Magic and Myth: Short Stories

by Kathryn Trattner

The stories in Magic and Myth reveal the connection between everyday occurrences and the otherworldly. The place where we pause to reassure ourselves that the world is full of the mundane and unmagical in every way­—even as we check beneath the bed for monsters.
Explore the point where myths collide with humanity and build a home, where unexpected magic crackles in the firelight, and the seasons gather around the dinner table. Crisscrossing these pages are creatures from dreams and legends—love and horror are intertwined, revenge is sweeter than any summer evening, and desire can be enough to reshape reality.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Dark

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2023

About the author

Kathryn Trattner is an award-winning author who has loved fairy tales, folk stories, and mythology all her life. Her hands-down favorites have always been East of the Sun, West of the Moon and the myth of Persephone and Hades. When not writing or reading, she's traveling as much as possible and taking thousands of photos that probably won't get edited later. She lives in Oklahoma with her wonderful husband, two very busy children, one of the friendliest dogs ever, and three cats who think they’re in charge.

Reviews

[Elentarri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and poetically written collection of five stories that merge the supernatural with everyday occurrences, in a delightfully weird and unique manner. Some of the stories have a fairytale vibe, while others are a bit darker. I loved the stories with the anthropomorphic personifications of season and "things". It's an interesting way of interacting. Blackberry Baby and The Black Cat are probably my favourite stories in this collection. The five stories included are:
Tornado - A short vignette. Spring, Winter and Tornado come for dinner
Blackberry Baby - a witch at work
The Deer Woman - murder has consequences
Fire Watch - a charming romance
The Black Cat - a collection of dark vignette's featuring a girl and her very unusual cat.

[Joana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so good!!!!! This is a super high four stars, which I'm doing as five here, because I can't do halves here, and really it was almost there!!! This is a short-story collection and it's so well written, each story is completely unique and weird, and you really don't know what to expect from it, there's a glimpse of the macabre and of the whimsical here!!!
I think my favorite is the "Blackberry Baby", it falls into these witch stories that I absolutely love - it's so weird and strange, but so magical as well!!! And then also absolutely LOVED "Fire", that was a beautiful story, the way it played with the elements and love and whimsy!!But I also want to shout out "Tornado", because writing a good story in two pages is a talent!! And then to have "The Black Cat" for more of a macabre and horror and weirder story!!!
Really this book is a must read for fans of fantastical short stories!!!

I received the book through BookSirens in exchange on an honest review :D

[Jennifer Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unnerving collection of short stories that got darker and darker as we went. I really enjoy Kathryn as an author in her previous book that I read and this is also a good mix of the horror and a bit of fantasy added in. This is a quick read and would be great for spooky season!

Thank you to Book Sirens and the author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alyson Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

fantastic collection of short stories that are very creatively written. short enough to be classed as a quick read. hands down favourite is The Black Cat.I received an advance review copy for free from booksirens.com, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Nantia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was that perfect combination of magic and darkness and folklore and without a doubt I loved it.
I failed to understand the first story though and that's the lack of the fifth star.
I was crying with the second story and the last one really fed my dark soul.
I love how the writer through the magic and folklore has modern problems and modern behaviours.

[klaudia katarzyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Don't you get lonely? Isn't it cold?"
"I've got a fire to keep me warm."

Kathryn Trattner presents to us a magical short stories collection. What I liked the most about this collection was the uniqueness of each story.

One of my favorite stories is Fire Watch, it made me feel very warm. Another story I loved was The Black Cat and it was breathtaking! It's quite scary, I didn't expect anything like this.

I'd recommend it for an evening under a blanket and candles, fast read and very atmospheric.
Definitely worth the read for an evening under a blanket!

★ Thanks to Booksirens for the e-arc. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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💌 January 30, 2023 : E-ARC provided by Booksirens.

[Lara Ayrolla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before anything, I would like to thank Kathryn Trattner, the publisher, and BookSirens for providing me with an ARC. I received it for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The book contains a total of 5 short stories, the first one being the shortest and the last one being the longest. Although the lengths of the stories vary quite a bit and the themes feel different, I can see why this collection was put together. All of the five stories bring what was promised starting with the title: magic and myth. It's nice to see the author explore the supernatural and the fantasy in different ways and I enjoyed most of the stories, although some were better than others.

I don't think this book was cohesive enough. Maybe if it had more stories, they could help to fill in the gaps and make it feel more whole. Some stories weren't as good as they had the potential to be, and some were very good. Overall, it was a nice book that with a little bit more could've been great.

Tornado: It was a nice introduction and set the theme and tone of the book well enough. I would have taken it out though. It felt too cliche, a little empty, and wasn't a good opening to set the expectations for what was to come. The other stories were much better.

Blackberry Baby: Detailed descriptions, giving a high sense of space, though sometimes it felt more descriptive than needed. It was a beautiful story, easy to read, and the ending was bittersweet exactly as it should be, bringing a lot of reflection.

The Deer Woman: Interesting story but very weird. The romantic aspect of it feels a little forced as I don't believe in love at first sight. I'm not the kind of person to enjoy revenge plots, so it wasn't really my thing. But I also love seeing toxic men going down, so it was kinda my thing?

Fire Watch: It was such a lovely story that I wished it was longer. I wanted to see the build up of the romance and get butterflies in my stomach. But it was enough as it was. Sweet and hopeful, with a very funny ending phrase.

The Black Cat: I liked how this story is divided in parts and evolves with perfect pacing. In the beginning, I love how caring and understanding the mother is and how, despite the words being way too complicated for a child, you can see how the point of view would made sense coming from someone younger. As each part goes by, the bond between the main character Maria and her cat Onyx is established and portrayed in a way that shows instead of telling. He's a part of her life and would do anything for her. Maria's growth and life changes are clear, as is the way she sees and treats Onyx, the way she slowly understands and accepts his nature. The story is mysterious and a definite page turner, I had to keep reading until I knew the ending.

[Edward Cheladyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preface: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really appreciated Kathryn's take on seasons and nature- Its the first story I've read that truly personifies nature. She has a distinct sentence structure throughout that perfectly conveys not only what the scenes look like but also what they FEEL like. I've never had a book so easily transport me to the location of the story.

With that said, there were 2 stories that felt more miss than hit for me: "Tornado" and "Deer Woman." With the former, it at least set up the aforementioned personification, and set the table for the second story. I can't say the same of the latter.

"Blackberry Baby" and "Fire watch" were both enjoyable and well written. They are the kinds of stories that I feel would make a great Hallmark movie staring Diane Keaton.

The piece de resistance of this book is "The Black Cat." Immediately after finishing, I made my wife stop what she was doing and read it. This story is what changed it from a "well, that was an alright read" to "Wow. I need to find what else she's written." Her writing style continues to shine - In the first chapter, I felt like I was there with the black cat and the dollhouse. The story has all the elements of a perfect supernatural thriller - It has the idyllic setting to start and ever so slightly conveys that something isn't quite right just below the surface. Kathryn does a great job building up that tension as it progresses, and hits you with a perfect ending. It's by far the longest story in the book, but its the only one I finished in one sitting - I couldn't put it down.

[Audrey Halliwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because of the concept. I love folklore, magic, myths, and how it all connects to our everyday lives. Plus, I absolutely adore the cover. Much like the author, Kathryn Trattner's writing, the cover has beautiful details. Overall, I wasn't disappointed.

There are six short stories in this collection, all of differing lengths. To avoid spoilers or giving away too much, I'll just include a thought or two on each story.

Tornado: short, simple read. It isn't so much plot as it is thought provoking.
Blackberry Baby: I absolutely loved the details. It's a story about love and features an isolated witch villagers occasionally visit to ask for favors. Truly heart-warming with a pinch of sad.
The Deer Woman: I found this one interesting and my favorite story in the collection. It's a story about revenge and has a feeling of nature and legend to it.
Fire Watch: Another interesting read. It reminds me of the first short story, Tornado.
The Black Cat: This was a second read for me, as I first read this story in the anthology "The Reunion" featuring this author. (The Reunion was also a great collection of short stories, by the way. I highly recommend).

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Trattner has such a way with details. Each story puts the reader right in the action, as if they're part of the story too. It's a wonderful collection that I enjoyed reading. 5/5 stars!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[OldBird · Rating 4 out of 5]

An wonderful and weird anthology of whimsical yet dark tales to open your eyes to the stranger side of the world before us, where the elements walk the earth and those monster beneath your bed are both more banal and more beastly than you'd expect.

Each story is infused with atmospheric writing that sets the scene beautifully (or terribly depending on how dark the story is!) They flow strangely, often with a dream-like quality that can border the nightmare. While several felt to me like they started strongly without really going anywhere (I'm a beginning, middle and end sort of fan rather than slice of life/vignette), they were all gloriously imaginative and original. The magical realist elements of seasons and natural concepts being actual personifications is a recurrent theme that you wish could be part of some bigger American Gods-like universe.

The best by far is The Black Cat; with the longest page count it has plenty of time to develop from the mildly weird tale of a girl acquiring a cat into something borderline psychological horror. It'll have you questioning what's real, what isn't, and just what it is that your cat is trying to tell ou when it brings you a gift...

Readers looking for gentle original mythology tales told with an ever so slightly acidic bite of danger to them will certainly enjoy this one.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Visubooks (Sofia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read! I loved how all the stories seems to be interconnected in a way that helped really bring together the book and make it feel cohesive! I loved the variation in emotions and main characters through the story and how each of them experience something mythical or magical that brings them into this group of stories! I loved the complexity of the stories and range of emotions both the characters and readers get to experience through each individual story! I loved that one story would be really hopeful and magical and the very next story was dark and suspenseful helping creat a well rounded book with many elements that separate each story from the other and keep the reader hooked on the plots of each individual tale! The only story that I found a bit underwhelming compared to the other was the very first one since it didn’t feel like a story but more like an introduction on what type of character and plots a reader can expect to find in this book. Overall this is a great collection of short stories that I recommend checking out if you enjoy magic, myths, short stories,and a mix of sad, suspenseful, horror, and hopefully storylines all in one book!

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic collection of short stories, centred on the where, hows, and ifs of magic blurring the line of our reality. My favourite story was Fire, and it was so sweet and intriguing, that I was genuinely disappointed when it finished. I loved the personifications of nature and natural forces in these stories, and are by far my favourite things to see in writing.

The last set! My oh my, what can I even say? Slowly coming to terms that somethings isn't right-- knowing it isn't right but trying to ignore it-- and then coming face to face with what you can't deny-- eish!

Incredible, and horrifying.

It certainly is stuck in my head, so good job and well written!

|I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Booksirens in exchange for a review. If reading free books at the cost of only a review sounds good to you, head over to Booksirens!|

[Heather Salter-Purves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read short story collections very often. However, the concept that all these magical tales are tied together by seemingly ordinary circumstances is a beautiful addition to the waving of folklore and mythology done by the author. the cover, which is a bonus. The writing style was beautiful overall. As we tackle a variety of different topics, from revenge to isolation, the bearing lengths of the stories lead to impactful moments across a variety of stories, with some not having a lot of plot but leaving me pondering long after I closed the book along with the warm details.
Overall, I think this author is one to watch, and I will be picking up a variety of their backlist titles as well as those that they come out with later.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chandaly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magic and Myth was a good collection of short stories. It was not quite what I expected. I was surprised because all the stories were original and when I picked up the book, I assumed from the title that there would be retellings or tales inspired from existing myths. Or maybe there was and I just lacked the necessary knowledge to recognize them as such.

I liked the stories I read quite well but I personally can't rate the book itself higher as I would have preferred more diversity. There was a certain unity in the book but the general melancholy feeling was not what I wanted to read at the moment and I failed to enjoy the book thoroughly.

I am happy though to have discovered the author because the writing was very good and the stories they wove were worth reading.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful collection of short stories that truly lives up to showing the intersection between the mundane and the otherworldly. The themes touch on hope, vengeance, rebirth and transformation, and a deep sense of love. The writing is beautiful and evocative, pulling you in and not letting go until the last word is read. Normally with short story collections, I have an easy time pausing between stories and coming back when I'm ready. Instead, I read almost all the way through the book in one sitting. This isn't an action-packed set of tales, but rather, a fantastic book to read when you want some time to rest and reset. I highly recommend this book.

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

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a very short read, and I finished it in less than an hour. I liked it a lot. Sometimes a book of short stories is a good choice for a quick but entertaining read.

I thought the cover design was striking and attractive. The stories themselves had an eerie, twisted quality, but I felt they were beautifully written and quite powerful to read. I felt that nature was a very present theme within the stories, and I found that appealing.

If I had to choose a favourite story, it would be The Black Cat, because I identified with the protagonist and felt able to relate on some level.

Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.

[Manuela - Fathoms Amidst The Lines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprised of five short stories and under 100 pages, "Magic and Myth" is a must-read. The stories are "Tornado," "Blackberry Baby," "The Deer Woman," "Fire Watch," and "The Black Cat." These stories will make you think, warm your heart, make you smile, and side-eye your (or any) cat. Though I adore all these stories, "Blackberry Baby" and "The Black Cat" are my favorites. "Blackberry Baby" is heart-warming, sweet, and a bit sad, and "The Black Cat" is more mysterious and will have you asking WTF? at some points. The magical realism in it is incredible and so worth the read. If this is how Trattner writes and tells stories across the board, she is an author to check out and keep an eye on for future works.

If you're in the mood for a quick read but unsure what to read or if you want something with variety, this is a great option.

Thank you to BookSirens for a copy of this to read and review.

[TheMadHatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Kathryn Trattner did not disappoint with this round of short stories. Fewer, but longer, stories than Deep Waters this collection has a cozier feel and makes you want to settle in with it.

Tornado didn't feel long enough, I instantly wished it back to the table once it was gone.

Blackberry baby moved me to tears, bringing up all the memories of my childhood picking blackberries with my grandparents.

Deer Woman with her talk of achievable time travel felt empowering.

Fire watch blended all the pieces and gives hope for true love and acceptance of people as they are, if we just let them be themselves first.

The Black Cat is a perfect short story for spooky/horror lovers and will give you chills.

[Bookdragonskeep (Krystina) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique and creative collection of 5 short stories involving themes that grew darker with each story. There was a good mix of whimsical/folklore elements along with some spooky horror elements. The personification of the seasons and “things” in a few of the stories - Tornado, BlackBerry Baby, and Fire - really brought them to life and added warmth to the, leaving you with bittersweet feelings. The two spookier stories (an my favorites) - The Deer Woman and The Black Cat - were truly chilling, but yet almost left you with a sense of justice in a roundabout way. Magic and Myth is a quick and interesting read and great for Spooky season!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Read with Ravens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this not knowing anything about the book. To be honest, I judge books by the covers, and this one caught my eye. Plus, it was a quick read = bonus.
I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!!
The stories were whimsical and blended reality and myths perfectly. I felt like I was there with the characters during each story. I wanted to just hug them all and learn more about them.
Everyone needs to read this. It was so much fun.

Thank you to booksirens and the author for an eARC of this title. This review is my own honest opinion.

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This initially felt akin to stepping into a creative writing notebook. Excerpts of magic, whimsy and wonderful personifications of seasons and elements. It was touching and beautiful. Then it shifted. It became darker, more suspenseful. When the end finally came, it was not what I expected when I began. The emotions it incited were tempestuous and soulful. I read the entire collection in a little under two hours.

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

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an unexpected treat.
I found this group of stories captivating and full of magic. They are so well written and they are by an author I do not know well but I am sure to look for more work done by her. The twists and turns were so unexpected and I think rather brilliant. If you are looking for something out of box than this is one book I think you should check out. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Denise Barela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was a good, quick read. I thought the author wove tales that were entertaining, but I think some of them could have been fleshed out a little more. My favorite of the entries was The Deer Woman for sure. I loved the ending too. It’s was a beautiful story. I would definitely recommend this book as it’s unique and doesn’t take very long to read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these fantasy short stories, each story was what I was hoping for and were written so strongly by Kathryn Trattner. I was hooked from the first story and enjoyed the fairy tale elements in this collection. All of the characters were beautifully done and I was invested in what happened to all of them.

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

[Kelli Riffle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book of short stories. It can be difficult to find good short fiction sometimes, so I feel a little spoiled now. The stories are a nice variety of fantasy fiction and for those who like short fiction and fantasy, giving this book a read is a nice way to relax. Characters and plots are good and solid. I think this should be given more attention.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lucille J. Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun collection of stories, each told in a brilliant setting with amazing details. I loved the vivid descriptions and how I could smell, taste, and feel everything Kathryn Trattner was showing to me. The Black Cat and Blackberry Baby were my favorites.

I fully recommend this collection to other readers who enjoy magic, the paranormal, and stories that make you think long after you have read them.

[Jac · Rating 4 out of 5]

An atmospheric collection of fantastical tales. I love the author's take on the different forms and power of nature and this is one of the few times I felt that short stories were just nice in length. It had a dark and dream-like tone without becoming too horror-like or surreal, and I can see them as actual mythologies. I would be interested in reading more of this author's works for sure!

(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Religious Studies Major and graduate, magic has always been a favorite interest of mine as it appears in the Bible (Witch of Endor eg.), myths, and many cultures. So I found these stories fascinating as they tell about everyday occurrences that we often take for granted but can be very magical indeed. A very good book.

[Scarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

If dark fairy tales are your jam, this will be a must on your book shelf! Beautiful imagery helps create mini worlds in which we meet witches, the Seasons personified and a black cat with a dark agenda. The stories are quick and pull you in immediately, often ending with a beautiful note of mystery.

I received an advance review copy from BookSirens, and left this unbiased review voluntarily.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great collection of short stories. Loved the way the stories were written, and for short stories that author managed to say a lot.

If you love mythology, folklore, and quick stories, then this is definitely for you, and I would highly recommend that you read this.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.