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After the Cure
Tails of the Apocalypse
Nobility. Self-Sacrifice. Unconditional Love.
These are the qualities of the heroic animals in this collection.
The Walking Dead meets The Incredible Journey in 14 amazing tales by today’s most talented independent authors. Seven stories set in all-new dystopian landscapes. Seven stories set in the bestselling post-apocalyptic worlds of David Adams’s Symphony of War, Michael Bunker’s Pennsylvania, Nick Cole’s Wasteland Saga, Hank Garner’s Weston Files, E.E. Giorgi’s Mayake Chronicles, Deirdre Gould’s After the Cure, and Edward W. Robertson’s Breakers.
When the world ends, the humans who survive will learn an old lesson anew—that friendship with animals can make the difference between a lonely death among the debris and a life well lived, with hope for the future.
These are the qualities of the heroic animals in this collection.
The Walking Dead meets The Incredible Journey in 14 amazing tales by today’s most talented independent authors. Seven stories set in all-new dystopian landscapes. Seven stories set in the bestselling post-apocalyptic worlds of David Adams’s Symphony of War, Michael Bunker’s Pennsylvania, Nick Cole’s Wasteland Saga, Hank Garner’s Weston Files, E.E. Giorgi’s Mayake Chronicles, Deirdre Gould’s After the Cure, and Edward W. Robertson’s Breakers.
When the world ends, the humans who survive will learn an old lesson anew—that friendship with animals can make the difference between a lonely death among the debris and a life well lived, with hope for the future.
401 pages, Paperback
Published November 20, 2015
38 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Chris Pourteau
47 books63 followersChris Pourteau is the bestselling author of the sci-fi thriller novels of the SynCorp Saga (co-authored with David Bruns), the post-apocalyptic Serenity Strain novels, and the military sci-fi collection Tales of B-Company. His first novel, Shadows Burned In, earned the 2015 eLit Book Awards Gold Medal for Literary Fiction. The Lazarus Protocol, the first novel in the SynCorp Saga, placed in the Top Ten in Read Freely's 2018 50 Best Indie Book of the Year contest; it was the highest-rated Sci-Fi novel in the contest.
He’s also edited and curated bestselling short story collections including the two animal-centric collections Tails of the Apocalypse and Tails of Dystopia (with Samuel Peralta), as well as Bridge Across the Stars, a collection of Sci-Fi stories from indie and traditionally published authors published by Sci-Fi Bridge, which Chris co-founded.
His dayjob is editor-in-chief for the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, which researches cutting-edge technologies across the transportation spectrum. Chris Pourteau is the bestselling author of the sci-fi thriller novels of the SynCorp Saga (co-authored with David Bruns), the post-apocalyptic Serenity Strain novels, and the military sci-fi collection Tales of B-Company. His first novel, Shadows Burned In, earned the 2015 eLit Book Awards Gold Medal for Literary Fiction. The Lazarus Protocol, the first novel in the SynCorp Saga, placed in the Top Ten in Read Freely's 2018 50 Best Indie Book of the Year contest; it was the highest-rated Sci-Fi novel in the contest.
He’s also edited and curated bestselling short story collections including the two animal-centric collections Tails of the Apocalypse and Tails of Dystopia (with Samuel Peralta), as well as Bridge Across the Stars, a collection of Sci-Fi stories from indie and traditionally published authors published by Sci-Fi Bridge, which Chris co-founded. His dayjob is editor-in-chief for the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, which researches cutting-edge technologies across the transportation spectrum.
When he’s not writing, editing, or working the dayjob, Chris loves exercising regularly, watching shows like Star Trek and Stranger Things, and reading his favorite authors. Those include Bernard Cornwell, Stephen King, George R.R. Martin, Edgar Allan Poe, and Max Collins. He lives in Texas with his wife, son, and two dogs. (He’s a HUGE dog person, by the way.)
Find out more about Chris and his writing through his newsletter. Sign up and get free stuff at https://chrispourteau.com/newsletter.
He’s also edited and curated bestselling short story collections including the two animal-centric collections Tails of the Apocalypse and Tails of Dystopia (with Samuel Peralta), as well as Bridge Across the Stars, a collection of Sci-Fi stories from indie and traditionally published authors published by Sci-Fi Bridge, which Chris co-founded.
His dayjob is editor-in-chief for the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, which researches cutting-edge technologies across the transportation spectrum. Chris Pourteau is the bestselling author of the sci-fi thriller novels of the SynCorp Saga (co-authored with David Bruns), the post-apocalyptic Serenity Strain novels, and the military sci-fi collection Tales of B-Company. His first novel, Shadows Burned In, earned the 2015 eLit Book Awards Gold Medal for Literary Fiction. The Lazarus Protocol, the first novel in the SynCorp Saga, placed in the Top Ten in Read Freely's 2018 50 Best Indie Book of the Year contest; it was the highest-rated Sci-Fi novel in the contest.
He’s also edited and curated bestselling short story collections including the two animal-centric collections Tails of the Apocalypse and Tails of Dystopia (with Samuel Peralta), as well as Bridge Across the Stars, a collection of Sci-Fi stories from indie and traditionally published authors published by Sci-Fi Bridge, which Chris co-founded. His dayjob is editor-in-chief for the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, which researches cutting-edge technologies across the transportation spectrum.
When he’s not writing, editing, or working the dayjob, Chris loves exercising regularly, watching shows like Star Trek and Stranger Things, and reading his favorite authors. Those include Bernard Cornwell, Stephen King, George R.R. Martin, Edgar Allan Poe, and Max Collins. He lives in Texas with his wife, son, and two dogs. (He’s a HUGE dog person, by the way.)
Find out more about Chris and his writing through his newsletter. Sign up and get free stuff at https://chrispourteau.com/newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
November 22, 2015
I got the ARC for this in exchange for a review (and now I've bought the book for 6 other people :-P).
Apocalyptic and dystopian fiction comprises the bulk of what I read, I love animals, and I'm a huge fan of projects that try to help others. (In this case, through the end of the year they'll donate $1 per book purchase to Pets for Vets). When Chris Pourteau told me about this animal-themed anthology I thought "HELL YEAH!"
This was promptly followed by... "Oh shit." Why? Because I am a big softie. Seriously, I cry during cheesy commercials. I literally will not kill a fly. I KNEW THERE WOULD BE TEARS.
Animals in the apocalypse? This could get ugly, and rarely ends well. So, I snuggled up with a blanket, a cat (or two), and a box of tissues, and got to reading.
The tissues came in handy, but I am glad to say that this book did not leave me feeling like a deflated, dehydrated husk of a woman with a broken heart. There are definitely some tearjerker stories in there, but there are also some uplifting ones as well. There are even a few that somehow manage to artfully create a balance between joy and despair, hope and sadness.
Most of the stories are about dogs. As a matter of fact, 8 (1 wolf) dog stories, 1 cat, 1 bear, and 3 bird (1 bird and bat). A lot of the dog stories are downers. Most are, um, acceptably depressing - that is, sad but somehow... right. Fortunately, there are also some hopeful stories interspersed.
If I had my druthers I would try to more evenly disperse the animal types and emotion types throughout the collection, but that's just a matter of arrangement, not related to the quality of the stories.
As with any anthology, it is hard to rate and review because, well, it's all over the place isn't it? However, on the whole, this is a well-curated collection of stories, which are generally above average and well-written. There are only a couple that didn't work for me, the majority of them were decent or better, and a few of them were outstanding.
My suggestion? Don't read these all in one go. Read a few at a time. Maybe don't read them in order but in a random selection. These stories are a bit intense so taking them in small amounts helps you appreciate them more, I think. One of the better anthologies I have read in recent years.
Apocalyptic and dystopian fiction comprises the bulk of what I read, I love animals, and I'm a huge fan of projects that try to help others. (In this case, through the end of the year they'll donate $1 per book purchase to Pets for Vets). When Chris Pourteau told me about this animal-themed anthology I thought "HELL YEAH!"
This was promptly followed by... "Oh shit." Why? Because I am a big softie. Seriously, I cry during cheesy commercials. I literally will not kill a fly. I KNEW THERE WOULD BE TEARS.
Animals in the apocalypse? This could get ugly, and rarely ends well. So, I snuggled up with a blanket, a cat (or two), and a box of tissues, and got to reading.
The tissues came in handy, but I am glad to say that this book did not leave me feeling like a deflated, dehydrated husk of a woman with a broken heart. There are definitely some tearjerker stories in there, but there are also some uplifting ones as well. There are even a few that somehow manage to artfully create a balance between joy and despair, hope and sadness.
Most of the stories are about dogs. As a matter of fact, 8 (1 wolf) dog stories, 1 cat, 1 bear, and 3 bird (1 bird and bat). A lot of the dog stories are downers. Most are, um, acceptably depressing - that is, sad but somehow... right. Fortunately, there are also some hopeful stories interspersed.
If I had my druthers I would try to more evenly disperse the animal types and emotion types throughout the collection, but that's just a matter of arrangement, not related to the quality of the stories.
As with any anthology, it is hard to rate and review because, well, it's all over the place isn't it? However, on the whole, this is a well-curated collection of stories, which are generally above average and well-written. There are only a couple that didn't work for me, the majority of them were decent or better, and a few of them were outstanding.
My suggestion? Don't read these all in one go. Read a few at a time. Maybe don't read them in order but in a random selection. These stories are a bit intense so taking them in small amounts helps you appreciate them more, I think. One of the better anthologies I have read in recent years.
December 3, 2017
This book is full of short stories about animals and their people dealing with the aftermath of an apocalypse. It features stories about dogs, cats, birds, and bats.
Try and find a copy.
Try and find a copy.
November 19, 2015
I am a grateful thrilled ARC reader of "The Tails of The Apocalypse", which I was sad to have finished several nights ago. Sad, because the authors and editor did such a marvelous job, their artistic talents gave me a LOT to consider.
"The Water Finder's Shadow" - by David Bruns was a beautiful, sweet and endearing story. Within it I found myself longing to go outside and try my own hand at dowsing, something I witnessed being done by relatives when young and was told that I Could do it, too, if I wanted to... if I Believed myself able. In other words, Mr. Bruns brought loving memories to my soul, in so many ways. This is a story that belonged right where it was in the book, at the beginning. I loved it and all the feelings it evoked.
"When You Open The Cage" - by Edward W. Robertson could very well be described as a 'coming of age in the time of the apocalypse' story. I related to Raina with my very soul. As a child my very best friend was the dog that was 'mine', and it was to him that I told 'all my secretes'. As a young adult I worked in grooming salons - where I really wanted to open all the doors and let everyone 'free'. This was, also, a great story.
"Protector" - by Stefan Bolz's story was surprising, although it should not have been. It is a known fact that people have rescued lions, tigers, even bears and yes, wolves when they were young, helped them and loved them; 'released' them and then, later, were able to go up to those 'wild animals' and not be harmed in any way but instead were greeted with all the love any human would give to a relative. A lone wolf is a very sad wolf. The story fits reality, if, of course, we were in a time of history such as the story depicts. This story made me long to have a wolf for a friend... again.
"The Poetry of Santiago" - by Jennifer Ellis was - in a word - poetic. If Santiago were a human, it would have meant he had an abusive childhood, escaped or ran away from it, learned to live on his own and spent the most of his entire life living by his wits, into his old age - where he then was surprised to discover that there existed someone whom he not only could trust, but found himself desirable of the loved one's company and would lay his own life on the line for his loved one. I've known humans like that... Humans who had to raise themselves due to the adults in their lives not doing their jobs - humans who then were gruff, street smart and seemingly would not care for anyone, ever. Love has a way of changing people, and starts with kindness. This, too, was a wonderfully compelling story.
"Demon and Emily" - by David Adams. Although in the section "A Word from David Adams" you mentioned you stated you had sworn you'd never write a story in first person I am most assuredly glad that you did. Demon's first hand account of everything that happens in the story makes it so worthy of this book. It's beautiful, it fits, and it was very interesting to see the world through his eyes. (As an aside - I have learned never to say 'never'... Sure enough, *almost* everything I thought I would 'never' do - I've done. This world, these lives we live are so full of the unknown, we just... never know What might be needed to be done...) This was a fine edition to this book, a story that needed to be told.
"Keena's Lament" - by Hank Garner, without a doubt gave me MUCH to think about. I read all of the "Greats" in literature while quite young, yes, even those long and 'boring' pieces such as Homer's Iliad, as well as many other stories and poetry. My childhood was filled with books; besides my dog and my mother books were my 'best friends'. We owned nearly every fairy tale type book in print, and what we didn't have we borrowed from public libraries so his references to fables of old are well worth mentioning, as is the fact that he took a well known to most people on Earth story and gave it a face-lift. As previously mentioned to Mr. Garner when I had my first 'steady boyfriend', the man who would later become my husband, I once told him that I loved him more than I loved my dog. His feelings were quite hurt at my comparing him to my dog in terms of love, until I explained to him how deeply I felt for my previous best friend, the friend I had by that point for over a decade of my life. Mr. Garner's piece also tugged so HARD on my heart strings due to the relationship between Keena and her near-human companion that something happened which is rare - I had quite weepy eyes at the finish of this story.
"Tomorrow Found" by Nick Cole was, without a doubt, a blessing to read. Anyone who has listened to my exclamations of my favorite books has heard me repeat, often, that "The Wasteland Saga" is my favorite book to have read in literally decades. The complete truth is that I can not think of a single book from all the years I have been reading books that I enjoyed more. If I were filthy rich I would purchase thousands of copies of the book, along with two others to place into all the public libraries. "Tomorrow Found" adds to this most beautiful book from so many great authors - something that I, as a reader, truly needed to read. It touches on all my most meaningful things in life - books, love, libraries, looking for something 'lost' and the love of and for a companion animal.
"Pet Shop" - by Deirdre Gould was a surprising gift to have been included. Who would have thought a bird, of all things, would be included as a heroine at the end of the world - a surly bird at that? Meeting Shirley was a gift to "Joe", and to this reader as well. I adored this story. I've had the experience of being given some very angry at life large birds in my younger years and have felt their loneliness as the blood dripped down my hand. Joe and Shirley needed one another. I needed to meet them and am glad to have done so.
"Kael Takes Wing" - by Elena E. Giorgi tells how sometimes we wish we were something we aren't. Maybe we have curly hair and admire those with straight hair. Maybe we have blue eyes but long for brown. This story made me appreciate the things which I DO have, even if they aren't what my neighbors might own. Furthermore, I very much enjoyed how Kael made the humans into 'family', and he learned to overcome his fears. I would be amiss in my detailing if I failed to mention how, in some families, the members do not all look the same. This was a very thoughtful and endearing addition to the book.
"The Bear's Child" - by Harlow Cyan Fallon is a beautifully written piece that made me think of how, sometimes, we must loose all, or nearly all, to find our true selves. To find where our heart really belongs. And, sometimes, we have to allow a teacher to come into our soul from the most unexpected places. I sincerely enjoyed this story. I bled in my heart for Anya. I was glad that she and the bear were able to spend the time together that was available to the Moma Bear.
"Wings of Paradise" - by Todd Barselow has so many metaphors and morals within it I am not even sure how to do justice to describing this wonderful story. I could clearly see how some of the characters were blinded to what was right before them and I cringed inside hoping for the best possible outcome in their 'voting' period. It truly made me feel as I do during every 'vote' we have in our country. I applaud the author and I hope that people might learn something valuable by reading this story. I sincerely look forward to reading more from this man's pen.
"Ghost Light" - by Steven Savile brought to memory many stories of old as easily as other's mentioned already in this thank you note. Fables and fairy tales, 'old wives tales' and 'superstitions' - these are the things that filled my childhood. I recently commented to a writer who had not submitted a story herein that I grew up with a superstitious heritage and had put that aside as I grew older, forming my own opinions and beliefs that most of that 'old stuff' was of little value in today's world, preferring instead to believe in scientific things and things which can be seen or proven. I now stand corrected and fully plan on telling her. It was not that I do no longer enjoy the stories, just that I had thought I no longer believed in them... This story reminded me of some simple facts - *I have had a few near-death-experiences and always saw a 'friend' while I was not on this plane; *Everyone I have known who had a death experience - brought back to this place we call life by the modern 'miracles' of science and doctors ALSO saw friends or loved ones when not on this plane. Thanks for making me have to admit I was wrong. Some superstitions have a place in my life, even at my no-longer-tender age.
"Kristy's Song" - by Michael Bunker is beautifully written, so endearing, that had I never read anything else he had written, I would be thoroughly moved to go to Amazon forthright to find some more of his imaginative worlds to explore. Kristy is, indeed, the epitome of a 'working dog'. Mr. Bunker's having mentioned a fan-fiction during his words in the section "A Word From" also makes me wish to read the mentioned work. I very much enjoyed this section.
Last, but far, far from 'least, was the story by the editor himself, Chris Pourteau.
"Unconditional" was a short story I had purchased on Amazon. I'll take the liberty to admit that I rarely purchase stand-alone short stories because... well, they are so short and with money being so tight in my world I simply can't qualify doing so in my heart nor my budget. I had pondered over buying this story for 'ages' before I finally did, I looked at it every so often, when deciding what new book I would allow myself for my 'entertainment budget'. I really wrestled with wanting to buy it; I looked at it's description almost as often as I would have longed for a new pair of coveted boots or jeans as a teenager. Finally, I could not bare it another moment and clicked to purchase it. I was not in the least disappointed. If anything, I chastised myself for having waited so long.
I not only wept - I bawled. I screamed, I wailed, I cursed Zombies and I wanted a "DO-OVER". I walked around in a daze after finishing this story. It was beautiful. I've now read it four times and will do so again... and again.
One of the many wonderful qualities for readers of anthologies - experiencing a smorgasbord of author's worlds. For readers such as myself it also gives one many things to consider, memories to cling to, lessons long forgotten to be thankful for and new ones to adapt into my world. I was, and am, deeply touched.
I should also take a moment to clearly state that the donation portion of the sale of the books going to Pets for Vets is, without a doubt, clearly something which I wish more authors, companies, anyone who can afford to give away a portion of proceeds would do - Donate to a place to help our Vets. As a country we should all take time out of our lives to be Thankful to all our Vets. No matter where we stand when it comes to our feelings about wars or how we 'vote' when we do so, the men and women who serve in our Military do a great service for us and no amount of thanks will ever be enough.
In closing, I thank all of the wonderful authors for sharing these parts of yourselves with me, a faithful reader. I most especially thank Chris Pourteau for having allowed me to read this as an ARC reader. I believe this book belongs in all public libraries.
"The Water Finder's Shadow" - by David Bruns was a beautiful, sweet and endearing story. Within it I found myself longing to go outside and try my own hand at dowsing, something I witnessed being done by relatives when young and was told that I Could do it, too, if I wanted to... if I Believed myself able. In other words, Mr. Bruns brought loving memories to my soul, in so many ways. This is a story that belonged right where it was in the book, at the beginning. I loved it and all the feelings it evoked.
"When You Open The Cage" - by Edward W. Robertson could very well be described as a 'coming of age in the time of the apocalypse' story. I related to Raina with my very soul. As a child my very best friend was the dog that was 'mine', and it was to him that I told 'all my secretes'. As a young adult I worked in grooming salons - where I really wanted to open all the doors and let everyone 'free'. This was, also, a great story.
"Protector" - by Stefan Bolz's story was surprising, although it should not have been. It is a known fact that people have rescued lions, tigers, even bears and yes, wolves when they were young, helped them and loved them; 'released' them and then, later, were able to go up to those 'wild animals' and not be harmed in any way but instead were greeted with all the love any human would give to a relative. A lone wolf is a very sad wolf. The story fits reality, if, of course, we were in a time of history such as the story depicts. This story made me long to have a wolf for a friend... again.
"The Poetry of Santiago" - by Jennifer Ellis was - in a word - poetic. If Santiago were a human, it would have meant he had an abusive childhood, escaped or ran away from it, learned to live on his own and spent the most of his entire life living by his wits, into his old age - where he then was surprised to discover that there existed someone whom he not only could trust, but found himself desirable of the loved one's company and would lay his own life on the line for his loved one. I've known humans like that... Humans who had to raise themselves due to the adults in their lives not doing their jobs - humans who then were gruff, street smart and seemingly would not care for anyone, ever. Love has a way of changing people, and starts with kindness. This, too, was a wonderfully compelling story.
"Demon and Emily" - by David Adams. Although in the section "A Word from David Adams" you mentioned you stated you had sworn you'd never write a story in first person I am most assuredly glad that you did. Demon's first hand account of everything that happens in the story makes it so worthy of this book. It's beautiful, it fits, and it was very interesting to see the world through his eyes. (As an aside - I have learned never to say 'never'... Sure enough, *almost* everything I thought I would 'never' do - I've done. This world, these lives we live are so full of the unknown, we just... never know What might be needed to be done...) This was a fine edition to this book, a story that needed to be told.
"Keena's Lament" - by Hank Garner, without a doubt gave me MUCH to think about. I read all of the "Greats" in literature while quite young, yes, even those long and 'boring' pieces such as Homer's Iliad, as well as many other stories and poetry. My childhood was filled with books; besides my dog and my mother books were my 'best friends'. We owned nearly every fairy tale type book in print, and what we didn't have we borrowed from public libraries so his references to fables of old are well worth mentioning, as is the fact that he took a well known to most people on Earth story and gave it a face-lift. As previously mentioned to Mr. Garner when I had my first 'steady boyfriend', the man who would later become my husband, I once told him that I loved him more than I loved my dog. His feelings were quite hurt at my comparing him to my dog in terms of love, until I explained to him how deeply I felt for my previous best friend, the friend I had by that point for over a decade of my life. Mr. Garner's piece also tugged so HARD on my heart strings due to the relationship between Keena and her near-human companion that something happened which is rare - I had quite weepy eyes at the finish of this story.
"Tomorrow Found" by Nick Cole was, without a doubt, a blessing to read. Anyone who has listened to my exclamations of my favorite books has heard me repeat, often, that "The Wasteland Saga" is my favorite book to have read in literally decades. The complete truth is that I can not think of a single book from all the years I have been reading books that I enjoyed more. If I were filthy rich I would purchase thousands of copies of the book, along with two others to place into all the public libraries. "Tomorrow Found" adds to this most beautiful book from so many great authors - something that I, as a reader, truly needed to read. It touches on all my most meaningful things in life - books, love, libraries, looking for something 'lost' and the love of and for a companion animal.
"Pet Shop" - by Deirdre Gould was a surprising gift to have been included. Who would have thought a bird, of all things, would be included as a heroine at the end of the world - a surly bird at that? Meeting Shirley was a gift to "Joe", and to this reader as well. I adored this story. I've had the experience of being given some very angry at life large birds in my younger years and have felt their loneliness as the blood dripped down my hand. Joe and Shirley needed one another. I needed to meet them and am glad to have done so.
"Kael Takes Wing" - by Elena E. Giorgi tells how sometimes we wish we were something we aren't. Maybe we have curly hair and admire those with straight hair. Maybe we have blue eyes but long for brown. This story made me appreciate the things which I DO have, even if they aren't what my neighbors might own. Furthermore, I very much enjoyed how Kael made the humans into 'family', and he learned to overcome his fears. I would be amiss in my detailing if I failed to mention how, in some families, the members do not all look the same. This was a very thoughtful and endearing addition to the book.
"The Bear's Child" - by Harlow Cyan Fallon is a beautifully written piece that made me think of how, sometimes, we must loose all, or nearly all, to find our true selves. To find where our heart really belongs. And, sometimes, we have to allow a teacher to come into our soul from the most unexpected places. I sincerely enjoyed this story. I bled in my heart for Anya. I was glad that she and the bear were able to spend the time together that was available to the Moma Bear.
"Wings of Paradise" - by Todd Barselow has so many metaphors and morals within it I am not even sure how to do justice to describing this wonderful story. I could clearly see how some of the characters were blinded to what was right before them and I cringed inside hoping for the best possible outcome in their 'voting' period. It truly made me feel as I do during every 'vote' we have in our country. I applaud the author and I hope that people might learn something valuable by reading this story. I sincerely look forward to reading more from this man's pen.
"Ghost Light" - by Steven Savile brought to memory many stories of old as easily as other's mentioned already in this thank you note. Fables and fairy tales, 'old wives tales' and 'superstitions' - these are the things that filled my childhood. I recently commented to a writer who had not submitted a story herein that I grew up with a superstitious heritage and had put that aside as I grew older, forming my own opinions and beliefs that most of that 'old stuff' was of little value in today's world, preferring instead to believe in scientific things and things which can be seen or proven. I now stand corrected and fully plan on telling her. It was not that I do no longer enjoy the stories, just that I had thought I no longer believed in them... This story reminded me of some simple facts - *I have had a few near-death-experiences and always saw a 'friend' while I was not on this plane; *Everyone I have known who had a death experience - brought back to this place we call life by the modern 'miracles' of science and doctors ALSO saw friends or loved ones when not on this plane. Thanks for making me have to admit I was wrong. Some superstitions have a place in my life, even at my no-longer-tender age.
"Kristy's Song" - by Michael Bunker is beautifully written, so endearing, that had I never read anything else he had written, I would be thoroughly moved to go to Amazon forthright to find some more of his imaginative worlds to explore. Kristy is, indeed, the epitome of a 'working dog'. Mr. Bunker's having mentioned a fan-fiction during his words in the section "A Word From" also makes me wish to read the mentioned work. I very much enjoyed this section.
Last, but far, far from 'least, was the story by the editor himself, Chris Pourteau.
"Unconditional" was a short story I had purchased on Amazon. I'll take the liberty to admit that I rarely purchase stand-alone short stories because... well, they are so short and with money being so tight in my world I simply can't qualify doing so in my heart nor my budget. I had pondered over buying this story for 'ages' before I finally did, I looked at it every so often, when deciding what new book I would allow myself for my 'entertainment budget'. I really wrestled with wanting to buy it; I looked at it's description almost as often as I would have longed for a new pair of coveted boots or jeans as a teenager. Finally, I could not bare it another moment and clicked to purchase it. I was not in the least disappointed. If anything, I chastised myself for having waited so long.
I not only wept - I bawled. I screamed, I wailed, I cursed Zombies and I wanted a "DO-OVER". I walked around in a daze after finishing this story. It was beautiful. I've now read it four times and will do so again... and again.
One of the many wonderful qualities for readers of anthologies - experiencing a smorgasbord of author's worlds. For readers such as myself it also gives one many things to consider, memories to cling to, lessons long forgotten to be thankful for and new ones to adapt into my world. I was, and am, deeply touched.
I should also take a moment to clearly state that the donation portion of the sale of the books going to Pets for Vets is, without a doubt, clearly something which I wish more authors, companies, anyone who can afford to give away a portion of proceeds would do - Donate to a place to help our Vets. As a country we should all take time out of our lives to be Thankful to all our Vets. No matter where we stand when it comes to our feelings about wars or how we 'vote' when we do so, the men and women who serve in our Military do a great service for us and no amount of thanks will ever be enough.
In closing, I thank all of the wonderful authors for sharing these parts of yourselves with me, a faithful reader. I most especially thank Chris Pourteau for having allowed me to read this as an ARC reader. I believe this book belongs in all public libraries.
November 11, 2015
For all animal lovers... It actually turns out Animals have their own Apocalypse stories to tell... From the get go I was drawn into the book as I was drawn into each animals story... It's a storybook of heroic critters, I say this because there are cats, dogs, birds, wolves and even a fierce mamma bear gets involved... You'll find stories of unconditional love... You'll find stories that will make your heart sing and some that will make you cry... I guarantee that whatever you find in this book you will not be able to finish it without being touched...
November 17, 2015
It’s a fact well known to animal lovers that pets enrich our lives in ways people often cannot. The beloved animals who take up residence in our hearts love us unconditionally, and we love them the same. Which makes it all the more strange that animal companions are rarely depicted as part of our recent collective obsession with dystopian and apocalyptic media. Think about it: Many of pop-culture’s most celebrated disaster franchises treat animals as little more than a potential source of food for survivors (or, in the case of zombie dramas, the living dead). And while the occasional film (“I Am Legend”) or video game (“Fallout 4”) will sometimes make room for a major character in the form of man’s best friend, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a heroic cat, bird, or other animal in your favorite trek through humanity’s worst nightmare.
In TAILS OF THE APOCALYPSE, however, we see a collection of animal characters who are often as plucky and resourceful as their human counterparts, if not more so. From furry friends such as dogs and cats to far more exotic creatures, each of these animals is driven not simply by the instinct to survive, but also a powerful (if sometimes fleeting) connection with humanity. Some are tearjerkers, some are rich with action, and at least one reminded me in all the best ways of an Aesop’s Fables-esque morality play. Each story is shot through with universal themes of love and companionship, and while I wouldn’t mind a few more cat stories in the next volume (he said with paws crossed), this is an outstanding and unique anthology that will stick with you long after you finish.
In TAILS OF THE APOCALYPSE, however, we see a collection of animal characters who are often as plucky and resourceful as their human counterparts, if not more so. From furry friends such as dogs and cats to far more exotic creatures, each of these animals is driven not simply by the instinct to survive, but also a powerful (if sometimes fleeting) connection with humanity. Some are tearjerkers, some are rich with action, and at least one reminded me in all the best ways of an Aesop’s Fables-esque morality play. Each story is shot through with universal themes of love and companionship, and while I wouldn’t mind a few more cat stories in the next volume (he said with paws crossed), this is an outstanding and unique anthology that will stick with you long after you finish.
February 13, 2016
This is a wonderful collection of stories. The animals featured are not all pets, resulting in a nicely diverse selection of tales. The human characters and settings vary widely as well. Each story follows the general theme, portraying animals and their differing relationships with humans in drastically altered societies of the future.
In any anthology, there are usually a couple of great stories, and the remaining selections I like, or not, to different degrees. In this case, I enjoyed every story in the book. I can’t pick a favorite, or even two or three of them. There’s a couple I wouldn’t read a second time, but none of them that I would rate less than four stars. All of them are well done and entertaining. The authors took care to make the animals the stars of their stories, and the result is a book any animal lover can enjoy. Excellent reading for everyone.
In any anthology, there are usually a couple of great stories, and the remaining selections I like, or not, to different degrees. In this case, I enjoyed every story in the book. I can’t pick a favorite, or even two or three of them. There’s a couple I wouldn’t read a second time, but none of them that I would rate less than four stars. All of them are well done and entertaining. The authors took care to make the animals the stars of their stories, and the result is a book any animal lover can enjoy. Excellent reading for everyone.
November 11, 2015
This is fourteen short stories about animals in a dystopian, post apocalyptic worlds, all written by awesome writers, in which part of the proceeds of each book will go to Pets for Vets, so please what is not to love? These are amazing stories, yes I will be up front, sometimes the animal dies, but it is worth it, being a veteran myself and helping with the working dogs on my base may have skewed my perspective a little on how much I feel and love the way these animals interact with the human aspect of the stories, but these animals are all heroes. This is book is for all those hero animals that didn't come home or the ones that help the two legged heroes that come home not quite whole. So give it chance I think you will love it as much as I did, but keep the Kleenex close.
November 9, 2015
A wonderful book, full of tales of heroes, heartbreak and love.
The stories are all really well written, some so sad they made me cry. Others had me cheering them on, hoping that there would be a happy ending for these incredible animals.
My favourite story was Protector by Stefan Bolz, it was so intense and full of love.
*This was an ARC. My opinions are my own*
The stories are all really well written, some so sad they made me cry. Others had me cheering them on, hoping that there would be a happy ending for these incredible animals.
My favourite story was Protector by Stefan Bolz, it was so intense and full of love.
*This was an ARC. My opinions are my own*
November 16, 2015
Gifted copy for honest review.
What an awesome book. The stories were heart warming and well written. I have to say the authors who wrote this were great. Thanks so much for the great stories.
What an awesome book. The stories were heart warming and well written. I have to say the authors who wrote this were great. Thanks so much for the great stories.
November 22, 2015
Don't be fooled by the title, this a fantastic collection!
Don't be fooled by the title, this a fantastic collection!
I received an ARC version of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have a wonderful review, and an honestly nagging complaint. So, first the review
I love animals, but not like some people lovelovelove animals. So I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. First let me say I was overwhelmingly surprised, in a good way. Each story is varied, from points of view that are appropriate and compelling. I think almost every story is something you’d not have thought of, but is told in a way that places you into the story. Those are the best kind, of course, the ones where you forget you’re looking at words on a page and instead your imagination is looking at the world each author creates. If that is the kind of writing you like to read… then knock people down to buy this.
Now, I have my favorites, of course (though I liked them all), so here are some highlights:
David Bruns starts off with The Waterfinder’s Shadow. This was a world that was both new to me, and yet ultimately logical. The political intrigue and chicanery of humans in their thirst for survival is undercut by the simplicity and loyalty of the dogs they encounter and learn to love or hate. This was an excellent starting story as I feel it set the tone for the rest of the book. It is one of my favorites.
Edward W. Robertson’s When You Open the Cages for Those Who Can’t touched me in a human way. Never entering the minds of the animals, but the plucky courage of the girl who cares for them in the face of overwhelming adversity is a beacon of hope for the nature of man, even if it exists in the very smallest of us.
Jennifer Ellis’s The Poetry of Santiago, is a cleverly written story that, if it were possible, places us in the mind of a cat, and a very special one. If you like cats, this will make you smile, if you like good stories, this will make you swoon.
Protector by Stefan Bolz is a testament of honor and sacrifice that is no less poignant for being between a human and a wolf.
Kael Takes Wing by E. E. Giorgi is about flying and the fear of it, and the challenge of it and the purpose of it, and the joy of it, and the perplexity of doing it with built in obstacles.
The Bear’s child by Harlow C. Fallon is another example of why she is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. ever. She had a brilliant story in the Immortality Chronicles that I fell in love with, and this story of a relationship between a girl and a bear is the most heart touching thing you’ll read in this book or any other. This is my favorite story among many great stories in this book.
Ghost Light, by Steven Savile, touches on a theme of what is real and what is illusion, amidst the stone and death of apocalypse. At various parts of the story, I was convinced it was one or the other. and in the end, I still don’t know.
Kristy’s song by Michael Bunker is well written, and reads like a heart pounding spy thriller. I’m told its part of a larger series that I will check out soon because of this.
Unconditional by Chris Porteau, I’d already read and reviewed as a stand alone short story. You can hunt down that review. It is also why I agreed to read this volume.
It was time well spent. I enjoyed consuming each story, each with their different flavor and their different hearts.
Now, for the nagging complaint:
The title is a bit too cutesy a pun that leads readers to think it will be a tongue in cheek shallow collection of stories. Nothing could be further from the truth. They are heartfelt, poignant, touching, exasperating, chilling, inspiring, desolate, and marvelous. Do NOT be fooled by the title. Please do read this with the expectation to find courageous and gut-wrenchingly beautiful tales.
Don't be fooled by the title, this a fantastic collection!
I received an ARC version of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have a wonderful review, and an honestly nagging complaint. So, first the review
I love animals, but not like some people lovelovelove animals. So I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. First let me say I was overwhelmingly surprised, in a good way. Each story is varied, from points of view that are appropriate and compelling. I think almost every story is something you’d not have thought of, but is told in a way that places you into the story. Those are the best kind, of course, the ones where you forget you’re looking at words on a page and instead your imagination is looking at the world each author creates. If that is the kind of writing you like to read… then knock people down to buy this.
Now, I have my favorites, of course (though I liked them all), so here are some highlights:
David Bruns starts off with The Waterfinder’s Shadow. This was a world that was both new to me, and yet ultimately logical. The political intrigue and chicanery of humans in their thirst for survival is undercut by the simplicity and loyalty of the dogs they encounter and learn to love or hate. This was an excellent starting story as I feel it set the tone for the rest of the book. It is one of my favorites.
Edward W. Robertson’s When You Open the Cages for Those Who Can’t touched me in a human way. Never entering the minds of the animals, but the plucky courage of the girl who cares for them in the face of overwhelming adversity is a beacon of hope for the nature of man, even if it exists in the very smallest of us.
Jennifer Ellis’s The Poetry of Santiago, is a cleverly written story that, if it were possible, places us in the mind of a cat, and a very special one. If you like cats, this will make you smile, if you like good stories, this will make you swoon.
Protector by Stefan Bolz is a testament of honor and sacrifice that is no less poignant for being between a human and a wolf.
Kael Takes Wing by E. E. Giorgi is about flying and the fear of it, and the challenge of it and the purpose of it, and the joy of it, and the perplexity of doing it with built in obstacles.
The Bear’s child by Harlow C. Fallon is another example of why she is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. ever. She had a brilliant story in the Immortality Chronicles that I fell in love with, and this story of a relationship between a girl and a bear is the most heart touching thing you’ll read in this book or any other. This is my favorite story among many great stories in this book.
Ghost Light, by Steven Savile, touches on a theme of what is real and what is illusion, amidst the stone and death of apocalypse. At various parts of the story, I was convinced it was one or the other. and in the end, I still don’t know.
Kristy’s song by Michael Bunker is well written, and reads like a heart pounding spy thriller. I’m told its part of a larger series that I will check out soon because of this.
Unconditional by Chris Porteau, I’d already read and reviewed as a stand alone short story. You can hunt down that review. It is also why I agreed to read this volume.
It was time well spent. I enjoyed consuming each story, each with their different flavor and their different hearts.
Now, for the nagging complaint:
The title is a bit too cutesy a pun that leads readers to think it will be a tongue in cheek shallow collection of stories. Nothing could be further from the truth. They are heartfelt, poignant, touching, exasperating, chilling, inspiring, desolate, and marvelous. Do NOT be fooled by the title. Please do read this with the expectation to find courageous and gut-wrenchingly beautiful tales.
November 20, 2015
It’s been such a long time since I’ve read any fiction from an animal’s perspective, and of those, only Watership Down and Tailchaser’s Song come to mind. So it was with some trepidation that I picked up
Tails of the Apocalypse
. After all, it has to be pretty hard to write fiction with animals either central to the plot or the main characters outright. Right? Maybe for me that’d be true, but not for the authors involved in the project. I found myself cheering or even holding my breath as each plot unfolded, though more often I was moved to regions sentimental. Because it is the apocalypse we’re talking about here. Dangerous things, apocalypses… Throw in some faithful animals that never hurt anyone and you’re bound break a few hearts. (I swear, if you’re not crying by the end of Chris Pourteau’s or Stefan Bolz’ stories, you might not have a soul).
One other thing I liked about the collection was how the worlds were often very unique. Perhaps the most unique was Hank Garner’s story of the first apocalyptic story in human history (I’ll let that tease you a little … you gotta read it). From a storytelling perspective, I’d say the authors did a great job, collectively — and for a very good cause. For every copy sold, $1 goes to the charity Pets For Vets. It’s win and more win everywhere you turn.
One other thing I liked about the collection was how the worlds were often very unique. Perhaps the most unique was Hank Garner’s story of the first apocalyptic story in human history (I’ll let that tease you a little … you gotta read it). From a storytelling perspective, I’d say the authors did a great job, collectively — and for a very good cause. For every copy sold, $1 goes to the charity Pets For Vets. It’s win and more win everywhere you turn.
November 19, 2015
Nobility, Self-Sacrifice & Unconditional Love.
Yes, these themes are oh so true for this wonderful anthology of short stories.
Personally, Michael Bunker, Nick Cole, Hank Garner, E.E. Giorgi & Chris Pourteau's blew me away!
But, I would highlight Stefan Bolz's short story Protector as being my favorite of the whole collection ! Unbelievable emotional, very special & tearful. (Watch out folks!)
I highly & wholly recommend this book to everyone and thank Chris Pourteau for the huge effort he has put into making this project reach its goal!
Yes, these themes are oh so true for this wonderful anthology of short stories.
Personally, Michael Bunker, Nick Cole, Hank Garner, E.E. Giorgi & Chris Pourteau's blew me away!
But, I would highlight Stefan Bolz's short story Protector as being my favorite of the whole collection ! Unbelievable emotional, very special & tearful. (Watch out folks!)
I highly & wholly recommend this book to everyone and thank Chris Pourteau for the huge effort he has put into making this project reach its goal!
December 31, 2015
I'm still making my way through these amazing tails! I need a box of tissues, so I'm pacing myself. You'll get invested in these stories, so be warned, keep the Kleenex near by.
December 8, 2015
I was given a copy of this anthology in exchange for an honest review.
This anthology made me hug my dog. She then looked at me weird and fell back to sleep with a sigh. Because she loves me no matter what I do. The way that animals, especially pets, make us feel is somehow deeper than our connection to human characters in books. This may not always be the case, but this is the first time I have cried so many times reading an anthology. I’ve truly never thought about what could happen to our pets after the world ends in a fiery apocalypse, so this anthology is a refreshing take on the genre. Heart-wrenching, but beautiful, Tails of the apocalypse gives readers a look into what could happen beloved animals and the people they hold dear. A must read!
I don’t know if I can really choose a favorite story…but I really loved “Ghost Light” by Steven Savile. The sort of ode to King Arthur quest for the Holy Grail was an awesome idea for a story. I love the idea of our pets leading us home.
But honestly, I loved all of the stories. Please read this anthology! :D
This anthology made me hug my dog. She then looked at me weird and fell back to sleep with a sigh. Because she loves me no matter what I do. The way that animals, especially pets, make us feel is somehow deeper than our connection to human characters in books. This may not always be the case, but this is the first time I have cried so many times reading an anthology. I’ve truly never thought about what could happen to our pets after the world ends in a fiery apocalypse, so this anthology is a refreshing take on the genre. Heart-wrenching, but beautiful, Tails of the apocalypse gives readers a look into what could happen beloved animals and the people they hold dear. A must read!
I don’t know if I can really choose a favorite story…but I really loved “Ghost Light” by Steven Savile. The sort of ode to King Arthur quest for the Holy Grail was an awesome idea for a story. I love the idea of our pets leading us home.
But honestly, I loved all of the stories. Please read this anthology! :D
November 25, 2015
As an animal lover and employee of a Veterinary Hospital this anthology hits the mark.I enjoyed the uniqueness of each authors contribution.The stories that impacted me the most were The Water Finders Shadow by David Bruns,Tomorrow Found by Nick Cole and Unconditional by Chris Pourteau. This collection expertly expresses the beautiful and wonderful way that animals impact our lives.I recommend this book to animal lovers and any fan of the post-apocalyptic genre.The added benefit of $1.00 from each book sold going to the Pets for Vets charity makes this anthology a must read.
November 19, 2015
There is laughter, there is heartache, told with warmth in 14 fascinating "tails". I shed more than a few tears ( but I have allergies ). Also a $1.00 donation is being made to Pets for Vets for every sale. Such a worthy cause.
November 20, 2015
I received an ARC eBook in exchange for an honest review, Once I had finished reading I then placed a pre-order and that came this morning, the day of the eBook release, So, it is no surprise that I have given this collection of 14 stories a 5 star rating. I especially love books that speak to me personally in one way or another. That is not a requirement, just a bonus. I am also a "Dog" person, I tolerate Cats, but that is as far as it goes. However, the story in this collection that keeps coming back into my mind is about a cat that has adopted a new owner. "The Poetry of Santiago" by Jennifer Ellis is very intriguing. The author has set this story in the city of Pompei (or Pompeii as the Italians write it). While living in Rome, I visited Pompeii and still have strong memories of that city frozen in time. While reading this story, I found myself back there again wondering how the story would unfold. I was pleased with the result.
I've never had a bird either and so I found "Pet Shop" by Deirdre Gould interesting. I cannot say if the portrayal of the unwanted parrot named Surly Shirley is accurate, but I hope that it would be in the situation described.
In a similar manner, the story of the hunting falcon chick Kael, in "Kael Takes Wing" by E. E. Giorgi. was also enjoyable,especially because I have enjoyed reading the author's other works in the Mayake Chronicles. Could a bird be afraid of flying? You'll want to read this story and find out.
Never fear, there are also stories that include "man's best friend" , including "Kristy's Song" by Michael Bunker. This story is set in the world of New Pennsylvania. Kristy (the dog) helps her best friend make contraband runs into and out of New Detroit - in a war torn world. Another one is "Unconditional" by Chris Pourteau. Warning, this tale about the love of a dog for his friend, a boy, will tung at your heart. The collection also starts off with a story about the dependency between a man and his dog in "The Water Finder's Shadow" by David Bruns. The man is Polluk and the dog is Shadow. Polluck is a water finder in a world where water is hard to find, but his skills have dwindled, but Shadow has gained those skills. What will happen to Polluck when Shadow is no longer alive?
These are just a few of the excellent stories about animals, some domestic and some wild but all enjoyable.
I've never had a bird either and so I found "Pet Shop" by Deirdre Gould interesting. I cannot say if the portrayal of the unwanted parrot named Surly Shirley is accurate, but I hope that it would be in the situation described.
In a similar manner, the story of the hunting falcon chick Kael, in "Kael Takes Wing" by E. E. Giorgi. was also enjoyable,especially because I have enjoyed reading the author's other works in the Mayake Chronicles. Could a bird be afraid of flying? You'll want to read this story and find out.
Never fear, there are also stories that include "man's best friend" , including "Kristy's Song" by Michael Bunker. This story is set in the world of New Pennsylvania. Kristy (the dog) helps her best friend make contraband runs into and out of New Detroit - in a war torn world. Another one is "Unconditional" by Chris Pourteau. Warning, this tale about the love of a dog for his friend, a boy, will tung at your heart. The collection also starts off with a story about the dependency between a man and his dog in "The Water Finder's Shadow" by David Bruns. The man is Polluk and the dog is Shadow. Polluck is a water finder in a world where water is hard to find, but his skills have dwindled, but Shadow has gained those skills. What will happen to Polluck when Shadow is no longer alive?
These are just a few of the excellent stories about animals, some domestic and some wild but all enjoyable.
November 19, 2015
Tails of the Apocalypse is a great collections of short stories from a collection of authors all tasked with writing stories of pets and their owners in different apocalypse settings. These books cover a vast array of disasters, circumstances, and trials while showing how man's best friend, or other pet was a help or comfort through the troubled times.
I really enjoyed the unique perspective that each author brought to the table and it was really fun to see how when tasked with a single scenario the stories couldn't be more different. It was fun to read not only for the variety, but it is also a great way to get a sneak peak at other authors you aren't familiar with. I found a few authors that I'm excited to check out some of their other books now as well as enjoying the story of one author I have been following for a while now.
The stories are incredibly well written and bring the characters to life as you read. I found myself wanting the story to go on with all of the stories wishing they had been full novels. There wasn't one of them that I didn't enjoy or feel invested in the characters as I read. The stories vary greatly from one to another, but each have such a unique perspective that I found myself thinking about the various ideas long after I stopped reading.
If all of that wasn't enough, for each copy sold the authors are donating money to Pets for Vets, what a great concept. Grab your copy and enjoy some amazing stories and help give back to a great cause!
5 Stars
I really enjoyed the unique perspective that each author brought to the table and it was really fun to see how when tasked with a single scenario the stories couldn't be more different. It was fun to read not only for the variety, but it is also a great way to get a sneak peak at other authors you aren't familiar with. I found a few authors that I'm excited to check out some of their other books now as well as enjoying the story of one author I have been following for a while now.
The stories are incredibly well written and bring the characters to life as you read. I found myself wanting the story to go on with all of the stories wishing they had been full novels. There wasn't one of them that I didn't enjoy or feel invested in the characters as I read. The stories vary greatly from one to another, but each have such a unique perspective that I found myself thinking about the various ideas long after I stopped reading.
If all of that wasn't enough, for each copy sold the authors are donating money to Pets for Vets, what a great concept. Grab your copy and enjoy some amazing stories and help give back to a great cause!
5 Stars
August 23, 2016
I must admit up front that when a friend recommended this book, I was distracted and totally missed the fact that "Tails..." was not actually "Tales..." as I originally thought. So imagine my surprise when I dived into the book and discovered that each of these 14 completely unique stories revolves around an animal. Whether beloved furry companion, feathered friend or spirit animal, each story reveals a different view of humanity after the apocalypse and our relationship to the other creatures that share the planet with us. I can't remember when I have so enjoyed a collection of fiction as much as this one. And I am constantly amazed at the imagination of the writers and how many different ways one can imagine "The End".
Each story is astounding in its own way but my personal favorites include "The Water Finder's Shadow" by David Bruns, "The Bear's Child" By Harlow C. Fallon, "Unconditional" by Chris Pourteau and, since I am an incurable cat person, "The Poetry of Santiago" by Jennifer Ellis. This one was particularly poignant to me, not only for its superb telling of an elderly feline desperately trying to save his equally aged human friend from the impending volcanic disaster, but also because I happened to be reading it while on a Mediterranean cruise, sailing past Etna, Stromboli and Vesuvius at the time.
This is a gem of a collection, heart-rending at times but also full of hope. If the Apocalypse does find us, it will be the treasured animal companions that survive with us that will hopefully make life bearable and perhaps even worth living in the aftermath.
Each story is astounding in its own way but my personal favorites include "The Water Finder's Shadow" by David Bruns, "The Bear's Child" By Harlow C. Fallon, "Unconditional" by Chris Pourteau and, since I am an incurable cat person, "The Poetry of Santiago" by Jennifer Ellis. This one was particularly poignant to me, not only for its superb telling of an elderly feline desperately trying to save his equally aged human friend from the impending volcanic disaster, but also because I happened to be reading it while on a Mediterranean cruise, sailing past Etna, Stromboli and Vesuvius at the time.
This is a gem of a collection, heart-rending at times but also full of hope. If the Apocalypse does find us, it will be the treasured animal companions that survive with us that will hopefully make life bearable and perhaps even worth living in the aftermath.
December 14, 2015
This anthology was every bit as good as I suspected it would be. Each story kept me interested and turning pages with enthusiasm, and I didn't want to put it down each time I picked it up. Edward R. Robertson’s “When You Open the Cages for Those Who Can’t” turned me into a fan, and I look forward to reading more of his works. Another that caught me by surprise was Deirdre Gould’s “Pet Shop.” When I started reading it, I really didn't think I would enjoy the story, but it turned out to be fantastic. As I said, each story was solid, and you can read descriptions in other reviews if you want more story details.
Another thing I want to be sure to mention here is how great a job Chris Pourteau did with the editing. The flow of the stories is great, the grammar is excellent, and the punctuation is fantastic. If he weren't such a good writer, and wanted to dedicate time to editing, you couldn't go wrong with hiring Chris.
Lastly, I love the concept of donating a dollar from each sale to Pets for Vets (I'm a vet, so I guess I'm biased) for the remainder of 2015. So if you haven't bought it, that might be reason enough for you (besides the fantastic stories). So buy it now and help a worthy cause.
Another thing I want to be sure to mention here is how great a job Chris Pourteau did with the editing. The flow of the stories is great, the grammar is excellent, and the punctuation is fantastic. If he weren't such a good writer, and wanted to dedicate time to editing, you couldn't go wrong with hiring Chris.
Lastly, I love the concept of donating a dollar from each sale to Pets for Vets (I'm a vet, so I guess I'm biased) for the remainder of 2015. So if you haven't bought it, that might be reason enough for you (besides the fantastic stories). So buy it now and help a worthy cause.
November 19, 2015
I was delighted to be an ARC reader for this truly thoughtful and intriguing collection of short stories. The collaboration of great writers really hit the mark, and kept me wanting to read more of their work.
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy to read, it will brighten your day and spirits for sure!
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy to read, it will brighten your day and spirits for sure!
November 21, 2015
A completely different take on the post-apoc genre. A very different take on storytelling, and one that I ended up enjoying very much. Lots of gems by many of my favorite authors. I'm hoping for a second volume!
December 12, 2015
Apocalypse stories with animals.. some stories were better than others but overall I enjoyed reading it.
April 2, 2016
3.5/5 Rating Review coming soon and will be first posted at MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape
November 20, 2015
It takes me a long to process good stories and sort out my thoughts. What do other book buyers need to know, short of “BUY THIS!”--?
The need to explain why, to talk about these stories, compels me to expand on that.
Normally I am not drawn to tales of a post-apocalyptic earth, but "The Tails of The Apocalypse” (love the pun!) has a new twist: narrating from an animal’s point of view.
“When I thought about what the end of the world would bring,” Edward W. Robertson writes as a post-script to his story, “I had no problem squashing seven billion people. But I never liked to think about what would happen to all those dogs.”
That sounds kinda twisted, as I used to tell my daughter, who cried over the slaughter of horses in WWI movies but not the humans. She’d look at old photos of people long gone and zero in on the family dog.
How many pet owners do you know who have never witnessed the gradual decline and death of their beloved cat or dog (or horse or bird or whatever)?
This heart-wrenching aspect of our love affair with animals pervades the anthology. I’m one of those overly sensitive types (ssh, don’t tell the kids; I hide it so well), and it takes me days or weeks to decompress after a sad movie or book. Which is one reason I avoid them in the first place. Let me warn you up front: the majority of these wonderful Point of View characters in this wonderful anthology will not survive. Not a spoiler, I swear. Just a heads-up. My daughter could never read this book. Nor could her little sister, who came home sobbing yesterday, having witnessed a cat hit by a car.
Let me repeat: this is a wonderful book.
The dedication sets the tone:
“For our four-legged, feathered, and winged friends
Who often teach their human neighbors on this planet
What it means to be humane”
The stories are marvelous. They’re not for the faint of heart. Beautifully and insightfully written by animal lovers, it just goes with the territory that we know too well: people outlive animals.
Edward W. Robertson, you rule, because yours is one of the few stories that did not rip my heart out and squash it. (Just between you and me, I feel the same way about animal casualties.)
Nick Cole, your story is just the salve I needed. The prologue (a mother’s love!), the conclusion, and all that comes in between – beautiful! In spite of all the destruction and death that darken their world, hope prevails for a lonely man and a puppy doomed to die.
Michael Bunker, "Kristy's Song" made my day. Readers, this is your go-to story when the other ones brutalize your animal-loving sensitivies.
David Bruns, you kill me with the dog who dies of old age (anyone who’s experienced will appreciate the stunning accuracy and beauty of how the scene is written), but the story is only half over at that point. You atone for it with the most beautiful of resolutions – it literally gave me goose bumps.
Elena Giorgi, your fledgling falcon makes my heart ache, but it’s in a good way. Kael does not die. Phew! Your status as most-talked about, most-adored author on Carol’s list is secure.
More to come. First: Instead of reading these stories in order, I scanned the synopses. Which one leaped out at me? No contest: the voice of a dog named Demon.
“I’m Demon. I’m a good boy. I know because Emily told me so.”
David Adams, you have totally captured the voice of our dear, departed Blaise. You also capture the phobia of his sister Bailey, who went ballistic at the sound of thunder long before the weatherman even had a storm on his radar. Your excellent story, “Demon and Emily,” reminds me that two years is far too long to go dog-less.
However, it took three days for me to build up the fortitude to face the next story. (Thanks, David.)
Jennifer Ellis: you killed me right after I’d resurrected myself from Demon’s story. “The Poetry of Santiago” is a jewel. As with “Demon,” I love it, love it, hate it, hate it, love it.
The ginger tom who’d “learned the economy of the street” and outlived his contemporaries sounds so much like my dear, departed Tommy. My tom also started his long life “with brilliant orange fur, pronounced stripes, and a certain loft” to his tails. (Ah, his bushy, beautiful, striped tail!) In so many, many ways, the “old man” of a cat on page one is the very incarnation of my Tommy.
The cat named Santiago is already old, and the synopsis gives fair warning: “despite his failing eyesight and sense of smell, Santiago knows that something very bad is about to befall Pompeii. How can a cat that can’t speak get his beloved adopted owner out of the city in time?”
He does, of course. You knew he would. What you cannot possibly anticipate is the incredible image at the end. Think “Shroud of Turin.” Or not. How many people know the theory behind one of the oldest photographs on earth? (Regardless of its age or how the image was produced-- see www.shroud.com -- I’m convinced the Shroud is indeed a “photo.”)
The story of Santiago is pure poetry. It’s one of the best stories I’ve ever read anywhere, in any genre. From me, this is high praise, indeed.
Still: it took me a week to recover.
Fortunately, my next selection was “When You Open the Cages for Those Who Can’t” by Edward W. Robertson. Young Raina is the kind of heroine I love most. She puts others before herself. She doesn’t wallow in self-pity or beg others to save her. She does what must be done. I’d love to quote some of the most memorable lines. Suffice it to say, the image of dogs running free is one I won’t forget. I’d love to read more about Raina and the dog who refuses to leave her.
“Protector” by Stefan Bolz is an absolute classic. An orphaned wolf cub is injured, and a boy named Jack does that fabled Androcles and the Lion thing. But the stakes are even higher. The boy must rise through Kohlberg’s moral stages to the highest level, breaking rules to do what he knows is right, no matter that he’d be exiled for his defiance. Of course, his judgment is ultimately rewarded.
Even so, several days had to pass before I could tackle the next story in this book.
Elena Giorgi. I’m already such a fan, it borders on embarrassing, almost like a school-girl crush. Women scientists (a PhD, a full-time career in a laboratory) who are also gifted photographers and authors can be hard on the self-esteem of lesser mortals, unless we wise up and just enjoy the gifts they share, rather than doing the Salieri vs Mozart thing.
At this point I really did not have high hopes for any story by Elena, in terms of the impact on my fragile emotional ecosystem. I had only just finished reading “Athel,” Book Two of the Mayake Chronicles, and was still in “recovery” from the shock of seeing a beloved character die. You know, you just KNOW, someone will die even in “Kael Takes Wing,” but I knew from the Chronicles that Kael cannot die in this story. I wasn’t prepared to see the father of Athel and Akaela, in those happier days before Book One of the Chronicles. Somehow, meeting a character this way has a surprisingly profound impact. As always, beautiful descriptions add to the richness of any E.E. Giorgi story.
In all, “Kael” was an uplifting story (he takes flight, after all – the title tells us so!). Thus, I was deluded into thinking I could handle Chris Pourteau’s "Unconditional.” I did not save the last story for last. On the bright side, the dog does not die. On the dark side, the dog suffers in a way that, for dogs, might be worse than dying. Considering that I don’t even like reading about zombies, it’s a testament to the author’s skill that I found this story riveting and moving in spite of the voracious meat-eating “living dead” stalking all over the place.
"Keena's Lament" by Hank Garner is is beautiful. Mysterious. Mythical. I love the twist with the narrator who is human… sort of. Definitely not a dog, but this more-than-human person becomes very attached to one. The Noah’s Ark theme also gets a fresh twist here. The rain, the cave, the mountain top: what vivid scenes! In a good way, the ending reminds me one of my favorite Jack London stories. I hardly dare say which one.
I will say that London, a century before us, was one of the first writers to tell a great tale from a dog’s point of view. “Call of the Wild” and “White Fang” should be as familiar to school children as Homer’s Odyssey. (For that matter, so should the German “Illiad,” the grossly neglected “Nibelungenlied.”)
Speaking of literary classics, "Tomorrow Found" by Nick Cole is a book lover’s dream. The hero’s quest is fulfilled in a way that is both poignant and inspiring. The prologue is magnificent, and I normally skip prologues. The man/dog bond is fantastic. I almost said “extraordinary” but millions of dog owners know that this bond is actually a frequent occurrence, and the fossil record attests to it.
In fact, scientists recently realized the significance of Neanderthal burial sites never including dog remains, while their human contemporaries were often interred with dogs. How does this relate to Robertson’s story? What does the fossil record and the Shroud of Turin have to do with “The Tails of the Apocalpyse?” Well, that’s the beauty of rich, layered fiction. It calls to mind other truths, other human stories that reinforce the authenticity of stories in this anthology.
"Pet Shop by Deirdre Gould surprises us with a grouchy old bird in a pet store. Another absolute classic: who would imagine surly Shirley’s capacity for heroism, altruism and extraordinary deeds? I’m always a fan of stories about the underdog leading the way to surviving a catastrophe.
You guessed it: the ending left me waiting a few more days to tackle the next story.
"The Bear's Child" by Harlow Cyan Fallon is beautiful. Anya the outcast reminds me of the “Unfit” in Giorig’s novels, not just the Mayake Chronicles, but “Gene Cards” (a science thriller). In the domed city of Icarus, the human elite live disease-free in a “bubble” of safety and peace, but only because they can hunt down and kill “ferals,” the most vulnerable humans. Survival of the fittest – at what cost? While the Icarites seek to exterminate the outcasts, a mother bear appears just in time to let Anya live another day. Warm fuzzies, yes. A painless read? God, no.
"Wings of Paradise" by Todd Barselow was next on my list. The other story with “wings” in the title was uplifting, after all. I have to say, this story does end well, for the protagonists. The humans may not fare well, but we don’t care so much about them. This story has animals taking on human roles, organizing their own little bureaucracies and defending their territory the way humans would. The youngling members of each council, “chosen for their flight skills, bravery, and willingness to learn,” rise to the occasion. Who knew a league of little night-flying bats and day-flying Budgies could be so epic and memorable? Barselow knew, and so will you, after reading this clever tale.
"Ghost Light" by Steven Savile is intriguing, mysterious, and, of course, haunting. He taps into another of my favorite themes: the afterlife. This story reminds me in a good way of Libby McGugan’s novel “The Eidolon.” (Note to self: tell Libby she *must* read this.) This is one of those stories where almost anything I say about it would be a spoiler, but the ending is ultimately happy, no matter how you look at it. The people who walk away from the airplane are fantastic. The detail about Scotland’s roads being built to double as emergency runways is just waaay too cool.
Savile’s story was so “safe,” emotionally, I went straight to the next one. No three-day decompression needed. Michael Bunker’s title, "Kristy's Song,” sounded safe enough. This is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller of a tale. The hero has dared to remove his ID chip, but the doctors so eager to take his money for that procedure neglected to tell him the downside. Now our hero is forced into contraband runs in and out of post-apocalyptic Detroit (no, I won’t ask if “post-apocalyptic Detroit” isn’t an oxymoron).
Kristy is such a great dog. She’s performed her life-saving trick once again (and you’ve got to read this to see what it is she can do), but her usual reward, a cheese sandwich, just doesn’t exist at the moment, nor even a bit of kibble. In true dog style, she wags her tail and happily accepts a surrogate reward, her owner singing a song. Only a dog could rejoice with nothing but a reward like that. (Did I mention that this story has a HAPPY ending? Woot!! I love it!)
The great thing about anthologies is getting to know new authors. If all Michael Bunker’s fiction is as hopeful and endearing as “Kristy,” I’ll definintely be looking for more where that came from.
Every story here is well written and moving. It’s reassuring to know others have loved and lost their beloved furry or feathered friends, and glorious to see them immortalized in fiction. For me, having recently lost two Collies and my ginger tom to old age, it may be too soon to revisit that pain and loss so familiar to other animal lovers. (My parents, farmers, will never get it.)
Of all the anthologies out there (and they are legion), this one stands out from the rest. You can’t help but love the characters. Better yet, every book sold is an automatic donation to Pets for Vets, one of the most worthy causes I can think of. Buy this one with confidence, but if you’re in no mood to grieve for a lost pet, stick to the happy endings at first. I’ve delivered the spoilers on which ones those are. All the stories are great. Meanwhile, I’m off to stare at old photos of Blaise as a puppy and Tommy the cat in his prime… {sob!} …
The need to explain why, to talk about these stories, compels me to expand on that.
Normally I am not drawn to tales of a post-apocalyptic earth, but "The Tails of The Apocalypse” (love the pun!) has a new twist: narrating from an animal’s point of view.
“When I thought about what the end of the world would bring,” Edward W. Robertson writes as a post-script to his story, “I had no problem squashing seven billion people. But I never liked to think about what would happen to all those dogs.”
That sounds kinda twisted, as I used to tell my daughter, who cried over the slaughter of horses in WWI movies but not the humans. She’d look at old photos of people long gone and zero in on the family dog.
How many pet owners do you know who have never witnessed the gradual decline and death of their beloved cat or dog (or horse or bird or whatever)?
This heart-wrenching aspect of our love affair with animals pervades the anthology. I’m one of those overly sensitive types (ssh, don’t tell the kids; I hide it so well), and it takes me days or weeks to decompress after a sad movie or book. Which is one reason I avoid them in the first place. Let me warn you up front: the majority of these wonderful Point of View characters in this wonderful anthology will not survive. Not a spoiler, I swear. Just a heads-up. My daughter could never read this book. Nor could her little sister, who came home sobbing yesterday, having witnessed a cat hit by a car.
Let me repeat: this is a wonderful book.
The dedication sets the tone:
“For our four-legged, feathered, and winged friends
Who often teach their human neighbors on this planet
What it means to be humane”
The stories are marvelous. They’re not for the faint of heart. Beautifully and insightfully written by animal lovers, it just goes with the territory that we know too well: people outlive animals.
Edward W. Robertson, you rule, because yours is one of the few stories that did not rip my heart out and squash it. (Just between you and me, I feel the same way about animal casualties.)
Nick Cole, your story is just the salve I needed. The prologue (a mother’s love!), the conclusion, and all that comes in between – beautiful! In spite of all the destruction and death that darken their world, hope prevails for a lonely man and a puppy doomed to die.
Michael Bunker, "Kristy's Song" made my day. Readers, this is your go-to story when the other ones brutalize your animal-loving sensitivies.
David Bruns, you kill me with the dog who dies of old age (anyone who’s experienced will appreciate the stunning accuracy and beauty of how the scene is written), but the story is only half over at that point. You atone for it with the most beautiful of resolutions – it literally gave me goose bumps.
Elena Giorgi, your fledgling falcon makes my heart ache, but it’s in a good way. Kael does not die. Phew! Your status as most-talked about, most-adored author on Carol’s list is secure.
More to come. First: Instead of reading these stories in order, I scanned the synopses. Which one leaped out at me? No contest: the voice of a dog named Demon.
“I’m Demon. I’m a good boy. I know because Emily told me so.”
David Adams, you have totally captured the voice of our dear, departed Blaise. You also capture the phobia of his sister Bailey, who went ballistic at the sound of thunder long before the weatherman even had a storm on his radar. Your excellent story, “Demon and Emily,” reminds me that two years is far too long to go dog-less.
However, it took three days for me to build up the fortitude to face the next story. (Thanks, David.)
Jennifer Ellis: you killed me right after I’d resurrected myself from Demon’s story. “The Poetry of Santiago” is a jewel. As with “Demon,” I love it, love it, hate it, hate it, love it.
The ginger tom who’d “learned the economy of the street” and outlived his contemporaries sounds so much like my dear, departed Tommy. My tom also started his long life “with brilliant orange fur, pronounced stripes, and a certain loft” to his tails. (Ah, his bushy, beautiful, striped tail!) In so many, many ways, the “old man” of a cat on page one is the very incarnation of my Tommy.
The cat named Santiago is already old, and the synopsis gives fair warning: “despite his failing eyesight and sense of smell, Santiago knows that something very bad is about to befall Pompeii. How can a cat that can’t speak get his beloved adopted owner out of the city in time?”
He does, of course. You knew he would. What you cannot possibly anticipate is the incredible image at the end. Think “Shroud of Turin.” Or not. How many people know the theory behind one of the oldest photographs on earth? (Regardless of its age or how the image was produced-- see www.shroud.com -- I’m convinced the Shroud is indeed a “photo.”)
The story of Santiago is pure poetry. It’s one of the best stories I’ve ever read anywhere, in any genre. From me, this is high praise, indeed.
Still: it took me a week to recover.
Fortunately, my next selection was “When You Open the Cages for Those Who Can’t” by Edward W. Robertson. Young Raina is the kind of heroine I love most. She puts others before herself. She doesn’t wallow in self-pity or beg others to save her. She does what must be done. I’d love to quote some of the most memorable lines. Suffice it to say, the image of dogs running free is one I won’t forget. I’d love to read more about Raina and the dog who refuses to leave her.
“Protector” by Stefan Bolz is an absolute classic. An orphaned wolf cub is injured, and a boy named Jack does that fabled Androcles and the Lion thing. But the stakes are even higher. The boy must rise through Kohlberg’s moral stages to the highest level, breaking rules to do what he knows is right, no matter that he’d be exiled for his defiance. Of course, his judgment is ultimately rewarded.
Even so, several days had to pass before I could tackle the next story in this book.
Elena Giorgi. I’m already such a fan, it borders on embarrassing, almost like a school-girl crush. Women scientists (a PhD, a full-time career in a laboratory) who are also gifted photographers and authors can be hard on the self-esteem of lesser mortals, unless we wise up and just enjoy the gifts they share, rather than doing the Salieri vs Mozart thing.
At this point I really did not have high hopes for any story by Elena, in terms of the impact on my fragile emotional ecosystem. I had only just finished reading “Athel,” Book Two of the Mayake Chronicles, and was still in “recovery” from the shock of seeing a beloved character die. You know, you just KNOW, someone will die even in “Kael Takes Wing,” but I knew from the Chronicles that Kael cannot die in this story. I wasn’t prepared to see the father of Athel and Akaela, in those happier days before Book One of the Chronicles. Somehow, meeting a character this way has a surprisingly profound impact. As always, beautiful descriptions add to the richness of any E.E. Giorgi story.
In all, “Kael” was an uplifting story (he takes flight, after all – the title tells us so!). Thus, I was deluded into thinking I could handle Chris Pourteau’s "Unconditional.” I did not save the last story for last. On the bright side, the dog does not die. On the dark side, the dog suffers in a way that, for dogs, might be worse than dying. Considering that I don’t even like reading about zombies, it’s a testament to the author’s skill that I found this story riveting and moving in spite of the voracious meat-eating “living dead” stalking all over the place.
"Keena's Lament" by Hank Garner is is beautiful. Mysterious. Mythical. I love the twist with the narrator who is human… sort of. Definitely not a dog, but this more-than-human person becomes very attached to one. The Noah’s Ark theme also gets a fresh twist here. The rain, the cave, the mountain top: what vivid scenes! In a good way, the ending reminds me one of my favorite Jack London stories. I hardly dare say which one.
I will say that London, a century before us, was one of the first writers to tell a great tale from a dog’s point of view. “Call of the Wild” and “White Fang” should be as familiar to school children as Homer’s Odyssey. (For that matter, so should the German “Illiad,” the grossly neglected “Nibelungenlied.”)
Speaking of literary classics, "Tomorrow Found" by Nick Cole is a book lover’s dream. The hero’s quest is fulfilled in a way that is both poignant and inspiring. The prologue is magnificent, and I normally skip prologues. The man/dog bond is fantastic. I almost said “extraordinary” but millions of dog owners know that this bond is actually a frequent occurrence, and the fossil record attests to it.
In fact, scientists recently realized the significance of Neanderthal burial sites never including dog remains, while their human contemporaries were often interred with dogs. How does this relate to Robertson’s story? What does the fossil record and the Shroud of Turin have to do with “The Tails of the Apocalpyse?” Well, that’s the beauty of rich, layered fiction. It calls to mind other truths, other human stories that reinforce the authenticity of stories in this anthology.
"Pet Shop by Deirdre Gould surprises us with a grouchy old bird in a pet store. Another absolute classic: who would imagine surly Shirley’s capacity for heroism, altruism and extraordinary deeds? I’m always a fan of stories about the underdog leading the way to surviving a catastrophe.
You guessed it: the ending left me waiting a few more days to tackle the next story.
"The Bear's Child" by Harlow Cyan Fallon is beautiful. Anya the outcast reminds me of the “Unfit” in Giorig’s novels, not just the Mayake Chronicles, but “Gene Cards” (a science thriller). In the domed city of Icarus, the human elite live disease-free in a “bubble” of safety and peace, but only because they can hunt down and kill “ferals,” the most vulnerable humans. Survival of the fittest – at what cost? While the Icarites seek to exterminate the outcasts, a mother bear appears just in time to let Anya live another day. Warm fuzzies, yes. A painless read? God, no.
"Wings of Paradise" by Todd Barselow was next on my list. The other story with “wings” in the title was uplifting, after all. I have to say, this story does end well, for the protagonists. The humans may not fare well, but we don’t care so much about them. This story has animals taking on human roles, organizing their own little bureaucracies and defending their territory the way humans would. The youngling members of each council, “chosen for their flight skills, bravery, and willingness to learn,” rise to the occasion. Who knew a league of little night-flying bats and day-flying Budgies could be so epic and memorable? Barselow knew, and so will you, after reading this clever tale.
"Ghost Light" by Steven Savile is intriguing, mysterious, and, of course, haunting. He taps into another of my favorite themes: the afterlife. This story reminds me in a good way of Libby McGugan’s novel “The Eidolon.” (Note to self: tell Libby she *must* read this.) This is one of those stories where almost anything I say about it would be a spoiler, but the ending is ultimately happy, no matter how you look at it. The people who walk away from the airplane are fantastic. The detail about Scotland’s roads being built to double as emergency runways is just waaay too cool.
Savile’s story was so “safe,” emotionally, I went straight to the next one. No three-day decompression needed. Michael Bunker’s title, "Kristy's Song,” sounded safe enough. This is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller of a tale. The hero has dared to remove his ID chip, but the doctors so eager to take his money for that procedure neglected to tell him the downside. Now our hero is forced into contraband runs in and out of post-apocalyptic Detroit (no, I won’t ask if “post-apocalyptic Detroit” isn’t an oxymoron).
Kristy is such a great dog. She’s performed her life-saving trick once again (and you’ve got to read this to see what it is she can do), but her usual reward, a cheese sandwich, just doesn’t exist at the moment, nor even a bit of kibble. In true dog style, she wags her tail and happily accepts a surrogate reward, her owner singing a song. Only a dog could rejoice with nothing but a reward like that. (Did I mention that this story has a HAPPY ending? Woot!! I love it!)
The great thing about anthologies is getting to know new authors. If all Michael Bunker’s fiction is as hopeful and endearing as “Kristy,” I’ll definintely be looking for more where that came from.
Every story here is well written and moving. It’s reassuring to know others have loved and lost their beloved furry or feathered friends, and glorious to see them immortalized in fiction. For me, having recently lost two Collies and my ginger tom to old age, it may be too soon to revisit that pain and loss so familiar to other animal lovers. (My parents, farmers, will never get it.)
Of all the anthologies out there (and they are legion), this one stands out from the rest. You can’t help but love the characters. Better yet, every book sold is an automatic donation to Pets for Vets, one of the most worthy causes I can think of. Buy this one with confidence, but if you’re in no mood to grieve for a lost pet, stick to the happy endings at first. I’ve delivered the spoilers on which ones those are. All the stories are great. Meanwhile, I’m off to stare at old photos of Blaise as a puppy and Tommy the cat in his prime… {sob!} …
May 30, 2018
Our four-footed friends are constant companions to many of us. Yet how often are they ignored in post-apocalyptic fiction? In this anthology, pets are the focus. Indeed, several of the stories are told from an animal's point of view. Some of the stories are endearing, while others have tragic ends. Some are written as part of a particular author's oevre, while others stand alone. Just as I have a purring cat on my lap as I write this review, the animal companions in each story warm our hearts and sometimes break them. Just as it's difficult to put down the cat on my lap, I found it hard to put down this book and go to bed.
owned-unread
April 22, 2017Free give-away by the author, thank you very much! Review will follow.
November 20, 2015
Short stories are the new rock n' roll, and anthologies are the new mix tapes. A huge number of new scifi anthologies are now appearing regularly on Amazon bestseller lists, and while the more popular feature the same old faces from the exclusive Trad Pub Club, authors from the indie community have begun to publish their own anthologies with great success. The key of course, is quality, originality and decent production values.
The latest, compiled and edited by author Chris Pourteau, is Tails Of The Apocalypse, an interesting take on the apocalyptic genre which features animals as the protagonists, and humans as secondary characters. While some may consider this a somewhat silly idea, (I have to admit, this even warranted a raised eyebrow from me at first) a taster of the first "tail" from David Bruns quickly lays the foundation for a stellar line up of varied and well-crafted short stories from an impressive list of some of the most talented authors on the indie scene.
As the collection unfolds, it's hard not to be impressed by the standard here. It would have been very easy for these stories to be overly schmaltzy, and rely on the "Old Yeller" school of sentimental overload, but where Tails Of The Apocalypse stands out is by doing the exact opposite. The animal characters are portrayed with immense respect, but hurled into horrifying situations that test them to the extreme, and as with many animals, the unconditional loyalty of some is their greatest trait, despite how they might have been treated by others, and despite all the authors involved being animal lovers, they are first and foremost post-apocalyptic writers and are not afraid to take both their characters and readers to the darkest of places.
Standouts include contributions from Nick Cole, who makes a welcome return to the world of his post-apocalyptic masterpiece The Wasteland Saga, as well as those from Chris Pourteau himself, E.E. Giorgi, Todd Barselow, Jennifer Ellis and Michael Bunker, but to be honest this is just down to my personal taste. It's hard to pick favourites from this collection, as the standard really is that high.
More importantly, when you purchase a copy of Tails From The Apocalypse, $1 from every copy sold until the end of 2015 will be donated to Pets For Vets, which matches shelter dogs with military veterans. Personnel train the animals as special companions for veterans suffering from emotional trauma, like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and it provides a valuable service for veterans, as well as finding homes for needy shelter animals who would otherwise be euthanised, so it's a win-win for everybody involved.
The latest, compiled and edited by author Chris Pourteau, is Tails Of The Apocalypse, an interesting take on the apocalyptic genre which features animals as the protagonists, and humans as secondary characters. While some may consider this a somewhat silly idea, (I have to admit, this even warranted a raised eyebrow from me at first) a taster of the first "tail" from David Bruns quickly lays the foundation for a stellar line up of varied and well-crafted short stories from an impressive list of some of the most talented authors on the indie scene.
As the collection unfolds, it's hard not to be impressed by the standard here. It would have been very easy for these stories to be overly schmaltzy, and rely on the "Old Yeller" school of sentimental overload, but where Tails Of The Apocalypse stands out is by doing the exact opposite. The animal characters are portrayed with immense respect, but hurled into horrifying situations that test them to the extreme, and as with many animals, the unconditional loyalty of some is their greatest trait, despite how they might have been treated by others, and despite all the authors involved being animal lovers, they are first and foremost post-apocalyptic writers and are not afraid to take both their characters and readers to the darkest of places.
Standouts include contributions from Nick Cole, who makes a welcome return to the world of his post-apocalyptic masterpiece The Wasteland Saga, as well as those from Chris Pourteau himself, E.E. Giorgi, Todd Barselow, Jennifer Ellis and Michael Bunker, but to be honest this is just down to my personal taste. It's hard to pick favourites from this collection, as the standard really is that high.
More importantly, when you purchase a copy of Tails From The Apocalypse, $1 from every copy sold until the end of 2015 will be donated to Pets For Vets, which matches shelter dogs with military veterans. Personnel train the animals as special companions for veterans suffering from emotional trauma, like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and it provides a valuable service for veterans, as well as finding homes for needy shelter animals who would otherwise be euthanised, so it's a win-win for everybody involved.
May 14, 2018
This is a collection of short stories... Tails... about what happens to the animals in the wake of an apocalyptic event. Post-Apocalypse or Inter-Apocalypse are tough times for people, but have you ever thought about what you would do with your cat in a zombie outbreak? What happens to Fluffy the bunny or Bubbles the goldfish when aliens invade? For our four-legged friends, their dependence on humans is the biggest liability they have in a cataclysm... catastrophe... dogvastation... cowlamity... ok, I’ll stop now.
The Water Finder’s Shadow by David Bruns (5 star)
When You Open the Cages for Those Who Can’t(a Breakers short story) by Edward W. Robertson (3 stars)
Protector by Stefan Bolz (3.5 star)
The Poetry of Santiago by Jennifer Ellis (5 stars)
Demon and Emily (a Symphony of War short story) by David Adams (3 stars)
Keena’s Lament (a Weston Files short story) by Hank Garner (3 stars)
Tomorrow Found (a Wasteland Saga short story) by Nick Cole (4 stars)
Pet Shop (an After the Cure short story) by Deirdre Gould (4 stars)
Kael Takes Wing (a Mayake Chronicles short story) by E.E. Giorgi (3 stars)
The Bear’s Child by Harlow C. Fallon (2.5 stars)
Wings of Paradise by Todd Bareselow (0 stars)
Ghost Light by Steven Savile (4 stars)
Kristy’s Song (a Pennsylvania short story) by Michael Bunker (4 stars)
Unconditional by Chris Pourteau (4 stars)
The actual story-telling in most of these was quite good. The structure was choppy in a few, but mostly the ones that were done with the animal as narrator. I found them fun. Of course, we are talking about apocalypse events, so most are of a sad bent. That being said, they are also very touching. I especially love the ones where the animals illustrate their loyalty to the humans for whom they care.
The only negative I have is that it was heavily dog-centric. I like doggos, but I’m a cat person at heart, so I would have liked to see more from that angle.
Now we get to the individual story reviews. The way I reach my overall rating is to review each story (0-5 stars) and average them together for the book. That brings this one in at 3.5 stars overall, and I call it a Tail Wagging Read.
Be warned, the individual reviews probably contain spoilers:
The Water Finder’s Shadow by David Bruns (5 star)
Only special humans can find water in a dried-out future Earth, and their worth as anything but slaves is tied to that talent. One man finds that his talent is linked to his dog, but dogs don’t live forever.
This is one of the best in the book. Warning: if you have ever watched a beloved pet grow old and fade away, this WILL bring you to tears.
When You Open the Cages for Those Who Can’t(a Breakers short story) by Edward W. Robertson (3 stars)
A little girl who’s parents succumb to a Plague outbreak takes it upon herself to help the animals at a local shelter when the people don’t come back. She learns a harsh lesson about evil among the remnants of humanity, but true friendship in the form of her chosen furry peoples. This story shows promise for the series it is based upon, which I might need to check out.
Protector by Stefan Bolz (3.5 star)
An act of kindness toward a wounded wolf cub in a time of desperation creates a loyalty that saves a clan. Quite a well-written story. It has good pacing and tension. Another teary eyed ending for me.
The Poetry of Santiago by Jennifer Ellis (5 stars)
A long-lived cat adopts an antique store widower in doomed modern Pompei. The only cat-focused story of the book. It is well done, and the perspective of the cat felt almost perfect.
Demon and Emily (a Symphony of War short story) by David Adams (3 stars)
A family flees an invasion by sentient alien bug-beings, but tragedy strikes on the way. The young daughter and her dog, Demon, end up with the army as they attempt to evacuate. This is a decent story, and I’m interested in the series because of it. I can only give it three stars though. I would like to it four stars, but the ending felt forced into a sad one when it could easily have been happy.
Keena’s Lament (a Weston Files short story) by Hank Garner (3 stars)
An interesting take on the Flood of Noah from the perspective of a Watcher (a descendant of the fallen angels among men). He sees the building of the Ark, but doesn’t believe. He has a canine companion who witnesses the end with him. Entertaining, but I tend to frown on odd Biblical twists that contradict things.
Tomorrow Found (a Wasteland Saga short story) by Nick Cole (4 stars)
A wanderer twenty years after the apocalypse searches for the past with the help of dog who keeps him going. Another great story in the book. Excellent glimpse of the world in a short story, with a character whose drive to complete his task has you rooting for him and his friend.
Pet Shop (an After the Cure short story) by Deirdre Gould (4 stars)
A pet shop parrot named Surly Shirley finds friendship despite the zombie apocalypse, but her new friend might be too soft for this new world, especially considering the company he’s keeping. I liked the story, and I liked the portrayal of the parrot’s personality which is the reason I give it four stars. I do have to say that it’s only the premise that that makes the human protagonist anything but a useless idiot in the zombie apocalypse. I can’t fault the storytelling at all, so four stars it is.
Kael Takes Wing (a Mayake Chronicles short story) by E.E. Giorgi (3 stars)
A doomed falcon chick is rescued by survivors of the apocalypse and given tech upgrades and made part of the family. Although I never picked up what the apocalyptic event was, the story is fine without the info. It’s told from the perspective of the falcon, and is very interesting. Another series that might need investigating.
The Bear’s Child by Harlow C. Fallon (2.5 stars)
A ‘feral’ human survivor of a disease apocalypse, a self-imposed outcast of her own clan, is adopted by a mama grizzly in her efforts to escape other ‘civilized’ humans who are out to exterminate all the diseased ferals. The story was decent, but it left too much unexplained.
Wings of Paradise by Todd Bareselow (0 stars)
Quote from Paragraph 2:
“Of the seven billion people living when the world ended, only a few thousand souls survived ... Within six months, most of them were gone too, victims of the plague unleashed by the Earth’s core in retribution for a century of cumulative abuse. Fracking for oil and natural gas was the undoing of man.”
No. Just No. I quit reading there. I refuse to pollute my mind with bullcrap. NO STARS FOR YOU!
Ghost Light by Steven Savile (4 stars)
A planeload of passengers crash-land in Scotland when the nukes fall. They hope for and soon search for a reason to go on, but they really just want to go home.
This one starts oddly. Then it continues oddly. The ending is a surprise that totally made me re-evaluate the story. It’s good, and I won’t spoil it for anyone.
Kristy’s Song (a Pennsylvania short story) by Michael Bunker (4 stars)
A dog helps a man avoid totalitarian technocracy in a city on the Shelf of New Pennsylvania.
I didn’t realize what world this was written in when I read it, but it made sense afterward. I have read the Pennsylvania series and it is quite good. Michael Bunk is a great story teller. This one is no exception.
Unconditional by Chris Pourteau (4 stars)
A small dog who loves a small boy and considers him to be his twin, will stop at nothing and do whatever it takes to show his love, no matter what that means in a zombie apocalypse.
Great story telling from the dog’s point of view. The ending is perfect... and shocking.
February 3, 2016
The authors of these stories were largely unknown to me, and many have written stories that fit into their established post-apocalypse worlds. The introductions give a good idea of what the rest of their work might be like, and at least four authors I’d like to follow-up. That in itself is praise for the stories, but really, there isn’t a dud in them, and most of them are heart warming and heart breaking stories, that anyone who has ever loved an animal will enjoy – and relive the pain of separation. If it also gives you the “what if” question – as in “what if I didn’t come home one day; how would my pets cope?”, then make some plans for that eventuality and make sure you carry a card on you at all times!
The stories are so varied; there are many individually loved, home-loving pets, as well as rescue, petshop, and wild animals. The post-apocalyptic worlds tend to divide between a few months or years after, when gang rule is established, with varying consequences, and actual, BOOM, here it is now – but you’ve survived (or maybe not). Some of the stories survive in my increasingly bad memory better than others, but every time I say ‘good boy’ to one of my guinea pigs, I can hear Emily’s dog talking – he knows he’s a good boy, because Emily told him so. That was one of the best, and most heart-breaking, I think (since I’m tearing up at the memory, it must be!).
Whether you like animals or like ideas about how to survive the Big One, or even just because you like really good stories, buy this book. The proceeds go to a very apt charity, Vets for Pets.
The stories are so varied; there are many individually loved, home-loving pets, as well as rescue, petshop, and wild animals. The post-apocalyptic worlds tend to divide between a few months or years after, when gang rule is established, with varying consequences, and actual, BOOM, here it is now – but you’ve survived (or maybe not). Some of the stories survive in my increasingly bad memory better than others, but every time I say ‘good boy’ to one of my guinea pigs, I can hear Emily’s dog talking – he knows he’s a good boy, because Emily told him so. That was one of the best, and most heart-breaking, I think (since I’m tearing up at the memory, it must be!).
Whether you like animals or like ideas about how to survive the Big One, or even just because you like really good stories, buy this book. The proceeds go to a very apt charity, Vets for Pets.
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