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Monsters I Have Known: A Collection of Short Stories
Come take a walk in the shadows alongside award-winning writer/editor/novelist, Jess Hartley, as she leads you through 13 intriguing tales of monstrous beings – supernatural or otherwise. In this, Hartley’s first solo anthology, readers will find a broad offering of genres – horror, romance, steampunk, fantasy and more – including her never-before-published murder mystery novella – Love Never Dies. Monsters I Have Known collects both well-loved favorites from previously published anthologies and never-before-seen fiction, presenting them with insightful introductions to share with readers some of the circumstances surrounding each story's creation. A must-have introduction for those new to Hartley's work, and a convenient compilation for fans of her career in the roleplaying game industry.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2017
3 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Jess Hartley
65 books56 followersHi, I'm Jess, and I read stories. I grew up LOVING fairy tales, folklore, mythology - especially creation stories. I still do, but my tastes have grown over the years, and now I read just about anything I can get my hands on.
As well, I used to write stories (professionally).
I've helped create dozens of roleplaying games and products, ranging from the World of Darkness to the RPGs for the Supernatural TV show, and the Dresden Files book series.
I also write fiction, both novel-length and short stories. My first solo anthology, Monsters I Have Known, is available on Amazon and other retailers through Mad Muse Studio.
As well, I used to write stories (professionally).
I've helped create dozens of roleplaying games and products, ranging from the World of Darkness to the RPGs for the Supernatural TV show, and the Dresden Files book series.
I also write fiction, both novel-length and short stories. My first solo anthology, Monsters I Have Known, is available on Amazon and other retailers through Mad Muse Studio.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 12, 2017
“We are stuff/ as dreams are made of,” says Shakespeare in The Tempest. Or perhaps, responds Jess Hartley, in this, her first collection of short stories, our dreams, our desires, shaped by experience, make us who we are. Meet ghosts who come back to haunt those who haunted them in their living years, mothers facing real-life demons like poverty and hunger, victims-turned-villains seeking justice, and Wishes become nightmares. Hartley saves the best for last, where she imagines the backstory to a familiar fairy tale: Rapunzel. Told mostly from the perspective of the otherworldly characters, Hartley describes how monsters are made, even if they’re born that way. She also clues us into the origin of each tale and her own history in helpful introductions to each story. Hartley leaves us with a question, posed by Jacob, Brother in the Crimson Order.
“Perhaps, then, the difference is not in the power,
but in the way with which it is wielded.
It matters little who makes the sword, in the end,
or in whose hand it rests –
what has import is how that sword is used,
to what end.
The blade, used for good, is Good; for evil, Evil.
And those who care only for the maker’s mark?”
“Perhaps, then, the difference is not in the power,
but in the way with which it is wielded.
It matters little who makes the sword, in the end,
or in whose hand it rests –
what has import is how that sword is used,
to what end.
The blade, used for good, is Good; for evil, Evil.
And those who care only for the maker’s mark?”
September 16, 2017
-I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Monsters I Have Known, by Jess Hartley, is a collection of short stories that delve into the mind of the author, whilst she lovingly invites the reader to dance with her around the edge of light and dark.
The collection has thirteen short stories, with each story containing an introduction from Hartley. These introductions explain the story’s background, the thoughts and inspirations for writing them, and the sins that each character may be hiding. From inspiring others to fighting against domestic abuse (preferably with the undead), to encouraging restless spirits to try and find peace, to even teaching others how to kill dragons, each story represents a piece of morality the author carries. They contain valuable lessons that the reader can comprehend, all beneath the guise of a horrific dream.
The stories I remember being frightened of in this collection are Love Never Dies or To Duty Sword. These stories are a blood soaked representation of the darkness present within humanity, as well as the curse of what happens when we fall prey to our own ignorance. Love Never Dies is about a young, abused woman who comes back from the grave, if only to see her “beloved husband” one last time. Meanwhile, To Duty Sworn is about a girl named Catherine, who is sent to kill a hero that has questioned his faith. These stories involve a certain corruptness in human nature, and that, despite what we morality we may believe in, or what our brand of justice is, in the end there is nothing, if not for our own selves to be sacrificed to the shadows. It’s also remarkable to note that the book carries an almost aristocratically sagacious air to it, as if it really is trying to teach the reader something, although it can only speak in parables.
The way Hartley tells these hauntingly beautiful tales is incredibly stunning. The themes and details were meticulously well done, as were the characters. Because of this, I would give this book a rating of a 4.4 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy Stephen King and Anne Rice.
Monsters I Have Known, by Jess Hartley, is a collection of short stories that delve into the mind of the author, whilst she lovingly invites the reader to dance with her around the edge of light and dark.
The collection has thirteen short stories, with each story containing an introduction from Hartley. These introductions explain the story’s background, the thoughts and inspirations for writing them, and the sins that each character may be hiding. From inspiring others to fighting against domestic abuse (preferably with the undead), to encouraging restless spirits to try and find peace, to even teaching others how to kill dragons, each story represents a piece of morality the author carries. They contain valuable lessons that the reader can comprehend, all beneath the guise of a horrific dream.
The stories I remember being frightened of in this collection are Love Never Dies or To Duty Sword. These stories are a blood soaked representation of the darkness present within humanity, as well as the curse of what happens when we fall prey to our own ignorance. Love Never Dies is about a young, abused woman who comes back from the grave, if only to see her “beloved husband” one last time. Meanwhile, To Duty Sworn is about a girl named Catherine, who is sent to kill a hero that has questioned his faith. These stories involve a certain corruptness in human nature, and that, despite what we morality we may believe in, or what our brand of justice is, in the end there is nothing, if not for our own selves to be sacrificed to the shadows. It’s also remarkable to note that the book carries an almost aristocratically sagacious air to it, as if it really is trying to teach the reader something, although it can only speak in parables.
The way Hartley tells these hauntingly beautiful tales is incredibly stunning. The themes and details were meticulously well done, as were the characters. Because of this, I would give this book a rating of a 4.4 out of 5 stars, and would recommend it to those who enjoy Stephen King and Anne Rice.
October 20, 2019
Goes down as another off my 2019 Bookworm Bingo Challenge – A paranormal book. Well some of the short stories had a paranormal element to them.
An interesting collection of short stories exploring different genres throughout, going from the mundane, to horrors and supernatural bizarre. Some I liked more than others as I felt they had a bit more depth to them with the characters and the story they were telling. Also I think it depended on the length of them as well.
Here are a few of my favourite ones and what I thought of them:
Love Never Dies – Elizabeth wakes up in the ocean on a stormy night trying to fight her way to land. When she wakes she doesn’t really know who she is – and later – what she has become. Her memories get triggered when she walks up steps to a house, shocking a man from inside a window. Billy panics to get her inside and so the troubles of what happened start to surface. Elizabeth doesn’t know what happened but has a feeling she shouldn’t trust him. He might want to continue with a plan to get what he wants but something mysterious with Elizabeth seems to make things take a different turn. Both futures are about to change.
Immaterial Witness – When you can see ghosts what better way to make a living than by giving ghost tours. Seems others aren’t as sure of her skill, to the point of her being mocked by a male host in an interview. He says that him and his crew want to join on haunted hotel tour later so she wonders if she can make believers of them. The host on the other hand has other ideas about what the night should entail taking the name of ghost hunter to a new level. Lets see what the ghosts think of that.
Of Rain and Roses – heartbreak leading you on a walk in the rain while your mind is in a haze. How long to wonder before stumbling upon someone at a memorial. Words of wisdom to always remember the past and its mistakes so you don’t repeat it. Remembering what happened can set your soul free or you may be doomed to repeat your journey over and over again.
Hunger’s Child – calling a child Una – meaning hunger – could be seen as an omen and set the child on a course for gluttony. Always wanting more and more, causing a stir if she doesn’t get it. She gets herself a doting husband but after months of demands while she was pregnant I’m not sure how much more he could take. Mother Gothel watches all from the outskirts of town, helping people with healing when asked. With Una’s never ending list of demands from her husband the less Mother Gothel is inclined to help. That is until the mother no longer wants the child and a path of wishes starts. One turns to two and then to many, sometimes causing more trouble than help. Mainly by taking the toll on the person wishing them. She may have done what she thought best to keep them safe but you can only stay hidden for so long. Especially when strangers stumble upon towers with secrets inside.
3.5 out of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book from Mad Muse Studio for my honest review.
https://readingnook84.wordpress.com/2...
An interesting collection of short stories exploring different genres throughout, going from the mundane, to horrors and supernatural bizarre. Some I liked more than others as I felt they had a bit more depth to them with the characters and the story they were telling. Also I think it depended on the length of them as well.
Here are a few of my favourite ones and what I thought of them:
Love Never Dies – Elizabeth wakes up in the ocean on a stormy night trying to fight her way to land. When she wakes she doesn’t really know who she is – and later – what she has become. Her memories get triggered when she walks up steps to a house, shocking a man from inside a window. Billy panics to get her inside and so the troubles of what happened start to surface. Elizabeth doesn’t know what happened but has a feeling she shouldn’t trust him. He might want to continue with a plan to get what he wants but something mysterious with Elizabeth seems to make things take a different turn. Both futures are about to change.
Immaterial Witness – When you can see ghosts what better way to make a living than by giving ghost tours. Seems others aren’t as sure of her skill, to the point of her being mocked by a male host in an interview. He says that him and his crew want to join on haunted hotel tour later so she wonders if she can make believers of them. The host on the other hand has other ideas about what the night should entail taking the name of ghost hunter to a new level. Lets see what the ghosts think of that.
Of Rain and Roses – heartbreak leading you on a walk in the rain while your mind is in a haze. How long to wonder before stumbling upon someone at a memorial. Words of wisdom to always remember the past and its mistakes so you don’t repeat it. Remembering what happened can set your soul free or you may be doomed to repeat your journey over and over again.
Hunger’s Child – calling a child Una – meaning hunger – could be seen as an omen and set the child on a course for gluttony. Always wanting more and more, causing a stir if she doesn’t get it. She gets herself a doting husband but after months of demands while she was pregnant I’m not sure how much more he could take. Mother Gothel watches all from the outskirts of town, helping people with healing when asked. With Una’s never ending list of demands from her husband the less Mother Gothel is inclined to help. That is until the mother no longer wants the child and a path of wishes starts. One turns to two and then to many, sometimes causing more trouble than help. Mainly by taking the toll on the person wishing them. She may have done what she thought best to keep them safe but you can only stay hidden for so long. Especially when strangers stumble upon towers with secrets inside.
3.5 out of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book from Mad Muse Studio for my honest review.
https://readingnook84.wordpress.com/2...
October 27, 2017
Wow, what a great collection of stories. I’m not normally a fan of horror, but I love a good spooky ghost story. When I was approached to review this book, I wasn’t sure I would like it. I’m glad I took a chance.
It’s hard to pick which story I liked best, but the first one, Love Never Dies, was the longest. In this one, the main character finds herself walking up the beach to her house. Nothing feels right, but it’s only her and her husband. What could be wrong?
My favorite story was Immaterial Witness. Liz gives tours in Bisbee, Arizona, the most haunted town in America. She gets a chance to be on a podcast, but the slimy host has plans of his own. He wants all the dirt, but Liz has a big secret. She can see ghosts, and she’s not about to expose them to a third-rate journalist looking to exploit the dead. Really good story.
This month is a perfect time for this collection. You should totally check this one out. It’s available on Amazon.
It’s hard to pick which story I liked best, but the first one, Love Never Dies, was the longest. In this one, the main character finds herself walking up the beach to her house. Nothing feels right, but it’s only her and her husband. What could be wrong?
My favorite story was Immaterial Witness. Liz gives tours in Bisbee, Arizona, the most haunted town in America. She gets a chance to be on a podcast, but the slimy host has plans of his own. He wants all the dirt, but Liz has a big secret. She can see ghosts, and she’s not about to expose them to a third-rate journalist looking to exploit the dead. Really good story.
This month is a perfect time for this collection. You should totally check this one out. It’s available on Amazon.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews