The Sword & Sorcery Anthology (Book Review)

“Blood will flow, heads will roll, dragons will soar, and the dead shall rise. Journey to ancient cities ruled by sinister mages, storm-tossed seas where monsters dwell, mysterious towers full of ancient secrets, and dark dungeons with untold treasures. From Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian to George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire, join the legendary heroes—and villains—of sword and sorcery in nineteen epic adventures that are sure to bring out the barbarian in you.

David G. Hartwell is one of the science fiction and fantasy genre’s most experienced editors. He has been a senior editor at Tor books since 1995, and his many anthologies include the Year’s Best SF and Year’s Best Fantasy series. He has received the Hugo and World Fantasy awards and administrates the Philip K. Dick Award.

Jacob Weisman is the World Fantasy Award-nominated editor and publisher of Tachyon Publications. His writing has appeared in The Nation, Realms of Fantasy, and the Seattle Weekly. He is the series editor for anthologies including The Secret History of Fantasy, Steampunk I and II, and The Treasury of the Fantastic.

Introduction: Storytellers: A Guided Ramble into Sword and Sorcery Fiction by David Drake.

The Tower of the Elephant by Robert E. Howard

For my first experience of Robert E. Howard’s words, despite seeing the Conan movies, this was a marvelous romp into a fantastic adventure. Each step Conan took his goal was set with perils more deadly than the previous. Despite being a thief, Conan’s compassion is revealed in an unexpected moment.

Black God’s Kiss by C. L. Moore

A sword wielding woman, Jiral of Joirey, is taken in combat, only to escape to seek a weapon in a tunnel beneath the dungeon. A creepy and compelling story to remind you to be careful what you ask for.

The Unholy Grail by Fritz Leiber

A wizard’s apprentice uses his magical lore to seek revenge.

The Tale of Hauk by Poul Anderson

An excellent norse tale of a father saddened by his son’s refusal to go pillaging is finally laid to rest.

The Caravan of Forgotten Dreams by Michael Moorcock

A well told tale of an anti-hero enlisting old acquaintances to fight an evil magician

The Adventuress by Joanna Russ

A pick pocket is hired by a spoiled teenage woman to assist in her escape of matrimony.

Gimmile’s Songs by Charles R. Saunders

Dossouye, an ex-soldier, with her war bull encounters mercenaries carrying an unusual mystic object.

Undertow by Karl Edward Wagner

Desslyn vows to escape the torments of a necromancer. There are several creepy minions combined with excellent swordplay.

The Stages of the God by Ramsey Campbell (writing as Montgomery Comfort)

Topops, forced from the city he ruled, locates an ancient shrine in the desert where he takes a stand against mercenaries.

The Barrow Troll by David Drake

Johann, a priest kidnapped from his bed, is manipulated to assist a wild northerner in taking a troll’s hoard.

Soldier of an Empire Unacquainted with Defeat by Glen Cook

A skilled swordsman and worker of elemental energy assists sheepherders against bullies. There are several well done episodes of magic, swordplay and inter-personal relationships.

Epistle from Lebanoi by Michael Shea

A Shakespearian foray into a swamp.

Become a Warrior by Jane Yolen

An excellent tale of survival by a resilient young girl; her father, the King, is cut down in battle.

The Red Guild by Rachel Pollack

An assassin is hired to subdue a dragon.

Six from Atlantis by Gene Wolfe

Thane enters the mysterious realm where stones change to gems, and beautiful women wield swords.

The Sea Troll’s Daughter by Caitlin R. Kiernan

Malmury is determined to collect the bounty for killing the sea troll.

The Coral Heart by Jeffrey Ford

An intriguing story of a man with a magical sword capable of turning victims into coral.

Path of the Dragon by George R. R. Martin

Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of Dragonstone, with her three dragons has sailed to Westeros to bargain for slaves.

The Year of the Three Monarchs by Michael Swanwick

This story might interest another.


The review copy was provided by Charlene Brusso.

Book format: trade paperback, 480 pages / 6 x 9

Publisher: Tachyon Publications

Available: ISBN 978-1-61696-069-8 Also in ebook

Amazon.com


Chapters Indigo

Kafkaesque Anthology- Book Review

“THE TOURIST SHOPS OF PRAGUE SELL DOZENS OF ITEMS COMMEMORATING FRANZ KAFKA. You can drink a latte in the Café Kafka, add sugar to it from a packet with Kafka’s face on it, and then light your cigarette from a box of Kafka matches.


“Franz Kafka died in obscurity in 1936, publishing only a handful of bizarre stories in little known literary magazines. Yet today he persists in our collective imaginations. Even those who have never read any of Kafka’s fiction describe their tribulations with the Department of Motor Vehicles as “Kafkaesque” How did this happen?

“Kafkaesque explores the fiction of generations of authors inspired by Kafka’s work. These dystopic, comedic, and ironic tales include T.C. Boyle’s roadside garage that is a never ending trial, Philip Roth’s alternate history in which Kafka immigrates to America to date his aunt, Jorge Luis Borges’ labyrinthine public lottery that redefines reality, Carol Ernshwiller’s testimony by the first female to earn the right to call herself a “man,” and Paul Di Filippo’s unfamiliar Kafka—journalist by day, costumed crime fighter by night.

“Also included is Kafka’s classic story “The Hunger Artist,” appearing both in a brand-new translation and in an illustrated version by legendary cartoonist R. Crumb (Fritz the Cat). Additionally, each author discusses Kafka’s writing, its relevance, its personal influence, and Kafka’s enduring legacy.”



The stories listed below were some of the most bizarre but ingenious I have ever read. They work on repetitive themes Franz Kafka incorporated in his own work.



A Hunger Artist by Franz Kafka

The title introduces the topic of the unfolding story of a man on exhibition, fasting. Initially I wondered where it was going, and soon was mesmerized by the words and the story.


The Drowned Giant by J.G. Ballard

A rendition of Gulliver’s Travels with macabre twists.


The Cockroach Hat by Terry Bisson

Love, death and misdirection as told in an alternate reality by a cockroach.


Hymenophera by Michael Blumlein

A clothes designer discovers an eight-foot wasp in his salon.


The Lottery in Babylon by Jorge Luis Borges

As was in Babylon of old with wanton and unusual tastes, the lottery fulfilled most of the buyers’ dreams with its prizes.

The Big Garage by T. Coraghessan Boyle

An Audi owner joins three bedraggled car owners living in a garage while waiting for repairs that may never come.

The Jackdaw's Last Case by Paul Di Filippo

A journalist turns crime fighter by night in Kafaesque style.

Report to the Men’s Club by Carol Emshwiller

A feminine take on living in a patriarchal society.

Bright Morning by Jeffrey Ford

An escape story with a twist, of a fantasy/science fiction writer implementing Kafka elements.

The Rapid Advance of Sorrow by Theodora Goss

A surreal look at communism in eastern Europe.

Stable Strategies for Middle Management by Eileen Gunn

Bioengineering has its disadvantages when applying insect genes to facilitate organizational abilities.

The Handler by Damon Knight

A story difficult to interpret except to stay it has the aspect of a Trojan horse.

Receding Horizon by Jonathan Lethem & Carter Scholz

A parody on “It’s A Wonderful Life”.

A Hunger Artist by David Mairowitz and Robert Crumb

A pictorial version of the story by Franz Kafka.

“I Always Wanted You to Admire My Fasting” or, Looking at Kafka by Philip Roth

Humourous reminiscences of a boy’s Hebrew-school teacher being invited to dinner.

The 57th Franz Kafka by Rudy Rucker

Not my type of story. Someone else may find it entertaining.

The Amount to Carry by Carter Scholz

An insurance broker composes music meets Mr. Kafka of Workman’s Accident Insurance Institute.

Kafka in Bronteland by Tamar Yellin

In reflection of her Jewish upbringing, a Yorkshire woman encounters Kafka on the moors.


JOHN KESSEL and JAMES PATRICK KELLY are the award winning co-editors of canon-defining anthologies, including Feeling Very Strange, The Slipstream Anthology, Rewired: The Post-Cyberpunk Anthology, and The Secret History of Science Fiction.


The review copy was provided by Charlene Brusso, with many thanks.

Book format: paperback, 288 pages
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Available:
amazon.com
chapters.indigo.ca

Strangeness and Charm by Mike Shevdon (Book Review)

From the back cover:

“Niall Petersen’s whole life has been turned on its head by the revelation that he can do magic. Now a Warder for the ancient Courts of the Feyre, duty and honour must be upheld. His daughter Alex, newly awakened to her own magical powers, has been saved from the terrifying Bedlam prison, but in freeing her, Niall has released others of their kind into the population – half-breed fey who have been mistreated, abused and tortured by the very institution that was supposed to help them.”

“Now Niall must track them down and persuade them to swap their new found liberty for the security of the Courts – but is the price of sanctuary merely to swap one cage for another?”

This is the third novel in The Courts of Feyre urban fantasy series. Sixty-Nine Nails and The Road to Bedlam introduced Niall Petersen learning about his inherited abilities as a wraithkin, joining the Warders to protect the High Council. Due to personal feelings over his daughter’s welfare taking precedence over his duties at the Feyre Court; Niall is encountering a strained relationship with his boss, Gavin. Increasing the tension is Blackbird, who has delivered a son, and needing some time away.

Niall’s daughter, Alex, is irritated and frustrated at being under “house arrest” at the location of the Courts. After a brief reunion with her mother, Katherine, Alex runs away; joining up with Eve, a fey mongrel and her companions from Porton Downs where they had undergone scientific experiments. Together they obtain six ancient relics from different locations in London for a ritual Eve plans to change the universe with.

Niall has been assigned to search for the errant fey mongrels and bring them in to the Feyre Court. Alerted to one location, he uses his glamour to skirt a roof top extension to enter an upper bedroom in the next house. There he locates the “huge black cat” he encountered at Porton Down during the rescue of his daughter. After dispatching the shape-shifter there is a touching scene with a girl named Lucy. Another location is of a roof top garden, a beekeeper’s delight.

Told in multiple points-of-view from different characters, the story unfolds in richness and depth. Historical detail of locations such as the Tower of London, British Library, Covent Garden, Glastonbury, the Houses of Parliament and London provides a colourful background. Scenes with the aviary of the ravens at the Tower of London and the interior of the Houses of Parliament were memorable with the action unfolding to ramp up the suspense.

As in his previous novels in this series, Mike Shevdon provides further information on the historical detail surrounding The Ceremony of the Keys which forms the background.

Another enjoyable read in this series which I recommend wholly and look forward to the next in this series.

With thanks to Darren Turpin for providing the review copy.

Book format: Mass Market paperback, 392 pages
Publisher: Angry Robot Books, imprint of Osprey Publishing
Author website: Mike Shevdon
Available in paperback and ebook at:

amazon.com

chapters.indigo.ca

The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson (Book Review)

From the back cover:


“The fate of an empire rests in the hands of a thief


“When Shai is caught replacing the Moon Scepter with her nearly flawless forgery, she must bargain for her life. An assassin has left the Emperor Ashravan without consciousness, a circumstance concealed only by the death of his wife. If the emperor does not emerge after his hundred-day mourning period, the rule of theHeritage Faction will be forfeit and the empire will fall into chaos.

“Shai is given an impossible task: to create—to Forge—a new soul for the emperor in fewer than one hundred days. Buther soul-Forgery is considered an abomination by her captors. She is confined to a tiny, dirty chamber, guarded by a man who hates her, spied upon by politicians, and trapped behind a door sealed in her own blood. Shai’s only possible ally is the emperor’s most loyal councilor, Gaotona, who struggles to understand her true talent.

“Time is running out for Shai. Forging, while deducing the motivations of her captors, she needs a perfect plan to escape…”


This fantasy novella is my first foray into Brandon Sanderson’s work, and I’m pleased to say the read was a total pleasure. The story immersed me into well detailed Chinese lore set in a fantasy world containing magic. Woven throughout are fantastic descriptions of background, characters with their inter-personal relationships and motivations, culminating into an intriguing story with a perfect ending.

This is a not to be missed book, and with its convenient size the perfect stocking stuffer for the upcoming festive season.


Brandon Sanderson is the bestselling author of Elantris, the Mistborn Trilogy, and The Way of Kings. In 2007, he was chosen to finish Robert Jordan’s epic Wheel of Time series, The Gathering Storm and Towers of Midnight were #1 New York Times bestsellers; the final volume, A Memory of Light, is a highly anticipated January 2013 release. Sanderson received his Master’s degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University, where he currently teaches. He is a co-host of the Hugo Award-nominated weekly podcast Writing Excuses. Sanderson lives in Utah.


This book is now a 2013 Hugo Winner.


The review copy was provided by Charlene Brusso, with many thanks.


Book format: trade paperback, 176 pages

Publisher: Tachyon Publications

Author website: Brandon Sanderson

Available:

amazon.com

chapters.indigo.ca

INFERNAL DEVICES and MORLOCK NIGHT by K. W. Jeter (Book Reviews)

This was my first real foray into Steampunk Fantasy set in Victorian times. The description of historic background and characters provided an enticing read.

Mr. Dower, Jr., inherits his father’s trade, that of purveyor, construction and repairman of timepieces, clockwork and scientific devices.

Unfortunately, the son has no knack for the more complicated designs his father invented, nor the maintenance of them. His father’s old assistant, Creff, continues on in his former place as manservant as well as aiding in repairs.

When Mr. Dower is commissioned to repair one of his later father’s designs, a regulator, by a man described as the “Ethiope”, he has explained he is not capable of the repairs requested. Yet the foreigner persuades Mr. Dower to try, and thus, provides a gold crown with the likeness of Saint Monkfish rather than that of Queen Victoria. Once Dower realizes he is in possession of this odd coin, he decides to search for the person who made it. The search leads from revelation to the next while providing an entertaining mystery.

An assortment of supporting characters add colour to the tapestry of the unfolding mystery:

A terrier named Abel steals part of the story;

Graeme Scape, procurer of clockwork pieces, a natty dresser who wears blue spectacles which he never removes, exhibits artifacts on the road;

Miss McThane, Scape’s companion, a woman of less than virtuous habits;

Lord Bendray, scientist in his spare time, requires the regulator for one of his experiments and will go to any length to obtain it;

Sir Charles Wroth, member of the Royal Anti-Society organization, collecting new clockwork gadgets including automated mannequins.

The novel picks up speed once the Paganinicon makes his appearance, adding suspense and adventure that escalates to the end. All in all, a rather satisfying read that provided a few chuckles and many exciting moments of just what the author had up his sleeve. This was a book that was hard to put down.


Morlock Night is the second novel in the combindation package put out by Angry Robot Books with Infernal Devices. This review will follow below.
The review copy was provided by Lee Harris.

Book format: mass market paperback, 416 pages

Publisher: Angry Robot Books, imprint of Osprey Publishing 

Author website: K. W. Jeter 

Available: UK – ISBN 978-0-85766-096-1 384 pp in B format paperback US/Can – ISBN 978-0-85766-097-8 416 pp in mass market paperback

amazon.com

chapters.indigo.ca


MORLOCK NIGHT by K.W. JETER (Book Review)

This novel is also of the Fantasy Steampunk genre.

It is 1892 in Victorian England. Edwin Hocket has been to an unusual meeting in London where time travel to the distant future was discussed. Hocker finds it to be rather entertaining to learn mankind has evolved into two races: those who live underground and those living above ground, known as “Morlocks” in perpetual war.

Enroute home, Hocker discovers a man accompanying him down the street. They discuss the evenings’ discourse with Hocker no more convinced that a Time Machine, Time Travel and Morlocks actually exist. After smoking his companions’ exotic pipe tobacco, Hocker, discovers himself in the midst of sniper fire, rescued by a woman dressed as a man carrying a rifle and pistol, both of unknown manufacture.

The story moves on in a manner that reminded me of the movie “Matrix”, with each new revelation more fanciful than the last. Historical figures from the past make their appearance which I found to be far-fetched. Up to this point the story was rather good and then it didn’t appeal to me at this section of the story. Perhaps other readers might find this different.

The advanced review copy was provided by Lee Harris.

Book format: mass-market paperback, 352 pages
Publisher: Angry Robot Books, imprint of Osprey Publishing
Author website: K. W. Jeter

Available: UK ISBN 978-0-85766-099-2 - 314 pp - B format paperback US/CAN – ISBN 978-0-85766-100-5 - 352 pp mass market paperback

amazon.com

chapters.indigo.ca

The Uncertain Places by Lisa Goldstein (Book Review)

From the back cover:

“When Berkeley student Will Taylor is introduced by his best friend Ben to the mysterious Feierabend sisters, Will falls for enigmatic Livvy, a chemistry major and accomplished chef. But Livvy’s family—vivacious actress Maddie, family historian Rose, and their mother, absent-minded Sylvia—behave strangely. The Feierabend women appear to believe that luck is their birthright. Will and Ben learn that generations ago the family made a contract with a powerful otherwordly force, and they are now all entangled in an ages-old fairy tale.

“First discovered by the Brothers Grimm, and then inexplicably suppressed, the story of the Bondsmaid had been lost to the world for hundreds of years. The sacrifice of the Bondsmaid kept what little magic long supplanted by science, left in the world. Will must unravel the riddle of the supernatural bargain in order to save Livvy from her predestined fate.”


The story revolves around the time of 1971 just after the Hippy Revolution, including references such as a car with a choke. It was a nice step back down memory lane for me combined with fantasy in tantalizing bits keeping the story fresh throughout. It delves into the known mythological history of the faerie realm: glamour, dancing, elves, witches, wars between magical groups similar to the Wild Hunt. There is also a reference of kissing frogs, one of my favourite stories from childhood.

An entertaining read that kept me spell bound from the first chapter. It takes the concept of fairy tales and provides a fresh look. Everything is well detailed including the use of dimensions that overlap and the consequences of traveling between them. An ancient bargain for family fortune has its pitfalls for any family member who meddles.

LISA GOLDSTEIN is the author of novels and short story collections. Her novel The Red Magician won the American Book Award and she has been a finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards.


Review copy provided by Charlene Brusso, with many thanks.

Book format: paperback, 240 pages
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Author website: Lisa Goldstein
Available: June 2011 ISBN 978-1-61696-014-8

Amazon.com

Amazon.ca

Chapters-Indigo.ca

The Third Bear by Jeff VanderMeer (Book Review)

From the back cover:

“The creator of a child-swallowing manta ray struggles with office politics: a parasitical collective of co-workers, his (literally) flammable supervisor, and the hazardous whims of the fiftieth floor. A broken-hearted sharpshooter travels to a dusty border town, searching for the elusive floating city where her husband has vanished. A dissolute author – equipped only with two pearl-handled pistols, a rockhopper penguin, and plentiful vodka—is dispatched to Lake Baikal, where he hunts for his metafictional redemption.

“The Third Bear is the much–anticipated first collection of critically-accalimed author Jeff VanderMeer’s surreal and absurdist short fiction. VanderMeer, whose work has been compared by critics to Borges and Kafka, evokes exotic beasts and eccentric scenarios from the uncharted depths of our innermost psyches."

Tthese are stories about the inexplicable, and the reader ought to consider the imagery within each of the stories. Mr. VanderMeer's early exposure to the sea play upon several of the stories: to read those of a sea-faring nature brings the reader right into the story itself. There are many hidden things within the lines of each story. The genre elements of horror are mingled with fantasy and every day realism. Many of the stories have disturbing elements to them.


The Third Bear

A forest village is plagued by brutal killings by a bear. Despite repeated attempts to send hunters, the villagers turn for assistance to the witch in the woods. An intriguing aspect of this story was the door to the witch’s abode.

The Quickening

An orphan living with her Aunt in Florida acquires a white rabbit: who talks. An engaging story of growing up.

Finding Sonoria

A stamp collector hires a PI to find the place “Sonoria” from the name on the stamp. After an unfruitful search, the PI begins thinking he can see the trees moving in the wind on the mountain. Then his dreams begin.

Lost

A man slips into another reality after the death of his wife.

The Situation

Warped victimization of working in a futuristic office where the office manager is flammable.

Predecessor

Utterly creepy story of a scientist in an old mansion with bizarre experiments.

Fixing Hanover

A piece of machinery is washed up on shore which a man names Hanover when he is asked to repair it. An alarming incident occurs when Hanover speaks.

Shark God versus Octopus God
(based on a Fijian myth)

The Shark God, Dakuwaga, rules his portion of the sea by relentless blood lust with his army of 10,000 sharks, considered invincible. One day, Dakuwaga decides to battle the Octopus God for Kadavu Island, learning the aspect of mercy from a powerful opponent. An excellent story.

Errata

The first two sentences in this short set up the reader nicely:”I am writing this sitting in the waterlogged lobby of a rotting, half-finished condominium complex. I am surrounded by cavorting freshwater seals and have two pearl-handled revolvers in my lap, a bottle of vodka in my right hand, ahuman body in the freezer in the kitchen behind me, and a rather large displaced rockhopper penguin staring me in the face.” By the way, the penguin’s name is Juliette. Thus begins a tongue-in-cheek mission to change the future. Good fun.

The Goat Variations

A future America where the separatist evangelists have divided the country with the government fighting them. Deep beneath the Pentagon REM-stage images have been collected from segregated adepts: a collective message of a future event. A time machine is built to convey users to alternate realities.

Three Days in a Border Town

The descriptive images of desert sand and ancient buildings provide an intriguing backdrop for a woman-looking for her missing husband. In each of the border towns she discovers another clue about the illusive City in the desert.

The Secret Life of Shane Hamill

A humourous look at a bookstore employee who builds a Roman galley. There’s a nice twist at the end.

The Surgeon’s Tale

This story is a variation of the Frankenstein theme.

Appoggiatura

(Fragments from the legendary city of Smaragdune’s Green Tablets)
Short stories within a larger one with vivid imagery in the prose along with bits of some of the previous stories in thus anthology.


Despite the sinister undertones in the majority of these stories there is something here for every fantasy reader.

Jeff VanderMeer is the award-winning author of City of Saints and Madmen, Finch, and Veniss Underground. He has recevied two World Fantasy Awards and an NEA-funded fellowship.


The review copy was provided by Matt at Tachyon Publications.

Book format: paperback, 384 pages
Publisher: Tachycon Publications
Author website: Jeff VanderMeer

Available: August 2010

Amazon.ca

Chapters-Indigo.ca

Animythical Tales by Sarah Totton (Book Review)

From the back cover:

“In this elegant volume, award-winning author Sarah Totton takes her readers on speculative journeys of the heart and mind that will both challenge and engage you. Within these tales, readers will learn the meaning of darkness and pain and fear. Yet they will also learn about love and happiness and laughter. Sarah Totton explores the full kaleidoscope of the human heart and peels is back, one layer at a time. She offers her readers a full palette of emotions and stories to sift through, never settling, never holding back, and never flinching. Whether she is writing about the loss of innocence through dark revelations, the point to which a human mind can be stretched before succumbing the magic of faerie, or something a s preposterous as cloud-fishing in a work with pink yaks, the stores in Animythical Tales are always told with an eye toward revealing something important about the human condition. If you have ever yearned to fall into fabulous adventures in unforgettable worlds, Animythical Tales is the collection for you.”

This book begins with an impressive introduction by Forrest Aguirre. Ms Totton has an eloquent writing style to take the reader on magical journeys of fantasy laced with horror elements in an everyday setting. The majority of the stories are sea based, and all of them reveal a nice attention to detail.

A Fish Story

First appeared in Realms of Fantasy Magazine, October 2006.
Reprinted in Fantasy: the Best of the Year: 2007.

About a young woman who desires a man not interested in her.

The Man with the Seahorse Head

Published in Commonwealth Short Stories CD 2007-2008.
Regional Winner for Canada & the Caribbean of the
Commonwealth Short Story Competition

A man raising his children with care before setting them free into the sea.

Flatrock Sunners

Appeared in Black Static #12

Missing the companionship of his father, a teenage boy reminisces about their times together and his father’s explanation about the Flatrock Sunners: a group of ghosts.

Pelly Medley

A scientist counting seabirds on an island acquires a mysterious box from a souvenir shop that reacquaints him with his childhood friends.

Bluecoat Jack

Published in TEXT: UR-The New Book of Masks, 2007.
Honourbale Mention, Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror, 2008

A warped tale of using peoples’ memories for artistic purposes.

A Sip from the Cup of Enlightenment

To be published in Polyphony 7

This was a lovely fantasy with dark elements of a teacher at a school whose divinity was based on the sayings of oracles about prophets and dragons. He discovers a skeleton with red hands in a closed off portion of the school, and discovers the consequences after stealing one of the bones.

Choke Point

First published in Fantasy Magazine, December 2009

A wonderful tension packed story with a nice twist at the end. A scientist researcher prepares to move into the city for his love, Rebecca. There are excellent descriptive details of background combined with a naturalist’s viewpoint.

The Bone Fisher’s Apprentice

First published in Writers of the Future, Volume XXIi.
Honourable Mention, Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror, 2007.

The apprentice was discovered as a foundling by the Bone Fisher, a spinner of dreams. Yearning to discover her connection to humans, she meets a beach scavenger, Bellan, and teaches him one of the Bone Fisher’s secrets.

A Little Tea and Personal Magnetism

In a hilarious parody, an aspiring writer, George Y. Whynot, demonstrates his lion taming skills.

The Teasewater Five

Published in The Nine Muses, 2005.
Honourable Mention, Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror, 2006.

After having a stillborn birth, an artistic woman, create a series of perfect miniature figurines: animals, a bird and a boy. Her equally talented brother animates them including the ability to speak by infusing a bit of his soul. This with a very creepy ending.


The review copy was provided by Sarah Totton. Ms Totton is a licensed veterinarian in Ontario, a former wildlife biologist, and recently earned her doctorate in epidemiology.


Book format: paperback, 124 pages
Publisher: Fantastic Books
Author website: Sarah Totton
Available: March 2010

chapters.indigo.ca

amazon.ca

amazon.co.uk

borders.com.au

amazon.com