nicole_dust's review
5.0
Did I love all the stories in here? No.
But did the ones I love overpower the ones I didn’t? YOU BET THEY DID.
One of my personal favorites is The Devil Went Down to Costco. This story is the actual best thing ever. Maybe it’s because I’m a grocery store employee. But it’s genuinely funny.
But did the ones I love overpower the ones I didn’t? YOU BET THEY DID.
One of my personal favorites is The Devil Went Down to Costco. This story is the actual best thing ever. Maybe it’s because I’m a grocery store employee. But it’s genuinely funny.
paper_queen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I...I don't even know where to start. I LOVED THIS ANTHOLOGY SO MUCH.
I would love to go over every single story, but...that could take eons. So instead, I'm going to give you a rapid-fire list of the stories that I loved best. Keep in mind, they're all fantastic and unique and you should read allll of them, but these are the ones that I personally connected with the most.
When Magic Died by Michael Dolan
Wow. This was the right way to open the book. I am LIVING for that ending and I also need a full book please?
Life Cycle 63 by Just B. Jordan
I could just melt into a puddle of despair but also awe right now. Because HOW do you pack that much feeling and emotion into less than 5 pages?!
Sins of Fire and Metal Emileigh Latham
I am so confused but in the best way possible. Can this be a full novel already?
Gilded Finality by Brianna Tibbetts
SERIOUSLY ALL OF THESE STORIES NEED TO BE FULL LENGTH. This story made me want to start a revolution.
Run by Cathy Hinkle
Ooooh, this one is INTENSE and the ending...wow, a little eerie and a lot tragic.
Ordained by Tracey Dyck
AGH I LOVE THIS. The fantastic-ness is only added to because it's like a little snippet of backstory from Tracey's full book and I LOVE IT.
If These Walls Could Talk by J.L. Knight
I'm literally going to go cry in a corner now because WHY would you hurt my heart so much?
Corruption's Kiss by Margaret Graber
This is like the epic spy thriller story I never knew I wanted until now and now I want a feature length story please and thank you.
Humdinger's Army by A.C. Williams
At first I didn't realize what was going on, but as SOON as I did I was smiling the rest of the time. SUCH a cute story.
A Terrible Debtor by Savannah Grace
I don't know how Savannah manages to do this, but there is so much juicy story shoved inside this tiny little book package and I AM IN LOVE.
Misfire by Abigayle Claire
This is tense and action-packed...but also somehow hilarious and fantastic? I'd love a full story.
Ghost of the Golf Course by Kristiana Y. Sfirlea
Oh my gosh, I don't usually like ghost stories but THIS ONE. It's so good guys.
The Tomb of the Ophidian Scepter by Michael Dolan
This felt so much like Indiana Jones and I'm not complaining a speck. Absolutely great.
One Shot by Zachary Holbrook
YES. THIS STORY. GOOD. READ IT.
The Devil Went Down to Costco Stephanie Scissom
I can't even begin to describe this story. It's just fantastic and I honest to goodness want this to be developed into a TV show. It's that wonderful.
Life Lessons From Grandpa by DiAnn Mills
I don't really have anything to say about this story. It's just really sweet and powerful and you should just read it for yourself.
At Your Service by Christine Smith
I'm always shocked at all of my writing buddies' talents, and Christine's story is no exception. This story is hilarious. It's clever. It's got Christine's signature style. And I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.
Salvage and Reclamation by Abigail Falanga
THIS HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL TO BE A FULL STORY. I keep saying that for every story BUT SERIOUSLY. This was would be such a cool story.
It's Going to Be Okay by Teddi Deppner
It is so amazing to me that these authors can put so much emotion into so few words. This story is fantastic. And TIME TRAVEL. YES PLEASE.
An Undeserved Chance by Justin Mynheir
THIS DESERVES TO HAVE A FULL STORY. There. That's all that needs to be said. Also read it.
Words by Katherine Vinson
This is a really great concept for a sci-fi story. I love it. AND THAT ENDING. AGH, so good.
Rendering by L.G. McCary
This somehow manages to be both uplifting and also terrifying at the same time and I applaud the author for confusing my emotions. Thank you for that.
Recluse by Lauren H. Salisbury
I need this to be a full story. Just. Please. This has so much potential. PLEASE.
A Symphony of Words by Kerry Nietz
This SO SWEET. The backdrop of outer space and robots coupled with an inspiring story is perfection.
And that's all of my favorites. But, of course, you should really read the whole thing, because there are so many more fantastical stories than I flailed about. I highly recommend this anthology if you're a fan of any kind of sci-fi or fantasy.
I would love to go over every single story, but...that could take eons. So instead, I'm going to give you a rapid-fire list of the stories that I loved best. Keep in mind, they're all fantastic and unique and you should read allll of them, but these are the ones that I personally connected with the most.
When Magic Died by Michael Dolan
Wow. This was the right way to open the book. I am LIVING for that ending and I also need a full book please?
Life Cycle 63 by Just B. Jordan
I could just melt into a puddle of despair but also awe right now. Because HOW do you pack that much feeling and emotion into less than 5 pages?!
Sins of Fire and Metal Emileigh Latham
I am so confused but in the best way possible. Can this be a full novel already?
Gilded Finality by Brianna Tibbetts
SERIOUSLY ALL OF THESE STORIES NEED TO BE FULL LENGTH. This story made me want to start a revolution.
Run by Cathy Hinkle
Ooooh, this one is INTENSE and the ending...wow, a little eerie and a lot tragic.
Ordained by Tracey Dyck
AGH I LOVE THIS. The fantastic-ness is only added to because it's like a little snippet of backstory from Tracey's full book and I LOVE IT.
If These Walls Could Talk by J.L. Knight
I'm literally going to go cry in a corner now because WHY would you hurt my heart so much?
Corruption's Kiss by Margaret Graber
This is like the epic spy thriller story I never knew I wanted until now and now I want a feature length story please and thank you.
Humdinger's Army by A.C. Williams
At first I didn't realize what was going on, but as SOON as I did I was smiling the rest of the time. SUCH a cute story.
A Terrible Debtor by Savannah Grace
I don't know how Savannah manages to do this, but there is so much juicy story shoved inside this tiny little book package and I AM IN LOVE.
Misfire by Abigayle Claire
This is tense and action-packed...but also somehow hilarious and fantastic? I'd love a full story.
Ghost of the Golf Course by Kristiana Y. Sfirlea
Oh my gosh, I don't usually like ghost stories but THIS ONE. It's so good guys.
The Tomb of the Ophidian Scepter by Michael Dolan
This felt so much like Indiana Jones and I'm not complaining a speck. Absolutely great.
One Shot by Zachary Holbrook
YES. THIS STORY. GOOD. READ IT.
The Devil Went Down to Costco Stephanie Scissom
I can't even begin to describe this story. It's just fantastic and I honest to goodness want this to be developed into a TV show. It's that wonderful.
Life Lessons From Grandpa by DiAnn Mills
I don't really have anything to say about this story. It's just really sweet and powerful and you should just read it for yourself.
At Your Service by Christine Smith
I'm always shocked at all of my writing buddies' talents, and Christine's story is no exception. This story is hilarious. It's clever. It's got Christine's signature style. And I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.
Salvage and Reclamation by Abigail Falanga
THIS HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL TO BE A FULL STORY. I keep saying that for every story BUT SERIOUSLY. This was would be such a cool story.
It's Going to Be Okay by Teddi Deppner
It is so amazing to me that these authors can put so much emotion into so few words. This story is fantastic. And TIME TRAVEL. YES PLEASE.
An Undeserved Chance by Justin Mynheir
THIS DESERVES TO HAVE A FULL STORY. There. That's all that needs to be said. Also read it.
Words by Katherine Vinson
This is a really great concept for a sci-fi story. I love it. AND THAT ENDING. AGH, so good.
Rendering by L.G. McCary
This somehow manages to be both uplifting and also terrifying at the same time and I applaud the author for confusing my emotions. Thank you for that.
Recluse by Lauren H. Salisbury
I need this to be a full story. Just. Please. This has so much potential. PLEASE.
A Symphony of Words by Kerry Nietz
This SO SWEET. The backdrop of outer space and robots coupled with an inspiring story is perfection.
And that's all of my favorites. But, of course, you should really read the whole thing, because there are so many more fantastical stories than I flailed about. I highly recommend this anthology if you're a fan of any kind of sci-fi or fantasy.
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