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Mythical Doorways
Eleven Tales of Magical, Mysterious, Mythical Doorways!
Step through portals and into adventure as the authors of the Fellowship of Fantasy take you on another journey into fantastic worlds. Travel through time, space, and realities to encounter monsters, mechanical foxes, and the Fates themselves. You'll fly with dragons, save implausible beasts, and perhaps find your true home. Choose your path wisely, for dangers lurk in the lands beyond.
In the third anthology from the Fellowship of Fantasy, eleven authors promise you journeys into fairy lands hidden within the modern world, futuristic universities, and lands of ancient myth. So what are you waiting for? Cross through our Doorways for the adventure of a lifetime!
Step through portals and into adventure as the authors of the Fellowship of Fantasy take you on another journey into fantastic worlds. Travel through time, space, and realities to encounter monsters, mechanical foxes, and the Fates themselves. You'll fly with dragons, save implausible beasts, and perhaps find your true home. Choose your path wisely, for dangers lurk in the lands beyond.
In the third anthology from the Fellowship of Fantasy, eleven authors promise you journeys into fairy lands hidden within the modern world, futuristic universities, and lands of ancient myth. So what are you waiting for? Cross through our Doorways for the adventure of a lifetime!
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2018
263 people are currently reading
568 people want to read
About the author
H.L. Burke
95 books565 followersBorn in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic.
An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.
Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.
She is the author of a four part fantasy/romance series entitled "The Dragon and the Scholar," the Award Winning (2016 Realm Award for Young Adult Fiction) Nyssa Glass Steampunk series, and MG/Fantasy "Cora and the Nurse Dragon," among others .
Sign up for her monthly newsletter at www.hlburkeauthor.com
http://www.amazon.com/H.-L.-Burke/e/B...
An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.
Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.
She is the author of a four part fantasy/romance series entitled "The Dragon and the Scholar," the Award Winning (2016 Realm Award for Young Adult Fiction) Nyssa Glass Steampunk series, and MG/Fantasy "Cora and the Nurse Dragon," among others .
Sign up for her monthly newsletter at www.hlburkeauthor.com
http://www.amazon.com/H.-L.-Burke/e/B...
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March 15, 2018No stars because I'm the editor/administrator of this project and my story is in here, but I read all the stories in here, sometimes multiple times, so dang it, I'm counting it towards my Goodreads challenge. Also, I'm really proud of this one. We put a LOT of time and talent into it, and it shines. Some great stories in here.
March 31, 2018
What a fun anthology! I love anthologies with a common theme-in this case doorways-because it allows me to see the breadth of artistic creativity. Each author has their own unique spin on the theme, and each story has its own unique world. I was entranced by this volume, and I truly believe there is something in here for everyone. Well done!
May 26, 2018
I LOVED this collection! A couple of the stories weren’t my favorite, but you always get that in anthologies; on the whole I enjoyed it more than many. A few of these tales are going on my top-favorite list. ;)
Everwild - J. M. Hackman (5 stars) — This one was awesome! A boy about to grow out of the foster system is given a choice between two worlds... Fascinating and vivid, and I liked how it ended. Lovely portal fantasy with a few twists. It was great. ^_^ Makes me want to try more by this author—and I fortunately have a novel (Spark) which can help me do just that. ;)
Well of Fate - Savannah Jezowski (5 stars) — Tosk the squirrel was so adorable! What a super-cute—and funny—little tale. Having a squirrel main character who’s a little bit nervous but determined to be a hero, in a mythology setting, was so much fun! And there was an awesome twist near the end! ;) I’m looking forward to checking out the author’s When Ravens Fall novella...
Jericho and the Magician’s Daughter - H. L. Burke (5 stars) — AWK. Featuring Jericho and Rill a few years before the first Spellsmith and Carver book. They’re adorable! And they didn’t know they were in love... quite... yet... Super cute and exciting. It was also neat seeing a little more of Hedward Spellsmith. And of course there was Jaspyr the mechanical fox! It’s a great story and I loved this look at a sort of mini-prequel about Jericho and Rill. ^_^
Dragon’s Oath - Katy Huth Jones (3 stars) — This one was well-written and absorbing but for me personally it wasn’t a favorite since it was a bit sad... But I suspect I’d like it more if I’d read the series that it’s attached to, since I think this might be backstory for some character? Anyway, it was mostly enjoyable and I liked the dragon. :)
The Hallway of Three Doors - D. G. Driver (3 stars) — I’m not sure what my problem was with this one, but it wasn’t a favorite either. I think it confused me some and I wasn’t always sure what was going on; it was also a little more horror-like in a couple parts than I’d like? But some of it was fascinating, and it was definitely unique. :)
Door Number Four - Bokerah Brumley (4 stars) — Quite an interesting story, which almost had a touch of sci-fi feel (just me?), about a boy at a magical academy studying to take care of fantastical creatures, facing his final test... I liked his gruff teacher and all the bright originality. It made me think a little of Ender’s Game (just the academy/test thing, I think?) and overall I liked it. :)
Threshold - Laurie Lucking (5 stars) — AWK. THIS STORY. <3 *hugs it* I don’t want to give anything away about it, but it had a couple of twists on the usual portal fantasy thing, and I was SO WORRIED about how things would turn out, but I absolutely LOVED IT. Shawn was my favorite. He’s the best. :D I got kind of a Peter Pan sort of feel with this one and I loved that. ^_^
Idiot’s Graveyard - Arthur Daigle (5 stars) — One word (name?): Jayden. Jayden is one of my new favorite characters and I’m not even sure WHY, but he’s quite unpigeonholeable and fantastic and giving me Howl/Doctor Strange sorts of vibes. I could easily read a whole novel (or series) about Dana Illwind and Sorcerer Lord Jayden (they remind me a little of things like Skulduggery Pleasant or Jackaby). I learned there was another short story featuring them (in Hall of Heroes, another Fellowship of Fantasy anthology) and instantly read/devoured/loved it. The world is kind of spooky, and yet a little elegant. And it’s so FUNNY. Like... I just love the style. I kept wanting to quote it. All the snark and polite cutting dialog! Anyway, it was a glorious short story and I loved it muchly. <3 Just excuse me while I wish for more tales of Jayden and co. and am tempted to re-read both the ones I have...
Cosmic Cravings - AJ Bakke (4.5 stars) — This was so much fun! XD A little white mouse mage named Bree and her quest for chocolate, a fairy and the crow-sized dragon he rides, and a little girl in modern times. What do they have in common? I liked how the different threads came together, though some of the outcomes were a little rough for me. Enjoyable and funny! :)
Dragon Ward - Jenelle Leanne Schmidt (5 stars) — How fascinating! I won’t spoil anything, but as a fan of this author’s Minstrel’s Call series, I loved how this had two or three different backstory references, when I only expected one! LOVED LOVED LOVED. It was delicious and unexpected. Anyone who hasn’t read the series will enjoy it too. The story of a girl and a dragon, and a strange experience they have... and meeting a certain character, who I love! :D An absolutely delightful tale. ^_^
What Lies Ahead - Lauren Lynch (4 stars) — Wow, that was unique. Roman-times (not my thing, but interesting) historical fantasy with a smidge of time-travel. Eek! :D I quite liked the hero of the story and it made me curious to learn more about him and the Time Drifters series it said this story is related to. :)
Overall, a delightful fantasy short story collection with a theme of mythical doorways. Idiot’s Graveyard, Threshold, and Dragon Ward (at least) are going down as some of my top-favorite little tales. :) Highly recommended.
Everwild - J. M. Hackman (5 stars) — This one was awesome! A boy about to grow out of the foster system is given a choice between two worlds... Fascinating and vivid, and I liked how it ended. Lovely portal fantasy with a few twists. It was great. ^_^ Makes me want to try more by this author—and I fortunately have a novel (Spark) which can help me do just that. ;)
Well of Fate - Savannah Jezowski (5 stars) — Tosk the squirrel was so adorable! What a super-cute—and funny—little tale. Having a squirrel main character who’s a little bit nervous but determined to be a hero, in a mythology setting, was so much fun! And there was an awesome twist near the end! ;) I’m looking forward to checking out the author’s When Ravens Fall novella...
Jericho and the Magician’s Daughter - H. L. Burke (5 stars) — AWK. Featuring Jericho and Rill a few years before the first Spellsmith and Carver book. They’re adorable! And they didn’t know they were in love... quite... yet... Super cute and exciting. It was also neat seeing a little more of Hedward Spellsmith. And of course there was Jaspyr the mechanical fox! It’s a great story and I loved this look at a sort of mini-prequel about Jericho and Rill. ^_^
Dragon’s Oath - Katy Huth Jones (3 stars) — This one was well-written and absorbing but for me personally it wasn’t a favorite since it was a bit sad... But I suspect I’d like it more if I’d read the series that it’s attached to, since I think this might be backstory for some character? Anyway, it was mostly enjoyable and I liked the dragon. :)
The Hallway of Three Doors - D. G. Driver (3 stars) — I’m not sure what my problem was with this one, but it wasn’t a favorite either. I think it confused me some and I wasn’t always sure what was going on; it was also a little more horror-like in a couple parts than I’d like? But some of it was fascinating, and it was definitely unique. :)
Door Number Four - Bokerah Brumley (4 stars) — Quite an interesting story, which almost had a touch of sci-fi feel (just me?), about a boy at a magical academy studying to take care of fantastical creatures, facing his final test... I liked his gruff teacher and all the bright originality. It made me think a little of Ender’s Game (just the academy/test thing, I think?) and overall I liked it. :)
Threshold - Laurie Lucking (5 stars) — AWK. THIS STORY. <3 *hugs it* I don’t want to give anything away about it, but it had a couple of twists on the usual portal fantasy thing, and I was SO WORRIED about how things would turn out, but I absolutely LOVED IT. Shawn was my favorite. He’s the best. :D I got kind of a Peter Pan sort of feel with this one and I loved that. ^_^
Idiot’s Graveyard - Arthur Daigle (5 stars) — One word (name?): Jayden. Jayden is one of my new favorite characters and I’m not even sure WHY, but he’s quite unpigeonholeable and fantastic and giving me Howl/Doctor Strange sorts of vibes. I could easily read a whole novel (or series) about Dana Illwind and Sorcerer Lord Jayden (they remind me a little of things like Skulduggery Pleasant or Jackaby). I learned there was another short story featuring them (in Hall of Heroes, another Fellowship of Fantasy anthology) and instantly read/devoured/loved it. The world is kind of spooky, and yet a little elegant. And it’s so FUNNY. Like... I just love the style. I kept wanting to quote it. All the snark and polite cutting dialog! Anyway, it was a glorious short story and I loved it muchly. <3 Just excuse me while I wish for more tales of Jayden and co. and am tempted to re-read both the ones I have...
Cosmic Cravings - AJ Bakke (4.5 stars) — This was so much fun! XD A little white mouse mage named Bree and her quest for chocolate, a fairy and the crow-sized dragon he rides, and a little girl in modern times. What do they have in common? I liked how the different threads came together, though some of the outcomes were a little rough for me. Enjoyable and funny! :)
Dragon Ward - Jenelle Leanne Schmidt (5 stars) — How fascinating! I won’t spoil anything, but as a fan of this author’s Minstrel’s Call series, I loved how this had two or three different backstory references, when I only expected one! LOVED LOVED LOVED. It was delicious and unexpected. Anyone who hasn’t read the series will enjoy it too. The story of a girl and a dragon, and a strange experience they have... and meeting a certain character, who I love! :D An absolutely delightful tale. ^_^
What Lies Ahead - Lauren Lynch (4 stars) — Wow, that was unique. Roman-times (not my thing, but interesting) historical fantasy with a smidge of time-travel. Eek! :D I quite liked the hero of the story and it made me curious to learn more about him and the Time Drifters series it said this story is related to. :)
Overall, a delightful fantasy short story collection with a theme of mythical doorways. Idiot’s Graveyard, Threshold, and Dragon Ward (at least) are going down as some of my top-favorite little tales. :) Highly recommended.
March 25, 2018
This was an excellent anthology! I was very much engaged with quite a few of the stories and not sure I could say if I had a favorite because I enjoyed the uniqueness of each one. Very different, but very good and liked the common theme of doorways. Some of them had a really interesting twist of what kind of doorway it was!
I have to confess that now I want to check out the books by the authors because there were very good stories in here. Recommend to readers who are looking for new authors, but also shorter stories that are just as filling as novels.
I have to confess that now I want to check out the books by the authors because there were very good stories in here. Recommend to readers who are looking for new authors, but also shorter stories that are just as filling as novels.
April 3, 2018
I received an advance (e)reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Portal fantasy is probably my favorite subgenre of speculative fiction, so I was happy to get this collection. I'll go story by story for the review.
- Everwild: 3/10 stars. It serves as an introduction to the premise of the anthology, but it doesn't give a good first impression. It has several cliche elements of portal fantasy without much to make it unique. Fortunately, it's not a good indicator of how good the other stories are. In other words, keep reading. It gets better.
- Well of Fate: 4/10. A storyteller learns that he can be heroic while being himself and not a typical hero. Better than the first story, but still, I'd say a lot of the same things about this one as I did about Everwild. Don't give up now...
- Jericho and the Magician's Daughter: 8/10. This is where the anthology gets good. Jericho is an apprentice wizard who has pity on his teacher's daughter who wants to learn magic. Jericho starts teaching her at the risk of losing his apprenticeship. Also, I like interesting monsters and this has one. This story barely fits the doorway/portal theme of the anthology, but that's okay.
- Dragon's Oath: 5.5/10. The shepherd boy grew up in what I'd call a strict cult village. I was glad he left, but I wished he'd been more eager to leave than he was. Anyway, I like where he ends up.
- Hallway of Three Doors: 7.5/10. A semi-allegorical story. Seta is directed by a seer to the three doors seeking a new start. The doors lead to very different places which end up being connected. The City of Frivolity beyond the first door seems at first like an outtake chapter cut from Pilgrim's Progress, but I like where the author goes from there and what Seta does with what she's learned.
- Door Number Four: 6.5/10. The one story in the anthology which is more science fiction than fantasy. A student must pass a test to earn a place in an animal* rescue organization. (*Including fantastical beasts. My love of interesting monsters extends to fantastical beasts, even ones that are more wild animal than 'monster'.) The requirements to pass the test turns out to not be what he expected. The heart matters more than outward success.
- Threshold: 9/10. Inspired by Peter Pan, this story is about girl who goes back and forth between her mundane life and her fairytale escape, but soon she must leave behind one or the other forever. She can't imagine leaving her family behind, but her best friend lives in her fairyland. I always enjoy seeing a dilemma revealed to be false. (I also enjoy speaking cryptically sometimes. sorry not sorry.) This one's my favorite of the collection.
- Idiot's Graveyard: 7/10. Really more a sword & sorcery style high fantasy than portal fantasy, but really, who cares as long as it's a good story. Idiot's Graveyard reads a lot like a dungeons & dragons scenario which isn't my usual style, but it's well done.
- Cosmic Craving: 8/10. I love fantasy stories which have a silly tone but serious stakes. In a desperate quest for chocolate, a mouse mage mistakenly makes multiple portals into the backyard of a little human girl, giving the mouse and a tiny dragonrider the opportunity to stop a case of magical child abuse.
- Dragon Ward: 7/10. The premise here is similar to the 4th story, Dragon's Oath. In both, a human becomes bonded with a dragon. The bond is much stronger in this story.
- What Lies Ahead: 7.5/10. A escaped slave who longs for his past learns to face the future with hope. A fitting ending for the anthology.
I must note that I reserve ratings of 9 and 10 for a select few elite favorites. While most of these stories didn't quite reach that level of extreme awesomeness to me, overall, it was a very enjoyable selection of stories. Several of the them left me wanting to read more about the characters and worlds they told of. It's just a shame that the three not-as-good stories come at the beginning of the collection (1st, 2nd, and 4th). Hopefully, they don't discourage readers from the great stories that come later. (I noticed at least one other reviewer who loved the first two stories, which just shows we have our own tastes.)
- Everwild: 3/10 stars. It serves as an introduction to the premise of the anthology, but it doesn't give a good first impression. It has several cliche elements of portal fantasy without much to make it unique. Fortunately, it's not a good indicator of how good the other stories are. In other words, keep reading. It gets better.
- Well of Fate: 4/10. A storyteller learns that he can be heroic while being himself and not a typical hero. Better than the first story, but still, I'd say a lot of the same things about this one as I did about Everwild. Don't give up now...
- Jericho and the Magician's Daughter: 8/10. This is where the anthology gets good. Jericho is an apprentice wizard who has pity on his teacher's daughter who wants to learn magic. Jericho starts teaching her at the risk of losing his apprenticeship. Also, I like interesting monsters and this has one. This story barely fits the doorway/portal theme of the anthology, but that's okay.
- Dragon's Oath: 5.5/10. The shepherd boy grew up in what I'd call a strict cult village. I was glad he left, but I wished he'd been more eager to leave than he was. Anyway, I like where he ends up.
- Hallway of Three Doors: 7.5/10. A semi-allegorical story. Seta is directed by a seer to the three doors seeking a new start. The doors lead to very different places which end up being connected. The City of Frivolity beyond the first door seems at first like an outtake chapter cut from Pilgrim's Progress, but I like where the author goes from there and what Seta does with what she's learned.
- Door Number Four: 6.5/10. The one story in the anthology which is more science fiction than fantasy. A student must pass a test to earn a place in an animal* rescue organization. (*Including fantastical beasts. My love of interesting monsters extends to fantastical beasts, even ones that are more wild animal than 'monster'.) The requirements to pass the test turns out to not be what he expected. The heart matters more than outward success.
- Threshold: 9/10. Inspired by Peter Pan, this story is about girl who goes back and forth between her mundane life and her fairytale escape, but soon she must leave behind one or the other forever. She can't imagine leaving her family behind, but her best friend lives in her fairyland. I always enjoy seeing a dilemma revealed to be false. (I also enjoy speaking cryptically sometimes. sorry not sorry.) This one's my favorite of the collection.
- Idiot's Graveyard: 7/10. Really more a sword & sorcery style high fantasy than portal fantasy, but really, who cares as long as it's a good story. Idiot's Graveyard reads a lot like a dungeons & dragons scenario which isn't my usual style, but it's well done.
- Cosmic Craving: 8/10. I love fantasy stories which have a silly tone but serious stakes. In a desperate quest for chocolate, a mouse mage mistakenly makes multiple portals into the backyard of a little human girl, giving the mouse and a tiny dragonrider the opportunity to stop a case of magical child abuse.
- Dragon Ward: 7/10. The premise here is similar to the 4th story, Dragon's Oath. In both, a human becomes bonded with a dragon. The bond is much stronger in this story.
- What Lies Ahead: 7.5/10. A escaped slave who longs for his past learns to face the future with hope. A fitting ending for the anthology.
I must note that I reserve ratings of 9 and 10 for a select few elite favorites. While most of these stories didn't quite reach that level of extreme awesomeness to me, overall, it was a very enjoyable selection of stories. Several of the them left me wanting to read more about the characters and worlds they told of. It's just a shame that the three not-as-good stories come at the beginning of the collection (1st, 2nd, and 4th). Hopefully, they don't discourage readers from the great stories that come later. (I noticed at least one other reviewer who loved the first two stories, which just shows we have our own tastes.)
April 15, 2018
Another great anthology from the Fellowship of Fantasy! (I HAVE to get round to reading that first one, Fantastic Creatures: A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology, which has been in my kindle FOREVER.) There are fewer stories in this one than Hall of Heroes: A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology, but each story here is longer and somewhat more complex. So, in that way, each bite here is a juicier and more fulfilling read! (If that even makes sense.)
Everwild (J.M. Hackman) started off with a slightly generic feel. Orphan boy discovers his heritage upon coming of age and must choose his path now, now, now before he turns eighteen! Girl + magic vs offer of his wildest dreams! Still, it's a good look at the stark choices that face a young person when they age out of foster care.
Well of Fate (Savannah Jezowski) was brilliant. It's based on Norse Mythology, centring on Ratatosk, the storyteller squirrel that lives on the Yggdrasil. It's not the common mythology fare you get nowadays with Odin and Thor and Loki being so popular in pop culture. I especially liked the twist at the end, which I didn't quite see coming!
I enjoyed Jericho and the Magician's Daughter , probably because I seem to like almost everything I've read by (H.L. Burke) so far. It has a bit of a budding romance (maybe? maybe not?), but was mainly about Jericho standing up for his friend against her father and insisting that she should be given the opportunity to pursue her dreams.
Kathy Huth Jones' Dragon's Oath was about forbidden (and impossible) interspecies friendships, as well as breaking with a past that holds you down. Ethaniel is a little too melodramatic (but what teen boys aren't) so this was just okay for me, I guess.
The Hallway of Three Doors (D.G. Driver) has a very old-style fairy tale feel to it--you know, like the old enchanted castles, well, doors, and princes, and trying to decipher the riddle behind it--but it was also a little hard to follow. Still, I liked it.
Bokerah Brumley's Door Number Four was brilliant. It's slightly more sci-fi so the door isn't exactly mystical, but the creature behind it IS indeed mystical. It had a bit of a Ender's Game vibe to it, at least in concept and the way things played out.
Threshold (Laurie Lucking went back to the same choose-your-path theme as Everwild , where Heidi has to decide to stay in fairyland forever, or never go back again. I kinda preferred this one, though. Maybe because of the choices made and the reasons why.
Idiot's Graveyard seems to be a continuation of Arthur Daigle's story in Hall of Heroes: A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology--more background is given about Sorceror Lord Jayden, and Dana Illwind is still hanging around! It's still engrossing as a standalone, so don't worry that you'll need to read the earlier ones! Though now ... maybe there's a first story in Fantastic Creatures. Hmmm...
There's always one story in an anthology that I can't seem to get into (sorry), and this time it turned out to be AJ Bakke's Cosmic Cravings . Maybe it was the disjointed feel to it (it jumped between people and places quite a bit) or its ludicrous premise (everything happened just because Bree NEEDS CHOCOLATE) but I pretty much skimmed through this one.
I had to look Dragon Ward (Jenelle Leanne Schmidt) up, which means that I didn't like it that much to remember it, or didn't get annoyed enough to remember it. So that's kinda good? Similar man vs dragon theme as Dragon's Oath , different play out, but almost similar end result.
In What Lies Ahead (Lauren Lynch), a former slave goes in search of the past, but finds instead a path to the future. Certain elements in it reminded me of David Gemmell (walking into/interacting with the past, trying to change the future, foretelling). It felt like a fitting end to the anthology:
Everwild (J.M. Hackman) started off with a slightly generic feel. Orphan boy discovers his heritage upon coming of age and must choose his path now, now, now before he turns eighteen! Girl + magic vs offer of his wildest dreams! Still, it's a good look at the stark choices that face a young person when they age out of foster care.
Well of Fate (Savannah Jezowski) was brilliant. It's based on Norse Mythology, centring on Ratatosk, the storyteller squirrel that lives on the Yggdrasil. It's not the common mythology fare you get nowadays with Odin and Thor and Loki being so popular in pop culture. I especially liked the twist at the end, which I didn't quite see coming!
I enjoyed Jericho and the Magician's Daughter , probably because I seem to like almost everything I've read by (H.L. Burke) so far. It has a bit of a budding romance (maybe? maybe not?), but was mainly about Jericho standing up for his friend against her father and insisting that she should be given the opportunity to pursue her dreams.
Kathy Huth Jones' Dragon's Oath was about forbidden (and impossible) interspecies friendships, as well as breaking with a past that holds you down. Ethaniel is a little too melodramatic (but what teen boys aren't) so this was just okay for me, I guess.
The Hallway of Three Doors (D.G. Driver) has a very old-style fairy tale feel to it--you know, like the old enchanted castles, well, doors, and princes, and trying to decipher the riddle behind it--but it was also a little hard to follow. Still, I liked it.
Bokerah Brumley's Door Number Four was brilliant. It's slightly more sci-fi so the door isn't exactly mystical, but the creature behind it IS indeed mystical. It had a bit of a Ender's Game vibe to it, at least in concept and the way things played out.
Threshold (Laurie Lucking went back to the same choose-your-path theme as Everwild , where Heidi has to decide to stay in fairyland forever, or never go back again. I kinda preferred this one, though. Maybe because of the choices made and the reasons why.
Idiot's Graveyard seems to be a continuation of Arthur Daigle's story in Hall of Heroes: A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology--more background is given about Sorceror Lord Jayden, and Dana Illwind is still hanging around! It's still engrossing as a standalone, so don't worry that you'll need to read the earlier ones! Though now ... maybe there's a first story in Fantastic Creatures. Hmmm...
There's always one story in an anthology that I can't seem to get into (sorry), and this time it turned out to be AJ Bakke's Cosmic Cravings . Maybe it was the disjointed feel to it (it jumped between people and places quite a bit) or its ludicrous premise (everything happened just because Bree NEEDS CHOCOLATE) but I pretty much skimmed through this one.
I had to look Dragon Ward (Jenelle Leanne Schmidt) up, which means that I didn't like it that much to remember it, or didn't get annoyed enough to remember it. So that's kinda good? Similar man vs dragon theme as Dragon's Oath , different play out, but almost similar end result.
In What Lies Ahead (Lauren Lynch), a former slave goes in search of the past, but finds instead a path to the future. Certain elements in it reminded me of David Gemmell (walking into/interacting with the past, trying to change the future, foretelling). It felt like a fitting end to the anthology:
"Any illusions of the past I'd clung to faded like stars dissolving in the light of dawn. It was easier than I might have imagined to let go of my childish notions--to reach for the endless possibilities awaiting me."
April 4, 2018
Mythical Doorways
A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology
By Katy Huth Jones, D. G. Driver, Lauren Lynch, H.L. Burke, Savannah Jezowski, A. J. Bakke, Laurie Lucking, Jenelle Schmidt, Arthur Daigle, Bokerah Bromley, and J.M. Hackman
This is a delightful and entertaining compilation of fantasy stories that will take you to lands exotic and fantastical. With 11 stories one is sure to discover a new land one wants to visit again. All the stories were a delight to discover with some ranking higher in my personal preference than others but all were well written and I met a few new writers I'd like to again met over words and pages.
The first story Everwild by J.M. Hackman finds Flint North with hours to make a decision that will permanently affect his life. Leave the life he has always known for the unknown of Everwild - a fairy realm that a golden key he has been given will allow him to enter. But can a decision be made based on only a quick glance?
The Well of Fate by Savannah Jezowski finds Ratatosk, a squirrel, determined to change his destiny. But can a tale-spinner become a hero? Tosk is determined to try but facing the challenges that await him will take a courage that he may not possess. And keep an eye out for an interesting identity reveal at the end (hint, hint)
Jericho and the Magician's Daughter by H.L. Burke finds Jericho Carver in an apprentice position to Magician Hedward Spellsmith. Jericho loves his work but he finds Spellsmith's daughter's thwarted desire to practice magic unfair. But if he goes against his master's wishes he could find himself let go. But Rill's desire to learn is one temptation he may have trouble denying.
When a young man's desire leads to his banishment in Katy Huth Jones's Dragon's Oath a whole new world is about to open up to him. But new worlds with no one can be lonely and dangerous so when an unlikely rescuer comes to his aid Ethaniel makes a new friend who teaches him a valuable lesson about anger and extracts from him a promise that will lead to healing and a hope for the future.
When the self-recriminations about past decisions drive Seta to seek a better life in The Hallway of Three Doors by D.G. Driver she wants to never make a decision again. But choices are inevitable and Seta has one to make that will determine not only her future but that of the people she has let down in the past.
Door Number Four by Bokerah Brumley finds Cadet Rase Flannigan facing his fears of never achieving his life dream. Today is the day that he has to prove himself and his skills under pressure. If he can find the strength and determination within himself he will earn a place within the Creature Caretakers Corps (CCC). But can someone convinced they will fail, be able to rise to the challenge?
With days to decide where she will spend her life Heidi is on the Threshold (by Laurie Lucking). Can she leave behind her family for the magic and enchantment of Lockwood? Or will she give up her best friend Shawn when her sixteenth birthday? With decisions that no fifteen-year-old should have to make Heidi must discover what her heart is telling her.
In the Idiot's Graveyard by Arthur Daigle Sorcerer Lord Jayden and Dana Illwind find themselves battling an ancient evil that has been awakened by the greed of fools who don't know what they are dealing with. Can Jayden's skills and knowledge of ancient Elven history be enough to stop this threat before the land is ravaged and the people destroyed? With the help of Dana, they have a small hope of success.
The Cosmic Cravings by A.J. Bakke may be one of my favorites starring Bree a mouse-mage who now calls Deart home. Who couldn't love a mouse with a universal chocolate craving that can't be satisfied? But with chocolate only to be found on Earth Bree has a major problem as everyone knows portals can't connect to Earth. What's a mouse-mage to do? Why keep trying with a small mishap or two that just may prove helpful in the end!
Dragon Ward by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt is another one of my favorites in this book. Gwyna and the dragon Keltarrka find themselves in a unique and unexpected predicament when they enter a magical doorway at the same time. Since the war dragons and people have had a distrust and dislike of one another but that may soon change when a forbidden doorway offers a new understanding to both races.
What Lies Ahead by Lauren Lynch finds Roman slave Vassus on a search for what he most desires. But to get what he wants he must rely on a Greek guide and trust that an ancient doorway hidden into a cliff will grant him his desire. But the desire of his heart will take him into the past and offer him a glimpse of the life that he will fulfill.
If you want a sample platter of a clean fantasy reading get ready for some reading that will whet the appetite for more offerings from these writers! I enjoy fantasy reading that is clean and suitable for readers of all ages and this is one I would recommend as fitting this criteria.
I was provided a review copy of this book with no expectations of a positive review - all opinions expressed are my own.
A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology
By Katy Huth Jones, D. G. Driver, Lauren Lynch, H.L. Burke, Savannah Jezowski, A. J. Bakke, Laurie Lucking, Jenelle Schmidt, Arthur Daigle, Bokerah Bromley, and J.M. Hackman
This is a delightful and entertaining compilation of fantasy stories that will take you to lands exotic and fantastical. With 11 stories one is sure to discover a new land one wants to visit again. All the stories were a delight to discover with some ranking higher in my personal preference than others but all were well written and I met a few new writers I'd like to again met over words and pages.
The first story Everwild by J.M. Hackman finds Flint North with hours to make a decision that will permanently affect his life. Leave the life he has always known for the unknown of Everwild - a fairy realm that a golden key he has been given will allow him to enter. But can a decision be made based on only a quick glance?
The Well of Fate by Savannah Jezowski finds Ratatosk, a squirrel, determined to change his destiny. But can a tale-spinner become a hero? Tosk is determined to try but facing the challenges that await him will take a courage that he may not possess. And keep an eye out for an interesting identity reveal at the end (hint, hint)
Jericho and the Magician's Daughter by H.L. Burke finds Jericho Carver in an apprentice position to Magician Hedward Spellsmith. Jericho loves his work but he finds Spellsmith's daughter's thwarted desire to practice magic unfair. But if he goes against his master's wishes he could find himself let go. But Rill's desire to learn is one temptation he may have trouble denying.
When a young man's desire leads to his banishment in Katy Huth Jones's Dragon's Oath a whole new world is about to open up to him. But new worlds with no one can be lonely and dangerous so when an unlikely rescuer comes to his aid Ethaniel makes a new friend who teaches him a valuable lesson about anger and extracts from him a promise that will lead to healing and a hope for the future.
When the self-recriminations about past decisions drive Seta to seek a better life in The Hallway of Three Doors by D.G. Driver she wants to never make a decision again. But choices are inevitable and Seta has one to make that will determine not only her future but that of the people she has let down in the past.
Door Number Four by Bokerah Brumley finds Cadet Rase Flannigan facing his fears of never achieving his life dream. Today is the day that he has to prove himself and his skills under pressure. If he can find the strength and determination within himself he will earn a place within the Creature Caretakers Corps (CCC). But can someone convinced they will fail, be able to rise to the challenge?
With days to decide where she will spend her life Heidi is on the Threshold (by Laurie Lucking). Can she leave behind her family for the magic and enchantment of Lockwood? Or will she give up her best friend Shawn when her sixteenth birthday? With decisions that no fifteen-year-old should have to make Heidi must discover what her heart is telling her.
In the Idiot's Graveyard by Arthur Daigle Sorcerer Lord Jayden and Dana Illwind find themselves battling an ancient evil that has been awakened by the greed of fools who don't know what they are dealing with. Can Jayden's skills and knowledge of ancient Elven history be enough to stop this threat before the land is ravaged and the people destroyed? With the help of Dana, they have a small hope of success.
The Cosmic Cravings by A.J. Bakke may be one of my favorites starring Bree a mouse-mage who now calls Deart home. Who couldn't love a mouse with a universal chocolate craving that can't be satisfied? But with chocolate only to be found on Earth Bree has a major problem as everyone knows portals can't connect to Earth. What's a mouse-mage to do? Why keep trying with a small mishap or two that just may prove helpful in the end!
Dragon Ward by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt is another one of my favorites in this book. Gwyna and the dragon Keltarrka find themselves in a unique and unexpected predicament when they enter a magical doorway at the same time. Since the war dragons and people have had a distrust and dislike of one another but that may soon change when a forbidden doorway offers a new understanding to both races.
What Lies Ahead by Lauren Lynch finds Roman slave Vassus on a search for what he most desires. But to get what he wants he must rely on a Greek guide and trust that an ancient doorway hidden into a cliff will grant him his desire. But the desire of his heart will take him into the past and offer him a glimpse of the life that he will fulfill.
If you want a sample platter of a clean fantasy reading get ready for some reading that will whet the appetite for more offerings from these writers! I enjoy fantasy reading that is clean and suitable for readers of all ages and this is one I would recommend as fitting this criteria.
I was provided a review copy of this book with no expectations of a positive review - all opinions expressed are my own.
March 26, 2018
I am always unsure of how to review anthologies. Do I rate each story? Rave about the book as a whole? Or should I only mention the stories that I liked best?
Mythical Doorways is the third Anthology from a group called The Fellowship of Fantasy. Each story is in the fantasy genre and is about a door of some kind. All of these stories we're amazing and by very talented authors.
I am not going to get into each one but you should read this anthology and see if you can figure out which stories I'm describing below:
The one where childhood ends. But the adventures don't.
If Sherlock Holmes were a wizard.
To save a fox he must catch the cat/dragon.
Mythical Doorways is the third Anthology from a group called The Fellowship of Fantasy. Each story is in the fantasy genre and is about a door of some kind. All of these stories we're amazing and by very talented authors.
I am not going to get into each one but you should read this anthology and see if you can figure out which stories I'm describing below:
The one where childhood ends. But the adventures don't.
If Sherlock Holmes were a wizard.
To save a fox he must catch the cat/dragon.
Read
April 24, 2018Probably shouldn't assign any stars... since I have a story in this anthology... *grin* but I did read it, so it counts toward my reading challenge - so there! And I honestly loved every one of the 11 stories within. :)
August 3, 2018
Another Excellent Anthology!
Another excellent anthology from Fellowship of Fantasy! This one is shorter than the others, but it's no less enjoyable, and the stories are all quite unique.
Another excellent anthology from Fellowship of Fantasy! This one is shorter than the others, but it's no less enjoyable, and the stories are all quite unique.
March 27, 2018
"What's Behind the Door? Only One Way to Find Out!"
"Mythical Doorways" is a collection of fantasy stories from eleven authors associated with the Fellowship of Fantasy website and Facebook page. The settings, themes, and subgenres vary widely, but all have this in common. Integral to the plot is a door, in one sense or another.
I liked some stories more than others. But all are readable, and the variety means something for everyone. So I highly recommend this anthology. Disclosure: I received a free advance review copy.
1. "Everwild", J. M. Blackman: A moving coming-of-age fantasy. Flint, an orphan living on his own for the first time, gets a rare opportunity to train in his chosen field, art. But he also has the chance to learn about his mysterious origins. He might not be completely human. And to follow one course, Flint must give up the other. The author handles well the classic dilemma of heeding one's head or one's heart.
2. "Well of Fate", Savannah Jezowski: Excellent Tolkienesque quest adventure set in the world of Norse mythology. Ratatosk, Tosk for short, is the squirrel that inhabits Yggdrasil, the cosmic tree. He's a fine storyteller, but that's not enough. He yearns to become a hero. "I don’t want to tell stories. I want to have stories told about me.”
So Tosk sets out for the Well of Fate in the giant tree's roots in hopes of changing his destiny. And what an adventure awaits him! Weird mythological beings. Unexpected perils. Bizarre situations. And some neat surprises, including a real zinger at the end.
The author does an excellent job of packing so much into so little wordage. She well and truly makes Norse mythology come to life by using authentic figures and places in an original story. The result is not another myth-mash, but rather a fresh and imaginative work of fiction that should appeal to many. And how many stories are there in which the protag is a squirrel?
3. "Jericho and the Magician's Daughter", H. L. Burke: Jericho Carver is an apprentice to the sorcerer Master Spellsmith in a high-fantasy version of rural Victorian England. He's doing well at learning magic. But his best friend, his master's daughter Rill, isn't allowed to study it at all. Jericho and Rill are smarting over this prohibition. The sorcerer won't change his mind. But when there's a will, there's a way!
This story is a fun bit of whimsical adventure, with an elaborate but convincing system of magic. It serves as a prequel to the author's Spellsmith & Carver series.
4. "Dragon's Oath", Katy Huth Jones: Another story I highly recommend. Ethaniel is a young member of the Brethren, a religious sect and farming community. On the surface it looks like a bucolic Utopia. Dig deeper and it's a repressive, reactionary theocracy.
Ethaniel is forced out because of his love for a forbidden girl. Lost in the wilderness and near death, he stumbles upon the dragon Flavatorix. He too is an outcast from his own kind. Together the two fight for survival and forge a bond that can be broken only in death.
The author does an excellent job of characterizing Ethaniel. I found it easy to identify with him and felt moved by his plight.
The story is fast-paced fantasy adventure, but also deals with social and psychological issues. The two aspects work well with each other, rather than feel like one has been tacked on to the other.
5. "The Hallway of Three Doors", D. G. Driver: A surreal fantasy that just doesn't work for me. Seta, a luckless young woman, seeks answers from a soothsayer about what course she should take. Her decisions have so far turned out to be disastrously wrong. So she wants to learn what path destiny has already set out for her.
The soothsayer directs Seta to an abandoned castle, where she'll find three doors. Therein lies her answer.
I lost sympathy for the protag early on, when she expresses her desire to be free of personal responsibility for her choices. Of course she eventually learns better. But Seta and the other characters never really come alive.
Nor does their story. The places, situations, and events are bizarre, but still dull. The plot, such as it is, fails to make sense, let alone move the emotions.
6. "Door Number Four", Bokerah Brumley: In a futuristic world in which the science is magic and technology is spells, Rase Flannigan is a student at an academy. He's preparing for a career rescuing sick and wounded wild animals. Not in his own world, but in those accessed through magical doors.
Now it's final exams day, and his future depends on passing a rigorous test in a world on the other side of one of those doors. Rase expects it to be tough. But he's still in for surprises.
The author does a fine job of making the protag come alive and his stressful situation seem real. Her imagery of the settings and their magic work well. Recommended!
7. "Threshold", Laurie Lucking: Heidi Benson will soon turn sixteen. She's a typical teen, except for one thing. She has access to a world next door. A wondrous fantasy land called Lockwood, full of fairies, unicorns, centaurs, and trolls. And one mortal boy about her age named Shawn. Her happiest times are spent there.
But the door will slam shut on Heidi's upcoming birthday. Should she stay in this world or the other? At first the choice seems obvious; she loves her family and looks forward to further studies and a career. But Shawn was given the same choice, and remained in Lockwood. And Heidi is falling in love with him.
This story is quite remarkable. It's a poignant, moving coming-of-age tale with a fantasy twist. The author describes the alternate world vividly and the protag's inner world precisely.
It's easy to feel empathy for Heidi, to experience her dilemma along with her. And get set for a really touching final scene.
8. "Idiot's Graveyard", Arthur Daigle: Here's a sword and sorcery tale that manages to be both a fun adventure and a harrowing, grim horror story. Dana and Jayden are two guards on a caravan. It's a boring job until they investigate an abandoned tower, the scene of paranormal activity. More description would mean spoilers, so all I'll say is that they aren't bored any longer!
The author displays quite an imagination. He recounts his protags' adventures with a flair for the outré, the bizarre, the outlandish. All this with very down-to-Earth, relatable characters. Another story I recommend.
9. "Cosmic Cravings", AJ Bakke: A bit of whimsy involving a mouse mage named Bree living on an Earth-like planet. Its supply of chocolate has run out, so she creates a magic door to Earth, the source of her favorite treat. In the process she accidentally displaces Shade, a miniature dragon, and Alyn, and its elf-like rider.
All three wind up with an eight-year-old Earth girl named Katrina, who possesses a magical power she's unaware of. Which makes her the target of an unscrupulous mage. One her otherworldly visitors must protect her from.
If all this sounds a little mixed up, well, so is the story. The blend of disparate elements, including science fiction and fantasy, simply doesn't work here. The story features plenty of drama and action, but never seems real or even interesting. So it simply failed to engage me.
10. "Dragon Ward", Jenelle Leanne Schmidt: This reads more like a long excerpt or a fill-in story than a work its own right. Gwyna, a farm girl in an unspecified fantasy world, encounters a dragon. At first they're enemies. But once they enter a magic doorway their relationship changes.
The author does a fine job with descriptions. But overall this story is rather confusing. Why are these inexplicable events and odd situations going on? I assume the longer works it relates to provide answers. But with only this bit to go on, I felt unsatisfied.
11. "What Lies Ahead", Lauren Lynch: The shortest story in the collection and the most enigmatic. Set on a remote frontier of the Roman Empire, the unfortunate Vassus seeks his heritage. He's guided to a door on a cliff, one that seems to open onto thin air. Instead it leads him to another time. And encounters that might enable him to come to terms with his past and create his future.
The author creates a moving and imaginative tale, apparently part of a series. And raises intriguing questions about destiny and how to deal with it.
"Mythical Doorways" is a collection of fantasy stories from eleven authors associated with the Fellowship of Fantasy website and Facebook page. The settings, themes, and subgenres vary widely, but all have this in common. Integral to the plot is a door, in one sense or another.
I liked some stories more than others. But all are readable, and the variety means something for everyone. So I highly recommend this anthology. Disclosure: I received a free advance review copy.
1. "Everwild", J. M. Blackman: A moving coming-of-age fantasy. Flint, an orphan living on his own for the first time, gets a rare opportunity to train in his chosen field, art. But he also has the chance to learn about his mysterious origins. He might not be completely human. And to follow one course, Flint must give up the other. The author handles well the classic dilemma of heeding one's head or one's heart.
2. "Well of Fate", Savannah Jezowski: Excellent Tolkienesque quest adventure set in the world of Norse mythology. Ratatosk, Tosk for short, is the squirrel that inhabits Yggdrasil, the cosmic tree. He's a fine storyteller, but that's not enough. He yearns to become a hero. "I don’t want to tell stories. I want to have stories told about me.”
So Tosk sets out for the Well of Fate in the giant tree's roots in hopes of changing his destiny. And what an adventure awaits him! Weird mythological beings. Unexpected perils. Bizarre situations. And some neat surprises, including a real zinger at the end.
The author does an excellent job of packing so much into so little wordage. She well and truly makes Norse mythology come to life by using authentic figures and places in an original story. The result is not another myth-mash, but rather a fresh and imaginative work of fiction that should appeal to many. And how many stories are there in which the protag is a squirrel?
3. "Jericho and the Magician's Daughter", H. L. Burke: Jericho Carver is an apprentice to the sorcerer Master Spellsmith in a high-fantasy version of rural Victorian England. He's doing well at learning magic. But his best friend, his master's daughter Rill, isn't allowed to study it at all. Jericho and Rill are smarting over this prohibition. The sorcerer won't change his mind. But when there's a will, there's a way!
This story is a fun bit of whimsical adventure, with an elaborate but convincing system of magic. It serves as a prequel to the author's Spellsmith & Carver series.
4. "Dragon's Oath", Katy Huth Jones: Another story I highly recommend. Ethaniel is a young member of the Brethren, a religious sect and farming community. On the surface it looks like a bucolic Utopia. Dig deeper and it's a repressive, reactionary theocracy.
Ethaniel is forced out because of his love for a forbidden girl. Lost in the wilderness and near death, he stumbles upon the dragon Flavatorix. He too is an outcast from his own kind. Together the two fight for survival and forge a bond that can be broken only in death.
The author does an excellent job of characterizing Ethaniel. I found it easy to identify with him and felt moved by his plight.
The story is fast-paced fantasy adventure, but also deals with social and psychological issues. The two aspects work well with each other, rather than feel like one has been tacked on to the other.
5. "The Hallway of Three Doors", D. G. Driver: A surreal fantasy that just doesn't work for me. Seta, a luckless young woman, seeks answers from a soothsayer about what course she should take. Her decisions have so far turned out to be disastrously wrong. So she wants to learn what path destiny has already set out for her.
The soothsayer directs Seta to an abandoned castle, where she'll find three doors. Therein lies her answer.
I lost sympathy for the protag early on, when she expresses her desire to be free of personal responsibility for her choices. Of course she eventually learns better. But Seta and the other characters never really come alive.
Nor does their story. The places, situations, and events are bizarre, but still dull. The plot, such as it is, fails to make sense, let alone move the emotions.
6. "Door Number Four", Bokerah Brumley: In a futuristic world in which the science is magic and technology is spells, Rase Flannigan is a student at an academy. He's preparing for a career rescuing sick and wounded wild animals. Not in his own world, but in those accessed through magical doors.
Now it's final exams day, and his future depends on passing a rigorous test in a world on the other side of one of those doors. Rase expects it to be tough. But he's still in for surprises.
The author does a fine job of making the protag come alive and his stressful situation seem real. Her imagery of the settings and their magic work well. Recommended!
7. "Threshold", Laurie Lucking: Heidi Benson will soon turn sixteen. She's a typical teen, except for one thing. She has access to a world next door. A wondrous fantasy land called Lockwood, full of fairies, unicorns, centaurs, and trolls. And one mortal boy about her age named Shawn. Her happiest times are spent there.
But the door will slam shut on Heidi's upcoming birthday. Should she stay in this world or the other? At first the choice seems obvious; she loves her family and looks forward to further studies and a career. But Shawn was given the same choice, and remained in Lockwood. And Heidi is falling in love with him.
This story is quite remarkable. It's a poignant, moving coming-of-age tale with a fantasy twist. The author describes the alternate world vividly and the protag's inner world precisely.
It's easy to feel empathy for Heidi, to experience her dilemma along with her. And get set for a really touching final scene.
8. "Idiot's Graveyard", Arthur Daigle: Here's a sword and sorcery tale that manages to be both a fun adventure and a harrowing, grim horror story. Dana and Jayden are two guards on a caravan. It's a boring job until they investigate an abandoned tower, the scene of paranormal activity. More description would mean spoilers, so all I'll say is that they aren't bored any longer!
The author displays quite an imagination. He recounts his protags' adventures with a flair for the outré, the bizarre, the outlandish. All this with very down-to-Earth, relatable characters. Another story I recommend.
9. "Cosmic Cravings", AJ Bakke: A bit of whimsy involving a mouse mage named Bree living on an Earth-like planet. Its supply of chocolate has run out, so she creates a magic door to Earth, the source of her favorite treat. In the process she accidentally displaces Shade, a miniature dragon, and Alyn, and its elf-like rider.
All three wind up with an eight-year-old Earth girl named Katrina, who possesses a magical power she's unaware of. Which makes her the target of an unscrupulous mage. One her otherworldly visitors must protect her from.
If all this sounds a little mixed up, well, so is the story. The blend of disparate elements, including science fiction and fantasy, simply doesn't work here. The story features plenty of drama and action, but never seems real or even interesting. So it simply failed to engage me.
10. "Dragon Ward", Jenelle Leanne Schmidt: This reads more like a long excerpt or a fill-in story than a work its own right. Gwyna, a farm girl in an unspecified fantasy world, encounters a dragon. At first they're enemies. But once they enter a magic doorway their relationship changes.
The author does a fine job with descriptions. But overall this story is rather confusing. Why are these inexplicable events and odd situations going on? I assume the longer works it relates to provide answers. But with only this bit to go on, I felt unsatisfied.
11. "What Lies Ahead", Lauren Lynch: The shortest story in the collection and the most enigmatic. Set on a remote frontier of the Roman Empire, the unfortunate Vassus seeks his heritage. He's guided to a door on a cliff, one that seems to open onto thin air. Instead it leads him to another time. And encounters that might enable him to come to terms with his past and create his future.
The author creates a moving and imaginative tale, apparently part of a series. And raises intriguing questions about destiny and how to deal with it.
March 28, 2018
I received an advance review copy of this anthology, with no strings attached.
If you love short stories about magical portals to other places, you will love this anthology. Within these pages, you'll find everything from heroic talking animals to monster battles, fairies and even a bit of sweet romance. Though it is not categorized as such in Amazon, some readers might find it relevant that the stories tend toward a YA audience.
My favorite was Well of Fate, in which Tosk the squirrel goes on a fantastical quest to try to change his own fate. No spoilers, though - you must read this one yourself!
I would have rated two of the stories in this collection at 3 stars, which is why I gave this a 4 overall.
If you love short stories about magical portals to other places, you will love this anthology. Within these pages, you'll find everything from heroic talking animals to monster battles, fairies and even a bit of sweet romance. Though it is not categorized as such in Amazon, some readers might find it relevant that the stories tend toward a YA audience.
My favorite was Well of Fate, in which Tosk the squirrel goes on a fantastical quest to try to change his own fate. No spoilers, though - you must read this one yourself!
I would have rated two of the stories in this collection at 3 stars, which is why I gave this a 4 overall.
August 30, 2019
The name Mythical Doorways says it all , I enjoyed this anthology completely . The diverse talent of the authors is on full display here , definitely something here for every fantasy reader .
The world building and main characters are great in every story , and once you pick this up you sir find yourself having a hard time putting it down . These stories draws you in as you go from author to author and story to story and each one becomes your new favorite in the book .
So go ahead and pick this up get a comfortable seat and kick back and enjoy this anthology when it's done you will be glad you did .
The world building and main characters are great in every story , and once you pick this up you sir find yourself having a hard time putting it down . These stories draws you in as you go from author to author and story to story and each one becomes your new favorite in the book .
So go ahead and pick this up get a comfortable seat and kick back and enjoy this anthology when it's done you will be glad you did .
September 4, 2019
A great collection of stories by indie authors
I love the Fellowship of Fantasy books! They introduce me to so many great authors, their unique voice and universes.
I love the Fellowship of Fantasy books! They introduce me to so many great authors, their unique voice and universes.
October 8, 2020
"Mythical Doorways," edited by H.L. Burke, is a collection of eleven short stories by different authors. Tales of steampunk, sci-fi, fantasy, with splashes of horror and lots of the supernatural provide a splendid reading retreat. Dragons, elves, and mechanical creatures are some of the characters the reader will encounter, and yes, there be dragons.
March 28, 2018
I didn’t know what I was expecting when I first agreed to receive an ARC copy of this book (yes, even though they very specifically said that it was an anthology) but I was thoroughly surprised by each of the stories that I found here. *Heads up* Oh, by the way, the downside of an anthology? (bear with me, I seriously had forgotten what that entailed) is that each story won’t be like a novella, but rather they read more like stand-alone chapters, so, my main problem was switching from one story to the next after its “chapter” had finished (for real, they were THAT good!).
I won’t be giving too many details of these stories since I think I’d end up spoiling them somehow, and because I think it suffices with the one-lining description under each title numbered in the contents list; and yet, I'll leave a short review of the 3 stories that grabbed my attention (though I promise to come back and leave one for each of the others).
Everwild by J. M. Hackman
Let it just be said that I really, really liked this story (a guy out of the foster program with a life-altering decision to make), especially its ending, and it left me in a happy note to eagerly read the following ones.
Well of Fate by Savannah Jezowski
Ok, about this story? The first two lines start with such a kick, they will pull you in right away (yes, it got my attention just like that) The humorous parts were just the perfect touch to this story and it was so easy to relate to the hero’s need to prove that he was “good for something”.
And that ending was SO good!! It definitely makes for a great prequel!! I’ll definitely be looking out for more of this author's work! I’ve never read a story like it in years! (like, since I was a child! #LovedIt)
Threshold by Laurie Lucking
The reason of how I came to hear for the first time about this awesome anthology and, even though I shouldn't be picking favorites, this is #1 for me :D
The feels!!! This story was SO good, and that ending was SO worth every minute of not knowing which decision Heidi would make! And even after knowing it, the author continues webbing this story in such a masterfully way that by the time you reach the end, you realize that it’s just the perfect ending to a beautiful, perfect story!
I won’t be giving too many details of these stories since I think I’d end up spoiling them somehow, and because I think it suffices with the one-lining description under each title numbered in the contents list; and yet, I'll leave a short review of the 3 stories that grabbed my attention (though I promise to come back and leave one for each of the others).
Everwild by J. M. Hackman
Let it just be said that I really, really liked this story (a guy out of the foster program with a life-altering decision to make), especially its ending, and it left me in a happy note to eagerly read the following ones.
Well of Fate by Savannah Jezowski
Ok, about this story? The first two lines start with such a kick, they will pull you in right away (yes, it got my attention just like that) The humorous parts were just the perfect touch to this story and it was so easy to relate to the hero’s need to prove that he was “good for something”.
And that ending was SO good!! It definitely makes for a great prequel!! I’ll definitely be looking out for more of this author's work! I’ve never read a story like it in years! (like, since I was a child! #LovedIt)
Threshold by Laurie Lucking
The reason of how I came to hear for the first time about this awesome anthology and, even though I shouldn't be picking favorites, this is #1 for me :D
The feels!!! This story was SO good, and that ending was SO worth every minute of not knowing which decision Heidi would make! And even after knowing it, the author continues webbing this story in such a masterfully way that by the time you reach the end, you realize that it’s just the perfect ending to a beautiful, perfect story!
May 21, 2018
This was a fabulous anthology filled with a magical blend of stories all swirling around the common theme of doorways and how they can change a life. Each author brought a new angle on the power, the promise, the pressure, or the predicament of passing through a doorway to find all that could be on the other side.
I did have a few favorites, including Savannah Jezowski’s “Well of Fate,” based on Norse Mythology and with a squirrel for a main character; Bokerah Brumley’s “Door Number Four,” whose main character I could totally empathize with in his fear of failure; Laurie Lucking’s “Threshold,” a sweet tale of having to choose; and Arthur Daigle’s “Idiot’s Graveyard,” about the Sorcerer Lord Jayden and his assistant Dana and how they save the kingdom. I also really enjoyed H.L. Burke’s “Jericho and the Magician’s Daughter.” Having read the first of her Spellsmith & Carver Gaslamp Fantasy series, it was really cool to read the backstory of some of the characters in those books. I will admit that there was one story I didn’t finish—it just wasn’t my cup of tea. But that’s the beauty of an anthology: there’s something for everyone!
If you’re looking for a great read, grab your own copy today (they are free on Amazon!!). Not only will you enjoy the anthology, you might even find your next favorite author from the talented bunch at Fellowship of Fantasy! Happy reading 🙂
I did have a few favorites, including Savannah Jezowski’s “Well of Fate,” based on Norse Mythology and with a squirrel for a main character; Bokerah Brumley’s “Door Number Four,” whose main character I could totally empathize with in his fear of failure; Laurie Lucking’s “Threshold,” a sweet tale of having to choose; and Arthur Daigle’s “Idiot’s Graveyard,” about the Sorcerer Lord Jayden and his assistant Dana and how they save the kingdom. I also really enjoyed H.L. Burke’s “Jericho and the Magician’s Daughter.” Having read the first of her Spellsmith & Carver Gaslamp Fantasy series, it was really cool to read the backstory of some of the characters in those books. I will admit that there was one story I didn’t finish—it just wasn’t my cup of tea. But that’s the beauty of an anthology: there’s something for everyone!
If you’re looking for a great read, grab your own copy today (they are free on Amazon!!). Not only will you enjoy the anthology, you might even find your next favorite author from the talented bunch at Fellowship of Fantasy! Happy reading 🙂
April 9, 2018
Since I'm one of the authors, I'm only reviewing the other ten stories in the anthology. I loved the variety of takes on the doorways theme! Difficult to choose favorites because there was something to like about every story, from surprising creatures to endearing characters. When I was a kid I really wanted a doorway to a fantasy world like in "Threshold" and now I want to put out some fairy doors in the hope one might "activate" like in "Cosmic Cravings." If pressed, I'd have to say my two favorites are "Well of Fate" and "Door Number Four." I think this is the best of the Fellowship of Fantasy anthologies!
June 11, 2018
This anthology had a number of wonderful stories in it. A couple of the stories that stayed with me was a meeting between a girl and a dragon and a book that acts as a door to monsters guarding a graveyard. This book is good for anyone who likes clean fantasy.
Work slowed down my reading of this book, but it was good.
Work slowed down my reading of this book, but it was good.
Read
April 29, 2018I won't enter any stars since I'm one of the authors, but I did have a chance to read and review all the other wonderful stories! My full review can be found here: http://www.landsuncharted.com/2018/03....
May 22, 2022
Brilliant!!! Stellar storytelling from start to finish. I enjoyed every single story, but I suppose my top 3 are “Jericho and The Magician’s Daughter”, “The Three Doors”, and “Dragon Ward.” Absolutely stunning!!
May 5, 2018
I loved it
May 22, 2018
Interesting
I loved every short story, especially the first one but I’m not much for short stories, they leave me wanting more when there isn’t any.
I loved every short story, especially the first one but I’m not much for short stories, they leave me wanting more when there isn’t any.
July 3, 2018
Fun collection of short stories all dealing with a door of some kind. Loved the story of the cat trying to go back to earth to get chocolate.
January 24, 2020
This is a fantasy anthology of eleven short stories on the theme of portals to other realms. I actually picked it up as a freebie on Black Friday, not really knowing anything about any of the authors. It was fun to be able to sample so many new authors I might not have encountered otherwise.
Here’s my quick take on each of the stories:
Everwild by J. M. Hackman is a contemporary fantasy about a foster child who discovers he’s part of two worlds. It wasn’t bad. I thought the setting was kind of cool, and I liked that the main character was an artist. I might not be able to stick with it for a whole novel, but it was good enough as a short-story.
Well of Fate by Savannah Jezowski was literally about a squirrel. I applaud Jezowski for her attempt. For some reason squirrels don’t seem to have a lot of soul to me. But it was a unique little story, and I liked that she tied it in with Norse mythology.
Jericho and the Magician’s Daughter by H. L. Burke was my favorite out of the first three. The magic system was unique, and I loved the mechanical fox. My only complaint with this one was that you could tell it wasn’t really a standalone. The story wasn’t actually that satisfying on its own.
Dragon’s Oath by Katy Huth Jones had kind of that overly solemn fantasy feel that isn’t really my thing. I liked some things about the creatures and the setting, but it was a bit too serious in tone. This one you could also tell was kind of supplementary to the author’s other works.
The Hallway of Three Doors by D. G. Driver honestly ranks kind of low for me. I felt like the author was trying to say a little too much thematically for a short-story. And to tell you the truth, the end, I knew she was trying to get some kind of message across, but that’s about all I knew. (Also, her description of the love-interest’s upper lip was weird.)
Door Number Four by Bokerah Brumley was my favorite in the whole collection. The would-building was really weird, which I enjoyed, and though I think tests are kind of overdone, especially in YA, there’s a reason people keep using them as conflict material—they work. Everyone knows about test-anxiety. Throw in some magic and cool creatures, and it’s bound to be good.
Threshold by Laurie Lucking was kind of a weird combination of too fluffy and silly and too serious for me. It kind of went from cutesy giggling fairies and blush-y dances with boys to deadly car accidents too fast. Also, you probably know I’m not one for romance. Especially pre-sixteen-year-old romance.
Idiot’s Graveyard by Arthur Daigle was probably my second-favorite. Normally the kind of gross monsters and grave-robbers aesthetic isn’t my thing, but I really appreciated the humor in this story and the camaraderie between the male and female lead that didn’t really seem romantic. The writing itself wasn’t fantastic, but I still enjoyed it.
Cosmic Cravings by AJ Bakke was…man, sorry, but it felt kind of dumb to me. I know it was supposed to be funny, but it just felt a little too forced and I don’t know. Parts of it had potential. I liked that the little girl collected fairy doors that actually worked. But it was kind of all over the place plot-wise.
Dragon Ward by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt was the only one with an author I recognized. It was a pretty solid girl-meets-dragon story. The whole bonding-to-a-dragon thing is pretty well-worn, but that’s okay. This was another one of those “wait, there’s more” stories. I think I’d appreciate it more if I had read her other works.
What Lies Ahead by Lauren Lynch was kind of a downer. The setting was unique, and it involved time-travel, which I like. But not much in the way of laughs, and once again, kind of a “if you enjoyed this story, check out the author’s other works” sort of sendoff vibe in the end.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad collection. I enjoyed getting to discover so many new authors in one shot.
Here’s my quick take on each of the stories:
Everwild by J. M. Hackman is a contemporary fantasy about a foster child who discovers he’s part of two worlds. It wasn’t bad. I thought the setting was kind of cool, and I liked that the main character was an artist. I might not be able to stick with it for a whole novel, but it was good enough as a short-story.
Well of Fate by Savannah Jezowski was literally about a squirrel. I applaud Jezowski for her attempt. For some reason squirrels don’t seem to have a lot of soul to me. But it was a unique little story, and I liked that she tied it in with Norse mythology.
Jericho and the Magician’s Daughter by H. L. Burke was my favorite out of the first three. The magic system was unique, and I loved the mechanical fox. My only complaint with this one was that you could tell it wasn’t really a standalone. The story wasn’t actually that satisfying on its own.
Dragon’s Oath by Katy Huth Jones had kind of that overly solemn fantasy feel that isn’t really my thing. I liked some things about the creatures and the setting, but it was a bit too serious in tone. This one you could also tell was kind of supplementary to the author’s other works.
The Hallway of Three Doors by D. G. Driver honestly ranks kind of low for me. I felt like the author was trying to say a little too much thematically for a short-story. And to tell you the truth, the end, I knew she was trying to get some kind of message across, but that’s about all I knew. (Also, her description of the love-interest’s upper lip was weird.)
Door Number Four by Bokerah Brumley was my favorite in the whole collection. The would-building was really weird, which I enjoyed, and though I think tests are kind of overdone, especially in YA, there’s a reason people keep using them as conflict material—they work. Everyone knows about test-anxiety. Throw in some magic and cool creatures, and it’s bound to be good.
Threshold by Laurie Lucking was kind of a weird combination of too fluffy and silly and too serious for me. It kind of went from cutesy giggling fairies and blush-y dances with boys to deadly car accidents too fast. Also, you probably know I’m not one for romance. Especially pre-sixteen-year-old romance.
Idiot’s Graveyard by Arthur Daigle was probably my second-favorite. Normally the kind of gross monsters and grave-robbers aesthetic isn’t my thing, but I really appreciated the humor in this story and the camaraderie between the male and female lead that didn’t really seem romantic. The writing itself wasn’t fantastic, but I still enjoyed it.
Cosmic Cravings by AJ Bakke was…man, sorry, but it felt kind of dumb to me. I know it was supposed to be funny, but it just felt a little too forced and I don’t know. Parts of it had potential. I liked that the little girl collected fairy doors that actually worked. But it was kind of all over the place plot-wise.
Dragon Ward by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt was the only one with an author I recognized. It was a pretty solid girl-meets-dragon story. The whole bonding-to-a-dragon thing is pretty well-worn, but that’s okay. This was another one of those “wait, there’s more” stories. I think I’d appreciate it more if I had read her other works.
What Lies Ahead by Lauren Lynch was kind of a downer. The setting was unique, and it involved time-travel, which I like. But not much in the way of laughs, and once again, kind of a “if you enjoyed this story, check out the author’s other works” sort of sendoff vibe in the end.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad collection. I enjoyed getting to discover so many new authors in one shot.
August 21, 2020
A Great Anthology! Loved every story!
1. Everwild by J.M.Hackman🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a good story I'm glad Flint got a happy ending.
2. Well of Fate by Savannah Jezowski.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a surprisedly great story about Tosk the squirrel. It had elements Norse folklore in it. Will follow up on more adventures of Tosk
3. Jericho and The Magician Daughter by H.L.Burke🌟🌟🌟🌟
This one I enjoyed very much. I loved the characters, the magic and the interesting monsters in this one.
4. Dragon's Oath by Kathy Huth Jones 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I loved this sweet Dragon Tale.
5.The Hallway of Three Doors by D.G.Driver.🌟🌟🌟
This was good at the beginning but dragged on.
6. Door Number Four by Bokerah Bromley 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A interesting Science Fantasy story.
7. Threshold by Laurie Lucking 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a sweet story I love the idea of the portal
8. Idiots Graveyard by Arthur Diagle 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Another favorite by Author I hope we see more of Jayden and Dana.
9. Cosmic Cravings by AJ Bakke 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Another animal story a mouse that's a Mage! I love the uniqueness of story and will definitely read more of Bree's adventures.
10. Dragon's Ward. By Jenelle Leanne Schmidt 🌟🌟🌟
Going through a portal Gwayna and a Dragon unexpectedly are bounded to each other. I felt like the story was to short.
11. What Lies Ahead By Lauren Lynch 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Vassus discovers what happened to his mother by going through a portal and seeing her past. Then decides to change his life. Also liked this story.
1. Everwild by J.M.Hackman🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a good story I'm glad Flint got a happy ending.
2. Well of Fate by Savannah Jezowski.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a surprisedly great story about Tosk the squirrel. It had elements Norse folklore in it. Will follow up on more adventures of Tosk
3. Jericho and The Magician Daughter by H.L.Burke🌟🌟🌟🌟
This one I enjoyed very much. I loved the characters, the magic and the interesting monsters in this one.
4. Dragon's Oath by Kathy Huth Jones 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I loved this sweet Dragon Tale.
5.The Hallway of Three Doors by D.G.Driver.🌟🌟🌟
This was good at the beginning but dragged on.
6. Door Number Four by Bokerah Bromley 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A interesting Science Fantasy story.
7. Threshold by Laurie Lucking 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a sweet story I love the idea of the portal
8. Idiots Graveyard by Arthur Diagle 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Another favorite by Author I hope we see more of Jayden and Dana.
9. Cosmic Cravings by AJ Bakke 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Another animal story a mouse that's a Mage! I love the uniqueness of story and will definitely read more of Bree's adventures.
10. Dragon's Ward. By Jenelle Leanne Schmidt 🌟🌟🌟
Going through a portal Gwayna and a Dragon unexpectedly are bounded to each other. I felt like the story was to short.
11. What Lies Ahead By Lauren Lynch 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Vassus discovers what happened to his mother by going through a portal and seeing her past. Then decides to change his life. Also liked this story.
September 3, 2023
Entertaining fantasy listening 🎶🔰
This novel is free on Amazon. Oh those free books 📚!
Eleven will written fantasy world 🌎 romantic relationships adventure thriller short stories by various authors. Each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action and misdirection leading to each conclusion. As with multiple story books 📚 some of the stories are more entertaining than others but I would highly recommend this series and various authors to readers of fantasy haunting adventure novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀☺😈
H. L. Burke is one of my favorite authors. Happy reading 📚 and have fun 🌙😀
This novel is free on Amazon. Oh those free books 📚!
Eleven will written fantasy world 🌎 romantic relationships adventure thriller short stories by various authors. Each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action and misdirection leading to each conclusion. As with multiple story books 📚 some of the stories are more entertaining than others but I would highly recommend this series and various authors to readers of fantasy haunting adventure novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀☺😈
H. L. Burke is one of my favorite authors. Happy reading 📚 and have fun 🌙😀
December 28, 2018
Another great collection of stories!
July 7, 2020
Positive stories
This compilation of very short stories was wonderful. There was only 1 that I didn't enjoy. 👍. Each story has it's own moral yet all end on a positive note. Excellent reading.
This compilation of very short stories was wonderful. There was only 1 that I didn't enjoy. 👍. Each story has it's own moral yet all end on a positive note. Excellent reading.
August 9, 2018
A beautiful antology
I think it is one of the best FF antologies so far. I have liked all tales there. They are well crafted and lyrical.
I think it is one of the best FF antologies so far. I have liked all tales there. They are well crafted and lyrical.
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