Air: Sylphs, Spirits and Swan Maidens

by Rhonda Parrish (editor), Rose Strickman (Contributor), Davian Aw (Contributor)

Whimsical, Inquisitive, Quick-Witted

Air is essential for life. The need for air is so important that breathing is instinctual. Yet Air is unstable and capricious, blowing gently as a summer breeze in one moment and blasting with the fury of a tornado in the next. No wonder that tricksters, fairies, and spirits belong to Air just as much as winged creatures. Elusive and ethereal, Air’s denizens are difficult to find and harder to capture.

Brave the ever-changing world of Air with these twenty-one stories and poems, featuring: Rose Strickman; Davian Aw; Mark Bruce; Alexandra Seidel; Damascus Mincemeyer; Cherry Potts; Ellen Huang; Giselle Leeb; Bronwynn Erskine; Kevin Cockle; Elizabeth R. McClellan; Chadwick Ginther; Christa Hogan; Rowena McGowan; Laura VanArendonk Baugh; Alyson Faye; Mara Malins; Sara C. Walker; Elise Forier Edie; Oliver Smith; and Sarah Van Goethem.

Genres: Short Stories, Fantasy

252 pages, Paperback

First published August 18, 2020

About the author

Rhonda Parrish has the attention span of a magpie. Not only can she not focus on a single project at a time, but she also fails at sticking to one genre or even one type of writing (she does manage to stay true to one hockey team, though – Let’s go Oilers!). Perhaps best known for her work as an anthology editor – the Ottawa Review of Books called her “Canada’s best-known and most prolific speculative fiction anthologist” – Rhonda also works as a short story writer, novelist, game writer and a poet. She has been honoured to be included in a handful of ‘Best of’ anthologies, earn a coveted starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and be shortlisted for several awards including the Rhysling Award, the Aurora Award, the Dwarf Stars Award and Alberta Book Publishing Awards.

Most of her work falls under the speculative fiction umbrella but she has also penned paranormal non-fiction and non-speculative work.

In an effort to impose some order in her chaos, these days most of her short fiction and poetry is published directly through her Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/RhondaParrish .

More information about her, updates and calls for submission are posted on her website http://www.rhondaparrish.com/home/.

Reviews

[Dua (in reading slump) ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Air: Sylphs, Spirits and Swan Maidens is the third entry in the Elemental Anthologies series by Tyche Books. Now I want to read Fire and Earth as well, because I really liked the range and diversity of content in Air and because I'm an absolute sucker for anything related to the four elements.

This anthology is a combination of prose and poetry, which initially came as a surprise because, honestly, I don't think I've ever encountered poetry in an anthology before. I'm glad Parrish included them though as I don't read poetry much and it was nice to get a chance to do so.

Stories vary greatly in setting and tone as is the case with anthologies and we have a wide variety of creatures ranging from birds to mythological figures. As for the poems, they are thematically related and relatively short, and I enjoyed a couple of them.

There are 16 short stories and 5 poems in total and here are my highlights:

• The Snow Wife by Rose Strickman —A creepy tale set in America about a spirit from Japanese folklore.

• Dead Man's Hustle by Damascus Mincemeyer — Detroit, gangs, thugs, and necromancy. Complete with the accent and all.

• Final Flight by Cherry Potts — In a population of winged humanoid creatures, when two queens emerge for domination, they fight and one of them loses. For some reason this one reminded me of This Is How You Lose the Time War, which doesn't make sense because they're not similar at all except both have sapphic characters, I guess? Maybe it's the writing or the imagery, I don't know.

• The Ravens, Before Returning by Ellen Huang — Poem

• Golden Goose by Chadwick Ginther — This one is based on Norse mythology and follows a man named Ted. I really liked the idea of tattoos and how they work. Also includes everyone's favourite trickster.

• Research Log ~ ~33 by Rowena McGowan — Told in diary research log entries, a recently graduated black magic user decides to create swanmaidens as transformation subjects. Things don't go as planned and hilarity ensues. Absolutely delightful.

• Eiyri by Laura VanArendonk Baugh — This one is based on Celtic mythology and I loved it so much. A staff member from National Gallery discovers something quite surprising about her heritage in Wales during the World War II.

• Raven Girl by Alyson Faye — Poem

• Time to Fold by Mara Malins — The greatest card player in the galaxy is offered an opportunity to get out of jail and fix her mistake. Think of a card game like Magic the Gathering but creatures actually come to life. It was quite interesting.

• The Sky Thief by Elise Forier Edie — Told in interview format, an elderly woman recounts her side of the story regarding the charming singer Lori Lockheart. '60s music scene in America and Greek mythology.

Here are the rest for those who are interested:

• Into Thick Air by Davian Aw (Poem)
• Faery Dust by Mark Bruce
• Of White Cranes and Blue Stars by Alexandra Seidel
• Their Disappearing Edges by Giselle Leeb
• Swanmaid by Bronwynn Erskine
• The Whippoorwill by Kevin Cockle
• Nephele, on Friday by Elizabeth R. McClellan (Poem)
• The House with a Pond with a Girl in It by Christa Hogan
• We All Fall Down by Sara C. Walker
• Late Tuesday by Oliver Smith (Poem)
• Wind Song by Sarah Van Goethem

Recommended if you like short stories, poems, four elements and particularly air, birds, mythological figures and motifs.

Big thanks to Tyche Books for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Melanie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diffuse focus but superb and beautifully written stories/poetry

I'm a Rhonda Parrish fan. She collates/curates some of the best and most imaginative anthologies, and her latest - AIR:Sylphs, Spirits, and Swan Maidens is an outstanding example. The stories - incredible flights of fancy - are by turns elegant, puzzling, scary, and lovely, and one or two are a little confusing, but intriguing nonetheless The poetry doesn't add as much, IMHO, but I'm not a huge fan of most poetry to begin with. I'm bound to re-read more than one of these little gems, andI recommend the book highly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Topsues · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to give this book the top marks allowed on here because it Is an anthology that is filled with so many diverse short stories and poems, which I will admit some I wasn’t so clever to understand the meaning, but that’s my poetry education no more no less. I found that Air fitted perfectly within the anthology series from Rhonda Parrish, she has bought together an amazing collection of tales that certainly takes you away from your reality and time into different wonderlands and new characters with depth and understanding of our thoughts. It’s also a great way of being introduced to a range of new authors that I will certainly continue to look into. As there are so many different pieces I would find the list too lengthy to comment on all the individual ones that I thought was brilliant or praise their authors imagination & originality. So all I can say as an author in her own right Rhonda Parrish is amazing, so I have trusted her intuition into choosing these assortment of authors stories and poems. These are all contrasting, distinct, opposite & separate and so unlike each other that it kept me completely entranced the whole way through. Therefore all I can validate to you is the trust I continue to have that Rhonda Parrish will always hold my thoughts and let my mind wander and discover other authors more quickly or probably likely that I would never have deemed to look at so “Air” has certainly enlightened me. So once again Rhonda Parrish “Thank you” for doing the all the hard work for me.

[Shellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Air: Sylphs, Spirits and Swan Maidens" is the fourth installment in the Elemental Anthologies series, written by Rhonda Parrish. In this anthology, the focus is on the element of Air, exploring its whimsical, inquisitive, and quick-witted nature. Air is an essential element for life, yet it remains elusive and ever-changing, capable of gentle breezes or destructive tornadoes. Within the realm of Air, one can find tricksters, fairies, spirits, and winged creatures.

This collection brings together twenty-one stories and poems that delve into the captivating world of Air. Each tale invites readers to brave the unpredictable and ethereal realm of Air, encountering a diverse range of characters and creatures. The contributing authors, including Rose Strickman, Davian Aw, Mark Bruce, and many others, offer their unique perspectives on this element, weaving tales filled with enchantment, mystery, and adventure.

From the delicate dance of swan maidens to mischievous fairies playing pranks, the stories and poems within "Air: Sylphs, Spirits and Swan Maidens" transport readers to a world where Air reigns supreme. Each author showcases their creativity and skill, capturing the essence of Air and its enigmatic inhabitants. Whether it's exploring the hidden depths of a gentle breeze or confronting the power of a raging storm, this anthology offers a diverse and engaging collection of tales that celebrate the magic and allure of Air.

Join the journey through the ever-changing world of Air, where imagination takes flight and the unexpected awaits. Discover the artistry and imagination of the contributing authors as they explore the captivating realm of sylphs, spirits, and swan maidens. Rhonda Parrish invites readers to embrace the ethereal nature of Air and immerse themselves in a collection that will leave them breathless with wonder.

[Sibil · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I received a copy of this book from the Editor in exchange for an honest review.

Before going on with the review, let’s take a moment to look at the cover. It is a piece of art, isn’t it???

As you can imagine, the theme of this anthology was air, and between these pages, we met a lot of marvelous and magical creatures, from different folklores around the world. It was an interesting experience, and the reading was quite surprising, even if, to be completely honest, I was expecting something a tad more light, happier in some ways.
I know that this was just a personal thing, and I am not saying that I haven’t enjoyed these stories, because it was interesting and some of the stories were really good, it is just that when I think about “air” the first things that come to my mind are lightness and cheerfulness. I don’t know why, and someone else could associate other things to this element so, as I was saying, it is just a small note here.

Anyway, we have a lot of short stories there, and we have some poetry too, and this mix helps in making this anthology even more original. I preferred the prose, but the poetry was an interesting addition to it all. And we really get to meet a lot of interesting air creatures, from all around the world.
In the first story, The Snow Wife, for example, we get to meet a creature from Japan, and this was the thing that I appreciated the most about this short story. (The story wasn’t bad, and even if it is set in America, it has something that reminded me quite a lot about The Beauty and the Beast).
But this collection is not only original for the theme or because we get to know more about different folklore, is different because authors tried their end with new setting and style, and this was a thing I really appreciated.

In Faery Dust we see a faerie dealing with our modern justice system, and it was quite hilarious, and in Time Fold we have a sci-fi twist, and the idea behind this story is brilliant!
Research Log – – 33 is all written as diary entries and it was so perfect (and fun!), and We All Fall Down is written in the second person.

And we get to read about Loki, too (I loved Golden Goose), about necromancers, swan maiden, the Wild Hunt (and this is one of my favorite things ever!) and faeries.
I think that everyone can find something interesting there, and I loved the theme thing going on.

To be completely honest, I am not the biggest fan of anthologies, because I don’t really love short stories, but sometimes I like to read them all the same, and even if I didn’t love all the stories in this one, I had a great time and I loved some of them.

[Dan TheMan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this book by accident while searching Amazon for something about sylphs. Honestly, the cover didn’t raise my expectations—it has a kitschy 90s fantasy TV poster vibe and gives no hint at the treasures inside. If I had judged it by the cover, I never would have picked it up.
But I’m glad I did, because the contents surprised me in the best way.

Instead of a straightforward novel, this is a collection of short stories and poems—many of them thought-provoking, beautifully written, and often rooted in fascinating settings or inspired by Greek and Norse mythology.

What I loved most is the variety: every piece feels distinct, so you’re constantly stepping into something new. Some highlights for me were Faery Dust, Final Flight, Their Disappearing Edges, Swanmaid, Nephele on Friday, Research Log 33, Raven Girl, Time to Fold, We All Fall Down and The Whippoorwill. And yes, that’s a lot of favorites—but this book truly contains one standout story after another.

Don’t let the cover fool you: this collection is a hidden gem.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hmmmm….

This is a hard-to-pin-down anthology that theoretically has all of its constituent parts tied together by the concept of air, sylphs, spirits, and swan maidens. I didn't always see the connection or thought it was tenuous at best. I found the stories at times confusing—what were they really driving at?—and the poetry sometimes pretentious. With the overarching theme of air, you would think this would have lighter themes, but they were often dark. In all honesty, I wasn't terribly wild about this collection. It feels like more of a book that you should like because it's curated literary fiction rather than one you actually do.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[Anastasiia Nesterenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this anthology series. You can find very unusual stories and authors here. This book is no exception - there is modern poetry that looks like, prose that reads like poetry and stories that make you think long and hard. Some stories are not very easy to comprehend, at least for me, to be honest. And because I still tend to like fun stories over sad or overly thoughtful ones-Loki is still my favourite. But I do not regret anything else either, even the most cryptic or sad ones.

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

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories and poems about harpies, Loki, fairies, ravens, etc. Interesting combination of pieces with some hidden meanings, like we are our own worst enemy, and ideas like our path is only begun. Tried to look at the pieces and what our world is like, coming to some very crazy conclusions. I think everyone to dwells on these will come to their own varied conclusions, depending on where you like and what your surroundings are.

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

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty-one mostly family-friendly selections that will fill a VERY full day.

The Snow Wife by Rose Strickman is PG13, set in New England where Nathaniel Greene on Sawhorse attempts to visit his fiancee Martha Dumfries during his Christmas break from Harvard, and can be read in about an hour. 5*

Into Thick Air by Davian Aw is a short poem.

Fairy Dust by Mark Bruce is set in Victorville where Faerie Miranda Morningstar is represented by Public Defender Martin Berry. Family-friendly 5*

Of White Cranes and Blue Stars by Alexandra Seidel is a family-friendly, quick read, set on the first day of spring when Maryna glimpses a crane 5*

Dead Man's Hustle by Damascus Mincemeyer starts in Bryson's in Dexter-Linwood, near Detroit, in December, when ghost-speaker Ezekiel Deveroux is nursing a half-empty Honey Jack and DeShawn interrupts him to introduce Tyrell. PG13 5*

Final Flight by Cherry Potts is complex and should inspire thought. 5*

The Ravens, Before Returning by Ellen Huang is a short poem.

Their Disappearing Edges is about changelings. 5*

Swanmaid is a variant on the classic with a difference. 5*

The Whippoorwill by Kevin Cockle is a dystopia set in Calgary in winter and Joshua Abel Neumann, soon to turn 63, is one of the last holdouts without a smartphone. 5*

Nephele, On Friday by Elizabeth R. McClellan.is a LONG poem. 5*

Golden Goose by Chadwick Ginther is set in Canada where Ted and Loki catch a plane ride with Amy. 5*

The House with a Pond with a Girl in It by Christa Hogan is a slightly creepy tale about 16-year-old Matthew and his mom. 5*

Research Log ~~33 by Rowena McGowan details the (mis)adventures of a recent black magic graduate.5*

Eiyri by Laura VanArendonk Baugh is a perfectly delightful tale, set in Wales during WWII, and involves Canaid Thomas of the Manod project, Owen Lewis, and the house Harri Davies wishes to build. 5*

Raven Girl by Alyson Faye is a powerful poem.

Time to Fold by Mara Malins is a space yarn, which starts on the jail planet, Yizae, and is third her Night of the Dragon Cards series. Samus is enjoying the security of her cell when Vutti O'Brien arrives with a wager he cannot refuse. 5*

We All Fall Down by Sara C. Walker is about the swan sisters. 5*

The Sky Thief by Elise Forier Edie is about the music scene in NYC in the 1960s and ends with a question. 5*
Late Tuesday by Oliver Smith is a spectral poem.

Wind Song by Sarah Van Goethem is about Violetta Ashdown who seeks to escape her stepmother Harriet and join her sailor Jack Hawk. 5*

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

[Janice Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all the stories in this book. Normally in a collection like this I will find a few I do not care for, but not in this one! There are short stories and poems of all sorts from funny to scary. It is definitely worth reading.

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

[Selina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun collection of extremely short stories about air magic. From a snow controlling woman to fairies and more. These are fun stories for most ages to read. It is a very interesting collection and I hope to see more in the future.

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

[Mary T]

great collection.
These are all so good I can't pick one over the others as they are all well done. Thank you for putting this together. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ana Cordoba]

This collection contained very engrossing and thought provoking reads. I really enjoyed the variety of myths, legends, and magical creatures that starred in these stories. Each story was unique and entertaining. Can't wait for the next installment.

[Jemima Pett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Rhonda Parrish’s anthologies. That said, I found some of her selections surprising. Did they really fit the theme of ‘air’? But most were spot on, and as you read through the book, you found more gems awaited. It certainly was not front end heavy.

There was also a good amount of poetry. This is not my strong point, and some I started, and skipped. Others drew me in as much as a prose piece would. And some of those were almost poetic.

I finished the book wanting to pick out a few for special praise, but here I am reviewing it after three other books and I can’t remember the details. Except for Laura VanArendonk Baugh. Not only does she write excellent stories, she keeps on writing them! So much so that I have one of her books on my Kindle. So it’s dangerous, reading Rhonda’s anthologies—you never know how many authors you’re going to add to your reading list!