Twice Upon a Name: Tales of Mix-ups and Mistaken Identities

by Susan Stradiotto

Double the name and double the magic, mystery, and mayhem Once upon a time, a fairy tale name generator issued a challenge to a group of authors. Volume Two of these quirky stories brings double trouble. In this clean YA anthology, spy on thieves discovering their princely identities, accompany villains seeking redemption along with accident-prone geese, and rejoice in the reunion of siblings separated at birth. Side with twins split between good and evil, giggle over mistaken identities, and discover the secrets of royal doppelgängers. When fates are intertwined by a namesake, mayhem and mischief are sure to follow. Venture into this collection of adventurous stories by award-winning and up-and-coming authors and see if what happens once . . . happens twice! Pssst…some characters from Once Upon A Name might make a comeback, but the two sets and all stories in them can be read as standalones.

O TIME, UNTANGLE THIS by Susan Stradiotto and Sky Sommers SIREN SONG by Meadoe Hora THE LIES OF LADY ROSEBERRY by Alice Ivinya POISON QUEEN by R. S. Williams TO WALK IN ROYAL SHOES by Marie Reed BORN TO PROVE by Dani Hoots HIPPOLYTA GOES HUNTING by Alex Stubblefield THE TWIN AMBERS by Elena Shelest FOR OSIAN by Sarina Langer TO FIND A QUEEN by Sky Sommers A FEAST OF WILLS by Bekah Berge STAR DANCER by Astrid V.J. HAUNTING KING EZRA by Susan Stradiotto BLOODY MARY'S DAY OFF by Sophia-Rose Johnson IN THE FIERCE SHADOWS by Jo Holloway A POLITE THIEF by D.M. Taylor THE HUMMINGBIRD by CC Sullivan TERROR & TWILIGHT by N.D.T. Casale GAMES EGYPTIANS PLAY by Donna White ALLIE AND THE FOX by Eurelia Winters CURSED DESTINY by MS Weaver All proceeds donated to charity in support of reading and literacy.

Genres: Fantasy, Anthologies

372 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2023

About the author

Susan Stradiotto is passionate about the written word, whether it is in her own writing or her editing practice. She is a fan of well-told stories. Susan is always searching for unique voices and stories that tell a truth. As Neil Gaiman said in his master class, “Write the truest story you can.” She believes that is what makes a story sing.

Susan is an author of fantasy and romance and has professional editorial experience with genres such as romance, memoir, mystery/thriller, cozy mystery, fantasy, and women’s fiction. She attended Capella University for her BS in Information Technology and the University of Chicago’s Graham School for her professional editing certification. She lives in Eden Prairie with her husband, a hoard of Bernese Mountain Dogs, and one Miniature Dachshund.

Instagram: @susanstradiotto or https://www.instagram.com/susanstradi...

Author website, worldbuilding blog, and book reviews: https://susanstradiotto.com

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/susanstradio...

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/susanstradi...

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susanstradiotto


Write-In-Progress
A serial novel based on George MacDonald’s 𝑃ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑠: 𝐴 𝐹𝑎𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒 𝑅𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑀𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑊𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛.

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twice Upon a Name is a collection of fun and unique short stories that feature the theme of mix ups and mistaken identities. What I enjoyed most about this compilation is how it features stories by authors I am familiar with, as well as newer authors whose work I was happy discover.

While I enjoyed each story, below are a few of my favorites:

The Twin Ambers by Elena Shelest- This is a fictional story set in the real life Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains (the remote Hutsul settlement, 1596), The story features a twin brother and sister who are briefly separated and and then reunited. It is a beautiful tale of learning, growing up, and coming to terms with ones past and family heritage. There is also a touch of magic.

The Lies of Lady Roseberry by Alice Ivinya- I found this to be an intriguing story of a lady who had taken on many identities. It is filled with surprises, a great moral message, and a heart warming conclusion.

A Feast of Wills by Bekah Berge- A Feast of Wills is a delightfully entertaining tale of a serious misunderstanding between two sister witches! It definitely gave me a chuckle and I loved how it came together in the end!

Games Egyptians Play by Donna White- I was already familiar with some of Donna Whites other works and was excited to read this story set in Roman occupied Egypt. I happen to love anything Egypt related to begin with. Games Egyptians Play is exciting and charming.

Star Dancer by Astrid VJ- I always look forward to Astrid’s stories and appreciate how the characters and universes often tend to connect with one another. I look forward to continuing Namid’s fascinating story.

Overall, Twice Upon a Name is filled with many exciting and well-written short stories. There is definitely something for every fantasy reader to enjoy. The best part is that all profits also support world literacy! I definitely recommend this anthology!

I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review of Twice Upon a Name. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Dancer by Astrid VJ

Synopsis - Vega climbs an obsidian cliff to save Namid, only to find Namid is not being sacrificed to the sea serpent.

Review -

Star Dancer is one of the many fantasy short stories in the Twice Upon a Name anthology releasing on 20 April 2023, all the proceeds from which will be donated to international literacy programs.

Star Dancer is inspired by the Polynesian culture, of which I had no idea before this. Since this is a short story and the book isn't released yet, I don't want to reveal much about the plot as the synopsis is enough for that. Rather I'll tell you what I felt. I felt loved but also heartbroken. I understood where Namid came from and felt bad for him but my heart broke into a million pieces for Vega. The friendship, the love, the found family, the misunderstanding, the pain, the acceptance, the healing... This story had it all and so much more. It is less than 20 pages and I finished it in half an hour. A true page turner, I just wanted to know what happened next. And I want to know what happens after this story ends so if there's more to it, I will be the first in line to know.

Astrid is a very talented writer. She weaves magic with her words. I have read a handful of her works and I am so impressed. She has never let me down as a reader. If you are a beginner at reading, a fantasy lover, an aspiring author or just a regular lover of well written stories, do check out Astrid's works. She writes fantasy series and all her books are interconnected in some manner. You won't be disappointed.

[Chad Barrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of stories that I enjoyed for the most part. Some assumed others identities and some were able to change their own appearance to look like someone else. One tells the tale of two twins who get separated but because of the stones they wore around their necks they are able to find each other again.

Overall I recommend this volume as one I think readers will enjoy. Some of the tales are ingenious
and you’ll enjoy more than others but that is how it is with an anthology bringing together various authors.

These short stories are great for short reads when you don’t have a lot of time to get involved in a bigger book but want to enjoy fantasy nonetheless.

Get this collection and find out which stories are your favorites!

[TaniaRina · Rating 5 out of 5]

All proceeds donated to charity in support of reading and literacy.
Already pre-ordered the next book ('Third Name's a Charm' - for April 2024).

REVIEWS:
O Time, Untangle This - Susan Stradiotto and Sky Sommers
‘I can be a human coal pan – no problem!’

Siren Songs - Meadoe Hora
Love is like ‘the song of the wind’
[Future reading: Furious Legacy series]

The Lies of Lady Roseberry - Alice Ivinya
‘To save the Children, I would have to destroy myself.’

Poison Queen - R. S. Williams
‘Know the game being played before the players do.’

To Walk in Royal Shoes - Marie Reed
We all have plans, but sometimes they change.

Born to Prove - Dani Hoots
Always be ready…always.

Hippolyta Goes Hunting - Alex Stubblefield
‘Her work was not delicious; it was deadly.’

The Twin Ambers - Elena Shelest
‘Draw on each others’ strengths and don’t let your differences separate you.’

*** For Osian - Sarina Langer (read previously as a Beta)
This may be short on words, but it is chock-full of conflict
A woman mourning her twin, a queen grieving for a life that used to be.

Vengeance blinds, until an enemy opens her eyes.
But will she see another path?

I really liked this...had a darkness to it that was mental & emotional from PTSD rather than being scary.

To Find a Queen - Sky Sommers
‘Bar wenches can turn into queens.’

A Feast of Wills - Bekah Berge
‘Do not ignore the truth that stares you in the face.’

Star Dancer - Astrid V.J.
Humans are deranged.

Haunting King Ezra - Susan Stradiotto
Never give up your magic.

Bloody Mary’s Day Off - Sophia-Rose Johnson
‘One witch hunt was enough for a family’
As kids, we also used to play “Bloody Mary” in the school bathrooms.

In The Fierce Shadows - Jo Holloway
‘Plan for everything.’

A Polite Thief - D.M. Taylor
Don’t act to fix a situation unless asked for help.

The Hummingbird - CC Sullivan
Make the most of your life and what you learn from it.

Terror & Twilight - N.D.T. Casale
Set your own standards

Games Egyptians Play - Donna White
‘He who hath the gold, makes the rules’
Oh, that ending!

Allie and the Fox - Eurelia Winters
‘This is way above my pay grade.’
‘Everybody has secrets.’

Cursed Destiny - MS Weaver
‘Don’t fear the monsters; fear the circumstances that created them.’
Protect your own.

[Rosalyn Briar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of "A Feast of Wills" by Bekah Berge. These opinions are my own.

I had so much fun reading this short story! I loved how much tension built up between the two witchy sisters and the satisfying conclusion. I loved all of the details about the food the sisters were making while the suspicion grew between them. I am a huge fan of Berge's books--she has such a unique way of subtly revealing the world building, the settings are vivid, and her characters are always captivating.

I am going to order the entire anthology now and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the tales!

[Lissa Bolts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved "O Time, Untangle This," the charming and heartwarming short story co-written by Susan Stradiotto and Sky Sommers. The story follows 18-year-old Tarryn Silverwood, of the Isle of Midnight. Desperate to find her missing twin brother and save her family's fortune, she disguises herself as a boy and becomes a ship's cabin hand, which made for an engaging read. Her bravery and resourcefulness in the face of adversity were inspiring. The writing is fantastic, the characters are lovable, and the plot is full of surprises. I highly recommend this short story to anyone who loves a quick sweet romance, and I cannot wait to read more from these talented authors! 5 stars all around!

[Joshua Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of the book! I have only read “Hippolyta Goes Hunting” so far but was eager to show my support and give it 5 stars. “Hippolyta Goes Hunting” is a fun, somewhat darkly comedic, fantastical story about a twisted witch and how she provides for herself and survives in a fungal dense forest. What makes this story especially fun is that it has ties to a certain other story from “Once Upon a Name,” the first collection of stories for this publication. I highly encourage picking up a copy of “Twice Upon a Name” and reading this story! I’m looking forward to reading and reviewing the rest of the stories in the collection.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great compilation of stories. I found very few I didn’t love. The artwork was amazing. I was drawn into the world building so much was shared in the stories you couldn’t help but be drawn into them. Poison Queen by R.S. Williams was a favorite and was sad when it ended. Cursed Destiny by MA Weaver was another at first it wasn’t meshing with me but it hooked me in and I didn’t want it to end.

[DeeDeeWReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update as I read more stories from the collection.

O Time, Untangle This by Susan Stradiotto and Sky Sommers
This one was fun. A story of presenting to be who is needed to get what you want. Engaging, and who doesn't love a HEA.

The Lies of Lady Roseberry by Alice Ivinya
This one was exceptionally short, but I enjoyed it none the less. One deception and a kingdom could fall. Fixing it will cost you everything.

[Cherokee - Books With A Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good, unique collection of short stories.
Some were better than others, of course, but there is a little bit of something for everyone.

Each story is only a few pages long, with several being dual POV. More than a couple would be considered dark fantasy, and one or two had me laughing out loud, and several intrigued me enough that I sincerely hope there will be a continuation of their stories!!

[Bekah Berge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun anthology! I enjoyed so many of these stories and all the interesting characters. The stories range from quirky to thrilling to swoonworthy and sweet. I’m a big fan of these authors and have read their other works as well. Looking forward to seeing what these authors do next!

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of twenty one imaginative and captivating short stories written by twenty one brilliant authors. Each author has done an amazing job. All proceeds donated to charity in support of reading and literacy.

So the first story revolves around family, twins, mistaken belief and betrothal. The second story features Greek mythology, tragedy, mistaken identity and affection. The third story is about Lady Roseberry, it is based on misleading identity, deceiving, manipulating and big revelations at the end. The fourth story is about conspiracy, prophecy, poisoning, hidden truth, finding the traitor and getting to the root of mystery. The fifth story revolves around magic, mystery, royal doppelgänger and solving a mystery of the prince’s disappearance. The sixth story is about reincarnation and chosen one. The seventh story is about witches, concoctions, travelling and sorcerers. The Twin Ambers is about twin brothers and sisters. For Osian is about twins, dark magic and restoring the kingdom. To find a Queen is about an elf being on a quest to find dragon queen and discovering the secret about twins. A feast of willows is about power, witches sisters, curse, betrayal, conspiracy and revenge. Star Dancer is an emotional story portraying deep feelings, making a choice, and fulfilling the purpose. The rest of the stories are based on unsettling or unsolved purpose, exile, separation, magic, witches, deep feelings, love, realising the true purpose of life, cherishing little moments, protecting each other, experiencing death, Egyptian games, clever mystery, family heirloom, secrets, friendship and dwarfs and destiny.

[Amorina Carlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely collection of stories. I was first introduced to Astrid V.J's writing in another similar anthology, and I enjoyed the fact that all of these anthologies are for a good cause.

I always enjoy Astrid's writing, and this was no exception. In addition to her story, I found several others quite enjoyable. I think someone will find something to love within these pages. If nothing else, the idea of both supporting writers and helping support a great cause is something I can't say no too!

My favorites, in addition to Astrid's story, included

- "To Find A Queen," which I'm pretty sure was included from a different PoV in another anthology - I enjoyed the opportunity to see it again from a different characters viewpoint.

- "The Twin Ambers," was a unique, sweet story of familial love that played out in the historical fields of Ukraine. Many of us still hold Ukraine in our hearts, and this group has also done an anthology for that cause which was similarly amazing!

- "Hippolyta Goes Hunting," was a strange, amusing tale. I didn't expect the ending, and really the entire story was so weird, but in a good way. Like I really enjoyed it.

- "To Walk In Royal Shoes," was also strange, but enjoyable. The resolution was again unexpected, but so interesting.

The twists and turns as these stories attempt to answer the age old question, "what's in a name?" will really keep you guessing!

Definitely a win for fantasy lovers, short story friends, and those looking for something new!

[Linda (The Arizona Bookstagrammer) · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Twice Upon a Name: Tales of Mix-Ups & Mistaken Identities”(Book 2 of 2) by Susan Stradiotto, Sky Sommers, et al. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: YA Fantasy. NOTE: All proceeds benefit ‘Room to Read’, a reading and literacy charity.

This anthology consists of 21 short stories featuring fantasy folk and fantasy lands. The anthology theme is: “What’s in a name?” The clarity of the answer varies widely among the authors. The writers’ styles also vary widely in terms of depth of character development, complexity of plot, world-building, and level of tension. There are too many to discuss, so I’ll focus on a couple:

“Hippolyta Goes Hunting” by Alex Stubblefield. In this story, a dark magic, grumpy fungus sorceress lives in the woods with Kei, a frog 20 times the size of a normal frog. Hippolyta hunts for meat (human) at local markets. Until she ventures to a far-off market, and runs into an old rival-the gentle, kind sorceress Leonna.

“For Ossian” by Sarina Langer. In this story, Carys Crimsonfist, Queen of the Wild Elves, endlessly avenges her twin brother’s death by eating the hearts of humans who wander into her hidden realm. Her city is crumbling, but her desire for revenge remains strong. Until the day a human and a vampire arrive.

Other stories feature a very different take on the 7 Dwarves (these are not the dwarves you are looking for), an ice giant in a college forest, a lawyer’s apprentice who may be a long lost prince, Hans and Greta plus a dragon, the Serpent Lady of Storms, a teen witch in a mortal school, and many more. They range from 30bc to 1570 Ukraine to alternative times, and from the South Seas to a myriad of fantasy lands.

These stories have the best character names ever! From Ivy Rapturefly to Nefarious Russlebulb the 7th, Piper Jadeflute, Griffin Fiercebeat-and then there’s Eddie the Dragon. Just delightful. All in all, it’s a mixed bag of fairytales benefiting a great cause, and it’s 3 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼‍♀️. Thank you Bronzewood Books and all the authors for this early ecopy. Remember: All proceeds benefit the Room to Read charity. Publishes 4/20/2023.

[Abby Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a fun book

A fun collection of short stories. Good reading on a snowy day before a fire! I especially love the different tastes of fantasy throughout the stories. It’s not all the same creatures. Human, and not :). Fun to experience them all!

[C.R. Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read! I love the idea behind this anthology, and what a great way to bring these wonderful, talented authors together. There's a story for everyone here with a theme of mistaken identities and mix-ups. I loved that I got a snippet of new authors (to me). The sales proceed goes to support Room to Read, a literacy program.

[Ronel Janse van Vuuren · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are good stories, there are meh stories and then there are stories I just couldn’t read. The ones which are in italics for parts (for reasons beyond my understanding) wasn’t accessible in the sense that I just couldn’t read italics, so the DNF has nothing to do with the story, just that I couldn’t read it. My favourites were “Bloody Mary’s Day Off” and “Games Egyptians Play”. The blurb says it’s a YA fantasy anthology, yet the only obvious YA was “Bloody Mary’s Day Off”. Some were Fantasy Romance, some were Urban Fantasy, and some were Historical Fantasy. Reviews of stories below:

O Time, Untangle This
It took a while to realise that this is supposed to be fantasy romance, but once that realisation comes, the story is enjoyable with all its hijinks. Would have liked more of a hint of genre at the start.

Siren Songs
I’m getting the impression it’s a fantasy romance anthology… A cute story about the sirens, a muse and the girl who keeps them all alive. There’s a bit of romance and music, too.

The Lies of Lady Roseberry
Okay, so not a fantasy romance anthology… An interesting story about con artists, kingdoms, successions, and how apologising for the wrongs you’ve done can free you.

Poison Queen
A good story with fae and treason. Felt forced to be short as the story has novel-length potential.

To Walk in Royal Shoes
An okay story about realm jumping, doubles, and mistaken identity.

Born to Prove
The italics this story is in made it impossible for me to read. DNF.

Hippolyta Goes Hunting
All the talk about slaughtering and eating a mule without any context just put me off the story. DNF.

The Twin Ambers
The author’s note was interesting, but all the talk of family stress and war just didn’t work for me. DNF.

For Osian
I liked the dark elf. Not sure I like the human and vampire…

To Find a Queen
I think I’ve read this story before… Or at least a version of it in a previous anthology. DNF.

A Feast of Wills
So much telling… DNF

Star Dancer
Climbing a cliff without giving a reason why it’s important… DNF

Haunting King Ezra
A good story. I liked the use of alchemy. Feels like I’ve read it before, though, especially the cemetery scene.

Bloody Mary’s Day Off
A deliciously dark tale of a teenage witch out for revenge. I liked her skull sanctuary.

In the Fierce Shadows
The guy’s a bit whiny… DNF

A Polite Thief
Urgh. The patriarchy oozed off page one. DNF.

The Hummingbird
The physical and mental anguish the MC went through triggered me. DNF

Terror & Twilight
Too much italics made this too difficult to read. DNF

Games Egyptians Play
The story immediately drew me in. I especially liked the Sphinx.

Allie and the Fox
Too many instances of italics for me to read the story. DNF

Cursed Destiny
Starts with italics, which makes it difficult to read. Then there’s mention of a snake named Nagini – too Harry Potter. DNF.

12 DNF out of 21 = 1.75
*I received an ARC from the authors and this is my honest opinion.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twice Upon A Name is a charity anthology that I feel lucky and grateful to be part of. I loved writing a character who deals with anxiety disorder, and had a lot of fun introducing my lovable smuggler who will feature in an upcoming book. But this review is about the other stories, because there are so many good ones. I won't talk about every single thing I liked, but here are a few of my favorite stories:

Siren Song by Meadoe Hora - sweet and delightful

The Lies of Lady Roseberry by Alice Ivinya - lovely humble message

For Osian by Sarina Langer - great character growth

Terror & Twilight by NDT Casale - beautifully paced and balanced story

Cursed Destiny by MS Weaver - fun, heartwarming and hopeful note to end on 💜

[Marie Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every single story. I rated all of them 5 stars, except my own, which I skipped.

O Time, Untangle This by Susan Stradiotto and Sky Sommers: fun Twelfth Night retelling

Siren Song by Meadoe Hora: modern-day story with some lesser-known Greek mythology

The Lies of Lady Roseberry by Alice Ivinya: So many secret identities and disguises on top of each other. Another great story from Alice.

Poison Queen by R.S. Williams: a Seelie/Unseelie fae story with a surprising ending. I hope these characters get a full novel!

Born to Prove by Dani Hoots: I loved this even more than her Norse story from Once Upon A Name, especially the added twist.

Hippolyta Goes Hunting by Alex Stubblefield: This is a prequel to Alex's story in Once Upon a Name and its a super fun yet creepy tale.

The Twin Amber's by Elena Shelest: a lovely story about twins.

For Osian by Sarina Langer: an Elven queen protects her people--for her brother.

To Find A Queen by Sky Sommers: a different POV of this tale was in another collection and this one was just as entertaining. I loved seeing it from another character's eyes and to see inside their head.

A Feast of Wills by Bekah Berge: Two witch sisters prepare a hostile meal together. Another fun tale in this collection.

Star Dancer by Astrid V.J.: Vega leaves to rescue his friend from being sacrificed. Lovely story and yet another reason I need to get more of Astrid's stories onto my immediate TBR.

Haunting King Ezra by Susan Stradiotto: The æther magic system here is really neat and the story has a bit of a Christmas Carol feel to it. Would love to read a prequel to this

Bloody Mary's Day Off by Sophia-Rose Johnson: creepy-fun contemporary fantasy with a witch in school with humans. Would love to see this story continue.

In the Fierce Shadows by Jo Holloway: I love Griffen and how he pushes himself out of his comfort zone for love. I would love to see more heroes like him

A Polite Thief by D.M. Taylor: I'd love an extended version of Kianna's magic training and adventures

The Hummingbird by C.C. Sullivan: I didn't expect any of what happened in this story and it kept me turning pages as fast as I could

Terror & Twilight by N.D.T. Casale: I'd love a collection of Ria's adventures, especially stories about before she became sultana.

Games Egyptians Play by Donna White: this is a super fun story with a nice twist and I love an expansion in this world.

Allie and the Fox by Eurelia Winters: I'd love to see this story continued. The adventure is fully here but it seems like Willow and Allie could have many more.

Cursed Destiny by MS Weaver: this story intrigued me from the first line and was a great conclusion to this anthology

[Sophia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witches + Wednesday vibes + young adult + angst = Bloody Mary’s Day Off 🪦☠️✨🔥👻📱⚖️🪬🩸♥️

[Hannah-Louise Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and handy for discovering new authors

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to give this five stars because some stories are much better than others in this short story collection of magic, mythology, and fantasy. The beauty of a bundle of stories is that you choose which ones suit your mood, and you’re not caught in the story too long if there’s one you aren’t in the mood for or don’t like.

Heres three I read.

The lies of Lady Roseberry by Alice Ivinya
Caught from the first sentence. Short, and a story about the lies and consequences of a deceit. Succinctly, gorgeously, played.

Poison Queen by R.S. Williams
A sweet fantasy that’s full of tropes. Predictable in some ways but, still a great short story. Romance, death, deceit, a touch of mystery. a chosen one, royalty, seelie and unseelie.

Born to Prove by Dani Hoots
First person YA drawing on Norse mythology but Dani makes it her own with skill. This was so fun to read.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 21 short stories are:
- O Time, Untangle This
- Siren Songs
- The Lies of Lady Roseberry
- Poison Queen
- To Walk in Royal Shoes
- Born to Prove
- Hippolyta Goes Hunting
- The Twin Ambers
- For Osian
- To Find a Queen
- A Feast of Wills
- Star Dancer
- Haunting King Ezra
- Bloody Mary's Day Off
- In The Fierce Shadows
- A Polite Thief
- The Hummingbird
- Terror & Twilight
- Games Egyptian Play
- Allie and the Fox
- Cursed Destiny
These are all very short fantasy stories - with real life reference in The Twin Ambers - revolved around character names. Most of the stories have the potential to be developed further, such as Hippolyta Goes Hunting and To Find a Queen. The stories are descriptive and pleasant to read.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.

[The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twice Upon a Name is a collection of short fantasy stories with a focus on quirky names and the theme of mix-ups and mistaken identities. Each story played on the themes in unique ways and made for fun reading. Here follow my thoughts based on each story in the collection.

O Time, Untangle This by Susan Stradiotto and Sky Sommers is a fantastic short retelling of Shakespeare’s play, Twelfth Night. I loved the characters and the glimpse into the world these two authors have created. It’s a setting that definitely captured my imagination and brought back some nostalgia of my former infatuation with all things pirate. A brilliant start to the anthology.

Siren Song by Meadoe Hora is an interesting read. I enjoyed the Greek mythology thrown in, but didn’t quite get that it’s contemporary until the ending. It’s an interesting snippet and a contained story, but it does leave me with quite a few questions. Perhaps some of them are answered in the author’s main series?

The Lies of Lady Roseberry by Alice Ivinya
This story is unusual for Ivinya, with only very little magic, however as ever, it is overflowing with tense emotion. It reads smoothly and Ivy’s character is superb. I absolutely loved her decision and the ending. I hope Ivinya will do more with this fantastic character she’s created.

Poison Queen by R.S. Williams
Intriguing fae setting with the classic Seelie-Unseelie conflict. There’s some great political intrigue and a hint of romance. The story feels rushed in its current version. I think it could become really good if fleshed out to a novella, which would allow for the romance subplot to shine.

To Walk in Royal Shoes by Marie Reed
Delightfully different and unexpected. This is the second story I’ve read by this author and both have captivated me. I cannot wait for the promised novel.

Born to Prove by Dani Hoots
Urban portal fantasy teaser for the author’s Nordic mythology inspired fantasy series. The first person POV threw me off because I didn’t find out the narrator’s name until the last paragraph, and that’s a pet peeve.

Hyppolita Goes Hunting by Alex Stubblefield
Interesting story about a witch, of the wicked variety. It didn’t quite work for me. Too much telling and the train of thought accompanying the ending was too abrupt. Somehow the build- up the author attempted just didn’t work for me.

The Twin Ambers by Elena Shelest
A sweet historical fantasy set in the breathtaking Ukrainian mountain landscape of the Carpathians. I enjoyed the magical realism feel of this story. It’s dreamy.

For Osian by Sarina Langer
A dystopian world where elves remember the evil humans did to them and seek eternal vengeance. It’s dark and a little gory, but the ending offers some tantalizing hints at what is to come. An interesting teaser, so I hope the author has more in store for us set in this world.

To Find a Queen by Sky Sommers
I enjoyed how this story builds on Sommers’ previous story in the Enchanted Forests charity anthology and I’m very definitely curious to see how things develop next. I’m not usually one for serialised stories, but these short glimpses she’s created for Greta and Eddie are fantastic. I particularly like how each snippet can actually stand on its own.

A Feast of Wills by Bekah Berge
This author has stunned me a second time. I absolutely loved this story about two witches with a bone to pick. I love the sisterly squabble and the conclusion of the story. Definitely one of my favorites in this collection.


Haunting King Ezra by Susan Stradiotto
As always, Stradiotto’s beautiful turns of phrase and wonderful characters captivate. This hauntingly beautiful tale swept me away on a whirlwind adventure that is unique and very moving.

Bloody Mary’s Day Off by Sophia-Rose Johnson
An interesting high-school drama with a witch facing off her non-magical bullies. This was a smooth read and definitely kept me intrigued the whole way through. Neve is not a sympathetic character, but I do understand her as the motivations were clearly shown in the story.


In the Fierce Shadows by Jo Holloway
Fantastic story! Another favorite. The tempo is perfect and I love the characters and the case of the impostor. The hints at the world and trouble brewing are also tantalizing. I look forward to see what this author offers with future stories in that setting.


A Polite Thief by D.M. Taylor
This short story feels like it needs to be turned into a novel. There’s so much going on. Elements reminiscent of Robin Hood and The Little Mermaid meld with an interesting new world. I am left with many unanswered questions and no sign of future developments with this world-building material.

The Hummingbird by C.C. Sullivan
Surreal and brilliant. I absolutely loved the reveal at the end. An interesting magical realism take on souls and life after death that kept me guessing but gave me exactly the right amount of information to keep me on the right page in terms of the adventure. It made me curious, rather than keeping me confused and that’s a real skill.


Terror and Twilight by NDT Casale
An interesting story. I fear the short story format doesn’t do it justice as the world building doesn’t have time to develop and kept me mostly confused. Sultana Ria enters the Twilight Forest accompanied by two sentient frogs to find a cure for her husband’s illness. The ending was good though. I think with a bit more at the beginning, possibly even a scene about the husband falling ill and the MC accepting the quest, the story will feel more well-rounded. It’s a little rushed as it is.

Games Egyptians Play by Donna White
An entertaining adventure story set in Roman-occupied Egypt. I think it fits into White’s world from her novels and definite has me intrigued.

Allie and the Fox by Eurelia Winters
This is a fast-paced action-adventure in a very interesting setting. I look forward to seeing what more this author produces. With a bit of polishing and maybe a bit of expansion on some of the scenes, this story will be compelling and unputdownable.

Cursed Destiny by M.S. Weaver
The most satisfying, incredible and moving ending for this anthology. This story is everything I love about fantasy. Wonderful world-building, excellent characterization, just the right amount of description and a plot that keeps you turning the pages while guessing (wrong) what will happen next. I love the hints at Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs but with an unexpected twist.

I found this anthology highly enjoyable. Certainly, there were some stories that didn’t work for me, but those especially just need a bit of reworking. I can definitely see they have potential and it most cases, it seems the scope of a short story just didn’t do the idea justice. There are however some gems in this collection. My particular favorites are: O Time, Untangle This, The Lies of Lady Roseberry, To Walk in Royal Shoes, A Feast of Wills, Haunting King Ezra, In the Fierce Shadows, The Hummingbird, Cursed Destiny. And this collection is most definitely worth it to read so many fantastic stories and immerse oneself in such varying worlds. Add to that the fact this anthology is supporting literacy, and that makes it all doubly worth it. Twice Upon a Name most definitely has The Book Dragon’s Hoard’s stamp of approval.

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

💜🤗 Fantasy reading to discover.

19 authors - 21 short stories:

A collection of rather classic fantasy short stories, on the general subject of changing or impersonating a person.

It's a great way to discover new authors!

To discover.

#################

Personal classification by note and reading order:

🎊 Rating 5/5:
-4) Poison Queen
-5) To Walk in Royal Shoes.
-6) Born to prove.
-14)❤Bloody Mary's Day Off.
-17)❤The Hummingbird.
-18) Terror and Twilight.

👻 Rating 4/5:
- 9) For Osian.
-10) To find A Queen.
-11) A Feast of Wills.
-12) Star Dancer.
-15)In the Fierce Shadows.
-16)A Polite Thief.
-19)Games Egyptians Play.

🤗 Rating 3.5/5:
-8) The Twin Ambers.

🦊🐺 Rating 3/3:
-7) Hippolyta goes Hunting.
-20) Allie and the Fox.

🕧 Rating 2.5/5:
-1) O Time Untangle This.

🤔 Rating 2/5:
-2) Siren Songs.
-3) The Lies of Lady Roseberry.
-13) Haunting King Ezra.
-21)Cursed Destiny.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


💜🤗Lecture Fantasy à découvrir.

19 auteurs- 21 histoires courtes :

Un recueil d’histoires courtes Fantasy plutôt classique, sur le sujet general du changement ou de l’usurpation d’identité d’une personne.

C'est une excellente manière de découvrir de nouveaux auteurs !

A découvrir.

#################

Classement personnel par note et ordre de lecture :

🎊Note 5/5 :
-4) Poison Queen
-5) To Walk in Royal Shoes.
-6) Born to prove.
-14)❤Bloody Mary’s Day Off.
-17)❤The Hummingbird.
-18) Terror and Twilight.

👻Note 4/5 :
- 9) For Osian.
-10) To find A Queen.
-11) A Feast of Wills.
-12) Star Dancer.
-15)In the Fierce Shadows.
-16)A Polite Thief.
-19)Games Egyptians Play.

🤗Note 3,5/5 :
-8) The Twin Ambers.

🦊🐺 Note 3/3 :
-7) Hippolyta goes Hunting.
-20) Allie and the Fox.

🕧 Note 2,5/5 :
-1) O Time Untangle This.

🤔Note 2/5 :
-2) Siren Songs.
-3) The Lies of Lady Roseberry.
-13) Haunting King Ezra.
-21)Cursed Destiny.

[Ellesharin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't often read anthologies, but some times exceptions are made.

What I like about short story collections like these is that you can sit down in between the things you are busy doing and take a five or ten minute breather while still managing to finish the story you just started.

This anthology has a bunch of fun stories. It has twins getting mistaken for each other, a siren trying to save her sisters, a con-woman having to right her wrongs, a potion maker being mistaken for an expert on poisons and made to solve a crisis and a lawyer being mistaken for a runaway prince.

It has Norse mythology proving to be real, a witch hunting her next prey, a brother and sister bound by two pieces of amber, a fae queen having to rethink her decisions, an elf trying to intercept a meeting that will lead to an undesired marriage and a couple of orphan witches arguing.

You can read about a man trying to save his friend from being sacrificed, a piper trying to right the wrongs in the kingdom, a witch trying not to go to far while getting back at her bullies, a man meeting the pen pal he fell in love with for the first time and a girl stealing from the rich while giving to the poor.

There is also a woman finding out what happened to her son that died as a kid, a woman trying to save her husband from a poison he has been afflicted with, a girl pretending to be an adventurer and trying to find a treasure, a girl following a fox to find a teenager and a cursed dwarf finding his fighting spirit.

Some of the stories leave you feeling like there is still something missing from the puzzle, while others just leave you wanting to read on. I quite liked them and they are great entertainment when you only have a short while between things you have to do, but I do prefer it when I can read for long enough to actually immerse myself in what I am reading.

It is well worth the read though, and I would probably read a few of the stories over again if I didn't have a mountain of other books to get through.
-Elle

[Helen Garraway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to recieve an ARC copy of this wonderful collection of short stories which is an ideal opportunity to find some new fantasy authors, all while supporting a a great charity. Preorder your copy today for only 99c. Here are my thoughts on a few of the stories.

The Lies of Lady Roseberry by Alice Ivinya

A beautifully written tale of deception and the resulting chaos it causes. Rosie has broken the engagement between the heir to the throne and his beloved and is about to be executed for treason. Only not all is as it seems, and the ramifications of her actions has much more far reaching consequences than she ever imagined. A interesting look at the morals of those who believe they above the law and what truly matters.

To find a Queen by Sky Sommers
A wonderful tale with a snarky dark elf who just makes you laugh as he bumbles about making a hash of everything. Sky’s sense of humour threads its way through this humourous tale as Nefarious struggles to find the Queen he is supposed to prevent meeting a dragon. You can’t help but chuckle as Nefarious find himself in such precarious situations, all flowing so smoothly from Sky’s pen.

Bekah Berge A Feast of Wills
A sweet fairytale of witches revenge. I loved the tale of two witches, once great friends and now suspicious of each other, and the slow escalation of accusations against each other. As they prepare a feast they accuse each other of betrayal and worse, each trying to outwit the other. This tale was so easy to read and is much too short!

There are many more tales yet to read, and I am sure some will be enjoyed more than others, but this is a great collection of fairytale type short stories.

[Sameeksha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Dancer by Astrid V.J. is part of the short story collection Twice Upon a Name. We are introduced to two characters, Vega and Namid. To prevent his best friend Namid from being sacrificed, Vega scaled the most treacherous mountain, but in his haste to save him, he neglected to take into account Namid's aspirations and his desires. Does Namid really want Vega to save him? Or is he looking forward to the change?

Writing, Plot & Characters : Written expertly, this story, although short, perfectly depicted the inner turmoil of both characters and explored the strength of their friendship. Even though a flawless romance, relationship, or friendship is always admirable in books, there are times when I yearn for relationships that are complex and realistic, like the ones in this story. This 18-page story featured a great narrative, great writing, and great characters. I'm interested in reading more about these characters' adventures.

Thoughts :My first encounter with the author is through this story, and I am captivated by her writing and characterization. I am looking forward to reading more by her. And I would also like to recommend this story to the fantasy readers out there, especially those who are unfamiliar with the author, as it serves as a good introduction to her.

I received an ARC of this short story in return for an honest review.

[Tina Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Dancer - What a Wonderful Feel-Good Story!
This story starts as a great story of one person going all-out to do what he can to save another, that he loves, and does not want him to be lost as a sacrifice. He climbs up the side of the hill that is so steep and sharp it cuts his hands badly, but it is worth it for Vega to save Namid!
The monster that Vega believes is to take and kill his friend, is a vicious monster Siren who is very scary... and then she changes into a very beautiful woman!
This is a Great Story of the choices we make in life. This is also a great story of standing by someone, of letting yourself 'go' into what you believe. It is a scary story, and makes you worried of what will become of both Namid and Vega... it is also Incredibly Heart-Warming!
Thank you, Astrid V.J. for this addition to the Collection!

[R.M. Krogman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for "The Twin Ambers" in the anthology "Twice Upon a Name"

Elena Shelest has an incredible story-telling talent. Despite the brevity of this short story, I loved the concept, the characters, and the omnipresent magic integrated with a real sense of place. I adore how much Shelest’s love for natural beauty and depth of history shines through her settings.

“The Twin Ambers” is sweet, focused on twins in a small village who grow up side-by-side, and yet differ in their perspectives and attitudes. Where one is audacious, the other is careful. Where one is forgiving and hopeful, the other is staunch in their anger for past wrongs. If they were ever torn apart, they would find each other again through the magic bonding them…or would they?

Don’t miss “The Twin Ambers,” a short story included in the “Twice Upon a Name” Anthology!