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Frail Little Embers
Myth, folklore, and magic come together in 21 illustrated short stories of hope, transformation, and finding light within the dark.
A young woman unearths a masquerade mask that reveals her innermost secrets. A grieving woman uses cocoa beans to open a door between worlds. A graduate student leaves her thesis behind when she crosses into fairyland. A child becomes separated from their home beneath the waves. An aging grandmother recounts her post-war encounter with a shapeshifter who brought out new desires.
This inspiring collection empowers readers with strength and resilience to conquer everyday challenges.
A young woman unearths a masquerade mask that reveals her innermost secrets. A grieving woman uses cocoa beans to open a door between worlds. A graduate student leaves her thesis behind when she crosses into fairyland. A child becomes separated from their home beneath the waves. An aging grandmother recounts her post-war encounter with a shapeshifter who brought out new desires.
This inspiring collection empowers readers with strength and resilience to conquer everyday challenges.
176 pages, Paperback
Published February 13, 2025
5 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Fija Callaghan
4 books11 followersFija Callaghan is a storyteller and poet who has been recognised by a number of awards, including winning the SFPA Poetry Prize in 2024 and shortlisting for the HG Wells Short Story Prize in 2021. Her writing can be found in venues like Seaside Gothic, Gingerbread House, Howl: New Irish Writing, and elsewhere. Her debut collection, Frail Little Embers, was released by Neem Tree Press in 2025. You can find out more about her at www.fijacallaghan.com, or on instagram as @fija.rose.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 2, 2025
In a Nutshell: A collection of stories that dwell between realism and magical realism. Character-driven, literary, melancholic yet hopeful. A powerful debut that will work better when you are in the mood for thoughtful reading.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This debut collection contains twenty-one stories, each of which is focussed on discovering strength and hope in times of despair. Most of the stories are thus somewhat melancholic in tone.
There is no author’s note introducing this collection, but the author’s bio at the end of the book mentions that this set was “created to inspire hope in times of darkness.” It stays true to this purpose throughout. The title is quite powerful, proving how even “frail little embers” can be enough to keep the spark alive and even burst into flame when needed.
The blurb indicates that these are tales of myth, folklore and magic. Accordingly, many of the story take a step into the whimsical. None of the stories are outright fantastical, even when their cast of characters contains selkies or genies or shapeshifters. Most contain a small splash of magic, sometimes through fairytale retellings or lore-inspired fables.
The stories are mostly universal, with only a couple of them revealing the locale they are set in. Some of them are written in a different format, such as in verse (Never works for me; I’m a poetry-phobe) and epistolary (always love this style!)
Each story is character-focussed and penned in beautiful prose that speaks volumes. You cannot rush through the tales because there is so much unsaid. So this collection would work better if you pick it up when you have the time to read at leisure and to understand what’s between the lines. Every story is distinct, so there is no feeling of déjà vu across the tales.
The endings are positive without being forced HEAs. Though not all the stories have sealed completions, most of the tales part on the right note, where you can just about see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, a couple of the stories could have benefitted with more precise, well-rounded endings. (Especially ‘One Hundred Words for Loss’ – such a beautiful tale but the ending left me confounded.)
Every story is preceded by an intricate B&W illustration that makes even more sense AFTER you read the tale.
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the twenty-one stories, nine stories reached or crossed the 4 stars mark. Most of the rest were between 3 to 3.5 stars. So a majority of the stories worked very well for me. These are my top favourites with 4+ stars each:
All in all, this is a really impressive debut that delves into various human emotions and captures the journey from darkness to light. Diverse in characters, emotions and circumstances, this collection offers much to reflect upon and rejoice over.
Definitely recommended to short story lovers, preferably those who are literary fiction readers and also enjoy fantasy in small doses. This is not to be read at a go but to be savoured a slice at a time.
3.75 stars, based on the average of my ratings for each story.
My thanks to Neem Tree Press and Unbound for providing the DRC of “Frail Little Embers” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This debut collection contains twenty-one stories, each of which is focussed on discovering strength and hope in times of despair. Most of the stories are thus somewhat melancholic in tone.
There is no author’s note introducing this collection, but the author’s bio at the end of the book mentions that this set was “created to inspire hope in times of darkness.” It stays true to this purpose throughout. The title is quite powerful, proving how even “frail little embers” can be enough to keep the spark alive and even burst into flame when needed.
The blurb indicates that these are tales of myth, folklore and magic. Accordingly, many of the story take a step into the whimsical. None of the stories are outright fantastical, even when their cast of characters contains selkies or genies or shapeshifters. Most contain a small splash of magic, sometimes through fairytale retellings or lore-inspired fables.
The stories are mostly universal, with only a couple of them revealing the locale they are set in. Some of them are written in a different format, such as in verse (Never works for me; I’m a poetry-phobe) and epistolary (always love this style!)
Each story is character-focussed and penned in beautiful prose that speaks volumes. You cannot rush through the tales because there is so much unsaid. So this collection would work better if you pick it up when you have the time to read at leisure and to understand what’s between the lines. Every story is distinct, so there is no feeling of déjà vu across the tales.
The endings are positive without being forced HEAs. Though not all the stories have sealed completions, most of the tales part on the right note, where you can just about see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, a couple of the stories could have benefitted with more precise, well-rounded endings. (Especially ‘One Hundred Words for Loss’ – such a beautiful tale but the ending left me confounded.)
Every story is preceded by an intricate B&W illustration that makes even more sense AFTER you read the tale.
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the twenty-one stories, nine stories reached or crossed the 4 stars mark. Most of the rest were between 3 to 3.5 stars. So a majority of the stories worked very well for me. These are my top favourites with 4+ stars each:
🌞 Life, Death, and Other Complications: A lovely story about what living really means. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌞 To the Waters and the Wild: A melancholic story about a bond that highlights the difference between true love and possessive love. Couldn’t predict how this one would end. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🌞 Dear Audrey: An entertaining epistolary short story. I could see where it was going but the proceedings were still fun. One of the lightest stories in the book, though the situation is far from funny. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🌞 Lost Men: An interesting spin-off about the Darling kids from Peter Pan. You'll like this better if you know the original classic. (Not the Disney version.) - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🌞 Fox Song: Absolutely not what I had expected! A beautiful combination of reality and fantasy. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🌞 Last Wish: A touching story about a parent's love. Sometimes, even a predictable story creates a great impact through the author’s choice of words. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🌞 The Edge of Morning: An amazing vignette-style story whose significance is enhanced if you keep the first line in mind throughout. The lack of a linear pattern created some confusion in my head, else this was an easy 5 star. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌞 Songbird: A story told from a child’s perspective. Appreciated the hopeful end, else this was a heart-breaking one. Adults rarely realise how their personal struggles also affect their children. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🌞 The Story Doctor: The magic of bibliotherapy. Need I say more? A wonderful story to end the book with a smile on one’s face. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All in all, this is a really impressive debut that delves into various human emotions and captures the journey from darkness to light. Diverse in characters, emotions and circumstances, this collection offers much to reflect upon and rejoice over.
Definitely recommended to short story lovers, preferably those who are literary fiction readers and also enjoy fantasy in small doses. This is not to be read at a go but to be savoured a slice at a time.
3.75 stars, based on the average of my ratings for each story.
My thanks to Neem Tree Press and Unbound for providing the DRC of “Frail Little Embers” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
January 12, 2025
I find it tough to enjoy full collections of short stories, but surprisingly, this one was one of the best I've ever read. In this anthology, each story deals with the concepts of love and loss, but within a mythical, mystical, fictional world. Some stories are more realistic with a touch of magical realism, whereas others embody Selkies, ghosts, wolves, and genies.
Here are my favorites from this book:
"Spinning Sugar" -- just for the line "you need to collect all the stories you're going to tell her"
"Love, Death, and Other Complications" -- I loved the old man character and loved the message at the end of this one.
"Temperance in a Teapot" -- my FAVORITE story in the collection, and I'm not sure why. It has something to do with the quiet conclusion of it, the concept of magical teapots, and the prose. Here's a sip: "The terroir is important, yes, but so is the business. And so were the hands that shaped the clay, the generations of feet that splashed through Breer river water, the memories Nora held close of her and Niall watching herons stretch their pewter wings. Terroir was so much more than choosing the right soil with the right minerals. Terroir was in their blood." I could see teaching this one to 11th/12th.
"The Edge of Morning" -- this was probably one of the more tragic stories to read because of how much this poor narrator has been put through. But it has a really great structure. She starts by listing all of the things she lost when she died, so we immediately know we're in the supernatural territory. The non-linear narrative bounces back between reflections about each item on the list and the awful story that led to the end of her life.
"After the Fall" -- this spoke to my true crime loving soul. When the narrator's sister is murdered and the alleged killer refuses to tell the family where her sister's body is, she takes matters into her own hands.
While the themes were emotional and difficult, I found reading this book to be great fun with the strange worlds and characters, the beautiful prose, and the bite size pieces Callaghan gives the reader.
Here are my favorites from this book:
"Spinning Sugar" -- just for the line "you need to collect all the stories you're going to tell her"
"Love, Death, and Other Complications" -- I loved the old man character and loved the message at the end of this one.
"Temperance in a Teapot" -- my FAVORITE story in the collection, and I'm not sure why. It has something to do with the quiet conclusion of it, the concept of magical teapots, and the prose. Here's a sip: "The terroir is important, yes, but so is the business. And so were the hands that shaped the clay, the generations of feet that splashed through Breer river water, the memories Nora held close of her and Niall watching herons stretch their pewter wings. Terroir was so much more than choosing the right soil with the right minerals. Terroir was in their blood." I could see teaching this one to 11th/12th.
"The Edge of Morning" -- this was probably one of the more tragic stories to read because of how much this poor narrator has been put through. But it has a really great structure. She starts by listing all of the things she lost when she died, so we immediately know we're in the supernatural territory. The non-linear narrative bounces back between reflections about each item on the list and the awful story that led to the end of her life.
"After the Fall" -- this spoke to my true crime loving soul. When the narrator's sister is murdered and the alleged killer refuses to tell the family where her sister's body is, she takes matters into her own hands.
While the themes were emotional and difficult, I found reading this book to be great fun with the strange worlds and characters, the beautiful prose, and the bite size pieces Callaghan gives the reader.
June 2, 2025
Frail Little Embers is my version of the book everyone keeps trying to tell me The Little Prince is. I am not a Little Prince fan. Its "simple profundities" don't work for me. I find them simple and less than profound. On the other hand, the simple profundities in Frail Little Embers engaged and moved me deeply. Fija Callaghan describes this collection of reworked fairy/folk tales as "stories for dark times," which I found fitting. The stories in Frail Little Embers are pared down versions of the originals that inspired them, and they balance the dark and the gentle with real skill. As I read, I felt both how bleak life can be and at the same time hopeful.
If you're looking for a sense of hope, but don't want to pretend "it's all good," you will definitely want to keep and eye out for Frail Little Embers. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
If you're looking for a sense of hope, but don't want to pretend "it's all good," you will definitely want to keep and eye out for Frail Little Embers. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
December 15, 2024
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t usually read short story collections, but Frail Little Embers by Fija Callaghan surprised me. The book has 21 short stories, each with a small illustration. The stories are magical and whimsical, but they also touch on sadness and loss.
Even though some stories had sad themes and endings, I didn’t feel heavy or discouraged after reading. Instead, I felt a strange sense of hope. The writing made me see beauty in things that are fragile or imperfect, like the title suggests—"frail little embers" that still glow despite their weakness.
The last story, about books that heal people, was my favorite. It left me thinking about how stories can give comfort and even help us feel whole again. That idea stayed with me long after I finished the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this collection more than I expected. Each story felt like a small world of its own, and I think there’s something special in the way Fija Callaghan writes. If you like magical stories with a touch of sadness but a lot of heart, this is a book worth reading.
Quotes:
"But what could I have done? I was only a child. We love to say that, don't we? I was only a child, as if children don't see and hear more clearly than we do, as if they can't slip through cracks adults have long since overgrown."
"- We chose to grow up.
I didn't."
"But she had never trusted words. They were powerful, worryingly so, but clumsy and blunt. It was too easy to stumble with them and break something."
"The trick, Liam's father had said, is finding beauty in things that other people miss. The last rays of sunset glinting off a wrought-iron balcony. The gentle curl of a fallen leaf against a brick road. An abandoned table on a cafe terrace, espresso cups and lipstick stains carefully preserved in time. Tiny little sparks of life beneath the gritty grey filter of the world."
I don’t usually read short story collections, but Frail Little Embers by Fija Callaghan surprised me. The book has 21 short stories, each with a small illustration. The stories are magical and whimsical, but they also touch on sadness and loss.
Even though some stories had sad themes and endings, I didn’t feel heavy or discouraged after reading. Instead, I felt a strange sense of hope. The writing made me see beauty in things that are fragile or imperfect, like the title suggests—"frail little embers" that still glow despite their weakness.
The last story, about books that heal people, was my favorite. It left me thinking about how stories can give comfort and even help us feel whole again. That idea stayed with me long after I finished the book.
Overall, I enjoyed this collection more than I expected. Each story felt like a small world of its own, and I think there’s something special in the way Fija Callaghan writes. If you like magical stories with a touch of sadness but a lot of heart, this is a book worth reading.
Quotes:
"But what could I have done? I was only a child. We love to say that, don't we? I was only a child, as if children don't see and hear more clearly than we do, as if they can't slip through cracks adults have long since overgrown."
"- We chose to grow up.
I didn't."
"But she had never trusted words. They were powerful, worryingly so, but clumsy and blunt. It was too easy to stumble with them and break something."
"The trick, Liam's father had said, is finding beauty in things that other people miss. The last rays of sunset glinting off a wrought-iron balcony. The gentle curl of a fallen leaf against a brick road. An abandoned table on a cafe terrace, espresso cups and lipstick stains carefully preserved in time. Tiny little sparks of life beneath the gritty grey filter of the world."
February 28, 2025
thank you to netgalley and neem tree press for providing me with this eARC!
pub date: june 17 2025
_______
this was a really joyful set of short stories, each written in lovely prose and weaving magic into the words. the use of magic in each of the stories was so well done, and different in each one. even if there was only a hint of magic it made you feel very much transported into that world, if only for a short time. the way the magic interacted with the characters was also wonderful, seeing how their lives changed and were moulded by the magic that they had or was present in their world.
a lot of the stories used their time very well and felt like the perfect length, while a couple were a little too long and some felt as though they would have benefitted from more page time.
there is absolutely going to be at least one really heavy hitting story for anyone in here, with twenty-one to choose from.
pub date: june 17 2025
_______
this was a really joyful set of short stories, each written in lovely prose and weaving magic into the words. the use of magic in each of the stories was so well done, and different in each one. even if there was only a hint of magic it made you feel very much transported into that world, if only for a short time. the way the magic interacted with the characters was also wonderful, seeing how their lives changed and were moulded by the magic that they had or was present in their world.
a lot of the stories used their time very well and felt like the perfect length, while a couple were a little too long and some felt as though they would have benefitted from more page time.
there is absolutely going to be at least one really heavy hitting story for anyone in here, with twenty-one to choose from.
April 10, 2025
This is a collection of strange short stories that makes you think. I enjoyed a lot of them and feel this is a great book for when you need a quick read for a short break at times. The stories were engaging and kept me entertained. I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and all opinions are my own.
December 6, 2024
❝After all, there was nothing more comforting than a shared pot of tea.❞
Frail Little Embers - Fija Callaghan
★★★★☆
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review!
Fija Callaghan comes up with an anthology consisting 21 different short stories full of myth, magic, and comfort for those who needs it. We got almost everything in this book: melodrama, romance, even vengeance and other thing that'll make you driving mad. The thing i love about this book is the powerful writing style. It's not the too flowery slash poetic narration but for most of the part it hits right through my heart. It works very well with the tone of the book, it's magical and feels like a warm blanket as you read it. Second of all is the format. Frail Little Embers is soooo diverse in format you can see sometimes it's a mere short story, a moment later you'll feel like corresponding with someone, another time it's prose like presentation. Plus it has gorgeous illustration for each of them (kudos to the illustrator). How cool is that?
Personal fav stories:
🍵 Spinning Sugar
As a woman, the vulnerability shown in this one is breaking my heart.
🍵 Dear Audrey
I didn't realize they were actually connected until some letters later on BUT the ending???? DESERVED.
🍵 Running with the Wolves
Love the friendship, it's pure and delicate like fresh air.
🍵 The Edge of Morning
Made me sob, crying, throwing up, thank you. It hurts so much it hurts.
🍵 Songbird
The Edge of Morning part 2. Brb hug my mom after this.
🍵 The Story Doctor
Wholesome story about bookworm who is might never had a chance to read again.
Even though it's a short read, i recommend you to take 1-2 titles at a time because every story gives you different mood and aftertaste and it's best to savour it nice and slow.
Frail Little Embers - Fija Callaghan
★★★★☆
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review!
Fija Callaghan comes up with an anthology consisting 21 different short stories full of myth, magic, and comfort for those who needs it. We got almost everything in this book: melodrama, romance, even vengeance and other thing that'll make you driving mad. The thing i love about this book is the powerful writing style. It's not the too flowery slash poetic narration but for most of the part it hits right through my heart. It works very well with the tone of the book, it's magical and feels like a warm blanket as you read it. Second of all is the format. Frail Little Embers is soooo diverse in format you can see sometimes it's a mere short story, a moment later you'll feel like corresponding with someone, another time it's prose like presentation. Plus it has gorgeous illustration for each of them (kudos to the illustrator). How cool is that?
Personal fav stories:
🍵 Spinning Sugar
As a woman, the vulnerability shown in this one is breaking my heart.
🍵 Dear Audrey
I didn't realize they were actually connected until some letters later on BUT the ending???? DESERVED.
🍵 Running with the Wolves
Love the friendship, it's pure and delicate like fresh air.
🍵 The Edge of Morning
Made me sob, crying, throwing up, thank you. It hurts so much it hurts.
🍵 Songbird
The Edge of Morning part 2. Brb hug my mom after this.
🍵 The Story Doctor
Wholesome story about bookworm who is might never had a chance to read again.
Even though it's a short read, i recommend you to take 1-2 titles at a time because every story gives you different mood and aftertaste and it's best to savour it nice and slow.
February 13, 2025
Started with three out of five; quickly becoming a safe four and finally an overwhelming five bright shining stars.
A series of enchanting short stories with a sparkle of the supernatural.
Tales with a dollop of pixie dust and shot-through with a generous measure of make belief.
I especially liked the unpredictability in the narratives. Most are left unresolved in terms of the ending; the story is complete but uncertain. Less “They all lived happily ever after”; rather, more scope for interpretation.
That is the bonus for the reader here.
Each unfolding story leaves you with something intangible. You can’t weigh it but the value is immeasurable.
Look in the mirror, is that a smile on your face?
The book that keeps on giving with each new title you read, twenty-one in all. Enough to fill you to bursting. Leaving you full to overflowing from a well of resilience and with an inner strength to see things differently and ready to embrace new ideas.
So dear reader. Please give this book a closer look. Like a course of antibiotics finish the course; 21 short tales; like the last story here; take one a day for three weeks.
This book did me good!
A series of enchanting short stories with a sparkle of the supernatural.
Tales with a dollop of pixie dust and shot-through with a generous measure of make belief.
I especially liked the unpredictability in the narratives. Most are left unresolved in terms of the ending; the story is complete but uncertain. Less “They all lived happily ever after”; rather, more scope for interpretation.
That is the bonus for the reader here.
Each unfolding story leaves you with something intangible. You can’t weigh it but the value is immeasurable.
Look in the mirror, is that a smile on your face?
The book that keeps on giving with each new title you read, twenty-one in all. Enough to fill you to bursting. Leaving you full to overflowing from a well of resilience and with an inner strength to see things differently and ready to embrace new ideas.
So dear reader. Please give this book a closer look. Like a course of antibiotics finish the course; 21 short tales; like the last story here; take one a day for three weeks.
This book did me good!
February 13, 2025
Thank you to Neem Tree Press for providing me with a free ARC of this book.
Frail Little Embers is a short story collection written by Fija Callaghan. It consists of 21 whimsical and melancholic short stories that carry a more weight than the weight of the pages they're written on.
My main remark was that it contained a bunch of such concise yet well put together stories, so grand in their descriptions and details, written to blur reality with fantasy. Transported me right into each little story's setting. So short and sparing in words but so powerful that a story of a few pages can pull you into deep emotions and get you yearning for more of the characters to resonate with them individually. I was able to live and breathe each story. Such vivid imagination and storytelling, to nestle such drama within the confines of a few pages, strung by a few sentences is nothing short of prize-worthy craftsmanship of language. Unfulfilled desires, longings, lost dreams, broken hopes and buried feelings all woven into adorable little tales to be enjoyed and munched on like you do a delicious afternoon snack with some steaming tea. A couple or so short stories were indeed a bit draggy and boring, sometimes a little too complex to be cramped into a few pages even or at times with unclear endings. But the good bits way outnumber the bad ones and can be very easily overlooked. I must say the author had saved the best for the last. My favourite short tale was definitely The Story Doctor. What a brilliant little tale! I wish I could meet Dr. Murphy as and when I needed, she sounds like a goddess who has recognized the true power of imagination and wonder, the very things that this collection cultivates in any reader. I resonated a lot personally with Songbird too. Dear Audrey was the best entertainer of all. The language the author had used truly grips you and makes you feel the story and the characters from within. This book explores human emotions from an array of different settings, through the viewpoints of interesting characters. I'm sure there will be a line or two in every story of this book that will stitch itself to your personal experiences. It's magic giving you hope through turning pages and reading between the lines. I was able to empathize with every narrator and enjoyed this book as a whole.
Some of my favourite quotes from the book are below:
"I held on so tight that I didn't know how to live and then when I died I was still holding on so tight I couldn't even do that properly"
- from Life, death and other complications
"Another life, another road not taken... Saying it was too fast, too much, too hard -- the world around her seemed to speed up while everything inside her slowed down. She'd fall asleep for an hour and find she'd walked through entire day's without noticing"
- from The Road to Faërie
"Home is a funny thing. There aren't many animals who bind themselves to beam and stone the way you do. You do that long enough, home becomes nothing more than dust and dead skin held together by memories. It's no way to live... The forest folk m, they understand that home is something you carry around inside of you. Home is a state of being".
- from Running with Wolves
"Perhaps she knew what it takes so many of us a lifetime to learn: to love and be loved is to have something to lose. She had finally found the family she'd always wanted lz which meant from that day forward she was fighting to outrun the moment she would lose it all"
- from To the Waters and the Wild
As a poet myself, The Edge of Morning was a story that made me a very happy and content reader. Here are a few quotes from that I enjoyed.
"...I like the sounds the words make all tangled up together. I want to wrap them around myself and fall asleep in them."
"My poetry is not refined and elevated like his, but it makes me feel as though I have given some small gift to the world, some payment for taking up space in it".
Overall this book is one you'd want to read at peace and at your own pace because there's so much you'd miss if you tried to rush through these intricate little tales.
Frail Little Embers is a short story collection written by Fija Callaghan. It consists of 21 whimsical and melancholic short stories that carry a more weight than the weight of the pages they're written on.
My main remark was that it contained a bunch of such concise yet well put together stories, so grand in their descriptions and details, written to blur reality with fantasy. Transported me right into each little story's setting. So short and sparing in words but so powerful that a story of a few pages can pull you into deep emotions and get you yearning for more of the characters to resonate with them individually. I was able to live and breathe each story. Such vivid imagination and storytelling, to nestle such drama within the confines of a few pages, strung by a few sentences is nothing short of prize-worthy craftsmanship of language. Unfulfilled desires, longings, lost dreams, broken hopes and buried feelings all woven into adorable little tales to be enjoyed and munched on like you do a delicious afternoon snack with some steaming tea. A couple or so short stories were indeed a bit draggy and boring, sometimes a little too complex to be cramped into a few pages even or at times with unclear endings. But the good bits way outnumber the bad ones and can be very easily overlooked. I must say the author had saved the best for the last. My favourite short tale was definitely The Story Doctor. What a brilliant little tale! I wish I could meet Dr. Murphy as and when I needed, she sounds like a goddess who has recognized the true power of imagination and wonder, the very things that this collection cultivates in any reader. I resonated a lot personally with Songbird too. Dear Audrey was the best entertainer of all. The language the author had used truly grips you and makes you feel the story and the characters from within. This book explores human emotions from an array of different settings, through the viewpoints of interesting characters. I'm sure there will be a line or two in every story of this book that will stitch itself to your personal experiences. It's magic giving you hope through turning pages and reading between the lines. I was able to empathize with every narrator and enjoyed this book as a whole.
Some of my favourite quotes from the book are below:
"I held on so tight that I didn't know how to live and then when I died I was still holding on so tight I couldn't even do that properly"
- from Life, death and other complications
"Another life, another road not taken... Saying it was too fast, too much, too hard -- the world around her seemed to speed up while everything inside her slowed down. She'd fall asleep for an hour and find she'd walked through entire day's without noticing"
- from The Road to Faërie
"Home is a funny thing. There aren't many animals who bind themselves to beam and stone the way you do. You do that long enough, home becomes nothing more than dust and dead skin held together by memories. It's no way to live... The forest folk m, they understand that home is something you carry around inside of you. Home is a state of being".
- from Running with Wolves
"Perhaps she knew what it takes so many of us a lifetime to learn: to love and be loved is to have something to lose. She had finally found the family she'd always wanted lz which meant from that day forward she was fighting to outrun the moment she would lose it all"
- from To the Waters and the Wild
As a poet myself, The Edge of Morning was a story that made me a very happy and content reader. Here are a few quotes from that I enjoyed.
"...I like the sounds the words make all tangled up together. I want to wrap them around myself and fall asleep in them."
"My poetry is not refined and elevated like his, but it makes me feel as though I have given some small gift to the world, some payment for taking up space in it".
Overall this book is one you'd want to read at peace and at your own pace because there's so much you'd miss if you tried to rush through these intricate little tales.
July 6, 2025
Check out this review and more on The Quill to Live!
Frail Little Embers is a collection of short stories from author Fija Callaghan about love, life, and healing after experiencing the very worst. There were many incredibly moving and difficult stories, but each one had sparks that eventually lit the way forward. These magical short stories are an inspiring collection, and I think you’ll find one that will leave a lasting impression.
At first glance, I was delighted to learn that each story in Frail Little Embers opens with an illustration. Unfortunately, due to the ARC format I received on my e-reader, I didn’t get to see the illustrations because they were fragmented across several “pages.” However, I did take a peek at the book’s online sample to get an idea, and I’m intrigued enough to seek a print copy or proper ebook to see how the illustrations and story complement one another.
The collection has a variety of different tales, but every single one of them centers around loss. There are characters that grieve for a child, parent, partner, or a life that could have been. There are other stories about relationships ending. Some characters are fearful of change and are afraid to lose the life they know. And of course, there is the loss of childhood innocence. Yet each story also shines with hope and the possibility for love or a reconnection with people, the world, or life itself. Many of the stories moved me and made me grieve for what was lost, and I appreciate Callaghan for always lighting the way for a brighter future in each tale.
There are 21 stories in this collection, and despite all being written by one author, each story feels so special and inhabits its own little slice of Callaghan’s world. Her voice can be found throughout, but she does a wonderful job altering her writing style to give each character a unique cadence and perspective. I can still feel the anger from the daughter in “An Ephemeral Quality” who is cleaning out her deceased mother’s alterations shop, the longing in “The Selkie and the Swan Maiden” of the two women who can never return to their past lives, and the frustration in “Songbird” from Wren who cannot communicate with her mother. The darkness in every story takes on a different shape, and each character reacts in their own way, too. Callaghan writes to leave the reader with different impressions of all these people transforming and finding hope in the hardest of days.
Some of my favorite stories from the collection include “Spinning Sugar, a magical and heartbreaking tale featuring a woman who sells magical dream candies but is grappling with the loss of her child and husband. Then there’s “Temperance in a Teapot" about a woman who introduces her husband to the family business, but realizes his heart isn’t in it. A man bargains with a genie in “Last Wish” to bring his daughter back to life. And by the end of the collection, Callaghan had me in tears thanks to “The Story Doctor” which features a woman who listens to her clients’ predicaments and then prescribes them books to read.
Frail Little Embers by Fija Callaghan is an inspiring and poignant reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Drop in to the lives of 21 unique individuals who all demonstrate resilience and hope when faced with darkness.
Rating: Frail Little Embers - 7.5/10
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The thoughts on this story are my own.
Frail Little Embers is a collection of short stories from author Fija Callaghan about love, life, and healing after experiencing the very worst. There were many incredibly moving and difficult stories, but each one had sparks that eventually lit the way forward. These magical short stories are an inspiring collection, and I think you’ll find one that will leave a lasting impression.
At first glance, I was delighted to learn that each story in Frail Little Embers opens with an illustration. Unfortunately, due to the ARC format I received on my e-reader, I didn’t get to see the illustrations because they were fragmented across several “pages.” However, I did take a peek at the book’s online sample to get an idea, and I’m intrigued enough to seek a print copy or proper ebook to see how the illustrations and story complement one another.
The collection has a variety of different tales, but every single one of them centers around loss. There are characters that grieve for a child, parent, partner, or a life that could have been. There are other stories about relationships ending. Some characters are fearful of change and are afraid to lose the life they know. And of course, there is the loss of childhood innocence. Yet each story also shines with hope and the possibility for love or a reconnection with people, the world, or life itself. Many of the stories moved me and made me grieve for what was lost, and I appreciate Callaghan for always lighting the way for a brighter future in each tale.
There are 21 stories in this collection, and despite all being written by one author, each story feels so special and inhabits its own little slice of Callaghan’s world. Her voice can be found throughout, but she does a wonderful job altering her writing style to give each character a unique cadence and perspective. I can still feel the anger from the daughter in “An Ephemeral Quality” who is cleaning out her deceased mother’s alterations shop, the longing in “The Selkie and the Swan Maiden” of the two women who can never return to their past lives, and the frustration in “Songbird” from Wren who cannot communicate with her mother. The darkness in every story takes on a different shape, and each character reacts in their own way, too. Callaghan writes to leave the reader with different impressions of all these people transforming and finding hope in the hardest of days.
Some of my favorite stories from the collection include “Spinning Sugar, a magical and heartbreaking tale featuring a woman who sells magical dream candies but is grappling with the loss of her child and husband. Then there’s “Temperance in a Teapot" about a woman who introduces her husband to the family business, but realizes his heart isn’t in it. A man bargains with a genie in “Last Wish” to bring his daughter back to life. And by the end of the collection, Callaghan had me in tears thanks to “The Story Doctor” which features a woman who listens to her clients’ predicaments and then prescribes them books to read.
Frail Little Embers by Fija Callaghan is an inspiring and poignant reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Drop in to the lives of 21 unique individuals who all demonstrate resilience and hope when faced with darkness.
Rating: Frail Little Embers - 7.5/10
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The thoughts on this story are my own.
February 2, 2025
I have been wanting to read more short stories and this collection of 21 stories and corresponding illustrations was a lovely start.
The writing was beautiful. The author is certainly a poet as much as a storyteller. The style was very immersive with each story taking you over, even when they were really short.
There were strong messages around sadness, loss, and grief, but I think the overall theme was resilience and finding a way and accepting to continue to live despite deep sadness.
Some of these stories will stay with me for a while an pop up in my head at random since I've read them. Some of my favorites are: The Edge of Morning, The Story Doctor, Apple Seeds, The Fleeting Ones... and the Peter Pan retelling but can't remember the name of that one.
My only complaint is that too many of these stories felt either unresolved or almost didn't seem to have a point therefore no real ending.
The writing was beautiful. The author is certainly a poet as much as a storyteller. The style was very immersive with each story taking you over, even when they were really short.
There were strong messages around sadness, loss, and grief, but I think the overall theme was resilience and finding a way and accepting to continue to live despite deep sadness.
Some of these stories will stay with me for a while an pop up in my head at random since I've read them. Some of my favorites are: The Edge of Morning, The Story Doctor, Apple Seeds, The Fleeting Ones... and the Peter Pan retelling but can't remember the name of that one.
My only complaint is that too many of these stories felt either unresolved or almost didn't seem to have a point therefore no real ending.
March 21, 2025
A stunning collection of 21 short stories that speak of love and loss, but overachingly of hope. Even when there are only "frail little embers," it is enough to stoke the fires. The stories are based on magical realism with some mythical and magical aspects touching the real world. All of the stories captured my attention, but as a tea -lover, the idea of magical teapot spoke to me in Tenperance in a Tea Pot. I also lived After the Fall, where the protagonists sister has been murdered. The culprit refuses to reveal the whereabouts of the body, so the narrator decides to take action. A superb collection by Fija Callaghan with beautiful illustrations throughout. #fraillittleembers #fijacallaghan #unbound #neemtreepress
June 17, 2025
Everyday life is complicated and frequently miserable, but sometimes, it is also filled with magic and wonder. In Frail Little Embers, Fija Callaghan presents twenty-one stories in which the normal and usual is given a tinge of the otherwordly, with a strong focus on hope and resilience. While the stories didn't entirely work for me individually, Callaghan creates a wonderful atmosphere across the collection. Thanks to Neem Tree Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Frail Little Embers contains twenty-one different stories, focusing on different characters and settings, although many are rooted in Ireland and England. When I first started the collection, I was really surprised by how short the stories were. I appreciate that this might be suggested by the category, "short story", but I am nonetheless used to short stories that span multiple pages, threatening to turn into novellas. Many of the stories in Frail Little Embers are a handful of pages long, but, although I very much had to get used to it, I would say that each story is individuated properly, meaning different characters, settings, set-up, etc. However, due to their brevity, there is a risk that they don't really stick with the reader. For me, they left behind various images, little glowing embers, even, which over the course of reading the collection added to a general feeling of warmth. Unlike other collections, I think Frail Little Embers works best as a whole, rather than as individual stories. There is a magic which Callaghan weaves across the stories that has the most impact once you've read the whole thing. It is almost like a piece of music, in that sense. Each story is an individual note which, while nice, doesn't necessarily leave a lasting impression. Together, however, they form a beautiful melody which will stick with the reader. The collection is also illustrated, but this didn't come across very well on my Kindle, so I cannot really comment on that aspect of the book.
I haven't read anything by Callaghan before, but I did very much enjoy her writing throughout Frail Little Embers. Considering how short the stories are, I was impressed by how each does feel a little different, even in style. The collection was, as the blurb suggests and Callaghan also states in the 'About the Author' section of the book, 'created to inspire hope in times of darkness'. This finds expression in almost every story, where a magical turn, a small kindness, a revelation, turns the story towards a hopeful conclusion, or at least points in a hopeful direction. I don't know what this says about me (although I have my suspicions), but this occasionally struck me as a little twee. I had to move past my own cynicism, especially at the beginning of the collection, and only once I had managed that did the collection begin to really work for me. So for readers like me, who might be quick to roll their eyes, give it some time, suspend your disbelief, and perhaps you'll also walk away from Frail Little Embers with a spark of warmth. I will say that I see a potential difficulty there as well, though. I read the collection across a sunny Sunday afternoon and because of that, the cumulative effect of the stories really did its thing. With how short the stories are, there is also the high chance you might dip in and out of it across days and weeks, during a commute or on a lunchbreak, and I don't know how that effect will work then. It might still absolutely do the trick, sparking little fires in your everyday, or it might lessen it a little. However, Frail Little Embers has lovely imagery, plays beautifully with folklore, myth, and magic, and is full of intriguing ideas.
Frail Little Embers is a surprising collection. Reading it almost feels like wandering through a house and getting small peeks into different rooms but never really lingering anywhere. I might not know the rooms very well, but I think I understand the house. I'd recommend this collection to anyone with an interest in English and Irish folklore and legend, and to those who need a little spark to lighten the dark days.
URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/...
Frail Little Embers contains twenty-one different stories, focusing on different characters and settings, although many are rooted in Ireland and England. When I first started the collection, I was really surprised by how short the stories were. I appreciate that this might be suggested by the category, "short story", but I am nonetheless used to short stories that span multiple pages, threatening to turn into novellas. Many of the stories in Frail Little Embers are a handful of pages long, but, although I very much had to get used to it, I would say that each story is individuated properly, meaning different characters, settings, set-up, etc. However, due to their brevity, there is a risk that they don't really stick with the reader. For me, they left behind various images, little glowing embers, even, which over the course of reading the collection added to a general feeling of warmth. Unlike other collections, I think Frail Little Embers works best as a whole, rather than as individual stories. There is a magic which Callaghan weaves across the stories that has the most impact once you've read the whole thing. It is almost like a piece of music, in that sense. Each story is an individual note which, while nice, doesn't necessarily leave a lasting impression. Together, however, they form a beautiful melody which will stick with the reader. The collection is also illustrated, but this didn't come across very well on my Kindle, so I cannot really comment on that aspect of the book.
I haven't read anything by Callaghan before, but I did very much enjoy her writing throughout Frail Little Embers. Considering how short the stories are, I was impressed by how each does feel a little different, even in style. The collection was, as the blurb suggests and Callaghan also states in the 'About the Author' section of the book, 'created to inspire hope in times of darkness'. This finds expression in almost every story, where a magical turn, a small kindness, a revelation, turns the story towards a hopeful conclusion, or at least points in a hopeful direction. I don't know what this says about me (although I have my suspicions), but this occasionally struck me as a little twee. I had to move past my own cynicism, especially at the beginning of the collection, and only once I had managed that did the collection begin to really work for me. So for readers like me, who might be quick to roll their eyes, give it some time, suspend your disbelief, and perhaps you'll also walk away from Frail Little Embers with a spark of warmth. I will say that I see a potential difficulty there as well, though. I read the collection across a sunny Sunday afternoon and because of that, the cumulative effect of the stories really did its thing. With how short the stories are, there is also the high chance you might dip in and out of it across days and weeks, during a commute or on a lunchbreak, and I don't know how that effect will work then. It might still absolutely do the trick, sparking little fires in your everyday, or it might lessen it a little. However, Frail Little Embers has lovely imagery, plays beautifully with folklore, myth, and magic, and is full of intriguing ideas.
Frail Little Embers is a surprising collection. Reading it almost feels like wandering through a house and getting small peeks into different rooms but never really lingering anywhere. I might not know the rooms very well, but I think I understand the house. I'd recommend this collection to anyone with an interest in English and Irish folklore and legend, and to those who need a little spark to lighten the dark days.
URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/...
February 5, 2025
“Frail Little Embers” by Fija Callaghan is a beautifully printed and illustrated collection of twenty one folklore and fairytale stories, designed to give hope in times of darkness and present challenging topics in a way that shows our potential to overcome them.
The opening story “Spinning Sugar” gave a very strong introduction to what the reader can expect. I really enjoyed this haunting tale and followed it perfectly as each scene clearly appeared in my mind.
I think the author could be on to something with the bibliotherapist tale, ‘The Story Doctor’ - books dispensed as medicine to cure ills of the mind is a fabulous idea and on further research, I’m amazed I’ve not heard of this actual thing sooner. This along with “After the Fall” were my favourites and gave me pause for thought. “After the Fall” is a story based on something I think many affected families would wish to do too.
“Songbird” was just adorable, with nods to the previous stories included in the book and was incredibly heart warming.
I generally don’t get along with poetry but I enjoyed ‘Apple Seeds’ which read perfectly like a story, yet in a beautiful poem form.
Short story collections can often be hit or miss and there were one or two here that I didn’t ‘get’ but, out of twenty one individual and unique shorts, this was a minuscule number of duds for me and of course this is just me. Everyone’s thought processes are different and you may well see those same stories in a different context.
The author, by her own admission has used her wealth of encounters throughout her life to create a variety of unique short stories, based on the eclectic people she’s met. Judging by some of these tales, she’s obviously had some weird and wonderful experiences!
If you enjoyed “The Haunting Scent of Poppies” by Victoria Williamson ( as I did) and others like it, you’ll know the sort of thing to expect from this story collection and if fantasy/magic realism interests you, then “Frail Little Embers” will keep you thoroughly entertained.
#FrailLittleEmbers - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The opening story “Spinning Sugar” gave a very strong introduction to what the reader can expect. I really enjoyed this haunting tale and followed it perfectly as each scene clearly appeared in my mind.
I think the author could be on to something with the bibliotherapist tale, ‘The Story Doctor’ - books dispensed as medicine to cure ills of the mind is a fabulous idea and on further research, I’m amazed I’ve not heard of this actual thing sooner. This along with “After the Fall” were my favourites and gave me pause for thought. “After the Fall” is a story based on something I think many affected families would wish to do too.
“Songbird” was just adorable, with nods to the previous stories included in the book and was incredibly heart warming.
I generally don’t get along with poetry but I enjoyed ‘Apple Seeds’ which read perfectly like a story, yet in a beautiful poem form.
Short story collections can often be hit or miss and there were one or two here that I didn’t ‘get’ but, out of twenty one individual and unique shorts, this was a minuscule number of duds for me and of course this is just me. Everyone’s thought processes are different and you may well see those same stories in a different context.
The author, by her own admission has used her wealth of encounters throughout her life to create a variety of unique short stories, based on the eclectic people she’s met. Judging by some of these tales, she’s obviously had some weird and wonderful experiences!
If you enjoyed “The Haunting Scent of Poppies” by Victoria Williamson ( as I did) and others like it, you’ll know the sort of thing to expect from this story collection and if fantasy/magic realism interests you, then “Frail Little Embers” will keep you thoroughly entertained.
#FrailLittleEmbers - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 15, 2025
Frail Little Embers is a collection of short stories that are thought-provoking, whimsical, and sometimes grim. I am usually more of a fantasy reader and love a HEA, so this was an exploration out of my norm. I have to say, I really did enjoy what I found—but I very much had to be in the mood to read, as I realized within the first few short stories that there would likely be no tidily wrapped up endings, but ones more to encourage further pondering beyond what was written.
My favorites were "Running with Wolves," "Lost Men," and "The Story Doctor." I do enjoy an alternative fairy tale retelling ("Running with the Wolves" for "Red Riding Hood") or continuation ("Lost Men" for "Peter Pan"), so it wasn't great surprise to me that those stuck out. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed "The Story Doctor," however, but the premise was intriguing and unique: I had never head of a story of a therapist whose entire method of practice was to listen to people's woes and then recommend a book. If I hadn't left that career behind me, perhaps I'd start to incorporate that. (Kidding, mostly.) I thought that story summarized the book quite nicely, as it shared of the story doctor's (or bibliotherapist, if you will) clients telling her how their lives were changed or improving upon reading the books that she had recommended to them. I'm certainly changed from reading this book, as I am more open to books that leave more space for feeling the range of emotions and sitting in them, rather than simply craving a wrapped up HEA.
*Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
My favorites were "Running with Wolves," "Lost Men," and "The Story Doctor." I do enjoy an alternative fairy tale retelling ("Running with the Wolves" for "Red Riding Hood") or continuation ("Lost Men" for "Peter Pan"), so it wasn't great surprise to me that those stuck out. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed "The Story Doctor," however, but the premise was intriguing and unique: I had never head of a story of a therapist whose entire method of practice was to listen to people's woes and then recommend a book. If I hadn't left that career behind me, perhaps I'd start to incorporate that. (Kidding, mostly.) I thought that story summarized the book quite nicely, as it shared of the story doctor's (or bibliotherapist, if you will) clients telling her how their lives were changed or improving upon reading the books that she had recommended to them. I'm certainly changed from reading this book, as I am more open to books that leave more space for feeling the range of emotions and sitting in them, rather than simply craving a wrapped up HEA.
*Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
December 11, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
This is a glittering little gem of compiled short stories, with a beautiful focus on tiny little stolen moments of folklore and myth. Some were recognisable, and others weren't, but all of them were enjoyable in one way or another. I really enjoyed the slightly longer ones in this compilation, but would have appreciated as well if some of them were a little longer. There were some stories that felt cut off when they really could have just had a tiny bit more to them, but they were beautiful nonetheless.
I think my favourite was probably 'The Story Doctor' - a concept I have seen somewhat similarly done in different contexts, but it was really gorgeous in this one. There were definitely some in here that bordered on the creepy and the sad, and I wish that they were given a little more attention or that they were the main focus in this collection.
It's undeniable that Callaghan is a really good writer, and I look forward to reading more in future!
This is a glittering little gem of compiled short stories, with a beautiful focus on tiny little stolen moments of folklore and myth. Some were recognisable, and others weren't, but all of them were enjoyable in one way or another. I really enjoyed the slightly longer ones in this compilation, but would have appreciated as well if some of them were a little longer. There were some stories that felt cut off when they really could have just had a tiny bit more to them, but they were beautiful nonetheless.
I think my favourite was probably 'The Story Doctor' - a concept I have seen somewhat similarly done in different contexts, but it was really gorgeous in this one. There were definitely some in here that bordered on the creepy and the sad, and I wish that they were given a little more attention or that they were the main focus in this collection.
It's undeniable that Callaghan is a really good writer, and I look forward to reading more in future!
February 14, 2025
A brilliant medley of short stories that are well curated and complement each other beautifully. Evocative, emotive, and thoughtful covering important themes including loss, grief, love, new beginnings, finding beauty in the small things, and not taking anything for granted.
Callaghan crafts wonderful prose to take your time with. The size of each story makes it easy to dip in and out at your leisure and revisit in the future. I love the title, which fits perfectly, highlighting how from the tiniest of embers a mighty fire can ignite!
Mythology and folklore are seamlessly weaved into captivating tales with unique characters, heartwarming messages, and a mysterious air scattered across the pages.
The delightful illustrations enrich the reading experience which is melancholic in parts yet also imparts hope and strength in dark and uncertain times.
This collection will appeal to many as they question and reflect – a powerful debut.
With thanks to @NeemTreePress and @unbounders for my copy and place on the Tour.
Callaghan crafts wonderful prose to take your time with. The size of each story makes it easy to dip in and out at your leisure and revisit in the future. I love the title, which fits perfectly, highlighting how from the tiniest of embers a mighty fire can ignite!
Mythology and folklore are seamlessly weaved into captivating tales with unique characters, heartwarming messages, and a mysterious air scattered across the pages.
The delightful illustrations enrich the reading experience which is melancholic in parts yet also imparts hope and strength in dark and uncertain times.
This collection will appeal to many as they question and reflect – a powerful debut.
With thanks to @NeemTreePress and @unbounders for my copy and place on the Tour.
December 21, 2024
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Frail Little Embers by Fija Callaghan is a collection of short stories and poems that inspire hope and the strength to move on despite the cards we've been dealt. The anthology delves into love, loss, nostalgia, revenge, and hope and deals with some pretty heavy topics. Each story is beautifully written, and I kept turning the page for more. The added illustrations before each chapter add a sense of whimsy to it.
Overall, 5 stars. This is like, THE hopecore book, so if you like that, read this.
Frail Little Embers by Fija Callaghan is a collection of short stories and poems that inspire hope and the strength to move on despite the cards we've been dealt. The anthology delves into love, loss, nostalgia, revenge, and hope and deals with some pretty heavy topics. Each story is beautifully written, and I kept turning the page for more. The added illustrations before each chapter add a sense of whimsy to it.
Overall, 5 stars. This is like, THE hopecore book, so if you like that, read this.
December 10, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Unbound | Neem Tree Press for providing me with the ARC.
Short, light fantasy, with magical realism elements and small town vibes. If cozy and wholesome is your thing, this collection will enchant you, so lovable and hopeful. It’s no surprise to me that I liked the saddest and the weirdest stories the most, unfortunately they were just a couple. The story as a whole has very coherent stories that go off of each other well. The writing style is stunning. I would absolutely read a full novel by this author. Just the cozy vibes don’t do much for me. The top stories I loved are September Sunsets, The edge of Morning and Apple seeds.
Short, light fantasy, with magical realism elements and small town vibes. If cozy and wholesome is your thing, this collection will enchant you, so lovable and hopeful. It’s no surprise to me that I liked the saddest and the weirdest stories the most, unfortunately they were just a couple. The story as a whole has very coherent stories that go off of each other well. The writing style is stunning. I would absolutely read a full novel by this author. Just the cozy vibes don’t do much for me. The top stories I loved are September Sunsets, The edge of Morning and Apple seeds.
December 10, 2024
I enjoyed this collection of short stories. It was intriguing!
December 19, 2024
Best short story collection i've read all year
May 12, 2025
Very enjoyable collection of short stories. Definitely a book I could imagine reading again. With such a strong debut, this author is definitely one to watch.
December 7, 2024
Thank you to the publishers – Unbound & Neem Tree Press – for giving me access to this book as an E-ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
This was a gorgeous collection of short stories with a strong folklore-y feel to them – exactly like the blurb says. Beautiful language and I know I’d love to read more from Callaghan in the future.
This was a gorgeous collection of short stories with a strong folklore-y feel to them – exactly like the blurb says. Beautiful language and I know I’d love to read more from Callaghan in the future.
November 25, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Neem Tree Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this collection of Short Stories. All of them were at least good, with some great, and few that were absolutely amazing. I find my largest problem with the collection is that it leads with some pretty weak stories that didn't hook me into the collection as much as would be ideal.
A lot of the stories have a real magical realism feel, with magic mixing in with the real world seamlessly. The magic is really what made a lot of these stories shine and the stories that lacked magic also lacked that shine. There is also a lot of myth within the stories which I really enjoyed.
Overall a really cute collection that won't change your whole world, but is definitely worth if if you are in the mood for some cozy stories with fun illustrations.
Favorite stories: Dear Audrey, Lost Men, Fox Song, Last Wish, The Fleeting Ones
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this collection of Short Stories. All of them were at least good, with some great, and few that were absolutely amazing. I find my largest problem with the collection is that it leads with some pretty weak stories that didn't hook me into the collection as much as would be ideal.
A lot of the stories have a real magical realism feel, with magic mixing in with the real world seamlessly. The magic is really what made a lot of these stories shine and the stories that lacked magic also lacked that shine. There is also a lot of myth within the stories which I really enjoyed.
Overall a really cute collection that won't change your whole world, but is definitely worth if if you are in the mood for some cozy stories with fun illustrations.
Favorite stories: Dear Audrey, Lost Men, Fox Song, Last Wish, The Fleeting Ones
May 24, 2025
What an excellent collection of imaginative short stories. My favourite was "One Hundred Words for Loss". but I enjoyed them all. I'm so pleased I was able to support it on Unbound.
February 4, 2025
Frail Little Embers was a book I'd highlighted to read this year, so when Neem Tree offered me a tour spot I jumped at the chance.
I really enjoyed the collection of stories, each one of them brought something else to the table; sentiments of hope and healing, wondrous stories of life, love and loss, written in ways to heighten spirits rather than darker them.
It's a beautifully written collection of short stories where myth and magic collide.
I thoroughly enjoyed the stories and I can't wait to read from from Callaghan in the future.
I really enjoyed the collection of stories, each one of them brought something else to the table; sentiments of hope and healing, wondrous stories of life, love and loss, written in ways to heighten spirits rather than darker them.
It's a beautifully written collection of short stories where myth and magic collide.
I thoroughly enjoyed the stories and I can't wait to read from from Callaghan in the future.
March 2, 2025
This was a lovely little collection of short stories ranging from everyday magic to the outright supernatural.
I loved the variety of tales and formats. Some that stuck with me are a Red Riding Hood retelling where the big bad wolf isn't what we thought we knew, what happens to the Darling children once they do grow up post Peter Pan, and a tale told exclusively through magazine confession letters between people who may or may not know each other.
You'll find both contemporary tales with subtly magical shops and cafés, and stories of ancient beings from long lost cultures, in a unique mix that's sure to impress a wide audience. A must-read for lovers of fantasy and fiction everywhere.
✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I loved the variety of tales and formats. Some that stuck with me are a Red Riding Hood retelling where the big bad wolf isn't what we thought we knew, what happens to the Darling children once they do grow up post Peter Pan, and a tale told exclusively through magazine confession letters between people who may or may not know each other.
You'll find both contemporary tales with subtly magical shops and cafés, and stories of ancient beings from long lost cultures, in a unique mix that's sure to impress a wide audience. A must-read for lovers of fantasy and fiction everywhere.
✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.
February 2, 2025
What a beautiful collection of short stories! Callaghan really does find the fantastical in the mundane, looking at the lives of ordinary people and the little bits of magic that can be found there, be it the impact of a good book, or the power of a good pot of tea.
Celtic mythology is clearly a big influence on these stories, such as in a favourite of mine, ‘The Road to Faërie’. Callaghan makes full use of the stories of magical folk living alongside humans, to create this world where – either literally or figuratively – the fantastical is only ever a step away.
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There were also lots of literary references. Another favourite of mine was ‘Lost Men’, which was about the three Darling children as they grew up having left Neverland. I loved exploring not only how their lives ended up, but what some of the consequences might be for other characters were they to leave Neverland, and the reality of living in the ‘real’ world when you’ve had those incredible adventures.
Callaghan also uses some different writing styles, including poetry and epistolary writing, which gives the collection variety and helps keep each story fresh.
This is such a lovely collection, and I really look forward to reading more from the author! They’re the perfect read for these early nights – just the right balance of the comfortable and the unknown.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Celtic mythology is clearly a big influence on these stories, such as in a favourite of mine, ‘The Road to Faërie’. Callaghan makes full use of the stories of magical folk living alongside humans, to create this world where – either literally or figuratively – the fantastical is only ever a step away.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
There were also lots of literary references. Another favourite of mine was ‘Lost Men’, which was about the three Darling children as they grew up having left Neverland. I loved exploring not only how their lives ended up, but what some of the consequences might be for other characters were they to leave Neverland, and the reality of living in the ‘real’ world when you’ve had those incredible adventures.
Callaghan also uses some different writing styles, including poetry and epistolary writing, which gives the collection variety and helps keep each story fresh.
This is such a lovely collection, and I really look forward to reading more from the author! They’re the perfect read for these early nights – just the right balance of the comfortable and the unknown.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
December 30, 2024
Nearly two dozen short stories to rekindle your imagination
Fija Callaghan's collection Frail Little Embers features 21 short stories (unless I can't count, which is always a possibility). From very short to medium length, her stories center around a variety of themes and characters, from fairytale retelling to epistolary, romance, queer and straight, as well as poetry. Her distinct voice is evident throughout and all stories feature a magical element of some sort. Overall, I would probably categorise them as magical realism.
The title works well, as the protagonists of the stories all are, on one way or another, frail as little embers and in need of the glow within themselves to be rekindled. Most of the stories are set in English-speaking countries (if at all mentioned).
While her prose is effortless and she picks beautiful subjects, I found many of the stories a little too fragmented and brief. It is also quite difficult to read many in a row, which got me stuck between wanting more and needing a break. I suggest you enjoy them more like pralines - one at a time, with plenty of time to digest and let them sink in.
Each story comes with a simple yet well-suited illustration.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Fija Callaghan's collection Frail Little Embers features 21 short stories (unless I can't count, which is always a possibility). From very short to medium length, her stories center around a variety of themes and characters, from fairytale retelling to epistolary, romance, queer and straight, as well as poetry. Her distinct voice is evident throughout and all stories feature a magical element of some sort. Overall, I would probably categorise them as magical realism.
The title works well, as the protagonists of the stories all are, on one way or another, frail as little embers and in need of the glow within themselves to be rekindled. Most of the stories are set in English-speaking countries (if at all mentioned).
While her prose is effortless and she picks beautiful subjects, I found many of the stories a little too fragmented and brief. It is also quite difficult to read many in a row, which got me stuck between wanting more and needing a break. I suggest you enjoy them more like pralines - one at a time, with plenty of time to digest and let them sink in.
Each story comes with a simple yet well-suited illustration.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
February 16, 2025
I'm reviewing this as part of a blog tour.
“Frail Little Embers” is a delightful collection of short stories, with charming illustrations. I don't recall reading anything else by this author, but I warmed to the storytelling after just a few pages. I felt the writing had a lovely whimsical quality that reminded me of fairy tales, and yet at the same time, there was a relatability that resonated with me. I thought about the dialogue between the characters, their behaviours, that somehow felt real to me while I was reading.
It would be hard to choose a favourite story, because I enjoyed all of them, and they appealed to me in different ways. Some of the stories, like “Running With Wolves”, “Lost Men”, and “Last Wish” had recognisable fairytale elements, and some had slightly darker themes.
I enjoyed all of these short stories, and I found the book quite light and relaxing to read. A short story collection is always a good idea if you don't want to commit to a full-length novel, or feel unsure about what you want to read, and I enjoyed curling up with my cup of tea to read this.
Thank you to Neem Tree Press, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
“Frail Little Embers” is a delightful collection of short stories, with charming illustrations. I don't recall reading anything else by this author, but I warmed to the storytelling after just a few pages. I felt the writing had a lovely whimsical quality that reminded me of fairy tales, and yet at the same time, there was a relatability that resonated with me. I thought about the dialogue between the characters, their behaviours, that somehow felt real to me while I was reading.
It would be hard to choose a favourite story, because I enjoyed all of them, and they appealed to me in different ways. Some of the stories, like “Running With Wolves”, “Lost Men”, and “Last Wish” had recognisable fairytale elements, and some had slightly darker themes.
I enjoyed all of these short stories, and I found the book quite light and relaxing to read. A short story collection is always a good idea if you don't want to commit to a full-length novel, or feel unsure about what you want to read, and I enjoyed curling up with my cup of tea to read this.
Thank you to Neem Tree Press, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
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