Strange Waters

by E.B. Dawson, C. Scott Frank, Janelle Garrett

Nine science fiction and fantasy stories involving adventures on bodies of water.

Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea- by. E.B. Dawson
An unorthodox professor of archaeology sets off to find his own answers about an unusual archaeological find, accompanied by an accident-prone student in need of extra credit.

Finer Things- by C. Scott Frank
Two star-crossed lovers must decide what price they're willing to pay for a future together.

The Underground- by Janelle Garrett
When Hiya is taken captive by the Dragons, her younger brother Kef will risk everything to save her. What he learns in the process will change the Sphere, and his life, forever.

This Pain Inside- by Hannah Heath
In an underwater society under threat from the Poison, Charlie has to fight just to get through the day. But her constant battle with pain may have prepared her for more than she could possibly imagine.

Through the Lens- by K.L.+Pierce
Dion doesn't mind crossing lines other people seem uncomfortable with. In order to get the perfect gift for his sister, he decides to infiltrate a military facility. But this time his actions will have unforeseen consequences and leave him questioning his beliefs.

Backback Boy- by Nate Philbrick
Determined to rescue his mum from pirates, Backback Boy must journey across a fearsome island and face his greatest fears. Good thing he is armed with his elephant, a wooden sword, and a ham sandwich.

Roanoke- by J.E. Purrazzi
Raised from birth to fulfill her destiny, Ketera leaves everything familiar behind and sets sail to find a lost colony on a treacherous planet before it can wage war on Earth.

Ric Vayne and the Curse of Ghoul Nebula- by Kyle Robert Shultz
Kidnapped by a deranged captain, hotshot pilot Ric Vayne finds his consciousness has been merged with a ship. His only hope of getting his body back is to fly his captor in and out of Ghoul Nebula. There's only one problem: nobody has ever left Ghoul Nebula alive.

Kamynosa's Labyrinth- by Beth Wangler
Eager to prove she is capable of ruling alone, Princess Kamynosa enters the dangerous sailing competition known as the Labyrinth in order to win her own hand and her parents' respect.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Anthologies

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2019

About the author

I grew up in Southeast Asia. My first experience with America was when I was six years old. Sometimes I amuse my friends by telling them stories of my first impressions of this country (clean bathrooms, Toy Story, Taco Bell, getting lost in department stores).

My family moved to California when I was eleven and completely changed the course of my life. On the outside I'm a well-adjusted American adult, but in all honesty some days I still wake up to the sound of the grass being cut by machetes.

I have traveled a fair amount and lived in four separate countries. I see the world very differently from most people that I know. And because I am an analytical introvert I try to understand everything in my life. I pour this into my writing.

Everything I write is deeply personal to me. People who know me well recognize the shadows of people I've met, experiences I've had, and emotions I've walked through in my writing. My goal is not just to entertain and explore imaginary worlds, but to take the reader on a journey that explores difficult questions and instills some sort of hope.

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally contributing my own review of this awesome anthology. Is it self-aggrandizing of me to call it that when I wrote one of the stories in it? Perhaps, but given that most of it is by other people, I don’t think so.

Let’s take these one by one:

Backpack Boy

I was very much not okay after reading this story. But in a good way. Which makes no sense, but it’s very often the effect that Nate Philbrick’s writing has on me. He has a truly remarkable talent for pulling on a reader’s heartstrings without ever becoming maudlin. The pure artistry of how this little story is constructed, and how it packs its biggest emotional punch, blew me away.

Finer Things

I absolutely loved the Treasure Island atmosphere of this story. (I’m a simple guy; give me something Treasure-Island-ey and chances are I’ll probably enjoy it.) But there’s a lot more great stuff here besides the general atmosphere--the characters’ journey is gripping, and the plot has an unexpected but satisfying twist. Great fun.

Roanoke

A fascinating tale that blends space and time travel brilliantly. I was on the edge of my seat reading this one--it changes things up from the last two by introducing greater intensity and a darker edge. The name plays into the plot in a very clever way, and there are a number of intriguing twists by the time the story draws to a close. One of my new favorite works from J.E. Purrazzi.

Kamynosa’s Labyrinth

This may seem like an odd take to those who have read this entry, but I would describe it as “what Moana should have been.” To explain that in more detail would lead to spoilers, but basically, there’s a brilliant double-subversion of the typical fairy-tale romance arc that hearkens back to the best elements of classic stories while still increasing the agency of the female lead in a satisfying manner. One of my favorites in this volume (though it’s hard to pick).

Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea

I'm tempted to describe this as “Indiana Jones meets Star Wars,” but that's not quite accurate and a little too simplistic. In any case, I love anything that has to do with archaeologists in space, so this story was right up my alley from the start. The characters are all a joy to spend time with. Barnaby Brown in particular is a very intriguing and likable lead who draws the reader right into the story. I felt immersed in the highly original story-world the whole time I was reading. This one is escapism in the best sense of the word.

Through the Lens by K.L.+Pierce

A great vignette from the world of K.L.+Pierce’s book “Two Lives, Three Choices” that gives further insight into that novel’s characters (plus lots of great banter and sci-fi action). The tone of this story is fairly light overall, but there are plenty of more suspenseful moments that will keep you turning pages. I really liked the way this fleshed out both the people and the mythology of Pierce’s clever allegorical sci-fi universe.

Ric Vayne and the Curse of Ghoul Nebula by Kyle Robert Shultz

I could get all jokey here and say that this is the best story in the entire anthology if I do say so myself...but instead, I’ll just say that I had a fantastic time writing it, and I hope everyone enjoys it.

The Underground

This one is quite dark, but the tone works well and doesn’t feel excessive, in my opinion. I was hooked by the truly terrifying monsters the characters have to face, and their brave struggle against very punishing odds. The world-building was amazing as well. I would happily read a continuation of “The Underground.”

This Pain Inside

A beautiful, heartfelt story that manages to impart a powerful message without feeling preachy. Plus, the undersea world and the blending of magic and sci-fi are captivating elements. I felt deeply invested in the main character’s journey and felt like punching the air at the triumphant conclusion (that’s not a spoiler, given that the ending doesn’t play out quite how you’d expect). An excellent coda to the anthology.

What are you waiting for? You have a lot of stories to read...

[Faye Fite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so incredibly proud of this anthology. Because I'm one of the Phoenix Fiction Writers, I got a lot of behind-the-scenes looks at what each of us went through to write our contribution to this anthology and let me tell you: We went through a lot. And now our stories are out in the world and I think my heart is going to explode. Before that happens, let me give you a quick review of all of the incredible stories in this collection:

Backpack Boy by Nate Philbrick - This story will break your heart and then mend it all at once. It's a beautiful look at pain, grief, and bravery through the eyes of a child. The writing style is soft, whimsical, and perfectly suited for the story and the protagonist. 10/10, would wrap Backpack boy in a giant hug.

Finer Things by C. Scott Frank - This story is so awesome and thought-provoking that I don't even know where to start. The main character is so convicting and the world-building is heart-wrenching. I found myself pausing to think every couple of pages and that, to me, is the sign of a perfect and powerful story. 10/10, would join Tabitha in her quest to make the world a better place.

Roanoke by J.E. Purrazzi - I felt so strengthened after reading this story. Ketera is an instantly relatable character as she struggles with her role in life and her convictions. I loved her tenacity. I also loved the incredible world-building: From the eyeball planet to Wells to the giant monster. 10/10, would sail with Ketera. As long as there are no sea monsters, that is.

Kamynosa's Labyrinth by Beth Wangler - A unique mix of fun and thought-provoking, Kamynosa's adventure is one you don't want to miss. The hilarious and brilliant narration and the vibrant islander-inspired world-building are just a few of the great things about this story. Kamynosa's stubborn spirit and Jadairos' kindness make for a great character duo, and I loved how Wangler took a look at how important it is to reach out for help when you need it. 10/10, would navigate the labyrinth with Kamynosa.

Barnaby Brown and the Sea of Glass by E.B. Dawson - Man, this story is fun. Oliver really stole the show for me. I man, c'mon. He's a pessimistic college student sailing the sea with his professor for extra credit points. So hilarious and relatable. This story made me laugh, and the descriptions of the setting made me feel like I was right there with Barnaby and his posse. 10/10, would fund Barnaby Brown's next archeological trip.

Through the Lens by K.L. + Pierce - A story centered around Dion, Pierce's most mischievous character? Yaaaaas. I loved how this story gave us a look at Dion's thought-process, while also fleshing out the brilliant world Pierce built in Two Lives, Three Choices. There was one scene in particular that was a great look at temptation and the importance of having strong faith. 10/10, would slap Dion upside the head, then give him a hug.

Ric Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula by Kyle Robert Shultz - Yes, I snickered a lot while reading this. It has all of my favorite things: Magicians in space, a snarky, over-arrogant main character, and an adorable sidekick. The dialogue in this story is so clever, and I loved Ovo and Ric's relationship. 10/10, would go on romps around the galaxy with Ric and Ovo.

The Underground by Janelle Garrett - You can read my full review here: https://hannahheath-writer.blogspot.c... But basically it boils down to this: Creepy dragons, awesome world-building, compelling characters, unique POV style. I enjoyed every second of this story, so much so that I read it in one sitting and then went back and re-read my favorite parts. 10/10, would join Kef in his mission to rescue Hiya.

This Pain Inside by me - This is a very personal story for me, as it deals with a character who, like me, struggles with chronic pain and all of the havoc and triumphs it can cause. I hope it gives you strength.

If you haven't checked out this anthology yet, you need to. Go grab a copy and get reading!

[J.E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep saying it and it doesnt make it any less true. I am so so proud to be part of this anthology. We as a group have been through a lot this year. I have been truly blessed to have the prayers, the support, and the love of each of these PFW members in my life, above and beyond just the aspect of my writing and my business.
Watching how we grew and thrived this year has been mind-blowing to me, and I don't know how I would have gotten through things without them.
That, of course, doesn't effect my opinion of this book. Although, it did give me a little thrill of pride every time I started a new story. "I know them" and then "Wow, this is actually really good." and then a gush of tears, or joy, or laughter. So many emotions packed into this anthology. So lets go through them, shall we?

Backpack Boy, Nate Philbrick.

Backpack boy follows a young boy who's mother has been kidnapped by pirates. Working up all the courage he can find, he and his stuffed elephant set out across the island to find her.
But not everything is how it might seem.
This adorable story gives us absolute gems of description, including evil birds, sandwich-loving sharks, and a child-sized view of a world with problems far to large for him. Thanks to his support system, he finds a courage big enough to meet it head on.
At the end, after the island "crumbles" and the backpack boy is forced to face reality in all it's grimness, there is a single line, the last, that took all the tears that head been wrung out of me while I read it, and used them to sooth my heart.
This story will always have a special place for me. It came at a time when I needed it most. And it helped put my pain into terms that I could understand and prove to me how much God desires to speak to me and comfort me.

Finer Things, C Scott Frank.

(I will be releasing a full review tomorrow on my blog www.jillanepurrazzi.com/blog)
I love Sci-Fi. It affords so many ways to take a closer look at the world. More than many genres out there, it helps to be able to put society and morality into context.
And I love dystopian-type Sci-Fi because it gives us a chance to zero in on morality in the context of the worst of culture and society.
C. Scott Frank is an excellent author, and he excels at writing Sci-Fi and at dealing with those morality issues. This story is exactly what I love about my chosen genre. Our protagonist and her love interest work perfectly together to foster this conversation. However, with most books in this genre (mine included) the story often shows the worst of humanity and asks what we are willing to do, and who we are willing to hurt to survive.
This story shows us someone who ISN'T willing to make those sacrifices, and will give up her own happiness to the furthest extent, not to fight but to serve and heal. This story tore my heart in multiple places, and made me so proud of our protagonists.

Roanoke, Yours Truly

Okay. I'm not gonna review this. That's your job.
What I will say is that writing this story was some of the most fun I've had all year and editing it was probably one of the hardest things I'd done. I only meant it to be fun and adventurous. A way to bring together my love for Hard Sci-Fi, Man-v-nature short stories, and history. Instead, I found God speaking to me in many ways. Sometimes, once my thoughts are on a page, I can see patterns that were lost in the swirl of messiness that is my head. And I am sincerely convinced that sometimes God puts things on my page to speak to me when I come back to peek later.
So, I hope it's fun for you. If you find deeper messages, I am honored to be the vessel that was used. And if you find the Easter Eggs... make sure to tell me.

Kamynosa's Labyrinth, Beth Wangler

Soooooo, this story was written in my heart language. Beth can probably tell you how I nerded out over it. I had the great fortune to be able to beta read for it, though I didn't have much to add other than the occasional squeal of joy. Not only was it shot through with history and a brilliant Framing Device but it was full of drop dead gorgeous world-building inspired both my real world cultures and by some hidden muse that seems to have made its nest in Beth's mind. I loved it so much.
Beyond those outer trappings of witty prose, setting, and plot (which were all incredible) the story itself was powerful. It flew in the face of the "You are stronger alone" narratives that have become more and more common and revealed it's deeper meaning slowly and gently. It was a gem nestled in the narrative that filled me with a warm light when it showed up.
This story is brilliant, and I can't wait for you to discover it.

Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea, E.B. Dawson

This story, guys. This story.
E.B. Dawson is my critique partner, so I got this story early. And to be honest, there wasn't much to even talk about to her. I was dumbstruck with awe. Every time I read a story by E.B. Dawson I am shocked by how inventive and intelligent she is. And I don't know why because I've seen it again and again. Sometimes I'll just reread one or two lines of story over and over because I'm just so shocked at how brilliant it is!
I love the adventure and wit of this story. And I love the jaw-dropping descriptions cluttered through the text like chocolate chips in a big warm cookies (yes, I'm on a diet. Don't judge) And if the descriptions are the chocolate chips, the buttery, sugary body of the cookie is fun, laughter, spot on characters (seriously, NO ONE ELSE could ever be in this story. They are so perfect). And the warm feeling that fills you after the cookie, is the soft message woven in to the text, of belonging, learning and teaching. I love it.
Also, my favorite character dynamic of ALL time is that of the broken youth and the unconventional and imperfect adult thrust unwillingly into the role of mentor. So Barnaby and Oliver were PERFECT.

Through the Lens, K.L.+ Pierce

I was so glad that I had read K.L. + Pierce's "Three Lives, Two Choices" before this. Not that you wouldn't be able to understand and enjoy it otherwise, but it really provides such a richness to the characters in the book. And knowing where they would end up afterwards made this story so much more heartbreaking for me.
Kirsten did and incredible job of laying out the themes of the story without being heavy handed with it. And despite the fact that soft Sci-Fi is not my favorite genre, I really savored this story. Most of it is really heavy on the dialogue between two particular characters, and it provided a multifaceted view of the complex issues of war, morality, and what people are willing to sacrifice to get relief from emotional pain and unfair situations.

Ric Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula, Kyle Robert Shultz

This story guys. This story!!! All the hearts here.
First, lets start of by saying Ric Vayne himself is my favorite. He brought to mind a less selfish Hans Solo. The epitome of perfection in the realm of scoundrels and self-satisfied swagger-lords. I love him. And I want his gun.
The opening, where Ric bragged about his piloting skills with slurred speech had me in stitches. And Ovo, guys everyone has talked about her because she fully deserves all the praise. Can we just kick Marvel right off the bigscreen and have a very long and in depth version of Ric Vayne and Ovo causing trouble across the galaxy. Or, you know, we don't REALLY need another Star Wars, lets have some of this brilliance.
I could ramble on and on about how brilliant Ric is, or Ovo, or the world building, but lets be honest... every other review has done that. Let me just pick on how despicable and downright evil the villain is. Most media has veered away from villains as of recent, and gone with bad-guys who have more relatable motivations. Sometimes to the point that you can't tell good guy from bad guy anymore. Most of the time, I'm okay with that. Sometimes its even good. But that's because no body can write a down-right even piece of work like Shultz's villains. And this one is by FAR the best. Just in time for Halloween too!
Overall this story is just plain fun. But I have to point out that by far my favorite part is how Ric Vayne was so willing to suffer harm to protect others. In the end, Ric is anything but selfish, and I almost felt like his joy over helping Ovo outweighed his self-satisfaction. A real bad-guy needs a REAL good-guy.

The Underground, Janelle Garrett

Another work by another Critique Partner. I got to read this one earlier on in it's development. This is one of Janelle's creepier works, and it fits so well into this story and this world. Her MCs Hiya and Kef are so easy to connect too. I have been reading in this universe of hers for a while, and it was so fun to see this side of the world developed a bit. (BTW, you REALLY have to read more books from her Steward Saga universe. I'm currently reading Justice and I love it)
Dripping with darkness, sorrow and hopelessness, it could be so easy for these characters to become hopeless, bitter, and to just give up hope. And in this story she has depicted both. Kef's struggle to to keep believing, and to keep looking for hope, drives him to chase down the monsters who have taken his sister when logic tells him it's useless.
Seeing the hope restored at the end of the story, and seeing the way the characters fought for it, Kef to keep it when everything just kept getting worse, and Hiya to find it when everything in her life told her there was nothing to gain from it, made me want to fight harder myself.
More so, it reminded me of the author, Janelle. Who is one of my closest friends and who has fought harder for hope than anyone I know. For me, for her family, for her church and her community. She is always making war and bringing light to dark places.
I LOVE creepy stories, so I was actually quite delighted in some of the darker aspects. Especially knowing that there is a lot of light and beauty in her other books in this series. But even if you aren't super into the creepy stuff, it's WORTH sticking through.

The Pain Inside, Hannah Heath

Okay. Deep breath.
Firstly, I always knew that Hannah was strong. I always knew she was amazing and I always have looked up to her. This story gave me a new appreciation for her, specifically because I knew how much of it she was drawing from her own life.
Though I wouldn't be able to say for sure just which parts were her own thoughts and feelings, and I don't think I'd want to (Charlie is very real to me, and I like feeling like she is real and all these thoughts and emotions are her own) I think that this story will give a lot of people a new perspective on what chronic pain does and how it affects someone's life.
I love Hannah's writing style. She has so so much talent and you can tell that every word and every thought was very deliberately chosen and placed. I felt the anguish right along with the lead. I was dragged right down into it with her and felt the horror and the anger and the pain. This story reminds me of Romans 8:28, God works all things together for good. The way that Charlie's pain wasn't wasted, not a moment of her suffering was poorly spent, and how her sorrow was given purpose, was such a huge blessing.
I may not be able to relate to the physical side of Charlie's suffering, but there have been many times I've felt that I've been made worthless. That my life was eaten up with sorrow and pain and that I wouldn't have anything to show for it in the end.
This story really is the crown of the anthology, and so perfectly placed at the end to remind us that the darkest part of our life are not out of reach, and how you cannot drown out hope.


That was a lot. And it was a lot to read too. I felt all the emotions again as I was writing this review. I'm going to repost this review on my blog and add a sneak peek of Roanoke! For now, I'm going to post this monster and hope you go read the actual stories before you waste time on my reactions, because that would be a far better use of your time.

[Bethany Fehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to another Phoenix Fiction anthology pretty much since I finished reading their last one, and I was thrilled to recieve an advanced review copy. The title Strange Waters is very fitting: all of the stories feature characters exploring uncharted territory and take place in settings where bodies of water play a prominent role.This collection has also introduced me to uncharted waters within the imaginations of all the Phoenix Fiction writers. I've been introduced to the work of a couple of them for the first time, seen some of the authors I'm familiar with branch out into different genres, and gotten to view different angles of already-established story worlds. This collection is full of the unexpected. As much as I found the surprises to be pleasant, I was happy to find all of the familiar things that keep me coming back for more: vivid characters, compelling themes, rollicking dialogue, difficult choices, and courageous heroes. As all good science fantasy and fiction should do, this collection took me on an exploration of new worlds: most are beautiful, some are frightening, and all are just familiar enough to illuminate the one I live in.

Here are some thoughts on the individual stories:

Backpack Boy by Nate Philbrick

This beautiful story is so much more than initially meets the eye, just like its protagonist. One thing that sets Philbrick apart as a writer is his ability to portray children well. Philbrick's simple yet intentional writing style does a beautiful job of capturing a kid's-eye view of the world through the specific and unexpected details the protagonist finds important, the routines and reasoning he uses to encourage himself, and the signs by which he judges people's character, and the author's characterizations validate children as real people with important, insightful, and genuinely cool perspectives and who are fully capable of living meaningfully.

There are so many other reasons that Backpack Boy grabbed my heart. The gentle foreshadowing that sets up the emotional ending. The uplifting themes woven unobtrusively through the characters' actions and dialogue. The details revealing the background of the boy's relationship with his mother. But I think the biggest part of what moved me was that I could sense the author's love and concern for his little hero as he led him gently through the story, encouraging the boy through the companionship of his lumpy stuffed elephant and listening as he gives his character the freedom to express his wonderful little-kid thoughts and fears uncensored. Love is what drives the story. It's the boy's love for his mother that gives him the courage to overcome his fear, and it's the reason the bittersweet ending left my heart full long after I read the last page.

Finer Things by C. Scott Frank

This is the first work I've by C. Scott Frank. While I personally found this story a little harder to get into than some of the others, I appreciated the unexpected (but well-foreshadowed) spin the theme puts on the plot, and enjoyed exploring the world the author has created.

The story starts out with a familiar premise: young lovers rebelling against a society that says they can't be together. But things get more complicated, and the story becomes something special as the characters realize that more than their own happiness and safety is at stake. With so many love stories focused solely on whether the couple gets their way, I really appreciated the message of selflessness and responsibility in this story.

The author's worldbuilding abilities also caught my attention. For such a short work, Frank does a great job of immersing his readers in an unfamiliar world. The details that bring the planet into focus spring organically from Tabitha's observations of her surroundings and the conversations in which they take place. The sensory images the author uses paint a clear and vivid picture of a place I'd be interested in exploring further.

I think I would have been even more engaged in the story if I had been more emotionally invested in the characters. I would have liked to learn more about their backstories and the qualities that attracted them to each other. Tabitha does have a couple of neat flashback moments, and I would have like to see more of those, especially regarding how Tabitha and Soren's relationship was established prior to the events of the story.

Roanoke by J.E. Purazzi

I thoroughly enjoyed the 4D sensory-cinematic experience that is the writing of J.E. Purazzi. Purazzi's descriptive word choices brought the story's stunning landscapes to life in my mind's eye and may have actually lowered my body temperature. The science behind the "eyeball planet" setting was super cool, and I quite appreciated the highly creative sci-fi technology that is so central to the story. The main character's heroic commitment in the face of the impossible inspired me, and the story's ending left me satisfied.

While I wished I could have gotten a bit deeper into Ketera's psyche and better understand the pieces of her past that prepared her to face this challenge, some of my favorite parts of the story were her flashbacks to her former life on earth and the time spent with her family who knew before she was born that she would leave them forever. The flashbacks do a good job of highlighting the importance of her mission by describing the pain of the sacrifices she's already made in pursuit of her goal. I think Ketera's backstory could be a compelling story on it's own and I would have like to see a bit more of it come through.

I never quite understood why Ketera was traveling using a sailing ship instead of something that could fly or just shuttle her directly to where she needed to be upon entering the atmosphere, but the sailing ship was undeniably super cool and now I think all ships should come equipped with solar sails and convertible ice runners.

Kamynosa's Labyrinth by Beth Wangler

I really enjoyed the thematic twist on what at first glance, presents as a typical girl-power story. I had suspicions about where the story was *really* going early on, but even so, the resolution was a satisfying surprise.

It deviates from what I've come to expect from Wangler's work in some neat ways. The narrative voice of the story is a different style than anything else I've read by Wangler. The story is narrated like a historical record, the historian voice occasionally popping in to mention fictional sources that corroborate the the least significant details and making sure the reader is aware that what was really going through the characters' heads at the time can only be conjectured. It made me smile, and fit well with the lighthearted tone of the piece.

This story breaks the mold of the Firstborn's Legacy stories in a couple other ways. Though it is set in the same world, you have to look for the association. While the other stories in Wangler's series are clearly biblically based, this story is about a peripheral people group who don't seem to have any connection to the author's allegorical representation of the children of Israel or the God they follow. None of this was disappointing, just different. It was cool to see another corner of the world Wangler has created, and the story certainly doesn't have to be an allegory to support themes that line up with the Bible.

Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea by E. B. Dawson

This adventure was so much fun to read! It's more lighthearted in tone than anything else I've read by Dawson, but has the same excellence in characterization and dialogue that I've come to expect from her writing.

I loved Dawson's colorful cast of characters, especially her lovable curmudgeon of a professor. It's worth noting that I'm wary of characteristically sarcastic characters. Sarcasm has to be of a very specific flavor for me to enjoy it rather than being annoyed. However, Barnaby passed my test, and I found myself endeared to his way of expressing his contempt for the idea that he should care what anyone thinks of him. I love characters with the strength of will to stick to their convictions when the whole world thinks they're nuts, and Barnaby's deep concern for truth, contrasted of his habit of saying the opposite of what he means, is what ultimately draws me to him. Contrast, both within and between the characters, makes for a vivid and engaging cast. Absent-minded hermit professors aren't known for being witty and outspoken communicators. You don't expect that an impulsive, adventurous teenage girl would be the type to voluntarily enter a finishing school. Sons of snooty rich businesspeople aren't expected to be awkward, insecure, and pathetically compliant.

What impressed me most about this story from a writing craft perspective is Dawson's masterful use of dialogue as a tool for exposition. The important background information about the characters and their goals is primarily given through the what the characters say. This is very hard to pull off in a way that looks natural, but Dawson does an excellent job revealing important information in a way that seamlessly flows from what the characters are talking and thinking about.

The one thing that left me a little disappointed was that the story had to go and end. Maybe Dawson will write another installment if enough people ask nicely. :)

Rick Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula by Kyle Robert Schultz

Enjoyment mine of tale, affirmative.

I was surprised to find that Schultz's story is not part of his Afterverse series I was also surprised to see him taking a detour into science fiction when he usually writes fantasy. Except it's really not a major detour because the story world's technology runs with the aid of fantasy magic, which is brilliant considering the things said technology does would be impossible to explain scientifically.
Deviations in setting and genre aside, this story still has everything I like about Schultz's writing, particularly the, characters, the stuff the characters say, and the way they say it. The story's plot is ridiculously creative (emphasis on ridiculous,) and in a world where seemingly anything is possible, the author somehow manages to engineer some delightful twists.

Ric, while not being the sort of fellow who inspires complete and unreserved admiration, is clearly the good guy, and he's someone who is hard not to enjoy listening to, especially when you're in his head listening to the stuff he's not actually saying out loud. Ric's wry sense of humor coupled with his slightly inflated self-image makes for an entertaining internal monologue. The avian alien character's dialogue is just as hilarious due to the interference of a busted translation device prone to offering words that don't quite mean what the speaker intends.

The one thing that bugged me is that a certain character deserved to get slapped near the end. This did not happen.

Through the Lens by K.L. Pierce

Like several other stories in this collection, this story starts out appearing to be going down one path, and then takes an unexpected left turn to follow an unconventional theme. I really appreciated the message that many of the lines in life aren't drawn nearly as clearly as we'd like them to be. I've often found stories with similar messages to be disillusioning, but this story presents its theme in a surprisingly uplifting, hopeful light.

Another aspect of this story that impressed me was the religious aspect of the world Pierce has created. I've found that allegorical representations of Christianity are often trite and simplistic with a stark dividing line between the "Christian" characters and everyone else ("everyone else" usually presenting as "the bad guys.") The situation in this story is much closer to reality. Both sides of the conflict claim adherence to the same belief system. The line between the two sides is intentionally fuzzy, people on the same side have doctrinal disagreements, and there are good and bad people on both sides. Though the character's religious beliefs aren't the main focus of the story, they add an interesting facet to the characters' world and effectively highlight the theme.

The Underground by Janelle Garret

This was my first time reading Janelle Garret's work, and I think this story would have meant more to me if I were familiar with the related novels. This one was one I personally found more difficult to engage with, but I still enjoyed the surprises it offers, especially the creative blend of sci-fi and fantasy.

Another thing that makes this story unique is that it's told from the perspectives of two characters, one in first-person narration, the other in third-person. I found this slightly confusing at first, but it didn't take long to get used to.

Though the story had an interesting theme of faith, I would have liked to see it developed further. Though the two main characters have different views on the subject, but only one really experienced change in their worldview, and the character arc felt a little rushed. I think the theme could have been stronger if both characters had been given a few more opportunities to make thematically related choices throughout the story.

This story has the darkest content of all the stories in the collection. There's some violence and gore, and the dragons were rather creepy. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle, but some readers might find elements disturbing.

This Pain Inside by Hannah Heath

The premise of this story caught my attention immediately: the blurb promised that the story would be driven by hard questions, and the story delivered. Good thematic dilemmas offer powerful arguments for all the options the character has to choose between. If the argument for the negative choice isn't convincing, the decision will be easy and the story won't be convincing either. Heath does an excellent job giving her protagonist compelling pressure from both sides of an impossible dilemma. As a result, the themes illustrated by the story carry weight. Drawing from personal experience, Heath tells an honest, life-affirming story that offers encouragement to those who feel like circumstances have rendered their existence useless and gives hope that a life that a life beyond coping is possible in the midst of the pain.

Heath's worldbuilding skills are one of the things that sets her writing apart, and they shine in this story as brightly as ever. I can't say too much without giving spoilers, but her undersea community, it's culture, the sci-fi tech that supports it, and the struggles it faces are unique and creative.

If you're still here, I have only one more thing to say to you: don't take my word for how cool this collection is. You'll get a much clearer idea if you go read it yourself. :)

[Erin Dydek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Rating and Review: 5 out of 5

From the heights of surviving the toughest trials to the depths of overcoming the sharpest pain, the 2019 Phoenix Fiction anthology will challenge you to see with a fresh perspective and navigate through the strange waters of life. Be prepared for an emotional ride that will leave you satisfied at the end of each tale. I loved reading stories from authors whose works I had previously had the opportunity to read, but I also enjoyed a wonderful introduction to the creative minds of several new authors through reading this collection. For science fiction and fantasy readers, this anthology is full of action and adventure and worth checking out. I’ve included some thoughts and reflections for each short story below. Enjoy!


Backpack Boy by Nate Philbrick:

The boy with the red backpack must summon his courage to face his fears. The obstacles he faces to reach the pirate cave to save his Mum will require every ounce of bravery he has and plenty of hugs from his elephant friend. I loved how this story was told with descriptions and similes that would be understandable to a young child. Seeing the scary things through the eyes of a little boy made this a beautifully sweet story. I also enjoyed how the boy adhered to the life lessons Mum had given him. These anecdotes helped the boy make his way across the island to rescue his Mum. My favorite part was when the backpack boy faced his greatest fear and passed on his strength and courage to another young child he met on his journey. The underlying message of hope and love brought a tear to my eye as the island crumbled away, and the full impact of the narrative was revealed.


Finer Things by C. Scott Frank:

My takeaway from finer things: following your dreams can be thrilling and give you a sense of freedom, but looking past our desires to address the needs of others is a grander pursuit. Tabitha desires the freedom to leave behind the injustice of her world, but a chance encounter will force her to question her motives. Pursuing finer things in life is not a bad thing, but what is the cost of ignoring the helpless?

I loved how this story brings to light the moral dilemma between making yourself happy while ignoring the less fortunate of the world. It challenged me to take the path of choosing to make a difference by helping one person at a time. We can’t help everyone at once, but one small action at a time has the potential to increase the effects and make a bigger impact than could ever have been imagined.


Roanoke by J. E. Purazzi:

Roanoke is a sci-fi adventure that crosses the trans-time communication barrier and shows the powerful legacy that a family can establish. As the chosen ambassador, Ketera has had to live a life of sacrifice. She knows that she will lose everyone she loves with no guarantee that her mission will be a success. She seems to have developed some bitterness about this plight, but when push comes to shove, she will have to put her feelings behind to focus on what lies ahead. I loved watching the determination and grit within Ketera as the hope of success dissolved around her. Her situation impossible, but she pressed on nonetheless. This story reveals the power of determination and the results it can achieve.


Kamynosa’s Labyrinth by Beth Wangler:

An adrenaline-laced race through rough seas awaits in this Brave meets Moana adventure. Kamynosa is the spirited Princess who declares she will enter the sea race to win the right to rule without a mate. But as she sets sail, she beings to learn that receiving help is not only okay-it can make you stronger. I loved Kamynosa’s spirit and watching her story told through a historian’s perspective. This was a unique way to tell a story, and Beth Wangler nailed it! I loved this heart-pounding suspense-filled short story, and it's fantastic ending!


Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea by E. B. Dawson:

A sarcastic professor, a sneaky sister, and a clumsy student make for a great mix of characters in this epic short story. Dawson uses fantastic descriptions like “a large airship floating lazily through the sky like an overfed manatee” to create a beautifully vivid world that is ready to be explored. My favorite part was the way the story ended. Dawson gives you enough details to be satisfied but leaves the door open for your imagination to run wild. It’s the kind of ending that allows you to fill your dreams with endless possibilities. Why do I love these endings? Let’s face it, our imaginations can use a little exercise (at least mine does), and this spectacular ending did just the trick. It made me want to read the story again, look for more clues, and daydream about the many adventures to come for Barnaby and crew.


Through the Lens by K. L. + Pierce:

The dilemma of finding the perfect gift with no budget and at the last minute; this is a problem I can easily relate to. Not that I mean to wait until the last minute, sometimes it’s just utterly difficult to find that one special gift that will lift the spirits of the one you love and fill them with joy. As Dion attempts to put together the pieces for an extra special gift for his sister, he is forced to see his enemies through new eyes. The assumptions he’s made from the lessons he’s been taught don’t line up with what he experiences through this story.

I enjoyed this story for the perspective it presented: things are not always black and white. I also enjoyed the characters and world-building so much that I am curious about reading more from K. L. + Pierce. I would love to learn more about the world that Dion calls home and its culture. This was a solid story that has left me thinking about what it means to see those who have hurt me or those that I have made assumptions about in a different light. Life experiences lead us to believe that we know a lot more than we do, and this story was a great reminder that not all that we presume to be true is as accurate as we may have thought. If we open our minds and our hearts, we may be surprised at the characteristics in others that we may have overlooked.


Ric Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula by Kyle Robert Schultz:

Ric Vayne is a bit of a hotshot and more than capable of getting himself into trouble. He didn't realize that taking the job offer from Sinjon Bek was going to be such a life-changing opportunity. Well, life-changing in the sense that he is now a ship. Don't worry! His body is ok, but his mind is threatened by the chaos magic of the Ghoul Nebula and the crazy plan that Bek has for their little expedition.

As usual, Schultz’s sense of witty humor makes an appearance in this wild adventure. Ric’s perspective in ship form is fun and deeply creative. The language barrier between Ric and Bek’s owlish-looking slave is also entertaining. Owl Girl, aka Ovo, has a broken translator collar that gives her a hilarious speech pattern. Readers will enjoy the banter throughout this story as Ric tries in Vayne to find a way out of the nebula before he loses his mind.


The Underground by Janelle Garett:

New to the writings of Janelle Garrett, I was eager to read her addition to the anthology. I was not disappointed. Combining the elements of fantasy and science fiction, this story starts with the need for a healer. Responding to the call, Hiya heads off to help the victim but soon realizes that she has stepped into a trap. When her brother, Kef, learns of her plight, he sets off to rescue her but soon learns more than he cares to know about the enemy that threatens her.

I loved how this story was written in both first and third person. Hiya’s portion of the story is written in the third-person perspective, and the portions surrounding Kef are written from his point of view. This style was unique and kept me fully engaged in the story. The Underground is just a small glimpse into the world created by Garrett’s imagination and whet my appetite for more stories from the Steward Saga.


This Pain Inside by Hannah Heath:

This story was a first for me in the Torn Universe created by Hannah Heath. This Pain Inside chronicles the daily struggle that Charlie faces due to the chronic pain inside her body. Set in a sci-fi world under the depths of a vast ocean, Charlie fights a battle to retain hope that she can be cured. Close to the edge of surrender to the pain, Charlie must make a drastic choice when tragedy threatens everything she holds dear.

This story of hope gives inspiration to those who suffer from chronic pain. I enjoy stories like this that challenge us to look beyond ourselves. This story opened my eyes to the difficulties of pushing through each day with chronic pain. It challenged me to be thankful for the life that I have and to stop complaining when I have so much to be grateful for in life. Charlie’s agony was heart-wrenching, but her strength was inspiring. I admired her determination and grit. I look forward to reading more stories from this universe in the future!


I received an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

[Julia Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is overflowing with so many emotions after finishing this wonderful anthology; I have no idea how I'm going to sleep tonight.
I laughed, cried, gasped in horror, nearly fell off the edge of my seat with suspense and cheered as I read these nine stories. I want to get several copies and share them with my family because they need to read it too.

Here are my thoughts on the stories contained:

"Backpack Boy" by Nate Philbrick

A clever, sweet story about difficult things from a child's point of view. So many beautiful lines!
My little brothers came home to me crying on the couch. I don't think that I expected this story to touch me so deeply. It's like a tiramisu cake. Delicious and bittersweet.

"Finer Things" by C. Scott Frank

I was a little confused at first, but the story was interesting and had believable moral dilemmas (which I love). Made me wish there was more to the story. I felt like it was an appetizer which left me wanting more.

"Roanoke" by J.E. Purrazzi

A breathtaking story about saving your enemies, no matter the cost to yourself.
This wasn't something I've read about too much or seen too often in stories, so I enjoyed it all the more.
I loved the nods to the actual colony of Roanoke sprinkled throughout.
Beautiful story; lovely world-building. I need more of this, please and thank you.

"Kamynosa's Labryinth" by Beth Wangler

The thing that I loved most about this story was that the story was told as part of a historical account. I thought that was a really unique twist. More stories need to be written this way. It made it feel more realistic.
I loved the underlying themes of unity and friendship.
Great world-building and intriguing characters fully fleshed out in such a short story. I hope the author writes more stories like this because I will read every single one of them.

"Through the Lens" by Kirsten L. Pierce

Unique world-building, moral dilemmas and characters. I understand that the characters were first featured in the author's first book , "Two Lives, Three Choices" (which I have not read). However, this short story works well as a standalone. Loved the unit-conversion chart in the beginning. That was super helpful.
I really loved Dion and Mim and Krysta was precious! I wanted to give her a hug.
I especially enjoyed the family dynamic that was present. A lot of books don't have main characters whose family are still alive and I enjoyed seeing this trope flipped. Great job!

"Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea" by E. B. Dawson

Absolutely brilliant story! I instantly fell in love with Barnaby's sarcasm and dry wit.
The character of Susannah was awesome too and Oliver was just plain adorable with his bumbling ways.
E.B. Dawson has such a gift with words! I really enjoyed exploring this world and loved her colorful metaphors that were very story-world-appropriate. I think I highlighted half the story.
I was devastated when it ended. I kept turning the pages on my kindle looking for the rest of the story, sad that there was no more. I could read several books with this cast. I think about this story almost every day because this is one of those stories that sticks with you long after the last page has been turned.

"Ric Vayne ad the Curse of Ghoul Nebula" by Kyle Robert Shultz

Oh my stars! This story was incredibly enjoyable!
I loved the main character, Ric and Ovo was simply adorable. (I need more of her please.)
The villain was perfect; just enough malice and snark to make him fiercesome and threatening.
I really enjoyed seeing a different side of Shultz through this story-world. I love his "Beaumont and Beasley" series and his "Crockett and Crane" series. If I haven't said it before, I'll say it now: anything this man writes is awesome and I will read all of it.

"The Underground" by Janelle Garrett

I feel like there should be drums of doom playing in the background (because I'm dramatic, not because the story was bad or anything like that. It wasn't.).
Just the title sounds spooky and slightly otherworldly. Doesn't it? Or is that just me? Anyway... It was spooky, much spookier than I originally thought it would be.
I haven't read any of Janelle's other books yet (emphasis on yet), so I can't say whether or not all of her stories are like this, but this particular one nearly scared the socks off of me.
Wonderful world-building within a scary story, featuring two lovable main characters.
I can't wait to read more of stories in this story-world.

"This Pain Inside" by Hannah Heath

Now we get to the story that I've read at least three times, cover to cover, first page to last page.
I cannot tell you how much I enjoy this story each time I read it. I love the world-building (underwater civilization, say what?) and loved reading about Charlie's struggle with chronic pain. Too many people try to write characters with chronic pain and fail. Not Hannah. Hannah gets it right.
Charlie's story is vivid, encouraging and inspiring. This was another story that I believe I highlighted about 70% of the words. Such an epic, beautiful story that almost moved me to tears. I

I'm so proud of the authors in this anthology. I wish I could tell them face-to-face how much I enjoyed it and what it means to me, how much it's been a light and a shining hope in some difficult times in my life. I know it can be this to others as well.

Books are friends you can hold in your hands; never was this more true than in the case of the "Strange Waters" anthology.

*I was provided with an ARC by the authors of this book, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.*

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating Averaged: 3.7, rounding up

Strange Waters is an anthology of short stories by indie authors that I was sent for review. Below you can find individual reviews of the stories in the collection. As is usually the case with this kind of collection, there were some stories that I loved and others that I was less enthusiastic about. Overall, I do think this is worth checking out! All opinions are my own.

Backpack Boy by Nate Philbrick: 2.5 stars

This story feels a bit like an outlier in the collection and was perhaps an odd place to begin. It is a whimsical tale of a young boy imagining himself on a grand adventure before a difficult reality breaks in. I was entirely unsurprised by the ending and found it to be a bit maudlin for my taste. The rest of the collection feels more solidly speculative fiction, and this story wasn’t what I was expecting or really wanting from this anthology. This feels more in line with readers seeking sentimentality in their stories a la Chicken Soup for the Soul. It’s not inherently bad, just not what I was looking for.

Finer Things by C. Scott Frank: 3 stars

Finer Things is kind of a morality tale with a sci-fi setting and a solid dose of adventure. It follows a couple trying to escape in order to be together, but that escape will come at a price that must be weighed: their own happiness or the well-being of others? I found this one to be fairly enjoyable with creative if sometimes confusing sci-fi elements. I wish we knew more about the earlier relationship of the couple. We’re thrown into the action of escape which makes it difficult to be emotionally invested in whether they are together or not. That said, this was fun and more in line with what I was expecting from Strange Waters.

Roanoke by J.E. Purrazi: 4.5 stars

I have read other work by this author and one of her strengths is definitely writing compelling action scenes that are easy to follow and keep you on the edge of your seat! Roanoke is no exception. In this story, a girl out of time is on a mission of peace to a colony on a distant planet with a brutal environment. She must battle the elements to reach the colony in time to save them from destruction. The story is inventive, and vividly depicted with engaging action. I was left wanting more. This feels like a small slice of a larger whole.

Kamynosa’s Labyrinth by Beth Wangler: 4 stars

A short story set in a larger world, Kamynosa’s Labyrinth is a fun, romantic romp about a girl determined to prove she can lead her people by winning a competition for her hand in marriage, thereby winning her freedom from forced marriage. But along the way she must decide what to do with an intriguing captain. This has a great message about marriage as a partnership and the strength that can come from it.

Barnaby Brown & The Glass Sea by E.B. Dawson: 3 stars

I had mixed feelings on this one. The writing itself is well-executed and parts of the story are really interesting, with a quirky professor and a portal to another world. On the other hand, this definitely reads like a thinly veiled promotion of Creationism and a young earth, in opposition to science demonstrating an older age of the earth. As someone who is married to a scientist and subscribes to theistic evolution (assuming an old earth and God as creator through the process of evolution) I didn’t love that aspect of it. Your mileage may vary depending on your views, but it’s pretty clear that’s what is intended.

Through the Lens by K.L.+Pierce: 2.5 stars

Through the Lens follows a boy infiltrating a military base to get the lens he needs to make a telescope as a gift for his sister. I had a hard time with this one because a lot of things never quite made sense to me. The explanation for why making this telescope was worth such a risk felt very weak and a lot of the world-building elements involving powers were not as well-explained as I would have liked. The main character also uses his power to mentally control a friend and while that is kind of brushed aside in the story, I was quite uncomfortable with it. Additionally, the explanation of the religion for this world feels a little too on the nose as a stand-in for Christianity and I prefer that to be more subtly woven into most of my speculative fiction. That said, it was interesting and there is some great messaging about the effects of bullying and not accepting those who are different.

Ric Vayne and the Curse of Ghoul Nebula by Kyle Robert Schultz: 3.5 stars

This felt a little bit like a sci-fi,fantasy, western mash-up with a cocky hero, a dramatic villain, and plenty of action. Ric Vayne wakes up to realize his consciousness has been placed inside a space ship and he is being forced to pilot into the dangerous Ghoul Nebula with only an unassuming slave girl as an ally. This was for the most part fun and inventive, although the villain could have done with a bit more nuance and perhaps the hero could have ASKED before kissing the slave girl at the end.

The Underground by Janelle Garrett: 5 stars

The Underground is a compelling and at times chilling tale that makes me want to read other works set in this world! There are creepy body-stealing lizards, mysterious magic, and siblings trying to save each other. I don't want to say much more, but I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was left wanting to know more. Very solid sci-fi story with an interesting world and characters.

This Pain Inside by Hannah Heath: 5 stars

Perhaps my favorite story in this entire collection, This Pain Inside takes place in a world where humans have been forced to live underwater, battling the destructive force of Poison with a mysterious magic known as Ne. It is also an own voices story about living with chronic pain and I deeply felt every moment of it. Charlie lives with excruciating pain, constantly seeking a cure and believing herself to be a failure. But perhaps her battle with pain is exactly what has prepared her to be the hero her people and her family need. This was emotionally devastating and beautiful. Highly recommend.

[deborah o'carroll (offline during 2026) · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRANGE WATERS features nine sci-fi and fantasy stories from nine different authors. These tales range from intense to all the feels to hilarious and they're all original and well-written!

A couple of them were too scary for me personally, but kudos to all these authors for writing such captivating stories in such a short space, all incredibly different even though they all feature the image on the cover! I had a blast reading this!

Here are some brief thoughts on each story. :)

***

Backpack Boy - by Nate Philbrick

Wow, talk about good writing. O_O I haven't read a story like this before but it was sooo interesting and well-written. I loved the backpack boy and how things weren't as they seemed and the sheer imagination of it. There were definitely feels, and I love how everything slowly got revealed. So original and yet classic-seeming, and like a definition of childhood.

Finer Things - by C. Scott Frank

Whoa! I loved this one! It's very sci-fi, and sci-fi has to work hard to make me like it, but I was intrigued the entire time, on the edge of my seat, and I really liked the characters and their lively banter! Soren is my fave. They're adorable. I love it! Fabulous and one of my favorites. ^_^

Roanoke - by J.E. Purrazzi

This one is set on an icy planet and I felt sooo cold reading it, so I guess it succeeded. XD Intense and exciting and unique! I liked the time element, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, rooting for our heroine Ketera! I've found myself thinking of this one several times since I read it and sometimes feel like I watched a movie of it instead of reading a short story.

Kamynosa's Labyrinth - by Beth Wangler

I absolutely loved the islands and nautical feel of this one! Princess Kamynosa was a fierce part of this competition. XD I especially loved Jadairos! He was my favorite. :) It's told like a history, which meant it took me a minute to get into it, since we feel a little removed from the story at first, but was also a really cool touch in another way. And everything was so vivid!

Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea - by E.B. Dawson

THIS ONE! Oh my word. XD I've adored every E.B. Dawson short story I've read so far, and this one was so, so much fun! This unorthodox archaeology professor and his snark, though! I love Barnaby Brown so much. XD I kept wanting to quote the whole thing. Throw in unlucky Oliver and some shenanigans and problems and it's just a riot. I love it so much! The idea of an archaeologist on another world/planet is so cool, by the way. And the ending was suuuper intriguing! Aaahh! Plus, fabulous banter. I love banter and humor and this one totally has a ton of both. :D One of my favorites!

Through the Lens - by K.L.+Pierce

This one was really fascinating, if a little scary, and I really liked the mind elements to it. It felt sort of quest-like and I was really curious to see what was going to happen, because I had no idea! I was confused a couple of times, but got straightened out, and a couple of the twists I did not see coming at all. o.o So yes, great suspense, and intriguing!

Ric Vayne and the Curse of Ghoul Nebula - by Kyle Robert Shultz

Disclaimer: I edited this one. But it's absolutely hilarious and I love it so much. XD Ric Vayne, a space wizard, gets turned into a space ship, and shenanigans ensue. His dry narration, the humor, and the hilarious way that Ovo (the bird-like alien character) speaks totally made this story. I kept laughing. XD Another favorite!

The Underground - by Janelle Garrett

This one was SUPER INTENSE and I'm pretty sure I didn't breathe the entire time I was reading it! *nervous laughter* It was terrifying, dystopian-ish story, with a good blend of fantasy and sci-fi feel. Oh, and I really liked Kef! It was just a bit too creepy for me, personally (I don't do well with scariness or dystopian feels!), but certainly super well-written, and I never knew where it was going to go next. I'm sure many readers will enjoy it. ^_^

This Pain Inside - by Hannah Heath

This one was super fascinating and intriguing! I had similar problems with it as with the previous one, because, again, I'm just not a dystopian/post-apocalyptic person -- sorry! It was really intense and scary and full of feels. But the writing was awesome, and the message, and the ending, and everything was very vivid. The under-the-sea stuff was intriguing, and I loved the mermaid tails. So, too scary for me, but that's just me. XD But I definitely couldn't put it down! Wow. Oh, and I liked how music was a part of it!

***

Overall, my favorites were Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea and Ric Vayne and the Mystery of Ghoul Nebula, because I love funny stories, and they were both just so much fun. XD But all of the others were super good too (even the scary ones!) and I really enjoyed the collection as a whole! Definitely check this one out! :)

(I received a free e-copy of this anthology from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.)

Review originally posted here: https://wp.me/p4FNfq-10d

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/OaFUI7WXjA0

This anthology is phenomenal!!!!

I was deeply impressed and was caught off guard by the tears I cried when reading (especially that first story)! These authors are superbly talented and I'm sad I'm done reading. If there goal was to share more stories, but also entice us readers to check out their other books, mission accomplished. I WANT MORE!

It's so hard to say which story was my favorite because each story tugged at my heart or made me laugh or made me cry. (Wait, did I say that already? No? Some stories made me cry so brace yourself for #feels.) I was stressed out the days before reading Strange Waters and it was so awesome to sink into multiple stories. I loved the experience and the theme and how each other did it so smashingly.

If you're interested seeing my Fangirl Ramblings video where I share more in-depth thoughts about each story, check out my video review here: https://youtu.be/OaFUI7WXjA0

If not, know this is an excellent read to not only pass the time, but get attached to new relatable characters (and maybe wish you had some of the cool tech some of the stories mentioned) and discover new authors.

I highly highly HIGHLY recommend. This is an anthology I honestly wouldn't mind reading again and owning in paperback because each story was so awesome!

*(I received an ARC from the authors. All thoughts expressed are my own and was not required to write a positive review.)*

[Katelyn Buxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the tremendous pleasure of receiving an ARC of this wonderful anthology, and while I missed the boat on the “advanced” part of this review copy (college has a knack for running you over like a freight train), I still enjoyed every minute I spent inside its pages.


Backpack Boy
Nate Philbrick

I don’t think I expected the first story to be such a tear-jerker, but it was. I hardly ever cry over books, and yet this quiet little tale of boyhood courage struck home. What at first appeared to be a nostalgic ode to childhood turned into something so much more.

Favorite quote: Sometimes having someone to say hello to is better than hiding alone.

————————————

Finer Things
C. Scott Frank

I hadn’t read anything by C. Scott Frank before, so I was excited to dive into this one! The world building was fantastic, and I could see everything happening as if it were a movie. My biggest issue was that I was never really able to connect with Tabitha and Soren. (Although I often have this problem with first person, so it might just be me?) Still, this was a very good story, and I enjoyed this quick jaunt into sci-fi.

Favorite quote: “What separates us from your father if we don’t help them when we have the chance?”

————————————

Roanoke
J.E. Purazzi

My first thought after reading this was, “That was awesome.” I’ve come to love Purazzi’s short stories, and this one was no different. I enjoyed the nods to history blended with time travel and space—and that creature? It was the perfect mix of creepy and cool.

Favorite quote: “You will make it. You are strong enough. But you can’t wait. You can’t hesitate. It’s not just about you.”

————————————

Kamynosa’s Labyrinth
Beth Wangler

This one reminded me of a turquoise sapphire. The sparkling sea, the high blue sky… Kamynosa’s world was so beautifully detailed. I could feel her frustration at her father’s attempts to marry her to a captain against her will, but I also loved the message that marriage isn’t a trap. It’s a partnership that enables each member to fly higher.

Favorite quote: “I can do it alone.”
“I know. But you don’t have to.”

————————————

Barbaby Brown and the Glass Sea
E.B. Dawson

This is by far my favorite of Dawson’s works. Barnaby has a real Han Solo vibe, and the whole way through I was grinning like an idiot watching him wrangle his young sister and accident-prone student along for an archaeological expedition. The dialogue was witty and hilarious, and I laughed out loud more than once. I absolutely cannot wait to see what comes next!

Favorite quote: Barnaby shivered dramatically. “Has anyone ever told you how thrilling it is to watch you re-enforce antiquated ideas with your biased analysis?”

————————————

Through the Lens
K.L. + Pierce

When I heard that Dion would be taking center stage for this short story, I was immediately excited. And I was not disappointed! If you’ve read Two Lives Three Choices you know that Dion is the most lovable kind of I-wanna-smack-you there is. His love for his sister really shines through in this one, and Through the Lens is full of Easter eggs for those familiar with Pierce’s other work. But that doesn’t mean you have to have read the previously-published book to enjoy it. Through the Lens is great all on its own.

Favorite quote: Apparently, I was wrong. That’s the only time I’m going to admit that.

————————————

Ric Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula
Kyle Robert Shultz

I know anything I pick up by Shultz will have me laughing out loud, and this one was no exception. While it features some potentially heavy topics (slavery, revenge, and one character’s flippancy towards human life), it was never depressing or dark. Ovo was probably my favorite part, mostly because she managed to blend sweetness with honesty (and a fantastic accent) while not coming across weak.

Favorite quote: “I’m… a ship?”
“Apologetic admission of correctness yours.”
“I’m a ship?”
”Apologetic extreme, extreme!”
“I’M A SHIP?”
“Supplication for serenity of yourself!”
“AAAAAAGGGGHHHH!”
“Serenity failure!”

————————————

The Underground
Janelle Garrett

I can safely say that I’ve never read a fantasy story like this one before! It was well-crafted, a little creepy, and I thought that the use of dragons was creative and new. I enjoyed the split POV, and the fact that the MCs were a brother and sister pair. For sensitive readers, I will say that the creepy borders on slightly horrifying in one brief scene near the beginning, but it only serves to up the stakes and keep the tension for the rest of the story.

Favorite quote: The Unknown truly hadn’t forgotten the Domain. He hadn’t forgotten me.

————————————

This Pain Inside
Hannah Heath

I quite enjoyed this story. It was honest and heartfelt, and the world building was super creative. I liked that the story was set underwater, and featured (not mermaids) but normal people whose ancestors had retreated there 500 years ago for lack of better options. But where the story really shone was the disability representation. The MC deals with chronic pain, and Charlie was raw and relatable even if you don’t have a chronic illness. I was left a little confused, however, on what exactly the Ne was. For most of the story it seemed bad, but at the end it was good? That might just be a personal qualm, however. I enjoyed it very much otherwise.

Favorite quote: It was tough as steel, yet light as air, hot as a welder’s torch, but steady as the Eastern current. It was sheer, stubborn, blind hope.

[R.M. Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

*squeals* This anthology was so good! Thank you so much to PFW for the ARC. :D

The Backpack Boy: This story was so well-written and endearing. It so perfectly captured the imagination of a little kid, the interactions between the elephant and the backpack boy were so sweet, and the twist was wonderfully executed.

Finer Things: This is one I struggled to connect with. From what I can tell, it's set in the same world as Frank's Echoes in the Black series, and I probably would have been more invested if I'd been more familiar with the world. I might have to reread this story after I've read Echo. But from what I understood from this story, the world Frank has created is really complex and interesting, and this is just a case of good writing I wasn't personally able to engage with.

Roanoke: While this story is full of action and suspense, I found it difficult to connect with and didn't really feel invested in the conflict going on. Though I wasn't able to engage with it personally, it's well-written and probably more enjoyable to a reader who enjoys high-stakes situations more than I do.

Kamynosa's Labyrinth: One of my favorite things in Child of the Kaites was the way Wangler portrayed the relationship between the two main characters, and she's written a similar relationship in this story. I loved the characters individually, and then their relationship was also extremely satisfying and ended exactly how I'd hoped it would. Plus, the worldbuilding in this story was really enjoyable and I loved the peek into a new culture in Wangler's world (or at least new-to-me).

Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea: The characters in this story were so quirky and fun to read. I loved watching them interact with each other. I was so ready to just keep reading this story forever... and then it ended. My only complaint is that it ended too soon, lol. I'm hopeful there will be more to this story in the future, but this was a delightful short.

Through the Lens: It took me a bit to get into this one, and I still didn't feel fully connected by the end, but the general relationship dynamics between the characters and the glimpse into Dion's culture was cool. I feel like things could have been fleshed out a little deeper, but I also understand the restrictions of short fiction, so overall this felt like a fairly solid short story.

Ric Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula: Something I always enjoy about Shultz's writing is his ability to use language to fully support the tone and content of the story he's writing and to vividly paint his characters, and Curse of the Ghoul Nebula is no different. The characters were easy to engage with, Ric himself was a compelling protagonist, the imprecision of Ovo's translator was really fun, and the whole adventure was perfectly paced.

The Underground: I was initially confused by the shift in POV and struggled to figure out who the second POV character was, but once I sorted that out I was able to follow the story fine. I didn't connect with the characters very strongly and the plot felt like it didn't really do much (I didn't feel like Kef served much of a purpose, and they didn't really change anything except to discover the Dragons and the Deep, and then that knowledge was only used to help them once and that was the end), but the Dragons and their ship were interesting and I'd be curious to learn more about them.

This Pain Inside: I was so fortunate to get to beta-read this one, so I already knew it was going to be awesome, but YES, IT'S AWESOME. While usually the first thing I gush about when I read Heath's stories is the worldbuilding--and the worldbuilding in this one was good, also--what shines the most in This Pain Inside is the main character: Charlie. She's a very authentic character with very real struggles and flaws, but also very real strength, and watching her journey through this story was amazing.

Overall, I really enjoyed this anthology, and I look forward to reading more by all of these authors!

[Nate Philbrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's tough to review an anthology that you're a part of, so I'll make this short. Now...not every single story here might suit my personal taste. But I've witnessed the creation of this anthology from start to finish. I've seen how much work and meticulous care and love has gone into each story, as well as the hardship and obstacles going on behind the scenes for many of them. After this anthology, I have a newfound respect for each of my teammates.

Keep an eye on the Phoenix Fiction Writers. Some of these names are going to be around for a long time, on a lot of books, in a lot of big lists. No doubt whatsoever.

[Grace T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hopefully I will remember to come back and do individual mini-reviews because all these stories were quite enjoyable. If not, let it at least be known that Nate Philbrick made me cry, E. B. Dawson writes excellent banter, Hannah Heath I think also made me cry, and Kyle Robert Shultz is inimitable and amazing as always.

Shoutout to Lilian S for gifting me this book in her Christmas book exchange!!

[Janelle Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I enjoyed allllll the things about this anthology, I review Hannah Heath's story in more detail over on Booknest. http://booknest.eu/reviews/janelle/17...

[Deborah Kelty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blog Review:
https://deborahkeltywriter.blogspot.com/2020/10/indie-book-review-strange-waters-by-eb.html

[Azelyn Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Review originally found on Word Storm.)

I’ve been on a sci-fi kick lately. When the Phoenix Fiction Writers announced a collection of short stories with water-related sci-fi—oh my goodness so much yes! As somebody who has lived in Hawai’i and is in love with the sound of lapping waves, the smell of sea salt, and the thrill of the ocean and how freakishly big it is, I was a little excited for this collection. Of course, I can be a little picky about my underwater stories and my sci-fi, but I was still looking forward to this one.

Thus I found myself with yet another advanced reader copy for the latest Phoenix Fiction Anthology, so I present you with my humble estimation of the book. All opinions are my own.

“Backpack Boy” by Nate Philbrick

Oh, my goodness. Featuring fear and bravery, pain and adventure, I found this story is so sweet and heartbreaking simultaneous. I called the parallels within the plot, but they in no way detracted from my ability to enjoy the story. I particularly liked the boy’s stuffed elephant as a character who encouraged the boy as he went along. And Philbrick’s description, as always is brilliant:

“The elephant was crayon-blue once upon a time, but a hundred adventures have sapped the colour. He’s a bit lumpy and old, but the boy loves to press his cheek into the ruffles under the elephant’s chin, where it’s soft and warm like Mum’s knit sweaters.”

Overall thoughts: most heartfelt


“Finer Things” by C. Scott Frank

I’m a little biased because I don’t care for romance, and one of the descriptions for this story is “star-crossed lovers.” Suffice to say I wasn’t much of a fan, and I didn’t find the sci-fi elements or the character development to be very believable. But maybe that’s just the skeptical, non-romantic in me speaking.

Overall thoughts: squishy but with good themes


“Roanoke” by J. E. Purrazzi

Wow, that ending though! A sci-fi adventure set on an aquatic world with a ship called The Wells. I need to go back and re-read the story when I’m feeling a little more awake, so I can get a better feel for the narrative and the beautiful descriptions. I sure hope there is more to this world than this one story because now I’m hooked!

Overall thoughts: dynamic world-building


“Kamynosa’s Labyrinth” by Beth Wangler

I’d been reading the stories one at a time, one each day, and I was just going to read the description when I blinked, and I’d finished it. Suffice to say I was hooked by the plot, the beautiful descriptions, and the characters. Can I also say that the style was reminiscent of The Princess Bride , referencing a longer text and giving us gems like this one:

“I will not bore you with a detailed exposition upon the nuances of the Labyrinth and its history, which Professor Daus-sun has described in great detail elsewhere. Suffice it to say that Kamynosa, curls perfectly tamed and best coral-stamped skirt twisted around her hips, read aloud the script whose origins were ancient even then.

Overall thoughts: beautiful prose


“Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea” by. E. B. Dawson

Highly entertaining, though the ending was a more abrupt than I would have anticipated. Full of wit and characters who may or may not thrive in an academic society, this story is about the joy and frustrations of discovery, even if that discovery just so happens to be a stowaway. I sure hope there is more to the story of Barnaby Brown because it can’t end like that!

Overall thoughts: most witty


“Through the Lens” by K. L. + Pierce

Not my favorite of the stories. While I liked the combination of fantasy and sci-fi, I was a little confused as to why certain characters behaved the way they did. I think if the story had more pages to develop the characters, it might have made more sense. All the same, I enjoyed the sibling dynamic and the lengths Dion was willing to go to for his sister.

Overall thoughts: dedicated siblings


“Ric Vayne and the Curse of Ghoul Nebula” by Kyle Robert Shultz

Highly entertaining, as is usual for Shutlz’s work. At first, I was a little appalled at the drunken state of Ric Vayne during the opening, but as the story went along, he grew on me. The way he cared for Ovo and her freedom was so endearing. Though are we going to talk about how he nicknamed her Ovo because he thought she looked like an owl but couldn’t explain how the name “Ovo” looks like an emoji of a bird? No? Maybe it’s just me…

Overall thoughts: engrossing story


“The Underground” by Janelle Garrett

Fascinating. Honestly, the description didn’t have me too hooked—a girl is kidnapped by dragons, and her brother is trying to rescue her. Haven’t we heard this one before? But as the story went on, I got the sense that there’s more to the story than meets the eye. While I’m still not sure of all the details, as it’s a part of a series, The Steward Saga...(book 1: Rift in the Deep ), I have a theory that it’s not just fantasy.

Overall thoughts: intriguing


“This Pain Inside” by Hannah Heath

Brilliant, as is usual for Heath’s work. A powerful story with well-developed characters and excellent themes, this one is actually set in an underwater society. I particularly liked the way Heath combined the science of what it might be like to live so deep and the fantastic abilities that come from the Ne, and I’d like to see the concept fleshed out into a longer piece.

Overall thoughts: excellent themes

[E.B. Dawson]

Just when the leaves are turning yellow and falling to the ground and the thought of the long winter ahead begins creeping into everybody's mind, Strange Waters gives you the chance to get away! The changing leaves and call of the Canadian geese always gives me a bit of wanderlust and this anthology fully met that craving for traveling, adventures, and newness.

Backpack Boy is sweet, sad, nostalgic, and comforting. This Winnie the Pooh quote sums it up perfectly: “If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you.”

Finer Things is a great escape adventure that starts on a crumbling space station and descends into the bowels of a strange city. Along the way, you piece together who our two star-crossed lovers are and what they're running from. The world-building, with all its mythological references, is intriguing. C. Scott Frank hits all the right notes with this one, especially the ending.

Roanoke is a breathtaking adventure on an alien planet. From page one I was thoroughly invested in Ketera's mission to save the lost colony. The trans-time communication element was fascinating, and I loved the glimpses of everything Ketera had given up to follow her destiny (which had been decided on by people in the future). There are just so many layers of awesome. The battle with the element son the planet was so much fun with the ice storm and the sea monster and everything else! This story gives me all the feels and I love it.

Kamynosa's Labyrinth is a whimsical sea adventure with an endearing, relatable protagonist. This story brings out everything I love about the ocean and it made me long for a good ocean sunset. Not only is it fun and imaginative, but I loved the underlying heart and message of the story.

Through the Lens surprised me, both with its feeling of holiday nostalgia and with how hard its questions hit. Pierce has a wonderful habit of giving her readers a front-row seat to her characters' thought processes and this story is no different. The story is well-orchestrated so that by the end you will understand Dion's doubts and struggles.

Ric Vayne is pure fun. It is the science fantasy we all wanted and needed without ever knowing it. Full of wit and sarcasm. Full of imaginative world-building. I also quite enjoyed the villain in this one and his motivations. This story has serious Guardian of the Galaxy and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy vibes!

The Underground is a well-paced story told from two different perspectives. It has a nice eerie tone, but the themes of hope that come in later are beautiful and uplifting. Kef's struggle with faith in a hopeless world is heartachingly relatable. The story has some unexpected twists and turns that will keep you turning the page. The story wraps up its arc satisfactorily but will leave you curious about the greater world that Garrett has built in her Steward Saga fantasy series.

Finally, This Pain Inside is a beautiful, unrelenting look into a life of chronic pain. The underwater world Hannah Heath has created is breathtaking, as is the life and struggle of her main character. This story hits hard and it will have you cheering by the end. It is the perfect end to this anthology and will leave you feeling empowered to face the challenges in your own life.

In short, this anthology has everything: fun, adventure, laughter, tears, struggle, darkness, light, a little creep factor, exploration, and discovery. I am so very proud of all of my fellow authors and the stories they put forth. This is some of the best fiction you will find anywhere.

[S.M. M. Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this anthology.
I look forward to reading more from the PFWs. 🙌🏽

[Michael Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good anthology! I liked the water theme, and I liked many of the stories within it. Altogether, it was entertaining, and individually, some of these stories were beautiful.

Backpack Boy
This one was crafted perfectly, making me re-read it the second I finished, picking up on subtle hints and clues dropped throughout the story. I have never cried while reading a book, but Backpack Boy had me close to tears. It was an emotional story without leaving me feeling angry, depressed, so on and so forth. Impactful and uplifting, this story immersed me from the first page.

Finer Things
This one was interesting in concept, but I could not bring myself to like the characters. I'm usually not a lover of science-fiction, so the world building didn't quite fascinate me, but it was decent. However, I couldn't bring myself to like Soren whatsoever, and Tabatha's unwillingness to hold him accountable for his actions made her unlikeable as well. The plot was interesting, even if the twists weren't incredibly surprising.

Roanoke
Time travel always confuses me, but this story was an exception to that. It dealt with this concept well, and the time travel was believable. The world building was fantastic, and the story has bittersweet elements which kept me interested. The ending felt rushed to me, and Ketera wasn't extremely relatable, but it was still good, start to finish.

Kamynosa's Labyrinth
I enjoyed this story quite a bit. It reminded me of the movie Brave, but if Brave was good. Kamynosa developed well, and the story was entertaining. And the prose was fantastic fun, with the history book setting. It balanced action with development well, and I appreciated the ending. I related with the characters easily, and it was a good story!

Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea
This story was so much fun, and that fun nature didn't overwrite the underlying message of forgiveness. I liked the characters, and it was really nice to see a rich, likely spoiled, child who did not act in the normal way. The ending felt incomplete, but if that means there will be a continuation of this, possibly in another anthology, sign me up!

Through the Lens
I didn't enjoy reading this anthology. That might be unfair, since it's a continuation of Pierce's existing novel, Three Lives, Two Choices. All the same, the character motivations seemed really weak, especially those coming from the antagonistic characters.

Ric Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula
The title says it all. This was a really fun short story. I kept expecting Ric to be Ric Van Winkle, following Schultz's typical theme, but he was not, and that was just as well. The twist in the end was unexpected on my part, and the villain was fun in the way that he was a reverse-mustache-twirling villain. The plot and characters were fun, even if it felt like it had a slightly rushed ending.

The Underground
This was a continuation of Garret's existing series, so I wasn't in tune with the plot or characters. I didn't need to be, however, to be terrified of the dragons. The world building was good, and the plot was okay. It felt a bit weakly resolved. I didn't learn enough about the characters to fall in love with them, but they seemed fine.

This Pain Inside
This was a hard-hitting one, and the perfect way to weave all the bittersweet themes introduced in this anthology together. The characters, plot, and worldbuilding were all well written, and I really enjoyed reading this anthology. It was a perfect closure.

[Alias · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Phoenix Fiction Writers anthology I've read, and I quite enjoyed it. Each story had phenomenal world-building, and I enjoyed pretty much all of them, in different ways and on different levels. I may be a little biased towards authors I've already read as my favorites were probably Nate Philbrick's Backpack Boy and Kyle Robert Shultz's Ric Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula. As for authors who are new to me, I really enjoyed Hannah Heath's This Pain Inside and E. B. Dawson's Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea ( though the latter didn't really feel like it had an ending. I guess we'll be seeing more?)

[Susannah Metzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful anthology and I loved each and every one of the stories in this book. I was drawn into the imagination and character arcs and the worldbuilding and learned along with each of the characters. Though each story was entertaining, sometimes funny, and well written, I appreciated the themes throughout the anthology: the importance of not giving up, standing against fear, restoring justice, searching for the truth, and turning internal pain into strength of the will. It's always a treat to read anyting by each of these authors and I look forward to future publications P. F. W. Writers has in store.

[once_darkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange Waters will always be one of my favorite Phoenix Fiction Writers anthologies. My thoughts on the individual stories below:

Backpack Boy:
This story was beautifully done. It seems all stories by Philbrick make me cry. There’s enough to hint at the ending, but still grab you emotionally. I loved seeing the world through the MC’s eyes (and even more importantly, his imagination). The child narrator was very well-written and a perfect choice for the story, because it occurs under circumstances where we all can feel just as helpless. But the ending was a lovely reminder that even in frightening times, we can still try to be brave.

Finer Things:
Finer Things throws the reader pretty quickly in media res, but it’s done in a way that grips your attention and makes you want to know more. The characters quickly become people you are interested in and their world feels big. There’s lots of action with details and twists doled out at just the right moments and a compelling moral choice to be made. Overall it’s an exciting escape with an unexpected ending.

Roanoke:
I really enjoyed this sci-fi story about sacrifice and not giving up in the face of tremendous odds, even if you feel that you are on your own. The concept was really unique. I loved Purrazzi’s descriptive power. You can feel the cold along with Ketera and the weight resting on her shoulders. The MC struggles but she has such a strong determination to keep moving. I loved the creative sci-fi elements as well (the Wells, the creature under the ice *shudders*, and the eyeball planet being some of my favorites).

Kamynosa’s Labyrinth:
I loved the world building in Kamynosa’s Labyrinth. Right away there’s a well-developed culture and a beautifully described world. The labyrinth itself was a unique concept. The historical frame around the narrative was very cool, reminding me a bit of epic poetry. The message behind this story is both true and so important, embodied in one of my favorite exchanges ever: “I can do it on my own.” “I know. But you don’t have to.”

Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea:
This story is such a fun read with filled with humorous characters, from the curmudgeonly and perhaps overzealous Professor Barnaby to the freakishly unlucky sidekick of a student. And we can’t forget the younger sister Susannah (though Barnaby might have). The dialogue and description do not disappoint in their wit. I’d always be happy to read more of these characters.

Through the Lens:
I love strong close relationships between siblings (in real life and in fiction) so I loved finding that in Through the Lens. The titular lens becomes so much more than a telescope lens, instead the ability to see into another person and see them in a new light. I enjoyed the chance to see Dion (a character in Two Lives, Three Choices) in more depth, though the story can be enjoyed as a standalone. As with her novel, there are grey areas that the characters see in the overall struggle on Arret that makes it feel compelling and realistic.

Ric Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula:
Ric Vayne and the Curse of the Ghoul Nebula is a fun, funny read. The main character's voice is strong and entertaining with a fantastic sense of humor and a sense of vanity (which you could surmise from his name). I could read an entire series from his perspective. But Ovo absolutely must come along, the banter (and what’s lost in translation) between the two of them is incredible.

The Underground:
The Underground had another sibling pair which I loved. I really related to the struggle of one of the characters to maintain his belief when everything in the world around him seems to go against it. This story has the most unique and creepy dragons that I have ever read. I haven’t read any of the other stories by Garrett set in this world but I had no problems following along and the world building was intriguing!

This Pain Inside:
This Pain Inside is a beautiful and real look at living with pain. I can't imagine what that is like, but this story gives me a glimpse. I think a lot of readers will be able to relate on an even broader level to all the things in their own lives that they have no control over but must live with and the choice to have faith in the face of that reality. The song lyrics juxtaposed throughout add to the story and theme in a unique way. The underwater world was unique and well-developed. I really loved the message of self worth found in this story, with one of my favorite quotes: "What you think makes you weak is what makes you strong."

[Mary Emma Sivils · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great anthology from Phoenix Fiction Writers! In the past, I almost never read short stories, but thanks to the talents of this group, I'm starting to realize that a good short story can still pack a punch. Although there were a couple of stories in this book that felt too abrupt or incomplete, I got something out of all of them.

My favorites (in no particular order):

Backpack Boy by Nate Philbrick

Kamynosa's Labyrinth by Beth Wangler

Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea by E.B. Dawson

Ric Vayne and the Curse of Ghoul Nebula by Kyle Robert Shultz

This Pain Inside by Hannah Heath

[Merenwen Inglorion · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were a lot of sci-fi/fantasy blends in this anthology! It was great!
———
Barnaby Brown and the Glass Sea
Five stars.
I would definitely read further adventures of this crew: a belligerent college professor, stowaway sister, and the frightened/clumsy assistant. The world atmosphere was great, despite the shortness of the story.

Finer Things
Four stars.
This story was a bit harder for me to get into, only because of being dropped into the middle of disaster with the characters. I did end up getting into the story before the end, but it wasn’t until roughly 3/4 of the way through that things started making sense to me. This could just be because at the time of reading the setting was slightly off-putting (a nice blend of Steampunk and Sci-fi, though I wasn’t expecting it at the time)....
Rating subject to change upon re-read (because I will be rereading this book)!

The Underground
Four stars.
This definitely needed to be longer. Skin-stealing alien lizards (Dragons) invade a society of humans who believe they’ve been abandoned by their god (capital G or no?? I feel like it was supposed to be, but several things threw me off...).
This was an intriguing world that I would love to know more about.

This Pain Inside
Five stars.
Lots of emotional pull in this story. I’m still confused as to who/what the Ne is, and it took me a good portion of the story to understand that this is more sci-fi than anything. The description and such had strong fantasy vibes; I’m still uncertain as to why they’re all underwater in the first place? I may have missed something...
But that ending. Wow.

Through the Lens
Five stars.
Love the strong family ties, and the “superpowers” of the story world.

Backpack Boy
FIVE. STARS.
The emotion of the story was a strong undercurrent, never stated, always hinted at. The Backpack Boy’s resilience was admirable, and made me tear up. Great story told from the perspective of a child.

Roanoke
Four and a half stars, rounded to five stars.
This sci-fi/vaguely Fantasy story had a very fun element: time travel. It was, I think, the easiest time-travel story I’ve ever read. This definitely would have been a lot more fun if it had been expanded as a novella, the only reason I’m docking a half star. I wanted to know more about the planet the MC came from, I want to know more about the semi-sentient space/water ships, their tech in general, their society! As it was, a lot of things are hinted at, and the time-travel/time-projection is the only thing explained in detail. Which, since this was a short story, is understandable. That combined with the fact that the ending was satisfactory without showing us what happens after...story is rounded up to five stars.

Ric Vayne and the Curse of Ghoul Nebula
Four and a half rounded to five stars.
A very fun, somewhat demented read. I mean, a bad guy willing to siphon a spirit directly into a ship solely so he can enact revenge is pretty demented right? Ric is...hmm, well he put me in mind of a combination of Han Solo and Jack Sparrow. XD
Crazy-good pilot with a touch of pirate drive and his own personal code of conduct. Would definitely read more of his and Ova’s adventures.

Kamynosa's Labyrinth
Five stars.
Loved the historical/narrative vibe, and the description. This story was more literal in regards to the anthology title, and it was a nice change of pace to the other stories; this one felt more realistic with its Greek-inspired world and tale.
A list of things that stood out to me:
-Demonstrated female strength without utilizing a modern feminist rant and unintentionally breaking the fourth wall
-No man/patriarchy shaming
-No insta-love (friendship! works! <3)

[Jameson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange Waters is a great collection of stories across genres and styles, and all offered something unique to enjoy! It was super cool to see each author's spin on the theme.
(My favorites were Backpack Boy, Kamynosa's Labrynth, and Roanoke!)

[Elza Kinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

From deep space to imaginary beaches, racing across waves and swimming like a fish, the Strange Waters anthology from Phoenix Fiction Writers is an eclectic collection of poignant SciFi and Fantasy stories that are absolutely a must-read.

I generally pick my top three favorites out of a collection like this, but it's impossible to pick one over another in this particular anthology because they're all SO. GOOD.

If you've never read something from any of these authors, I think this is a particularly fine sampling of their work. Fair warning, there's a strong chance you'll be coming back for more.

[Leah Schwabauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange Waters is a fantastic anthology from an amazing group of authors. The Phoenix Fiction Writers created a plethora of intriguing worlds, captivating characters, and fascinating stories. My TBR pile grew as I read each tale.