Insignia: Japanese Fantasy Stories

by Kelly Matsuura (Editor), Aislinn Batstone, Joyce Chng

INSIGNIA Vol.1 includes 9 Japanese fantasy stories with a mix of urban, literary, contemporary, myth-based, and historical fantasy pieces.

PART I: Young Adult/Adventure Tales

'Kitsune' by Heather Jensen
'Megumi's Quest' by Joyce Chng
'The Bakeneko' by Holly Kench
'Moon Shadow' by Kelly Matsuura

PART II: Adult/Literary Tales

'Towards the Light' by Aislinn Batstone
'Restoration' by Chris Ward
'Sanctuary' by Chris White
'Becoming Hashihime' by Holly Kench
'The Waiting World' by Kelly Matsuura

Rated 13+

* Book cover was changed July 7, 2015.

Genres: Fantasy, Japan, Young Adult

77 pages, ebook

First published October 18, 2013

About the author

Kelly Matsuura grew up in Australia, and graduated from Victoria University with a degree in Asian Studies. She has lived in China and the USA, and now lives permanently in Nagoya, Japan.
Her writing focuses on fantasy and contemporary stories with Asian characters and/or settings, however she enjoys writing western-style stories occasionally as well.
She is the editor and a contributor of 'The Insignia Series' anthologies, now 7 collections featuring Asian fantasy short stories by various indie authors.
Kelly's personal anthologies, 'Whispering Woods', 'Parting Skies'and 'Stirring Winds' are available through Amazon, Smashwords, and affiliate sites.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only recently met Kelly Matsuura through a friend, and decided to give this anthology a quick read. I have to admit, I really enjoyed the tales. Japanese fantasy stories are different, but they have a lot of morals to them.

A fascinating read of a different culture's fantasies.

[Anna Tan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not quite familiar with Japanese mythology (despite using some in my writing) so this was quite an interesting read.

As a whole, I preferred Part I: Young Adult/Adventure Tales, which really shows you what my reading style/preference is like. Of these, I liked Kitsune by Heather Jensen the best, though Kelly Matsuura's tale of magic, ninjas, and love in Moon Shadow is a close second.

The stories turn a little darker in Part II: Adult/Literary tales. Restoration by Chris Ward was beautifully haunting - and is probably the only one worth mentioning in this second half. The stories are well-written, but just not to my taste.

[Kelly]

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: A new cover was released for this book on July 7th, 2015.


Please see the reviews from earlier editions.

[Laura Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not really for adults. I would recommend it for a student in grade 6 or 7.