Abaculus II

by Edward McKeown, Joel A. Sutherland (Contributor), R.S. Hunter (Contributor)

The Greeks coined the word "abaculus" for the small pieces of glass used to create complex mosaic murals. Peopled with mythical beasts and oversized heroes, a fantastic pantheon of gods, and the humans who dared challenge them, these ancient murals embody the essence of imagination, built piece by tiny piece. In its second anthology, Leucrota Press brings you short stories from an international cast of new and experienced authors representing the best of contemporary science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Self-contained gems of storytelling craft, each story also fits into a larger picture of how the universe could, or might just, be. With an introduction by author T.J. Vargo, Abaculus II stories include works by authors: A.S. Berman, Edward McKeown, Robert Hunter, Joel A. Sutherland, W. D. Wilcox, David M. Peak, Murphy Edwards, Shane Nelson, and Erin Durante

273 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2008

About the author

Edward McKeown is best known for his two Confederation Space Series: The Robert Fenaday/Shasti Rainhell series of SF novels set on the Privateer Sidhe & set in the same universe, The Maauro Chronicles featuring a 50,000-year-old android named Maauro and her friend, a disgraced pilot named Wrik Trigardt, as they battle governments and the Thieves Guild for their freedom.


Fenaday/ Rainhell: Reluctant privateer Robert Fenaday searches the stars for his lost love, Lisa, a naval intelligence officer whose ship disappeared near the end of the Conchirri War. He’s joined by the genetically engineered assassin, Shasti Rainhell, whose cold perfection masks her dark past. Both are blackmailed by government spymaster, Mandela, into a suicidal mission to the doomed planet Enshar. Leading a team of scientists and soldiers, they must unravel the mystery of that planet’s death before an ancient force reaches out to claim their lives.


The Maauro Chronicles: “Three alien machines descend to the asteroid base of their enemies. The ensuing battle is short and savage. The lone survivor hopes either for rescue, or for another chance to engage its enemies. It will be a long wait…

Wrik Trigardt ekes out a living in the Kandalor system with his small ship, Sinner. He is caught between his failed past and a grim present in service to the local crimelord, Dusko. An expedition to the Rift Asteroids promises better days, but when the well of time is disturbed--no one can say what will surface.

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His forays into Fantasy and Horror include the urban fantasy series Knight in Charlotte. He is the editor of the Sha’Daa anthologies of tales of the Apocalypse.


Ed enjoys a wide variety of interests from ballroom dance to the martial arts. Find him on Facebook, www.copperdogpublishing.com and at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004NM9ZU2

Reviews

[Gregory Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second in Leucrota Press Publishing's collection of the best short stories submitted to it by new and established writers, this edition has 18 tales of science fiction, fantasy and horror. The best (in my opinion) are "The Photograph of Carolina Stump" by W.D. Wilcox, about a mysterious house and the diary left behind by its former occupant; "Must Have Own Weapons" by Edward McKeown, about an interesting trip into the past; "Single Malt" by Shane Nelson, about a drinking club and its very unusual vintage; "Desire in Death" by David M. Peak, about how far a man will go to be with the object of his affections, and "Soul Gem" by Arnold Lenzini, a tale set in feudal Japan involving treachery, deceit, murder and supernatural revenge.
All of the stories are excellently written, so you can't miss with any of them.

[A. E. S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good start for anybody looking to dabble in new authors. Really the only story I liked best of all was "The Photograph of Carolina Stump". "Must Have Own Weapons" is a close second, followed by "Soul Gem" and "Blind".

That being said, the rest of the stories (except for "Runner" and "Lazaretto" being good but with recycled plots) are pretty generic. My copy is a first edition signed by Lesley Conner, and I found "Maternal Instinct" at least amusing zombie-fun.

[Aluvrianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My short story, Recall the Executioner, is in this anthology. I thought as a whole, this was a good collection.