Early review time!
The Book: “Legends and Lore: An Anthology of Mythic Proportions”, edited by Penny Freeman.
Genre: Paranormal short story collection.
Blurb: Delve into myth and legend, where the Fates force post-modern man into a world of the unknown—a world long since dismissed as ignorant superstition.
“The Brother-Sister Fable” by Alyson Grauer: A young boy disappears into a realm where only his sister can follow.
“Faelad” by Sarah Hunter Hyatt: Claire Whitaker didn’t even know she was Irish, let alone The Morrigan, the goddess of war.
“By Skyfall” by Emma Michaels: A mer-couple from Atlantis find themselves in the middle of a human murder investigation.
“Charon’s Obol” by. R. M. Ridley: Jonathan Alvey didn’t believe in gods, until he helps a lost child find her all-powerful parents.
“Peradventure” by Sarah E. Seeley: A jinni must choose between the woman he loves and destroying the city that persecuted her.
“Natural Order” by Lance Schonberg: When Carlos Vasquez is kidnapped, he discovers powers within himself to change the world.
“Two Spoons” by Danielle E. Shipley: A little girl’s soul meets its match in the family diner’s most mysterious patron.
“Grail Days” by A. F. Stewart: Living forever has its drawbacks, especially when you spend it clearing away the messes of other immortals.
“Downward Mobility” by M. K. Wiseman: They say love conquers all, but can it save a Valkyrie when she breaks all the rules?
Bonus: The trailer!
My Thoughts: I’m pleased to say this is one of the best anthologies I’ve read in a while. I thought I’d found a favorite in the opening piece, “The Brother-Sister Fable” enchantingly told by Alyson Grauer. Then I got to A.F. Stewart’s “Grail Days”, a witty take on Arthurian legend, and wondered whether the book could contain anything further up my alley. But it was the poignant romance of “Peradventure” by Sarah E. Seeley that kept me up reading ‘til the wee hours and haunted me well into the next day. (Ye gads, the feels!) Also in the lineup are tales to entice fans of mythology – Greek, Norse, and Celtic – and fae creatures of earth and water. Not to mention the collection’s flavorful finale, “Two Spoons” by— oh, Danielle E. Shipley. Hello.
HSYRT? (Hey, Should You Read This?): Yes. Yes, you should. Come the book’s release day on Wednesday, October 22, go forth! Find your favorite story(ies) in the bunch! And feel free to read out of order, if you want to get to my last-but-never-least contribution sooner than later. ;D In the meantime, you can add the book on Goodreads!
Also on the 22nd, Xchyler Pub and the “Legends and Lore” anthology authors are throwing a virtual release party on Facebook! If you can make time anywhere between 4pm – 8pm PDT (that’s 6pm – 10pm Central/Deshipley time), we’d love for you to drop in for fun, games, and prizes. Hope to see you there!
Ever On Word 