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Curses & Cauldrons: An Anthology of Witchcraft Microfiction
Over 200 tiny dark tales of magic, mischief, murder, mayhem & madness...
You do not want to get on the wrong side of these witches!
Let us cast a spell on you... with just 100 words.
Featuring: Zoey Xolton, Umair Mirxa, Shawn M. Klimek, Gabriella Balcom, Stacey Jaine McIntosh, Terry Miller, Stuart Conover, Stephen Herczeg, Patrick Winters, David Rae & Galina Trefil... + 66 other talented international authors!
You do not want to get on the wrong side of these witches!
Let us cast a spell on you... with just 100 words.
Featuring: Zoey Xolton, Umair Mirxa, Shawn M. Klimek, Gabriella Balcom, Stacey Jaine McIntosh, Terry Miller, Stuart Conover, Stephen Herczeg, Patrick Winters, David Rae & Galina Trefil... + 66 other talented international authors!
- GenresShort Stories
280 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2019
12 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 26, 2019
Blood Song Books has released its first 100-word drabble collection, “Curses & Cauldrons: An Anthology of Witchcraft Microfiction,” edited by Zoey Xolton. Featuring 200 stories and contributed to by 78 authors, this book provides an easy read for the Halloween-lover on the go. Loyal familiars, vengeful covens, societal outcasts, grannies with ominous secrets, and lovers oh-so-unwise to jilt abound in these quick, but addictive, pages.
The negatives: some of the stories that made it into the book, while they don’t deviate from the overall spooky tone, don’t have terribly original plots. Also, some of the pieces were clearly fanfiction, some not related to witchcraft, and therefore, occasionally, their presence was somewhat jarring to the feel of the compilation as a whole.
These things said, there are indeed many, yes, many tiny tales present in this anthology that are extremely well-done—to the point that “Curses & Cauldrons” is likely one of the top horror drabble books available on the indie market this year. In it, Xolton has truly concocted a creepy, but delightful, vibe somewhat akin to that of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Despite being often scary and violent, it also has enough black comedy, feminine power moments, and snippets of dark romance to keep readers on their toes. Its combination of hardcore horror authors and significantly gentler YA voices would often not compliment each other, but Xolton has skillfully selected and arranged the submissions in such a way that she really pulls it off, making the book accessible to a much wider audience.
Undeniably, an added bonus is the anthology’s intense aesthetic appeal and use of graphics, which makes for a more pleasurable literary experience, rather like the reader has opened a nicely-crafted book of spells.
Noteworthy stories provided in it by: A.S. Charly, Alex Scopik, Archit Joshi, Brandy Bonifas, C.H. Williams, Cindar Harrell, David Rae, Desmond White, Eric S. Fomley, Evan Baughfman, Gabriella Balcom, Galina Trefil, Kevin Hopson, Nerisha Kemraj, Nicole Lynn, Patrick Winters, Rennie St. James, Saffron Shakerley, Shawn M. Klimek, Simon Dillon, Stacey Jaine McIntosh, Stephen Herczeg, Stuart Conover, Susanne Thomas, Terry Miller, and Zoey Xolton.
The negatives: some of the stories that made it into the book, while they don’t deviate from the overall spooky tone, don’t have terribly original plots. Also, some of the pieces were clearly fanfiction, some not related to witchcraft, and therefore, occasionally, their presence was somewhat jarring to the feel of the compilation as a whole.
These things said, there are indeed many, yes, many tiny tales present in this anthology that are extremely well-done—to the point that “Curses & Cauldrons” is likely one of the top horror drabble books available on the indie market this year. In it, Xolton has truly concocted a creepy, but delightful, vibe somewhat akin to that of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Despite being often scary and violent, it also has enough black comedy, feminine power moments, and snippets of dark romance to keep readers on their toes. Its combination of hardcore horror authors and significantly gentler YA voices would often not compliment each other, but Xolton has skillfully selected and arranged the submissions in such a way that she really pulls it off, making the book accessible to a much wider audience.
Undeniably, an added bonus is the anthology’s intense aesthetic appeal and use of graphics, which makes for a more pleasurable literary experience, rather like the reader has opened a nicely-crafted book of spells.
Noteworthy stories provided in it by: A.S. Charly, Alex Scopik, Archit Joshi, Brandy Bonifas, C.H. Williams, Cindar Harrell, David Rae, Desmond White, Eric S. Fomley, Evan Baughfman, Gabriella Balcom, Galina Trefil, Kevin Hopson, Nerisha Kemraj, Nicole Lynn, Patrick Winters, Rennie St. James, Saffron Shakerley, Shawn M. Klimek, Simon Dillon, Stacey Jaine McIntosh, Stephen Herczeg, Stuart Conover, Susanne Thomas, Terry Miller, and Zoey Xolton.
October 12, 2019
I received a free ebook copy of this anthology in exchange for my honest review, and I can honestly say I loved it!
If you’re looking for a unique and spooky read to get you in the Halloween spirit this year, look no further than Blood Song Book’s debut anthology “Curses & Cauldrons: An Anthology of Witchcraft Microfiction” edited by Zoey Xolton. This collection of devilishly dark tiny tales is jam-packed with magic, mischief, murder, mayhem & madness, just as promised in the book’s description. It does not disappoint!
Within these pages, you’ll find tales of death and doom, such as Zoey Xolton’s own “Wings of Death”, “The Crystal and the Crone” by Brandy Bonifas, and “Blood and Bone” by Rennie St. James.
Stories of dark revenge, like those of Stuart Conover’s “The Summoning”, J.E. Feldman’s “Justice”, and Patrick Winter’s “Corpse Powder”.
As the title suggests, you’ll read of powerful witches and evil entities, such as J.M. Goodrich’s “Winds of Destruction”, Umair Mirxa’s “Isabela” and “Consumed” by Evan Baughfman.
Sinister sorcery and spellcasting abound, such as “Doors and Mirrors” by Terry Miller, “The Witch and the Warlock” by D.M. Burdett, and “A Woman Scorned” by Archit Joshi.
You’ll even find the darkly beautiful and romantic, such as Cindar Harrell’s “Sleep, My Love”, Gabriela Balcom’s “After Death”, and Belinda Brady’s “Returned”.
And weaving its way throughout it all, you’ll find wonderfully dark comedic undertones, such as “Dumpling the Toad” by Stephen Herczeg, “Griselda’s Cocktail” by JD. Bell, and pretty much everything from Shawn M. Klimek (his adventures of witch sisters Myrtle and Meadowsweet were a particular favorite.)
I honestly enjoyed every single one of these dark and deviant tales, and it was hard to pick out only the handful mentioned above. Once you read this book yourself, you’ll see what I mean! With an excellent lineup of new and established writers alike, there is bound to be a story here (or two, or three, or fifty) that will make even the most skeptical of readers wish they, too, could learn the ways of witchcraft!
If you’re looking for a unique and spooky read to get you in the Halloween spirit this year, look no further than Blood Song Book’s debut anthology “Curses & Cauldrons: An Anthology of Witchcraft Microfiction” edited by Zoey Xolton. This collection of devilishly dark tiny tales is jam-packed with magic, mischief, murder, mayhem & madness, just as promised in the book’s description. It does not disappoint!
Within these pages, you’ll find tales of death and doom, such as Zoey Xolton’s own “Wings of Death”, “The Crystal and the Crone” by Brandy Bonifas, and “Blood and Bone” by Rennie St. James.
Stories of dark revenge, like those of Stuart Conover’s “The Summoning”, J.E. Feldman’s “Justice”, and Patrick Winter’s “Corpse Powder”.
As the title suggests, you’ll read of powerful witches and evil entities, such as J.M. Goodrich’s “Winds of Destruction”, Umair Mirxa’s “Isabela” and “Consumed” by Evan Baughfman.
Sinister sorcery and spellcasting abound, such as “Doors and Mirrors” by Terry Miller, “The Witch and the Warlock” by D.M. Burdett, and “A Woman Scorned” by Archit Joshi.
You’ll even find the darkly beautiful and romantic, such as Cindar Harrell’s “Sleep, My Love”, Gabriela Balcom’s “After Death”, and Belinda Brady’s “Returned”.
And weaving its way throughout it all, you’ll find wonderfully dark comedic undertones, such as “Dumpling the Toad” by Stephen Herczeg, “Griselda’s Cocktail” by JD. Bell, and pretty much everything from Shawn M. Klimek (his adventures of witch sisters Myrtle and Meadowsweet were a particular favorite.)
I honestly enjoyed every single one of these dark and deviant tales, and it was hard to pick out only the handful mentioned above. Once you read this book yourself, you’ll see what I mean! With an excellent lineup of new and established writers alike, there is bound to be a story here (or two, or three, or fifty) that will make even the most skeptical of readers wish they, too, could learn the ways of witchcraft!
September 22, 2019
I like short-stories, full of meat and with a punch line that stays with you long after you have closed the pages. It is so with this anthology. Each story stands on its own, each author has crafted a scenario that will remain imprinted in your mind during those sleepless nights. I love witchcraft and magic, and this book does not disappoint. Sit down under the shade with a strong cup of coffee or two, you will stay put long after the moon wakes up.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2019
There are lots of witchy shorts! Something here for everyone if you dont like one theres lots to choose from you will find lots to love!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 13, 2020
Buy this book!
A stunning collection of 100 word horrors, taking in the entire world and history of witches. From Baba Yaga to Macbeth and everything in between, you'll find something to admire in this loving curated collection.
A stunning collection of 100 word horrors, taking in the entire world and history of witches. From Baba Yaga to Macbeth and everything in between, you'll find something to admire in this loving curated collection.
July 13, 2020
*Disclaimer: I have a drabble in this anthology*
A fun collection of drabbles. Especially if you like witches, which I do ☺️
A fun collection of drabbles. Especially if you like witches, which I do ☺️
November 29, 2019
Curses & Cauldrons: An Anthology of Witchcraft Microfiction (Tiny Tales of Terror Book 1) is a wonderful witchy anthology. Each story is tiny but perfect for a quick bit to read whenever you have a chance to pull out your reader for a moment. No matter your taste, you will find many stories in this anthology to pique your interest.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 20, 2019
One of the best drabble collections I have read this year.
For my full review, please go to:
https://www.weekendnotes.com/curses-c...
For my full review, please go to:
https://www.weekendnotes.com/curses-c...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews