Immanence

by J.L. Aldis (Editor), Spring Strahm, Matthew Joseph Harrington

The gods and demons of ages past didn’t simply give up and walk away when people stopped believing in them . . .

They’re still here, still real.

In our workplaces. In our homes.

They’re with us from the day we’re born until the day we die. And beyond.

The seventeen stories of IMMANENCE will beguile and amuse you. They will challenge and terrify you. Like the gods and demons themselves, each will show a different face to you.

And you will never forget them.

372 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2016

Reviews

[Lorrie Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because some of the stories were written by people whose fiction I have admired elsewhere, and I've read the first six stories so far. What surprised me is that these profoundly well-edited short stories are even higher in quality than the stories that made me want to seek out these authors in the first place. That kind of stunned me, actually. They're beautifully crafted. "Fixation," for example, is neatly self-contained while hinting at a lushly imagined larger universe. "The Last Piece of Fudge in Hell" takes a serious core concept and loads it with character and wry humor. I'm going to end up buying this book as a gift for more than one friend, I think.

[Septentrion · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the stories in this anthology are well written. I liked some better than others, especially the first 2 stories, the Semi-Detached of Usher and Brother Aelthestan's Paintbrush, this last one being more like a Middle-Age story.

[Patricia Burroughs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I just finish reading? A short story anthology by my publisher, Story Spring Publishing. This is their second short story anthology and I make it a point to read all of them for two reasons. One, they are good. Two, I am putting out a short story anthology later this year with SSP and I love seeing the beautiful job they do with their publishing crew.

Immanence is the second of their anthologies edited by JL Aldis, and I will go ahead and say it. The first one was good. This one is terrific.

What happens when humanity and deity meet?

So many fabulous stories and writers, so many fabulous deities and locations, and it's hard to isolate any single story. Certainly you should go read the first story which is free when you read the sample on Amazon or elsewhere. Antioch Grey's British wit is saber-edged, and I finished it ready to dive in and read more. If you like short stories with supernatural elements, this one is one you really need to check out.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up as I know one of the authors. Quite fun! "Who Tricks the Tricksters" has an amusing Neil Gaiman meets John M. Ford vibe. I should probably go through that one again once I've actually finished drinking my morning tea, as I'm sure a missed a lot!

[Jennifer Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful!

I highly recommend this collection. The stories by Libby Weber and Antioch Grey are especially good, and I hope to see more from them.