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Low-Key Calamities
A skirmish in space can scar just as deeply as the fleet battles. Freeing a valley from a corrupt king only opens the land to darker threats. And grand theft auto gets a lot messier when the car belongs to a literal demon.
A small crisis is still a crisis.
LOW-KEY CALAMITIES contains fourteen novelettes and short stories from the series Poor Man’s Fight, Good Intentions, and Wandering Monsters. Collectively they include explicit violence, explicit sex, profanity, defenestrations, espionage, backstabbing, murder, blasphemy, poison, lingerie, public indecency, arguable war crimes, condescension, identity theft, asphyxiation, vigilantism, sabotage, a fart joke, anti-necromantic prejudice, intentional food poisoning, counter-weaponization of stereotypes, deceit, assassination, incitement to riot, disrespect for the dead, abuse of kitchen staff, conspiracy, arson, grand theft auto, breaking and entering, a lost bat, unauthorized dormitory residents, drug use, lies, bickering, punching, leering, kicking, body slams, analysis of adult film, mild hallucinations, paranoia, military “intelligence,” performative charity, genuine charity, talking behind people’s backs, angry essay writing, oral sex, mishandling of explosives, violations of Rules of Engagement, destruction of church property, insensitivity, poor leadership skills, ambushes, grave robbery, insults, family feuding, unintended threats, urban warfare, resentful internal monologues, a carefully bland lunch, and vomiting in front of the boss.
A small crisis is still a crisis.
LOW-KEY CALAMITIES contains fourteen novelettes and short stories from the series Poor Man’s Fight, Good Intentions, and Wandering Monsters. Collectively they include explicit violence, explicit sex, profanity, defenestrations, espionage, backstabbing, murder, blasphemy, poison, lingerie, public indecency, arguable war crimes, condescension, identity theft, asphyxiation, vigilantism, sabotage, a fart joke, anti-necromantic prejudice, intentional food poisoning, counter-weaponization of stereotypes, deceit, assassination, incitement to riot, disrespect for the dead, abuse of kitchen staff, conspiracy, arson, grand theft auto, breaking and entering, a lost bat, unauthorized dormitory residents, drug use, lies, bickering, punching, leering, kicking, body slams, analysis of adult film, mild hallucinations, paranoia, military “intelligence,” performative charity, genuine charity, talking behind people’s backs, angry essay writing, oral sex, mishandling of explosives, violations of Rules of Engagement, destruction of church property, insensitivity, poor leadership skills, ambushes, grave robbery, insults, family feuding, unintended threats, urban warfare, resentful internal monologues, a carefully bland lunch, and vomiting in front of the boss.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2023
85 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 15, 2023
This is the third collection of Elliot Kay’s short stories set in three of his fictional universes: Good Intentions, Wandering Monsters, and Poor Man’s Fight. I really admire Kay’s commitment to continue to produce short stories instead of just novels. It’s a nice way to flesh out his various universes and after reading them I always have the urge to go back and read the series that produced them.
The best story in the Good Intentions portion of the collection was Trust, in which the succubus, Lorelei, has her car stolen and goes after the thieves. Lorelei is a reformed demon, trying to fight on the side of the angels. Most of the angels, however, understandably distrust her and many are quite upset about a demon going after their mortal charges. However, Lorelei has her own angel on her side and as long as she doesn’t use her supernatural abilities, the rules allow her to regain her property. It’s a good story with moral implications, something that Kay does very well.
The Wandering Monsters stories are brains over brawn affairs. There is a lot of action, but one of the things that makes Kay’s monster heroes effective is that they think their problems through and often try to resolve them with a minimum of bloodshed. These stories also show the consequences of closing the pass to the human kingdom that occurred at the end of the second book. Everyone expects the king to return eventually to reassert his despotism over the area. In the meantime, there is a lot of chaos.
The final section returns to the Poor Man’s Fight universe where again most of the action explores the moral questions involved in warfare. They are all enjoyable stories although sometimes I had a little trouble figuring out exactly “when” in the series the stories were set.
The best story in the Good Intentions portion of the collection was Trust, in which the succubus, Lorelei, has her car stolen and goes after the thieves. Lorelei is a reformed demon, trying to fight on the side of the angels. Most of the angels, however, understandably distrust her and many are quite upset about a demon going after their mortal charges. However, Lorelei has her own angel on her side and as long as she doesn’t use her supernatural abilities, the rules allow her to regain her property. It’s a good story with moral implications, something that Kay does very well.
The Wandering Monsters stories are brains over brawn affairs. There is a lot of action, but one of the things that makes Kay’s monster heroes effective is that they think their problems through and often try to resolve them with a minimum of bloodshed. These stories also show the consequences of closing the pass to the human kingdom that occurred at the end of the second book. Everyone expects the king to return eventually to reassert his despotism over the area. In the meantime, there is a lot of chaos.
The final section returns to the Poor Man’s Fight universe where again most of the action explores the moral questions involved in warfare. They are all enjoyable stories although sometimes I had a little trouble figuring out exactly “when” in the series the stories were set.
May 10, 2024
This is a strange collection in that it requires the reader to already be familiar with the three very different series the author has penned; otherwise, the pieces would not be understandable on their own. Fortunately, I have read all three series and returning to these familiar characters was much fun. Many of the stories read like full chapters in the series. Overall, I thought they were well done. Still, I wonder why he did not release his story collections according to the series he is supplementing.
November 8, 2024
Collection of short stories
Alternate universes, Hard SF, fantasy, urban fantasy
Several short stories from Good Intentions universe, followed by some stories of the humanoid adventurers, and then a few Tanner Malone shorts. If you like the main books, these are full on short side tales about the many memorable characters from three different series. Well edited. Nothing major but more background for the most part. Enjoyed.
Alternate universes, Hard SF, fantasy, urban fantasy
Several short stories from Good Intentions universe, followed by some stories of the humanoid adventurers, and then a few Tanner Malone shorts. If you like the main books, these are full on short side tales about the many memorable characters from three different series. Well edited. Nothing major but more background for the most part. Enjoyed.
October 12, 2023
These anthologies are GREAT!
I love these anthologies.
I love all the "Wandering Monsters" stories, and the Tanner Malone stories seem a bit lighter than the books, especially the ones in the college dorms.
The Demon ones are fun too.
I just read the 5th Tanner Malone book and I highly recommend that series to anyone who likes his stories in this book.
I love these anthologies.
I love all the "Wandering Monsters" stories, and the Tanner Malone stories seem a bit lighter than the books, especially the ones in the college dorms.
The Demon ones are fun too.
I just read the 5th Tanner Malone book and I highly recommend that series to anyone who likes his stories in this book.
November 1, 2023
I have come to the realization that I have no interest in his urban fantasy series. I read the first short story in this collection and I wasn't a fan. The bulk of this book is composed of stories in that UF setting.
Skipping ahead to around 70% I found the Tanner Malone stories. They were really entertaining! I just wish there had been more than just a few of them.
Skipping ahead to around 70% I found the Tanner Malone stories. They were really entertaining! I just wish there had been more than just a few of them.
March 5, 2023
Episodic Fun
Fourteen stories from three series make for a fun set of short reads. Each story fits its series perfectly.
A strong recommendation for fans of Kay's works.
Fourteen stories from three series make for a fun set of short reads. Each story fits its series perfectly.
A strong recommendation for fans of Kay's works.
March 11, 2023
insufficient
Hollow tales of the main relative series too long left without a whole new a-edition to the series. If food, it would be fast food.
Hollow tales of the main relative series too long left without a whole new a-edition to the series. If food, it would be fast food.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews