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Neverland's Library
Dragons, magic, princesses of mighty kingdoms: elements of fantasy which have carried on throughout the many ages, and yet, may one day be forgotten. Enter, and delve into the roots of fantasy, rediscovering the fantastic, and exploring lost worlds. This is storytelling at its best. This collection of original works will take readers back to the moment when they first fell in love with the genre; featuring stories from writers across the spectrum such as Mark Lawrence, R.S. Belcher, Miles Cameron and many more.
Table of Contents
Introduction – Tad Williams
Deception – Mark Lawrence
Shadow Dust – J.M. Martin
Dead Ox Falls - Brian Staveley
Redemption at Knife’s Edge – Tim Marquitz
A Soul in Hand – Marsheila Rockwell and Jeffrey Mariotte
The Machine – Kenny Soward
Season of the Soulless – Betsy Dornbusch
Redfern’s Slipper – Stephen McQuiggan
Fire Walker – Keith Gouveia
The Height of Our Fathers – Jeff Salyards
The Last Magician – William Meikle
Restoring the Magic – Ian Creasey
Charlotte and the Demon Who Swam Through the Grass – Mercedes M. Yardley
On the Far Side of the Apocalypse – Peter Rawlik
The Stump and the Spire – Joseph Lallo
Love, Crystal, and Stone – Teresa Frohock
A Tune from Long, Long Ago – Don Webb
An Equity in Dust – R.S. Belcher
Centuries of Kings – Marie Brennan
Renaissance – Miles Cameron
Table of Contents
Introduction – Tad Williams
Deception – Mark Lawrence
Shadow Dust – J.M. Martin
Dead Ox Falls - Brian Staveley
Redemption at Knife’s Edge – Tim Marquitz
A Soul in Hand – Marsheila Rockwell and Jeffrey Mariotte
The Machine – Kenny Soward
Season of the Soulless – Betsy Dornbusch
Redfern’s Slipper – Stephen McQuiggan
Fire Walker – Keith Gouveia
The Height of Our Fathers – Jeff Salyards
The Last Magician – William Meikle
Restoring the Magic – Ian Creasey
Charlotte and the Demon Who Swam Through the Grass – Mercedes M. Yardley
On the Far Side of the Apocalypse – Peter Rawlik
The Stump and the Spire – Joseph Lallo
Love, Crystal, and Stone – Teresa Frohock
A Tune from Long, Long Ago – Don Webb
An Equity in Dust – R.S. Belcher
Centuries of Kings – Marie Brennan
Renaissance – Miles Cameron
300 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2014
27 people are currently reading
1551 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 5, 2013
I have absolutely no reason to be bias in this review. The fact that I am editing this book in no way compromises my ability to objectively rate the material included within these pages...
Ahh, who am I kidding.... I love the stories, and I believe you will as well. :)
Ahh, who am I kidding.... I love the stories, and I believe you will as well. :)
Read
September 2, 2016The collection seems to have particular interest in chance encounters that ultimately shape lives. These stories are about questioning the status quo, exercising the inquisitive mind rather than simply accepting common practice or knowledge. Neverland's Library is concerned with vision, about seeing with more than just our limited eyes but with open, unlimited minds.
It celebrates human imagination and its power of inclusion, the capacity to perceive and conceive of all manner of people and works, recognizing differences and finding commonalities with which to bridge such differences.
INTRODUCTION by Tad Williams: This introduction played on my heartstrings, recently wearied with most fantasy offerings. Mr. Williams gives me a timely reminder of the scope, intent and extent of fantasy fiction. He exhorts readers to tap into that part beyond logic and reason, a type of understanding of things that cannot be explained away but we recognize as existing anyway. Explore emotions, embrace hope as well as despair, courage as well as fear, wrap yourself with all that is wondrous. He says: "Ultimately, fantasy is about reducing the world to human size again, while expanding what might be to the greatest extent we can imagine."
Mark Lawrence: DECEPTION has a circular beauty, like a Chinese paper fan that opens up and then folds back into itself. It reads like a secular parable, imparting a lesson by revealing a secret to the reader unbeknownst to the characters of the story. This is about the tenuous relationship between the gods and man. This story has no relation to, and is very different from, the Broken Empire books, but Mr. Lawrence disappoints in neither one. A satisfying read.
J.M.Martin: It took me a while to get into SHADOW DUST. The characters didn't draw me in, but everything does come together in the end. One of the stories about self-questioning, being confronted with the person you were, the person you've become by virtue of circumstance and becoming the person you want to be.
Brian Stavely: DEAD OX FALLS is marked by a pervasive angst throughout, emphasizing the dilemma of the main character whose son has strayed from the righteous path and has been missing for almost a year. A heartbreaking story about the unique sway of fatherhood.
Tim Marquitz: An ex-soldier seeks to rescue a young girl with special powers in REDEMPTION AT KNIFE'S EDGE. Tim Marquitz's pointed descriptions really work for me. Your senses are awakened and the characters and setting truly come alive. He efficiently details the sights and sounds of his crude, harsh world and the personalities and moods of the individuals that populate it. This is action-packed, moves at a brisk pace, with just the right amount of magical elements.
Teresa Frohock: LOVE, CRYSTAL, AND STONE is vintage Senora Frohock. It has the same brooding atmosphere that marks her writing, signaling that things will not be as they appear to be. This story reminds me of a combination of a Poe tale and a Twilight Zone episode. An abandoned boy is found, saved and reared by a carpenter who teaches the boy of human love and endurance. Everything he's learned will serve him well when he learns the secrets of his past and is confronted by his true identity. I have a feeling Senora Frohock plays a musical instrument or analyzes music deeper than most. I must remind myself to ask her about this sometime.
Jeff Salyards: In THE HEIGHT OF OUR FATHERS, we are treated to a window into Braylar Killcoin's past. He's the enigmatic character in Mr. Salyards' SCOURGE OF THE BETRAYER. The story has good pacing, maintains a high level of tension and strikes definite emotional chords. This one achieved something short stories rarely do. An unexpected scene made me tear up and the unexpectedness was made more pronounced by the profound honesty and emotional charge of it. Kudos, Mr. Salyards. I'm so primed for VEIL OF THE DESERTERS.
Mercedes M. Yardley: CHARLOTTE AND THE DEMON WHO SWAM THROUGH THE GRASS is an uplifting story about trusting yourself and conquering your fears. Charlotte was a little girl who saw things others didn't see and was ridiculed and judged for it. Everyone backed her into a corner until Charlotte started doubting herself. She emerged from the constant barrage of accusers, pained and fearful, until she realized she was right all along and must fight the darkness that only she is aware of. A tad predictable and, as a matter of personal preference, I would have preferred further exploration of the dark forces at work.
Peter Rawlik: ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE APOCALYPSE showcases Mr. Rawlik's macabre fascination with the angel mythology. Like any other organization, there is an angel hierarchy with angels being given information only on a need-to-know basis. It is difficult to describe this without inadvertently giving important details best discovered by the reader. I'll just say that this presents a rather interesting alternate creation story and a curious view of the constraints of human nature.
William Meikle: THE LAST MAGICIAN is a story about magic lost and magic found. I admit I found the ending unremarkable and seemingly abrupt or abbreviated.
Ian Creasey: I'm not quite sure I grasped the story behind RESTORING THE MAGIC. It seemed to be circling around the story and never got to actually telling it. I understand the value of suspense and leaving something to the imagination, but I think this tried to be too clever or too subtle that it prevented me from appreciating the actual story. I also found the ending a bit abrupt, giving me a sense that the best part of the tale was left untold.
Joseph R. Lallo: THE STUMP AND THE SPIRE is an enjoyable story about William, a boy filled with restlessness and curiosity, especially about his surroundings. He will discover the truth behind old tales while being taught patience and the responsibilities of adulthood.
Steve McQuiggan: REDFERN'S SLIPPER is a rather twisted fairy tale of love-- the persistent, insistent, against your better judgment kind of love. The story really doesn't hold many surprises and, I must admit, I'm not quite sure I totally grasped the import of this story.
Keith Gouveia: FIRE WALKER is about a family of performers-- father, mother and son, the latter being the titular fire walker. The son grew up believing his father was more concerned with the family trade than his own son. While performing in a small town, it was attacked by monsters. During the skirmish, the son discovers things about his father bound to transform their relationship, if only they manage to survive the attack.
It celebrates human imagination and its power of inclusion, the capacity to perceive and conceive of all manner of people and works, recognizing differences and finding commonalities with which to bridge such differences.
INTRODUCTION by Tad Williams: This introduction played on my heartstrings, recently wearied with most fantasy offerings. Mr. Williams gives me a timely reminder of the scope, intent and extent of fantasy fiction. He exhorts readers to tap into that part beyond logic and reason, a type of understanding of things that cannot be explained away but we recognize as existing anyway. Explore emotions, embrace hope as well as despair, courage as well as fear, wrap yourself with all that is wondrous. He says: "Ultimately, fantasy is about reducing the world to human size again, while expanding what might be to the greatest extent we can imagine."
Mark Lawrence: DECEPTION has a circular beauty, like a Chinese paper fan that opens up and then folds back into itself. It reads like a secular parable, imparting a lesson by revealing a secret to the reader unbeknownst to the characters of the story. This is about the tenuous relationship between the gods and man. This story has no relation to, and is very different from, the Broken Empire books, but Mr. Lawrence disappoints in neither one. A satisfying read.
J.M.Martin: It took me a while to get into SHADOW DUST. The characters didn't draw me in, but everything does come together in the end. One of the stories about self-questioning, being confronted with the person you were, the person you've become by virtue of circumstance and becoming the person you want to be.
Brian Stavely: DEAD OX FALLS is marked by a pervasive angst throughout, emphasizing the dilemma of the main character whose son has strayed from the righteous path and has been missing for almost a year. A heartbreaking story about the unique sway of fatherhood.
Tim Marquitz: An ex-soldier seeks to rescue a young girl with special powers in REDEMPTION AT KNIFE'S EDGE. Tim Marquitz's pointed descriptions really work for me. Your senses are awakened and the characters and setting truly come alive. He efficiently details the sights and sounds of his crude, harsh world and the personalities and moods of the individuals that populate it. This is action-packed, moves at a brisk pace, with just the right amount of magical elements.
Teresa Frohock: LOVE, CRYSTAL, AND STONE is vintage Senora Frohock. It has the same brooding atmosphere that marks her writing, signaling that things will not be as they appear to be. This story reminds me of a combination of a Poe tale and a Twilight Zone episode. An abandoned boy is found, saved and reared by a carpenter who teaches the boy of human love and endurance. Everything he's learned will serve him well when he learns the secrets of his past and is confronted by his true identity. I have a feeling Senora Frohock plays a musical instrument or analyzes music deeper than most. I must remind myself to ask her about this sometime.
Jeff Salyards: In THE HEIGHT OF OUR FATHERS, we are treated to a window into Braylar Killcoin's past. He's the enigmatic character in Mr. Salyards' SCOURGE OF THE BETRAYER. The story has good pacing, maintains a high level of tension and strikes definite emotional chords. This one achieved something short stories rarely do. An unexpected scene made me tear up and the unexpectedness was made more pronounced by the profound honesty and emotional charge of it. Kudos, Mr. Salyards. I'm so primed for VEIL OF THE DESERTERS.
Mercedes M. Yardley: CHARLOTTE AND THE DEMON WHO SWAM THROUGH THE GRASS is an uplifting story about trusting yourself and conquering your fears. Charlotte was a little girl who saw things others didn't see and was ridiculed and judged for it. Everyone backed her into a corner until Charlotte started doubting herself. She emerged from the constant barrage of accusers, pained and fearful, until she realized she was right all along and must fight the darkness that only she is aware of. A tad predictable and, as a matter of personal preference, I would have preferred further exploration of the dark forces at work.
Peter Rawlik: ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE APOCALYPSE showcases Mr. Rawlik's macabre fascination with the angel mythology. Like any other organization, there is an angel hierarchy with angels being given information only on a need-to-know basis. It is difficult to describe this without inadvertently giving important details best discovered by the reader. I'll just say that this presents a rather interesting alternate creation story and a curious view of the constraints of human nature.
William Meikle: THE LAST MAGICIAN is a story about magic lost and magic found. I admit I found the ending unremarkable and seemingly abrupt or abbreviated.
Ian Creasey: I'm not quite sure I grasped the story behind RESTORING THE MAGIC. It seemed to be circling around the story and never got to actually telling it. I understand the value of suspense and leaving something to the imagination, but I think this tried to be too clever or too subtle that it prevented me from appreciating the actual story. I also found the ending a bit abrupt, giving me a sense that the best part of the tale was left untold.
Joseph R. Lallo: THE STUMP AND THE SPIRE is an enjoyable story about William, a boy filled with restlessness and curiosity, especially about his surroundings. He will discover the truth behind old tales while being taught patience and the responsibilities of adulthood.
Steve McQuiggan: REDFERN'S SLIPPER is a rather twisted fairy tale of love-- the persistent, insistent, against your better judgment kind of love. The story really doesn't hold many surprises and, I must admit, I'm not quite sure I totally grasped the import of this story.
Keith Gouveia: FIRE WALKER is about a family of performers-- father, mother and son, the latter being the titular fire walker. The son grew up believing his father was more concerned with the family trade than his own son. While performing in a small town, it was attacked by monsters. During the skirmish, the son discovers things about his father bound to transform their relationship, if only they manage to survive the attack.
October 9, 2020
Another book I was highly anticipating but I was kinda disappointed as the plot didn't turn out to be how I expected to be. Ya know the feels?
January 13, 2015
This is a truly epic anthology line up. Most anthologies would be happy to have one of these guys. Tad Williams, Miles Cameron, and Mark Lawrence are best-selling fantasy authors and they alone would make the book worth a purchase. But then add in the value of writers like RS Belcher and Marie Brennan and this book becomes a must-have. Those are just the authors I'm familiar with but I'm sure the rest are top-notch if they're included among such esteemed company.
September 17, 2014
You know how you buy an anthology because there's one, maybe two, authors you like and you just hope that maybe you'll find one or two more stories you like? And you know the great feeling you get when you buy an anthology because of one or two authors, and then find that you like EVERY story in the anthology?
I got this anthology because I love Marsheila Rockwell's stories. She sometimes writes with Jeff Mariotte, and I loved the story they have in this anthology "A Soul in the Hand." Then, I became friends (on FaceBook) with Tim Marquitz, and found out he has a story in this anthology. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I was happy, because two stories, so it justified getting the anthology.
But then I read the rest of the stories. And I LOVED them all. There are stories from almost every sub-genre of fantasy, so there should be at least one you'll enjoy. But, I'm betting you'll like them all.
Go. Buy this anthology. Have fun.....
I got this anthology because I love Marsheila Rockwell's stories. She sometimes writes with Jeff Mariotte, and I loved the story they have in this anthology "A Soul in the Hand." Then, I became friends (on FaceBook) with Tim Marquitz, and found out he has a story in this anthology. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I was happy, because two stories, so it justified getting the anthology.
But then I read the rest of the stories. And I LOVED them all. There are stories from almost every sub-genre of fantasy, so there should be at least one you'll enjoy. But, I'm betting you'll like them all.
Go. Buy this anthology. Have fun.....
September 2, 2020
*Now Available*
Huge thanks to Netgalley for this advanced reader copy. All views and opinions in this review are my own.
I'll be honest, my initial draw to this book was the belief it had something to do with Neverland. I'm a sucker for most things J.M. Barrie related. After realizing the title is just a play on words, I decided to go ahead and give it a try anyways, and I'm so pleased that I did. Because this a book of short stories by different authors, I tried to jot down a few thoughts on each story as I went along which is surprisingly difficult to do without spoilers when dealing with short stories. Before jumping into said stories, I have to say even the introduction was heart-warming. That alone got four stars from me for speaking to my soul.
"A Soul in the Hand" had an Amazon jungle/bayou swamp feel complete with wild mysticism. And although the story resolved, it left the reader feeling pleasantly wistful. ☆☆☆
"The Machine" was one of my favorites because, frankly, it reminded me of one of my favorite video game franchises (Skyrim), particularly the dwemer mines. ☆☆☆☆
"Season of the Soulless" had a Nordic/Native American vibe. This story reminded me a lot of a series I read when I was younger, which may contribute to why I loved it so much. ☆☆☆☆☆
"Fire Walker" was as much a story about a father and son's relationship as a nod to dragons and street magic. ☆☆☆
"The Height of our Fathers" was truly a sibling relationship/parental relationship story at its heart. The backdrop, again, had a Nordic feel, although it wasn't explicit, and revolved around the burial rites of their tribe. ☆☆☆☆
"The Last Magician" was a cute story about childhood magic being reborn. ☆☆☆
"Restoring the Magic" had fun with the idea of conservationism with magical beasts. ☆☆☆☆
"Charlotte and the Demon Who Swam Through the Grass" moved me so much. Heartbreaking and vindicating. ☆☆☆☆
"On The Far Side of the Apocalypse" was dark and morbid and twisted. Can't say I cared for this, but I'm not a horror fan which I believe this fell into. ☆
"The Stump and the Spire," again, explored a sibling relationship and burst with magic. ☆☆☆
"An Equity in the Dust" was about...I'm not even sure. But it was creative? I felt like I needed to understand the world-building context a little better for this to make sense. ☆☆
"Centuries of Kings" centered on an Asian oni demon. ☆☆☆
Nearly all of these stories resolved so well, but left you wanting more of the world and the characters. I'll be checking out a few of these authors for more of their work.
I'd rate this book a PG-13 for violence and gore and some adult themes.
Huge thanks to Netgalley for this advanced reader copy. All views and opinions in this review are my own.
I'll be honest, my initial draw to this book was the belief it had something to do with Neverland. I'm a sucker for most things J.M. Barrie related. After realizing the title is just a play on words, I decided to go ahead and give it a try anyways, and I'm so pleased that I did. Because this a book of short stories by different authors, I tried to jot down a few thoughts on each story as I went along which is surprisingly difficult to do without spoilers when dealing with short stories. Before jumping into said stories, I have to say even the introduction was heart-warming. That alone got four stars from me for speaking to my soul.
"A Soul in the Hand" had an Amazon jungle/bayou swamp feel complete with wild mysticism. And although the story resolved, it left the reader feeling pleasantly wistful. ☆☆☆
"The Machine" was one of my favorites because, frankly, it reminded me of one of my favorite video game franchises (Skyrim), particularly the dwemer mines. ☆☆☆☆
"Season of the Soulless" had a Nordic/Native American vibe. This story reminded me a lot of a series I read when I was younger, which may contribute to why I loved it so much. ☆☆☆☆☆
"Fire Walker" was as much a story about a father and son's relationship as a nod to dragons and street magic. ☆☆☆
"The Height of our Fathers" was truly a sibling relationship/parental relationship story at its heart. The backdrop, again, had a Nordic feel, although it wasn't explicit, and revolved around the burial rites of their tribe. ☆☆☆☆
"The Last Magician" was a cute story about childhood magic being reborn. ☆☆☆
"Restoring the Magic" had fun with the idea of conservationism with magical beasts. ☆☆☆☆
"Charlotte and the Demon Who Swam Through the Grass" moved me so much. Heartbreaking and vindicating. ☆☆☆☆
"On The Far Side of the Apocalypse" was dark and morbid and twisted. Can't say I cared for this, but I'm not a horror fan which I believe this fell into. ☆
"The Stump and the Spire," again, explored a sibling relationship and burst with magic. ☆☆☆
"An Equity in the Dust" was about...I'm not even sure. But it was creative? I felt like I needed to understand the world-building context a little better for this to make sense. ☆☆
"Centuries of Kings" centered on an Asian oni demon. ☆☆☆
Nearly all of these stories resolved so well, but left you wanting more of the world and the characters. I'll be checking out a few of these authors for more of their work.
I'd rate this book a PG-13 for violence and gore and some adult themes.
September 27, 2019
Deception: 3.5
Shadow Dust: 3
Dead Ox Fall: 4
Redemption at Knife's Edge: 3
A Soul in Hand: 4
The Machine: 3.5
Season of the Soulless: 3.5
Redfern's slipper: 1
Fire Walker: 3
The Height of Our Fathers: 3
The Last Magician: 3
Restoring the Magic: 5
Charlotte and the Demon Who Swam Through the Grass: 3.5
On the Far Side of the Apocalypse: 4.5
The Stump and the Spire: 4
Love, Crystal and Stone: 3.5
A Tune From Long, Long Ago: 4.5
An Equity in Dust: 5
Centuries of Kings: 3.5
Renaissance:3.5
September 22, 2014
An anthology that immerses you in fantasy so pure, you won't want the stories to end...
What it made me realise, as a reader, is that I prefer stories with a definite ending - not happy, necessarily, but more definite than some of these short stories gave me. But that says more about me as a reader than the stories themselves. There's a wide enough range of themes to satisfy even the most hardened of fantasy fans, and so many different worlds/world orders.
Definitely worth getting - I kept dipping in and out over the course of a couple of weeks, and wasn't disappointed by any of it.
What it made me realise, as a reader, is that I prefer stories with a definite ending - not happy, necessarily, but more definite than some of these short stories gave me. But that says more about me as a reader than the stories themselves. There's a wide enough range of themes to satisfy even the most hardened of fantasy fans, and so many different worlds/world orders.
Definitely worth getting - I kept dipping in and out over the course of a couple of weeks, and wasn't disappointed by any of it.
September 11, 2020
Summary: Tad Williams explains in his introduction, that the anthology's title comes from Peter Pan - "about continuing to see the world as children see it". While I didn't expect any mentioning of a library in the stories, the children's point of view didn't really manifest in the featured stories. They were mostly too adult, forgetting about the children's view. This anthology appeared originally in 2014 by publisher Ragnarok and has now been re-published by Outland Entertainment at 11.8.2020. Back in 2013, the funding kickstarter project ended fishy, though I don't know the details (and doesn't really affect this edition). Sadly, this edition was shortened by several stories from well-known authors like Mark Lawrence, Brian Staveley, or Miles Cameron. My question to the publisher for the reason behind the exclusion wasn't answered, and I feel a little sad to have missed them. Also, the author introduction at the end is way outdated - e.g. Marie Brennan has authored several novels, the latest one just recently is Driftwood.
Two gems were outstanding: "The Height of Our Fathers" by Jeff Salyards about two graverobbing children, and a vampire novelette "An Equity in Dust" by R. S. Belcher. Also very good was "Restoring the Magic" by Ian Creasey which tells the story of repatriating magical creatures in Slovakia, sponsored by the European Union. The only author I've read before was Marie Brennan (her novel "Driftwood" has been published just recently), but her story of a nine-tailed fox wandering East Asia wasn't outstanding. Most of the other stories were likable enough - the anthology is no must-read but an interesting selection with many lesser known authors and investigation a broad spectrum of fantasy subgenres - from litrpg-similar "The Machine" via savages centric "Season of the Soulless", a fairy tale "The Last Magician" to said vampire story by Belcher. I couldn't identify a common topic of the stories and leave with an arbitrary feeling.
Contents (review links lead to my blog):
(didn't read) • A Soul in the Hand • short fiction by Jeff Mariotte and Marsheila Rockwell
★★☆☆☆ • The Machine • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Kenny Soward • review
★★★☆☆ • Season of the Soulless • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Betsy Dornbusch • review
★★★☆☆ • Fire Walker • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Keith Gouveia • review
★★★★+☆ • The Height of Our Fathers • 2014 • Fantasy novelette by Jeff Salyards • review
★★☆☆☆ • The Last Magician • 2014 • Fantasy short story by William Meikle • review
★★★+☆☆ • Restoring the Magic • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Ian Creasey • review
★★★☆☆ • Charlotte and the Demon Who Swam Through the Grass • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Mercedes M. Yardley • review
☆☆☆☆☆ • On the Far Side of the Apocalypse • 1997 • Horror short story by Peter Rawlik • didn't read, because horror
★★★☆☆ • The Stump and the Spire • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Joseph R. Lallo • review
★★★★☆ • An Equity in Dust • 2014 • Vampire novelette by R. S. Belcher • review
★★★☆☆ • Centuries of Kings • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Marie Brennan • review
Two gems were outstanding: "The Height of Our Fathers" by Jeff Salyards about two graverobbing children, and a vampire novelette "An Equity in Dust" by R. S. Belcher. Also very good was "Restoring the Magic" by Ian Creasey which tells the story of repatriating magical creatures in Slovakia, sponsored by the European Union. The only author I've read before was Marie Brennan (her novel "Driftwood" has been published just recently), but her story of a nine-tailed fox wandering East Asia wasn't outstanding. Most of the other stories were likable enough - the anthology is no must-read but an interesting selection with many lesser known authors and investigation a broad spectrum of fantasy subgenres - from litrpg-similar "The Machine" via savages centric "Season of the Soulless", a fairy tale "The Last Magician" to said vampire story by Belcher. I couldn't identify a common topic of the stories and leave with an arbitrary feeling.
Contents (review links lead to my blog):
(didn't read) • A Soul in the Hand • short fiction by Jeff Mariotte and Marsheila Rockwell
★★☆☆☆ • The Machine • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Kenny Soward • review
★★★☆☆ • Season of the Soulless • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Betsy Dornbusch • review
★★★☆☆ • Fire Walker • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Keith Gouveia • review
★★★★+☆ • The Height of Our Fathers • 2014 • Fantasy novelette by Jeff Salyards • review
★★☆☆☆ • The Last Magician • 2014 • Fantasy short story by William Meikle • review
★★★+☆☆ • Restoring the Magic • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Ian Creasey • review
★★★☆☆ • Charlotte and the Demon Who Swam Through the Grass • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Mercedes M. Yardley • review
☆☆☆☆☆ • On the Far Side of the Apocalypse • 1997 • Horror short story by Peter Rawlik • didn't read, because horror
★★★☆☆ • The Stump and the Spire • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Joseph R. Lallo • review
★★★★☆ • An Equity in Dust • 2014 • Vampire novelette by R. S. Belcher • review
★★★☆☆ • Centuries of Kings • 2014 • Fantasy short story by Marie Brennan • review
June 25, 2020
It's hard to review an anthology of short tales because they'd have to be reviewed individually and not all the readers might agree with the criteria. But what we can easily agree on is that Neverland's Library contains magic, folklore, a bunch of mythical creatures -and dragons!
Each story, short or longer, is written with such amount of description in such a short space that they manage to capture the reader's attention until the very end. They have that flare of those stories from the past we grew up with and you're left surprisingly satisfied. A fantasy so pure you won't want it to end. There's a satisfactory variety of themes with so many different worlds every type of reader will get at least one favorite.
Definitely worth buying to make sure you come back to their worlds from now and then.
Each story, short or longer, is written with such amount of description in such a short space that they manage to capture the reader's attention until the very end. They have that flare of those stories from the past we grew up with and you're left surprisingly satisfied. A fantasy so pure you won't want it to end. There's a satisfactory variety of themes with so many different worlds every type of reader will get at least one favorite.
Definitely worth buying to make sure you come back to their worlds from now and then.
August 22, 2015
This collection is difficult to review. I didn't dislike it, but on the whole, I found entertaining just half of the stories, and it took me really longer than usual to finish reading. I usually like anthologies because I can discover new authors, or read short stories by authors I know, in this case, Mark Lawrence. The introduction is both intriguing and ambitious and raises up your expectations, but the stories themselves are very different and of various lenght, this is a bit disorienting. Also, but this is a personal opinion, the best tales are in the second half of the book. The price is fair, the leitmotiv nice (look at the growing tree!), most of the authors are to be discovered, if you are looking for a no-frills fantasy anthology give this a try. Also, no gore and swearing that I can recall, that makes for a peaceful reading.
December 29, 2015
A brilliant collection of nontraditional Fantasy tales. Among the highlights are tales about: a father and his son who has become a monster; the reintroduction of magical creatures to our world; the reversal of Genesis; and, the rebellion happening against creatures known as the Beloved in a post-apocalyptic hive world. No two are alike in any way, and frankly most have no comparison with any other Fantasy work. Rarely, do you find an anthology of such caliber, every single tale is worth reading.
May 20, 2016
I am a very avid reader of fantasy novels, but my friend, however, was not. I simply purchased this for her to introduce her to the fantasy genre, and she seemed to gain a new appreciation for it. It is very easy to read and has been edited well. I would recommend it to anyone who either loves fantasy or isn't sure if they do. There is a story for everyone.
April 2, 2015
Fairly uneven stories in this anthology. Many of them felt like I had been dropped into the middle of action, and there was no true beginning or ending. These glimpses were sometimes intriguing, but more often frustrating as a reader. I did really like about a half dozen of these stories though. Top three were 'Charlotte and the demon who swam through the grass', 'Love, crystal, and stone', and 'Century of Kings', all interestingly enough written by women.
September 9, 2020
I found most of these stories boring and a slog to get through. Many of them didn't feel like they had a satisfying payoff at the end. Eh
*****
Thank you to NetGalley an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
*****
Thank you to NetGalley an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 24, 2016
Another rating: 8/10
May 23, 2022
This little book packs a powerhouse of imagination and excellent writing. I loved every story in it. It could have used another pass through in editing on 2-3 stories but the writing was consistently amazing. It was clearly a final edit issue, and not a quality of writing issue. I would read more from every writer featured in this collection which never happens in an anthology. Many of the stories I wish had continued on because they were magical and captivating.
I bought this book at Planet Comicon directly from the publisher. If this is the quality of their cadre of writers than I am super excited to have bought four books from them. And I will be starting the next one soon.
I bought this book at Planet Comicon directly from the publisher. If this is the quality of their cadre of writers than I am super excited to have bought four books from them. And I will be starting the next one soon.
June 28, 2020
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am a fan of Peter Pan and when I saw the book, I thought that it was something related to it. It was an interesting anthology but I guess, it does not fit my preferences so I dropped it. I want to give it a high rating so I tried my best to read it but unfortunately, I was unable to keep up.
I am a fan of Peter Pan and when I saw the book, I thought that it was something related to it. It was an interesting anthology but I guess, it does not fit my preferences so I dropped it. I want to give it a high rating so I tried my best to read it but unfortunately, I was unable to keep up.
September 25, 2023
A real mixed bag of fantasy and fairy tales - I much preferred the fairy tales at least at this reading. The fairy tales included great stories by Mercedes Yardley and William Meikle. Jeffery Marriot wrote a great fantasy story to start the book off.
November 3, 2017
Anthologies are difficult to rate. Taken together, this entire collection rated 3 stars, but there were a few standout 4 star stories.
February 15, 2022
Always hard to do a general review of an anthology.
I enjoyed the fantasy stories I listened to - a range to explore.
Worth a listen.
I enjoyed the fantasy stories I listened to - a range to explore.
Worth a listen.
January 10, 2023
I read this in Audible and it put me to sleep. The storyline is very passive, so it drags. I couldn't even finish all of it, but I am done reading this book.
dnf-dungeon
April 7, 2021(Sorry but DNF)
Thanks NetGalley and the Author for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
I tried to like this book. I really tried but I don't know what happened- I just stopped reading it and never came back to it. Maybe it was due to the burnout I got from reading another ARCs while reading this. However, I would go on to say that even while reading this book, it never caught my attention for a sufficiently long amount of time< I would start reading a story and usually, I would get distracted by one reason or other. Maybe it was some fault with my mindset at that point and this book came to me at the wrong time.
Thanks NetGalley and the Author for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
I tried to like this book. I really tried but I don't know what happened- I just stopped reading it and never came back to it. Maybe it was due to the burnout I got from reading another ARCs while reading this. However, I would go on to say that even while reading this book, it never caught my attention for a sufficiently long amount of time< I would start reading a story and usually, I would get distracted by one reason or other. Maybe it was some fault with my mindset at that point and this book came to me at the wrong time.
August 7, 2020
I opted to read this book because I saw Marie Brennan's name, I haven't read a single book of hers but I want to, and thought I'd get an introduction to her writing in short form. She writes one of the shortest stories of the bunch, Centuries of Kings, about a demon fox spirit who has gone through centuries of kings. It was intriguing, and I will certainly look for more of her work, but the best of the lot for me was The Height of Our Fathers, by Jeff Salyards, whose work I hadn't heard of until today. It's only fantasy in that it is set in a society unlike our current one and seems to consist of warring tribes, but I liked it for its characters and for its portrayal of strength.
I also really liked On the Far Side of the Apocalypse by Peter Rawlik, which is horrible and dark and offers no hope, and perfectly suited my mood these days. Other notable ones were Restoring the Magic - I really want to know what happens next, and Season of the Soulless, whose main character was someone to root for.
On the whole, I liked the collection a lot more than I had anticipated. I usually don't read anthologies because of the generally uneven quality, but this was more hit than miss, and in each case, the stories are short and sufficiently resolved. Even when I wanted more out of a story, it was more because I was enjoying the world too much rather than being frustrated out of a lack of information.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I also really liked On the Far Side of the Apocalypse by Peter Rawlik, which is horrible and dark and offers no hope, and perfectly suited my mood these days. Other notable ones were Restoring the Magic - I really want to know what happens next, and Season of the Soulless, whose main character was someone to root for.
On the whole, I liked the collection a lot more than I had anticipated. I usually don't read anthologies because of the generally uneven quality, but this was more hit than miss, and in each case, the stories are short and sufficiently resolved. Even when I wanted more out of a story, it was more because I was enjoying the world too much rather than being frustrated out of a lack of information.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 26, 2020
This collection of short fantasy stories was written to highlight the original works of several authors. The publisher also states it’s goal is to remind you of the love of story and wonder and childhood. .
I was excited to read this as I was not familiar with any of these authors. I was hoping to find some new fantasy authors to explore. Personally, I found it hard to jump from style to style as I read through this. I did find several that I loved. However the first one was not for me. It felt dark and bit Rudyard Kipling-ish. It took me awhile to get through that one.
The book ended on a high note for me. I was intrigued by Marie Brennan’s “Centuries of Kings“. I think I would enjoy a full size novel for me. It was mysterious and foreboding. I wanted to know more about the why and the how. It reminded me a bit of the Spin the Dawn book and Girl, Serpent, Thorn. I want to know her back story and where it all ends.
I would recommend this to anyone who is in the mood for short stories and as an introduction to new authors. I don’t think I would read it again which is a mark of books I love.
Thanks to Netgalley and Outland Entertainment for this free copy in exchange for my honest review.
I was excited to read this as I was not familiar with any of these authors. I was hoping to find some new fantasy authors to explore. Personally, I found it hard to jump from style to style as I read through this. I did find several that I loved. However the first one was not for me. It felt dark and bit Rudyard Kipling-ish. It took me awhile to get through that one.
The book ended on a high note for me. I was intrigued by Marie Brennan’s “Centuries of Kings“. I think I would enjoy a full size novel for me. It was mysterious and foreboding. I wanted to know more about the why and the how. It reminded me a bit of the Spin the Dawn book and Girl, Serpent, Thorn. I want to know her back story and where it all ends.
I would recommend this to anyone who is in the mood for short stories and as an introduction to new authors. I don’t think I would read it again which is a mark of books I love.
Thanks to Netgalley and Outland Entertainment for this free copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 17, 2020
I always enjoy checking out anthologies as a way to discover new authors, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free ebook of Neverland's Library in exchange for an honest review.
Neverland's Library provides readers with a collection of short stories covering a variety of fantasy topics - from dragons to warring tribes and ancient fox spirits, this collection has a bit of everything. Some of the stories were a bit difficult to read through as I wasn't a fan of a few of the writing styles and some of the stories didn't have a satisfactory conclusion, however, there were some real gems mixed in - most notably the final story of the anthology, Marie Brennan's "Centuries of Kings." Out of all the stories featured there were two that I wanted MORE of, "Centuries of Kings" and "Restoring the Magic,"
For future readers, I would suggest not attempting to read this in one sitting, for although the stories are short since the writing styles and stories themselves are so different I think it would be better read in multiple sittings.
If you are looking for fantasy that is a quick and easy read this is worth checking out, who knows you might find some new authors to check out - I know I did.
Neverland's Library provides readers with a collection of short stories covering a variety of fantasy topics - from dragons to warring tribes and ancient fox spirits, this collection has a bit of everything. Some of the stories were a bit difficult to read through as I wasn't a fan of a few of the writing styles and some of the stories didn't have a satisfactory conclusion, however, there were some real gems mixed in - most notably the final story of the anthology, Marie Brennan's "Centuries of Kings." Out of all the stories featured there were two that I wanted MORE of, "Centuries of Kings" and "Restoring the Magic,"
For future readers, I would suggest not attempting to read this in one sitting, for although the stories are short since the writing styles and stories themselves are so different I think it would be better read in multiple sittings.
If you are looking for fantasy that is a quick and easy read this is worth checking out, who knows you might find some new authors to check out - I know I did.
July 21, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had not heard of any of these authors before, except Marie Brennan, so this was a pretty good introduction to the others. I like reading anthologies though usually for at least for a few of the stories I wish they could be longer, novel length in fact. Some of the stories dropped me right in the middle of a mess and by the time I figured it out and got into it, the story ended. The Machine was a good example of that. I really want to know about the stones! I do prefer the stories that do not leave it all totally open.
I liked Firewalker because it had dragons and a cool use of their scales, along with an interesting battle. The Last Magician was sweet. I wish it was that easy to bring magic back. Maybe like how it was in Restoring the Magic? That one was fun but infuriating because I definitely wanted to continue that story, just to see what the creature was. I had my suspicions though.
This was a good collection of short stories.
I had not heard of any of these authors before, except Marie Brennan, so this was a pretty good introduction to the others. I like reading anthologies though usually for at least for a few of the stories I wish they could be longer, novel length in fact. Some of the stories dropped me right in the middle of a mess and by the time I figured it out and got into it, the story ended. The Machine was a good example of that. I really want to know about the stones! I do prefer the stories that do not leave it all totally open.
I liked Firewalker because it had dragons and a cool use of their scales, along with an interesting battle. The Last Magician was sweet. I wish it was that easy to bring magic back. Maybe like how it was in Restoring the Magic? That one was fun but infuriating because I definitely wanted to continue that story, just to see what the creature was. I had my suspicions though.
This was a good collection of short stories.
August 11, 2020
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Like many collections, Neverland's Library has its positives and negatives. Marie Brennan, who was the main draw for me to this collection, contributed my favorite story, "Centuries of Kings," mastering the use of first person present tense to amp up suspense. :Firwalker" by Keith Gouveia was a cool dragon story with unique aspects to the dragons' abilities. And "The Last Magician" by William Meikle being about the loss and restoration of magic was quite sweet.
However, there are also some unmemorable and outright painful bits. One particularly difficult story is the one that opens the anthology, "A Soul in the Hand" by Marsheila Rockwell and Jeffrey J. Mariotte, due it being ridiculously long and hard to get into.
One of the perks of anthologies like this is that there is something for everyone, though, even if not everything may be your cup of tea. If a few of the authors and the concepts of their stories strike you as interesting, it may be worth giving it a try.
Like many collections, Neverland's Library has its positives and negatives. Marie Brennan, who was the main draw for me to this collection, contributed my favorite story, "Centuries of Kings," mastering the use of first person present tense to amp up suspense. :Firwalker" by Keith Gouveia was a cool dragon story with unique aspects to the dragons' abilities. And "The Last Magician" by William Meikle being about the loss and restoration of magic was quite sweet.
However, there are also some unmemorable and outright painful bits. One particularly difficult story is the one that opens the anthology, "A Soul in the Hand" by Marsheila Rockwell and Jeffrey J. Mariotte, due it being ridiculously long and hard to get into.
One of the perks of anthologies like this is that there is something for everyone, though, even if not everything may be your cup of tea. If a few of the authors and the concepts of their stories strike you as interesting, it may be worth giving it a try.
October 16, 2015
У меня плохо со сборниками, а этот ещё начинался так медленно и неудачно, что в какой-то момент я бы его дропнула, если бы не заманчиво маячащий в самом конце тома Кэмерон. Но к середине рассказы пошли значительно лучше. Из особенно понравившихся:
Season of the Soulless – Betsy Dornbusch ★★★
Redfern’s Slipper – Stephen McQuiggan ★★★
Fire Walker – Keith Gouveia ★★★
The Last Magician – William Meikle ★★★★ Прям мимими!
Restoring the Magic – Ian Creasey ★★★★★ Я бы почитала такую книжку!
Charlotte and the Demon Who Swam Through the Grass – Mercedes M. Yardley ★★★★
Love, Crystal, and Stone – Teresa Frohock ★★★
A Tune from Long, Long Ago – Don Webb ★★★★ Жутик про венгерскую музыку.
Centuries of Kings – Marie Brennan ★★★ История про злую-злую кицунэ, Кате должно понравится.
Renaissance – Miles Cameron ★★★★ Всегда да.
Season of the Soulless – Betsy Dornbusch ★★★
Redfern’s Slipper – Stephen McQuiggan ★★★
Fire Walker – Keith Gouveia ★★★
The Last Magician – William Meikle ★★★★ Прям мимими!
Restoring the Magic – Ian Creasey ★★★★★ Я бы почитала такую книжку!
Charlotte and the Demon Who Swam Through the Grass – Mercedes M. Yardley ★★★★
Love, Crystal, and Stone – Teresa Frohock ★★★
A Tune from Long, Long Ago – Don Webb ★★★★ Жутик про венгерскую музыку.
Centuries of Kings – Marie Brennan ★★★ История про злую-злую кицунэ, Кате должно понравится.
Renaissance – Miles Cameron ★★★★ Всегда да.
July 5, 2020
*Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC by the publisher but all thoughts are my own honest opinion.*
I wasn't sure what to expect from this compilation of magical and fantastical short stories, but I ended each story wanting more. More of the world that I was in, more of the characters. There were a couple stories that took a bit longer to grasp the foundation of the world that I was stepping into, but as the story unfolded, the context clues helped cue me in on the history of the characters and world.
This was definitely a nice break from endless series and novels that seem to be all the rage nowadays. As the introduction reminds us, fantasy helps us remember what it is to be human, and brings us back to our childhood. In this, the stories in Neverland's Library did not disappoint.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this compilation of magical and fantastical short stories, but I ended each story wanting more. More of the world that I was in, more of the characters. There were a couple stories that took a bit longer to grasp the foundation of the world that I was stepping into, but as the story unfolded, the context clues helped cue me in on the history of the characters and world.
This was definitely a nice break from endless series and novels that seem to be all the rage nowadays. As the introduction reminds us, fantasy helps us remember what it is to be human, and brings us back to our childhood. In this, the stories in Neverland's Library did not disappoint.
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