What do you think?
Rate this book
Fates of Magic and Myth: A Limited Edition Fantasy Boxset
Dive into enchanting worlds with the "Fates of Magic and Myth" boxset, featuring eight captivating books by acclaimed authors, including USA Today and Amazon bestsellers. Experience epic battles, magical quests, and mythical creatures in stories filled with heroes, sorcerers, and warriors fighting dark forces. Each tale offers a thrilling adventure in fantastical realms where magic rules and legends unfold. Perfect for any fantasy lover, this collection promises endless excitement and intrigue.
- GenresFantasy
Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2024
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Culican
107 books682 followersJ.A. Culican is a USA Today Bestselling author of the middle grade fantasy series Keeper of Dragons. Her first novel in the fictional series catapulted a trajectory of titles and awards, including top selling author on the USA Today bestsellers list and Amazon, and a rightfully earned spot as an international best seller. Additional accolades include Best Fantasy Book of 2016, Runner-up in Reality Bites Book Awards, and 1st place for Best Coming of Age Book from the Indie book Awards.
J.A. Culican holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Niagara University, in which she has been teaching special education for over 13 years. She is also the president of the autism awareness non-profit Puzzle Peace United. J.A. Culican resides in Southern New Jersey with her husband and four young children.
For more information about J.A. Culican visit her website at: www.jaculican.com and follow her on Facebook: @jaculican
J.A. Culican holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Niagara University, in which she has been teaching special education for over 13 years. She is also the president of the autism awareness non-profit Puzzle Peace United. J.A. Culican resides in Southern New Jersey with her husband and four young children.
For more information about J.A. Culican visit her website at: www.jaculican.com and follow her on Facebook: @jaculican
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Currently reading
February 6, 2025Fates of Magic and Myth is a collection of various, novelette or novella length, stories by various authors. Therefore I will review each of those separately and then give the whole Limited Edition Fantasy Box Set one final rating once I have read all the individual stories.
J. A. Culican: Eldrick - A Keeper of Dragons Prequel
In the true fashion of a prequel it gives you a lot of backstory to... Exactly, you don't know to what. Certainly to its namesake, Eldrick, but why exactly is never revealed. It's basically a clever strategy to make you read the main series The Keeper of Dragons and I would say it works, to some degree. Once I made it to the end I felt betrayed and wanted to know how the story carries on. Which is, partially, down to the fact that this story dragged on a bit. Lots of character development and backstory, lots of world building and then I get ... nothing except for 'tbc'.
It was in parts enjoyable to read, in others not so much (as I already said, it dragged on a bit in parts). Sets up an interesting world, but unfortunately leaves the bad taste of an advert behind. If it hadn't kept me totally hanging I'd given it 4 stars, but as this was so incredibly unsatisfying at the end I can't bring myself to rate it any other than 2 stars, only due to the fact that having read it feels so pointless without being able to instantly dive into the next part of the story.
Was okay, made me want to check out the main series but by itself it felt like a rather pointless read in the end.
I would recommend reading it if you are already planning on reading The Keeper of Dragons, maybe start of with it, as it's the prequel after all. On it's own, I personally wouldn't have bothered if I knew were it was going before I started reading. Not because it was a bad story, by no means, but because it doesn't make a great story on its own.
Read as a stand-alone: ★★☆☆☆
Read as part of the series: ★★★★☆ (guesstimate)
S. R. Breaker: Arranged To The Fea Warrior - The Dragons of Arcadia Prequel
An action packed fantasy romance. Well-written, interesting, short (too short, actually, for my taste, I'd happily read a story twice as long) and sweet.
Didn't leave me unsatisfied, like the first story in this collection did, only eager to check out the other books from this author. It might be a prequel but it's also it's own little story by itself.
Was enjoyable to read. Can definitely recommend reading it.
★★★★☆
Sara Sines: Kalle - The Vindicator’s Voyage
I absolutely loved this action packed fantasy romance full of wit, charming characters, and a suspenseful storyline.
Can't wait for the story to continue.
★★★★★
Miranda Herald: Speed Dating A Werewolf
Interesting wolf-shifter story with one confusing flaw: it took me forever to figure out this is not a fantasy setting but a contemporary one.
Aside of that, captivating, easy to read, and entertaining.
★★★★☆
David Neth: The Dark Knight - Under the Moon (Villains)
An interesting start to a likely much larger story which is in and by itself interesting enough to also work as a standalone.
★★★★☆
E. A. Burnett: The Gryphon Key
Currently reading
Lou Paduano: The Last King - A Greystone Adventure
River Cross: Vision Walker
--
Transparency disclaimer: Receiving a free ARC (via StoryOrigin) of this book did not influence my review in any way, shape, or form.
J. A. Culican: Eldrick - A Keeper of Dragons Prequel
In the true fashion of a prequel it gives you a lot of backstory to... Exactly, you don't know to what. Certainly to its namesake, Eldrick, but why exactly is never revealed. It's basically a clever strategy to make you read the main series The Keeper of Dragons and I would say it works, to some degree. Once I made it to the end I felt betrayed and wanted to know how the story carries on. Which is, partially, down to the fact that this story dragged on a bit. Lots of character development and backstory, lots of world building and then I get ... nothing except for 'tbc'.
It was in parts enjoyable to read, in others not so much (as I already said, it dragged on a bit in parts). Sets up an interesting world, but unfortunately leaves the bad taste of an advert behind. If it hadn't kept me totally hanging I'd given it 4 stars, but as this was so incredibly unsatisfying at the end I can't bring myself to rate it any other than 2 stars, only due to the fact that having read it feels so pointless without being able to instantly dive into the next part of the story.
Was okay, made me want to check out the main series but by itself it felt like a rather pointless read in the end.
I would recommend reading it if you are already planning on reading The Keeper of Dragons, maybe start of with it, as it's the prequel after all. On it's own, I personally wouldn't have bothered if I knew were it was going before I started reading. Not because it was a bad story, by no means, but because it doesn't make a great story on its own.
Read as a stand-alone: ★★☆☆☆
Read as part of the series: ★★★★☆ (guesstimate)
S. R. Breaker: Arranged To The Fea Warrior - The Dragons of Arcadia Prequel
An action packed fantasy romance. Well-written, interesting, short (too short, actually, for my taste, I'd happily read a story twice as long) and sweet.
Didn't leave me unsatisfied, like the first story in this collection did, only eager to check out the other books from this author. It might be a prequel but it's also it's own little story by itself.
Was enjoyable to read. Can definitely recommend reading it.
★★★★☆
Sara Sines: Kalle - The Vindicator’s Voyage
I absolutely loved this action packed fantasy romance full of wit, charming characters, and a suspenseful storyline.
Can't wait for the story to continue.
★★★★★
Miranda Herald: Speed Dating A Werewolf
Interesting wolf-shifter story with one confusing flaw: it took me forever to figure out this is not a fantasy setting but a contemporary one.
Aside of that, captivating, easy to read, and entertaining.
★★★★☆
David Neth: The Dark Knight - Under the Moon (Villains)
An interesting start to a likely much larger story which is in and by itself interesting enough to also work as a standalone.
★★★★☆
E. A. Burnett: The Gryphon Key
Currently reading
Lou Paduano: The Last King - A Greystone Adventure
River Cross: Vision Walker
--
Transparency disclaimer: Receiving a free ARC (via StoryOrigin) of this book did not influence my review in any way, shape, or form.
March 29, 2025
I’ve already enjoyed works by both Culican and Breaker, so I’ll start with the new-to-me authors.
REVIEWS:
*Kalle - Sara Sines
[The Vindicator’s Voyage #1]
Always question your allies…always.
*Speed Dating a Werewolf - Miranda Herald
Best to show up armed – er, I mean, forewarned - for dates.
And a little magical mead never hurts…
*The Dark Night (Under the Moon: Villains #3) - David Neth
[part of the Art of Magic universe]
Ya gotta work hard for things worth having.
*The Gryphon Key - E.A. Burnett
[The Enchantress Rising Trilogy prequel (continues with ‘Of Gryphons and Runes’)]
Some people just need a wee bit of help in reaping what they sow.
*The Last King - Lou Paduano
[A Greystone Adventure – next is ‘Signs of Portents’]
Punishments shouldn’t be torturous, so make the most of the situation.
*Vision Walker - River Cross
[Continues with War of the Dragon]
Life and magic are bonded.
*Eldrick - J.A. Culican
[A Keeper of Dragons Origin (continues with ‘The Prince Returns’)]
Don’t chase the forbidden.
Our ego is our absolute worst enemy.
Be wary of obsessions, now matter how innocent or well-meaning they may seem.
***Arranged to the Fae Warrior - S.R. Breaker
[The Dragons of Arcadia prequel (continues with ‘Curse of the Dragon Heir’)]
‘Hell hath no fury’
The secret to a successful marriage is partnership and respect – but only with two people rather than three!
REVIEWS:
*Kalle - Sara Sines
[The Vindicator’s Voyage #1]
Always question your allies…always.
*Speed Dating a Werewolf - Miranda Herald
Best to show up armed – er, I mean, forewarned - for dates.
And a little magical mead never hurts…
*The Dark Night (Under the Moon: Villains #3) - David Neth
[part of the Art of Magic universe]
Ya gotta work hard for things worth having.
*The Gryphon Key - E.A. Burnett
[The Enchantress Rising Trilogy prequel (continues with ‘Of Gryphons and Runes’)]
Some people just need a wee bit of help in reaping what they sow.
*The Last King - Lou Paduano
[A Greystone Adventure – next is ‘Signs of Portents’]
Punishments shouldn’t be torturous, so make the most of the situation.
*Vision Walker - River Cross
[Continues with War of the Dragon]
Life and magic are bonded.
*Eldrick - J.A. Culican
[A Keeper of Dragons Origin (continues with ‘The Prince Returns’)]
Don’t chase the forbidden.
Our ego is our absolute worst enemy.
Be wary of obsessions, now matter how innocent or well-meaning they may seem.
***Arranged to the Fae Warrior - S.R. Breaker
[The Dragons of Arcadia prequel (continues with ‘Curse of the Dragon Heir’)]
‘Hell hath no fury’
The secret to a successful marriage is partnership and respect – but only with two people rather than three!
July 1, 2024
Excellent Excerpt Compilation
"Fates of Myth and Magic" by various authors is a great compilation of fantasy stories for the ever-voracious consumer of all things fantastical. The authors paint a rich world full of a diverse set of creatures and mythologies with both new takes on lore and the older, more established lore of supernatural creatures. The prose was well-written and edited, each style matching the flavor of the world well with nothing seeming anachronistic in the context of each individual story. Characters were robust and engaging, and readers will find that each story is a page-turner.
While some of the stories contained within are of your tried-and-true adventure story, or of political intrigues, other stories lean more toward romantasy and have some spice in them. There is indeed something for everyone on this compilation, so if one sample is not to a reader’s liking, there are several others to skip to. It also serves a hidden purpose of time management—instead of getting sucked in for hours while chores and sleep beckon, the end of each story is a good stopping point for readers who cannot put a story down once they start!
But readers be warned: each story is but a small excerpt of either a longer novel or series. While it is a fun jaunt into the typical escapism of the genre, this compilation functions more as an advertisement for the authors and stories contained, with the main purpose seeming to get the reader to go out and buy the complete versions of each sweeping narrative. If you are a reader always looking for new material to consume, this is the perfect compilation to test the waters without an initial commitment. However, if you are a reader looking for a complete narrative and self-contained storyline, this may not be the book for you.
"Fates of Myth and Magic" by various authors is a great compilation of fantasy stories for the ever-voracious consumer of all things fantastical. The authors paint a rich world full of a diverse set of creatures and mythologies with both new takes on lore and the older, more established lore of supernatural creatures. The prose was well-written and edited, each style matching the flavor of the world well with nothing seeming anachronistic in the context of each individual story. Characters were robust and engaging, and readers will find that each story is a page-turner.
While some of the stories contained within are of your tried-and-true adventure story, or of political intrigues, other stories lean more toward romantasy and have some spice in them. There is indeed something for everyone on this compilation, so if one sample is not to a reader’s liking, there are several others to skip to. It also serves a hidden purpose of time management—instead of getting sucked in for hours while chores and sleep beckon, the end of each story is a good stopping point for readers who cannot put a story down once they start!
But readers be warned: each story is but a small excerpt of either a longer novel or series. While it is a fun jaunt into the typical escapism of the genre, this compilation functions more as an advertisement for the authors and stories contained, with the main purpose seeming to get the reader to go out and buy the complete versions of each sweeping narrative. If you are a reader always looking for new material to consume, this is the perfect compilation to test the waters without an initial commitment. However, if you are a reader looking for a complete narrative and self-contained storyline, this may not be the book for you.
August 22, 2024
I came for the prequel from S.R. Breaker and stayed for the rest of the boxset stories.
The prequel is Breaker’s “Arranged to the Fae Warrior” which is set in the Dragons of Arcadia world. It was short, action-packed, and drama filled. The strongest mage and the strongest warrior finding out who they really are beneath all the pretense after having been kidnapped by pirates. The rest of the set is accompanied by stories just as action packed and just as riveting. Definitely worth the read!
The prequel is Breaker’s “Arranged to the Fae Warrior” which is set in the Dragons of Arcadia world. It was short, action-packed, and drama filled. The strongest mage and the strongest warrior finding out who they really are beneath all the pretense after having been kidnapped by pirates. The rest of the set is accompanied by stories just as action packed and just as riveting. Definitely worth the read!
October 30, 2024
I love the theme of this collection! I loved some stories more than others, but there's something for everyone in this collection! I especially loved Arranged to the Fae Warrior, though this was a reread of that particular one. It's such a great story, though!
June 6, 2024
A wonderful collection of stories dealing with magical and mystical creatures and many more to delight readers. Absolutely loved Miranda Herald’s short story. Don’t miss out.
November 14, 2024
This was a great fantasy book with interesting characters and a captivating story!
I received a copy via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews