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Dark Flash
Eight stories of dark fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Featuring unicorns, pirates, a cat, a demon, magic, and glimpses of mythology (among other things) - there's a pinch of everything in this collection of flash fiction! All eight stories originally appeared on R.B. Wood's Word Count Podcast, and are now available as an ebook for the first time.
55 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2016
21 people want to read
About the author
Maria Haskins
56 books141 followersMaria Haskins is a Swedish-Canadian writer and reviewer of speculative fiction. She was born and grew up in Sweden, and debuted as a writer there, but now lives just outside Vancouver with two kids, a husband, a snake, several noisy birds, and a very large black dog.
Her work is available in the short story collections WOLVES AND GIRLS (2023) and SIX DREAMS ABOUT THE TRAIN (2021).
Her work has appeared in several magazines and anthologies, including Best Horror of the Year, Lightspeed, Nightmare, The Deadlands, Shimmer, Cast of Wonders, Mythic Delirium, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Flash Fiction Online, and elsewhere.
She has had several books published in Sweden, but since 2015 she writes mainly in English.
Her work is available in the short story collections WOLVES AND GIRLS (2023) and SIX DREAMS ABOUT THE TRAIN (2021).
Her work has appeared in several magazines and anthologies, including Best Horror of the Year, Lightspeed, Nightmare, The Deadlands, Shimmer, Cast of Wonders, Mythic Delirium, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Flash Fiction Online, and elsewhere.
She has had several books published in Sweden, but since 2015 she writes mainly in English.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 11, 2023
This little collection of flash fiction popped up in my 'recommended' Amazon section, and I'm an impulsive book buyer, so I grabbed it right away. I've been really enjoying reading short stories/novellas lately due to time constraints in my personal life (3+ jobs is no joke, friends!), so when I saw this, I thought it seemed right up my alley.
I hadn't read anything by Maria Haskins before, but after getting through this, I can see that she's got a clear voice to her writing. While a couple of the entries to this were a bit less fleshed out than I'd have liked, I do understand that there are hard limitations to what you can convey in a matter of pages - and honestly, I think the author did a really great job here overall.
It'd be hard to categorize this into a single genre, although I completely agree that its name, "Dark Flash", just about covers it. Dark fantasy, horror, My favorites in this collection were "The Unicorn" and "Chiaroscuro" - the ending to both took me by surprise, which is an effect I really adore books (especially short stories!) having on me. I also really enjoyed the callback to the previous "Miriam and Cat" in the last story, "The Demon" - a really excellent way to wrap up the collection, in my opinion!
This was a super quick read, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone either looking for something quick and entertaining, or just trying to branch out into the flash fiction genre. Bonus that it's written by a lady, and I've been really trying to even out my 'read' authors since noticing that I lean heavily toward male writers!
4 stars overall.
I hadn't read anything by Maria Haskins before, but after getting through this, I can see that she's got a clear voice to her writing. While a couple of the entries to this were a bit less fleshed out than I'd have liked, I do understand that there are hard limitations to what you can convey in a matter of pages - and honestly, I think the author did a really great job here overall.
It'd be hard to categorize this into a single genre, although I completely agree that its name, "Dark Flash", just about covers it. Dark fantasy, horror, My favorites in this collection were "The Unicorn" and "Chiaroscuro" - the ending to both took me by surprise, which is an effect I really adore books (especially short stories!) having on me. I also really enjoyed the callback to the previous "Miriam and Cat" in the last story, "The Demon" - a really excellent way to wrap up the collection, in my opinion!
This was a super quick read, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone either looking for something quick and entertaining, or just trying to branch out into the flash fiction genre. Bonus that it's written by a lady, and I've been really trying to even out my 'read' authors since noticing that I lean heavily toward male writers!
4 stars overall.
February 9, 2017
Dark Flash is a collection of 8 flash fiction stories that originally appeared on R.B. Wood's Word Count Podcast. I remember reading a couple of them when the author posted them on her website and I enjoyed them, so I jumped at the chance to read an e-book with all of the stories in it. The first story "The Unicorn" was one of those that I had already read. It's a fantasy tale that contains a touch of magic and horror. It is a wonderfully imaginative story that has an unexpected twist at the end. A common thread running through most of these stories is that of memories, and sometimes memories from past lives or other worlds.
The second story,"Nemesis", is a fascinating and entertaining story that looks at the idea of reincarnation and past lives. It's followed by the poignant "Miriam and Cat". This story was one I'd read before but on re-reading I picked up on another theme that runs through the story, one which I'd missed on the first reading. It's a wonderful fantasy tale about loyalty and dependence, told in an enchanting way with a cat being the main character.
"Treasure Island" is another story where different worlds and timelines collide in the most interesting way. This one will have you guessing until the end and even then you won't be sure; it's a multi-layered and thought-provoking tale about dreams and revenge.
"True Words (Kirke's Bed & Breakfast)" is a dark, speculative fiction tale that builds slowly. Chloe has returned to a beach that holds a secret from her youth. The author weaves a mystical tale with a breathtaking ending.
"Chiaroscuro" is probably my favourite story in this collection. It's a story of obsession and secrets that will keep you guessing up until its surprising ending.
"OK Computer" is an awesome science fiction story about computers, future technology, and precognition. The ending again is one that creeps up on you unexpectedly.
The final story, "The Demon", is a bit of a thriller, and it also contains elements of fantasy and magic. It has a satisfying and unexpected ending; a great way to end this brilliant collection of stories.
Maria Haskins' tales are short but full of substance. These are the sort of stories that you could read again and again, and each time you'll take something else from them. They are full of imaginative, thought-provoking ideas and otherworldly characters. The prose is eloquent and draws the reader in with intriguing storylines and fantastical journeys to other worlds and timelines. It will make you think.
The second story,"Nemesis", is a fascinating and entertaining story that looks at the idea of reincarnation and past lives. It's followed by the poignant "Miriam and Cat". This story was one I'd read before but on re-reading I picked up on another theme that runs through the story, one which I'd missed on the first reading. It's a wonderful fantasy tale about loyalty and dependence, told in an enchanting way with a cat being the main character.
"Treasure Island" is another story where different worlds and timelines collide in the most interesting way. This one will have you guessing until the end and even then you won't be sure; it's a multi-layered and thought-provoking tale about dreams and revenge.
"True Words (Kirke's Bed & Breakfast)" is a dark, speculative fiction tale that builds slowly. Chloe has returned to a beach that holds a secret from her youth. The author weaves a mystical tale with a breathtaking ending.
"Chiaroscuro" is probably my favourite story in this collection. It's a story of obsession and secrets that will keep you guessing up until its surprising ending.
"OK Computer" is an awesome science fiction story about computers, future technology, and precognition. The ending again is one that creeps up on you unexpectedly.
The final story, "The Demon", is a bit of a thriller, and it also contains elements of fantasy and magic. It has a satisfying and unexpected ending; a great way to end this brilliant collection of stories.
Maria Haskins' tales are short but full of substance. These are the sort of stories that you could read again and again, and each time you'll take something else from them. They are full of imaginative, thought-provoking ideas and otherworldly characters. The prose is eloquent and draws the reader in with intriguing storylines and fantastical journeys to other worlds and timelines. It will make you think.
February 19, 2017
Good authors are able to weave an interesting tale, over time, with an abundance of words. Great authors are able to capture us, their stories demanding attention, with a minimum of words. Maria Haskins is one such great author. Her words are precise tools, and she wields them like a magic wand, lifting us out of wherever we are and dropping us straight into her imagination.
These stories all share a dark edge, with surprising turns and unique concepts. They are like mini portraits, full of color and texture. You'll smile and gasp - and you will remember them.
These stories all share a dark edge, with surprising turns and unique concepts. They are like mini portraits, full of color and texture. You'll smile and gasp - and you will remember them.
December 8, 2016
Perfect Name for this Collection
Maria is a talented writer of dark fiction. These flash fiction stories are well written, tantalizing, and entertaining. You'll experience unexpected twists and excellent tales. Do yourself a favor and get these stories.
Maria is a talented writer of dark fiction. These flash fiction stories are well written, tantalizing, and entertaining. You'll experience unexpected twists and excellent tales. Do yourself a favor and get these stories.
December 21, 2020
Eight quick tales. Dark, but fast enough I could tolerate any discomfort. Miriam and Cat was sweet, the only darkness a distant death, and it's positioned near enough to the start that it glues the collection together in a way that propels a hesitant reader along.
A few have "reveal" twists at the end, but they weren't cheesy or unearned. I'd have liked one more story similar to Miriam and Cat as a palate cleanser at the very end. Can you tell I'm a frightened rabbit who shouldn't read dark tales before bed?
The entire collection is a glimpse at Haskin's writing, but I do think her more recent work has a fullness and evocative voice that this set of stories hints toward but doesn't quite capture. She's a marvelous writer, which is why I picked up this little book. This would make a great buy for someone who doesn't have a lot of reading time, but wants to feel immediately immersed in what time they have. Each of these stories feels larger than it is, hinting at a full world right behind the curtain.
A few have "reveal" twists at the end, but they weren't cheesy or unearned. I'd have liked one more story similar to Miriam and Cat as a palate cleanser at the very end. Can you tell I'm a frightened rabbit who shouldn't read dark tales before bed?
The entire collection is a glimpse at Haskin's writing, but I do think her more recent work has a fullness and evocative voice that this set of stories hints toward but doesn't quite capture. She's a marvelous writer, which is why I picked up this little book. This would make a great buy for someone who doesn't have a lot of reading time, but wants to feel immediately immersed in what time they have. Each of these stories feels larger than it is, hinting at a full world right behind the curtain.
December 9, 2016
Maria Haskins is a helluva writer. Full disclosure here, she's right alongside one of my stories in the Tales From Alternate Earths book, so you might well think I'm biased. I am. In favour of quality.
What I love about Maria's writing is how she is able to create such a big world in such few words.
This collection is all flash fiction - a short and sweet read - but of course in flash fiction you can't do much more than create a vignette, a moment in time, a fragment, right? And then here comes Maria with her first story, The Unicorn, and creates a legend.
I don't know how she does it, but I'm awfully glad she does.
An aside, each of these stories were originally submitted to the Word Count podcast from RB Wood - which I've reviewed over in my podcast column. It too is very well worth your time.
What I love about Maria's writing is how she is able to create such a big world in such few words.
This collection is all flash fiction - a short and sweet read - but of course in flash fiction you can't do much more than create a vignette, a moment in time, a fragment, right? And then here comes Maria with her first story, The Unicorn, and creates a legend.
I don't know how she does it, but I'm awfully glad she does.
An aside, each of these stories were originally submitted to the Word Count podcast from RB Wood - which I've reviewed over in my podcast column. It too is very well worth your time.
May 18, 2017
I've read some of Maria Haskins poetry and flash fiction in the past. because I've enjoyed it, I decided to give a collection of her flash fiction a read. I'm happy to have done so.
As with most flash fiction, it can be a hit and miss. Length is a major factor that shapes each story and what can be done within the limited word count. Haskins has more hits than misses, in my opinion. Not every story wowed me, but many did. She's able to work a lot of "story" into each story, keep the pace fast without making them feel short, and come up with a variety of ideas that also work together nicely.
I'll definitely continue to read Haskins' work. Especially the flash fiction. Having finished Dark flash, I'm now also curious what Haskins can do with a longer form, whether it's short stories or novels.
As with most flash fiction, it can be a hit and miss. Length is a major factor that shapes each story and what can be done within the limited word count. Haskins has more hits than misses, in my opinion. Not every story wowed me, but many did. She's able to work a lot of "story" into each story, keep the pace fast without making them feel short, and come up with a variety of ideas that also work together nicely.
I'll definitely continue to read Haskins' work. Especially the flash fiction. Having finished Dark flash, I'm now also curious what Haskins can do with a longer form, whether it's short stories or novels.
June 12, 2018
Surprisingly full characters in short story format
I was thrilled to read this collection of interesting and thought-provoking short format stories! Haskins has taken common themes of everyday living and given them a dark twist.
In the end you may want more from Haskins, but not from any of these stories!
I was thrilled to read this collection of interesting and thought-provoking short format stories! Haskins has taken common themes of everyday living and given them a dark twist.
In the end you may want more from Haskins, but not from any of these stories!
February 24, 2017
The Unicorn 1
Nemesis 4
Miriam and Cat 4
Treasure Island 4
True Words 1
Chiaroscuro 5
OK Computer 5
The Demon 5
Nemesis 4
Miriam and Cat 4
Treasure Island 4
True Words 1
Chiaroscuro 5
OK Computer 5
The Demon 5
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews