What do you think?
Rate this book
Three Magic Tales
Recollected under the theme of Magic, these three tales originally from volumes 1 and 2 of the Dreamwood Tales series were chosen to be the best platform for a consummate narrator to create an audiobook. That narrator's name is Jon Caruth.
Each tale speaks of magic, exists in magical places, or turns on our heads our concepts of what is magic.
The first, A Winter Crossing, contains the
"In those times, when the sun would drop behind the ancient and broken mountains, the bridge became unfamiliar and cast a stifling pall on those who dared cross. Even to this day, it is said traversing the bridge alone at the end of a winter’s day is to invite frost demons. This is what adults tell each other. Then they laugh, and hoist mead or mulled wine in heavy mugs and whisper ‘fairy tales,’ at the oft-repeated warning. Yet their eyes dart and their tongues lick cracked lips and they share the secret conviction that perhaps labeling something a ‘fairy tale’ is not the same as labeling something untrue. "
-------------
The second, True Dragon, contains the
"Another swipe of the blade, and this time the dragon was too slow. A gash opened up on the right front leg. Dark fluid rushed out. Angered, the dragon whipped its plated tail out with a snap and swept the knight from behind, toppling him backwards. The man fell with a loud “Humph!” noise, that one could hear over the din of his metal.
In pain, Arianwen, or Caswallon, leapt up and shoved its snout into the man’s face.
“ENOUGH. Leave now and I will not eat you.”
---------
The third, PRISM, contains the
“Well, Blevins…” Mallow continued, “…he was laying on the ground, so naturally I figured he’d fallen asleep on watch. I was wrong. He was staring straight up at the sky, with his eyes wide open. But his eyes had become just whitened balls. The color, you know that circle around the little black hole? It were drained, gone. And his hair turned fully grey. When we went to sleep, Blevins had a healthy head of dark hair.
“Then my horse keeled over, likewise dead. It were a chestnut-colored mare the night before. Only now it was mottled grey. It had the same whitened eyes.”
“Good Gods,” Liam whispered.
-----------
if you already own Plague of Dreams or Splintered Dreams, you do not need this recollection. If you have NOT read either, then this is a quality introduction to those volumes. thanks for reading and be SURE to get the audiobook that will be made from this. Jon Caruth's voice will haunt and enthrall you.
Each tale speaks of magic, exists in magical places, or turns on our heads our concepts of what is magic.
The first, A Winter Crossing, contains the
"In those times, when the sun would drop behind the ancient and broken mountains, the bridge became unfamiliar and cast a stifling pall on those who dared cross. Even to this day, it is said traversing the bridge alone at the end of a winter’s day is to invite frost demons. This is what adults tell each other. Then they laugh, and hoist mead or mulled wine in heavy mugs and whisper ‘fairy tales,’ at the oft-repeated warning. Yet their eyes dart and their tongues lick cracked lips and they share the secret conviction that perhaps labeling something a ‘fairy tale’ is not the same as labeling something untrue. "
-------------
The second, True Dragon, contains the
"Another swipe of the blade, and this time the dragon was too slow. A gash opened up on the right front leg. Dark fluid rushed out. Angered, the dragon whipped its plated tail out with a snap and swept the knight from behind, toppling him backwards. The man fell with a loud “Humph!” noise, that one could hear over the din of his metal.
In pain, Arianwen, or Caswallon, leapt up and shoved its snout into the man’s face.
“ENOUGH. Leave now and I will not eat you.”
---------
The third, PRISM, contains the
“Well, Blevins…” Mallow continued, “…he was laying on the ground, so naturally I figured he’d fallen asleep on watch. I was wrong. He was staring straight up at the sky, with his eyes wide open. But his eyes had become just whitened balls. The color, you know that circle around the little black hole? It were drained, gone. And his hair turned fully grey. When we went to sleep, Blevins had a healthy head of dark hair.
“Then my horse keeled over, likewise dead. It were a chestnut-colored mare the night before. Only now it was mottled grey. It had the same whitened eyes.”
“Good Gods,” Liam whispered.
-----------
if you already own Plague of Dreams or Splintered Dreams, you do not need this recollection. If you have NOT read either, then this is a quality introduction to those volumes. thanks for reading and be SURE to get the audiobook that will be made from this. Jon Caruth's voice will haunt and enthrall you.
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2014
7 people want to read
About the author
John Gregory Hancock
17 books89 followersJohn Gregory Hancock is a storyteller.
A graphic professional for many years (which is one way to tell a story), his graphic journalism garnered international awards, and was nominated for a Pulitzer. He incorporates his visual sense in his ability to spin compelling yarns.
Currently, he has seven books of his own, and has written for The Future Chronicles anthology series, whose titles have hit the overall Amazon Top 10 Bestsellers list. The Immortality Chronicles - a Top 5 SF Anthology and Hot New Release - featured his story 'The Antares Cigar Shoppe', which was also nominated for Best American Science Fiction.
His work has appeared in other anthologies, including; Prep For Doom, Bite-Sized Offerings: Tales & Legends of the Zombie Apocalypse, Flying Toasters - The DeadPixel Tales, and Off the Kuf.
Hancock is not tied to any one genre, but is comfortable in the science fiction/fantasy/horror realm. Even a dash of humor, at times. The foreword to his 'A Plague of Dreams' says it well: "These stories, these lies, these Dreamwood Tales, are dipped in the heady ink of my fevered dreams. They travel unique and varied paths to arrive at your shuttered door. I entreat you to undo the latch and let them in to lie upon your hearth. They will not bite. Except for the ones that do."
He lives with his wife and soul mate (who puts up with him, beyond all logic) and a fantastically brilliant son (who thrashes him soundly in video games -- really, it's no contest). They are hopelessly landlocked in Midwest America, far from ocean or desert. Or glacier, come to that.
Like many of his characters, life has shaped and unshaped him.
His fingers itch to write and so far, luckily, people seem to enjoy the things he offers.
A graphic professional for many years (which is one way to tell a story), his graphic journalism garnered international awards, and was nominated for a Pulitzer. He incorporates his visual sense in his ability to spin compelling yarns.
Currently, he has seven books of his own, and has written for The Future Chronicles anthology series, whose titles have hit the overall Amazon Top 10 Bestsellers list. The Immortality Chronicles - a Top 5 SF Anthology and Hot New Release - featured his story 'The Antares Cigar Shoppe', which was also nominated for Best American Science Fiction.
His work has appeared in other anthologies, including; Prep For Doom, Bite-Sized Offerings: Tales & Legends of the Zombie Apocalypse, Flying Toasters - The DeadPixel Tales, and Off the Kuf.
Hancock is not tied to any one genre, but is comfortable in the science fiction/fantasy/horror realm. Even a dash of humor, at times. The foreword to his 'A Plague of Dreams' says it well: "These stories, these lies, these Dreamwood Tales, are dipped in the heady ink of my fevered dreams. They travel unique and varied paths to arrive at your shuttered door. I entreat you to undo the latch and let them in to lie upon your hearth. They will not bite. Except for the ones that do."
He lives with his wife and soul mate (who puts up with him, beyond all logic) and a fantastically brilliant son (who thrashes him soundly in video games -- really, it's no contest). They are hopelessly landlocked in Midwest America, far from ocean or desert. Or glacier, come to that.
Like many of his characters, life has shaped and unshaped him.
His fingers itch to write and so far, luckily, people seem to enjoy the things he offers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 17, 2018
Three magic tales, in the style of Grimm's Fairy tales. From Dragons to trolls to reptilian creatures that use color to kill, these tales are short but entertaining!
Mr. Hancock has a vivid imagination and he conveys this through these tales. The narrator does a great job also and adds a lot to the stories.
If you enjoy magical tales or just want to be reminded of the fairytales of your childhood, you can't go wrong with this collection!
Mr. Hancock has a vivid imagination and he conveys this through these tales. The narrator does a great job also and adds a lot to the stories.
If you enjoy magical tales or just want to be reminded of the fairytales of your childhood, you can't go wrong with this collection!
May 21, 2016
Three Magic Tales is a wonderful collection of three short stories. I love the way that John writes, he has an amazing way with words that makes you want to keep reading more and more even after the story has ended. With John's style of writing you are easily transported to the world he wants you in. Each one of the stories was written beautifully.
I loved all three of the stories but True Dragon was by far my favorite. Arianwen wakes to realize that she is not herself. She keeps experiences flashes of other dragons lives. I loved the ending of True Dragon and it even made me chuckle!
Pick yourself up a copy of Three Magic Tales and John's writing will have you hooked right away.
I loved all three of the stories but True Dragon was by far my favorite. Arianwen wakes to realize that she is not herself. She keeps experiences flashes of other dragons lives. I loved the ending of True Dragon and it even made me chuckle!
Pick yourself up a copy of Three Magic Tales and John's writing will have you hooked right away.
July 2, 2015
I had the pleasure of winning the audiobook edition of this book at a recent Facebook book launch. The audiobook runs only 1hr49 minutes long. I enjoyed listening while doing chores and on my commute to work. Jon Caruth did a fantastic job narrating the story with the different inflections and voices he used to convey the characters. Like the other reviewers, I too was enveloped in each story and enjoyed the path each one took. This is definitely a nice treat for fantasy lovers. I highly recommend this (audio)book.
March 5, 2015
I'm amazed at how well I was able to be transported to another world (well, in this case three of them!). Every one of these stories was incredibly imaginative, and extremely unique. I happened to listen to the Audiobook version, and I have to admit I took it everywhere I went until the stories were finished! I really hope I can find more by this author, because I really enjoy his writing style.
November 28, 2014
I have always loved magic, that which enthrals and entertains. These three tales certainly do both and more, especially with Jon Caruth as the narrator of the audiobook, his voice adds an atmosphere and a magic all of its own.
I now look forward to reading volume 1 and 2 of the Dreamworld Tales.
I now look forward to reading volume 1 and 2 of the Dreamworld Tales.
June 27, 2016
Three entertaining and imaginative tales. Well written and with excellent narration the author takes you from captured dragons to life sucking lizards. Though short, these story feel complete and satisfy the imagination, with likeable characters and great creativity.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews