angelahayes's review
4.0
4 Stars
Reading “The Blue Serpent & other tales” by Claire Buss was like unwrapping a beautiful box of assorted sweets. This is flash fiction at its best. Each tasty morsel drew me further into the book- keeping me turning the pages to see what her imagination would come up with next. This is an original read- clever, creative, imaginative, fun and entertaining. Full of quirky and interesting characters- who were really well crafted. Considering that each story was only a couple of pages long- the characters were fully realised individuals. Not such an easy feat within such a small word count. It certainly highlights the wordsmithing skills Ms. Buss has at her fingertips.
From fantasy, to sci-fi - to a twist on some classic nursery rhymes- these stories were definitely fun to read. There is drama, mystery, thought-provoking details, suspense, and even a few surprises. I also felt there were a few messages and ‘lessons’ to be learned along the way.
There are 15 stories to tempt you:
-The Blue Serpent
A paranormal story with a bit of a supernatural twist. Mysterious body paint, with a surprising ending.
-Possibility
A ‘Dear Jane’ letter. A painful breakup. Broken hearted, full of grief and pain. A cursed house. Finally finding peace, or is that a dose of Karma?
-Passion
What if you were incredibly passionate about books, about the way they made you feel- a story with a surprising revelation.
-Once Upon A Time
A definite sci-fi story, looking at the effects that social media and our dependence on technology has on people and society. With a Cognitive Thought Processing Crisis. This felt like a bit of a warning. A glimpse of where humanity, and our society may end up in the future.
-Inspire-O
One of the more intriguing stories in this collection. Another sci-fi story with superb world crafting on display. A world with no criminals, no war, no armies, no Presidents. Sounds ideal doesn’t it? How did humanity accomplish this? But, at what cost?
-Data Stream
A look a data streaming. What if we were “jacked-in” at all times right from birth? An intriguing premise and probably not far off the mark. Another intriguing and thought-provoking sci-fi story.
-Coffee With the Nursery Girls
We meet Mary, Jill, and Polly. What a fun read this was. A twist on some classic nursery rhymes- ‘Miss Polly had a Dolly”, Jack and Jill, and “Mary, Mary Quite Contrary”…. And contrary she definitely was!
-Coffee Shop
A coffee shop. Perfect pastries. And a writer who is served more than they’d bargained for. A twisty little tale.
-You Should Be Ashamed of Yourself
This takes place in a courtroom. The defendant is charged with excessive procreation. With the law determining the number of children you can have, this story has a bit of a dystopian feel. It was also quite emotive. I really felt sad for the woman. And the shocking ending.
-The Girl and the Bear
A travelling circus, a young girl, and a bear. An intriguing combination. And a bit of a mysterious story.
-The River Flows in You
A story of aging. Haunted by memories and regrets. Lost in grief. Too late to say everything you wanted to. A story with a message and plenty of emotion.
-The Wrong Note
This was a flash fiction thriller. About dodging a bullet- and a very luck escape for one.
-The Party’s Over
Now this story put a whole new meaning on Fairy God Mother! A tempting offer. A decision to be made. What will she choose? Cinderella with a twist?
-Laughing Man
Crazy and unhinged? Or superhero? Well worth the read to find out.
-Looking In
This story was so well written that I could hear the ‘voyeurs’ Cockney accent as clearly as if he was actually speaking to me. An intriguing story from a ‘Peeping Tom’s’ perspective- or is he?
I can’t wait to see what Ms. Buss does next!
Thank you, Ms. Buss!
Reading “The Blue Serpent & other tales” by Claire Buss was like unwrapping a beautiful box of assorted sweets. This is flash fiction at its best. Each tasty morsel drew me further into the book- keeping me turning the pages to see what her imagination would come up with next. This is an original read- clever, creative, imaginative, fun and entertaining. Full of quirky and interesting characters- who were really well crafted. Considering that each story was only a couple of pages long- the characters were fully realised individuals. Not such an easy feat within such a small word count. It certainly highlights the wordsmithing skills Ms. Buss has at her fingertips.
From fantasy, to sci-fi - to a twist on some classic nursery rhymes- these stories were definitely fun to read. There is drama, mystery, thought-provoking details, suspense, and even a few surprises. I also felt there were a few messages and ‘lessons’ to be learned along the way.
There are 15 stories to tempt you:
-The Blue Serpent
A paranormal story with a bit of a supernatural twist. Mysterious body paint, with a surprising ending.
-Possibility
A ‘Dear Jane’ letter. A painful breakup. Broken hearted, full of grief and pain. A cursed house. Finally finding peace, or is that a dose of Karma?
-Passion
What if you were incredibly passionate about books, about the way they made you feel- a story with a surprising revelation.
-Once Upon A Time
A definite sci-fi story, looking at the effects that social media and our dependence on technology has on people and society. With a Cognitive Thought Processing Crisis. This felt like a bit of a warning. A glimpse of where humanity, and our society may end up in the future.
-Inspire-O
One of the more intriguing stories in this collection. Another sci-fi story with superb world crafting on display. A world with no criminals, no war, no armies, no Presidents. Sounds ideal doesn’t it? How did humanity accomplish this? But, at what cost?
-Data Stream
A look a data streaming. What if we were “jacked-in” at all times right from birth? An intriguing premise and probably not far off the mark. Another intriguing and thought-provoking sci-fi story.
-Coffee With the Nursery Girls
We meet Mary, Jill, and Polly. What a fun read this was. A twist on some classic nursery rhymes- ‘Miss Polly had a Dolly”, Jack and Jill, and “Mary, Mary Quite Contrary”…. And contrary she definitely was!
-Coffee Shop
A coffee shop. Perfect pastries. And a writer who is served more than they’d bargained for. A twisty little tale.
-You Should Be Ashamed of Yourself
This takes place in a courtroom. The defendant is charged with excessive procreation. With the law determining the number of children you can have, this story has a bit of a dystopian feel. It was also quite emotive. I really felt sad for the woman. And the shocking ending.
-The Girl and the Bear
A travelling circus, a young girl, and a bear. An intriguing combination. And a bit of a mysterious story.
-The River Flows in You
A story of aging. Haunted by memories and regrets. Lost in grief. Too late to say everything you wanted to. A story with a message and plenty of emotion.
-The Wrong Note
This was a flash fiction thriller. About dodging a bullet- and a very luck escape for one.
-The Party’s Over
Now this story put a whole new meaning on Fairy God Mother! A tempting offer. A decision to be made. What will she choose? Cinderella with a twist?
-Laughing Man
Crazy and unhinged? Or superhero? Well worth the read to find out.
-Looking In
This story was so well written that I could hear the ‘voyeurs’ Cockney accent as clearly as if he was actually speaking to me. An intriguing story from a ‘Peeping Tom’s’ perspective- or is he?
I can’t wait to see what Ms. Buss does next!
Thank you, Ms. Buss!
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