, Pike, Saffron, Kaywinnet, the Groosalugg, Skip, Satsu, Dana Polk, Perfect Jheung, Icarus, the Siphon, Edna Giles, Dandelion Naizen, and especially Buffy the Vampire Slayer. With Whedon’s superhero names, goddess names, flower names, saint’s...

Catastrophe strikes Chickenfeet Academy, and it’s not just the cafeteria food. Lord Revolting, murderous goldfish-flusher, needs Really Wimpy’s pet rock to conquer the world! Watch Henry Potty take on sparkly vampires in the Try Wizarding Tournament & unite all the hottest franchises into the powerful Order of the Takeout. Unapproved, unendorsed, unofficial, and unstoppable.