Seers and Sibyls

by M.J. Pankey, Elizabeth Leggett (Illustrator), Jennifer Bushroe (Contributor)

Oracles.
Prophets.
Sibyls.
Seers.
Fortunetellers.

These, and many other names were given to those who had the sight, who could look into the future and see what awaits us. Sometimes, those glimpses come unbidden and unasked for. Sometimes they are given for a fee. Sometimes they drive the recipient mad with the knowledge of what the future holds.

Others view those so gifted with suspicion, doubt, envy, and occasionally anger. Rarely are prophets thanked for their predictions. They bear the curse of knowing what’s coming along with the scorn and fear shown them by the rest of society.

Seers and Sibyls is a collection of 30 stories and poems about those who have the power to see the future. Will you open the book and read their prophecies?

Featuring the stories and poems
David Marino
Beth O'Brien
Victoria Brun
Rose Strickman
Zachary Rosenberg
Erin L. Swann
Nico Penaranda
A.L. Munson
Caroline Johnson
Marshall John Moore
N.R. Lambert
Susan Jordan
Jeremy Megargee
Nwejesu Ekpenisi
Jennifer Bushroe
Laura Marden
Joseph Mathias
Stephanie Ellis
Bettina Theissen
Misty Urban
Gerri Leen
Kayla Whittle
Ivy L. James
Matthew Yap
Cormack Baldwin
Shannon Connor Winward
Jacqueline Kate Goldblatt
Devan Barlow
Jay McKenzie
Sam Muller

Genres: Greek Mythology

292 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2023

About the author

MJ Pankey (goodreads spells it wrong) is an author, freelance editor, and host of the Augusta Writer’s Critique Group. She has been writing fiction since she was 12 and has published several short stories and a novel, Epic of Helinthia. Her muse is most inspired by ancient mythology and the intricacies of human psychology and behavior.

She lives in Augusta, Georgia with her husband, Eric; three children, Dante, Athena, and Artemis; and furry writing companion, Petey.

Epic of Helinthia is the first in a series of three (possibly four) novels. The second book in the series, Oracle of Helinthia, will publish 7 May 2025. Join her newsletter for updates and sneak peeks via her website: www.mjpankey.com.

MJ is an avid reader and champion of Indie novels/lesser known books and authors. She posts her reviews on Instagram and is always open to new recommendations.

She also hosts the live Book Club for Save Ancient Studies Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to spotlight the importance of ancient studies in the modern world, and is always on the lookout for novels inspired by ancient history. Find out more at www.saveancientstudies.org.

Learn more about MJ on following social sites:

mjpankey.com
museandquill.com
Instagram: @authormjpankey
TikTok: @mjpankey
Twitter: @mjpankey1

Reviews

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slightly biased review because I have a story in this collection! There is a wonderful assortment of stories here with a little something for everyone, featuring so many talented authors!

[Damien Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't think of a story I didn't like, and as mentioned in the introduction, this collection really benefitted from the inclusion of stories from all over the globe. I wasn't expecting all of the poetry (it's not a genre I typically read) and was surprised by how much I enojyed it! My favorite was probably the Cupid one. I wasn't expecting anything like it and even if it was predictable it was extremely sweet. Anyone interested in mythology would love this one.

[pluto_bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Seers and Sibyls edited by MJ Pankey is one of those anthologies that quietly sneaks up on you and then completely takes over your thoughts. This collection is all about oracles, prophets, seers, sibyls, and every other name you can give someone cursed or blessed with the ability to see what’s coming. And let me tell you… some of these stories hit hard. 👁️‍🗨️🕯️

Every piece explores a different corner of this theme, some tragic, some powerful, some straight-up eerie. I loved that it wasn’t just the typical Greek oracle vibes. You get modern takes, ancient myths, futuristic glimpses. It’s a whole spectrum of storytelling.

A few of my favorites were "Diwona" by Misty Urban, which had me deep in the Mediterranean Bronze Age drama, and “The Oracle’s Burden,” a poem that made me pause and just sit with my feelings. That one low-key gutted me.

This book really captures that bittersweet ache of knowing too much, being misunderstood, or carrying a truth no one wants to hear. It doesn’t romanticize foresight. It interrogates it, and I loved that.

If you’re into slow burning wisdom, a touch of tragedy, and lyrical writing from a whole chorus of voices, this is definitely worth your time. Perfect for fans of myth-inspired anthologies or anyone who’s ever wondered what it’d actually feel like to know the future. Spoiler alert: it’s not always sunshine and crystal balls.

4.5 stars 🌟 and a very solid yes, I will be thinking about this for a while.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a phenomenal collection! The theme is far-ranging: prophets, oracles, seers, & sybils. It's amazing to see the diversity of imagination spilling from this one spark. We have stories from the Bronze Age to the modern day, from Africa and India to Old Scandinavia, from China to the U.S. There are diviners who read crystals and pick flowers; half-sea creatures and talking heads; spirits from Hebrew myth and healers from Mexico and the Choctaw Nation; seers from ancient Greece and Troy.

Anthologies can be uneven, but not this one; every story is of top-notch quality, exquisitely written, engaging, thrilling, and often with a surprise twist. The poems are haunting and brilliant. I feel I've learned so much from simply reading, and my imagination has expanded tenfold. I hope you have the same wonderful experience!

I hope in particular that you enjoy the story "Diwona," which is my own contribution to this collection. It's an exceedingly fine volume, and I'm grateful to be included.

[Mary Polzella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of stories about those with the ability to 'know' things, to see into the future. Sometimes it's a curse to have 'the sight' and it comes unwillingly and without choice to the person with this gift.

An enjoyable collection of stories from numerous authors around the world dealing with themes of love, loss, fear, courage and redemption. The stories are diverse and all have their own level of appeal. My favourites from this anthology include A Tale from the World by Victoria Brun, A Tale from the Choctaw Nation by AL Munson, A Tale From Nigeria by Ekpenisi Nwajesu, A Tale from Italy by Kayla White and A Tale from China by Matthew Yap. A solid read for those who enjoy short stories featuring orales, prophets and fortunetellers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brigid's Gate Press LLC for the opportunity to read and review this collection of stories.

[M.J. Pankey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A note from the editor:

The 30 amazing authors included in Seers and Sibyls are exceptionally talented and diverse and have created something phenomenal with their voices and their stories. I'm so happy to have them all in one place to create a truly immersive mythological and cultural experience.

These stories encompass love, loss, suspense, courage, horror, redemption, adventure, resilience, every possible thing that one can find in a story to reach down into our very souls. I was moved by every one of these stories, and that's why I chose them! I hope you will enjoy them too!

~MJ Pankey, Editor

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐


Inspirada en mitos, leyendas, cuentos de hadas y diversas tradiciones literarias, esta antología ofrece una visión rica y variada del papel de videntes, oráculos y profetas a lo largo de culturas y épocas.

Algo que destaca especialmente es la variedad de enfoques: no se limita a lo clásico o a lo esperado. Hay textos con ambientaciones antiguas, visiones modernas e incluso toques futuristas. Esta mezcla mantiene el interés constante y muestra cuán versátil puede ser un tema cuando se trata con creatividad.

Aunque no soy muy lectora de poesía, me sorprendió lo mucho que me gustó esa parte del libro.

[esotericfaery · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you MJ Pankey, Netgalley and Brigids Gate Press for this free ARC in exchange for a review.

This short-story & poetry anthology is hit, miss and ok.

Hits:
The Oracle of Plum Harbor (A Tale from North America), by David Marino
Tiresia’s Life (A Tale of Ancient Greece), by Beth O’Brien
The Ghost of Summer Suns (A Tale from Italy), by N. R. Lambert
Cassandra’s Accounting (A Tale from Ancient Greece), by Jennifer Bushroe
78 (A Tale from the World), by Ivy L. James
Juniel and the Moon (A Tale from Ancient Egypt), by Jay McKenzie

I enjoyed the last one above the most.

[MaggieDay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this anthology. I absolutely loved all of the short stories and poems included in this collection (a rarity in an anthology). I smiled, cried, and thought about some of these stories well after I finished reading.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great anthology. I've read some themed anthologies where the stories are too similar, giving them a repetitive feeling. This anthology was not like that. It had a strong theme, but the authors all had vastly different takes on it, and the stories were across different times and diverse settings. Some standouts were "The Oracle of Plum Harbor" and "The Secrets We Seek," but the overall collection is strong, and it will keep you turning the page.

In full disclosure, I have a story in this collection, and I'm excited to have it nestled among these wonderful stories and poems.