From the Arcane: Relics of Legend and Lore

by Rachel Rener, David Green, Angel Haze

Legends told of it. Lore warned of it. Thousands searched for it.

Now this powerful relic is in the hero's(?) hands, whether they want it or not.

From the Relics of Legend and Lore is a collection of 14 stories brought to you by the authors of Indie Fantasy Addicts. From necklaces to daggers to enchanted flowers, these arcane objects will take each hero on an adventure they never imagined - for better or for worse.

Genres: Fantasy

419 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2023

About the author

Rachel Rener is a multi-award-winning, bestselling romantasy author best known for her fan-favorite Gilded Blood universe. Her books blend magic with real science, infusing powerful-yet-quirky heroines, emotional depth, and irresistible, sizzling romance.

After earning a degree in Psych and Neuroscience, Rachel has since lived on three continents and traveled to nearly 50 countries, fueling her worldbuilding with diverse cultural and mythological influences.

When she's not writing, Rachel enjoys making art in every medium she can get her hands on, riding her motorcycle, attending rock shows (both the musical and mineralogical kind), and engaging with her devoted reader community, Rachel’s Renergades. She lives in Colorado with her husband and a very opinionated umbrella cockatoo named Terrance (aka “Jungle Chicken”), who insists on being her loudest critic.

Learn more at www.RachelRener.com!

You can also be regaled with totally inappropriate stories and behind the scenes shenanigans by signing up for her newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/Rachel-Rener-NL .

@AuthorRachelRener across all socials

Reviews

[Tina Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

always gems

This was cute! Always gems in anthologies like this! I found it amusing one of the stories is about a magical quill that is a true genius in writing and not the author!

[Kez Sharrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were some gems in this short story collection. The Pilfered Quill was hilarious, When There's a Tomorrow poignant, and Talon's Shadow had a great twist. I enjoyed it immensely!

[The Biased Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Indie Fantasy Addicts anthology I've read, and I had the immense honor of anonymously judging for the anthology. I was blown away by the creativity in these stories! Each story felt very unique and fun in its own way. My top three stories were "The Pilfered Quill" by David Green and Rachel Rener, "The Blade of Severed Bonds" by Laura Winter, and "A Measure of Solace" by Lily Anne Crow. However, there was something to love in each and every story!

A few of the stories had diverse characters. Karyne Norton's includes a character who is disabled, and Katie Cherry's protagonist is a Person of Color. I do have to admit that I would've liked to see more queer representation in the stories, but that is my only complaint.

I was really impressed with how vivid the settings are in many of the stories. Readers will feel like they're traveling everywhere, from the wild west to your local bookstore.

As a whole, I cannot recommend this anthology enough! As far as anthologies go, I think it has an unusually high amount of 5-star stories, and I appreciated the way they all felt distinct and immersive.

[Aliesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

phenomenal

This was an amazing collection of short stories! I loved them all. Definitely would recommend any and all of these authors!

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a magical book full of a wonderful variety of stories! I was already familiar with some of the authors, and I loved their stories, BUT I also found lots of new authors that I love! I can't wait to go check out more books by these amazing writers.

Individual story reviews:

The Pilfered Quill by Rachel Rener and David Green

This story was a great start for this anthology! It was hilarious and outrageous and absolutely fun to read. I love the name abbreviations in it, haha!

Stealing Fate by Angel Haze

I absolutely loved getting this glimpse into the world Angel has built from a lighter perspective. I know she mostly writes dark, and that's fine, but I loved this not quite as dark story. (Although she's already one of my exceptions for reading dark anyway because her writing is just amazing!)

A Kindness in Measure by Andy Peloquin and Jaime Castle

I was hesitant to read this one because of the trigger warnings, but I'm glad I did. While I did skim through a few parts, I loved Scampers, and the ending was so great!

When There's a Tomorrow by Karyne Norton

This was my absolute favorite!!! I absolutely adore this story so much. It was sweet and intriguing and wonderful.

Twisted Artifact by Katie Cherry

This story was so interesting, but pretty intense. I enjoyed reading it overall, but there were a few scenes I skimmed through.

The Blade of Severed Bonds by Laura Winter

This story was pretty good. It wasn't quite my cup of tea, but it flowed well and kept my attention.

The Emerald of Destiny by Stacey Upton

This one has some major triggers (thankfully listed at the beginning), but I gave it a try anyway. I'm sure knowing it had triggers that I don't normally read affected my enjoyment of the story, but this one really just wasn't for me personally.

Heart of the Matter by TC Ross

This was a really unique story. It was pretty dark, but still interesting.

The Spell Porringer by Staci Olsen

This story was really bizarre but in a good way. Very different from anything I've read before.

Hexguns and Roses by Amy Campbell

I loved reading this story because it had a pegasus in it! I haven't read many stories with these fantasy creatures, and it was cool, especially since the pegasus was such a big part of the story.

A Measure of Solace by Lily Anne Crow

What a fun, interesting story! This was an incredibly neat concept, and I enjoyed reading it.

Talon's Shadow by Dave Dobson

This was such an interesting story! I love how each story in this anthology is so unique and brings something entirely different to the table.

Dragon Stone by Jaq D Hawkins

This story was so full of mystery and intrigue! I enjoyed reading it and would love to read more! (According to the author's note, there is a work in progress in the same world, so yay!)

Bright Arrow by C.K. Beggan

This story was a fun read from the very beginning! What a great way to end this amazing anthology!

[C.A. Morley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology offers a wide variety of stories centering around the theme of a magical artifact. I didn’t know what to expect with each one and they all held my attention. Typically, short stories are like someone who plays a musical scale but stops short of that last note, leaving you hanging. Surprisingly, several of the stories in this anthology were satisfying in that they had proper endings, including The Blade of Severed Bonds (romantic fantasy), A Measure of Solace (medieval fantasy), and Bright Arrow (science fantasy).

1. The Pilfered Quill by Rachel Rener and David Green
Chet is the hero of his stories and an accomplished author in his mind and he uses this mentality to justify his actions. He feels hard done by his famous brother who seemingly hoards his literary success and the critique from the publishing community. It’s Chet against the world. All that changes when he discovers a sentient quill with the ability to write masterpieces. How does Chet handle his new fame? This is a humorous story, poking fun at people who avoid self-reflection and consider everyone else the problem.

2. Stealing Fate by Angel Haze
Fate is a little girl with unstable magical ability beyond extraordinary measure. Killien, her big brother, does everything he can to keep her safe. But there are other powers at play. Can he stop a prophecy and change fate? This is grimdark fantasy.

3. A Kindness in Measure by Andy Peloquin and Jamie Castle
This story was reminiscent of Oliver Twist. An orphan girl named Dee helps bring in money for the other orphan kids to keep Grinner from beating them, but he’ll find any reason to do so. She’s resourceful and has a good heart, but even with her best efforts, things go wrong. Just when you think all hope is lost, one of her good deeds goes right. It’s a delightful story with a found family trope and a “dog” named Scampers.

4. When There’s a Tomorrow by Karyne Norton
I listened to the author narrate her story on Finding Fantasy Reads. Roman makes friends with his neighbor, Sienne, but is confused as to why each new day starts almost the same as the previous. Something isn’t right with Sienne, but he can’t figure out why. Roman is patient and studious, a sweet combination in a male MC. As he tries to solve the mystery, things get very interesting.

5. Twisted Artifact by Katie Cherry
This was a young adult adventure story. Alicia is a teenager disenchanted by her girlhood dreams of becoming a witch, especially since magic is weak in her world. Until something happens and changes all of that. Can an untrained teenager and a newly awakened grumpy dragon save the world? If you’re looking for some escapism, this quick read will do just that.

6. The Blade of Severed Bonds by Laura Winter
This was my favorite story. Adrienne and her disabled brother are living under a tyrannical ruler. She’s been working hard towards forging a new path with the completion of a magnificent sword imbued with power. It will gain her a coveted apprenticeship and take her away from oppressive Calcheth. But things don’t go as planned, and suddenly everything is at risk. This is a wonderful story and a satisfying read.

7. The Emerald of Destiny by Stacey Upton
Marietta and her sister are raised in a patriarchal society. They try to be good daughters and make their father proud. However, there are dark forces at play. Will Marietta heed her grandmother’s warning and protect her sister from an arranged marriage that will only lead to disaster? The outcome is foreshadowed. This is grimdark fantasy.

8. Heart of the Matter by TC Ross
Yikes! This story has a haunted house that “welcomes” its new owner, Kait, but she is sometimes slow at listening to what the house is saying. There’s a bit of a tug-of-war between them. The mystery is intriguing. It’s a good story with a conclusion.

9. The Spell Porringer by Staci Olsen
This was a delightful story. Katyana is a self-sufficient single woman living on a homestead with a vegetable garden and chickens. One day she discovers a bowl embedded in the soil beneath her carrots. Everything changes with that find. Strangers arrive at her doorstep. Who can she trust? When thieves are inside her home, the farm animals come to help save the day, and this scenario is reminiscent of the Town Musicians of Bremen. It’s refreshingly funny.

10. Hexguns and Roses by Amy Campbell
This Steampunk/Gaslamp story has an inventor Elf, an outlaw mage with no magic, and a Palomino Pegasus. People, including the Elf, are prejudiced, and there’s a gang the Elf owes money to. It’s a fun gun-slinging adventure with magic guns.

11. A Measure of Solace by Lily Anne Crow
I listened to Karyne Norton narrate this story on Finding Fantasy Reads. A young girl is surprised to find a valuable bow on the forest floor and is further surprised when it speaks to her. The sentient bow tells the girl he needs a new master but that she isn’t a qualified candidate. She makes a deal with him and helps him in his search. The girl comes up with interesting tests to find a good owner. There’s also a bit of a mystery about the bow’s past. You’ll have to read or listen to the story to find out how it ends.

12. Talon’s Shadow by Dave Dobson
Penelope is a girl working in a shop full of magical artifacts. She’s supposed to be an apprentice to the shop owner but is more like an indentured servant. The story is told from her point of view. She is too busy and scared of her master to look beyond what is told her, so you only find out the truth about her origins when she finds out. Her perspective only begins to change when a mysterious adventurer enters the shop. What will his prompting reveal? I was not expecting that ending!

13. Dragonstone by Jaq D Hawkins
Lesana lives in a tower and is an apprentice to a powerful magician. He is strict but treats her fairly. Her life is safe except if she should leave the shelter of the forest to open ground where dragons could spot her. Lesana has an inquisitive mind. The day she ventures further, she discovers a dragon’s egg. But then another danger approaches in the form of soldiers. Things get tense when the magician tasks her with hiding a box containing powerful artifacts. Recently having broken her little knife, she can’t resist taking the strange knife at the top before safely securing the box in its hiding place. She runs into the woods to stay out of sight of the soldiers and back to where she left the dragon egg. This short story leaves you with several loose ends.

14. Bright Arrow by C.K. Beggan
This story follows a rebel named Purslane who must retrieve a powerful artifact if the rebellion is to have a chance against the ruling Prim Ministry. It’s her first covert assignment, but nothing goes as planned. When she comes face to face with her ex-boyfriend, she doesn’t know who she can trust. Is he telling the truth or is he a double agent? This is a science fantasy story with a tense action scene and a bit of romance told in dual POV.

[Trina Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology was a joy to read. It’s my first among the three, and I am so grateful to have found the IFA group and have the honour to delve into the pages of these vast worlds that these amazing authors create. Some of these stories have introduced me to new reading opportunities and others have brought me back to journeys already lived and it’s like coming back home to visit. The range of story themes are all over the place and there is never a dull moment. Excitement, heartfelt, pain, humour. This book has it all and more.

Thank you to all the amazing writers for putting this out, and giving this reader an opportunity to come along on your adventures.

[Olivia Marie Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pilfered Quill- 3.5 ⭐️ The writing for this story was very good, and the plot was nice and even had a little humor. However, I could not stand Chet. I’m sure that was the intention, but he infuriated me so much. He felt so entitled and it grated on my nerves. In the end, he got what he deserved, but he deserved worse. It was nice and easy to read though, and I was happy for Quilliam (love the name) in the end.

Stealing Fate- 3.5 ⭐️ This story was definitely darker. I feel so bad for Fate. Makes me wonder if there’s another story out there that describes more. What happens to her later? How did she get the way she was? Certainly leave me wanting more.

A Kindness in Measure- 3.5 ⭐️ This was a cute story, with a small touch of danger. It was interesting to read the story as if from Dee’s mind, and judging by how she saw the world, she was most definitely a child and it just brought a different perspective into the world. I’m curious to how Dee came into the service of Grinner, though I have some suspicions, and to what happens to her after Mammy Tess find her. It would be nice to get more of the story.

Where There’s a Tomorrow- 5 ⭐️ Wow I really loved this story. It was so short and sweet, and honestly it had a good ending. While I would love to read more about Roman and Sienne, the story ended in a way that seemed perfect and not dying for answers. While I hoped this story would relate somehow to Norton’s Blood of the Stars, I’m still glad with the direction it went.

Twisted Artifact- 4 ⭐️ This was a good little adventure. I just wish there had been more detail about how magic and the artifacts worked, and I wish there had been more action in the climax. But it was still a good and enjoyable read. And of course, you can never go wrong with dragons.

The Blade of Severed Bonds- 4.5 ⭐️ Really loved this story, and it kinda reminds me of Beauty and the Beast. The reason it lost that .5 star was because I wished to see more about the magic and the fae realm. Both kinda just seemed jammed in the story, and while it made the story work, I wish we had been able to learn more about them. I was fully ready for a sad, bittersweet ending to the story, so I’m glad it was a happy ending cause I don’t think I would have been able to handle anything else.

The Emerald of Destiny- 5 ⭐️ This one is definitely my favorite. This sounds like the perfect set up to a vampire versus werewolf story. Strom definitely sounded like he could be a vampire and I’d love for the tales Marietta’s grandmother told her about their family being able to turn into wolves was true. This story was so well written and I’m absolutely in love with it. Definitely going to be checking out the Tales of Darkwood series, which somehow ties into this story.

Heart of the Matter- 4.5 ⭐️ This story kinda reminded me of a reverse version of Snow White. It was a nice story that had a good beginning, middle and end. The ending was very satisfying. There was a little bit of spook and mystery to the story that made it even more interesting. Definitely interested in the world that the author built here though.

The Spell Porringer- 3 ⭐️ This was a nice, easy and light read. It was fun. I especially liked the fire breathing chickens. It had a bit of humor among all the seriousness. I’d like to have learned more about the bowl though. We get a bit of detail as to what it was used for and where it came from, but it seemed to have a mind of its own, which made for an amusing telling, but I’d still like to know more.

Hexguns and Roses- 3.5 ⭐️ This was a very whimsical story. I loved all the cool inventions and wish we had been able to glimpse a few more, or a little more detail of the one we do see. There was a seriousness to the story, but it was also pretty light. It had just enough adventure to be interesting. My only thing is that I don’t really like this type of story, but I still enjoyed this.

A Measure of Solace- 4 ⭐️ I really enjoyed this story. It was cute and had a little adventure, a little mystery, and was lighthearted. The end result was predictable, but it was still nice to see how that result came to be. The very last bit confused me though. Slight spoilers next. Zeera said to the left is the way home, and to the right is lands beyond where they could possibly find an owner for Solace. Solace admits that he has bonded to Zeera without realizing it. To me, it seems like they intend to go home, but they end up taking the path to the right, to lands beyond. Not sure if it was a typo or if they’re setting on an adventure together now, or something else I’m missing entirely, but it let me confused.

Talon’s Shadow- 4 ⭐️ Definitely an interesting read. The whole setting was interesting. A shop full of interesting and magical objects. What I wouldn’t give to shop there. The ending was certainly unpredictable, didn’t see it coming, but I liked the way it ended. Certainly leaves me wanting more. I want to read more about Pen and her adventures as she tries to figure out who and what she is. The title confused me though. It doesn’t seem to fit with the story but maybe I missed something.

Dragonstone- 2.5 ⭐️ This story feels unfinished. It was nice to read and well written, but it just felt lacking. When the story ended, I had too many questions and not enough answers. What was the purpose of the dragon egg and the black dagger? What does the dagger even do? What did the soldiers want? It leaves room to explore more for the author’s other works, but it’s almost too unfinished. The amount of questions I have unanswered leaves me angry and frustrated instead of curious and wanting to read more.

Bright Arrow- 3 ⭐️ While it was a nice and face pasted story filled with action, it just seemed like I was missing the bigger picture. Who was the Prim Ministry and what were the rebels fighting them on? I understand the importance of the Bright Arrow and why it was sought after, but I just felt like there is some vital piece of information missing from the whole story.

[Alyssia Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the Arcane is the third of the anthologies from the Indie Fantasy Addicts group and it's just as good as the previous two. As with all collections of shorts, there were some that appealed far more than others and some that didn't quite work for me, but as a whole this is a collection that is great fun to read. And I've come out of it with some new authors to follow!

The Pilfered Quill by Rachel Rener and David Green; 4/5 stars
An entertaining little tale about a magical quill that has been used by humans for millenia and an author who doesn't know how to write. It made me chuckle several times, particularly at the descriptions of the authors writing - buxom breasts and ripped dresses.

Stealing Fate by Angel Haze; 4/5 stars
Oof, this hit me in the feels. A little girl with dangerously powerful magic, a protective big brother and a darker plot to take the girl. This is darker and feels like a set-up to a much longer tale, which reminds me that I never did go back to the Battleborn Mage series.

A Kindness in Measure by Andy Peloquin and Jaime Castle; 5/5 stars
A slightly longer short with more meat on the bones, I felt as if this really captured the innocence and naivety of a child's world view whilst offering up darker glimpses of the world around her and those willing to exploit her for their own gain. I loved the characterisations here and I'd be all for a longer tale about the characters.

Where There's a Tomorrow by Karyne Norton; 5/5 stars
A lovely little tale that works excellently as a stand alone, without needing to be tied into a larger universe. A boy grows up whilst the girl next door seems to be reliving the same day over and over again. Another one where the characters are wonderfully depicted. It's a cozy feeling read and I liked how pieces of the puzzle started falling into place early on, but as the tale goes on, more hints and clues are dropped until everything makes sense.

Twisted Artifact by Kate Cherry; 3/5 stars
An interesting short about a teenager finding herself trying to destroy an artifact that is plaguing the world. I really liked the depiction of the dragon, but the basis behind the artifacts and what's going on needed more meat on the bones.

The Blade of Severed Bonds by Laura Winter; 4/5 stars
A fae and human romance with a twist, this is well done with intriguing characters and an world that was built well in very few words. Not my usual fare, but I enjoyed it. I liked the twist on shape shifting magic as well, that was very well done.

The Emerald of Destiny by Stacey Upton; 5/5 stars
A creepy, dark and haunting tale with a really ominous feel. It was evocative and intriguing, leading me to look up the Tales of Darkwood which seems to be loosely linked and set in the same world. It's got the creepy bad guy down pat, and I loved the tantalising hints of the sister's family and history.

Heart of the Matter by TC Ross; 5/5 stars
Oh, I'm a sucker for a house with a personality and this was done wonderfully well. I didn't see the ending coming either. The characters stand out and I loved the atmosphere of the piece. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there are any full length novels yet even though the author confirms it is part of the Arcane Universe.

The Spell Porringer by Staci Olsen; 3.5/5 stars
This was a silly, light hearted bit of chaotic fun in the midst of the more serious offerings. It was certainly entertaining and the main scene at the end felt like it would belong in a comedy farce play. It isn't what I was expecting as my previous experience with the author's work was a more serious magical realism novel using historical folklore and experience.

Hexguns and Roses by Amy Campbell; 5/5 stars
This was great fun with a quirky world that reminded me somewhat of old Western movies with a steampunk edge. Lovable rogue style characters, full of action with a twist of humour. And it turns out that I already own the first book in the linked Tales of the Outlaw Mages series, so win win!

A Measure of Solace by Lily Anne Crow; 5/5 stars
A well crafted little tale about a sentient bow and the young girl who finds it. I really enjoyed this even if I saw the ending coming from a mile away. It's a feel good kind of tale, but one that has a surprising amount of depth to it.

Talon's Shadow by Dave Dobson; 3.5/5 stars
This felt somewhat unfinished. I really liked the characterisations on display here and it's well written, but it needed something more. It almost finished just as you were expecting it to start moving. The descriptions and the characters were well done though and I'd be interested to read more.

Dragonstone by Jaq D Hawkins; 3.5/5 stars
A very personal little story of one apprentice and her master as the King's guards come to raid their tower. It has a good hook, but felt like it needed something more that perhaps couldn't be done in the short page length.

Bright Arrow by C.K. Beggan; 3/5 stars
This felt like a missing puzzle piece from a much larger world that we don't know enough about. It's well written, but sparse without the context from a larger series.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, I loved the book. Short stories aren‘t usually my thing, but this did introduce me to authors whose work I’ll be looking up, as well as give me a chance to spend time with some of my favourite authors again.

🪶 The Pilfered Quill - Rachel Rener / David Green
Okay. These two authors got together either over Zoom (or in person) and had copious amounts of fun blasting the very worst writing of the fantasy genre. I’m betting there was alcohol involved. I know there was shrieking laughter. How can there not be? This absolute lampoon must have fairly dripped off the typewriter.. err, quill.

🪶 Stealing Fate - Angel Haze
Angel - you had me at The Squealing Maiden - I have never wanted to peek in a tavern window so much! What a great little tale. Is it a lead-in to a novel? So well crafted. I’m wondering what Fate has in store for our villain.

🪶 A Kindness in Measure - A day Peloquin / Jaime Castle
What a beautiful little story. I agree with Dee. Nothing better than a dog that hardly ever bites your fingers!

🪶 When There’s a Tomorrow - Karyne Norton
A quiet love story about a teen who falls for a young woman living the same day over and over. It’s always their first meeting, always their first picnic. While the story premise reminded me of 50 First Dates, this is also as sweet without the same ending,

🪶 Twisted Artifact - Katie Cherry
Well, alrighty then. That’s done. I don’t know if it was the first person telling or the style of writing, but I couldn’t be finished this quickly enough. A young woman is chosen by a random stranger to ride a dragon and save the world. All in the course of an hour, maybe two.

🪶 The Blade of Severed Bonds - Laura Winter
I can see that Laura Winter will come to have a place on my bookshelf. A young woman seeks to escape the future laid out for her and her brother, a monthly levy keeping them In squalor. She creates a sword, imbuing it with the small magics she has, and finds it’s attracted the interest of an elf with a curse he needs her to cure. Spice ensues.

🪶 The Emerald of Destiny - Stacey Upton
It’s a tale as old as the hills; daughters whose duty is to marry well. Yet, they are heirs of gemstones that carry magic - magic her grandmother used to avoid a curse. Gran bequeaths the spell to activate the gems to Marietta and urges her to break the curse upon her sister, who is deliriously in love with a handsome Baron about to whisk her to faraway Stuttgart. Plans are laid, a future foretold and we leave Marietta musing about familial magic.

🪶 Heart of the Matter - TC Ross
Ever walk into a house and feel like it’s surrounding you with velvet hugs and good vibes, like a Michael Bublé song? This is the case for Kait, the house she’s found is perfect for her ... except for one tiny thing … it dislikes her boyfriend intensely. Kait sets out to discover why and the truth will change the direction her life was taking.

🪶 The Spell Porringer - Staci Olsen
A country gardener uncovers a shiny bowl in her carrot patch, and it leads to an evening of fright, strangers, magic and a magical chicken firefight!

🪶 Hexguns and Roses - Amy Campbell
I could eat up this mash of western gunslinger and steampunk wizardry/magery. I want the full book.
Jack is a one-trick mage whose one thing no longer works. He’s at an international science and magic exposition to find something to use to keep him ‘the Scourge of the Untamed tamed Lands’ when he runs across Rienza, an elf with a hexgun for sale (but not to a stinkin’ mage) and a loan problem with local mafioso who’s come to collect.

🪶 A Measure of Solace - Lily Anne Crow
Zeera finds an enchanted self-aware bow at the base of a cliff and is determined to help it find a proper master; one who is strong enough, controls their emotions, and is a good person. They roam, becoming more acquainted with each town, each contest, each road they travel. Searching for the ideal master for Solace seems ordained to fail. Yet there is one who is worthy; they both know it.

🪶 Talon’s Shadow - Dave Dobson
Cruelty seems to dog Penelope’s life - a mother who didn’t care about her, a master who beats her regularly. She’s just found a small degree of autonomy, having learned some elementary spells. She can escape her master, but she’s about to step from the pan to the fire.

🪶 Dragonstone - Jay D Hawkins
Well, that ended far too soon. What happens to Lesana? Does she stay in the tower? Does she become a dragon rider? What happens to the dragon egg? What does it hatch into? What’s going on with the knife? Soooo many questions!

🪶 Bright Arrow - C K. Beggan
Boy meets girl, they fall in love, boy joins the wrong faction, they separate, both have heartache. Girl’s first field assignment is to meet him to pick up something, he reveals he’s a double agent, she gets item and leaves him, thinking he’s playing her. He spends time in double-agent jail, she saves him. The whole story seemed over that fast and I never got emotionally invested in either character.

[Christine Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pilfered Quill by Rachel Rener & David Green
I wasn’t sure how I’d feel by the end of this short but overall I found it enjoyable. Poor Chet the quilt suffering throughout the centuries to write for those who cannot. P.S. I hope I never come across an author who writes the way this story author did 😅🤣, the details reminder me of the 90s video games and how allll women appeared 💀.

Stealing Fate by Angel Haze
This short pulled the heart strings. While still on the dark side, it also showed how it can be light hearted. A powerful toddler with an over protective brother.

A Kindness in Measure Andy Peloquin & Jamie Castle
This short cut deep, by the end it was a relief. A young orphan girl just trying to survive and keep her friend alive too, it hits all the feels and realizations that the world is a dark place and sometimes a little kindness goes a long way.

When There’s a Tomorrow Karyne Norton
This short was beautifully written. The boy next door vibes but with a magical twist. It reminded me of the movie 50 first dates. Often with the play of time it can be redundant, but this wasn’t that.

Twisted Artifact Katie Cherry
This was an interesting little short, a young female thrust into an unfortunate situation based on her heritage. The story was entertaining and I loved the dragon (I mean who wouldn’t 😅)

The Blade of Severed Bonds Laura Winter
This short had some beauty and the beast vibes and I was here for it. I really enjoyed the premise of this story, a “human” girl who found herself making a deal with a Fae. I was hoping for a bit more magic like the rest of the shorts I’ve read thus far but this was still enjoyable.

The Emerald of Destiny Stacey Upton
this was a fantastic yet grim tale. I lovvvved the grandmother. Sorry, not sorry old wise people in stories are always a hoot. I really enjoyed the overall short and knowing this ties into a full length series call The Darkwood it’s moved up my never ending TBR.

Heart of the Matter TC Ross
What a funny short. Reminded me of the Halloween animated movie, “Monster House”, but instead of the outside world view it was in the inside the house view. I look forward to reading more of this world when it is published.

The Spell Porringer Staci Olsen
This short had me giggling. A *bowl* aka the porringer that kicks butt? And grows the garden more full sign me up. I need a crop boost in my garden! Overall I really enjoyed this short more than some of the previous.

Hexguns and Roses Amy Campbell
This was a fascinating short. Steampunk meets Westernish. I’m not usually a steampunk fan, it’s a little *out-there* for me in the fantasy genre but the story surprised me in a good way.

A Measure of Solace Lily Anne Crow
This was a great tale! I didn’t love the bows attitude but that was the point (pun intended 🤣). The girl, I loved. Plus the unique magic based on emotion was chefs kiss.

Talons Shadow Dave Dobson
This short has the most of the world building then the whole series of shorts. But with that I felt like I was missing something key to find it super enjoyable and wanting more. Penelope’s story, a bit sad and heartbreaking, I was glad to see the end, ended as it did.

Dragonstone Jaq D Hawkins
This short had me feeling a little meh, I loved the premise. I hoped for more magic, especially with the title being Dragonstone.

Bright Arrow C.K. Beggan
And the Anthology is coming to an end. This was a fantastic story to end a great set of shorts by some amazing authors.
A war between the rebellion and the Ministry. Purslane has been begging for her own solo mission and boy was this The Mission to be had. I enjoyed the character development throughout this short and wish for more from this author.

[Carrie]

The Pilfered Quill by Rachel Rener & David Green
Stories of Muse and muse objects are certainly not new, but I think this is the most amusing one I ever read. I was amused throughout and, while I anticipated the ending, it was immensely satisfying.

Stealing Fate by Angela Haze
Fate is a baby with very strong magic powers. There's a brother who who is trying to protect her and a man who think the realm may be safer without her. I was not sure how this story was going to end and, look, I don't think you should hurt children, I did fear her a bit.

A Kindness in Measure by Andy Peloquin and Jamie Castle
Very Oliver Twist with a girl and her dog not dog. Really loved the child. I found the story a bit tense, but a good ending.

When There's a Tomorrow by Karyne Norton
This is a bittersweet story of a boy-then-man and the girl for whom every day is the day before her 18th birthday. It was bittersweet, and while I think it ended in the perfect place, I felt like I could read it forever.

Twisted Artifact by Katie Cherry
I'm perhaps too old for this story. It takes place in our world, though with some magic. A 17-year-old girl is tasked with saving the world, but I'm, like, she is a child. She needs to go home and not be kidnapped for the good of humankind.

The Blade of Severed Bonds by Laura Winter
A young woman, a sword she crafted, shadow magic, and a cursed elf. I was drawn into this story right away and it honestly never let up.

The Emerald of Destiny by Stacey Upton
This had a dark fairytale feel that managed to convey so much in a short story with family secrets
from the past and visions of the future.

Heart of the Matter by TC Ross
Definitely enjoyed this one, though I did not see where it was going. I'm going to be moving soon, and I really wish I could walk into a house and instantly know it was the one (sans spoiler).

The Spell Porringer by Staci Olsen
A humorous story of a woman who discovers a magical bowl buried in the garden. Antics ensue.

Hexguns and Roses by Amy Campbell
What I liked best about this was the world -- an interesting blend of magic and tech with a telepathic pegasus. Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar was one of my first fantasy series, so I'm always there for telepathic horses -- and a pegasus is cooler than a horse.

A Measure of Solace by Lily Anne Crow
A young girl discovers a magical bow and goes on a journey to find a new master for the bow. Very well written and it drew me right in. The girl and the bow are both interesting characters.

Talon's Shadow by Dave Dobson
A really good story with a magic shop built for dragon slaying attempters and the girl who is the unwilling apprentice. I wouldn't call it horror, but it does get a bit creepy.

Dragon Stone by Jaq D Hawkins
A magician apprentice finds a dragon egg in the woods. While I enjoyed it, I found the ending a bit abrupt.

Bright Arrow by C.K. Beggan
It may be our world, but not told from the POV of any ordinary individual. There's the magic ministry and then the rebellion waging war. I really liked how you were just thrown in the story and had to keep reading for things to become clear.

My Top Three (in order of appearance, not ranked):
The Blade of Severed Bonds by Laura Winter
The Emerald of Destiny by Stacey Upton
A Measure of Solace by Lily Anne Crow

[R.M. Krogman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"From the Arcane" was an anthology bursting with talent. Seriously, you will find something you love (or somethings) in this collection! All stories explore the mystical and magical, and each story has its own merits and style. I am so impressed AND am happy to say I found several new authors whose larger works I plan to read.

A few highlights...

I adored "When There's a Tomorrow" by Karyne Norton. It's a sweet love story about a boy and the girl who can't remember him. Kind of like "50 First Dates," Roman spends almost every day making his neighbor fall in love with him. The early years of pure fun, growing friendship, patience, and eventually love is so satisfying and beautifully written. I am always impressed with Norton's ability to cram so much depth of feeling and character development into short page counts, and this was no exception.

"A Measure of Solace" by Lily Anne Crow was another favorite, following a girl who finds an enchanted bow. The bow needs a new master, one worthy of wielding its great magic, and it is completely convinced that no one adequate exists in the kingdom. Undaunted, Zeera insists she will help, and she and the bow journey together to find someone resolute, someone disciplined, someone clever and able.

"The Blade of Severed Bonds" by Laura Winter was a nicely paced fae story, with the classic trope of a tricksy fae pulling the female MC into a bond more serious than she expected. But it's anything but predictable. Adrienne is not some silly teen, but rather a driven woman pursuing her dream, blessed with magical shadow powers. She can smith and enchant, and perhaps more with the shadowy teachings of the fae.

"The Pilfered Quill" by Rachel Rener and David Green is hilariously tongue-in-cheek, following the struggling writer Chet Williams. Chet doesn't understand why his works are so underappreciated. He's got the boobily-boobing women, the mustachioed villain, and the utterly heroic-but-also-handsome-but-also-the-smartest-and-of-course-tall protagonist Chet. I mean, Chert. I mean, Chȇte? What's not to love? The author game ain't easy, but Rener and Green at least made me laugh about it.

"Heart of the Matter" by T. C. Ross was an urban fantasy with a haunted house that rejects Kait's boyfriend. As an Arcane and to-the-normie's-eye paranormal investigator, Kait can feel the presence. There's more to this house than it appears. But why does it hate Riley?

"A Kindness in Measure" by Andy Peloquin and Jaime Castle was a fun little story of a little girl thrust into poverty and indentured to a bad man. Dee must thieve, but she doesn't lose herself, staying innocent and kind to others. So when she finds an injured dog-not-dog, she brings it home.

There are fourteen stories in all, a wide variety of fantasy subgenres and styles, and all friendly to a new reader. Some are connected to larger series, giving you more to read if you like what you see, but they are all stand-alone stories. Great collection!!

[Leigh Brooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed most of these stories from this book a few stood out for me. I will list my favourites at the end.

The Pilfered Quill by Rachel Rener and David Green

Chet Williams is a mediocre if not terrible writer until he steals a magic quill. Suddenly he's a renowed writer reaping the benefits of the quills work. Until he loses it.
A fun little story by two of my favourite authors. I was rooting for the quill all along..

Stealing Fate by Angel Haze

Fate, a little girl with magical powers is kept in a dungeon for her protection and others around her. Gabriel plans to have her kidnapped as he fears her powers could destroy them all. But has Gabriel himself been deceived? I would of liked to know what became of Fate but I really liked this story and have added the author to my list of evergrowing books.

A Kindness in Measure by Andy Peloquin and Jaime Castle.

Dee finds an injured dog (not dog) and hides him from her mean master Grinner. Giving him the name Scampers (so cute) she lovingly looks after him, feeding him fruit as he heals. Although this story had some dark elements, it has a lovely ending.

When Theres a Tomorrow by Karyn Norton.

Roman comes to meet Sienne everyday, and everyday Sienne doesn't remember who he is. A lovely story within a time loop. Can Roman break the curse? I really loved this one, it brought a tear to my eye.

Twisted Artifact by Katie Cherry.

Alicia doesn't believe in the power of magic until she is approached by 3 strangers while shopping. From there she is swept into an adventure to save the world with a powerful dragon. This was an interesting story and one I wish was longer.

The Blade of Severed Bonds by Laura Winter.

Adrienne, who has the rare gift of three shadow magical makes a sword so she can leave her town. When her sword is stolen, she goes to steal it back. Enter a mysterious Fae, who binds her to be his wife and help him lift a curse. This had everything for me, romance, action, curses and a stubborn strong female character. Loved it.

The Emerald of Destiny by Stacey Upton.

A dark tale about two sisters. Alethia fated to marry an evil man, has been gifted an emerald. Marietta, who has been asked by her grandmother to save her sister from her fate, has a silver cup and a ruby to help her achieve her task. This was well written but the story wasn't for me I'm afraid.

Heart of the Matter by T.C. Ross.

Kait, buys a house on impulse when it welcomes her on first meeting. When showing her boyfriend Riley around, the house reacts negatively to him. What's Riley hiding? Is the house trying to protect her from him? A great twist at the end of this tale. I loved it.

The Spell Porringer by Staci Olsen.

Katyana finds a bowl in her garden while digging in her vegetable patch. This is no ordinary bowl however, and chaos is abound. So much fun and absolutely hilarious. All I can say is the chickens are awesome.

Hexguns and Roses by Amy Campbell.

Jack comes to Ravance for the Inventors Exposition, looking for anything to give him an advantage for his lack of magic. He ends up helping an elf Reinzi, after a group of wizards take her inventions to pay a debt. Can they trust each other enough to work together? This was a nice story, I enjoyed this one.

A Measure of Solace by Lily Anne Crow.

Zeera finds a magical bow at the base of a cliff. The bow having lost it's previous owner, seeks a new one with the aid of the young girl. Is the bow aiming to high (pun intended) or has it already found what it's looking for?
Interesting idea for a story was enjoyable to read.

Talons Shadow by Dave Dobson.

After an accident that makes a mess in the magical shop where she works, Penelope meets Edram, a kindly but odd customer who helps her with her master. Forbidden to take his purchases to him as requested, Penelope breaks into her masters workshop and discovers a secret that will change her forever. I did not see the twist coming, was highly enjoyable. Loved it.

Dragonstone by Jac D Hawkins.

Wizards apprentice Lesana never disobeyed her master until today. Out foraging for berries she finds a dragons egg. Bringing the egg back with her, she hides it in the woods. After finding out soldiers are on their way to the tower, her master entrusts her with a box of magical artifacts to hide. While hiding it, she takes a knife from the box. Why is this Blade so special? And what does it have to do with the dragon's egg? Another great tale, highly enjoyable.

Bright Arrow by C.K Began.

Having finally earned a vital role in the rebellion, Purslane only had to retrieve an important artifact and return it to the resistance. What could possibly go wrong?
A cute little story to end on. Was lovely to read.

These were my absolute favourites from the whole book..

The Pilfered Quill
A Kindness in Measure
When Theres a Tomorrow
The Blade of Severed Bonds
The Heart of the Matter
The Spell Porringer
Talons Shadow

After reading this anthology I know have even more awesome authors to add to my reading pile.

[Jonathan Van Crumpet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something tor everyone - classic, fairytale, modern and even Western.


The Pilfered Quill - Rachel Rener and David Green

Failed writer Chet benefits from magical assistance in his quest for fame and validation.
This story made me laugh so much, and has given me many insights into the minds of fantasy authors...

Stealing Fate - Angel Haze

Gabriel hatches a plot to kidnap Killien's baby sister, a dangerous prodigy, but all does not go as planned.
The emotional impact of this story is incredible and it relates to the series perfectly.

A Kindness in Measure- Andy Peloquin and Jaime Castle

An orphaned steet-urchin hides a magical 'dog' from her abusive gang-master, with pleasing results.
This story was so funny and heart-warming, I loved it

When There's a Tomorrow - Karyne Norton

Oh my gosh, this story is just heart-breaking. I can't really explain it, because, spoilers.

Twisted Artifact - Katie Cherry

Alicia goes grocery shopping and ends up being asked to save the world with no notice whatsoever. Lovely and different dragon story.

The Blade of Severed Bonds - Laura Winter

Swords, dyslexia and a hot fae. Enjoyed it a lot.

The Emerald of Destiny- Stacey Upton

Marietta's grandmother needs her to save her sister from the fiancé from hell. A twisted, dark-ish fairytale which looks like it leads onto a fascinating series.

Heart of the Matter - TC Ross

Kait buys a cottage, but her boyfriend is not impressed with it. The cottage is equally unimpressed with the boyfriend. This clever story had a great ending that I didn't see coming at all.

The Spell Porringer - Staci Olson

Katyana digs up a magical bowl in the carrot patch, with interesting results. Oh my goodness, the chickens were hilarious!

Hexguns and Roses - Amy Campbell

Jack has lost his magic, but luckily not his pegasus. He's now in the market for some new weapons .. Interesting, unusual Western fantasy.

A Measure of Solace - Lily Anne Crow

A sentient weapon wants to find a worthy new handler. A sweet and satisfying story.

Talon's Shadow - Dave Dobson

Apprentice Pen unexpectedly discovers her origins. A great read with a surprising ending

Dragonstone - Jaq D Hawkins

Alchemist's apprentice Lesana finds two very special items, and then the King's soldiers arrive...
A fast-paced story in the classic style.


Bright Arrow - C.K. Beggan
Purslane has finally earned a mission for the Rebellion, but is confronted with a blast from the past.
Funny, modern story with all the feels

[Beba Andric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an anthology I couldn't put down! All the stories wrap around you and leave you wanting more!

1:The Pilfered Quill- Rachel Rener and David Green
A sibling rivalry, one sided, has Chet trying to outdo Jon as an author, except he sucks. When Chet's favourite author dies, he acquires a magical quill and suddenly becomes the author of the day. I enjoyed the voice of Quill, his outrage at being used and abused. A very cleverly written short, but I have to admit I felt so sorry for Chet... loved it

2:Stealing Fate - Angel Haze
Loved this one! Really great short story! Gabriel is torn between doing what he thinks is right, the cost would be a child's life. But this child is different, this child is... dangerous. Fate, the child in question, has 2 very protective siblings who go to extraordinary lengths to conceal her ability. A task impossible with so many after this little girl. Killien is a wonderful character, just loved how much love he has for Fate, how much understanding. I loved everything about this fast paced, tense story. What a twist to this story at the end! My goodness! Great read but I desperately need to find out what Fate's....well, fate is! I want more!

3:A Kindness in measure- Andy Peloquin and Jamie Castle
This was such a delightful story, my heart went out to the kids forced to steal and I loved the narrative, the dog-not-dog Dee "saved".I found myself wishing that Scampers would eat Grinner or at the very least, burn him to a pulp. A beautiful story with a beautiful ending.

4: When there's a Tomorrow- Karyne Norton
This is the sweetest story ever! I really really want it to continue! I cannot love a character more than Roman. His love and persistence in trying to fix Sienne, is so poignantly beautiful, it touched my heart. To be stuck in a time loop is bad enough but to be in the same one for 500 years....geez! I'd love to see how Roman helps Sienne and her family, because I know that just has to happen! Such a beautiful, poignant read, so full of love and hope

5: The Twisted Artifact - Katie Cherry
Cute story, I enjoyed Alicia, a girl who's convinced magic is weak and has no idea how powerful she really is. I loved the dragon element, quite the snarky one, and the unintentional bond. They're tasked with stopping a plague and it's interesting how they go about it, how a girl who thought she was very ordinary, is in fact not. I did like how she and Crosir handled Ethan.I'd like to read more of this story, I'd like to know what and how Alicia

6: The Blade of Severed Bonds - Laura Winter
Adrienne, shadow blessed, protective of her brother, forges a magnificent sword which is taken by a greedy lord, one she is determined to retrieve, it's her ticket out of Calcheth, of a new beginning. But then she stumbles on a stranger, who is not what he appears to be, and she ends up making a bargain with him. Only to discover that bargain entails a whole lot more than she anticipated. I enjoyed the take on the familiar, an image being able to conjure one, cool right? I loved the story, only disappointed there wasn't more! I hope there will be...

7: The Emerald of Destiny - Stacey Upton
Very well written, I was sucked in immediately. Marietta feels a danger emanating from the man wanting to court her sister. A ruby, a silver cup and an ancient emerald are the means of banishing an evil, an evil who wants control and power. Very intriguing, shrouded in mystery and secrecy, and a promise of of righting a wrong, one that hasn't happened yet but one that is imminent. I'd love to read more about the fate of Marietta and her sister Alethia.

8: Heart of the Matter-TC Ross
Buying a house is supposed to be an exciting thing and Kait found the perfect one for her. It spoke to her, yes, literally! You know when you walk into a home and get a nice warm feeling? Yeah, that's it, until you're not sure if the house is sentiment or there's a spirit loose. Nice short story, I liked the alchemy aspect, the ghostly vibes, a boyfriend who's not who he appears to be, a murder and a binding. A cute outcome, one I didn't expect

9: The Spell Porringer-Staci Olson
Although a funny little story with a cool idea, I found it a bit rushed at times. I loved the idea of fierce chickens coming to the rescue. Katyana grows carrots and on discovering a bowl, she gets thrown into the thick of magic, throwing her simple existence out of sync. Cute story, though

10: Hexguns and Roses-Amy Campbell
How cool is a Palomino Pegasus! I want one... Jack is a mage but one without magic so he travels to the Inventors Exposition. An elf has just what he'd like, a gun to eliminate magic called a hexgun. I liked how suave and confident Jack is and his lovely banter with Zepheus. This is a fun read, wouldn't mind more of Jack...in fact, I want more of Jack!

11: A Measure of Solace - Lily Anne Crow
A young girl girl, Zeera, a human, finds a bow on the forest floor and she's shocked to discover it's sentient. Solace, the bow is weak after languishing for what he thinks are months. Having lost his master, he needs a new master urgently, and with Zeera's help
I enjoyed the banter between them, Zeera's youthful indignation. I loved how they "stumbled" into a bond, absolutely delightful story

12:Talons Shadow - Dave Dobson
I enjoyed this very much. I found it unexpected, especially at the end, I wouldn't have guessed Penelope was a... what she was.... I enjoyed the intrigue and mystery of why she was treated as a silly girl and I definitely enjoyed seeing Penelope come into her own. I loved the addition of Edram, great character, shrouded in mystery too

13: Dragonstone- Jaq D Hawkins
Lesana has not one but two secrets to keep, one her own, that she found and hid a dragon egg, the other, her Master tasked her with, keeping a box hidden, but she helped herself to a knife before she squirreled it away. A strange knife with the ability to do strange things. Interesting story, I would like to read more

14: Bright Arrow- CK Beggan
A war between the Ministry and rebels ended in favour of the Ministry, but rekindled the rebellions need to retaliate. Pursey is tasked with fetching a magical object, the Bridge Arrow, her first solo mission. But she comes face to face with an ex, one she's convinced works for the ministry. A very action packed short story, filled with mistrust, lies and deception. It was just an interesting story, although some parts seemed outlandish

[TaniaRina]

RELEASED!!!

YAY! More new-to-me authors to discover! And a few familiar faces, as well…


STORIES:
The Pilfered Quill - Rachel Renner & David Green
Stealing Fate - Angle Haze
A Kindness in Measure - Andy Peloquin & Jaime Castle
When There’s a Tomorrow - Karyne Norton
Twisted Artefact - Katie Cherry
The Blade of Severed Bonds - Laura Winter
The Emerald of Destiny - Stacey Upton
Heart of the Matter - TC Ross
The Spell Porringer - Staci Olsen
Hexguns and Roses - Amy Campbell
A Measure of Solace - Lily Anne Crow
Talon’s Shadow - Dave Dobson
Dragonstone - Jaq D Hawkins
Bright Arrow - C.K. Beggan

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic collection of fantasy stories! Some of my favorites were by authors new to me-Andy Peloquin and Jaime Castle, CK Beggan, Karyne Norton, TC Ross, and Laura Winter. But there were also great stories from authors I’ve read before like Rener and Green or Amy Campbell. Overall, it’s an engaging and varied collection- urban, historical, western, medieval, funny, heartwarming, dark, our world and second world stories all revolving around a different magical item. Highly recommend!

[Denise Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As anthologies go this is one of the best I've read. There are always going to be favourite stories in any collection but most of these are top notch.

If I had to choose just I liked best, it would be Dragonstone, but of course I love dragons!

The wealth of imagination for stories about enchanted or magical objects was inspired and I'm going to take a close look at other anthologies and books from these authors.

[Melinda Cater · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of these shorts are fantastic! And there is so much diversity. Wether you enjoy sweet and swoony romance, something dark and gritty, a litttle dose of mystery and epic in a smaller package, or something urban and funny there is something there for any and every fantasy reader. I very highly recommend!

[Laurie Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hi I purchased From the Shadows / From the Ashes / From the Arcane due to 1 off the Author's
Aaron Hodges who I have read every Book off his available, so I thought I'd try this series but not for me other readers may like them Laurie S

[Deann]

When There's a Tomorrow ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fifty First Dates with a curse. What a nice little story!

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