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The Metempsychosis Collection
From the dystopian landscape of Knight in Paper Armor to the journey through the fading mind that is Pale Highway, Nicholas Conley's novels have brought readers from the cosmic to the microcosmic, in tales defined by contrast — life and death, light and darkness, transcendence and limitation, strength and frailty, dreams and nightmares. Now, in the seven short stories that comprise The Metempsychosis Collection, experience a thrilling passage through closure, catharsis, and rebirth.
The Metempsychosis Collection is a puzzle of seven pieces. As metempsychosis is the transmigration of the soul after death, these snapshots of startling, wondrous, and terrifying moments show a human race perpetually weighed down by pain and loss, yet forever grasping at the stars with hope and aspiration. In each tale, lives are touched, changed, and reshaped. A woman surrounded by her loved ones is faced with a sudden crisis beyond her mortal comprehension. The dawn of real-life super-powered individuals—and the devastation they are capable of—remolds not just the shape of society, but even the most intimate of relationships. The collision of perfect cutting-edge technology against imperfect human memory brings the dead closer to us even as it pushes them further away. A trucker drives into the night with no clear destination, tormented by the mysterious, unearthly cargo that drives her. A sick man ponders his legacy as he struggles not to succumb to an ancient, incurable extraterrestrial disease. Two childhood friends, bonded by hardship, are ripped apart by the most fantastic — yet horrific — discovery of their lives. And finally, an ambitious scientist, following her passions, must escape a prehistoric miracle that threatens the life of her pregnant wife.
Every new beginning closes a book from the past, and every ending opens another. The wheel turns. The world spins. And for every death, there is an awakening.
The Metempsychosis Collection is a puzzle of seven pieces. As metempsychosis is the transmigration of the soul after death, these snapshots of startling, wondrous, and terrifying moments show a human race perpetually weighed down by pain and loss, yet forever grasping at the stars with hope and aspiration. In each tale, lives are touched, changed, and reshaped. A woman surrounded by her loved ones is faced with a sudden crisis beyond her mortal comprehension. The dawn of real-life super-powered individuals—and the devastation they are capable of—remolds not just the shape of society, but even the most intimate of relationships. The collision of perfect cutting-edge technology against imperfect human memory brings the dead closer to us even as it pushes them further away. A trucker drives into the night with no clear destination, tormented by the mysterious, unearthly cargo that drives her. A sick man ponders his legacy as he struggles not to succumb to an ancient, incurable extraterrestrial disease. Two childhood friends, bonded by hardship, are ripped apart by the most fantastic — yet horrific — discovery of their lives. And finally, an ambitious scientist, following her passions, must escape a prehistoric miracle that threatens the life of her pregnant wife.
Every new beginning closes a book from the past, and every ending opens another. The wheel turns. The world spins. And for every death, there is an awakening.
132 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2024
About the author
Nicholas Conley
16 books55 followersNicholas Conley is an award-winning Jewish American author, journalist, playwright, and coffee vigilante. His books, such as Knight in Paper Armor, Pale Highway, Clay Tongue: A Novelette, and Intraterrestrial, merge science fiction narratives with hard-hitting examinations of social issues. Originally from California, he now lives in New Hampshire.
www.NicholasConley.com.
www.NicholasConley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 30, 2024
This is a terrific collection of seven well-written and entertaining sci-fi stories.
He Told Her the Bad News is short and not at all sweet. Instead, it is compelling and relatable in our modern world.
Powers That Be was an exciting and interesting story about a natural event that results in the creation of a handful of people with super powers. This is a tale about guilt, revenge, and grief woven into an insightful review of how individuals fail to cope with extraordinary gifts and fame as well as the impact of misunderstandings linked to strong human emotions. A most unusual take on a romance gone wrong.
Resurrecting the Torn Edge is story about the use of technology to recreate the past from memory. It highlights the imperfection of human memory and the fact that its application to a replication of the past results in a fictionalised product.
Trucker is a story of a woman caught in a time trap of repetitively. Reminiscent of Groundhog Day, Trucker has been on a repeat cycle of life and death for decades. Can she ever escape this unsatisfactory situation?
Shredded Starlight is a tale of tragedy. When an ordinary man's work life goes horribly wrong resulting in the destruction of his health and life it impacts heavily on his mind and the lives of his love ones. Can Diego make peace with his circumstances and exit this earthly world on a positive note?
The Friend is my favourite story in this collection. A tale of a friendship based on a need for support and sense of belonging resulting in a lifetime of guilt and unfair responsibility by one party towards the other. An extraordinary discovery in childhood changes both boys life paths and wreaks havoc on peripheral figures in their lives. One friend is unable to overcome his circumstances and rise above his unfortunate homelife, while the other goes on to achievement and fulfilment which is flawed by his childhood friendship and the secret the friends share. This secret ultimately impacts heavily on both their lives as its misapplication and a lack of emotional control result in complete destruction.
Cosmosusaurs is an interesting deep dive into the what ifs of the discovery of a surviving dinosaur and its impact on a woman driven to investigate this finding. The effects of a drive to achieve self fulfilment through work and recognition and how that interplays with family responsibility are investigated in this fast paced story.
Nicholas Conway is a deep understanding of the human mind and psyche and he puts this knowledge to excellent use in these fascinating tales.
He Told Her the Bad News is short and not at all sweet. Instead, it is compelling and relatable in our modern world.
Powers That Be was an exciting and interesting story about a natural event that results in the creation of a handful of people with super powers. This is a tale about guilt, revenge, and grief woven into an insightful review of how individuals fail to cope with extraordinary gifts and fame as well as the impact of misunderstandings linked to strong human emotions. A most unusual take on a romance gone wrong.
Resurrecting the Torn Edge is story about the use of technology to recreate the past from memory. It highlights the imperfection of human memory and the fact that its application to a replication of the past results in a fictionalised product.
Trucker is a story of a woman caught in a time trap of repetitively. Reminiscent of Groundhog Day, Trucker has been on a repeat cycle of life and death for decades. Can she ever escape this unsatisfactory situation?
Shredded Starlight is a tale of tragedy. When an ordinary man's work life goes horribly wrong resulting in the destruction of his health and life it impacts heavily on his mind and the lives of his love ones. Can Diego make peace with his circumstances and exit this earthly world on a positive note?
The Friend is my favourite story in this collection. A tale of a friendship based on a need for support and sense of belonging resulting in a lifetime of guilt and unfair responsibility by one party towards the other. An extraordinary discovery in childhood changes both boys life paths and wreaks havoc on peripheral figures in their lives. One friend is unable to overcome his circumstances and rise above his unfortunate homelife, while the other goes on to achievement and fulfilment which is flawed by his childhood friendship and the secret the friends share. This secret ultimately impacts heavily on both their lives as its misapplication and a lack of emotional control result in complete destruction.
Cosmosusaurs is an interesting deep dive into the what ifs of the discovery of a surviving dinosaur and its impact on a woman driven to investigate this finding. The effects of a drive to achieve self fulfilment through work and recognition and how that interplays with family responsibility are investigated in this fast paced story.
Nicholas Conway is a deep understanding of the human mind and psyche and he puts this knowledge to excellent use in these fascinating tales.
December 4, 2024
The Metempsychosis Collection: A Journey Through Time, Space, and the Human Soul!
The Metempsychosis Collection by Nicholas Conley is a captivating anthology of seven short stories that explore the concept of metempsychosis, or the transmigration of the soul after death. Each story delves into the human experience, touching on themes of closure, catharsis, and rebirth. Conley masterfully blends elements of science fiction, fantasy, and horror to create a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience. The collection opens with a woman facing a sudden crisis beyond her mortal comprehension, surrounded by her loved ones. As the stories progress, readers encounter a variety of characters and scenarios, from the dawn of super-powered individuals reshaping society to a trucker tormented by mysterious cargo. Each tale is a snapshot of startling, wondrous, and terrifying moments that show humanity's perpetual struggle with pain and loss, yet also its relentless hope and aspiration.
One of the standout stories features a sick man grappling with an ancient, incurable extraterrestrial disease, pondering his legacy as he fights to survive. Another tale follows two childhood friends whose bond is tested by a fantastic yet horrific discovery. Conley's writing is both poignant and gripping, drawing readers into the emotional and psychological depths of his characters. The Metempsychosis Collection is a puzzle of seven pieces, each contributing to a larger narrative about the human condition. Conley's ability to weave together disparate elements into a cohesive and compelling anthology makes this collection a must-read for fans of speculative fiction. The stories are not only entertaining but also offer profound insights into the nature of life, death, and the soul's journey. So what are you waiting for? Pick up your copy today!
• ASIN: B0DLBRR75V
• Publication Date: 12/4/2024
• File Size: 3033 KB
• Print Length: 132 pages
The Metempsychosis Collection by Nicholas Conley is a captivating anthology of seven short stories that explore the concept of metempsychosis, or the transmigration of the soul after death. Each story delves into the human experience, touching on themes of closure, catharsis, and rebirth. Conley masterfully blends elements of science fiction, fantasy, and horror to create a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience. The collection opens with a woman facing a sudden crisis beyond her mortal comprehension, surrounded by her loved ones. As the stories progress, readers encounter a variety of characters and scenarios, from the dawn of super-powered individuals reshaping society to a trucker tormented by mysterious cargo. Each tale is a snapshot of startling, wondrous, and terrifying moments that show humanity's perpetual struggle with pain and loss, yet also its relentless hope and aspiration.
One of the standout stories features a sick man grappling with an ancient, incurable extraterrestrial disease, pondering his legacy as he fights to survive. Another tale follows two childhood friends whose bond is tested by a fantastic yet horrific discovery. Conley's writing is both poignant and gripping, drawing readers into the emotional and psychological depths of his characters. The Metempsychosis Collection is a puzzle of seven pieces, each contributing to a larger narrative about the human condition. Conley's ability to weave together disparate elements into a cohesive and compelling anthology makes this collection a must-read for fans of speculative fiction. The stories are not only entertaining but also offer profound insights into the nature of life, death, and the soul's journey. So what are you waiting for? Pick up your copy today!
• ASIN: B0DLBRR75V
• Publication Date: 12/4/2024
• File Size: 3033 KB
• Print Length: 132 pages
November 28, 2024
~About
The Metempsychosis Collection is a set of seven short stories, each with a memorable and gripping premise. Below, I give a brief outline of each story.
1) He Told Her the Bad News
A wife and mother receives devastating news, facing a paralysing decision regarding whether or not to confess the truth to her loved ones.
2) Powers that Be
A mysterious event leaves some with superpowers. However, there are ‘good’ powers and ‘bad’ powers, as documented by the news. This is a story of pain and the resulting prejudice that it can produce. However, it is also a story of love, betrayal, and forgiveness.
3) Resurrecting the Torn Edge
A man’s work project does not always mirror the reality of what once was. This short tale explores our memories and human tendency to present a more palatable impression of ourselves to others.
4) Trucker
This was one of my favourite stories from the collection.
A trucker contemplates her lost youth, pondering whether to stop and rest with an otherworldly cargo in the back of her vehicle. This story begs the question, 'Can you truly ever run from your past?'
5) Shredded Starlight
A father lives in a medical ward with a rare alien condition which is slowly killing him. However, he finds comfort in his final moments through a surprising turn of events.
6) The Friend
This was another of my favourite stories.
Two teenage friends find a strange otherworldly object and accidentally change the world. But, can their friendship stand the weight of a dark, shared secret?
7) The Comosusaurus
A pregnant woman and her wife are trying to escape the creature they set out to study. This was a touching story of love, fear of loss, and family.
~Likes
I enjoyed so many aspects of this short story collection, which I have detailed below:
·The stories were told in a good amount of detail, focusing on the character’s emotional
experiences, which brought me deeper into their worlds in an intimate and effortless way.
·The author makes good use of words, creating beautiful images in the mind’s eye.
·Some of the stories were truly beautiful and pulled at my heart. They made me think deeply about life and death, about the reality of being human, and so much more.
~Memorable Quotes
One quote stood out to me throughout this series of stories:
1) ‘Your life was your life. No takebacks. No revisions. It’s published. And if the critics tear it to shreds, well, there are no sequels.’
~Overview
The Metempsychosis Collection was a wonderful blend of stories, with dark undertones interspersed with heart-warming moments.
My favourite stories were Trucker and The Friend. They kept me guessing all the way through and made me think deeply about what it means to:
1) Exist as an individual
2) Be a friend
My Rating: 5 stars.
Recommended to: lovers of short story collections with dark themes and powerful messages.
December 4, 2024
Each story in this collection is impactful in its own way, and takes you through quite the range of emotions. I was not expecting the gut punch that the first story packed, but I can't disagree with the decision she made. Although these are short stories, you get to know the characters quite well, and get wrapped up in their stories. A common thread I found running through them, besides the questions of life and death, was how deceiving appearances can be. Often you'll find that, just like in real life, we don't truly know someone until their darkest secrets are laid in front of us. Conley did an excellent job of keeping the tension up the entire time, and although I could've easily set this down between stories and come back to it, I found myself reluctant to. I wanted to know what the next character(s) and story would bring. What new way my perception would get spun on it's head. If you enjoy fiction that'll hit you right in the feels, but maybe don't have time to commit to a full novel, then this collection of short stories is perfect to slot into your busy schedule, for whenever you have a little time to read.
January 19, 2025
The Metempsychosis Collection does what science fiction is meant to do: connect, push, ponder, and entertain. If you're looking for something to satisfy your sci-fi craving, but don't have the time or commitment for a huge series or fat tome, then this is a solution that just might be for you especially if you enjoy human snapshot storytelling a bit similar to that of The Measure by Nikki Erlick. I like that this book describes itself as a puzzle because it sort of is with each story being different and intriguing in their own ways, taking you down little rabbit holes of thought and human existence, but connecting to a bigger idea being explored. Oh, and most importantly of all they entertain (no one really likes that dull stuff, do they?). Anyway, it was an overall interesting read!
December 7, 2024
Title: The Metempsychosis Collection
Author: Nicholas Conley
Genre: Science fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5
I don’t usually read science fiction or short story collections, but Nicholas Conley’s writing always manages to pull me in, no matter what. Each of these stories captured my interest and had me eager to find out what happened next. For me, short stories make it hard for me to connect with the characters, but that wasn’t a problem here. These characters were all sympathetic and interesting enough to keep me engaged—and I read this entire collection in one sitting. I think the last story was my favorite. Who doesn’t like a good dinosaur tale?
(Galley courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.)
Author: Nicholas Conley
Genre: Science fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5
I don’t usually read science fiction or short story collections, but Nicholas Conley’s writing always manages to pull me in, no matter what. Each of these stories captured my interest and had me eager to find out what happened next. For me, short stories make it hard for me to connect with the characters, but that wasn’t a problem here. These characters were all sympathetic and interesting enough to keep me engaged—and I read this entire collection in one sitting. I think the last story was my favorite. Who doesn’t like a good dinosaur tale?
(Galley courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews