Reviews
Of Metal and Magic, Compendium One by Richie Billing, J.M. Williams, Kit Campbell, Anna Civolani
stephbookshine's review
4.0
*I received a free ARC of this compendium, with thanks to Richie Billing and Fiction Vortex. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
This compendium collates a mixture of short fiction, poetry, ‘historical documents’ and samples chapters from full-length novels soon to be released, all set in the shared epic fantasy world of Soria.
There is a little something for every classic fantasy fan here – unicorns, dragons, new beasts, high- and low-born adventurers, magic, swords and sorcery.
Six of the sections in this compendium comprise the opening chapters of six new fantasy novel series, set in Soria. Each of these full novels are due to be released in 2021, from February onwards, so fans won’t have long to wait before they can sate their curiosity as to what happens next.
Interspersed with these longer fiction samples are some fully-formed short stories, poems, documents, maps and character art.
All of the writing features different subjects, characters and different writing styles, but all is well-written and helps to draw you in to the rich new world of Soria, with its detailed history and unique (and some familiar) fauna. I was particularly interested in hearing more about ‘monsters’ like the Kamani, and in the mystery Edvar investigates in Richie Billing’s Pariah’s Lament, but all of these stories are immersive and form a perfect introduction to the way Fiction Vortex’s collaborative universes work and to the writing of the authors featured.
Epic fantasy fans will want to pick this up and bookmark their favourites ready for the first release date in the new year! Those new to fantasy will find this an ideal introduction to the traditions and some of the talented voices in the genre.
'Why is that bastard always right? Edvar thought, cursing Mag. Soldiers emerged from doors, pulling on armour, buckling belts and baldrics. Officers yelled orders and led men and women up the motte. How did they get to him? Poison seemed most likely. Always poison. Edvar had interrogated those working in the kitchen and stores to ensure they could be trusted. Guards were stationed day and night at the well and in the wine cellar, and teams checked the food that came into the keep. Had someone betrayed him? Had he missed something? He must have. I’m as useful as a fingerless archer.'
– Richie Billing, ‘Pariah’s Lament’ in Of Metal and Magic
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/12/22/of-metal-and-magic-various-ed-j-m-williams-anna-civolani/
This compendium collates a mixture of short fiction, poetry, ‘historical documents’ and samples chapters from full-length novels soon to be released, all set in the shared epic fantasy world of Soria.
There is a little something for every classic fantasy fan here – unicorns, dragons, new beasts, high- and low-born adventurers, magic, swords and sorcery.
Six of the sections in this compendium comprise the opening chapters of six new fantasy novel series, set in Soria. Each of these full novels are due to be released in 2021, from February onwards, so fans won’t have long to wait before they can sate their curiosity as to what happens next.
Interspersed with these longer fiction samples are some fully-formed short stories, poems, documents, maps and character art.
All of the writing features different subjects, characters and different writing styles, but all is well-written and helps to draw you in to the rich new world of Soria, with its detailed history and unique (and some familiar) fauna. I was particularly interested in hearing more about ‘monsters’ like the Kamani, and in the mystery Edvar investigates in Richie Billing’s Pariah’s Lament, but all of these stories are immersive and form a perfect introduction to the way Fiction Vortex’s collaborative universes work and to the writing of the authors featured.
Epic fantasy fans will want to pick this up and bookmark their favourites ready for the first release date in the new year! Those new to fantasy will find this an ideal introduction to the traditions and some of the talented voices in the genre.
'Why is that bastard always right? Edvar thought, cursing Mag. Soldiers emerged from doors, pulling on armour, buckling belts and baldrics. Officers yelled orders and led men and women up the motte. How did they get to him? Poison seemed most likely. Always poison. Edvar had interrogated those working in the kitchen and stores to ensure they could be trusted. Guards were stationed day and night at the well and in the wine cellar, and teams checked the food that came into the keep. Had someone betrayed him? Had he missed something? He must have. I’m as useful as a fingerless archer.'
– Richie Billing, ‘Pariah’s Lament’ in Of Metal and Magic
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/12/22/of-metal-and-magic-various-ed-j-m-williams-anna-civolani/
sarahlillianbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I so enjoyed this collection! It was very much like a TV show and each part was a different episode. It was interesting reading the different stories, but all having similarities to bring them together with themes, setting and magic by being set in the Of Metal and Magic universe.
I always have a hard time giving short stories collections 5 stars because there's multiple of authors and I am always left wanting more! Most of my notes after each part I said I wanted more- more backstory, more reasoning for motivation, etc. Being a Of Metal and Magic collection of first chapters I can't help but feel the same way! Although, I would say that I love that in the Goodreads synopsis it uses 'episode pilots', that's exactly how I would describe them. Because I want more it adds to my interest for the books the chapters are from, but I'm left feeling I still need more from this! Speaking of each part, I thought it was refreshing to read a collection like this that included different formats like historical documents from the Of Metal and Magic universe that were from professors in between the fiction stories.
For characters, you would probably wouldn't be surprised that I favoured the female characters like Katherine who was badass, but also Isy for being so relatable. While I also enjoyed reading Salis' story and that's partly because I was getting Aemon from Game of Thrones vibes.
One quote that stuck out for me is, "The point of my story is to show how history and archaeology are coming together as fields to clarify the past" (p. 176).
I always have a hard time giving short stories collections 5 stars because there's multiple of authors and I am always left wanting more! Most of my notes after each part I said I wanted more- more backstory, more reasoning for motivation, etc. Being a Of Metal and Magic collection of first chapters I can't help but feel the same way! Although, I would say that I love that in the Goodreads synopsis it uses 'episode pilots', that's exactly how I would describe them. Because I want more it adds to my interest for the books the chapters are from, but I'm left feeling I still need more from this! Speaking of each part, I thought it was refreshing to read a collection like this that included different formats like historical documents from the Of Metal and Magic universe that were from professors in between the fiction stories.
For characters, you would probably wouldn't be surprised that I favoured the female characters like Katherine who was badass, but also Isy for being so relatable. While I also enjoyed reading Salis' story and that's partly because I was getting Aemon from Game of Thrones vibes.
One quote that stuck out for me is, "The point of my story is to show how history and archaeology are coming together as fields to clarify the past" (p. 176).
stephbookshine's review against another edition
4.0
*I received a free ARC of this compendium, with thanks to Richie Billing and Fiction Vortex. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
This compendium collates a mixture of short fiction, poetry, ‘historical documents’ and samples chapters from full-length novels soon to be released, all set in the shared epic fantasy world of Soria.
There is a little something for every classic fantasy fan here – unicorns, dragons, new beasts, high- and low-born adventurers, magic, swords and sorcery.
Six of the sections in this compendium comprise the opening chapters of six new fantasy novel series, set in Soria. Each of these full novels are due to be released in 2021, from February onwards, so fans won’t have long to wait before they can sate their curiosity as to what happens next.
Interspersed with these longer fiction samples are some fully-formed short stories, poems, documents, maps and character art.
All of the writing features different subjects, characters and different writing styles, but all is well-written and helps to draw you in to the rich new world of Soria, with its detailed history and unique (and some familiar) fauna. I was particularly interested in hearing more about ‘monsters’ like the Kamani, and in the mystery Edvar investigates in Richie Billing’s Pariah’s Lament, but all of these stories are immersive and form a perfect introduction to the way Fiction Vortex’s collaborative universes work and to the writing of the authors featured.
Epic fantasy fans will want to pick this up and bookmark their favourites ready for the first release date in the new year! Those new to fantasy will find this an ideal introduction to the traditions and some of the talented voices in the genre.
'Why is that bastard always right? Edvar thought, cursing Mag. Soldiers emerged from doors, pulling on armour, buckling belts and baldrics. Officers yelled orders and led men and women up the motte. How did they get to him? Poison seemed most likely. Always poison. Edvar had interrogated those working in the kitchen and stores to ensure they could be trusted. Guards were stationed day and night at the well and in the wine cellar, and teams checked the food that came into the keep. Had someone betrayed him? Had he missed something? He must have. I’m as useful as a fingerless archer.'
– Richie Billing, ‘Pariah’s Lament’ in Of Metal and Magic
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/12/22/of-metal-and-magic-various-ed-j-m-williams-anna-civolani/
This compendium collates a mixture of short fiction, poetry, ‘historical documents’ and samples chapters from full-length novels soon to be released, all set in the shared epic fantasy world of Soria.
There is a little something for every classic fantasy fan here – unicorns, dragons, new beasts, high- and low-born adventurers, magic, swords and sorcery.
Six of the sections in this compendium comprise the opening chapters of six new fantasy novel series, set in Soria. Each of these full novels are due to be released in 2021, from February onwards, so fans won’t have long to wait before they can sate their curiosity as to what happens next.
Interspersed with these longer fiction samples are some fully-formed short stories, poems, documents, maps and character art.
All of the writing features different subjects, characters and different writing styles, but all is well-written and helps to draw you in to the rich new world of Soria, with its detailed history and unique (and some familiar) fauna. I was particularly interested in hearing more about ‘monsters’ like the Kamani, and in the mystery Edvar investigates in Richie Billing’s Pariah’s Lament, but all of these stories are immersive and form a perfect introduction to the way Fiction Vortex’s collaborative universes work and to the writing of the authors featured.
Epic fantasy fans will want to pick this up and bookmark their favourites ready for the first release date in the new year! Those new to fantasy will find this an ideal introduction to the traditions and some of the talented voices in the genre.
'Why is that bastard always right? Edvar thought, cursing Mag. Soldiers emerged from doors, pulling on armour, buckling belts and baldrics. Officers yelled orders and led men and women up the motte. How did they get to him? Poison seemed most likely. Always poison. Edvar had interrogated those working in the kitchen and stores to ensure they could be trusted. Guards were stationed day and night at the well and in the wine cellar, and teams checked the food that came into the keep. Had someone betrayed him? Had he missed something? He must have. I’m as useful as a fingerless archer.'
– Richie Billing, ‘Pariah’s Lament’ in Of Metal and Magic
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpress.com/2020/12/22/of-metal-and-magic-various-ed-j-m-williams-anna-civolani/
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