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Storm Volume I
STORM is an anthology of short stories around a common theme - a storm. Volume I is a mix of fantasy, science fiction and dystopian stories where people's lives are influenced by the occurrence of a storm, physical, moral or magical. Set in worlds apart from our own, five authors of the Pretoria Writers' Group give life to characters doing battle for the survival of their people, or fall over themselves in the process of trying.
What can change the nature of a man? In John’s case, it was 90 seconds. His life before was not a savory one, but now it contained a new force, a change agent, A Girl Called Storm.
The fearsome Serpent Storm that surrounds Yrthull has long kept the Myrrh from their ancestral homeland Beyond. Now, their only hope is to fulfill a prophecy that will eventually allow their people to cross the Serpent Storm and return to the fabled Halls of Gata.
In reGENESIS the scientists are sitting with their hands in their hair, because the human species is dying out. A scientist proposed the use of genetic engineering and found the solution to manipulate the fundamental code of life: the DNA helix. It worked, but there was an unexpected side-effect.
Ilgiprart and Oogithap, Electrosquids from the Fungus Asteroid are sent to earth on a dangerous mission. Their only weapon, a deadly one at that, is the storm in a teacup, As fate would have it they lose control of the weapon in their attempt to escape the farmer’s wrath, A tale of hilarious consequences.
Shiloh realises that she holds the only blueprints that could save the planet from the brink of extinction. Does she have the courage to execute this? Who should she place her trust in, in this new dysfunctional place where nothing and no one are what they seem?
In The Gravic Exacerbation Mestrae Corvic is arguably the least liked person at the University of Yithnisia. If he can't even convince his own apprentice that Mestrara Mikya and Mestrae Yundra's latest projects are going to have serious repercussions, how will he convince the rest of the University's apprentices and mestrari to heed his words of warning?
What can change the nature of a man? In John’s case, it was 90 seconds. His life before was not a savory one, but now it contained a new force, a change agent, A Girl Called Storm.
The fearsome Serpent Storm that surrounds Yrthull has long kept the Myrrh from their ancestral homeland Beyond. Now, their only hope is to fulfill a prophecy that will eventually allow their people to cross the Serpent Storm and return to the fabled Halls of Gata.
In reGENESIS the scientists are sitting with their hands in their hair, because the human species is dying out. A scientist proposed the use of genetic engineering and found the solution to manipulate the fundamental code of life: the DNA helix. It worked, but there was an unexpected side-effect.
Ilgiprart and Oogithap, Electrosquids from the Fungus Asteroid are sent to earth on a dangerous mission. Their only weapon, a deadly one at that, is the storm in a teacup, As fate would have it they lose control of the weapon in their attempt to escape the farmer’s wrath, A tale of hilarious consequences.
Shiloh realises that she holds the only blueprints that could save the planet from the brink of extinction. Does she have the courage to execute this? Who should she place her trust in, in this new dysfunctional place where nothing and no one are what they seem?
In The Gravic Exacerbation Mestrae Corvic is arguably the least liked person at the University of Yithnisia. If he can't even convince his own apprentice that Mestrara Mikya and Mestrae Yundra's latest projects are going to have serious repercussions, how will he convince the rest of the University's apprentices and mestrari to heed his words of warning?
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First published April 25, 2014
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12 people want to read
About the author
Linzé Brandon
24 books50 followersTeaching herself to read before she went to school was the start of her life-long love affair with books.
Trained as an engineer, Linzé has worked as a specialist engineer in two fields of engineering. Thereafter, she was self-employed, working as a consultant to commercial companies exporting their products to other countries.
When the economy forced her back into full-time employment, she worked as a systems engineer and senior project manager at a company that designs and manufactures products for the military industry.
In January 2019, she left her full-time job to enjoy the challenges of self-employment once more. Now she spends her days doing competence training, career development and retirement coaching, and engineering consulting work.
Although she still loves to read, she also enjoys counted stitch embroidery, t’ai chi, archery, fly fishing, drawing, painting with pastels, her husband's medal-winning photographs, and watching Manchester United play.
She is one of the moderators of two Facebook writers' groups, and leads the Pretoria Writers' Group, who boasts several published authors in various genres.
Linzé Brandon lives in Pretoria, South Africa, with her engineer husband and German Shepherds who are convinced that the world revolves only around them.
Trained as an engineer, Linzé has worked as a specialist engineer in two fields of engineering. Thereafter, she was self-employed, working as a consultant to commercial companies exporting their products to other countries.
When the economy forced her back into full-time employment, she worked as a systems engineer and senior project manager at a company that designs and manufactures products for the military industry.
In January 2019, she left her full-time job to enjoy the challenges of self-employment once more. Now she spends her days doing competence training, career development and retirement coaching, and engineering consulting work.
Although she still loves to read, she also enjoys counted stitch embroidery, t’ai chi, archery, fly fishing, drawing, painting with pastels, her husband's medal-winning photographs, and watching Manchester United play.
She is one of the moderators of two Facebook writers' groups, and leads the Pretoria Writers' Group, who boasts several published authors in various genres.
Linzé Brandon lives in Pretoria, South Africa, with her engineer husband and German Shepherds who are convinced that the world revolves only around them.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 2, 2014
Review of A Girl called Storm - Richard T Wheeler
What I found to be most interesting about Wheeler's story are the possibilities of interpretation. Is it a supernatural tale? Could be, depending on your outlook. Is it fantasy? Could be that too, a genre touching on the impossible, the probable, the frightening. Or is it simply the psychological aftermath of a mind trying to come to grips with its own limitations?
Wheeler definitely has the touch to keep the reader spellbound. He writes as the reader speaks without grandiose words and unnecessary literary gimmicks.
His piece is a glimpse of what I suspect this author could become in future. His story is well thought through and his ability for dialogue is definitely a talent to watch. In the vein of Roald Dahl, he specialises in the surprise factor and leaves the reader wanting more.
Review of Beyond - Natalie Rivener
Every reader and book reviewer has a favourite genre and this is not mine, so having to be totally unbiased is truly difficult. However, let me be the first to admit that this piece is superbly written and could very well become a cult favourite.
It is not easy reading but it immediately has one spellbound. This is not your run of the mill writer and I suspect that Ms Rivener could easily move into historical novels or the supernatural with equal ease.
Bravo!
Alex Rose-Innes
What I found to be most interesting about Wheeler's story are the possibilities of interpretation. Is it a supernatural tale? Could be, depending on your outlook. Is it fantasy? Could be that too, a genre touching on the impossible, the probable, the frightening. Or is it simply the psychological aftermath of a mind trying to come to grips with its own limitations?
Wheeler definitely has the touch to keep the reader spellbound. He writes as the reader speaks without grandiose words and unnecessary literary gimmicks.
His piece is a glimpse of what I suspect this author could become in future. His story is well thought through and his ability for dialogue is definitely a talent to watch. In the vein of Roald Dahl, he specialises in the surprise factor and leaves the reader wanting more.
Review of Beyond - Natalie Rivener
Every reader and book reviewer has a favourite genre and this is not mine, so having to be totally unbiased is truly difficult. However, let me be the first to admit that this piece is superbly written and could very well become a cult favourite.
It is not easy reading but it immediately has one spellbound. This is not your run of the mill writer and I suspect that Ms Rivener could easily move into historical novels or the supernatural with equal ease.
Bravo!
Alex Rose-Innes
June 2, 2014
I’m an historical fiction, biography, autobiography kind of guy, who’s never reviewed anything in his life.
Science fiction, fantasy, dystopian and supernatural themes are way outside of my comfort zone. I’ve been on a steep learning curve as I’ve read this collection of stories.
As a developing story teller and lifetime learner, STORM Volume 1 (SV1) provided a golden opportunity to learn from those who are more experienced in spinning a yarn, regardless of genre.
Richard, Natalie, Linzé, Vanessa, Carmen and Natalie have taken me on a rollercoaster ride, playing with my intellect and emotions.
To see these creative individuals take a common theme and weave their magic has been thought provoking and at times unsettling. ‘Where are you taking me?’ has been the common question I’ve asked myself .
Each tale has left me with more unanswered than answered questions. They confronted me, made me smile and made me think.
If you’re into Sci-Fi, aliens, fantasy… SV1 will be right up your alley.
If you’d prefer to sit back and chill as you read, this anthology may not be for you. Your preconceptions and perceptions will likely be challenged.
Right now — I’m ready for STORM Volume 2.
Bring it on!
Science fiction, fantasy, dystopian and supernatural themes are way outside of my comfort zone. I’ve been on a steep learning curve as I’ve read this collection of stories.
As a developing story teller and lifetime learner, STORM Volume 1 (SV1) provided a golden opportunity to learn from those who are more experienced in spinning a yarn, regardless of genre.
Richard, Natalie, Linzé, Vanessa, Carmen and Natalie have taken me on a rollercoaster ride, playing with my intellect and emotions.
To see these creative individuals take a common theme and weave their magic has been thought provoking and at times unsettling. ‘Where are you taking me?’ has been the common question I’ve asked myself .
Each tale has left me with more unanswered than answered questions. They confronted me, made me smile and made me think.
If you’re into Sci-Fi, aliens, fantasy… SV1 will be right up your alley.
If you’d prefer to sit back and chill as you read, this anthology may not be for you. Your preconceptions and perceptions will likely be challenged.
Right now — I’m ready for STORM Volume 2.
Bring it on!
May 16, 2014
I personally am a big fan of anthologies; if your ever in the market for some new authors/writers to get into its a great way to get a feel for what kind of writer the author is. Besides in our super busy world not as many people are going around reading 800 page novels anymore so these various short stories are a perfect solution. But its not just an easy fix the art of writing an successful short story is not something easily accomplished, all the various elements that you get to take your time and develop when writing your novel gets compacted into as little as 500 words in some cases. Suffice to say you can weed out the good writers from the bad rather quickly. And in the case of The Storm Volume 1 Anthology we get to meet some great writers Particually in the case of Vanessa Wright and Richard Wheeler. I don't know how this set of writers got together but as a fan of sci-fi and fantasy I must say they are all amazing. Every story was engaging, pulled you and kept you there. This isn't one of those anthologies where you only read the first couple of stories I assure you will read them all and quickly move on to volume 2. Great Job Guys. I highly recommend this book!
May 3, 2014
A combined procject by The Pretoria Writer's group- the stories are of excellent quality and is sure to satisfy reader's of all genres curiosity and satisfaction. Even if you prefer novels, these short stories are well worth the effort and time to read them. They are brilliant!
May 5, 2014
Review of "A Girl Called Storm" by Richard T. Wheeler
When I first read this particular piece, I found myself weeping at the last scene, so much did it catch me when I least expected a hint of a greater cosmic truth that all humans have felt, even if just once, in their lives.
This story ropes in the reader, molding her with a mind much like her own, yet still vastly different. But the core values, the stream of it, remains the same.
The tale is heated, fast-paced, with deep abyssal moments of lacuna in the midst of the madness, where, in spite of the constant fear of time running short, the protagonist and his supporting cast, stop to consider, to amend. The dialogue is smooth and natural, with the occasional jarring cuss from the lips of Storm herself, only adding to the overall eloquence of the text.
“A Girl Called Storm” is the first solo work by author Richard T. Wheeler, in this riveting compilation of South African work. An extraordinary short story on a multidimensional level of literary understanding - on the surface, the story follows a dizzying fever-dream, the product of a comatose mind, which holds the protagonist, John, in its clutches. John is stranded in a desert place running from that which he cannot see and aided by a young girl with a foul-mouth and a kick-ass attitude, a girl called Storm. Through his journey with Storm by his side, John makes peace with his pursuers and faces the storm bearing down on him, only to wake up from his accident-induced coma and fully understand the personal turmoil behind his dream.
Metaphysically, “A Girl Called Storm” is the story of the inner struggle that all of humanity shares, but in different shifting fields of understanding, the inner trials and judgments which we all have in common. The beasts inside of all individuals, urging them to that which they might never revel in, the darker elements, and society’s perceptions of those which are lighter, more appropriate in the eyes of a community. But, in addition to this, this short story is a softly compelling tale of a man’s heart preparing itself for the unborn child his conscious mind is not yet sure exists, the tale of a man coming to terms with a tragic accident of his past, but also, of a man attempting to unite the guilt in himself with the memories he has forced his mind to bury.
When I first read this particular piece, I found myself weeping at the last scene, so much did it catch me when I least expected a hint of a greater cosmic truth that all humans have felt, even if just once, in their lives.
This story ropes in the reader, molding her with a mind much like her own, yet still vastly different. But the core values, the stream of it, remains the same.
The tale is heated, fast-paced, with deep abyssal moments of lacuna in the midst of the madness, where, in spite of the constant fear of time running short, the protagonist and his supporting cast, stop to consider, to amend. The dialogue is smooth and natural, with the occasional jarring cuss from the lips of Storm herself, only adding to the overall eloquence of the text.
“A Girl Called Storm” is the first solo work by author Richard T. Wheeler, in this riveting compilation of South African work. An extraordinary short story on a multidimensional level of literary understanding - on the surface, the story follows a dizzying fever-dream, the product of a comatose mind, which holds the protagonist, John, in its clutches. John is stranded in a desert place running from that which he cannot see and aided by a young girl with a foul-mouth and a kick-ass attitude, a girl called Storm. Through his journey with Storm by his side, John makes peace with his pursuers and faces the storm bearing down on him, only to wake up from his accident-induced coma and fully understand the personal turmoil behind his dream.
Metaphysically, “A Girl Called Storm” is the story of the inner struggle that all of humanity shares, but in different shifting fields of understanding, the inner trials and judgments which we all have in common. The beasts inside of all individuals, urging them to that which they might never revel in, the darker elements, and society’s perceptions of those which are lighter, more appropriate in the eyes of a community. But, in addition to this, this short story is a softly compelling tale of a man’s heart preparing itself for the unborn child his conscious mind is not yet sure exists, the tale of a man coming to terms with a tragic accident of his past, but also, of a man attempting to unite the guilt in himself with the memories he has forced his mind to bury.
May 28, 2014
Review of The Icarus Curse by Carmen Botman.
Being familiar with Carmen Botman’s previous works, I was delighted to find her included in this anthology. She is a multi- genre writer and, as a multi genre reader, I find myself constantly drawn to her works.
The Icarus Curse is set in the year 2120, in a barren world created by the genius and greed of one man.
Having lost all of her family, Shiloh faces the bleak new world head on. Her hopes set on finding an old friend and saving humanity, she does not realise the danger of her burden and quest. Is there anyone she can trust?
The plot is interesting and brilliantly executed. Characters are vivid and the fluidity of the prose makes for an outstanding read.
Bravo Carmen! Cannot wait for the next one.
Being familiar with Carmen Botman’s previous works, I was delighted to find her included in this anthology. She is a multi- genre writer and, as a multi genre reader, I find myself constantly drawn to her works.
The Icarus Curse is set in the year 2120, in a barren world created by the genius and greed of one man.
Having lost all of her family, Shiloh faces the bleak new world head on. Her hopes set on finding an old friend and saving humanity, she does not realise the danger of her burden and quest. Is there anyone she can trust?
The plot is interesting and brilliantly executed. Characters are vivid and the fluidity of the prose makes for an outstanding read.
Bravo Carmen! Cannot wait for the next one.
October 20, 2014
A girl called Storm by Richard T Wheeler:
This is the first short story in the book. It took me some time to get into this story as I wasn't sure where it was set (and I was really confused), but it started to make more sense as the story progressed. I assume the confusion initially was intended, as was the rush in the end. When I finished reading the story I felt it was well worth it. Well written
Beyond by Natalie Rivener:
The story was easy to read, but I felt the end was rushed too much. I would have liked more to have been written about what happened to the captive. Good short story, can't wait for the follow up short story/book.
reGenesis by Linze Brandon:
From the short description page I see this is a prequel for a book. Well written, but I thought the story could have had a more contentious plot. I could feel that this was just for background.
A Storm in a Teacup by Vanessa Wright:
Light hearted short story to explain a few alien phenomena. Felt it to be a bit silly at times, but that was the intent of it.
The Icarus Curse by Carmen Botman:
Good story line, well written, waiting for the book.
The Gravic Exacerbation by Natalie Rivener:
Good story, better paced than the previous one and well written.
This is the first short story in the book. It took me some time to get into this story as I wasn't sure where it was set (and I was really confused), but it started to make more sense as the story progressed. I assume the confusion initially was intended, as was the rush in the end. When I finished reading the story I felt it was well worth it. Well written
Beyond by Natalie Rivener:
The story was easy to read, but I felt the end was rushed too much. I would have liked more to have been written about what happened to the captive. Good short story, can't wait for the follow up short story/book.
reGenesis by Linze Brandon:
From the short description page I see this is a prequel for a book. Well written, but I thought the story could have had a more contentious plot. I could feel that this was just for background.
A Storm in a Teacup by Vanessa Wright:
Light hearted short story to explain a few alien phenomena. Felt it to be a bit silly at times, but that was the intent of it.
The Icarus Curse by Carmen Botman:
Good story line, well written, waiting for the book.
The Gravic Exacerbation by Natalie Rivener:
Good story, better paced than the previous one and well written.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews