The Final Act of Jonas Black

by Rebecca Crunden

He’s had many names, lived many lives, worn many disguises. A travelling magician, Jonas Black has established a reputation as a marvellous one-man act. But there is something no one knows – for all his tricks and skills and sleights of hand, Jonas Black’s magic is all too real. And it’s the very reason no one can know his true name.

Genres: Short Stories, LGBT

21 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2023

Reviews

[Bon]

Another superb story from Rebecca Crunden, Jonas Black surprised me with an optimistic ending and some monsterfucky vibes. There was just enough worldbuilding in this 24-page story to lure a reader in and keep them for the touching relationships and familial intrigues of Jonas' life.

[Sarah Bell]

Another wonderful quick fantasy read from Rebecca Crunden. She has a touch for writing vivid short stories with characters who feel real and fleshed out even in the small amount of time we spend with them and Jonas Black is no exception!

The fantasy world she hints at (where Jonas is originally from) is also intriguing and whilst this works well as a short story I would also happily read a longer story with these characters and concept!

[Rachel Bowdler]

Another great short story from Rebecca Crunden - I do adore how versatile a writer she is, all of her short stories especially vastly different from one another. This one follows a shapeshifter and his decision to run away with his partner, which gave me exactly the dash of romance I love. I do think Jonas’s backstory was a little too layered and complex for a short and maybe that made it feel rushed - but that could just be because I wanted to spend more time with the characters. Either way, I’ll never complain about a book I can devour in half an hour, especially not when it’s as enjoyable as this.

[ash |]

This was my second short story by Rebecca Crunden and I am impressed with how both stories felt completely different from one another. The Final Act of Jonas Black had a shape shifting magician, a touch of backstory, and a dash of romance. Another wonderful story <3 4.5/5

[C.M. Debell]

What an absolute treasure of a story.

[Sheila Fowler]

Incredible Short Story

This story may be short, but it’s filled with so much. There’s a mystery. A fantasy realm. A forbidden romance. I can’t get enough of Rebecca’s short stories. They tell you so much in a short amount of time. Excellent!!!

[Stasia Roze]

Poetic and beautiful

What a joyus romance to read about! I hope Jonas and Lee find their magical kingdom.

For me this story rings of the hardship about coming out, English teachers would enjoy finding the meaning behind the lines of this one that's for sure!

I hope this story reaches every person who is scared and in hiding, not letting their true persona out. There are more Lees in the world than you could imagine.

[Steff Mother of Sphynx]

Wow! Just wow. I was not expecting such a beautiful, sweet short story. All I can say is I will definitely be reading more from this author in the very near future!

[Dan McKeon]

Totally original and beautiful!

The Final Act of Jonas Black is yet another magical story written by the incredibly talented Rebecca Crunden. The story is so eloquently written and packs a poignant punch. The ending (no spoilers) is so beautiful and heartfelt. Amazing!

[Isaiah]

To see a full review check it out here.

How dare Crunden tease me with this pairing and not given me seven books and a movie!

[Janelle Schiecke]

This is such a beautiful short story - the writing is superb and I really felt the characters' emotions.

It involves fantasy, love, family, and internal conflict - love the ending as well!

I will be reading more of Rebecca's short stories =)

[Ian Welke]

Clever. Neat little story.

[Tali]

Super cute, short & sweet fantasy romance in a circus/carnival setting. I find it hard to review shorter stories like this because there's so little, but this played out like a movie for me. So well done, and I can't get enough!

[M.G. Mason]

This is the second work I've read by this author. I must commend Rebecca once again for creating such vivid characters, places, and people in such a short book. She is clearly in her element writing this length of work.

This fast paced largely character driven story hints at bigger worlds. While this story is over, I wonder if the author has considered an expansive universe in which to set it?

[William Beck]

A vivid and engaging fantasy that manages to tell so much with so few pages. We may only be there for the final act, but thanks to the richness of Rebecca Crunden’s writing, it feels like we’ve been there with him through all of his many lives.

[Lexine Higgins]

I absolutely adored this! I binge-read it in the car to the point where it made me motion-sick. I've developed a strategy to look up from my phone/book every few minutes to settle my eyes so I don't feel sick whilst reading in the car, but I couldn't do that with this book. It hooked me from the first page and I couldn't put it down until I'd devoured it in its entirety.

Crunden has gotten short stories down to a T. Normally, I'm not too keen on short stories, but this one completely absorbed my attention and left me wanting more. You're pulled in by a slowly unravelling mystery of who Jonas Black is and what he's hiding from the world behind his magic tricks, and you're kept on the edge of your seat by the romance and what choices the characters are going to make.

The Final Act of Jonas Black was so good. I'm struggling to articulate how good it was, but I really enjoyed it. I made those 'oh' 'oh no' 'oh yes!' sounds was I was reading in the back of the car, my hand on my chest as I rooted for the couple and worried for Jonas, but the ending was so sweet and satisfying, and I would adore a sequel of Lee and Jonas together in their new life.

I highly recommend this story if you want something short but sweet to read that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you with a big smile on your face. It was enthralling, fantastical, and romantic to the end.

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[Annette Jordan]

The Final Act of Jonas Black by Rebecca Crunden is an intriguing little tale which hints at a fascinating magical world that exists alongside our own and can be accessed through special portals. The titular Jonas Black has entered our world from one such magical realm, leaving behind his responsibilities to live the life (or lives given his age and ability to change his appearance) of a travelling magician. There is a lot of worldbuilding packed into this story, and while I really enjoyed it I felt that caused it to suffer just a little, especially in comparison to the other truly excellent stories I have read from this author. That being said, the writing style and characterisation were on point, and its not entirely a bad thing when a story leaves you wanting to know more....who knows what the future holds.

[Diane Johnson]

A magician risks telling his secret

Jonas Black is not who he appears to be. But he’s comfortable in his current persona as a competent magical lounge act in Vegas. Not too flashy. He gets by. And he’s happy in a somewhat noncommittal relationship with his S.O. But then his family past comes back to haunt him, to pull him back home, and he has a decision to make. Does he leave behind the lowkey life he’s grown comfortable in? Or does he expose the truth about himself to the one he loves?

Either way, he risks losing out on a relationship he didn’t realize he needed.

Jonas Black is a nicely done short story about the lives we choose to lead and the choices we have to make.

[Louise]

Another spellbinding fantasy from Rebecca Crunden. Despite its brief length this is a story you can truly immerse yourself in; there's so much background and so many details of Jonas' magical world that it feels as if you're reading a full length fantasy novel rather than a short story (without feeling once like an info dump, an impressive feat). A wonderfully written, highly engaging mystery I had trouble putting down

[Francis O'Dowd]

A simply beautiful and poignant tale of the final hours of a near immortal who has lived many lives. Like other works by Doctor Crunden this is a deceptively quick and easy read packed full of character, detail and emotion. Cover artist Rachel Bowdler deserves a special mention for not only perfectly capturing the atmosphere but for also adding a whole other layer of mystery and intrigue which stays with you as you read.

[K]

I was in between books and was looking for something short to read. I've read a short story from this author before and have had my eye on a couple of others, so decided to read this one.

I could easily see this as a full length novel - it has so much potential for more! Who knew you could have so much in just a few pages!

Definitely recommend. :)

[Paul Zareith]

Enjoyed this story. A short but well paced reflection on relationships, kindness and choosing the direction of one's life.

[Magnolia]

Short, sweet, and mysterious.
In a handful of pages, we are swept away in a fantasy world full of lore and complexity to follow Jonas Black, real shapeshifter turned magician, in a race against the clock to escape destiny.
In a handful of pages, we face questions of love, heritage, individual aspiration vs family obligations, integration in a world where we don't fully belong.
It's a vivid picture with a promise of many more adventures to come that leaves the reader hungry for more, and could definitely be explored in a longer form.
Overall, a treat, as always with Rebecca.