celise_winter's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
esop's review
5.0
An exciting, quick return to Yarnsworld. Easily read within an hour, and it's free on Amazon, so why not take the plunge, especially if you haven't experienced any of Benedict Patrick's Yarnsworld stories yet?
This is a great short tale about the stories we tell, filled with a lot of excitement and creepiness in its small amount of pages. Some relateable characters, grotesque and interesting monsters, and Patrick's always-welcome style of fairytale prose.
This is a great short tale about the stories we tell, filled with a lot of excitement and creepiness in its small amount of pages. Some relateable characters, grotesque and interesting monsters, and Patrick's always-welcome style of fairytale prose.
feastofblaze's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
queenterribletimy's review
5.0
You can find this review on my blog, RockStarlit BookAsylum!
Disclaimer: you can get this book for FREE!
And They Were Never Heard From Again is the perfect entry into the Yarnsworld created by the brilliant [a:Benedict Patrick|15139422|Benedict Patrick|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1487193678p2/15139422.jpg]. If this little dark gem can’t convince you to read any of his other books, then I don’t know what will. It has everything that makes Patrick‘s works so charmingly unique and irresistible. And him one of my favorite authors to date.
This novella is set in the Magpie King's Forest, which is also the setting for [b:They Mostly Come Out at Night|29743933|They Mostly Come Out at Night (Yarnsworld, #1)|Benedict Patrick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459364987s/29743933.jpg|50098128] and [b:From the Shadows of the Owl Queen's Court|41101775|From the Shadows of the Owl Queen's Court (Yarnsworld #4)|Benedict Patrick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1536755501s/41101775.jpg|58137459]. It has no connection to these books otherwise so you don't need to have any previous knowledge of this world.
And They Never Heard From Again is the story of two children, Tad and Felton. I say children, but Felton is probably rather a teenager as his Knack – his magical ability – appeared already and he just experienced that sweet first love. For some reason – maybe because of his name – I always picture him as the young Malfoy – played by Tom Felton in the movies – walking, scared in the forest in Harry Potter and the Philoshoper’s Stone. Tad is five years old, with all the innocence, imagination and beliefs of a boy in his age. He can’t be any more excited when he learns that his tale about the Bramble Man had spread over to the next village and maybe even further than that.
We all should take these words to heart, as we living in the age of the internet are too ready to spread stories before thinking what we unleash upon the world. Sometimes these stories can come back and bite us in the ass.
I think there are only a few writers out there who can put together a short story which leaves you with the feeling of completeness. Benedict Patrick is one of them. And They Never Heard From Again has everything I love in the Yarnsworld series: a unique, bone chilling atmosphere, a twisted fairy tale-like story and monsters you never want to meet in a forest. Or anywhere else for that matter. And most of all: an experience you’ll never be able to forget. It stays with you, gets under your skin, runs its roots deep in your thoughts. And ho boy, it’ll give you enough to think about with its conclusion. Don’t forget, you have to bear the consequences of your words and actions, even if you have a protector behind you like the mighty Magpie King.
Disclaimer: you can get this book for FREE!
And They Were Never Heard From Again is the perfect entry into the Yarnsworld created by the brilliant [a:Benedict Patrick|15139422|Benedict Patrick|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1487193678p2/15139422.jpg]. If this little dark gem can’t convince you to read any of his other books, then I don’t know what will. It has everything that makes Patrick‘s works so charmingly unique and irresistible. And him one of my favorite authors to date.
This novella is set in the Magpie King's Forest, which is also the setting for [b:They Mostly Come Out at Night|29743933|They Mostly Come Out at Night (Yarnsworld, #1)|Benedict Patrick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459364987s/29743933.jpg|50098128] and [b:From the Shadows of the Owl Queen's Court|41101775|From the Shadows of the Owl Queen's Court (Yarnsworld #4)|Benedict Patrick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1536755501s/41101775.jpg|58137459]. It has no connection to these books otherwise so you don't need to have any previous knowledge of this world.
And They Never Heard From Again is the story of two children, Tad and Felton. I say children, but Felton is probably rather a teenager as his Knack – his magical ability – appeared already and he just experienced that sweet first love. For some reason – maybe because of his name – I always picture him as the young Malfoy – played by Tom Felton in the movies – walking, scared in the forest in Harry Potter and the Philoshoper’s Stone. Tad is five years old, with all the innocence, imagination and beliefs of a boy in his age. He can’t be any more excited when he learns that his tale about the Bramble Man had spread over to the next village and maybe even further than that.
“Beware the Bramble Man, they say,
His roots run deep, his hunger too,
When earth turns foul, and thorns weep red,
He’ll run his roots deep in you too.”
Felton, on the other hand doesn’t believe in every tale he hears, but even he is aware of the dangers of the forest and the presence of the Magpie King. Soon the boys learn the real power of stories, especially if they are paired with strong belief.“A story is a dangerous thing, Felton Herder. We must value them, we must be careful with them. Set one loose on the world, and you lose all control over your own creation.”
We all should take these words to heart, as we living in the age of the internet are too ready to spread stories before thinking what we unleash upon the world. Sometimes these stories can come back and bite us in the ass.
I think there are only a few writers out there who can put together a short story which leaves you with the feeling of completeness. Benedict Patrick is one of them. And They Never Heard From Again has everything I love in the Yarnsworld series: a unique, bone chilling atmosphere, a twisted fairy tale-like story and monsters you never want to meet in a forest. Or anywhere else for that matter. And most of all: an experience you’ll never be able to forget. It stays with you, gets under your skin, runs its roots deep in your thoughts. And ho boy, it’ll give you enough to think about with its conclusion. Don’t forget, you have to bear the consequences of your words and actions, even if you have a protector behind you like the mighty Magpie King.
llmacrae's review
5.0
A fantastic tale from the Yarnsworld. Part-folk tale (the kind that make up the interludes in the regular Yarnsworld books), part full story on its own, this was a brilliant story and addition to the Yarnsworld catalogue.
Within a handful of lines, you already have a superb idea of the characters of this short tale. Both very different, very strong characters in their own unique way. As I have read a handful of the Yarnsworld books, I had an idea of the dangers in this tale, and yet the growing sense of dread is so masterfully written that I couldn't help but be sucked into the story.
Short and punchy, it's a must-read if you have enjoyed any of the Yarnsworld books. And if you're new to it, give this one a read. It's the perfect flavour of the folk tale-style lore, excellent characterisation, and vivid worldbuilding that fills these books.
Within a handful of lines, you already have a superb idea of the characters of this short tale. Both very different, very strong characters in their own unique way. As I have read a handful of the Yarnsworld books, I had an idea of the dangers in this tale, and yet the growing sense of dread is so masterfully written that I couldn't help but be sucked into the story.
Short and punchy, it's a must-read if you have enjoyed any of the Yarnsworld books. And if you're new to it, give this one a read. It's the perfect flavour of the folk tale-style lore, excellent characterisation, and vivid worldbuilding that fills these books.
teacupandsaucer's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
vivri's review
5.0
A lot of kindle freebies are mediocre at best. This isn't one of those.
This was my first of Benedict Patrick's Yarnsworld stories, and it did an excellent job capturing the eerie atmosphere of the Magpie King's Forest without dumping too much information on a new reader. The story's young protagonists, Felton and Tad, have their personal flaws (including a short scene mentioning the older brother, Felton, touching a girl without her consent–an issue that unfortunately goes unaddressed but at least doesn't happen again), but they're likable enough to carry a short horror story. To say too much about the plot would pretty quickly give things away, but the tension builds brilliantly to a climax that left me suitably surprised and creeped out. If you're fond of spooky magical forest stories, you'll probably be familiar with a number of elements the story uses, but it uses them in a way that feels fresh rather than just a rehash of old tropes.
5/5 stars, would retell around a campfire in a spooky forest and ready for more Yarnsworld books
This was my first of Benedict Patrick's Yarnsworld stories, and it did an excellent job capturing the eerie atmosphere of the Magpie King's Forest without dumping too much information on a new reader. The story's young protagonists, Felton and Tad, have their personal flaws (including a short scene mentioning the older brother, Felton, touching a girl without her consent–an issue that unfortunately goes unaddressed but at least doesn't happen again), but they're likable enough to carry a short horror story. To say too much about the plot would pretty quickly give things away, but the tension builds brilliantly to a climax that left me suitably surprised and creeped out. If you're fond of spooky magical forest stories, you'll probably be familiar with a number of elements the story uses, but it uses them in a way that feels fresh rather than just a rehash of old tropes.
5/5 stars, would retell around a campfire in a spooky forest and ready for more Yarnsworld books
filipmagnus's review
5.0
The Magpie King’s Forest was one of my favourite new places to inhabit last year, when I first came across Benedict’s work. It’s a mysterious place, dangerous during day and deadly at night, the Forest still unclaimed by the human villagers who live in its reaches. I’ve had my share of exploration of its great and dark confines, and yet have hungered for more over the past few months. Once Benedict Patrick gets in your head, you see, it’s difficult not to hunger after more knowledge of the Forest’s denizens of the night.
But what is a monster of the night without a pair of humans to horrify and appall? The unlucky protagonists of this story are two brothers, one younger and the other older — as these stories tend to go — by the names of Tad and Felton. Felton drags his younger brother to another village for just about the most teenage reason you could think of, and after a series of unfortunate events, the two end up far, far away from the safety of home after darkness falls down on the forest.
What follows, I won’t spoil — but this was the kind of story that questions the power of storytelling and the collective subconscious in a way eerily reminiscent of my favourite work of Neil Gaiman.
The best part? It’s completely, absolutely, unreservedly free, this story. That’s right. $0.00. I’d grab it if I were you. If you’ve never experienced the world, you might just fall in love with it. My score for “And They Were Never Heard From Again” is 5/5.
But what is a monster of the night without a pair of humans to horrify and appall? The unlucky protagonists of this story are two brothers, one younger and the other older — as these stories tend to go — by the names of Tad and Felton. Felton drags his younger brother to another village for just about the most teenage reason you could think of, and after a series of unfortunate events, the two end up far, far away from the safety of home after darkness falls down on the forest.
What follows, I won’t spoil — but this was the kind of story that questions the power of storytelling and the collective subconscious in a way eerily reminiscent of my favourite work of Neil Gaiman.
The best part? It’s completely, absolutely, unreservedly free, this story. That’s right. $0.00. I’d grab it if I were you. If you’ve never experienced the world, you might just fall in love with it. My score for “And They Were Never Heard From Again” is 5/5.