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The Sun Still Rises
Light shines brightest in dark places…
A selfish empress slowly turns to gold. A highschooler's hallucinations reveal a dangerous new world of Faerie. An outcast battles shadow demons to save her people from the plague.
This charity collection of YA fantasy stories celebrates the light found in dark places, just as Lani Forbes once embodied having hope in difficult times. Her spirit shines on through these beautiful, bittersweet tales full of fallen stars and fae princes, werewolves and magic wielders, samurai and smoky skies.
Featuring stories from Ronie Kendig, Jill Williamson, Julie Hall, Carrie Anne Noble, S.D. Grimm, and more!
A selfish empress slowly turns to gold. A highschooler's hallucinations reveal a dangerous new world of Faerie. An outcast battles shadow demons to save her people from the plague.
This charity collection of YA fantasy stories celebrates the light found in dark places, just as Lani Forbes once embodied having hope in difficult times. Her spirit shines on through these beautiful, bittersweet tales full of fallen stars and fae princes, werewolves and magic wielders, samurai and smoky skies.
Featuring stories from Ronie Kendig, Jill Williamson, Julie Hall, Carrie Anne Noble, S.D. Grimm, and more!
Paperback
First published June 20, 2023
8 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra Hamm
26 books75 followersCassandra Hamm is a psychology nerd, jigsaw puzzler, art collector, and hopeless romantic who spends most of her time lost in another world. She loves mothering her two kittens, Keefe and Chase, named after her favorite middle grade heroes. Her passions for social justice and mental health often bleed their way into her stories, many of which focus on shattered girls finding their way in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 28, 2023
One is supposed to enjoy books that celebrate someone's life and legacy, but in order to do that, one has to have some sort of connection to the person the homage is aimed at or, ideally, like the type of stories that one is reading.
I don't normally read this kind of stories, it's outside my preferences, so that didn't bode well at first glance. But, fortunately, a few of the stories have a fairy tale-like quality, which is totally what I like to read, and thus it was fairly easy to read. Not all the stories were for me, but I can say with complete honesty that there wasn't any I disliked. My personal favourite was "The Weaver and the Dragon," mainly because of its Japanese setting (we need more Japanese-flavoured fairy tale-like stories and retellings!), the sweet character, and overall imagery of an old-fashioned tale. Runner-up would be "Pixie Dust and Princes," even if I wasn't enthusiastic about the modern setting.
Given the anthology's aims, I also found it touching (and so very sad), that they included Lani Forbes' goodbye letter at the end. The young lady died from cancer soon after giving birth to her child, and in that letter, you can see she still cared about lifting others up when she herself was in the darkest spot. She sounded to me like she cared that the living needed hope even if there was none for her anymore. Lovely person, and very deserving of this homage by the friends who loved her.
I received an ARC from the editor in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Cassandra!
I don't normally read this kind of stories, it's outside my preferences, so that didn't bode well at first glance. But, fortunately, a few of the stories have a fairy tale-like quality, which is totally what I like to read, and thus it was fairly easy to read. Not all the stories were for me, but I can say with complete honesty that there wasn't any I disliked. My personal favourite was "The Weaver and the Dragon," mainly because of its Japanese setting (we need more Japanese-flavoured fairy tale-like stories and retellings!), the sweet character, and overall imagery of an old-fashioned tale. Runner-up would be "Pixie Dust and Princes," even if I wasn't enthusiastic about the modern setting.
Given the anthology's aims, I also found it touching (and so very sad), that they included Lani Forbes' goodbye letter at the end. The young lady died from cancer soon after giving birth to her child, and in that letter, you can see she still cared about lifting others up when she herself was in the darkest spot. She sounded to me like she cared that the living needed hope even if there was none for her anymore. Lovely person, and very deserving of this homage by the friends who loved her.
I received an ARC from the editor in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Cassandra!
September 8, 2024
I hope you enjoy these beautiful, bittersweet stories. I fall more in love with them each time I read them. Some make me laugh. Some make me cry. All honor Lani Forbes, her life, her hope, her faith. I know without a doubt that Lani would have loved these pieces.
April 3, 2023
Wonderful anthology of stories donated by some wonderful authors, all to honor inimitable author Lani Forbes!
May 8, 2023
First off, I want to say how much I love the heart and mission behind this anthology. I love what these ladies are doing.
If you don't know, The Sun Still Rises is a charity anthology honoring the life and legacy of award-winning author Lani Forbes, who passed away from cancer in early 2022. The anthology theme is hope shining in the darkness. All of the stories feature hope, whether it's pushing on in the midst of uncertainty, forging a future, or facing hurts and healing.
Some of the stories weren't quite my favorite, but every story isn't for every person. And there were a number of stories in the anthology that I really liked. And the closing note written by Lani made me tear up in the best kind of way. ❤️
*I received an eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.*
If you don't know, The Sun Still Rises is a charity anthology honoring the life and legacy of award-winning author Lani Forbes, who passed away from cancer in early 2022. The anthology theme is hope shining in the darkness. All of the stories feature hope, whether it's pushing on in the midst of uncertainty, forging a future, or facing hurts and healing.
Some of the stories weren't quite my favorite, but every story isn't for every person. And there were a number of stories in the anthology that I really liked. And the closing note written by Lani made me tear up in the best kind of way. ❤️
*I received an eARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.*
April 2, 2023
So excited for this anthology! It’s fantastic! I read all the stories, and I can’t wait for readers to enjoy them all. Lani would have loved it! 💕
May 24, 2025
What a lovely collection of hope and light. I’ll definitely be checking out more of the books written by these authors!
4 stars overall
1. Soul Threader, Ellen McGinty. 3 stars. Cute story, kind of cliche
2. Pixie Dust and Princes, Julie Hall. 2 stars. YA flirty—not my cup of tea
3. The Flame of Stars, Crystal D. Grant. 4 stars. Beautiful sacrifice and a touching picture of God’s love
4. Wielder of Light, R.M. Scott. 4 stars. Loved the power of story, and the way they had to keep fighting for hope.
5. The Moon Cake, Carrie Anne Noble. 3 stars. The story was cute enough, but I felt both it and the world lacked depth.
6. The Gossamer Ascent, Elizabeth Van Tassel. 4.5 stars. Gripping and inspiring. It really showed how one person’s light can spread so widely, just as Lani’s did 💙
7. The Weaver and the Dragon, Lauren Hildebrand. 5 stars. A lovely story of honor, sacrifice, and true friendship. And dragons, of course!
8. Where I’m Supposed to Be, Callie Thomas. 4 stars. Comforting and sweet.
9. The Golden Curse, Jill Williamson. 4 stars. A little predictable, but with some unique twists, too.
10. The Sun Still Rises, A.J. Skelly. 3.5 stars. Short and pithy, if a little more preachy than plot.
11. The Evenglow, Cassandra Hamm. 4 stars. Touching and beautiful, a story of pain and healing and true bonds of friendship.
12. Rookie Mistake, S.D. Grimm. 4 stars. Cute, with some action and twists that kept it interesting.
13. Crimson Stain, Jamie Foley. 5 stars. Stunning allegory of grace and redemption.
14. Dark Flames, Ronie Kendig. 4 stars. In-depth and intriguing, if a bit lore-heavy for such a short story.
15. Dragon Smoke, Jessica Noelle. 4.5 stars. I liked the setting of this one, and the contrast of darkness and hope.
16. After Stars Fall, Nicole Wheeler. 4 stars. Full of hope and yearning, with a very good portrayal to connect you to the characters.
17. Beyond the Waves, Laura L. Zimmerman. 3 stars. The world and story was very interesting, but a bit too much teenage cringe in the narration.
18. Falling Scales, C.M. Banschbach. 5 stars. I predicted how it was going to end, but that didn’t dampen the enjoyment at all. Loved the family love in this one.
19. To Share the Sky, A.C. Williams. 5 stars. Absolutely adorable. Even dragon hearts can change, if only a little 😉
20. A Piece of Sky, Tanager Haemmerle. 4.5 stars. Beautiful, tinged with a longing for love, home, and starlight that felt like hiraeth.
4 stars overall
1. Soul Threader, Ellen McGinty. 3 stars. Cute story, kind of cliche
2. Pixie Dust and Princes, Julie Hall. 2 stars. YA flirty—not my cup of tea
3. The Flame of Stars, Crystal D. Grant. 4 stars. Beautiful sacrifice and a touching picture of God’s love
4. Wielder of Light, R.M. Scott. 4 stars. Loved the power of story, and the way they had to keep fighting for hope.
5. The Moon Cake, Carrie Anne Noble. 3 stars. The story was cute enough, but I felt both it and the world lacked depth.
6. The Gossamer Ascent, Elizabeth Van Tassel. 4.5 stars. Gripping and inspiring. It really showed how one person’s light can spread so widely, just as Lani’s did 💙
7. The Weaver and the Dragon, Lauren Hildebrand. 5 stars. A lovely story of honor, sacrifice, and true friendship. And dragons, of course!
8. Where I’m Supposed to Be, Callie Thomas. 4 stars. Comforting and sweet.
9. The Golden Curse, Jill Williamson. 4 stars. A little predictable, but with some unique twists, too.
10. The Sun Still Rises, A.J. Skelly. 3.5 stars. Short and pithy, if a little more preachy than plot.
11. The Evenglow, Cassandra Hamm. 4 stars. Touching and beautiful, a story of pain and healing and true bonds of friendship.
12. Rookie Mistake, S.D. Grimm. 4 stars. Cute, with some action and twists that kept it interesting.
13. Crimson Stain, Jamie Foley. 5 stars. Stunning allegory of grace and redemption.
14. Dark Flames, Ronie Kendig. 4 stars. In-depth and intriguing, if a bit lore-heavy for such a short story.
15. Dragon Smoke, Jessica Noelle. 4.5 stars. I liked the setting of this one, and the contrast of darkness and hope.
16. After Stars Fall, Nicole Wheeler. 4 stars. Full of hope and yearning, with a very good portrayal to connect you to the characters.
17. Beyond the Waves, Laura L. Zimmerman. 3 stars. The world and story was very interesting, but a bit too much teenage cringe in the narration.
18. Falling Scales, C.M. Banschbach. 5 stars. I predicted how it was going to end, but that didn’t dampen the enjoyment at all. Loved the family love in this one.
19. To Share the Sky, A.C. Williams. 5 stars. Absolutely adorable. Even dragon hearts can change, if only a little 😉
20. A Piece of Sky, Tanager Haemmerle. 4.5 stars. Beautiful, tinged with a longing for love, home, and starlight that felt like hiraeth.
November 28, 2023
(Haven't read all the stories yet, but devoured these so far and adore them!)
Falling Scales (C.M. Banschbach) -- The main reason I got this collection and well worth it! Sooo good. <3
Crimson Stain (Jamie Foley)
Dark Flames (Ronie Kendig)
Share the Sky (A.C. Williams)
The Golden Curse (Jill Williamson)
Falling Scales (C.M. Banschbach) -- The main reason I got this collection and well worth it! Sooo good. <3
Crimson Stain (Jamie Foley)
Dark Flames (Ronie Kendig)
Share the Sky (A.C. Williams)
The Golden Curse (Jill Williamson)
May 29, 2023
What a great anthology! Even for those who aren't usually readers of short stories, there's something in here for everyone. Stand-out stories for me include Soul Threader by Ellen McGinty, Pixie Dust and Princes by Julie Hall, Wielder of Light by R.M. Scott, and Crimson Stain by Jamie Foley. Truly, the themes were woven together, through in each and every story, in so many kinds of fantastical and magical ways. And the afterword at the end made me want to weep, to read Lani's words after she's gone. So very beautiful. What a woman of faith! This line Lani wrote stood out to me, and may it encourage you like these stories and her words and books still do: "It's a hope for the future that this pain will one day be fruitful into glorious joy."
August 13, 2023
What a beautiful group of stories so full of hope! A fitting tribute to the strength and light of an amazing woman. And how special that we get a note from Lani herself at the end. May be my favorite piece of the lot 😉 Other notable works include The Evenglow by Cassandra Hamm, Falling Scales by Claire Banschbach, and To Share the Sky by A.C. Williams.
June 13, 2023
This was a beautiful collection of hope-filled short stories honoring the memory of author Lani Forbes, who sadly passed away from cancer. These YA fantasy stories brilliantly showcase finding hope and light in the darkness.
With any collection like this one, I was drawn to some stories more than others, but each one left me feeling encouraged and uplifted. Some of my favorites were Pixie Dust and Princes by Julie Hall (I hope Hall expands or revisits this story because I want more!), Where I'm Supposed to Be by Callie Thomas (if I had to describe this in one word: enchanting), The Evenglow by Cassandra Hamm (this was such an emotional read. I loved it!), Falling Scales by C.M. Banschbach (I want to read more from this author!), and companion stories, The Weaver and the Dragon by Lauren Hildebrand and To Share the Sky by A.C. Williams (I loved the worldbuilding!) The list could keep going, though, because this anthology is full of great stories. There were many authors I was familiar with, but there were quite a few new ones that I'm looking forward to reading more from.
This anthology is sure to uplift the reader and fill them with hope. I can't recommend it highly enough.
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
With any collection like this one, I was drawn to some stories more than others, but each one left me feeling encouraged and uplifted. Some of my favorites were Pixie Dust and Princes by Julie Hall (I hope Hall expands or revisits this story because I want more!), Where I'm Supposed to Be by Callie Thomas (if I had to describe this in one word: enchanting), The Evenglow by Cassandra Hamm (this was such an emotional read. I loved it!), Falling Scales by C.M. Banschbach (I want to read more from this author!), and companion stories, The Weaver and the Dragon by Lauren Hildebrand and To Share the Sky by A.C. Williams (I loved the worldbuilding!) The list could keep going, though, because this anthology is full of great stories. There were many authors I was familiar with, but there were quite a few new ones that I'm looking forward to reading more from.
This anthology is sure to uplift the reader and fill them with hope. I can't recommend it highly enough.
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
May 12, 2024
A beautifully-done collection of fun and fantastical tales
Of all the anthologies I’ve ever read, this one takes the cake. Every time I finished a chapter, I thought I’d found my new favorite short story. BUT THEN, I’d find myself turning another page, and inevitably fall in love all over again with a new character, or a writing style, or a particular description. I’m excited to return to this book a year, five years, ten years from now (Lord willing), to see what I remember of all the best bits. I expect every reading will turn up new best bits, too. I’ve not yet read Lani Forbes’ work, but if her life and legacy inspired something like this, she must have been a very great inspiration and author indeed. I’m sorry to have missed out on knowing her, and my prayers are with the friends and family she left behind as she made her way home and heavenward.
(Also grateful to this book for breaking me out of an extended reading slump. Woohoo!)
Of all the anthologies I’ve ever read, this one takes the cake. Every time I finished a chapter, I thought I’d found my new favorite short story. BUT THEN, I’d find myself turning another page, and inevitably fall in love all over again with a new character, or a writing style, or a particular description. I’m excited to return to this book a year, five years, ten years from now (Lord willing), to see what I remember of all the best bits. I expect every reading will turn up new best bits, too. I’ve not yet read Lani Forbes’ work, but if her life and legacy inspired something like this, she must have been a very great inspiration and author indeed. I’m sorry to have missed out on knowing her, and my prayers are with the friends and family she left behind as she made her way home and heavenward.
(Also grateful to this book for breaking me out of an extended reading slump. Woohoo!)
June 11, 2023
Amazing collaboration of multiple authors to dedicate to Lani Forbes!! So excited for this to be available to the public 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
Thank you, Miss Cassandra, for the opportunity to read this ARC ❤️
Thank you, Miss Cassandra, for the opportunity to read this ARC ❤️
April 29, 2023
A beautiful collection of stories for an amazing cause.
December 28, 2024
My favorites were:
Soul Threader
Pixie Dust and Princes
The Flame of Stars
The Weaver and the Dragon
Where I'm Supposed to Be
The Golden Curse
The Evenglow
Rookie Mistake
Crimson Stain
Falling Scales
To Share the Sky
I know Lani loves every one of these stories!!!
Lani's words are everything! She wrote with her heart and soul. She had the bravery to integrate her faith and her struggles into her stories. It was an honor and a blessing to discover this amazingly wondrous woman and her works of art. She is still very loved and missed. I can't wait to meet her one day!
If you loved this collection, then I suggest:
All of Lani's books!
Soul Threader
Pixie Dust and Princes
The Flame of Stars
The Weaver and the Dragon
Where I'm Supposed to Be
The Golden Curse
The Evenglow
Rookie Mistake
Crimson Stain
Falling Scales
To Share the Sky
I know Lani loves every one of these stories!!!
Lani's words are everything! She wrote with her heart and soul. She had the bravery to integrate her faith and her struggles into her stories. It was an honor and a blessing to discover this amazingly wondrous woman and her works of art. She is still very loved and missed. I can't wait to meet her one day!
If you loved this collection, then I suggest:
All of Lani's books!
April 24, 2023
“…Just because the future is uncertain doesn’t mean it won’t be the greatest adventure of your life.”
All the stories in this book were so good! I need them all to be full length books, please ! Dragons, magic, witches, curses- all the things that make fantasy amazing!
All the stories in this book were so good! I need them all to be full length books, please ! Dragons, magic, witches, curses- all the things that make fantasy amazing!
July 1, 2023
This was beautiful. All the stories in this were amazing.
Such a wonderful cause for all them to come together. Thank you for doing something so wonderful, while it’s sad it had to be done at all. ❤️
If you want to read some incredible stories and support a great cause while, grab this up!
Such a wonderful cause for all them to come together. Thank you for doing something so wonderful, while it’s sad it had to be done at all. ❤️
If you want to read some incredible stories and support a great cause while, grab this up!
July 1, 2023
This was a cute and touching collection of short stories for a wonderful cause. I typically don’t follow short stories but I was pleasantly surprised at the depth most were able to reach. Well written and we’ll done.
Want to read
July 17, 2023Soul Threader **** New and interesting magic that would explore more of.
Pixie Dust and Princes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ would definitely read more of this story!
Pixie Dust and Princes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ would definitely read more of this story!
September 28, 2023
This is a lovely tribute to Lani and her legacy. I'm not generally a short story reader, but I found a good many of these to be very enjoyable. These were my favorites:
Jill Williamson's The Golden Curse had a touching sacrificial character arc.
Cassandra Hamm's The Evenglow was a heart-breaking tale of escaping abuse and siblings reconnecting.
Laura L Zimmerman's Beyond the Waves was a hauntingly mysterious tale of family and the sea.
CM Banschbach's Falling Scales alternated between heartwarming and heartbreaking in a tale of family, curses, and true love.
Jill Williamson's The Golden Curse had a touching sacrificial character arc.
Cassandra Hamm's The Evenglow was a heart-breaking tale of escaping abuse and siblings reconnecting.
Laura L Zimmerman's Beyond the Waves was a hauntingly mysterious tale of family and the sea.
CM Banschbach's Falling Scales alternated between heartwarming and heartbreaking in a tale of family, curses, and true love.
June 20, 2023
If you enjoy short stories and fantasy, then this anthology is for you! These clean, uplifting stories of hope and encouragement are perfect for all ages.
As a charity anthology, I'm impressed with the level of talent and heart each of these authors showed within their stories. This anthology would make a great addition to your bookshelf or as a gift for that reader in your life!
As a charity anthology, I'm impressed with the level of talent and heart each of these authors showed within their stories. This anthology would make a great addition to your bookshelf or as a gift for that reader in your life!
July 19, 2023
A fun selection of short stories by some of my favorite authors. Perfect for when you’re between books or just have a few minutes and want to read something.
November 1, 2023
This anthology is a beautiful collection of fantasy stories that reflect the theme of hope in the midst of darkness. The book is a tribute to author Lani Forbes. I did not know anything about this author until I stumbled upon this book, so I did read her novel entitled Face the Night, a book I thoroughly loved.
This collection features all manner of stories from fairy tales to high fantasy. There is a story for every discriminating fantasy lover. The theme of hope is effectively represented. Here is a list of my favorite stories, but all of them are well-worth reading.
Soul Threader, by Ellen McGinty. A girl who can heal through the use of mineral hot springs and magic is given the task of healing a blind and scarred prince. If she fails, her family's bathhouse will be destroyed, and their lives are forfeit. A truly beautiful story that explores the meaning of true healing. I love the ending and that a certain decision was made.
The Flame of Stars, by Crystal D. Grant. An outcast in an Indian tribe must face shadow demons to rid her people of a devastating plague. Is the Eternal One real, and how can an outcast find the help she needs to fight the darkness. I loved a character named Sol in this story and the beautiful depiction of light against doubts and fear.
The Moon Cake, by Carrie Anne Noble. A young woman's fiance is captured by goblins, and the wwoman must make a dangerous journey to seek help from the Moon. I loved the fairy tale feel of this story and the clever way that light was smuggled into the goblin prison. A delightful tale.
The Weaver and the Dragon, by Lauren Hildebrand. A story in a Japanese setting about a wever and his grandson who cross paths with a dragon whose mother has been killed by an evil magician. The bond that forms between the boy and the dragon is so precious.
The Golden Curse, by Jill Williamson. A selfish empress falls victim to a family curse. She is slowly turning to gold. How can she break the curse? A story of forgiveness and generosity.
The Evenglow, by Cassandra Hamm. A sister must find her brother, who has estranged himself from her because of their shared telepathic abilities. The pain and betrayal in this story is palpable as is the beautiful resolution.
Crimson Stain, by Jamie Foley. A trapped monster suffering from an unquenchable hunger finds help from an unexpected source. A beautiful story of redemption.
Dragon Smoke, by Jessica Noelle. A gardener's daughter seeks vengeance upon the king who murdered her family. A story of hope and finding inner healing.
Falling Scales, by C.M. Banschbach. I absolutely loved this gender-swapped story that has Beauty and the Beast undertones! The protagonist was so vulnerable but was also endearing, and I loved the theme of sacrifice.
The Sun Still Rises also contains a beautiful Afterword written by Lani Forbes that expresses her faith despite the realization of her own suffering. The Afterword moved me to tears. I only pray I would have the same faith as this courageous woman.
This is not an anthology to be missed. Thoroughly recommended!
Happy reading, and God bless you all.
This collection features all manner of stories from fairy tales to high fantasy. There is a story for every discriminating fantasy lover. The theme of hope is effectively represented. Here is a list of my favorite stories, but all of them are well-worth reading.
Soul Threader, by Ellen McGinty. A girl who can heal through the use of mineral hot springs and magic is given the task of healing a blind and scarred prince. If she fails, her family's bathhouse will be destroyed, and their lives are forfeit. A truly beautiful story that explores the meaning of true healing. I love the ending and that a certain decision was made.
The Flame of Stars, by Crystal D. Grant. An outcast in an Indian tribe must face shadow demons to rid her people of a devastating plague. Is the Eternal One real, and how can an outcast find the help she needs to fight the darkness. I loved a character named Sol in this story and the beautiful depiction of light against doubts and fear.
The Moon Cake, by Carrie Anne Noble. A young woman's fiance is captured by goblins, and the wwoman must make a dangerous journey to seek help from the Moon. I loved the fairy tale feel of this story and the clever way that light was smuggled into the goblin prison. A delightful tale.
The Weaver and the Dragon, by Lauren Hildebrand. A story in a Japanese setting about a wever and his grandson who cross paths with a dragon whose mother has been killed by an evil magician. The bond that forms between the boy and the dragon is so precious.
The Golden Curse, by Jill Williamson. A selfish empress falls victim to a family curse. She is slowly turning to gold. How can she break the curse? A story of forgiveness and generosity.
The Evenglow, by Cassandra Hamm. A sister must find her brother, who has estranged himself from her because of their shared telepathic abilities. The pain and betrayal in this story is palpable as is the beautiful resolution.
Crimson Stain, by Jamie Foley. A trapped monster suffering from an unquenchable hunger finds help from an unexpected source. A beautiful story of redemption.
Dragon Smoke, by Jessica Noelle. A gardener's daughter seeks vengeance upon the king who murdered her family. A story of hope and finding inner healing.
Falling Scales, by C.M. Banschbach. I absolutely loved this gender-swapped story that has Beauty and the Beast undertones! The protagonist was so vulnerable but was also endearing, and I loved the theme of sacrifice.
The Sun Still Rises also contains a beautiful Afterword written by Lani Forbes that expresses her faith despite the realization of her own suffering. The Afterword moved me to tears. I only pray I would have the same faith as this courageous woman.
This is not an anthology to be missed. Thoroughly recommended!
Happy reading, and God bless you all.
May 29, 2023
The Sun Still Rises is an anthology collection of 20 short stories from 20 different authors. Each story is unique in its characters and plot, but they all share a theme of hope in dark times. I highly recommend this anthology which benefits the late author Lani Forbes.
Soul Threader-sweet healing when it counts
Pixie Dust and Princes-whimsical faerie illusions & new beginnings
The Flame of Stars-believe and trust; message of hope
Wielder of Light-healing thru balance
The Moon Cake-love conquers all by the light of the moon
Gossamer Ascent-overcoming darkness with light
The Weaver and the Dragon-friendship bond between boy and beast
Where I'm Supposed to Be-heart can be healed with love
The Golden Curse-kindness goes a long way
The Sun Still Rises-brighter day ahead
The Evenglow-sometimes healing is in silence
Rookie Mistake-accepted for who you are
Crimson Stain-forgiveness and redemption
Dark Flames-friendship stands up to the test
Dragon Smoke-true hope in darkness
After Stars Fall-hope in fallen stars
Beyond the Waves-home is where the heart is
Falling Scales-love and acceptance
To Share the Sky-friendship comes in all forms
A Piece of Sky-true love
Soul Threader-sweet healing when it counts
Pixie Dust and Princes-whimsical faerie illusions & new beginnings
The Flame of Stars-believe and trust; message of hope
Wielder of Light-healing thru balance
The Moon Cake-love conquers all by the light of the moon
Gossamer Ascent-overcoming darkness with light
The Weaver and the Dragon-friendship bond between boy and beast
Where I'm Supposed to Be-heart can be healed with love
The Golden Curse-kindness goes a long way
The Sun Still Rises-brighter day ahead
The Evenglow-sometimes healing is in silence
Rookie Mistake-accepted for who you are
Crimson Stain-forgiveness and redemption
Dark Flames-friendship stands up to the test
Dragon Smoke-true hope in darkness
After Stars Fall-hope in fallen stars
Beyond the Waves-home is where the heart is
Falling Scales-love and acceptance
To Share the Sky-friendship comes in all forms
A Piece of Sky-true love
June 21, 2023
As with all anthologies, they're a nice and interesting way to get to know and/or sample a variety of authors' works and writing styles. I'll try and post/say something about each of them but know that they all do share, in some way or another, the theme so clearly displayed in the title "The Sun Still Rises": that of light and hope, and sharing it with others.
Soul Threader: definitely different. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, but it's a unique type of magic, and I liked the glimpse into this world and the healing properties within Fever House. The prince and the FMC are intriguing, and I'd like to know more about them. ~ 4 stars
Pixie Dust and Princes: Julie Hall has done it again!! And this is such a teaser!! I want more!! It packs all the action, a shocking (for Greer) reveal, and a hint of the Romance and epic adventure a Faerie world by this author will be. Can't wait for the full stories set in this realm! ~ 5 stars! #favorite
The Flame of Stars: this one was so beautiful!! I didn't know what to expect from this story, but my heart! Bravor hooked me, but Sol is the one that made it so special! 💗 Beautiful message for sure. 😊 ~ 5 stars!
Soul Threader: definitely different. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, but it's a unique type of magic, and I liked the glimpse into this world and the healing properties within Fever House. The prince and the FMC are intriguing, and I'd like to know more about them. ~ 4 stars
Pixie Dust and Princes: Julie Hall has done it again!! And this is such a teaser!! I want more!! It packs all the action, a shocking (for Greer) reveal, and a hint of the Romance and epic adventure a Faerie world by this author will be. Can't wait for the full stories set in this realm! ~ 5 stars! #favorite
The Flame of Stars: this one was so beautiful!! I didn't know what to expect from this story, but my heart! Bravor hooked me, but Sol is the one that made it so special! 💗 Beautiful message for sure. 😊 ~ 5 stars!
May 26, 2023
The Sun Still Rises is anthology of 20 short stories to honor late author, Lani Forbes. The proceeds go to Lani’s family. The stories all share a similar theme: bringing light into dark places.
All of the stories are YA Fantasy. I haven’t read a lot of short stories, but I definitely enjoyed these – some I definitely wanted to read more!
The only author I was familiar with in this anthology was Julie Hall (one of my favorite authors). I really enjoyed her story “Pixie Dust and Princes” and hope she continues the story one day. Some of my other favorites were “The Moon Cake”, “The Evenglow”, “Rookie Mistake”, “Crimson Stain”, “Dragon Smoke”, “After Stars Fall”, and “A Piece of Sky”. All of them are inspiring and uplifting.
If you enjoy YA Fantasy and want to support a good cause, definitely check out The Sun Still Rises.
All of the stories are YA Fantasy. I haven’t read a lot of short stories, but I definitely enjoyed these – some I definitely wanted to read more!
The only author I was familiar with in this anthology was Julie Hall (one of my favorite authors). I really enjoyed her story “Pixie Dust and Princes” and hope she continues the story one day. Some of my other favorites were “The Moon Cake”, “The Evenglow”, “Rookie Mistake”, “Crimson Stain”, “Dragon Smoke”, “After Stars Fall”, and “A Piece of Sky”. All of them are inspiring and uplifting.
If you enjoy YA Fantasy and want to support a good cause, definitely check out The Sun Still Rises.
July 3, 2023
So many wonderful stories. I really enjoyed this anthology. Each story was a quick read, perfect for when you only have a few minutes to read. I enjoyed the theme in all of the stories: light from the darkness. Each story features hope in a different way, engaging you in that story. The anthology offers lots of different types of stories, some for everyone. Some of my favorites were Pixie Dust and the Princess and the Flame of Stars. The afterword at the end was so emotional. Overall these stories are perfect quick reads that make you feel encouraged. I highly recommend you read this anthology and support a great cause. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2023
To be honest, I’m not a short stories fan & this is the first book I’ve read like this. However, I loved it! I am now a fan, lol.
These were all great stories!! Wonderful characters!
I love the purpose for these stories. Lana Forbes seemed like a beautiful soul & I pray this does well for the charity.
These were all great stories!! Wonderful characters!
I love the purpose for these stories. Lana Forbes seemed like a beautiful soul & I pray this does well for the charity.
June 4, 2023
The Sun Still Rises is a magical collection of stories full of adventure, light, and hope. I enjoyed the variety and the way each story offered inspiration and joy. This anthology is a wonderful tribute to author Lani Forbes!
July 7, 2023
I enjoyed this anthology as a whole. Hamm's "The Evenglow," McGinty's "Soul Threader," and Wheeler's "After Stars Fall" were the three stand-outs for me. The addition of Lani Forbes' final letter at the end of the anthology was a touching parting note.
October 24, 2023
This is a fantastic anthology with lots of great stories!
If you want to hear a sample story, you can listen to Soul Threader by Ellen McGinty for free here: https://www.findingfantasyreads.com/s...
But it's well worth checking out the whole anthology!
If you want to hear a sample story, you can listen to Soul Threader by Ellen McGinty for free here: https://www.findingfantasyreads.com/s...
But it's well worth checking out the whole anthology!
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