Voices of The Future: Stories of Courage and Compassion

by Sarah Pagel, Kyla Carter, Cameron Skocilic

Discover the next generation of storytellers!

The second edition of Voices of the Future weaves together short stories of courage and compassion in a memorable and heartwarming multi-genre collection. Experience the next generation’s creativity and vision through stories from rising young creatives.

Kyla Carter: “The Graveyard of Lost Dreams”
Alyssa Guthrie: “A Deathbed Wish”
Hannah Marie: “Zelophehad’s Daughters”
Sarah Pagel: “The Colors in the Well”
Alabama Rose: “The Sister Knot”
Kellyn Roth: “If Ye’d Only Say”
Elena B. Sato: “In Our Blood”
Cameron Skocilic: “Miracles”
Kasumi Sonoda: “Chichi no Chikai”

The Author Conservatory is a college-alternative program for gifted writers focused on helping them gain the business and storytelling skills to craft sustainable careers. 100% of your purchase goes to help students attend writing conferences where they can pitch their work to agents and publishers.

Genres: Young Adult, Short Stories, Historical Fiction, Anthologies, Romance, Fantasy, Middle Grade

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2024

Reviews

[Joseph Brink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume 2 of Voices of the Future comes out in two days!

It is so exciting to see my friends and classmates get published and send their stories out into the world!
For the past few years I've been a student at the Author Conservatory, the school that published this book, and I had the wonderful experience of getting to work and study alongside the amazing authors featured in this collection.
So yes, I'm a wee bit biased because I love the people behind these stories, but even that aside, I think these are genuinely great stories.

I liked this collection even better than Volume One (which published back in December). Partly because this collection had much more variety in the genres it featured.

I'm gonna do a quick review for each story in this collection. Here goes!


1. ---- "The Colors in the Well" by Sarah Pagel
Middle-Grade Magical Realism

I LOVE Middle-Grade Magical Realism. This story did not disappoint. I really loved the MC, I loved the themes of colour and bravery and fitting in in a school setting. It felt very appropriate for a Middle-Grade audience, and it was lovely and heartwarming and bittersweet all at once--the perfect combination.

I'm really excited to see what novels Sarah Pagel ends up coming out with--she's an incredibly gifted writer and I love the vibes of her stories.


2. ---- "Graveyard of Lost Dreams" by Kyla Carter
High Fantasy

Fun read! Fans of high fantasy will probably love this story!


3. ---- "Miracles" by Cameron Skocilic
Christmas/Humor/Horror/Fantasy

This was wild! Easily the funniest story in the collection, very madcap and crazy over-the-top (in a very fun sort of way). Featuring a reindeer with an Australian accent, a giant horrifying monster, and a sweet brother-sister relationship, this was a very fun ride!


4. ---- "In Our Blood" by Elena B. Sato
Historical Magical Realism

Elena's an incredibly gifted writer. The settings of New York City felt so vivid and real, and this felt like it had the potential to be an incredible longer story. Unfortunately, the story just felt far too short. :(

That said, I still really enjoyed this story, and I think Elena's skill at her craft really shone through. She's amazingly gifted when it comes to longer stories (I've read one of her novels and loved it).


5. ---- "A Deathbed Wish" by Alyssa Guthrie
Historical Magical Realism

This story captivated me from start to finish. It felt very cinematic, and I LOVED the characters and the main character's growth journey!


6. ---- "Chichi no Chikai" by Kasumi Sonada
Historical

I LOVED this story. The characters were awesome, the storyline was very fun and felt incredibly realistic. I really enjoyed it and it's definitely one of my favourites!

Update: I reread this one later (while reading a novel at in the same world by Kasumi) and loved it even more than the first time! It really is a stunning story!


7. ---- "Zelepheod's Daughters" by Hannah Marie
Biblical Fiction

I don't usually like Biblical Fiction for a few different reasons (mainly I don't love needless speculation about Bible stories), so I was prepared not to like this story.
And yet somehow this story swept me off my feet and blew me away. During that final scene, I had chills racing up and down my spine. This story was INCREDIBLE. Probably my favourite out of the whole collection.


8. ---- "The Sister Knot" by Alabama Rose
Contemporary

This was the other close contender for favourite story in the collection. The conflict in this story felt so real and relatable. I've been there, watching a close friendship change and start to drift apart. It hurts--and to have that pain recognized in a story and handled so gently and beautifully really touched me.
Very bittersweet, in the best way possible. :)


9. ---- "If Ye'd Only Say" by Kellyn Roth
Historical Romance

This story was very fun. I had no idea where it was going the whole time, so I was totally glued to the page. Kellyn is very good at capturing the dialect and feel of her setting.
What astounded me the most about this story was how good Kell was at writing a male protagonist who felt incredibly real and man-like. His bewilderment about what his girl was thinking/feeling was such a relatable feeling from my little experience with girls.


All in all, this was a very fun collection, and I'd highly recommend it! All proceeds go to support young writers who are bravely sharing their writing with the world. It's not easy to do, but they are absolutely killing this. :)

[jo ୨୧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

to preface this review i would like to say that i support these authors and know they worked hard on their stories. the opinions that follow next are 100% my own


If you want to read a short story collection involving: two kids (and some reindeer), a thief, two besties maybe for resties, a daughter who loves her family, a graveyard, and other short stories. This book might be for you.


pre-review - to full review to come

[Abby Burrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so, I'm going to try writing out mini reviews for each story in this collection as I go along. Don't know how this will go, but we'll see! And when I finish it, I'll give an overall review of the anthology.
Overall rating for the anthology: 4 stars.

Summary Review: This was a wonderful collection of short stories, each unique in its voice, and yet all carrying the similar themes. It's such a wide variety, but all the of the stories are told well and there is not a poor one among them. Overall, I enjoyed reading this anthology and going from one story to the next. Each was just so unique, with different settings, characters, and situations. But also, there were the underlying themes of compassion and courage that tied it all together.

Disclaimer: I was given a free ARC for honest review, and all opinions are my own / not influenced by that.

The Colors in the Well by Sarah Pagel (4 Stars)
Ooooh, colors, I like colors. Any colors are better than black and white in my opinion. And Ivy's world is certainly not black and white, in multiple ways.
It was interesting how Ivy thought of her emotions and what she was feeling as colors, I really liked that part. This is a story about loneliness, about rejection, about having the courage to go your own way despite what others say about you. And about how, maybe you shouldn't try to play the games of the world, because it will never end up satisfying you. That maybe, what the world rejects isn't cursed after all, and being outside what is popular and accepted isn't a bad thing.
I wouldn't label this as Christian fantasy, but as clean fantasy, and it was an engaging read. Perhaps, for me, the plot was a little predictable. But it made up for that in the excellent way the themes were woven in and in Ivy's own character growth, as she realized that she was never cursed after all. Plus, the concept was unique and different. Some favorite moments were...
Nycheia turning the paints into colors in the water, that would be so beautiful to see in person. And how Ivy realized that fitting in with the popular kids meant she would have to act like them. That she would have to reject and scorn others, reject Nycheia, reject Anna, etc. And that she didn't want to be that way. And in the end, she had the courage to stand up to Beatrice and Louis and others like them. To be a friend to the friendless. A favorite line...

"She would never be like Eleanor, popular and pretty. But if these were the kids she’d have to be friends with, maybe she didn’t want to be."
So if you want a story about the courage to go against the flow... This is one of them.

The Graveyard of Lost Dreams by Kyla Carter (4.5 stars)
I was looking forward to this story in particular, as the premise sounded interesting, and it did not disappoint.
What if you could run to catch your own dream? It's an interesting thought. Because don't we all pursue our dreams? This takes that literally and imagines what it would be like if you raced to catch your own dream.
But some dreams aren't worth catching. Or stealing, for that matter. Because the cost is sometimes more than you want to pay.
I related to the main character and her struggles, because I too have felt them as I've wrestled with my own dreams and the desires of my heart.
This is something that I too have thought about. Leaving family behind for your dream often isn't worth it. Clenching onto dreams so hard at the cost of family and friends isn't worth it.
And you can tell yourself that you're doing this for your family, as Addie did, but in the end, if you loose them, it's not worth it. This story beautifully explored that idea, of how holding onto our dreams can cause nightmares.
And Dandy is as bitter and distasteful as the flower she's named after, for the record.
A favorite quote: "If I’m a dreamfilled, why do I feel so empty inside?" Honestly one of my favorite lines from the story, because I've felt that way too. If I have what I thought I always wanted, why am I not filled, satisfied? Determining what we really want is hard sometimes.

Miracles by Cameron Skocilic (4 stars)
Well. That was interesting.
First of all, I was skeptical of this story because I didn't know what it'd be like. It's not my normal genre at all. But despite that, I still enjoyed it.
It was fun, it had neat descriptions, and Miles character voice was really strong and I liked it. Sophie was adorable and awesome and the perfect little sister sidekick. It definitely stands out from the other stories in being unique, but it's a good type of unique. Not exactly my cup of tea because I never was a fan of Santa / ever believed in him, and quite frankly, you're lying to your kids when you tell them / have the believe things like that, and I'm not okay with that. But, as a "what if?", it provided an interesting concept and I still enjoyed the story itself.
There were lines that amused me and also ones that stood out to me. Watching Miles process through things was also intriguing.
I think this story is classified genre wise as having "Horror" elements, but I was still okay with it because pretty much the only horrifying thing was the description of villain / what the villain does. So, it wasn't too much for me. Would I want to see it movie form? Not really. But in book form, where I can control in my head how terrifying it looks, I was okay with it. Just like I'm okay reading about giant spiders in The Hobbit, but don't care to see them in the movie.

In Our Blood by Elena B. Soto (4 Stars)
This is the story where the fairy dust on the cover comes from. I found this story unique. A girl who can bleed to death if she's pricked by a needle? Interesting idea... So what do you do, then? Elisa has a locket that protects her- but only within the confines of her home. And that makes her helpless to help her family, who is struggling to provide for themselves. And she can't really live a life.
This story is about having the courage to take risks, because life is made of risks. And honestly, that's something I need to hear right now. Stepping out and giving up safety is worth it to live a life. Yes, taking risks and giving up safety to help others is worth it, having the courage to live is worth it.

A Deathbed Wish by Alyssa Guthrie (4.5 stars)
“Well, Colonel Walker, I hear deathbed wishes are pretty powerful things.”
There is something a little haunting about this story, in a good way. Colonel Walker is given an unexpected chance to make things right with his daughter before he dies. But he is dying- there is no second chance at life here for him, no chance to live out the rest of his life. Only a chance to make things right by admitting that he was wrong. One chance to make it right before it's too late.
“My dad would die before admitting he was wrong.”
And maybe that's all we really have too. One chance. Today. We may never get another one.

Chichi no Chikai (A Father's Vow) by Kasumi Sonoda (4 stars)
The ending to this story was pretty satisfying, if I do say so. Ihara is such an awesome father <3 who wants to provide for his family. Then, he also is compassionate- and his compassion takes courage. But in the end, it pays off. It's a beautiful picture of what compassion can do for a person, and how it can even save another's life. Plus, I've never read a story with a samurai as the main character, so that was a interesting first for me.

Zelophehad's Daughters by Hannah Marie (4 stars)
I have also never read Biblical fiction about the story of Zelophehad's daughters, so this was another intesting first. I think the author did a really good job with it, and honestly, it was better than I thought it would be. I liked how all the sister's different, distinct personalities were shown, despite this being a short story.
Even though you know how the story ends, you can still feel the tension, the suspense, as the sisters wait for Moses. And you're cheering on the sisters, encouraging Mahlah to not give up but to keep on going, to bring her case to Yahweh, even when it might seem easier, safer, to settle.

The Sister Knot by Alabama Rose (4.5 stars)
Honestly, such a fun and also cute short story. I really liked Taylor's character voice, there were some quotes from her that amused me or made me smile. She was full of spunk. And I also liked Will, he wasn't the clueless, dorky boyfriend at all, but could actually tell what was going on between the two girls. (I was like, "Please Taylor, give this man a chance" lol.) Also, those donuts sound so delicious, I want oneeeeee. And I enjoyed seeing Taylor shift from feeling betrayed to being willing to let her friend go and accept change... And I understood her feelings too.

If Ye'd Only Say by Kellyn Roth (4 stars)
This story was set in Scotland, which I looked forward to and was not disappointed by. I also liked the characters' accents, they were pleasant to read without being too hard to read, if you know what I mean.
I'm really not the biggest fan of the "miscommunication between lovers" trope, so that dampened my enjoyment a little, but this one was alright. It wasn't over something terribly petty. I also just adored Bob, he was sweet and kind and I related to him in some ways, like how he would get tongue tied when talking with customers, or having trouble standing up for himself when he should. Oh, and of course, his love of books ;) I don't think I liked Ena as much, but I did like her fiery spunk. Overall, it was sweet little story, and the ending was pretty cute / satisfying lol.

[Jessica Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading these stories made me so excited for the future of fiction 💜 Every single one of these stories are beautifully written with strong themes, interesting characters, and gripping storylines. There are nine authors’ stories featured, and I have specific thoughts on each, so let’s get right into that!

Sarah Pagel | The Colors in the Well

This was a perfect start to the collection! It was heartwarming yet bittersweet, and I loved the role color played in the story 🎨

Kyla Carter | Graveyard of Lost Dreams

I struggled a bit to connect with this one, but I love the concept of having to catch your dreams and the struggles that come with it. Some important truths were uncovered in this one that really hit deep.

Cameron Skocilic | Miracles

Is it fantasy? Is it humor? Is it horror? I think it’s all three… yeah, it’s a wild mix, but it was hilarious 🤣 Still, there are some thought-provoking themes! I’m just glad it wasn’t a movie, because I don’t think I would like to see that villain come to life like that 😖

Elena B. Sato | In Our Blood

I need these characters and this story in a full-length novel right now, please and thank you very much 💛

Alyssa Guthrie | A Deathbed Wish

I wasn’t a fan of the twist at the end, but the story did make me peck a tear. As another reviewer said, it felt very cinematic. This is one I want to see made a movie.

Kasumi Sonada | Chichi no Chikai

I didn’t quite connect with this one either, but the characters were really well developed!

Hannah Marie | Zelepheod’s Daughters

Oh my goodness, I loved this one 😆😍 I’m very picky with my Biblical fiction, but this hit the spot! It was beautiful 🤎 I will be keeping an eye out for future stories from Hannah Marie!

Alabama Rose | The Sister Knot

I felt this one deep in my heart. I’ve been there—I’m there now—and man, does it hurt. This story captured those feelings and gave me hope for the future 💕

Kellyn Roth | If Ye’d Only Say

Kellyn is one of my favourite authors, and as an avid reader of her books, I loved seeing a favourite side character come to life! Ena and Bob make such a sweet couple, and I loved their relationship arc as well as all the literary referenced 📚

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful anthology! Every story grabbed and held me from beginning to end, and I'm so excited to read full-length novels by each author. If you read widely in lots of genres, and enjoy a wide variety of story tones and writing styles, this collection is for you.

A quick rundown of each story and what stood out to me:

- I love a good middle grade story, and The Colors in the Well by Sarah Pagel was no exception. Ivy's journey was strong and relatable; I loved how she found peace and confidence after her struggles, and then paid it forward by passing that on to others. Props to Sarah for writing a child's perspective so beautifully, too.

- The Graveyard of Lost Dreams by Kyla Carter was so touching—Addy's emotions were palpable throughout, and her character's arc was a fresh, lively take on a classic theme. And the disability rep was wonderful. Lots of lovely prose as well!

- I may have cackled out loud reading Miracles by Cameron Skocilic 😂 Such a clever, hilarious romp with moving thematic underpinnings. Excellent characterization, and lots of fun takes on classic Christmas imagery. Loved this one!

- In Our Blood by Elena B. Sato is one of those stories that'll stick with you longer after you finish. It's a rich, atmospheric tale—I could see the sights and smell the smells along with Elisa—with a thoughtful perspective on a real historical event, and gorgeously written to boot. I know this is going to be one for the reread stack.

- A Deathbed Wish by Alyssa Guthrie blew me away—I'd heard rumblings about the story's premise and theme beforehand and was super curious how Alyssa was going to pull it all together, and she crushed it. The themes of reconsideration and reconciliation over division and dismissal were beautiful, and every emotion from grief to regret to joy hit just the right note.

- Chichi no Chikai by Kasumi Sonoda brought me so much joy—I couldn't help but root for Ihara and his daughters all the way through, and Kasumi's take on the themes of honor and family was resonant and nuanced. Loved the rich cultural insights as well!

- Zelophehad's Daughters by Hannah Marie Loghry is the kind of biblical fiction we need more of—the kind that has God's heart for the overlooked. The real biblical story behind this is one of my personal favorites, and Hannah Marie absolutely nailed this dramatization of the orphaned sisters and their plight in a society that by and large didn't believe women were worth listening to. Even though I knew how the story would end, the thematic resonance still caught me off guard and hit me right in the gut. Beautiful.

- The Sister Knot by Alabama Rose packs a punch with its simplicity—Taylor's internal struggle really resonated with me as a single gal adjusting to all her friends dating/marrying/moving on to new life seasons, and all the complex emotions that come along with that. The characters were endearing, and the emotional impact attached to the small, everyday things was true to life.

- I loved If Ye'd Only Say by Kellyn Roth to pieces—Bob was such a relatable, frustrating, lovably human character, and his admiration for Ena was adorable. He grew so much in courage and what it truly means to love someone else in such a small timespan, and the climactic scene put a huge grin on my face. Historical romance isn't usually my genre, but I can't wait to read more of Kellyn's work. Her wit, honesty, and compassion as a writer came through even in this brief format.

As a whole, this collection was a blessing to my heart, and I can't wait to hear more from these talented authors as they grow!

[Andrea Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. The Colors in the Well by Sarah Pagel
4 stars
This story was charming and rich in colorful detail. I especially liked how the realistic bullying was dealt with. The theme of friendship was exquisitely expressed.

2. The Graveyard of Lost Dreams by Kyla Carter
5 stars
This story was so cute! I liked how the author featured dreams (goals). This aspect was unique and exquisite. Imagination was well used here!
Content: tattoos

3. Miracles by Cameron Skocilic
2 stars
If not for the handful of bad words and a horror overtone, this story would have been charming. The concept was well developed, and the sibling relationship was wonderful. I liked how emotion was used throughout.
Content: profanity, expletives, replacement profanity

4. In Our Blood by Elena B. Sato
5 stars
Italian immigrants and a pair of sisters? Yes please! This story was all about family—and right up my alley. I want more, Miss Sato!

5. A Deathbed Wish by Alyssa Guthrie
4 stars
This story was so unexpected. I loved that it featured forgiveness and wartime and a father-daughter relationship. The time travel was very nicely done. I especially liked the disappearing numbers.
Content: tobacco

6. Chichi No Chikai by Kasumi Sonoda
5 stars
This story was lovely. It was especially wonderful that it was set in Japan and featured honor and samurai and sacrifice.

7. Zelophahad’s Daughters by Hannah Marie
3 stars
This story was well written and emotional. The sweeping finale was beautiful. I wasn’t sure the personalities of the characters were true to the real people of the biblical account; these things are difficult to know for certain. But the author did a great job with the faith thread. I wept for joy through the final pages.

8. The Sister Knot by Alabama Rose
5 stars
This story was filled with emotion—one of my favorite things. I especially appreciated the struggle to come to terms with changing friendship. That is not an easy thing sometimes, and this author exquisitely expressed the inner turmoil a person can go through on the journey.

9. If Ye’d Only Say by Kellyn Roth
5 stars
This story was just as lovely as I had anticipated. Ena is one of my favorite characters from the Alice & Ivy universe, and it was wonderful seeing her romance with Bob. Happy sigh!

[Daniel Amador]

Reviewing anthologies is very difficult for me. It's difficult in general. Depending on the anthology, you might want to review each as individual stories that happen to be in the same book or you might want to review each respective story in light of its sister story.

Expectations also tend to be a bigger deal; an author can only fit so much into a short story so that one thing you expected could make or break the experience.

I'm going to address my expectations and try to review the book from there.

***

What makes short stories so important is the high intensity of theme, plot, and shock factor in a small dose. I'm sure you've heard of the famous six-sentence story: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." It tells you so much in so few words, and leaves you with many questions.

The Art of Short Story is delivering something profound in few words. There's no long exploration of themes, a plot without room for uphills and downhills, and minimal character introduction.

That's my expectation for short stories.

I also see the Author Conservatory glorified as a program of high quality, deep exploration, and high expectations. Something like YWW on steroids.

I know what to expect from Ydubbers. I expected a lot more from Author Conservatory students (Johnson's impressive The Star That Always Stays comes to mind).

That's my expectation for Author students.

I guess I expected a lot more profundity and depth than was delivered. Thematically (read: the question presented in a story and how it was answered), Chichi no Chikai was probably the strongest.

I'm not questioning the quality of the stories themselves. The prose was excellent in almost every story and they all had a solid structure.

That's partly why reviewing this anthology in particular is so hard for me.

Most of the stories just didn't connect with me.

It's not that something is wrong with what is, it's that something's wrong with what isn't. I have a feeling that most of the stories are missing something.

That's also where my expectations come into play again.

1) I guess I expected them to wrestle with and address difficult ideas and topics. Not necessarily that they have to deal with suicide or sexual abuse (though I had hoped heavy issues like those would've come up in at least a few of them), but that they pose open-ended or inconvenient questions.

People might point out that many of the stories were Middle Grade, which is for kids, so should be lighthearted and come in easy portions.

I agree that MG stories should be written in ways children can tolerate without being overwhelmed, but I don't believe that they need to be "innocent." I think some of the best MG stories are ones that wrestle gently with issues kids might actually deal with (Orbiting Jupiter comes to mind; a story that deals with child-pregnancy and parental abuse). I believe we underestimate how aware kids really are.

2) Going back to open-ended, I feel like that's what makes so many short stories so iconic: they don't give you the ending.
Short stories often tend to be too cluttered when you have to introduce the story—which includes the theme, character(s), and worldbuilding—to present the bulk of the story, and then tie everything back up.

Speaking of worldbuilding...

I felt that, for the most part, the second half (historical and contemporary fiction) was overall stronger than the first half (fantasy), because of the issue of worldbuilding.

Echoing the above, when you have to introduce, explain, and explore a world or fantastical twists on our own world, there's just not enough space for a satisfying intro and conclusion.

But anyway.

I did enjoy the anthology. Most of the stories themselves were engaging. The most engaging for me were Sato's In Our Blood and Sonoda's Chichi no Chikai.
Shoutout to...
- Marie's Zelophehad's Daughter as a close third and going far beyond my expectations in creative interpretation of an often overlooked Biblical story,
- Skocilic's Miracles for the humor,
- and Rose's The Sister Knot as a concept that was hinted at for months in Alabama's email list which also exceeded my hopes, especially for it's charm and thoughtfulness.

Finally, in the style of Eminem—I'm just playing VotF Vol 2, you know I love you.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Only Ye’d Say by Kellyn Roth
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). It took me a bit to recognize where Bob & Ena came from, haha! I enjoyed their cute romance and how Ena stepped int to help Bob with his struggles, while he learned to stand up for her too. <3

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

[Calissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these stories whisk you away to the North Pole, to a cramped neighborhood in Little Italy, or to a wandering nation in the wilderness—and some are grounded in the honest, quiet details of contemporary life and traditions with best friends. In these stories you’ll find soldiers, whether it’s a broken colonel returning from a German battlefield or an aging samurai keeping a father’s vow. You’ll find bright paints swirling in dark wells, glowing orbs of dreams, and cracked wristwatches of ticking time. You’ll find naiads, reindeer, and fata. And donuts, which are arguably just as magical.

While the overarching themes are of courage and compassion, other themes shine through here too. Honor. Forgiveness. Redemption. Letting go, accepting change, telling someone you love them even if they might not love you back.

A Deathbed Wish in particular stood out to me. I rarely cry over books, and can’t remember the last time I cried over a short story... and this one made me tear up. But the wonderful thing about anthologies is that there’s something for everyone, and I can guarantee you’ll find at least one story to connect with here.

[Lori Ann Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sister Knot by Alabama Rose: Alabama perfectly captures the rocky emotions of a changing friendship. Taylor’s fear about losing someone else is so relatable as well as Jasmine’s readiness for a change. I love how easy it is to root for both of them in this story, as well as see the growth by the end!

[Allyson Jamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, I skimmed several of these stories. For no fault of the authors, the writing of these stories are spectacular! It was simply because I do not read magic and I was unaware how many of these stories contain magic. However, the ones that didn't were delightful and an absolute joy to read!! I had a lot of fun reading through this anthology. 🥰

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Olivia G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly a collection of courageous tales, in big things and small ones.

My two favorites (yes, I couldn’t decided on just one) were The Graveyard of Lost Dreams by Kyla Carter and Zelophehad’s Daughters by Hannah Marie.

I loved the fantasy world and themes of Carter’s story, from parental pressure, chronic illness/disability/ability, family, classism, and the value we place on dreams. I would 100% read a full novel set in this world! Also, Rowan for the win!


I’m not a fan or a reader of biblical fiction, so Marie’s story caught me off guard. It takes true talent to take a reluctant reader and transform them into a fan by the end, and she didn’t disappoint. Her writing was amazing and the final scene had me grinning for these girls who thought they were unloved and forgotten.

[E.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading half of this book on a flight to see these authors graduate in person, and then the other half after hearing them give a panel at this anthology's launch party was the best experience. Hearing the inspiration behind the stories in this release gave me a new appreciation for this collection as a whole, and the pure talent and grit harbored by each one of its nine authors. I'm very proud of them, so it's hard not to be just the tiniest bit biased.

Even then, I didn't resonate with each of the stories on the same level. But that's the beauty of anthologies—I highly suspect the stories I resonate with will change as I re-read the collection in different seasons of life.

For now, though, my individual thoughts on each of the stories:

The Colors in the Well by Sarah Pagel

I found the magical realism, almost classic vibe of this story and its setting intriguing, especially through a middle-grade character's eyes. While I resonated with the main character and her dealings with isolation, anxiety, and overthinking, I would've loved to see a bit more of her personality beyond those struggles and her singular artistic talent.

The Graveyard of Lost Dreams by Kyla Carter

Despite not having enough functioning brain cells to comprehend a completely new worldbuilding and magic system, this story made it surprisingly easy and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The entire concept of chasing a dream being a literal footrace was interesting and I resonated with the emotions of the main character despite momentarily frustrated with her stubbornness. The world felt distinct and the magical system felt familiar, making it easy to slip into the plot and its themes in a natural way. One of my favorites from this collection!

Miracles by Cameron Skocilic

This story stands all on its own in both tone and character. While I was momentarily a little confused as to what direction the story was headed, it took an unexpected turn and filled the story with so much more depth than I expected, making the conclusion surprisingly insightful. I also really enjoyed hearing the author's inspiration behind this story and how he drew the contrast between the childhood wonder associated with Christmas and the hard, inevitable struggles of the real world.

In Our Blood by Elena B. Sato

I've had the pleasure of reading and helping brainstorm a few of Elena's full-length novels, so I was instantly intrigued when I heard this concept. Her writing style is easy to follow and flows well in this short story, bringing both the internal conflict within Elisa and the setting of Little Italy to life in a tangible way. I think I would've loved to see this story expanded a bit more, as the ending, while heartfelt, came across as a bit rushed in its conclusion.

A Deathbed Wish by Alyssa Guthrie

This might've been my favorite story out of the whole collection. This is one of those short stories that doesn't feel like a short story because its pacing is just as immaculate as a novel, and the context behind each of the characters and their relationships felt so clearly developed. The subtle magical element was the perfect touch in the way that it didn't overshadow the main character's arc in the slightest, and I almost teared up at the end.

Chichi no Chikai by Kasumi Sonada

I could talk a bit about how the author is the most articulate and sweetest person ever, but I'll refrain for the time being (even if it's true). Even then, her love for tackling difficult questions shines through this short story. While I was worried the main character would appear too perfect, I resonated with the doubt and wrestling he faced as a result of his compassionate decisions. It felt realistic despite taking place in a different setting than contemporary life.

Zelophehad's Daughters by Hannah Marie

I don't read much biblical fiction, so I had a bit of difficulty following this story's plot conflict, but I appreciated the author's cast of strong female characters determined to preserve their father's legacy even while facing obstacles and closed doors. The setting was described distinctly and the ending was so simple but still heartfelt.

The Sister Knot by Alabama Rose

I think I related a bit too much to this story, honestly. I could actually feel the awkwardness coming through the page, and the fear and frustration that comes with seeing a friendship change before your very eyes and being helpless to change it. While it's definitely a less plot-heavy story compared to the others, the character conflict carried the story and the conclusion was a needed reminder.

If Ye'd Only Say by Kellyn Roth

I love Kell's Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series, so when I heard she was planning on writing a story featuring Ena and Bob, I was immediately excited to read this one. And it did not disappoint. Once again, the conflict in this one is mostly internal and due to a singular misunderstanding with more repercussions, but I genuinely loved the characters and thought they were the sweetest together.

Overall, once again, this is a solid set of stories from the Author Conservatory!

(3.5 stars, rounded up)

[Haley Durfee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading all these stories! All were well-written with clear plots and character development.

°˖➴mini reviews

🪦The Graveyard of Lost Dreams | Kyla Carter
The worldbuilding in this was fascinating! I really liked the race to get a dream idea.

⏲A Deathbed Wish | Alyssa Guthrie
The concept felt unique, and it was a very sweet story (though sad).

📜Zelophehad's Daughters | Hannah Marie
I've been fascinated by the daughters of Zelophehad since I first read about them as an eight or nine year old, and so I loved Hannah's dramatization of their story, despite not usually being a big fan of Biblical fiction.

🎨Colors in the Well | Sarah Pagel
What genre to describe this? Almost a MG cozy urban fantasy, and it was amazing.

🍩The Sister Knot | Alabama Rose
Taylor was such a relatable character.

🌿If Ye'd Only Say | Kellyn Roth
I'm not really a historical romance girl, but Bob and Ena were so. stinkin. cute.

🗝In Our Blood | Elena B. Sato
The vibes. The historical fantasy. The fact that it involved the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory disaster, which I read about as an eight/nine year old and was horrified by it. And the sisters. Loved all of it!

🎅🏻Miracles | Cameron Skocilic
Pretty sure this is MG horror? My younger self would have been terrified and simultaneously loved this story. It's definitely the most unique member of the collection.
**quick content note for this one: it has a few British vulgarities**

⚔Chichi no Chikai: A Father's Vow | Kasumi Sonoda
This reminded me of June Hur (though this is Japanese instead of Korean) in all the right ways. I loved the setting and how Kasumi writes inspired by her heritage!

[eloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

again, a gorgeous anthology from the author conservatory! here are my itty-bitty mini-reviews <3

the colors in the well
one of my favorites! so sweet and beautifully written. loved the gentle and poignant middle-grade vibes <3

the graveyard of lost dreams
an absolutely brilliant premise! sadly, i didn't end up connecting much with the story.

miracles
well written, but so out of my genre lol

in our blood
so beautiful! emotional, with a setting that came alive on the page. (also, fairies <3)

a deathbed wish
a touching tale of forgiveness-there were tears in my eyes by the end.

chichi no chikai
excellent! read almost like a legend/fable in the best way possible.

zelophehad's daughters
in a tale of sisterhood, this brought to life a part of the bible i had never thought much about before.

the sister knot
a good story about friendship and change.

if ye'd only say
such an endearing romance! it is so fun to see ena again <3

note: thank you to kellyn roth for the arc! these are my honest (and horrifically belated) thoughts.

[Sarah Rhomberg]

*I received an ARC (advanced reader copy) of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.*

Let me set the scene – imagine being curled up on your favourite chair, sipping some herbal tea, while listening to the rain pound at the window. It was the perfect way to enjoy this little book, which I had been very much looking forward to reading.

Here are my thoughts on each story:

“The Colors in the Well” by Sarah Pagel
I’m not the biggest fantasy reader, but I was very intrigued by this mix of fantasy and reality. Also, the way the colours were woven into the story was very nice!
Quote: “She would be in middle-name trouble if Mama could see her right now.”

“The Graveyard of Lost Dreams” by Kyla Carter
Wow! This story was incredible! The concept is unique and the message so good! I know I will be thinking about this story for a long time still! This is probably my favourite story of the collection.

“Miracles” by Cameron Skocilic
This story was slightly strange, and I honestly didn’t love it. However, I did appreciate the cute message!

“In Our Blood” by Elena B. Sato
This short story had really loveably characters! The ending confused me a little, but the characters were really what made this story!

“A Deathbed Wish” by Alyssa Guthrie
This was so beautiful! I loved the way the characters grew and how forgiveness was woven into it all. One of my favourite stories from the collection!

“Chichi no Chikai” by Kasumi Sonoda
Wow, what a powerful message! I enjoyed this story a lot – great characters, great plot, great message!

“Zelophehad’s Daughters” by Hannah Marie
I haven’t read a lot of biblical fiction, but this story made me want to read more. The author did a really good job of capturing the time and the story and I enjoyed her writing style too.

“The Sister Knot” by Alabama Rose
I very much enjoyed this story! The author nailed the common TCK struggle of change and made the main character’s pain easy to feel while reading the book.

“If Ye’d Only Said” by Kellyn Roth
This was so sweet! I loved the character development and the story in general. This is top-notch work by Kellyn Roth.

[Cheyenne McCumbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful collection from The Author Conservatory! It’s hard to pick a favorite, but “Miracles” by Cameron Skocilic told me something I needed to hear (all while making me laugh!), “A Deathbed Wish” by Alyssa Guthrie touched my heart, and “The Sister Knot” by Alabama Rose spoke to some feelings I’ve been dealing with recently. I also loved the uniqueness of all the other stories!

[Rhys-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read an anthology so mixed. Some of the stories I loved, some I liked, and others weren’t very interesting to me. Most of the stories, whether I enjoyed them while reading or not, were somewhat forgettable. If it hadn’t been for the two last stories in the collection, I probably would have been generous to give this book three or four stars, but those two made it worth reading.

It’s important to note, though, that the reasons I didn’t much like some of the stories were entirely to do with my own preferences and probably wouldn’t mean much to others. I’m not much of a fantasy reader, so the fantasy stories in the beginning of the anthology were a bit of a slog for me, but if you love fantasy and/or historical fiction, you’ll probably enjoy them all.

“The Colors in the Well” by Sarah Pagel: It’s been a while since I’ve read a magical realism/contemporary fantasy story, and the genre isn’t one of my favorites. Stil, I liked reading this middle-grade story, mainly because of the theme of loneliness. Ivy was a relatable main character, and I could sympathize with her feelings of rejection by her school peers. I enjoyed seeing her realize that she didn’t have to keep trying to earn the respect of the kids who were unkind to her. The writing style was good, and I especially liked how the author wove in references to colors, since it added to Ivy’s uniqueness as a character.

“The Graveyard of Lost Dreams: by Kyla Carter: I liked this story, magical fantasy though it was. The premise was unique and well-executed in my opinion, and the writing style wasn’t bad either. Adeline’s struggles were relatable and the plot kept me interested and wondering what I would do in her situation.

“Miracles” by Cameron Skocilic: I personally disagree with the concept of Santa Claus, and since that plays a large role in this story, I won’t be leaving a review for this one.

“In Our Blood” by Elena B. Sato: This was a unique and enjoyable magical fantasy/historical story. I liked the main character Elena and her relationship with her sister Micola. I did feel that the story was rather short and I didn’t have enough time with the characters or setting.

“A Deathbed Wish” by Alyssa Guthrie: The last of the fantasy stories, this one was a fairly good speculative historical story. It was well-written, and I liked seeing the main character’s reconciliation with his daughter.

“Chichi no Chikai” by Kasumi Sonoda: I enjoyed this historical story. Ihara and Tsuki were interesting characters. While I thought it one of the better stories in the collection, it’s been so long since I read it that I can’t think of anything more to say about it.

“Zelophehad’s Daughters” by Hannah Marie: I had high expectations for this story, but it never exactly caught my interest. Perhaps it was because I already knew the story, but despite the interesting premise, this story wasn’t one of my favorites. However, it was well-written and readers more familiar with Biblical fiction will enjoy it.

“The Sister Knot” by Alabama Rose: At last, we arrive at one of my two favorite stories in Voices of the Future. This contemporary story was deeply relatable and everything I wanted it to be. Not only did it have an excellent premise, it was also well-written with an engaging character voice. Perhaps because I found her so relatable, I liked Taylor, the narrator, much better than her friend Jasmine, but both characters were well-written and realistic. And even though I had doubts that the author could finish the story with a satisfying and realistic ending, I couldn’t have come up with a better ending myself.

“If Ye’d Only Say” by Kellyn Roth: My other favorite story in this collection (seriously, I can’t pick between them) was a beautiful story with Kellyn Roth’s signature combination of historical setting, character voice, and sweet romance. And it’s a prequel to Beyond Her Calling! Bob was an excellent character, as was Ena. This story and the preceding one definitely redeemed the collection for me with their relatable characters and lovely, albeit very different, settings.

[Kenleaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it’s the fact that ALL of these stories were either fantasy or historical fiction (my favorite genres to read!), but I was so sad when I finished the last story.

There are very few books I read that make me think, “Wow, that was exactly the book I didn’t realize I wanted – needed – to read.” Well, this was one of them:) These stories weren’t shallow – tales simply for the sake of adventure. But each of these stories tugged my heart in a different way and made me feel seen. Held. Encouraged and challenged.

“Colors in the Well” in reminding me it’s okay to not fit in with the crowd.

“The Graveyard of Lost Dreams” in pointing to the beauty and importance of home over career.

“Miracles” in painting hope amidst the loss – and reminding me it’s okay to laugh and find joy (and it’s healthy to!) in the aftermath of losses.

“In Our Blood” in pointing to the beauty that love isn’t always in the grand expressions, but sometimes – many times – it’s the smallest acts that have the most value.

“A Deathbed Wish” in reminding me our perceptions and biases can get in the way of us getting to meet some really cool people.

“Chicki no Chikai” in powerfully showcasing the importance of mercy and how our little acts can have big impact on others’ lives.

“Zelophehad’s Daughters” in dancing a very delicate line between ‘women power’ and standing up for what’s right. (Seriously, I greatly appreciated this story!)

“The Sister Knot” in wrestling through the struggle with change and gently pointing to the truth that change can be a good thing.

“If Ye’d Only Say” in reminding me how important it is to not wait for others to show their expressions of care so we can feel validated, but, even when we don’t, to love those around us.

There’s so much more I could say about these stories because I loved EVERY SINGLE ONE. Thank you all for such an amazing read! I can't wait to share this book with my siblings!

[Hannah Grace Staton (on hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rising authors bring their talents to the table and place their best work on display in this collection of stories centered on courage and compassion. Reading their work, I can tell that they are putting into practice what they've learned: these aren't mediocre stories. The fantasy stories weren't my cup of tea, but that's just because fantasy isn't my preferred genre. Even I can't deny that they're well-written.

I like how all of the stories circle around the common themes of courage and compassion, exploring them in vastly different ways but held together by the same thread. My favorite story from this collection is Hannah Marie's "Zelophehad's Daughters." (Full disclosure: she is the one I purchased this book from, but I had never heard of her before that, and I'm fairly certain her story would have been my favorite anyway.) I like how she brought a cast of mostly obscure Bible characters to life, reminding readers that they were real people just like us.

All in all, this book offers a great glimpse into the work of writers whose books will grace popular shelves in the future.

[Trena Balakrishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second volume by the author conservatory. I’m finding I like anthologies as I’m not one to read until the book is finished. I can read one story and come back several days or weeks later and read another. These are great for me to read 30-45 minutes at a time. My favorites in the volume were “Zeliphehad’s Daughter” and “If Ye’d Only say”.

[Anna Beth Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Anthology is very enjoyable. I did not expect to find myself enjoying every single story especially since there are several different genres covered in this book.
I found each story to be engaging in its own way and was so impressed with the level of writing these new authors presented. I can’d wait to see what else they do. I highly recommend this collection of short stories.

I had the opportunity to read the ARC (advanced reading copy) but the above are all my own thoughts.

[Jessica Sprecher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely showcasing of the Author Conservatory students! Great job everyone who was published here. <3 Down below I am reviewing based off of my opinions, with the font for the Contemporary stories (whether fantasy or just contemporary) being 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 font, the historical fiction and historical fantasy being 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 font, and the pure fantasy font being 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 one.

🎨𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕣𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕝𝕝🎨 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I absolutely loved the bits of Greek mythology woven in this one!

🏮𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔊𝔯𝔞𝔳𝔢𝔶𝔞𝔯𝔡 𝔬𝔣 𝔏𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔇𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔪𝔰🏮 🌟🌟🌟✨
The aesthetics of this one was quite interesting--though confusing at times, and I loved how relationship was important!

🦌𝕄𝕚𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕤🦌 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨
This one was a definite favorite with the Christmas magic and vibes--and it gave me inspiration for my own Christmas short story.

🩸𝐼𝓃 𝒪𝓊𝓇 𝐵𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹🩸 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This one had such amazing components: strong family bonds, magical pixie-like creatures that protect the main girl, and history! (Won't say too much to spare from spoilers.)

🕙𝒜 𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽𝒷𝑒𝒹 𝒲𝒾𝓈𝒽🕙 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was quite an intriguing concept, and sooo bittersweet. It made me cry a little bit too. <3

🗡𝒞𝒽𝒾𝒸𝒽𝒾 𝒩𝑜 𝒞𝒽𝒾𝓀𝒶𝒾🗡 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I loved the aesthetic and historical setting of this story, and the strength of honor and family (and swords--who doesn't like swords?) Didn't like Tsuki, the main character's daughter, much though. She annoyed me with her behavior.

⛺𝒵𝑒𝓁𝑜𝓅𝒽𝑒𝒽𝒶𝒹'𝓈 𝒟𝒶𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝑒𝓇⛺ 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
It helped that this is one of my favorite stories in the Bible! I absolutely loved seeing these strong women come to life in this story and to imagine what it might have been like for them. (Noah annoyed me, but oh well haha.)

💞𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕂𝕟𝕠𝕥💞 🌟🌟
*Edited 11/26/2025* Well-written, and the male character was such a sweet guy. I hated the behavior of the two main girls, however, and wanted to enter the story and shake them so hard. 😛 Alabama, if you are reading this, you are a very good writer and can make me scream at characters as if they are real.

💍𝐼𝒻 𝒴𝑒'𝒹 𝒪𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝒮𝒶𝓎💍 🌟🌟🌟✨
The miscommunication trope was strong with this one, but everything worked out in the end. And come on, historical romance is so cute.

[Valari Westeren · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Courage and Compassion" is an appropriate subtitle because the variety of stories in this collection show the wide range of what courage can look like, especially when it's driven by compassion.

"The Colors in the Well"--this was a lovely start to the collection, a gentle story driven by a girl struggling to fit in at school, with a little magic discovered along the way. I'd label this the sweetest of the nine stories.

"The Graveyard of Lost Dreams"--there was a lot of worldbuilding detail going on in this one, but I was never lost. I liked getting immersed in a world so vast that still functioned under one essential principle: teenagers can catch dreams and vastly improve their lives, but only if they're quick enough! Even if the protagonist missing her loving family felt a bit off, since I hadn't seen her parents do much other than pressure her to carry a burden much too big for a teen, I could overlook that for the sake of experiencing a unique high fantasy world. This wins the prize for best worldbuilding and the most twists.

"Miracles"--well, it wasn't hard to give this one the prize for being the most humorous! I liked the portrayal of Santa Claus as more regal than what we usually see in Christmas stories. He reminded me of Father Christmas from the Narnia tales. Beyond that the best part was the protagonist's first reaction to a talking reindeer.

"In Our Blood"--this was a pretty straightforward story once the mother broke her arm, but what I loved most was the setting and character portraits. I liked getting to read a story about the immigrant experience, though infused with magic because why not. :) I also didn't realize at first that the major event of the story was based on something that happened in real life! (The story isn't quite as sad as the real event.) So this wins the prize for most unique historical moment.

"A Deathbed Wish"--even though the plot was pretty straightforward, this story still managed to surprise me by the end. So it'll give you what you expect from a WWII story about a veteran given one last day to make things right, plus a little extra to make the whole story sweeter. It wins the prize for best surprise ending!

"Chichi no Chikai"--this story is tied for first!! It's not every day our protagonist gets to be the stereotypical "wise old Asian" figure--and because we're in his head and get to experience his doubts and fears, he turns out to be not so stereotypical. I was really drawn to the hard question of whether it really is worth it to live honorably, taking the high road nobody else takes, if it looks like nobody even cares. This wins the prize for the most complex thematic question--and I love me a good thematic question!

"Zelophehad's Daughters"--this story is the other one tied for first. :) Who knew a Biblical fiction story that I already knew (though admittedly it's not a common one we hear about) could be so suspenseful?? My heart ached for the five girls fighting for justice and their rightful place as daughters of the Israelite nation. It's rare that a story where I already know the ending can move me this much. So this wins the prize for the most compelling character struggle.

"The Sister Knot"--I will give this story the prize for "most personally relatable," because as a military brat who's had to move several times in her childhood and lost so many friendships, this hit me in all the feels. My heart sunk a little lower each time the protagonist was dealt another blow, wondering if she would soon lose her dearest friendship--to a boyfriend, no less! The protagonist's mindset change felt a little random and out of the blue, which is the only thing keeping me from letting this story tie with the previous two for first place. Even if the ending fell a bit flat for me, I commend the author for being able to depict the heart of the story conflict so well.

"If Ye'd Only Say"--okay, I guess I'm cheating if I say this wins the prize for "best micro look at romance." It's the only romance in the collection. But as someone who ardently avoids romances, I have to say, I did enjoy this one, probably because it focused on such a small yet crucial moment of a romantic relationship: the vulnerability of asking someone to tell you "I love you," and to be able to say it in return. I think I'd enjoy more romances if they focused on such details.

Overall, this is a very clean read with a variety of genres, mostly historical fiction or historical fantasy. Happy to have read it!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Colors in the Well” by Sarah Pagel
Bullies have existed throughout time as have tall tales of “actual” events. Sometimes all it takes is one friend to overcome the negativity in your life. Sarah has combined these into a fantasy short story that gives hope and encouragement to those being bullied.
“The Graveyard of Lost Dreams” by Kyla Carter
We all have dreams of what we want the future to hold. But sometimes what we dream for isn’t really as good as we’d like it to be. In this fantasy short story Carter people have a short period of time to physically chase the available dreams. If they don’t catch them, they remain dreamless (and outcast). Dreams that aren’t caught go to a graveyard. Adeline’s parents have been pressuring her to catch her dream and secure their future. In the end, because she gains her dream in an unusual way she has to make sacrifices and decide if those sacrifices are actually worth it. A good story about determining what really matters.
“Miracles” by Cameron Skocillic
I love Christmas stories. Skocillic has crafted a Christmas story that is unlike any other I’ve read. Krampus, a monster from European tales, has taken Santa away. Saving Santa falls to a young teen who no longer believes in Santa. An interesting story but not one of my favorites.
“In Our Blood” by Elena Harris
Harris crafted a beautiful story about self sacrifice and putting others first. Elisa has a disease which makes it dangerous for her to venture outside of her home. Yet one day she ventures out because her sister forgot her lunch. Her sister worked in a sewing factory in 1911. She arrives at the building to find it on fire and the employees locked in. With the help of some mythical creatures who are her constant companions she is able to free her sister and the others trapped in the building. Elisa did what needed doing without a thought to her own safety - a great story of encouragement.
“A Deathbed Wish” by Alyssa Guthrie
“A Deathbed Wish” is a sad story set in World War II. Guthrie leaves readers with the message - don’t judge people by their ethnic group or nationality. Jonathan causes a rift in his relationship with his daughter because of his prejudice against Germans. The fantasy aspect of the story allows Jonathan a chance to reconcile with his daughter before joining his wife in heaven.
“Chichi no Chikai” by Kasumi Sonoda
“Chichi no Chikai” is another sad story. A Japanese father is dying - he has no son to care for his wife and daughter so he takes matters into his own hands. Sonoda’s storyline leads readers to the message that it is more important to look at a person’s character than his wealth or upbringing.
“Zelophehad’s Daughters” by Hannah Loghry
I love it when authors take a somewhat obscure Biblical character and make them come to life. Hannah Loghry has done just that. It appears she researched the time period and brought the culture of the time into her story.
“The Sister Knot” by Alabama Yutzy
We grow up. We change. We develop new interests. Yet we can remain friends, even if those friendships look a little different in the future. Yutzy’s story “The Sister Knot” is all about two friends who promised to be sisters for life. Yet when one starts developing a relationship with a man, the other has a hard time accepting it. A good story for someone who is struggling with changing relationships.
“If Ye Only Say” by Kelly Lyn Langdon (Kellyn Roth)
“I love you” - three powerful words that can change the dynamic of a relationship. Langdon shows readers just what a difference those three words made in the lives of an engaged couple in 1874. She went from wanting to call off the wedding to being excited about getting married. He went from being timid and unsure of himself to being very protective of his fiance and what people said about her. I have read many of Langdon’s (Roth’s) works and am always amazed by her grasp of the time period.
Voice of the Future would be a great book to have on hand this summer. Most of the stories are short enough to be read on a lazy afternoon.
The anthology is appropriate for a K-12 Christian school library, especially since these stories are written by college-aged budding authors.
I received a complimentary copy of the Voice of the Future anthology. This is my honest review.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was super excited for these students in The Author Conservatory who were publishing their short stories in this anthology! I have some thoughts on each short story.


The Colors in the Well by Sarah Pagel
This is the first story in the book, and I was quite impressed by the prose. It was so well crafted, and the descriptions were so vibrant! I loved all the imagery, especially how it pulled on and used colours. Sarah was clearly thinking of everything through the lens of the character, and I appreciated that attention to detail.


The Graveyard of Lost Dreams by Kyla Carter
I actually ordered my copy from Kyla, and I was blown away by this short story! I wrote these notes right after I read it:
Wow. Wow wow wow wow. This is a story that I know is going to stick with me. It kept me up past my bedtime: the visuals and worldbuilding were so strong and fleshed out, the arc took turns I wasn’t anticipating, and the stakes were just so good! I truly loved and enjoyed this story. The message of it really had me thinking afterwards, too. Loved it.

Miracles by Cameron Skocilic
This story had me throwing my head back to laugh and my jaw dropping from the emotional punches. It was so well written, and I loved the touches to make it feel more like a 13-year old boy’s perspective. For a short story, this one carried quite the punch!

In Our Blood by Elena B. Sato
It was so cool to see things told from a different culture! The descriptions were cool to read as well, and the way the main character, Elisa, grew.

A Deathbed Wish by Alyssa Guthrie
EXCUSE ME. FIRSTLY: I CRIED.
Secondly: This story almost kept me up past my bedtime. (It was only an extreme act of my will that got me to put it down and walk away.)
The writing was so immersive: I was there in the story, with the character.
The growth was beautifully written and believable; I loved the arc of the story.
OH MY GOSH. THE TICKING CLOCK! That is one of my favourite things in writing. And WOW. Hit it out of the park.
This story was so much sorrow, joy, hope, growth, beauty, and forgiveness. It was pain and it was light. That thing threw a punch in the gut I seriously did not see coming.

Chichi no Chikai: A Father's Vow by Kasumi Sonoda
The world was so interesting to read about and see; this was the first story in the anthology with a much more subtle change in the character in that he started out as the wiser character around. He didn’t really have any mentors as a result, which I found interesting.

Zelophehad's Daughters by Hannah Marie
The end of this also made me choke up, so well done there! I haven’t really read Biblical fiction before, so this was a first for me.

The Sister Knot by Alabama Rose
This was a cozy story, which I loved; the sister knot itself gave such a unique flavour to the story, though! Really makes it stand out in my mind against all the other contemporary stories I've read.

If Ye'd Only Say by Kellyn Roth
Romance isn't typically the genre I go to, especially historical - but this one was so good! The story was just so well done - and adorable - and I loved the growth in it.


OVERALL

I really loved this anthology! It was nice to have something a little shorter to read at the end of the day, and having multiple stories gave me the chance to slowly soak in each one over the course of multiple days. I'm excited to circle back around to the first collection, and am looking forward to more of these coming out in the future!

[M.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from one of the authors in exchange for a review. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

This was a sweet collection of stories, ranging from world-ending catastrophes in the North Pole to learning to embrace change in the snows of Canada. Each author is talented and brings something special to the collection, making this an anthology that has something for everyone. I’d recommend it to readers aged 12+.

THE COLORS IN THE WELL by Sarah Pagel
This was a unique story with some unexpected twists. I loved the blend of a contemporary setting with mythical creatures, and the theme of considering others more important than yourself was well written. 4/5 stars.

THE GRAVEYARD OF LOST DREAMS by Kyla Carter
This was one of my favorites in the collection! The setting is cool, and the plot went in so many unexpected directions that kept me interested the whole way through. I loved the exploration of how chasing dreams might not end up as we’d hoped. 5/5 stars.

MIRACLES by Cameron Skocilic
When I think back on the anthology, this is the story that keeps coming to mind first. I mean, come on, it’s about two kids going to the North Pole to save Santa. It takes all the clichés and runs with them, creating a story that’s actually not cliché at all. It’s easily my favorite out of them all! 5/5 stars.

IN OUR BLOOD by Elena B. Sato
I love sibling stories, and this was a great one! Elisa is a good heroine who grows well even over the short course of this story. I wanted more details on the fairies and Elisa’s magic locket, but it’s still a sweet story. 3/5 stars.

A DEATHBED WISH by Alyssa Guthrie
What would you do if you had one last chance to make things right with a loved one? This historical fantasy story explores that question, weaving a tale that almost made me a little teary. 4/5 stars.

CHICHI NO CHIKAI by Kasumi Sonoda
This was a fun story set in historical Japan. I loved the father-daughter dynamic, and Ihara was a delightful POV character. I’d love a novel about him in his younger days. I was a bit confused about the time period of the story, as the language was quite modern, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of it. 4/5 stars.

ZELOPHEDAD’S DAUGHTERS by Hannah Marie
Why is this the first story I’ve read about these courageous biblical figures? The daughters of Zelophedad are commemorated in Scripture for their boldness, and this story does an excellent job of presenting their struggles as they worked to keep their father’s name alive. Can we get a full-length novel, please? 5/5 stars.

THE SISTER KNOT by Alabama Rose
This one was probably my least favorite of the collection. The dynamic between Taylor and Jasmine was kind of annoying, and Jasmine’s behavior did seem a bit uncalled-for. But the resolution is sweet, and the message of learning to embrace change is much-needed. 3/5 stars.

IF YE’D ONLY SAY by Kellyn Roth
Kellyn’s been one of my favorite authors for years, so of course I was excited to read her contribution to the anthology. Bob and Ena are adorable, and it was so fun to see their relationship in this story! I also loved the references to classic literature. 5/5 stars.

[Abigail Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the Anthology as a whole, I needed this. I needed stories with happy endings and hope and magic. There's already so much darkness in the world, and I recently read a lot of books that made me feel as if my soul was encased in oil. This was just the collection to refresh me and remind me how wonderful fiction can be, if authors only had the courage to believe in happy endings.

Individual stories

The Colors in the Well by Sarah Pagel
Had an excellent first line that pulled me in instantly. A story of friendship and the magic of being yourself. I liked it, but it would probably only be a 3.5 stars for me.

The Graveyard of Lost Dreams by Kyla Carter
A soulful story wrestling with what happens when we achieve the dreams we thought we wanted, and how other peoples expectations can harm us. Glitters with magic, reminiscent of the BFG. 4 stars.

Miracles by Cameron Skocilic
I probably would have liked this wry little adventure better if I read it around Christmas. As is, it has a fun sarcasticness to it, and has quirks to your typical saving christmas story. My favorite parts were the grand scale for a short story, and how it didn't shy away from being a little scary. 3.5 stars.

In Our Blood by Elena B. Sato
This story contrasts magic sharply against the harsh reality of poverty in little Italy New Yourk. How frustrating to want to help others but be denied because of something we can't control. And yet...life is still beautiful, and adventure can be found everywhere, even in bringing your sister her forgotten lunch. This was by far one of my favorite stories in the entire anthology! Elena mixed historical with magic with a deft touch! 5 stars.

A Deathbed Wish by Alyssa Guthrie
It's never too late to ask for forgiveness. Don't let a day pass in anger, because some doors, once closed, can't be opened again. IN this story of regrets and forgivenesss, even death is a chance to mend what should have never been broken. This story was not what I expected, and I couldn't put it down. 4.5 Stars!

Chichi no Chikai by Kasumi Sonoda
I've always loved honorable samuri. Readin this story reminded me of Usagi Yo Jimbo, and the true meaning of honor. I didn't want it to end and was incredibly happy with all of it. 4 Stars.

Zelophehad's Daughters by Hannah Marie
I didn't love this one, but it was ok. Definitely cool to realize just how big of a deal getting their father's inheritance was though! 3 stars

The Sister Knot by Alabama Rose
This story hit close to home. To anyone who's ever felt like they are losing a friend, this story captures the feeling perfectly 3. 7 Stars

If Ye'd Only Say by Kellyn Roth
Sometimes we forget to tell the people we care for most that we love them. With an adorable romance, and a lovely irish lilt, this story made me smile the whole way through. *and made my social awkwardness is adorable button very very happy* 4.5 Stars

[Evelyn Richesin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courage and Compassion from a Young Generation’s Point of View

Nine story tellers contributed illustrations of Courage and of Compassion in this second volume of Voices of the Future from the Author Conservatory. Some of the genres are fantasy and magic, historical fiction, and biblical fiction. Some are mixed genres.
I really identified with the story by Hannah Marie, taken from an Old Testament story in the time of Moses. If you are interested in how women had a part in the activities of the Old Testament, this one is a great example of that. These 5 girls/women had to be very determined and brave to approach the leaders for their rights in the newly forming nation of Israel.
There were stories from other nations and cultures, stories of how some were greeted or treated after coming to our country from other nations. As they illustrated courage and compassion, they also created characters who demonstrate pride and prejudice and even cruelty as an imperative for such a story.
I have seldom been a fan of fantasy or magic except in rare cases. I found that these writers of that genre created characters who showed courage usually after some time of timidity and/or selfishness. Though there may have been magic available, they had to fight the wrong desires in themselves and win before they could make moves of self-sacrifice, courage, and compassion. They didn’t get out of being human.
Kasumi Sonoda, though young, knew how to understand the mind and wisdom of her fatherly character because of the many hours of listening to her own grandfather’s stories of his Japanese Hawaiian life. She could create the young, sassy daughter, so sure of herself, because she is young and has young friends.
There are nine thrilling stories here by these writers from a new generation. They are going to be the great and well-known authors in our world. The Author Conservatory (ARC) is a school for those students who want to focus only on writing and learning how to be published. They are already seeing their own works published before graduation. It is worth your time and cost to read and get to know these young authors. I recommend them:
Sarah Pagel
Kyla Carter.
Cameron Skocilic.
Elena Harris
Alyssa Guthrie
Kasumi Sonoda
Hannah Loghry
Alabama Yutsy
Kelly Lyn Langdon

[Abby Smith (Weigand) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Colors in the Well:
This was such a sweet story about belonging and being true to who you are. I loved the simple, one-scene structure of the story and the author did a fantastic job of hitting every note at the perfect moment.

The Graveyard of Lost Dreams:
Such a unique concept! This world and magic system is so interesting and I hope the author writes a novel in this world one day. The main character was sympathetic from the start and there was never a moment where I wasn’t rooting for her.

Miracles:
This story was straight out of a nostalgic Christmas movie! I loved how cute and humorous it was, and the siblings felt so real. Now I want to make hot chocolate and watch a hallmark movie. And it’s June.

In Our Blood:
Such an immersive setting and a unique main character! I loved the strong family themes and how tightly the culture was woven into the narrative.

A Deathbed Wish:
This was absolutely my favorite story! I love the father/daughter relationship and all the emotional moments! Alyssa has such a way with words and paints such beautiful pictures of life. I can’t wait to see what she writes next, because this short story was everything I’ve been looking for.

Chichi no Chikai
I loooooved the setting and characters in this story. The pacing was perfect and I’m very sad that it is not a novel bc I must know more :( I like how the prose doesn’t over explain everything and let’s the reader make deductions for themselves

Zelophehad’s Daughters
This was such an interesting historical setting and gave me a new perspective on the book of Numbers. I liked how the author turns Bible stories into something very tangible and relatable.

The Sister Knot
This was such a cute story about family and how to welcome new members into your normal. As someone who’s family is learning this now, it was relatable and offered a hopeful perspective on not losing a sister, but gaining a brother too.

If Ye’d Only Say
I loved this sweet little romance story! I read it I one sitting and enjoyed the dynamic between the two fiancés. Also, all the references to Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights was perfect for fans of the classics.