Shards

by Michael Shotter

When worlds collide, the effects can range from subtle to profound. In this first-ever, short-fiction collection from the author of “309” and “The Big Men,” experience the intrigue, excitement, and terror of such events from a variety of perspectives as each unique tale unfolds.

This collection includes the hit novelette, “Academic Displacement,” and seven all-new stories sure to please fans of thrilling, thought-provoking, and engaging prose.

Genres: Anthologies, Science Fiction

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 2, 2020

About the author

Michael Shotter is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a lover of science, fiction, and fantasy, his works aim to push beyond the boundaries of traditional genre fiction into new and exciting realms born from literary craftsmanship.

Reviews

[Cookie M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay read. These stories just missed being as shocking as the author intended. I was able to foresee the twist to most of them coming.
A good bedtime read.

I received this book from Good reads in exchange for an honest review.

[Ronald McGillvray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first venture into Michael Shotter’s mythos of “The Big Men” but it certainly won’t be my last.

This intriguing and interconnecting collection of stories weave together a world that you won’t soon forget. Part sci-fi, part horror and part fantasy there’s something here for everyone.

I really enjoyed the way the author used recurring characters to connect the different stories together into one cohesive narrative and into the saga he’s building.

Kudos to the author for his ambitious attempt at world building. I look forward to seeing what comes next.

[Star Gater · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a science fiction television watching geek. I have not enjoyed written science fiction. However, Shards held my attention and I enjoyed each story/chapter. I just can't put my finger on the how or why.

This is a Goodreads Giveaway Kindle Win from March 2023 and part of the Read What I Own Challenge (x100).

[Mike B · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories are well-written, and I liked the surprising ways in which the author interconnected them. I found myself thinking about them hours after I read them, so somehow they speak to fears or truths we all share. Even though the plots may seem far-fetched.
These are in the vein of Twilight Zone or Outer Limits. But they are dark, with desire for revenge or control a main theme. In this time when everything seems to out-of-control, they resonate.

[Mike Harnish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began this book wondering where the author was going with then. At first, it seemed like a mixed-up set of unrelated short stories. But as I got into the book, I realized that there was a progression that if you're not careful, can lead you to not realize just how everything has a connection. The writer goes from you not sure what he is doing to one who uses short stories to write a good book that the more I got into it, the less I wanted to put it down.

[Ginger Schenck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting collection of short stories. I won it on Goodreads. I might not have read it otherwise but I'm glad I did. It was interesting, as well as, thought provoking. The stories were well written and engaging.

[Meander - Read & Roam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐3/4
Type: Standalone
Genre: Short-Fiction Anthology
Narration: Limited third person

I'm eager to hunt for stories that offer something a little different, so if you’re like me and thrive on unique stories, give a try for this short-fiction Anthology. This is a collection of 8 stories which offer you from Sci-fic to horror, action and adventure.

I could connect with a few stories very well, some not so much. I totally loved “The Gardener’s Pitch”. The way it’s narrated along with the flow and characters, all was wonderful. I never guessed the way the plot took a turn. This had a perfect blend of fiction and reality. I could connect with this story more. The next story I liked is “Academic Displacement”, however I would have loved it more if the story had more depth to it, yet, acceptable for this sort of anthology.

I just couldn’t connect with “Vessels” & “Torn” stories. Author has tried to give good explanation for that, yet, I felt, it lagged in highlighting how those vessels were different than that of others. I would have definitely loved more depth in plot.

Some plots were very engaging. Narration style varied from story to story. I would have loved it more if a few stories were more structured and polished. I totally loved how author has weaved each story in one cohesive multiverse.

Overall, a good collection of short-fiction Anthology. Pick it up and let me know your thoughts on that.
Follow me
Blog
Bookstagram

[Leah Bruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book throws you headlong into a full series of enthralling tales. From the beginning, you are committed to the characters, world and story. While written as an anthology, the book has its own overarching theme that pulls you through each of the chapters into one cohesive multiverse. The author did an excellent job at creating a well conceived collection that is rich in emotion. I read it cover to cover in one sitting!

[Shannon Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of short stories. I loved some and liked some but none were ever boring. I won this collection in a good reads giveaway so I read it in the kindle version. I would recommend this book in a paperback because I frequently wanted to flip back through to other stories and read little bits when the characters overlapped.

[Barcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thought-provoking, head-scratching collection of short stories kind of sneaks up on you and lingers after you've finished. Everything from parallel universes to autoerotic asphyxiation gone awry to a vigilante energy vampire weeding the garden of humanity — you'll find lots of unique tales to ponder. Well worth the read.

[Sleepseeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has several short stories of various themes. They were all written well and some I enjoyed more than others but there was no terrible stories. The genre was mixed with some sci-fi, horror, & adventure stories.

I won this in a giveaway and was able to read it in about a day.

[Bruce Houck · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Shards' is a fantastic book that exceeded my expectations in terms of both enjoyment of reading and world building as well as my own schedule. It is segmented in a way that makes the book feel connected while maintaining individual stories that are palatable in short amounts.

[Brian Bowyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Collection!

My first read by Shotter, but certainly not my last. I enjoyed all these stories, and I'm looking forward to reading more of his fiction. Highly recommended!

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

A collection of sci-fi stories. The problem is, some of them are too similar to one another.

[Tom Bruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shards was a fantastic book for both the enjoyment of reading, world building, and My personal schedule. The book is segmented in a great way that gives the connected feeling of a much wider story arc while maintaining individual stories that are consumable in short spurts.

Having connections to other works while still maintaining a book's own character is usually a fine line for other Authors. Mr. Shotter executes these connections with such ease and expertise that it leads to a fun experience of hunting for connections yourself and being thrown back to nostalgia of his previous works.

Wonderful read, can't wait for more.

[Brian Widmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

I always struggle to give a single rating on a collection of short stories. The first handful of stories in this book were really good! 4-star level good. One of the stories would have made for a perfect Twilight Zone episode, and I do love me some Twilight Zone.

The back third of the book became predictable and frankly had a lot of grammar errors that distracted me from the stories themselves. I finally gave up with a few stories left unread.

[Coy Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

My introduction to Michael Shotter's fictional universe! An excellent collection of science fiction tales, all with enough length to carry depth in the world building and characters. And the ideas behind the stories are fascinating. Shotter has a clear, engaging style that makes itself quiet as the plots unfold and the characters come to life. He lets the stories speak for themselves, and he allows the characters to drive them.

"The Field Journal of Dr. Franklin Nod" is a standout!

[April Tolliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a goodreads drawing. I liked that everything was interconnected in someway, but upon reflection I feel like I missed some things, that maybe I would have felt more connected to if it was a longer linear story instead of several short stories. I did like how each short story, if taken on it's own, felt complete.

[Steve Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun collection of stories that fill in some of the gaps in the Nod/Wells series of novels, particularly tying in well with The Big Men and 309. A fun read, highly recommend to any fan of Michael Shotter's works.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this from a Goodreads giveaway. The stories at beginning were good. I didn't like the one that used Bert and Ernie because they didn't seem like the charecters.

[Gerald Heath · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love sci fi and short stories, but I found this collection to be less than what I expected.

[Nikki Sowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. I DNF at 25%. The book did not hold my attention.