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Tales of Wonder
Science Fantasy is the collision of science fiction and fantasy - where the impossible and the improbable come together. This is a universe of spaceships and sorcery, of mechanics and magic, where zeppelins soar through the ether and conjurers stalk dark tunnels with a ball of light in their fist. So cut loose, let slip the mooring ropes on your imagination, and join these nine authors as they set course for the horizon - and beyond.
Nine tales of science. Nine tales of fantasy. Nine tales to make you wonder.
Nine tales of science. Nine tales of fantasy. Nine tales to make you wonder.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 21, 2017
10 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Swift-Hook
49 books204 followersE.M. Swift-Hook is the author of the Fortune's Fools dark space opera series and co-author of the alternate history whodunits the Dai and Julia Mysteries.
In the words that Robert Heinlein put into the mouth of Lazarus Long: 'Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.'
Having tried a number of different careers, before settling in the North-East of England with family, three dogs, cats and a small flock of rescued chickens, she now spends a lot of time in private and has very clean hands.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 27, 2017
This is an eclectic collection of cleverly written tales. It has a bleakness that can catch at your throat.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
July 10, 2017
You cannot pick a bad story.
You really can’t. This collection of stories ranges from REALLY GOOD to NO FREAKIN’ WAY! The theme seems to be adventure, but not all of the adventures are in space. We have heros and heroines of all shapes and sizes popping up to save their families, their ship and, in one story, a future Anonymous member (not really, but sort of).
Each author has a personal style, of course, but all of them were well versed in the nuances of good writing, excellent plot development and wonderful character development. For a short story to work, the reader needs to be able to grab ahold of a character’s hand and dive into the world head-first. There was not a single short here that left me standing on the edge of the pool looking in.
As for my favorite, I can’t say any one stood out or slid far to the bottom, but I just loved the way The Lair of the Thunderlord combined space travel with shamanism. Just brilliantly done.
This whole book is a delight and I recommend it!
You really can’t. This collection of stories ranges from REALLY GOOD to NO FREAKIN’ WAY! The theme seems to be adventure, but not all of the adventures are in space. We have heros and heroines of all shapes and sizes popping up to save their families, their ship and, in one story, a future Anonymous member (not really, but sort of).
Each author has a personal style, of course, but all of them were well versed in the nuances of good writing, excellent plot development and wonderful character development. For a short story to work, the reader needs to be able to grab ahold of a character’s hand and dive into the world head-first. There was not a single short here that left me standing on the edge of the pool looking in.
As for my favorite, I can’t say any one stood out or slid far to the bottom, but I just loved the way The Lair of the Thunderlord combined space travel with shamanism. Just brilliantly done.
This whole book is a delight and I recommend it!
March 14, 2017
Here are nine wonderful tales by accomplished authors that blend science and magic. Some have a Twilight Zone feel with surprising endings. Others are more action than twists. Some are mysterious, like a stage that begins in darkness and slowly lights up as the reader continues on. All are gripping.
1. The Lair of the Thunderlord, by Rob Edwards.
Martins is a photographer aboard a research spacecraft. It crashes on an alien planet, and they must find the proper magic in order to escape. Initially I found it hard to follow, but the story became clearer as I read on.
2. Changeling Child, by E.M. Swift-Hook
Tani doesn't know why her family is in danger. She knows only that she is given the magic that will hide her.
3. Kaana, by Ricardo Victoria
Kaana must find the magic to save her world from marauders. Armed and successful in their exploits, these destroyers seem unstoppable. A somewhat confusing beginning.
4. An Honest Trader, by Jessica Holmes
Pirikos, captain of a space sloop, is quite the operator, until he learns about honesty.
5. Sedna's Hair, by Jeff Provine
A space freighter of Inuits tempt fate after one scoffs at an old myth.
6. A Twist in Time, by Brent A. Harris
Oliver's life takes a twist. This is an alternate tale of a Charles Dickens character.
7. A Very Improper Adventure, by Matthew Harvey
Lillian Bierce, daughter of a lady, discovers that her mother doesn't always act the lady. And Lillian isn't always proper, herself. A mere slip of a girl, her powers are not to be underestimated.
8. Grace, by Terri Pray
Above all else, Paul loves his computer work. Grace acts more like a servant, but she is his security companion. Only when his life is threatened does he realize what she means to him.
9. The Last Sorceror, by Leo McBride
Maggie is the teenage apprentice of Eli, and they are on the run after all sorcerers are condemned to death. But if he should die, Eli has one last trick.
The stories are mostly fast-paced and flowing. They are imaginative, and the authors display a sense of mastery over technical or magical details. I enjoyed every one and was happy to learn about each author and where to find more of their works.
1. The Lair of the Thunderlord, by Rob Edwards.
Martins is a photographer aboard a research spacecraft. It crashes on an alien planet, and they must find the proper magic in order to escape. Initially I found it hard to follow, but the story became clearer as I read on.
2. Changeling Child, by E.M. Swift-Hook
Tani doesn't know why her family is in danger. She knows only that she is given the magic that will hide her.
3. Kaana, by Ricardo Victoria
Kaana must find the magic to save her world from marauders. Armed and successful in their exploits, these destroyers seem unstoppable. A somewhat confusing beginning.
4. An Honest Trader, by Jessica Holmes
Pirikos, captain of a space sloop, is quite the operator, until he learns about honesty.
5. Sedna's Hair, by Jeff Provine
A space freighter of Inuits tempt fate after one scoffs at an old myth.
6. A Twist in Time, by Brent A. Harris
Oliver's life takes a twist. This is an alternate tale of a Charles Dickens character.
7. A Very Improper Adventure, by Matthew Harvey
Lillian Bierce, daughter of a lady, discovers that her mother doesn't always act the lady. And Lillian isn't always proper, herself. A mere slip of a girl, her powers are not to be underestimated.
8. Grace, by Terri Pray
Above all else, Paul loves his computer work. Grace acts more like a servant, but she is his security companion. Only when his life is threatened does he realize what she means to him.
9. The Last Sorceror, by Leo McBride
Maggie is the teenage apprentice of Eli, and they are on the run after all sorcerers are condemned to death. But if he should die, Eli has one last trick.
The stories are mostly fast-paced and flowing. They are imaginative, and the authors display a sense of mastery over technical or magical details. I enjoyed every one and was happy to learn about each author and where to find more of their works.
February 3, 2017
Title: Tales of Wonder (A Science-Fantasy Anthology)
Authors: E. M. Swifthook, Jessica Holmes, Leo McBride,
Terry Pray, Ricardo Victoria, Matthew Harvey, Rob Edwards,
Brent A. Harris, Jeff Provine
Publisher and Copyright: ©2017 Inkling Press
Published By: Inkling Press
Price: $2.99 (Kindle)
Cathbad’s Rating: 9.5 of 10
A Review by, Cathbad
Tales of Wonder
This anthology is the fifth by Inkling Press. As one of the first of 2017, they’ve set the bar very high, indeed. Perhaps the only ones capable of doing a better anthology in 2017 might be the stable of ultra-fine authors at Inkling Press!
The Lair of the Thunderlord (Rob Edwards): Shipwrecked on an alien planet. The ship’s witch doesn’t have the power to get them back home. Strange aliens in the mix. A fast-paced story (perhaps too fast?) with some very interesting ideas: A witch’s magic explains faster-than-light speeds. Reporters on a starship! (Why hasn’t this been done before?). And one of the most unique alien lifeforms I’ve ever read. RATING: 9.0
Changeling Child (E. M. Swift-Hook): A child runs from a perceived enemy, into the grasp of a perceived ally – whom she can’t see. Tales within tales – and therein seems to be the problem. Even before reading the “Meet E. M. Swift-Hook” section, I was certain this story somehow fit into a greater narrative. I’m not sure it’s appropriate for this anthology – even though it definitely fits the duel genre! Still, it is very well written, and does make me want to read more from her universe! RATING: 8.5
Kaana (Ricardo Victoria): Wow! What a surprising story! I didn’t expect any of it. I’d often wondered what the written form of this genre would be like. From a dystopian setting, to dangerous predators preying off the vulnerable, to flying warbots! What an exciting ride! I’ll be following this author for a long time to come, no doubt!
RATING: 9.5
An Honest Trader (Jessica Holmes): Quite a different kind of story. I’d have a difficult time pigeon-holing this one in a genre. Science Fiction, yes. But SciFi-Fantasy? -Horror? or possibly -Paranormal? It seems to fit all these! After an exciting ship docking scene and subsequent down-time, the Captain of the ship tries to obtain an item from an ‘incengineer’. The deal goes bad, ending in murder! Then things get really weird! A well-written tale that might not have been my “cup of tea”, but I can still recognize the talent that wrote it! Bravo! RATING: 9.0
Sedna’s Hair (Jeff Provine): How unusual! This is a mythology story, taking place in unconfined space! I have only one real ‘complaint’. Jeff, you’re a good writer. But the overuse of adjectives at the beginning of the story was disturbing. Although colorful, for me, they were a distraction. That said, this story of cheating a goddess out of her sacrifice is a well-told and unusual read. The technology and the fantastic blend well here. And I love the characters! It’s hard to get the reader to understand the personalities behind the characters in the relatively few words of a short story, but Mr. Provine does it well, and makes those personalities a part of the story. Probably the most unusual story of the collection, and a fun read. RATING: 8.5
A Twist in Time (Brent A. Harris): A twist on the Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress story! How wonderful! Dickens would have loved it! And so did I. Oh, I did have some difficulty understanding what had happened at a few points, but all became clear, and my reading pleasure was not diminished. I so do not want to give a synopsis of this story, because even a little will give it all away! I’ll just say it fits the anthology well, and is an exciting tale, with an uplifting ending! Well done, Brent. RATING: 9.0
A Very Improper Adventure (Matthew Harvey): What a ride! We all know our mothers had a life before we were born, but we figure they were downright boring. Imagine discovering your mom used to be a spy! An on-ship shootout. A disabled ship, lost in Nowhere Land. This story is an incredible ride, from beginning to end! And, it is my personal favorite in the collection. What a mind, to have created this fantastic story! RATING: 10.0
Grace (Terry Pray): A future I don’t think I’d like. A woman protects an important scientist/code writer. Her skills are formidable; but when the chips are down, she shows what she’s really capable of! This Mark of the Beast was an interesting - and surprising – twist, but it also felt like a cheat. Put in RPG terms, it felt like I was in a 9th level adventure, when suddenly a 17th level creature came to our aid! But if the premise displeases me, the writing certainly does not! Terry once again proves her great talent, with this story. Her ability to present living characters on the written page is amazing. I’m sure this story will delight the majority of its readers. RATING: 9.0
The Last Sorcerer (Leo McBride): If you take it for granted that magic exists, then the premise of this story not only makes sense, but is only the logical conclusion, when magic collides with technology. As the Spanish Inquisition hunted for witches and blasphemers, the Techquisitors are on a hunt for the last magic user. The best thing about this story is the ending. SURPRISE! I’m not surprised by the quality of writing, though. Leo McBride has proven himself one of the best with a pen. This story does not disappoint! RATING: 9.5
When you realize all these stories are found under a single cover, you can’t help but have a “WHAAA…” moment! This is, without a doubt, one of the best anthologies I’ve ever read. Inkling Press has done it again!
All these stories in a single anthology!? I have to rate it a 9.5 out of 10!
Authors: E. M. Swifthook, Jessica Holmes, Leo McBride,
Terry Pray, Ricardo Victoria, Matthew Harvey, Rob Edwards,
Brent A. Harris, Jeff Provine
Publisher and Copyright: ©2017 Inkling Press
Published By: Inkling Press
Price: $2.99 (Kindle)
Cathbad’s Rating: 9.5 of 10
A Review by, Cathbad
Tales of Wonder
This anthology is the fifth by Inkling Press. As one of the first of 2017, they’ve set the bar very high, indeed. Perhaps the only ones capable of doing a better anthology in 2017 might be the stable of ultra-fine authors at Inkling Press!
The Lair of the Thunderlord (Rob Edwards): Shipwrecked on an alien planet. The ship’s witch doesn’t have the power to get them back home. Strange aliens in the mix. A fast-paced story (perhaps too fast?) with some very interesting ideas: A witch’s magic explains faster-than-light speeds. Reporters on a starship! (Why hasn’t this been done before?). And one of the most unique alien lifeforms I’ve ever read. RATING: 9.0
Changeling Child (E. M. Swift-Hook): A child runs from a perceived enemy, into the grasp of a perceived ally – whom she can’t see. Tales within tales – and therein seems to be the problem. Even before reading the “Meet E. M. Swift-Hook” section, I was certain this story somehow fit into a greater narrative. I’m not sure it’s appropriate for this anthology – even though it definitely fits the duel genre! Still, it is very well written, and does make me want to read more from her universe! RATING: 8.5
Kaana (Ricardo Victoria): Wow! What a surprising story! I didn’t expect any of it. I’d often wondered what the written form of this genre would be like. From a dystopian setting, to dangerous predators preying off the vulnerable, to flying warbots! What an exciting ride! I’ll be following this author for a long time to come, no doubt!
RATING: 9.5
An Honest Trader (Jessica Holmes): Quite a different kind of story. I’d have a difficult time pigeon-holing this one in a genre. Science Fiction, yes. But SciFi-Fantasy? -Horror? or possibly -Paranormal? It seems to fit all these! After an exciting ship docking scene and subsequent down-time, the Captain of the ship tries to obtain an item from an ‘incengineer’. The deal goes bad, ending in murder! Then things get really weird! A well-written tale that might not have been my “cup of tea”, but I can still recognize the talent that wrote it! Bravo! RATING: 9.0
Sedna’s Hair (Jeff Provine): How unusual! This is a mythology story, taking place in unconfined space! I have only one real ‘complaint’. Jeff, you’re a good writer. But the overuse of adjectives at the beginning of the story was disturbing. Although colorful, for me, they were a distraction. That said, this story of cheating a goddess out of her sacrifice is a well-told and unusual read. The technology and the fantastic blend well here. And I love the characters! It’s hard to get the reader to understand the personalities behind the characters in the relatively few words of a short story, but Mr. Provine does it well, and makes those personalities a part of the story. Probably the most unusual story of the collection, and a fun read. RATING: 8.5
A Twist in Time (Brent A. Harris): A twist on the Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress story! How wonderful! Dickens would have loved it! And so did I. Oh, I did have some difficulty understanding what had happened at a few points, but all became clear, and my reading pleasure was not diminished. I so do not want to give a synopsis of this story, because even a little will give it all away! I’ll just say it fits the anthology well, and is an exciting tale, with an uplifting ending! Well done, Brent. RATING: 9.0
A Very Improper Adventure (Matthew Harvey): What a ride! We all know our mothers had a life before we were born, but we figure they were downright boring. Imagine discovering your mom used to be a spy! An on-ship shootout. A disabled ship, lost in Nowhere Land. This story is an incredible ride, from beginning to end! And, it is my personal favorite in the collection. What a mind, to have created this fantastic story! RATING: 10.0
Grace (Terry Pray): A future I don’t think I’d like. A woman protects an important scientist/code writer. Her skills are formidable; but when the chips are down, she shows what she’s really capable of! This Mark of the Beast was an interesting - and surprising – twist, but it also felt like a cheat. Put in RPG terms, it felt like I was in a 9th level adventure, when suddenly a 17th level creature came to our aid! But if the premise displeases me, the writing certainly does not! Terry once again proves her great talent, with this story. Her ability to present living characters on the written page is amazing. I’m sure this story will delight the majority of its readers. RATING: 9.0
The Last Sorcerer (Leo McBride): If you take it for granted that magic exists, then the premise of this story not only makes sense, but is only the logical conclusion, when magic collides with technology. As the Spanish Inquisition hunted for witches and blasphemers, the Techquisitors are on a hunt for the last magic user. The best thing about this story is the ending. SURPRISE! I’m not surprised by the quality of writing, though. Leo McBride has proven himself one of the best with a pen. This story does not disappoint! RATING: 9.5
When you realize all these stories are found under a single cover, you can’t help but have a “WHAAA…” moment! This is, without a doubt, one of the best anthologies I’ve ever read. Inkling Press has done it again!
All these stories in a single anthology!? I have to rate it a 9.5 out of 10!
February 1, 2017
Review of Tales of Wonder Kindle Edition
by Ricardo Victoria, E. M. Swift-Hook, Matthew Harvey, Jessica Holmes, Rob Edwards, Leo Mc Bride, Terri Pray, Brent A. Harris, Jeff Provine.
I bought this anthology because I have read two books by one of the authors and really enjoyed them so looked to another tale from E. M. Swift-Hook. What I got in addition, was a series of mind-expanding stories from a group of independent authors whose books I can now chase down for many hours of entertainment.
This is a collection of Science/ Fantasy stories with a leaning toward magic rather than hard technology. It will appeal to any reader who enjoys exploring new worlds and ideas. If you have occasionally toyed with the idea of this style of fiction but have shied away from gadgets and spaceships then this would be an ideal way to dip a toe in these waters.
Here you will find adventure, suspense, romance and entertainment all spun together with enough plot twists and surprises to keep the pages turning and your reading lamp burning late into the night. At the very gentle price of £2.99, you can load this onto your Kindle and lose yourself in fascination for a very pleasant interlude.
Just the right antidote to the foul weather at this time of year and even better for passing the time as your tan develops but do remember the sun lotion as you won’t want to put the book down to apply it later.
by Ricardo Victoria, E. M. Swift-Hook, Matthew Harvey, Jessica Holmes, Rob Edwards, Leo Mc Bride, Terri Pray, Brent A. Harris, Jeff Provine.
I bought this anthology because I have read two books by one of the authors and really enjoyed them so looked to another tale from E. M. Swift-Hook. What I got in addition, was a series of mind-expanding stories from a group of independent authors whose books I can now chase down for many hours of entertainment.
This is a collection of Science/ Fantasy stories with a leaning toward magic rather than hard technology. It will appeal to any reader who enjoys exploring new worlds and ideas. If you have occasionally toyed with the idea of this style of fiction but have shied away from gadgets and spaceships then this would be an ideal way to dip a toe in these waters.
Here you will find adventure, suspense, romance and entertainment all spun together with enough plot twists and surprises to keep the pages turning and your reading lamp burning late into the night. At the very gentle price of £2.99, you can load this onto your Kindle and lose yourself in fascination for a very pleasant interlude.
Just the right antidote to the foul weather at this time of year and even better for passing the time as your tan develops but do remember the sun lotion as you won’t want to put the book down to apply it later.
July 13, 2017
TLDR: It’s a great read to just pick up and set down at your whim.
The Review:
I don’t normally read short stories, but I do love fantasy and science fiction. It’s hard to write too much about this book, as it obviously has different plots that were written by different authors, but I’ll try my best.
I’ve been busy. As in I’ve been traveling a crazy amount of time but it was never for a vacation type of busy. This book is perfect for instances like this. Just pop on a plane for a few hours and read a few stories while banging down a $5 spirit and listening to the baby three rows down lose its mind.
Every story immediately jumps into the plot and features some sort of twist, which I enjoyed, though they often came late or were ending plot twists. The writing from all of the authors is solid and very consistent. The book was clearly written by different people, but it’s cohesive.
If you’ve read the description, you’ll note it is nine stories of both fantasy and science fiction, so I really do recommend you like both to gain the most out of what this book has to offer. But if you are a fan of the two genres, you’ll more than likely enjoy this book and its interesting mash-up.
Final Thoughts:
Perfect for when you are in the mood to read something, but maybe don’t have enough time to pick up the Harry Potter book 7 length of a novel.
The Review:
I don’t normally read short stories, but I do love fantasy and science fiction. It’s hard to write too much about this book, as it obviously has different plots that were written by different authors, but I’ll try my best.
I’ve been busy. As in I’ve been traveling a crazy amount of time but it was never for a vacation type of busy. This book is perfect for instances like this. Just pop on a plane for a few hours and read a few stories while banging down a $5 spirit and listening to the baby three rows down lose its mind.
Every story immediately jumps into the plot and features some sort of twist, which I enjoyed, though they often came late or were ending plot twists. The writing from all of the authors is solid and very consistent. The book was clearly written by different people, but it’s cohesive.
If you’ve read the description, you’ll note it is nine stories of both fantasy and science fiction, so I really do recommend you like both to gain the most out of what this book has to offer. But if you are a fan of the two genres, you’ll more than likely enjoy this book and its interesting mash-up.
Final Thoughts:
Perfect for when you are in the mood to read something, but maybe don’t have enough time to pick up the Harry Potter book 7 length of a novel.
December 11, 2017
Tales of Wonder gives nine tales of science-fantasy - from nine different authors. As the blurb says, "Science Fantasy is the collision of science fiction and fantasy - where the impossible and the improbable come together." And all nine tales combine science fiction with fantasy to a greater or lesser extent - space ships that require animal sacrifice to travel across the galaxy, airships and magic, advanced technology and cursed shapefshifters, or the fight to the death between magic and technology.
All the tales kept me reading and left me thinking, though I particularly enjoyed Jeff Provine's 'Sedna's Hair' that flawlessly wove Inuit mythology with space flight and black holes, Matthew Harvey's A Very Improper Adventure with its steam punk hijinks and Brent A Harris' A Twist in Time with its timeslip retelling of a famous Dickens tale.
An enjoyable collection of fantastic tales.
All the tales kept me reading and left me thinking, though I particularly enjoyed Jeff Provine's 'Sedna's Hair' that flawlessly wove Inuit mythology with space flight and black holes, Matthew Harvey's A Very Improper Adventure with its steam punk hijinks and Brent A Harris' A Twist in Time with its timeslip retelling of a famous Dickens tale.
An enjoyable collection of fantastic tales.
May 12, 2017
A collection of Sci fi stories. I will write individual reviews.
THE LAIR OF THE THUNDERLORD
Simons is on a ship that crashes into a planet where they find an insectaur race. Filled with suspense and action. 3/5
CHANGELING CHILD
The Lowlanders are chasing Tani's da so they try to escape. Can they? Filled with mystical beings, magic and action. 5/5
KAANA
Kanna's village is already suffering a food shortage and then the marauders arrive after emptying another village of everything. Fantasy, action and excellent descriptions. 3/5
AN HONEST TRADER
Pirikos is a captain dealing in magical goods when he comes across an incengineer who uses unconventional methods for his devices. Quite dark and gory and filled with magic and piracy. 4/5
SEDNA'S HAIR
Irniq is a navigator who's Captain is a robot. His crew mates tell a tale of Sedna and he then has to perform the ritual. Betrayal, Sci fi and legends. 3/5
A TWIST IN TIME
Oliver twist meets time travel. Fantastic and unique short story, best so far!! 5/5
A VERY IMPROPER ADVENTURE
Lilly witnesses an assassination and after talking her mother her mum decides they need to flee on a cruise. However, the assailant has the same idea. Action packed short spy story. 5/5
GRACE
Grace is Pauls body guard. When raiders attack he realises how much she means to him but is it too late? A tale of magic and mystical beings. 3/5
THE LAST SORCEROR
Eli is a sorcerer and Maggie is apprentice running from London and the Techquisition. Unexpected ending. 3/5
Not the usual sort of genre I read but I quite enjoyed, some more than others, which is to be expected. Excellent descriptions and unique tales xx
THE LAIR OF THE THUNDERLORD
Simons is on a ship that crashes into a planet where they find an insectaur race. Filled with suspense and action. 3/5
CHANGELING CHILD
The Lowlanders are chasing Tani's da so they try to escape. Can they? Filled with mystical beings, magic and action. 5/5
KAANA
Kanna's village is already suffering a food shortage and then the marauders arrive after emptying another village of everything. Fantasy, action and excellent descriptions. 3/5
AN HONEST TRADER
Pirikos is a captain dealing in magical goods when he comes across an incengineer who uses unconventional methods for his devices. Quite dark and gory and filled with magic and piracy. 4/5
SEDNA'S HAIR
Irniq is a navigator who's Captain is a robot. His crew mates tell a tale of Sedna and he then has to perform the ritual. Betrayal, Sci fi and legends. 3/5
A TWIST IN TIME
Oliver twist meets time travel. Fantastic and unique short story, best so far!! 5/5
A VERY IMPROPER ADVENTURE
Lilly witnesses an assassination and after talking her mother her mum decides they need to flee on a cruise. However, the assailant has the same idea. Action packed short spy story. 5/5
GRACE
Grace is Pauls body guard. When raiders attack he realises how much she means to him but is it too late? A tale of magic and mystical beings. 3/5
THE LAST SORCEROR
Eli is a sorcerer and Maggie is apprentice running from London and the Techquisition. Unexpected ending. 3/5
Not the usual sort of genre I read but I quite enjoyed, some more than others, which is to be expected. Excellent descriptions and unique tales xx
December 30, 2017
Tales of Wonder
(anthology - by EM Swift-Hook and others)
I have very much enjoyed reading Tales of Wonder - nine tales of science-fantasy - from nine different authors.
As the blurb says, "Science Fantasy is the collision of science fiction and fantasy - where the impossible and the improbable come together." However what I found most interesting is the play on Arthur C. Clarke's adage (again from the blurb) that "any advanced technology is undistinguisable from magic" so that sometimes which element of the story was technical
and which magical could be so suprisingly revealed.
I especially enjoyed the weaving of old folk tales with science fiction elements as in "The Changeling Child" as well as the mixture of familiar tales with unexpected twists. An excellent collection of heros and heroines (such as Kaana, the Ladies Bierce and Grace) and even unexpected twists in who the hero or anti-hero of the tale might be (as in "An Honest Trader") kept me reading on.
All nine tales combine science fiction with fantasy to a greater or lesser extent - but I found them all enjoyable and reading this anthology was a tantalising taste
of so many different imagined worlds that it was a very good read.
An enjoyable collection of fantastic tales told well.
(anthology - by EM Swift-Hook and others)
I have very much enjoyed reading Tales of Wonder - nine tales of science-fantasy - from nine different authors.
As the blurb says, "Science Fantasy is the collision of science fiction and fantasy - where the impossible and the improbable come together." However what I found most interesting is the play on Arthur C. Clarke's adage (again from the blurb) that "any advanced technology is undistinguisable from magic" so that sometimes which element of the story was technical
and which magical could be so suprisingly revealed.
I especially enjoyed the weaving of old folk tales with science fiction elements as in "The Changeling Child" as well as the mixture of familiar tales with unexpected twists. An excellent collection of heros and heroines (such as Kaana, the Ladies Bierce and Grace) and even unexpected twists in who the hero or anti-hero of the tale might be (as in "An Honest Trader") kept me reading on.
All nine tales combine science fiction with fantasy to a greater or lesser extent - but I found them all enjoyable and reading this anthology was a tantalising taste
of so many different imagined worlds that it was a very good read.
An enjoyable collection of fantastic tales told well.
August 30, 2017
So many great stories in one place!
Some of the author's I was familiar with, and others...not so. But saying that, each brought their on brand of story telling to the table in this well written, well paced anthology. There was a good mixture of Science Fiction and Fantasy, and some of the stories were slightly better than others, meaning I could engage more with certain elements than with others. Overall though, it was a fantastic read...well done guy's!
Some of the author's I was familiar with, and others...not so. But saying that, each brought their on brand of story telling to the table in this well written, well paced anthology. There was a good mixture of Science Fiction and Fantasy, and some of the stories were slightly better than others, meaning I could engage more with certain elements than with others. Overall though, it was a fantastic read...well done guy's!
March 4, 2017
I received a copy of this book from one of the authors for an honest review. All that follows is my opinion and I had no compensation for this review.
The concept of Science Fantasy is intriguing. I'm not a big science fiction fan, but I do love fantasy. And before you ask, I consider Steampunk more as fantasy, but I can see why it would be Science Fantasy. And if that is the case, then I am not new to the concept.
Tales of Wonder is an anthology of nine stories from nine different authors. Each story has their own style, but the anthology works well. I have read quite a few anthologies from Inklings Press and to be honest, I have yet to read one where a short story didn't fit with the rest of the collection. It's almost as if there is one author instead of nine.
Don't misconstrue that. I mean only that they are developed well together. Each story has their own world, concept, and voice that makes them as unique as the author.
I find that the easy flow between stories also helps with the speed of reading the book. It doesn't take long to get halfway through the book in one sitting. I'm not finding myself needing a break between stories because the concept is just too much. I actually want to jump into the next story right away.
I am looking forward to the next Inklings Press anthology.
The concept of Science Fantasy is intriguing. I'm not a big science fiction fan, but I do love fantasy. And before you ask, I consider Steampunk more as fantasy, but I can see why it would be Science Fantasy. And if that is the case, then I am not new to the concept.
Tales of Wonder is an anthology of nine stories from nine different authors. Each story has their own style, but the anthology works well. I have read quite a few anthologies from Inklings Press and to be honest, I have yet to read one where a short story didn't fit with the rest of the collection. It's almost as if there is one author instead of nine.
Don't misconstrue that. I mean only that they are developed well together. Each story has their own world, concept, and voice that makes them as unique as the author.
I find that the easy flow between stories also helps with the speed of reading the book. It doesn't take long to get halfway through the book in one sitting. I'm not finding myself needing a break between stories because the concept is just too much. I actually want to jump into the next story right away.
I am looking forward to the next Inklings Press anthology.
February 12, 2017
Anthologies can be difficult to review, often because the quality of writing and story content varies widely. This one gives me no such dilemma. I've learned that Inklings Press maintains a high standard, and we readers can jump into these anthologies with confidence whether or not we're familiar with the writers.
This collection of stories takes on the blend of science fiction and fantasy, with an emphasis on various aspects of magic. This is a unique blend, at least in my reading experience, and (I'm going to be cheeky) it worked like a charm! Really, who doesn't love magic? The sci-fi backdrop within all the stories is reader-friendly. I want to call it lightweight sci-fi, but I don't mean that as a derogatory statement. The various worlds these authors create are easy to fall into. Sometimes sci-fi can be overly complicated, appealing only to hard-core sci-fi fans, but that is not the case here at all.
Each story is exceptionally well written, with complex characters and compelling plots. We have humor, drama, mystery, adventure, and thought-provoking content.
As with any collection of stories, some stood out for me more than others. The difference had nothing to do with the writer's talent, but only that some concepts appealed to me more than others did. That being said, I truly enjoyed each and every story.
If you're looking for a fun diversion from the drudgery of reality, I highly recommend losing yourself in Tales of Wonder.
*I was provided with a free ebook copy in exchange for my honest review. And I swear I'm always honest. My opinions are never for sale.*
This collection of stories takes on the blend of science fiction and fantasy, with an emphasis on various aspects of magic. This is a unique blend, at least in my reading experience, and (I'm going to be cheeky) it worked like a charm! Really, who doesn't love magic? The sci-fi backdrop within all the stories is reader-friendly. I want to call it lightweight sci-fi, but I don't mean that as a derogatory statement. The various worlds these authors create are easy to fall into. Sometimes sci-fi can be overly complicated, appealing only to hard-core sci-fi fans, but that is not the case here at all.
Each story is exceptionally well written, with complex characters and compelling plots. We have humor, drama, mystery, adventure, and thought-provoking content.
As with any collection of stories, some stood out for me more than others. The difference had nothing to do with the writer's talent, but only that some concepts appealed to me more than others did. That being said, I truly enjoyed each and every story.
If you're looking for a fun diversion from the drudgery of reality, I highly recommend losing yourself in Tales of Wonder.
*I was provided with a free ebook copy in exchange for my honest review. And I swear I'm always honest. My opinions are never for sale.*
February 5, 2017
I find it hard to review anthologies because I hate to single out one author above another. I have to say this collection of nine stories by nine authors is a great one to grab especially if you are someone who enjoys Star Wars type story telling. This collection is well written and I found the stories fascinating and a great journey to a different realm. Readers can not only get a peek at each author's writing style but after the stories they get a sneak peek at a small author bio.
June 23, 2018
Fun, Humorous, & Haunting
Tales of Wonder portrays a fascinating place where modern science-fantasy rubs shoulders with steampunk pasts and alternative futures. From space ships propelled by chickens to an alien explanation for ancient folklore, from a haunting interstellar retelling of the Inuit legend of Sedna to magic users so powerful they can black out entire electric grids, I found this collection packed with people and situations that were anything but what they seemed.
My personal favorites were The Last Sorceror by Leo McBride and Sedna’s Hair by Jeff Provine; but with its diverse time periods and storytelling styles, Tales of Wonder has something for everyone. I look forward to reading more from these authors in the future!
Tales of Wonder portrays a fascinating place where modern science-fantasy rubs shoulders with steampunk pasts and alternative futures. From space ships propelled by chickens to an alien explanation for ancient folklore, from a haunting interstellar retelling of the Inuit legend of Sedna to magic users so powerful they can black out entire electric grids, I found this collection packed with people and situations that were anything but what they seemed.
My personal favorites were The Last Sorceror by Leo McBride and Sedna’s Hair by Jeff Provine; but with its diverse time periods and storytelling styles, Tales of Wonder has something for everyone. I look forward to reading more from these authors in the future!
March 15, 2017
First Thoughts
Ah Inklings Press. Quite literally my favourite publishers right now. The talent they have “harvested” to compile their anthologies is just brilliant and once again I find myself treated to amazing stories.
From the first story The Lair of the Thunderlord, right through, I fell more and more in love with this Science Fantasy genre. This intermingling of science fiction and fantasy, where magic and science coalesce with fascinating characters to enrich the stories told. Just brilliant.
Stories and Writing
A total of nine stories make up Tales of Wonder. I usually don’t dig through each short in anthologies for a review, but I think this anthology deserves proper in-depth reviewing:
The Lair of the Thunderlord by Rob Edwards
The crew of the Acumen are suddenly pulled from the dark recess of space, and onto a planet they shouldn’t be on. They are a “scout” ship afterall. The crash leaves them unprotected, and the magic they carry doesn’t work quite right. Martins is the ship’s Documenter, and for the first time gets to experience life on another planet. But things don’t go as planned and… well you’ll have to read the rest to know.
Really solid character work, and… chickens. Yep you heard that right. It’s brilliantly told, and it all culminates shockingly as the in the end.
Changeling Child by E.M. Swift-Hook
It begins with a nursery rhyme. If you know anything about nursery rhymes then you can guess that they are not as playful and innocent as they seem. And neither is Changeling Child.
What I loved most is the innocence of young Tani, who finds herself in quite a predicament and remembers the nursery rhyme as her guide. That link between the unfolding story, the rhyme, and Tani is pieced together really well.
Kaana by Ricardo Victoria
When one thinks of terraforming, they think of massive alien ships hovering over the skyline drilling through the Earth’s core, changing it for suitable environments. One might also think of gargantuan parasitic lifeforms tethered from space onto Earth and rearranging the atmosphere to suit the new hosts. One does not think of a humanoid creature uttering incomprehensible words (spells? wink wink nudge nudge) to coax life out of barren patches of land. I was already sold.
And then, of course, things begin to unravel that shed more light on this multi-racial planet and it’s custodian mages in the form of… giant robots? Adding that dash of science fiction to the fantastical world was a great touch. The magic is so unique. I hope Ricardo turns this into a proper novel. It definitely has that potential after that ending.
An Honest Trader by Jessica Holmes
This was an interesting one. Captain Prikos sails the skies on a ship that also sails the seas. It’s clever. Of course it doesn’t end there, and this rather short, short story has rich world building, fascinating technology, and an ending that begs for more.
Sedna’s Hair by Jeff Provine
One always wonders just how true myths and folklore are. Whether a superstitious belief has some semblance of truth or if it’s all just hogwash. Sedna’s Hair finds ship Inuit crew members on a routine swing around a blackhole. Their artificially intelligent captain urges the crew member to explain a long held tradition for the new crew member; the story of Sedna, a rather gruesome tale I might add. I can’t say much without ruining the story… you’ll have to read it to enjoy what happens next.
A Twist in Time by Brent A Harris
Okay so you don’t have to read far to see the correlation between Oliver Twist and this short story. But things aren’t about an orphan reduced to being a thief. No. Oliver steals a pocketwatch from a mystrious man only to find it is no ordinary watch. The man is no ordinary man. The adventure he is dragged in to… is no ordinary adventure.
There might be a nod at “the Doctor” in this story but as Brent A Harris so cryptically said to me, “I can neither confirm nor deny. Afterall, it’s all timey-wimey, wibbly-wobbly stuff.” Well played sir. Well played.
A Very Improper Adventure by Matthew Harvey
I’m writing a Steampunk novel at the moment, so when I started reading this short story… well you can imagine I may have swooned a little. Lady Madeleine Bierce is an upstanding woman in her community. Sharp of tongue. No nonsense type. Her daughter Lady Lillian Bierce – not so much. An engineer at heart, with an adventurous soul, hopes to explain why her dress is in disarray. Her explanation sparks quite an adventure atop an airship.
There’s just so much to applaud here. The writing style. The dictation. The pacing. The world building. The action. Or maybe I’m just biased haha.
Grace by Terri Pray
He is a code monkey. A programmer. The greatest of his time. His life is his work and his work is his life. Until the “delicate woman with an elegance that matched her name, Grace,” walked into his life. The story takes place on a distant planet, where the genius programmer lives in solitude to focus on his work, save for the servant-cum-guard who watches over him. Only none are like Grace. None at all.
You know it’s good writing when you begin to feel what the character feels. When you are moved by them. With them. Grace is an enchanting tale that is more than just Science Fantasy.
The Last Sorceror by Leo Mcbride
Oi what riveting good stuff here of magic vs technology; either one cannot exist around the other. All set in London where technology has slowly prevailed over magic to the point where magic is almost out of existence. Eli and Maggie are on the run from Techquisitors – enforcers who are hell bent on eradicating all sorcerors.
It feels much like The Sorceror’s Apprentice but set in a future where magic is banned. Eli has appointed Maggie as his own apprentice but Eli has never used magic in fourteen years. His vow. And his burden to guard Maggie. Fast paced. Witty. Intense. Leo Mcbride writes a story right out of the top drawer, and ends the anthology on a high note.
Final Thoughts
The one thing I dislike about anthologies, is the fact that you only get a glimpse of the bigger picture. Of the full story. Of the potentially immersive world. However, there is no doubt that this collection of short stories is worth a read. I implore you to get yourself a copy and let your imagination loose for just a smidge, and enjoy some Tales of Wonder.
Ah Inklings Press. Quite literally my favourite publishers right now. The talent they have “harvested” to compile their anthologies is just brilliant and once again I find myself treated to amazing stories.
From the first story The Lair of the Thunderlord, right through, I fell more and more in love with this Science Fantasy genre. This intermingling of science fiction and fantasy, where magic and science coalesce with fascinating characters to enrich the stories told. Just brilliant.
Stories and Writing
A total of nine stories make up Tales of Wonder. I usually don’t dig through each short in anthologies for a review, but I think this anthology deserves proper in-depth reviewing:
The Lair of the Thunderlord by Rob Edwards
The crew of the Acumen are suddenly pulled from the dark recess of space, and onto a planet they shouldn’t be on. They are a “scout” ship afterall. The crash leaves them unprotected, and the magic they carry doesn’t work quite right. Martins is the ship’s Documenter, and for the first time gets to experience life on another planet. But things don’t go as planned and… well you’ll have to read the rest to know.
Really solid character work, and… chickens. Yep you heard that right. It’s brilliantly told, and it all culminates shockingly as the in the end.
Changeling Child by E.M. Swift-Hook
It begins with a nursery rhyme. If you know anything about nursery rhymes then you can guess that they are not as playful and innocent as they seem. And neither is Changeling Child.
What I loved most is the innocence of young Tani, who finds herself in quite a predicament and remembers the nursery rhyme as her guide. That link between the unfolding story, the rhyme, and Tani is pieced together really well.
Kaana by Ricardo Victoria
When one thinks of terraforming, they think of massive alien ships hovering over the skyline drilling through the Earth’s core, changing it for suitable environments. One might also think of gargantuan parasitic lifeforms tethered from space onto Earth and rearranging the atmosphere to suit the new hosts. One does not think of a humanoid creature uttering incomprehensible words (spells? wink wink nudge nudge) to coax life out of barren patches of land. I was already sold.
And then, of course, things begin to unravel that shed more light on this multi-racial planet and it’s custodian mages in the form of… giant robots? Adding that dash of science fiction to the fantastical world was a great touch. The magic is so unique. I hope Ricardo turns this into a proper novel. It definitely has that potential after that ending.
An Honest Trader by Jessica Holmes
This was an interesting one. Captain Prikos sails the skies on a ship that also sails the seas. It’s clever. Of course it doesn’t end there, and this rather short, short story has rich world building, fascinating technology, and an ending that begs for more.
Sedna’s Hair by Jeff Provine
One always wonders just how true myths and folklore are. Whether a superstitious belief has some semblance of truth or if it’s all just hogwash. Sedna’s Hair finds ship Inuit crew members on a routine swing around a blackhole. Their artificially intelligent captain urges the crew member to explain a long held tradition for the new crew member; the story of Sedna, a rather gruesome tale I might add. I can’t say much without ruining the story… you’ll have to read it to enjoy what happens next.
A Twist in Time by Brent A Harris
Okay so you don’t have to read far to see the correlation between Oliver Twist and this short story. But things aren’t about an orphan reduced to being a thief. No. Oliver steals a pocketwatch from a mystrious man only to find it is no ordinary watch. The man is no ordinary man. The adventure he is dragged in to… is no ordinary adventure.
There might be a nod at “the Doctor” in this story but as Brent A Harris so cryptically said to me, “I can neither confirm nor deny. Afterall, it’s all timey-wimey, wibbly-wobbly stuff.” Well played sir. Well played.
A Very Improper Adventure by Matthew Harvey
I’m writing a Steampunk novel at the moment, so when I started reading this short story… well you can imagine I may have swooned a little. Lady Madeleine Bierce is an upstanding woman in her community. Sharp of tongue. No nonsense type. Her daughter Lady Lillian Bierce – not so much. An engineer at heart, with an adventurous soul, hopes to explain why her dress is in disarray. Her explanation sparks quite an adventure atop an airship.
There’s just so much to applaud here. The writing style. The dictation. The pacing. The world building. The action. Or maybe I’m just biased haha.
Grace by Terri Pray
He is a code monkey. A programmer. The greatest of his time. His life is his work and his work is his life. Until the “delicate woman with an elegance that matched her name, Grace,” walked into his life. The story takes place on a distant planet, where the genius programmer lives in solitude to focus on his work, save for the servant-cum-guard who watches over him. Only none are like Grace. None at all.
You know it’s good writing when you begin to feel what the character feels. When you are moved by them. With them. Grace is an enchanting tale that is more than just Science Fantasy.
The Last Sorceror by Leo Mcbride
Oi what riveting good stuff here of magic vs technology; either one cannot exist around the other. All set in London where technology has slowly prevailed over magic to the point where magic is almost out of existence. Eli and Maggie are on the run from Techquisitors – enforcers who are hell bent on eradicating all sorcerors.
It feels much like The Sorceror’s Apprentice but set in a future where magic is banned. Eli has appointed Maggie as his own apprentice but Eli has never used magic in fourteen years. His vow. And his burden to guard Maggie. Fast paced. Witty. Intense. Leo Mcbride writes a story right out of the top drawer, and ends the anthology on a high note.
Final Thoughts
The one thing I dislike about anthologies, is the fact that you only get a glimpse of the bigger picture. Of the full story. Of the potentially immersive world. However, there is no doubt that this collection of short stories is worth a read. I implore you to get yourself a copy and let your imagination loose for just a smidge, and enjoy some Tales of Wonder.
May 20, 2017
Tales of Wonder is a superb concoction of SciFi / Fantasy mashups that is bound to be a lip curler of anyone who grew up reading these kinds of tales. By far my favorite, although they are all gems in their own way, is Senda's Hair - a short tale of technological arrogance in the face of certain demise, with a nice little twist at the end that conjures imagery akin to some of Greg Bear's works. A strong 4-star effort here by this team of indies!
September 5, 2017
Fantastic mash up of sci-fi and fantasy. I really enjoyed the nine stories in this book. My favourite is the first one.
March 7, 2017
It's hard to review anthologies because you don't want to leave any of the authors that contributed out of your review and only praise a few. It's a collective work, so I'm just going to review it as a whole.
There's about 9 different stories in here that range anywhere from sci-fi on an alien planet to steam punk and a little fantasy. There's pretty much something for everyone who enjoys other worlds in here. All of the stories were very original and well written. I really liked the fact that a lot of the stories had strong female characters in them. They ranged from female ship captains, older ladies who kicked all kinds of butt, and female inventors and females with strong magic. Even the stories with male protagonists had strong females in there working to further the story.
All of the authors did well with their stories and this would be a good read for someone who liked short stories
There's about 9 different stories in here that range anywhere from sci-fi on an alien planet to steam punk and a little fantasy. There's pretty much something for everyone who enjoys other worlds in here. All of the stories were very original and well written. I really liked the fact that a lot of the stories had strong female characters in them. They ranged from female ship captains, older ladies who kicked all kinds of butt, and female inventors and females with strong magic. Even the stories with male protagonists had strong females in there working to further the story.
All of the authors did well with their stories and this would be a good read for someone who liked short stories
February 26, 2017
An interesting series of tales, blending technology with magic (hence ‘science fantasy’). Different authors give us their take on this combination.
The Lair of the Thunderlord by Rob Edwards
An intriguing tale in which magic powers a spaceship. The first encounter with an alien race is a bumpy one. There is a twist in the tale, which reveals something very unwelcome to the main character. I did find the story hard to follow at times. Four out of five stars
Changeling Child by EM Swift-Hook
I’ve really enjoyed this author’s novels, so I was pleased to revisit her world in this short story. The tale might be harder to follow for those who haven’t read ‘The Transgressor Trilogy’. (Go read them!) A well written tale, which explored a child trying to understand what a superior technology wanted from her, and interpreting it in her own fantasy understanding. Four out of five stars.
Kaana by Ricardo Victoria
I found this to be my least favourite of the collection. There was too much going on, and infodumps at regular intervals. The idea of raiders attacking an outpost also seemed far to familiar, and there were a couple of sudden point of view shifts. Two out of five stars.
An Honest Trader by Jessica Holmes
This story was utterly unpredictable and therefore quite fascinating. Just when I thought I knew where it was going, it changed on me. The mixture of horror, paranormal, and science fantasy was an interesting and unforgettable blend. Five out of five stars.
Sedna’s Hair by Jeff Provine
As someone who has visited the Arctic several times, and met Inuit and heard their tales, it was fantastic to see their culture played out in a science fiction setting. I liked the rationale for employing Inuit for space travelling, in that they are used to long periods of darkness. An intriguing tale. Four out of five stars.
A Twist in Time by Brent A Harris
An interesting idea, somewhat imperfectly executed. At times I had no idea what was going on, despite re-reading the page. And the ending confused me. The characters were well drawn, and the setting invoked London past and possible future. 3.5 out five stars.
A Very Improper Adventure by Matthew Harvey
The start was unpromising, as it involved the main character telling her mother what had happened (rather than showing us). After that, the tale picked up. The two female characters were both strong and capable, and the development between daughter and mother was lovely to read. Four out of five stars.
Grace by Terry Pray
Not sure about this one. An important computer coder is protected by a female body guard who turns out to be more than what she seems. And he’s fallen in love with her. She saves him, and he has to save her in another way. Three out of five stars.
The Last Sorcerer by Leo McBride
My favourite of the entire selection. The writer manages to skilfully sketch in the background as well develop all of the characters. In a world in which magic destroys technology, it’s understandable that those without magic would seek to destroy those that have it. And the ending was both unpredictable and fitting. Five out of five stars.
Overall rating for the collection: four out of five stars.
The Lair of the Thunderlord by Rob Edwards
An intriguing tale in which magic powers a spaceship. The first encounter with an alien race is a bumpy one. There is a twist in the tale, which reveals something very unwelcome to the main character. I did find the story hard to follow at times. Four out of five stars
Changeling Child by EM Swift-Hook
I’ve really enjoyed this author’s novels, so I was pleased to revisit her world in this short story. The tale might be harder to follow for those who haven’t read ‘The Transgressor Trilogy’. (Go read them!) A well written tale, which explored a child trying to understand what a superior technology wanted from her, and interpreting it in her own fantasy understanding. Four out of five stars.
Kaana by Ricardo Victoria
I found this to be my least favourite of the collection. There was too much going on, and infodumps at regular intervals. The idea of raiders attacking an outpost also seemed far to familiar, and there were a couple of sudden point of view shifts. Two out of five stars.
An Honest Trader by Jessica Holmes
This story was utterly unpredictable and therefore quite fascinating. Just when I thought I knew where it was going, it changed on me. The mixture of horror, paranormal, and science fantasy was an interesting and unforgettable blend. Five out of five stars.
Sedna’s Hair by Jeff Provine
As someone who has visited the Arctic several times, and met Inuit and heard their tales, it was fantastic to see their culture played out in a science fiction setting. I liked the rationale for employing Inuit for space travelling, in that they are used to long periods of darkness. An intriguing tale. Four out of five stars.
A Twist in Time by Brent A Harris
An interesting idea, somewhat imperfectly executed. At times I had no idea what was going on, despite re-reading the page. And the ending confused me. The characters were well drawn, and the setting invoked London past and possible future. 3.5 out five stars.
A Very Improper Adventure by Matthew Harvey
The start was unpromising, as it involved the main character telling her mother what had happened (rather than showing us). After that, the tale picked up. The two female characters were both strong and capable, and the development between daughter and mother was lovely to read. Four out of five stars.
Grace by Terry Pray
Not sure about this one. An important computer coder is protected by a female body guard who turns out to be more than what she seems. And he’s fallen in love with her. She saves him, and he has to save her in another way. Three out of five stars.
The Last Sorcerer by Leo McBride
My favourite of the entire selection. The writer manages to skilfully sketch in the background as well develop all of the characters. In a world in which magic destroys technology, it’s understandable that those without magic would seek to destroy those that have it. And the ending was both unpredictable and fitting. Five out of five stars.
Overall rating for the collection: four out of five stars.
September 23, 2017
Tale of Wonder Anthology from Inklings Press Review
(I was sent a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.)
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a book blogger is working with people you know and trust, and getting the opportunity to witness writers
and authors working together on collective works. An example of this is the wonderfully written anthology Tales of Wonder from Inklings Press.
A collection of the fantastic genre Science Fantasy, these stories explore worlds that fuse science with magic in the most wonderful way possible.
Here is the synopsis:
Science Fantasy is the collision of science fiction and fantasy - where the impossible and the improbable come together. This is a universe of spaceships and sorcery, of mechanics and magic, where zeppelins soar through the ether and conjurers stalk dark tunnels with a ball of light in their fist. So cut loose, let slip the mooring ropes on your imagination, and join these nine authors as they set course for the horizon - and beyond.
Nine tales of science. Nine tales of fantasy. Nine tales to make you wonder.
These tales are perfect examples of taking the fantastic and larger than life aspects of both the fantasy and science fiction genres with the
real life human struggles we face on a daily basis. Stories of discovered love, surviving poverty, exploration of the unknown and the bonds
formed between a parent and their child is fused with tales of time travel, magic wielding assassins and space exploration gone wrong. The
stories are short yet sweet, as they bring to life deep and emotionally driven characters that connect to you on a personal level in the midst
of these amazing mythologies that the authors have created. The writing was excellent and each story flowed smoothly, keeping a fast yet even
pace that quickly set the tone and backstory in order to deliver the best possible story and shocking twist endings that people won't necessarily
see coming.
Overall this was a wonderful read. Full of adventures, terror and heart, these tales will dazzle and amaze readers with their galaxy spanning
stories and passionate characters that speak to us all. The imagery used is incredibly vivid and paints a picture that one wants to see
translated to a television screen, leaving the reader breathless and hanging on the edge of their seat wanting more. If you haven't yet please be
sure to pick up your copies of Tales of Wonder from Inklings Press today!
Rating: 10/10
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Wonder-R...
(I was sent a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.)
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a book blogger is working with people you know and trust, and getting the opportunity to witness writers
and authors working together on collective works. An example of this is the wonderfully written anthology Tales of Wonder from Inklings Press.
A collection of the fantastic genre Science Fantasy, these stories explore worlds that fuse science with magic in the most wonderful way possible.
Here is the synopsis:
Science Fantasy is the collision of science fiction and fantasy - where the impossible and the improbable come together. This is a universe of spaceships and sorcery, of mechanics and magic, where zeppelins soar through the ether and conjurers stalk dark tunnels with a ball of light in their fist. So cut loose, let slip the mooring ropes on your imagination, and join these nine authors as they set course for the horizon - and beyond.
Nine tales of science. Nine tales of fantasy. Nine tales to make you wonder.
These tales are perfect examples of taking the fantastic and larger than life aspects of both the fantasy and science fiction genres with the
real life human struggles we face on a daily basis. Stories of discovered love, surviving poverty, exploration of the unknown and the bonds
formed between a parent and their child is fused with tales of time travel, magic wielding assassins and space exploration gone wrong. The
stories are short yet sweet, as they bring to life deep and emotionally driven characters that connect to you on a personal level in the midst
of these amazing mythologies that the authors have created. The writing was excellent and each story flowed smoothly, keeping a fast yet even
pace that quickly set the tone and backstory in order to deliver the best possible story and shocking twist endings that people won't necessarily
see coming.
Overall this was a wonderful read. Full of adventures, terror and heart, these tales will dazzle and amaze readers with their galaxy spanning
stories and passionate characters that speak to us all. The imagery used is incredibly vivid and paints a picture that one wants to see
translated to a television screen, leaving the reader breathless and hanging on the edge of their seat wanting more. If you haven't yet please be
sure to pick up your copies of Tales of Wonder from Inklings Press today!
Rating: 10/10
https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Wonder-R...
August 4, 2017
Well-Told Stories
In “Tales of Wonder”, the fifth anthology of short stories from the Inklings Press, there are nine stories which belong to the sub-genre where “Science and Fantasy collide”. If anyone may be in doubt about a possible confusing of boundaries, it is only necessary to read Ricardo Victoria’s well researched and clear Foreword, to understand what lies behind the writing of these narratives.
The building of strange, intriguing worlds, or drawing the reader to a different time can be done in a novel with its wider opportunities for construction and consolidation, but if completion has to be achieved within the scope of a short story, the writer must be thoroughly in control of the genre.
It is not done easily, but in this anthology, there are some stories which clearly demonstrate such control. In “The Lair of the Thunderlord” by Rob Edwards, both the characters and events are presented often through innuendo and inference than by direct narrative. The reason why it is vitally important to save a certain crew member at the beginning of the action is not revealed until the moment of climax. Readers become interested in this type of directed uncertainty. It is clever and stylish story-telling, and this particular narrative illustrates one of the reasons why people still enjoy the short story genre.
Another similarly tight story is Terri Pray’s very well-written “Grace” which, from the outset introduces a complex set of possibilities into the mind of any reader with Sci-Fi and Fantasy experience. How those possibilities are resolved makes this story another of the anthology’s very high quality presentations.
Matthew Harvey’s “A Very Improper Adventure” deals with an exciting and eventful storyline in a less effective manner. The characters are strong, and the action is vivid, but a reader’s involvement with the narrative is weakened by stilted dialogue and the constant stream of direct narrative. Although the events themselves draw the attention along to the end of the story, very little is left for the imagination to supply.
“Tales of Wonder” is a very good anthology. It covers a wide range of speculative narratives, all of which have their unique attraction, all of which are presented to a very high standard of editorial excellence. It is very highly recommended to short story readers and novel readers alike.
In “Tales of Wonder”, the fifth anthology of short stories from the Inklings Press, there are nine stories which belong to the sub-genre where “Science and Fantasy collide”. If anyone may be in doubt about a possible confusing of boundaries, it is only necessary to read Ricardo Victoria’s well researched and clear Foreword, to understand what lies behind the writing of these narratives.
The building of strange, intriguing worlds, or drawing the reader to a different time can be done in a novel with its wider opportunities for construction and consolidation, but if completion has to be achieved within the scope of a short story, the writer must be thoroughly in control of the genre.
It is not done easily, but in this anthology, there are some stories which clearly demonstrate such control. In “The Lair of the Thunderlord” by Rob Edwards, both the characters and events are presented often through innuendo and inference than by direct narrative. The reason why it is vitally important to save a certain crew member at the beginning of the action is not revealed until the moment of climax. Readers become interested in this type of directed uncertainty. It is clever and stylish story-telling, and this particular narrative illustrates one of the reasons why people still enjoy the short story genre.
Another similarly tight story is Terri Pray’s very well-written “Grace” which, from the outset introduces a complex set of possibilities into the mind of any reader with Sci-Fi and Fantasy experience. How those possibilities are resolved makes this story another of the anthology’s very high quality presentations.
Matthew Harvey’s “A Very Improper Adventure” deals with an exciting and eventful storyline in a less effective manner. The characters are strong, and the action is vivid, but a reader’s involvement with the narrative is weakened by stilted dialogue and the constant stream of direct narrative. Although the events themselves draw the attention along to the end of the story, very little is left for the imagination to supply.
“Tales of Wonder” is a very good anthology. It covers a wide range of speculative narratives, all of which have their unique attraction, all of which are presented to a very high standard of editorial excellence. It is very highly recommended to short story readers and novel readers alike.
June 25, 2017
This is the third anthology I have read from this group of authors, which shifts from volume to volume, but with the same consistency in style and execution. I think this one is the best written of the three so far. The writing in all of the stories here in this edition is excellent and very consistent, almost like one author has written all these stories instead of a team of collaborators. I almost wonder if an editor has copy-edited all the stories into a consistent narrative, but I'll gladly believe that all authors are so good that they were able to maintain such high quality of writing.
I'm more plot-focused when it comes to books, hence the three stars. Some of the stories I found were intriguing but did not have a resolution, or the ending was too open-ended for me to really nail down what had happened. Also, I chalk it up to this being an anthology, some stories are more to your liking, and some not so much. But, yes, definitely, I hold out hope that I will love all the stories in one volume so much for this publisher that I will give the entire book five stars!
My favourite tales were A Very Improper Adventure, and Grace. A Very Improper Adventure was classic for me... smart dialogue, witty characters, boldness and surprise, and a satisfying ending. The steampunk atmosphere also contributed to the overall sense of wonder. Grace didn't stray far in terms of surprise and baffling about-turns, but it was told so well; the build-up was very delicately handled and the ending of the story was frenetic and exciting. The relationship between the two main characters was unveiled slowly and convincingly, hence when the story ended the way it did, it was very satisfying because you root for them.
One technical complaint... when I returned to some stories in order to try to figure out what each was about, or to check my understanding of some plot lines, I could not flip to each chapter because there was no hyperlink for each chapter (I was using a Kindle version, and if it were paperback, this would be easier, as well). I had to guess the page number and then undergo the tedious back-and-forth page flipping to get to where I wanted to go.
I'm more plot-focused when it comes to books, hence the three stars. Some of the stories I found were intriguing but did not have a resolution, or the ending was too open-ended for me to really nail down what had happened. Also, I chalk it up to this being an anthology, some stories are more to your liking, and some not so much. But, yes, definitely, I hold out hope that I will love all the stories in one volume so much for this publisher that I will give the entire book five stars!
My favourite tales were A Very Improper Adventure, and Grace. A Very Improper Adventure was classic for me... smart dialogue, witty characters, boldness and surprise, and a satisfying ending. The steampunk atmosphere also contributed to the overall sense of wonder. Grace didn't stray far in terms of surprise and baffling about-turns, but it was told so well; the build-up was very delicately handled and the ending of the story was frenetic and exciting. The relationship between the two main characters was unveiled slowly and convincingly, hence when the story ended the way it did, it was very satisfying because you root for them.
One technical complaint... when I returned to some stories in order to try to figure out what each was about, or to check my understanding of some plot lines, I could not flip to each chapter because there was no hyperlink for each chapter (I was using a Kindle version, and if it were paperback, this would be easier, as well). I had to guess the page number and then undergo the tedious back-and-forth page flipping to get to where I wanted to go.
June 22, 2017
A collection of nine Science Fantasy short stories where sci-fi and fantasy collide in remarkably different ways.
Given the clash of quickly creating another world/universe, combining advanced technology AND magic, building characters and delivering a narrative, these stories on the whole do very well. That they are all so different means that there will be plenty to interest even those with the most fertile imaginations.
I particularly liked Changeling Child by E.M. Swift-Hook, and Sedna's Hair by Jeff Provine was my stand-out favourite. It was gripping. But every author should be praised for their use of imagination in constructing these unique adventures. My only criticism would be that sometimes it was difficult to know what was going on, particularly at the beginning of some of them, but I suppose that is partly the nature of the beast. Recommended for sci-fi and fantasy fans who fancy something a little different.
Given the clash of quickly creating another world/universe, combining advanced technology AND magic, building characters and delivering a narrative, these stories on the whole do very well. That they are all so different means that there will be plenty to interest even those with the most fertile imaginations.
I particularly liked Changeling Child by E.M. Swift-Hook, and Sedna's Hair by Jeff Provine was my stand-out favourite. It was gripping. But every author should be praised for their use of imagination in constructing these unique adventures. My only criticism would be that sometimes it was difficult to know what was going on, particularly at the beginning of some of them, but I suppose that is partly the nature of the beast. Recommended for sci-fi and fantasy fans who fancy something a little different.
August 6, 2017
Let me start by saying, short stories are not my favorite. I like usually feel let down by the experience and by the time I get committed to the story it ending. That being said, Tales of Wonder was a great short story experience! I enjoyed some of them more than others, but overall the collection was really good and balanced. There is a bit of everything in there for fans of the sci-fi/fantasy genres.
It was really interesting reading stories by different authors in the same book as well. I’m not accustom to recognizing the different styles/techniques of authors in their writing. With short stories though it is much more noticeable and I found it entertaining!
I’d recommend this collections to fans of quickreads, and for followers of Sci-Fi & Fantasy! Great collaboration!
It was really interesting reading stories by different authors in the same book as well. I’m not accustom to recognizing the different styles/techniques of authors in their writing. With short stories though it is much more noticeable and I found it entertaining!
I’d recommend this collections to fans of quickreads, and for followers of Sci-Fi & Fantasy! Great collaboration!
May 5, 2017
This book is packed filled with sci-fi short stories all having some exciting and interesting storylines. We have the space world colliding with magic, shapeshifting, even techno, so you see there is a story for everyone. Each is written by different sci-fi authors which gives the book a unique and titillating blend, some stories show the value of life and other noted and interesting characteristics. My only concern is a couple ended abruptly, here I was enjoying the tale and the next thing, wham, a new story started, but being the adventurer that I am, I visited the next world and the next and the next until I reached the end. A rather unusual package but very interesting I have to say.
June 4, 2017
Because teachers see the word because being used wrong so often, they tell students not to begin sentences with because. A lot of fans of Science Fiction feel the same way about Science Fantasy. To see an example of Science Fantasy gone way wrong, watch Mystery Science Theater 3000's take on STARCRASH.
Just like starting a sentence with "Because", Science Fantasy doesn't have to be done wrong. If you are a fan of Science Fantasy, you have my sympathies, but you also should like this collection of stories.
These stories were written by fans of the Genre, not writers who in the middle a space ship battle decide, "Amazons on horseback, why not?"
These are stories that take Clarke's law, "Any advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." and do the inverse that "Advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology." All nine of these stories use the magical fantasy element as the starting point and build around it.
So fans should find some welcome relief from the misuse of fantasy elements in a lot of stories, and see it used properly. Not being a fan, I did like the story-telling in these stories. This collection hasn't made me seek out Science Fantasy, but it might make me not run screaming from the room when someone says, "I've written a Science Fantasy tale where..."
On a technical note, there was no navigation in the Table of Contents. Is serious problem in a collection of stories.*
* * *
*I have been informed that the technical problems were with the Advanced Reader Copy I received not the Published version. I have changed my rating because of this information.
Just like starting a sentence with "Because", Science Fantasy doesn't have to be done wrong. If you are a fan of Science Fantasy, you have my sympathies, but you also should like this collection of stories.
These stories were written by fans of the Genre, not writers who in the middle a space ship battle decide, "Amazons on horseback, why not?"
These are stories that take Clarke's law, "Any advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." and do the inverse that "Advanced magic is indistinguishable from technology." All nine of these stories use the magical fantasy element as the starting point and build around it.
So fans should find some welcome relief from the misuse of fantasy elements in a lot of stories, and see it used properly. Not being a fan, I did like the story-telling in these stories. This collection hasn't made me seek out Science Fantasy, but it might make me not run screaming from the room when someone says, "I've written a Science Fantasy tale where..."
On a technical note, there was no navigation in the Table of Contents. Is serious problem in a collection of stories.*
* * *
*I have been informed that the technical problems were with the Advanced Reader Copy I received not the Published version. I have changed my rating because of this information.
November 24, 2019
The nine stories of this anthology live up to the promise and premise presented in the foreword: possibilities, the power of imagination, of belief and invention... you needn't follow strict boundaries to tell a story, as long as the story has purpose. And in the words of Rod Serling, science fiction is the improbable made possible, and fantasy is the impossible made possible. Within this anthology, you get a delightful dose of both genres. It's a meshing of science fantasy, with magic and science fusing together to create fictions inspired by realities.
Three stories in particular stood out for me. "Changeling Child" was my favorite, as it immediately enspelled me with an old-timey rhyme that kept me curious throughout. I've always found changeling stories fascinating and poignant ever since I came across the beautifully penned The Moorchild by Eloise McGraw back in elementary school. E.M. Swift-Hook does not disappoint with her own version of a changeling's tale, narrated perfectly through the innocent eyes of an insightful, special, redheaded nine-year-old, set in a world of many moons and dark magic and kind fathers. I also enjoyed "A Twist in Time", a clever remake of the Oliver Twist classic with gold-watch portals, Lords and Littles, tattooed delinquents and domineering bullies. "Grace" was also lovely, a werewolf story with a romantic element I didn't quite expect.
The stories sweep you into the moment, they're intense and well-written, and each is quite distinct from the other, though there seem to be a number of questions left unanswered throughout (perhaps that is just the way of stories, though; there's only so much you can get to within a few pages). If you're in the mood for alien life and worlds, changelings and fairies, world-forming and shape-shifting, pioneering airships and accidental time-travelers, then save this anthology to your to-be-read pile immediately.
Three stories in particular stood out for me. "Changeling Child" was my favorite, as it immediately enspelled me with an old-timey rhyme that kept me curious throughout. I've always found changeling stories fascinating and poignant ever since I came across the beautifully penned The Moorchild by Eloise McGraw back in elementary school. E.M. Swift-Hook does not disappoint with her own version of a changeling's tale, narrated perfectly through the innocent eyes of an insightful, special, redheaded nine-year-old, set in a world of many moons and dark magic and kind fathers. I also enjoyed "A Twist in Time", a clever remake of the Oliver Twist classic with gold-watch portals, Lords and Littles, tattooed delinquents and domineering bullies. "Grace" was also lovely, a werewolf story with a romantic element I didn't quite expect.
The stories sweep you into the moment, they're intense and well-written, and each is quite distinct from the other, though there seem to be a number of questions left unanswered throughout (perhaps that is just the way of stories, though; there's only so much you can get to within a few pages). If you're in the mood for alien life and worlds, changelings and fairies, world-forming and shape-shifting, pioneering airships and accidental time-travelers, then save this anthology to your to-be-read pile immediately.
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