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Pandemonium: 1853
Three short, slightly alternate histories, all exploring the world of Pandemonium and all set in the same fateful year.
Marc Aplin sends a gunslinger to China and poses him an impossible question, Jonathan Green raises an ancient and hungry evil in Mexico City and Laura Graham writes of an Edinburgh overshadowed by more than factory smoke.
The globe-trotting companion to A TOWN CALLED PANDEMONIUM, this short volume can be read on its own or as part of the same shared world.
Marc Aplin sends a gunslinger to China and poses him an impossible question, Jonathan Green raises an ancient and hungry evil in Mexico City and Laura Graham writes of an Edinburgh overshadowed by more than factory smoke.
The globe-trotting companion to A TOWN CALLED PANDEMONIUM, this short volume can be read on its own or as part of the same shared world.
21 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 1, 2016
-Ucronías fantásticas breves.-
Género. Relatos.
Lo que nos cuenta. Tres relatos escritos para este libro y pertenecientes a una idea editorial que presenta antologías de relatos como ejercicios ucrónicos (o de historia alternativa) con diferentes conceptos en común y con diferentes grados de fantasía, que en esta ocasión toman el año 1853 como punto de partida, y que nos ofrece una solución por la calle de enmedio a la revolución Taiping, el encuentro de un revolucionario con entidades ancestrales y la capital de Escocia durante la Revolución Industrial rodeada de una oscura atmósfera (y no es contaminación). En cierto modo, un spin-off de la recopilación de relatos “A Town Called Pandemonium” y parte de la serie Pandemonium.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Relatos.
Lo que nos cuenta. Tres relatos escritos para este libro y pertenecientes a una idea editorial que presenta antologías de relatos como ejercicios ucrónicos (o de historia alternativa) con diferentes conceptos en común y con diferentes grados de fantasía, que en esta ocasión toman el año 1853 como punto de partida, y que nos ofrece una solución por la calle de enmedio a la revolución Taiping, el encuentro de un revolucionario con entidades ancestrales y la capital de Escocia durante la Revolución Industrial rodeada de una oscura atmósfera (y no es contaminación). En cierto modo, un spin-off de la recopilación de relatos “A Town Called Pandemonium” y parte de la serie Pandemonium.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
July 11, 2013
1853 is the companion chapbook to
A Town Called Pandemonium
and contains a further three stories in the same alternate historic timeline, but instead of focusing on Pandemonium, they focus on the world at large. I found this an entertaining premise as it allowed the reader to explore the alternate reality a bit further and to see that all the uncanniness wasn't just limited to the Weird West, but was all across the globe.
Marc Aplin - Son of
Aplin's story is an interesting alternate history. The titular son, Hong Xiuquan, was a historical figure I'd never heard of before, and as a lover of history that is always a fun discovery. As for the meat of the story, the question remains whether it was the Devil or God who chose the gun's chamber in that crucial moment? And what does the shooter believe himself?
Jonathan Green - Bat Out of Hell
The second story in this chapbook moves us firmly towards the horror corner of genre with the accidental renewal of an old god. Blood sacrifice is always a nasty thing! Still, I liked the story, though I wonder whether I was the only one to flash to the Chupacabra episode of Destination Truth at the last paragraph.
Laura Graham - Islands to Auld Reekie
Graham's tale gives us a nice glimpse of 1853 Edinburgh and of the Clearances. A historical fact I'd vaguely heard about before in the context of industrialisation, it was interesting to see it incorporated here. The unsettling feeling Abigail described can be interpreted in several ways: as the worries of country folk having to move to the unfamiliar confines of a city, people trying to explain away regular crime, or indeed as a supernatural threat. It's up to the reader to interpret it how they like. I really enjoyed this story and Graham's writing and I hope to see more of her work in the future.
1853 is a great companion piece to A Town Called Pandemonium, but can also easily be read without prior knowledge of the main anthology as it stands on its own fairly well. I love the idea of these chapbooks, especially since they remain available even after the main anthologies they accompany go out of print. 1853 is a great way to spend a couple of commutes or lunch breaks and for a small bite is quite satisfying.
Marc Aplin - Son of
Aplin's story is an interesting alternate history. The titular son, Hong Xiuquan, was a historical figure I'd never heard of before, and as a lover of history that is always a fun discovery. As for the meat of the story, the question remains whether it was the Devil or God who chose the gun's chamber in that crucial moment? And what does the shooter believe himself?
Jonathan Green - Bat Out of Hell
The second story in this chapbook moves us firmly towards the horror corner of genre with the accidental renewal of an old god. Blood sacrifice is always a nasty thing! Still, I liked the story, though I wonder whether I was the only one to flash to the Chupacabra episode of Destination Truth at the last paragraph.
Laura Graham - Islands to Auld Reekie
Graham's tale gives us a nice glimpse of 1853 Edinburgh and of the Clearances. A historical fact I'd vaguely heard about before in the context of industrialisation, it was interesting to see it incorporated here. The unsettling feeling Abigail described can be interpreted in several ways: as the worries of country folk having to move to the unfamiliar confines of a city, people trying to explain away regular crime, or indeed as a supernatural threat. It's up to the reader to interpret it how they like. I really enjoyed this story and Graham's writing and I hope to see more of her work in the future.
1853 is a great companion piece to A Town Called Pandemonium, but can also easily be read without prior knowledge of the main anthology as it stands on its own fairly well. I love the idea of these chapbooks, especially since they remain available even after the main anthologies they accompany go out of print. 1853 is a great way to spend a couple of commutes or lunch breaks and for a small bite is quite satisfying.
July 9, 2013
Three 1200 word stories. Free. What’s not to like? There are three stories, companions to the Town called Pandmonium anthology. Jesus’ brother, born in China, may need to be stopped before he grows in power. A museum thief makes a deal for his life, but at what cost? A young girl in Edinburgh writes a letter to her father at home, detailing the disturbances. These stories are unlinked, and each stand alone. They come in hard, hit fast, but refuse to fade away. Laura Graham, Jonathan Green, and Marc Alpin should be proud. Go read it. It’s free, after all.
January 19, 2014
I like stories I can read over a cup of coffee and these fit the bill. There are some parts I wish were longer because i found the situation and characters interesting. If you like short stories, pick it up and enjoy.
May 9, 2014
A good read
I enjoyed each of the stories... so much so that I am looking forward to reading more from each of these authors in the future.
I enjoyed each of the stories... so much so that I am looking forward to reading more from each of these authors in the future.
April 4, 2022
This chapbook contains three stories connected to the world of A Town Called Pandemonium, which has an alternate-history aspect. They're very nice, and more along the lines of horror, despite their brevity (each story is only a few pages). Quite nice!
August 20, 2019
Short, sharp and scary.
Three tales to raise the hairs on the back of your neck as you check all the windows and doors are closed and locked...
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
Three tales to raise the hairs on the back of your neck as you check all the windows and doors are closed and locked...
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
July 22, 2019
Short but good
November 7, 2019
Very entertaining quick read.
August 10, 2013
A nice, shirt quick little free grab. I have a gripe with this one, as the "Island " one wasn't too descriptive.
November 25, 2014
Wanted to read a short book for a change but this was not my cup of tea...
March 2, 2014
3 great short stories leaving me wanting more
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews