The Lost Legends: Tales of Myth and Magic

The Lost Legends #1

by Adam D. Jones (Editor), Renea McKenzie (Editor), Rachel Neumeier

Looking for something new? Every short story in The Lost Legends is bursting with characters you'll never forget and stories you won't be able to put down.

Shadowy creatures at the edge of town. Looming dragons and crafty elves. The sounds you can't explain from the garden and the monsters living next door. The Lost Legends contributors include best-selling and award-winning authors who have let their imaginations run wild through each page.

Idna's Journals - When a mad woman is laid to rest, her dark grimoires taunt the survivors.

The Luck Stone - Exiled to the edges of civilization and searching for a murdered man's missing stone, an elven bounty hunter finds more than she'd bargained for.

The Problem with Elves - Looking for a way to help his ailing grandmother, a young man discovers the remarkable potency of a magic bean—and learns that magic tends to attract unwanted attention.

Lila - Dragons visit a cozy, quiet town, raising questions and upheaving lives, and at the heart of the mystery stands a woman and her courageous dog.

Death of a Young Mage - Kidnapped from his family and taken from his gods, a young elven boy struggles to hold on to his identity while being forced through a strange land.

The Sacred Coal of Zattfu Mountain - Shrouded in curse and chaos, a lonely wanderer's only hope lies in a desperate and frightening journey, and with each step he learns he carries more than his own fate.

Sonata for Snails - Grieving for his lost wife, an unassuming farmer finds peace from an unexpected place—along with a helping of trouble.

The Vampire - A young girl's new best friend is a dark dream come true, but as the truth about him comes to light, her life becomes a nightmare.

An Inconsequential Miscalculation - A cursed town desperately searches for a way to stop a poorly-informed cult of mystical fanatics.

Thundermoon Bride - Guided by a Goddess, a queen flees her tower prison, haunted by her pursuing captors and a lover's promise.

Tavernfall - A fascinating (and possibly true) account from a scrupulous historian on the trail of forgotten magic, all in a desperate effort to save the world (which may, or may not, actually be necessary).

The Door - After a long life, the king is ready to enjoy the relaxing afterlife he'd earned—assuming he can handle whatever lurks behind a mysterious door between two worlds.

The Candlemaker - Inspired by the folk song "Gallows Pole,"The Candlemaker is the story of a town besieged by violence until a local merchant reveals he's been dabbling in forbidden magic, but this would-be hero learns that saving the day can be very complicated.

If you love fantasy stories, there's something here for you. So brew a cup of coffee, find your favorite chair, and escape into your own copy of The Lost Legends.

Genres: Fantasy, Ebooks, Anthologies, Short Stories

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 19, 2019

Reviews

[annob [on hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted a break away from romance novels, and ended up in the hands of this fantasy anthology with authors I've never heard of before, bar one. I found it a bit funny that the author name that drew me to it, Neumeier, ended up as one of the few stories I gave a pass.

★★★★★
Death of a Young Mage by A.E. McAuley
Horrific, yet beautifully crafted tale about a young fae, this was the only story I wanted more of. It read like the start of a novel more than a short story, and my only complaint is I can't find any other books written by the author. Gimme more!

★★★★
Idna's Journals by Adam D. Jones
I liked the dark, atmospheric mood, and that I didn't see where the story was going. Good ending.
The Door by Michael Hustead
Loved the idea of this Egyptian afterlife.

★★★
The Luck Stone by Kristen Bickerstaff
The Candlemaker by Adam D. Jones

Not my cuppa
The Problem with Elves by Ryan Swindoll
The Vampire by Madelin Picket
The Sacred Coal of Zattfu Mountain by Abigail Pickle
Sonata for Snails by Michael Hustead

DNF
Lila by Rachel Neumeier
Tavernfall by Ryan Swindoll
An Inconsequential Miscalculation by E.S. Murillo

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but The Lost Legends’ cover design and illustrations are a perfect fit for these short stories that move from magic to myth and back again. The enigma of magic permeates the magical tales—the puzzling power of words, the ambiguity of luck, and the paradoxical revelations of paintings. The myths fabricate castles and quests enough for all. I especially enjoyed editor Jones’s two offerings: “Idna’s Journals,” with its magical nod to the power of the written word even as it goes up in smoke, and the well-paced narrative of “The Candlemaker” with its good-triumphs-over-evil twist at the end. And what could be sweeter than the comforting song of a lone snail after all else is gone in a “Sonata for Snails”? I enjoy a little magic more than I do myth-making, but there’s something here for every lover of fantasy, from humorous touches and hints of romance to tale ends of poetic justice and bittersweet hope.

[reneamac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little collection of short stories I was lucky enough to be a part of as an editor. The stories cover the gamut of fantasy fiction sub-genres. They are well-written and imaginative. There really is something for everyone.

[Kevin Neece · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellently curated collection of unique, original speculative fiction. The care with which this volume has been assembled is evident not only in the selection of the authors and stories, but in the editing thereof. These writers and their stories are fresh and inspiring! Highly recommended.

[Staci]

This was my first collection of short stories to ever read cover to cover. I loved that each author had such a distinct feel. Magic and mythical elements were the only common thread. "The Candlemaker" was my favorite! I also really enjoyed "The Luck Stone" and "Lila". I'm a "happy endings person," so I selfishly wished that some of them would have ended happier. I truly hope that these authors publish more books!

[Andrea Renfrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a group effort that included several of my dearest friends, and I LOVE the result. The stories are well crafted, the cover is gorgeous, E. S. Murillo (already one of my favorite humans and the other half of my brain) is now possibly my favorite writer.

https://anakalianwhims.wordpress.com/...

[Shirley Reed-Packebush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting short stories.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this compilation of fantasy stories and recommend it for some fun summer reading. Disclosure: I know some of the authors and had the privilege of reading a couple of these short stories ahead of print.

I am thrilled to see Abigail Pickle's story "The Sacred Coal of Zattfu Mountain" in here. I think this piece has a greater poignancy now that we are dealing with a plague. I will say no more because this story should be taken in without commentary.

I also enjoyed reading and re-reading Ryan Swindoll's "Tavernfall." This story reminded me of something Terry Pratchett would write. It's a smart-funny story about why there is no more magic.

Adam D. Jones's "The Candlemaker" takes the reader to a rural town where a candlemaker lives, which doesn't sound terribly controversial until you learn what candlemakers can do. This story has all of the fun elements that I've come to expect in Jones's work. He creates compelling worlds with unique magic systems and characters who manage to get themselves in a mess.

Michael Hustead's stories, "The Door" and "Sonata for Snails" had very different premises and characters that both made for exciting and compelling stories. "The Door," in particular, probably should be read in the daylight rather than late at night.

I had read "An Inconsequential Miscalculation" by E. S. Murillo previously and found that this complex tale of curses and magic made for a great re-read. This story reads like it is part of a grand history and we are entering into one part of it.

I won't comment further on the other stories because some things should be left for the reader to discover. Kudos to the editors for compiling this book.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining fantasy listening 🎶🔰

Twelve will written fantasy Sci-Fi futuristic haunting adventure thrillers short stories by ten different author. Each story is different with interesting characters, action, and conclusion. I would recommend this box 📦 set to readers looking for something a little different. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye damage and health issues. 2022 👒😤⌚

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of shorts!

Some of these stories were quite interesting but others left a lot to be desired. Overall they were quite good.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Lynn Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will enjoy this collection

I don't usually go for short stories, but this set was good. There were a couple I didn't really care for but on the whole, they were fun reads.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection

I really loved this collection, some of these stories were amazing. I would have loved to read longer versions of them.

[I. Madreia S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a very lovely short story collection, that's all. :))

[Eric Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic, Mischief, Mayhem...more please?

I seriously hope there is a second volume of The Lost Legends. Each of these stories was so fun and diverse. From Dragons which hatch out of buildings to Candlemakers with a passion for alchemy and everything in between, this compendium keeps your attention and doesn't let go. Each story is unique enough to suck you in while at the same time not drag on too long. I have a few favorites, but I highly suggest you pick up a copy and read yourself. You may find it as difficult as I did to choose one over another!

[Madelin Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be biased because my short story is located somewhere in-between the pages of this book but it’s been an amazing journey to be apart of. You can tell every author poured their heart and soul everyone has been supportive and encouraging. You can tell through their words how much time and dedication went into creating the next best anthology. You get a taste of each authors voice and they leave you wanting more. I know I’ll be following on what they publish in the future. I recommend reading it!