Though We Bleed

by Anne J. Hill, Lara E. Madden, Ali Noël

Freedom comes with a price. This collection of stories and poems by multiple authors depicts the struggle between the desire for comfort and the willingness to sacrifice. Whether contending for personal freedom from trauma or addiction, for the security of families and loved ones, or for society's liberation from tyranny and lies, the fight is always worth the sacrifices it demands.




The king of the underworld must decide between remaining with his family or setting sail to end a war. A group of women sacrifice everything to save books in a world gone mad. In the thick of a storm, pirates face off with Calypso and her armies. After a car crash that renders a woman paralyzed, a young man spends his days trying to redeem himself. Risking her entire career, a prisoner travels back in time to save someone who broke her heart. A woman struggles with the realization that she's an author's creation. Shut away in the safety of his tower, an old man is challenged to leave by a peasant boy who needs his help. A teen boy discovers a mermaid locked in a book and faces a life-altering choice. Everyday people fight against their own sins and oppressions to learn the art of sacrifice and what true freedom looks like.

327 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2024

About the author

Anne J. Hill is an author who enjoys writing fantasy for all ages. Her love of words has also led to her career as a freelance writer and editor. She spends her days dreaming up fantastical realms, talking out loud to the characters in her head, and rearranging her personal library, which has been affectionately dubbed the “Book Dungeon.”

Where to find Anne:
www.annejhill.com
@anne.j.hill.editing

Reviews

[Stephanie Pineda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though We Bleed is a collection of stories and poems seeking to explore themes of freedom, safety, sacrifice, creation and more through a variety of lenses. Each author comes to this anthology with experiences and views sui generis, resulting in a collection where every page feels fresh. Nevertheless, the thread of Jesus' sacrifice is stitched through every text, continually assuring readers that, while sacrifices must be made to achieve freedom, those sacrifices always make a difference. Some stories and poems offer overt comfort and encouragement, while others weave a detailed narrative, conveying these truths in a veiled, but equally powerful, way. In general, I so appreciated hearing a range of commentaries through stories and poems on the current age of self-discovery and customization, some lighthearted, some dark, some fantastical and imaginative, some contemporary and deeply realistic. Though We Bleed truly does have something for everyone. This anthology is smart, bold, tender, and brave. My highlights from this anthology were Who I Die Beside (so many tears!), Unky, Exoskin, Liberated From Darkness, Unmarked Graves, 4380 Days, Eleanora and the Dream Collector, Secret Beautiful Things, Child Unborn, Eucalyptus and Pomegranates, and Eye to Eye. I highly recommend all of these pieces and their authors!

[Liz Koetsier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent quality stories! This is not a fluffy read. Prepare to be challenged by each thoughtful, heartfelt story. It has its dark moments, but there is hope in all of them, and great courage.

[Kayla E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

Though We Bleed is a collection of short stories (a blend of fantasy, science fiction, contemporary, and historical) and poetry centered around the main theme of freedom and the worthwhile sacrifices selfless freedom requires. It is divided into the sections: The Surrender, The Sacrifice, and The Stand.

Anne J. Hill’s poem Would You? best summarizes another overarching theme that freedom requires bravery and courageous voices to stand up to and speak against tyranny and evil.

My personal favorite poem in the collection is For Babi by Beka Gremikova.

My top three favorite stories are Works in Progress by Lara E. Madden, The Mermaid in the Library by Andrea Renae, and Who I Die Beside by Anne J. Hill. Eye to Eye by Maseeha Seedat, a story that was a retelling of Odysseus and the cyclops with both Aladdin in the Cave of Wonders and Jack and the Bean Stalk vibes, was a close contender for my top three, too.

Readers who enjoy multigenre collections with overarching themes will enjoy this anthology.

[Esther Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good anthology in the Black and Gold collection.

Sacrifice as a theme for short stories is quite the tough one. Most of the time, the reader doesn't have the time to care for the character dying to give another life. The reaction is more likely to be, 'Aw. that's nice.'
That being said, there were some truly moving pieces in this anthology and some that could make one think.
Considering the challenge, you did a good job, Anne J. Hill and team. Thanks for tackling such hard subjects!