Welcome, reader. Are you ready to go on a journey?
Within this anthology, you will join a dying woman on a trip to the stars; free a rose from the clutches of her garden; embark on a mission to a promising new world; embrace your potential with a young dreamer; learn the truth behind a folk tale; begin life anew with your soulmate; return to the comforts of home with new love; and shed your uncomfortable skin and transform.
Blurring lines between genres, TRANSCENDENCE is a celebration of the power of change, transition, and transformation.
Talli is a writer, artist, and librarian who believes that books make some of the best friends. You can almost always find them buried in books (literally and figuratively), but they can also be spotted running around attempting to pet as many dogs as possible.
You can find Talli on Instagram @tallimorgan.books and visit them at tallimorgan.com.
This anthology was an excellent mix of genres and themes around change, so much so that I was never quite sure what I was about to walk into (in a good way!) For me, that meant that I wasn't going into each story knowing what types of tropes or stories to expect, and I love that.
If you're looking for an anthology with a mix of styles, approaches, and a great tasting menu for some excellent indie authors, this is absolutely an anthology you need to grab. One of the stories had me *floored* with surprise, which isn't common these days, and I won't spoil which one, but HOLY HECK.
But not all of the stories are built around surprise! Some are comforting and close, some are slow and deep, and they're all absolutely worth your time.
Side note: Readers should be aware of the reoccurring theme of death, not because it's not worth reading, but because you should be ready to get your heart broken a little here.
As the editor of this anthology, I'll refrain from giving it a star rating, but I do want to say a few things! TRANSCENDENCE: AN ANTHOLOGY OF CHANGE was a passion project organized by myself and some dear friends, and I could not be more proud of the authors included in this collection. While reading and editing these stories, I was repeatedly amazed at the talent and skill exhibited by each author. As if by magic, these stories fit together beautifully, as if they were always meant to be tucked into the same book despite their varying genres and moods. I hope you enjoy the journeys within these pages as much as I did.
As a contributor to this anthology, it may seem odd or biased for me to review this work, so I will leave off the star rating and simply state the following:
This is the first time I've ever written a short story...and the first time I've ever submitted a work to an anthology. Short stories have been notoriously difficult for me to write because my creative brain has a tendency to think big. So this was a challenge for me—but a good challenge, and one I'm deeply grateful for.
This is also the first time I've read a fiction anthology. I've always avoided short works of fiction because I like to immerse and invest in stories and sit with them for longer than half an hour or so.
But the one thing I truly enjoyed about this little collection of ours is that each work was so incredibly personal to its respective author. There are interests and passions and hopes and dreams reflected in these stories that transcend the shackles of fiction. Considering the turbulent state of the creative world at present, I feel it's more important than ever to craft stories with soulfulness in mind. And that, I think, is what Transcendence has accomplished here.
Nightbloom - Juniper Lake Fitzgerald Nightbloom is a wonderful and bittersweet story about sacrifice and living with the choices you made - and others made for you.
Fading Stars - Bailey Elizabeth Fading Stars is rather short but nevertheless a good story. Shows the importance of telling your loved ones that you love them, and never assume they know. Especially if you're not home much.
Rain - Josef Brühler Rain had me on the edge of my seat, awaiting the moment of truth with every page. The twist was wonderful and so amazing. Not what I expected, but that made it even better. The longing for rain and freedom is always palpable, which made the end so intense.
Amelioranscendence - W. Payne Sillavan Amelioranscendence had me quite confused in the first part, but it turned out to make so much sense. The turn of events was delightful, although the hate at those different than the norm sparked some anger in me. It's a delightful analogy to humans.
Phantasmagoria - Erinn Harper Phantasmagoria gave me a similar reaction as the story before. The hatred of people different than what you know, especially from parents, was ever-present. I would've loved to read more about this world, there's so much potential.
Growing Roses - Megan Hubinger Growing Roses made me cry so much. It's such a perfect analogy of following your dreams and what you actually want, while fighting the guilt to leave your loved ones behind. Achieving your freedom and finding your own path, despite the struggles and guilt holding you down.
After The Curse - Tabitha O'Connell After The Curse is a super sweet and cozy story about first steps into freedom.
Soft Eternity - T.L. Morgan Soft Eternity made me curious about the upcoming full-novel about Lucien and Cyrus. There's no perfect answer to being asked to spend eternity together, and it's a big decision - for both sides.
Conclusion Transcendence has a well-chosen mix of short stories, ranging from sci-fi settings to abstract creatures and fantasy worlds. They're all appealing in their own way, and I whole-heartedly recommend reading Transcendence
What a fantastic collection of short stories! I loved each and every one and couldn't pick a favorite if I tried. Every tale takes the reader on a unique journey. I will definitely pick this book up again in the future. A must read if you enjoy scifi and fantasy!