Tag: stories

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Dreamwhispers

** I received an ARC for an honest review **

Publisher’s Description

Take a journey into the swirling abyss of fever dreams, starry nights, and amethyst lights. Driven by lyrical prose, captivating storytelling, and pure emotion, dreamwhispers sets sail through one writer’s imagination with an unflinching stare into the condition of human beings where the shadows are sharper, and the darkness holds promises of pain.

Summary

I recently read Dreamwhispers, a collection of dark fiction by Canadian author M Ennenbach.

The collection spans contemporary dark fiction, poetry and some pieces are unique reimagining of classic folktales and legends. Some of the highlights which were stories that particularly resonated with me included the poem “Psyche and Eros”, short story “Nervous Breakdown”, “I saw it from the upstairs window” and the dark reimagining of the Grimms fairytale “Piper”.

Review

Ennenbach provides a raw, heartfelt and honest journey into a myriad of different aspects of dark fiction- from the intensely personal to the imagined realms of fairytales. Well-written, this is a beautifully told collection of dark fiction.

Conclusion

A great collection of unique and varied aspects of dark fiction. A recommended read!

** This is my personal opinion and does not reflect any judging decisions **

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The Trees Grew Because I Bled There

** I received an ARC for an honest review **

Publisher’s Description

Eight stories of literary dark fiction from a master storyteller. Exploring the shadow side of love, these are tales of grief, obsession, control. Intricate examinations of trauma and tragedy in raw, poetic prose. In these narratives, a woman imagines horrific scenarios whilst caring for her infant niece; on-line posts chronicle a cancer diagnosis; a couple in the park with their small child encounter a stranger with horrific consequences; a toxic relationship reaches a terrifying resolution…

Review

I recently read The Trees Grew Because I Bled There: Collected Stories by US LGBTQI author Eric LaRocca.

Each of these eight stories are so different from each other, explore very different aspects of life, love, loss and the darkness dwelling in the corners of the human soul. I was fascinated and even made uncomfortable in the way these stories challenge and test boundaries of what it means to be human.

Final Thoughts

A truly thought-provoking and at times uncomfortable exploration of the human condition. Stark and unflinching, LaRocca explores grief, tragedy and the harm done to others defined in singular events. A masterpiece of raw and powerfully undisguised humanity. Skilfully written and elegantly told stories that are at the darker heart of what makes us human.

Conclusion

A great literary collection of dark fiction. LaRocca holds a mirror to humanity and – without filters – it shows the darkness and love, the anguish of loss of each human experience without flinching. A highly recommended dark fiction collection!

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Black Cranes

*** I received a free copy in return for an honest review ****

Publisher’s Description

Almond-eyed celestial, the filial daughter, the perfect wife.

Quiet, submissive, demure.

In Black Cranes, Southeast Asian writers of horror both embrace and reject these traditional roles in a unique collection of stories which dissect their experiences of ‘otherness,’ be it in the colour of their skin, the angle of their cheekbones, the things they dare to write, or the places they have made for themselves in the world. Black Cranes is a dark and intimate exploration of what it is to be a perpetual outsider.

Review

I was thrilled to read and review Black Cranes: Tales of Unquiet Women edited by Lee Murray and Geneve Flynn.

This is a beautiful and rare collection of speculative fiction tales from women of southeast Asian descent writing about the culture where women are supposed to be quiet, unheard and remain in the shadows. Black Cranes brings these voices, cultures, folklores and legends into the open and shines a light on the powerful women of Southeast Asia.

Final Thoughts

There are so many different and wonderful tales in Black Cranes that I found it difficult to choose my stand-out favourites.

Some of my favourite stories were “The Genetic Alchemist’s;s Daughter” by Elaine Cuyegkeng, , “Kapre: a love Story”, by Ron Cupeco, “Vanilla Rice”, and “Little Worm” by Geneve Flynn.

Conclusion

An absolutely stunning, beautiful and powerful collection of tales about women emerging from the shadows of their cultures. A simply stunning collection!

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New Release! Dark Christmas

An updated and quality full-colour paperback of the second edition of my illustrated chapbook and ebook Dark Christmas were released on February 15, 2023.

Dark Christmas marks the first in my new chapbook series Quick Bites Chapbooks published under my imprint Quill Lore. These chapbooks are a combination of short stories or microfiction on a theme. And, each reimagining, retelling or story inspired by a specific aspect of the chapbook theme has quality colour illustrations related to the story.

More details on how to purchase Dark Christmas here. You can also buy SIGNED COPIES directly from Shop.

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Into the Forest

Publisher’s Description

Deep in the dark forest, in a cottage that spins on birds’ legs behind a fence topped with human skulls, lives the Baba Yaga. A guardian of the water of life, she lives with her sisters and takes to the skies in a giant mortar and pestle, creating tempests as she goes. Those who come across the Baba Yaga may find help, or hindrance, or horror. She is wild, she is woman, she is witch – and these are her tales.

Review

I was determined to read Bram Stoker Preliminary ballot anthology edited by US author Lindy Ryan. Into the Forest is an anthology of stories and poetry about the fascinating figure of the Russian witch, Baba Yaga.

There were many brilliant stories in this anthology but to highlight a few favourites. “Last Tour into the Hungering Moonlight” by Gwendolyn Kiste , “Water like Broken Glass” by Carina Bissett, “Herald the Knight” by Mercedes M. Yardley and “Mama Yaga” by Christina Sng.

Final Thoughts

Into the Forest is a unique anthology drawing on the masterful skills of many authors and their interpretations of the multitude of Baba Yaga legends. A beautiful collection spanning time, history, cultures and styles.

Conclusion

Highly recommended for fans of folklore, fairy tales, fantasy and mythology. This anthology has it all and so much more. Definitely worth a read!

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Curse of Bronze

Publisher’s Description

Bella Hathaway comes from a family of daredevil adventurers — but she’s a a quiet scholar of magical languages who wouldn’t say boo to a goose.

When her curse-breaker aunt is murdered in the Eldritch Library, Bella inherits a house full of dangerous artefacts & talking furniture. As she investigates her aunt’s death, she finds more mysteries: a hoard of gargoyles, a lost language, a family of werewolves… and a tragic family secret.

Review

I recently read the Gaslamp novella Curse of Bronze (The Gargoyle Mysteries, #1) by Australian author Tansy Rayner Roberts.

The protagonist of this Gaslamp fantasy is Bella who inherits her aunt’s house in London in the Lyceum quarter where the Fae live. The inheritance of the house comes with all the cursed objects within from her aunt Charlotte’s very successful career as s curse breaker.

Unfortunately for Bella, she has no skills in curse breaking but id a qualified linguist. The inheritance of the house can only occur with her aunt Charlotte’s death.

Soon, Bella is taken from the comforts of her antiquarian lifestyle and thrust into solving who killed her aunt Charlotte, why and using an unusual method of turning her to bronze.

Final Thoughts

Curse of Bronze was my first book that is read by Robert’s and I really enjoyed the clever mixture of Gaslamp fantasy and murder mystery. The archaeological tomb raiding was an extra bonus of excitement. Well-written, comfortable read and highly enjoyable.

Conclusion

A recommended novel for readers who enjoy Gaslamp fantasy, mystery and humour. The archaeological angle was also well done. A Great read!

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The Bloody Chamber

Publisher’s Description

From familiar fairy tales and legends – Red Riding Hood, Bluebeard, Puss in Boots, Beauty and the Beast, vampires and werewolves – Angela Carter has created an absorbing collection of dark, sensual, fantastic stories.

Review

I read the classic The Bloody Chamber and Other Tales by UK author Angela Carter as part of a gothic literature course.

Carter retells many classic fairytales that the world knows from childhood or from wider readying. She tears away the layers of subtle coverings that have always made these tales feel slightly comforting but not quite innocent. The thrilling and horrific feminist retelling of Bluebead in “The Bloody Chamber”, the sometimes scary, mournful and honest retelling of Beauty and the Beast in “The Courtship of Mr Lyon” and the unique, sexually subversive retelling “Puss-in-boots” were just some of the unique tales transformed and transported in time and place but the true honesty of the darkness within the real fairytales is retained.

Final Thoughts

This gothic retelling of classic fairytales from Bluebeard, Beauty and the Beast, Puss in Boots and others was revolutionary for a feminist twist to some stories but also a brutal, horrific and sexually subversive culture to many of the tales. It is the classic fairytales reimagined in an adult world of their original settings with the veneer of sweetness torn away. Brilliant and terrifying. I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend it.

Conclusion

This is a classic for readers of fairytales – both retellings and reimagining. Carter tells these tales in a new and unique way which is horrific, honest and amazing. Highly recommend read.

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Year Four Release

Year Four

Year Four, an anthology of dark drabbles was published on January 6th by Black Hare Press. Three of my dark folklore drabbles are featured and a flash fiction piece.

If you’re interested in purchasing an ebook or paperback copy of Year Four, more details are available here

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Dark Christmas Release

Dark Christmas is the first in a series of illustrated chapbooks on various dark fiction themes. All illustrated collection is inspired by Yuletide folklore from Canada, Poland,Iceland, Australia, Germany ang England.

Dark Christmas was released on ebook on 24th December 2022.

If you wish you buy copies of Dark Christmas you can find more information here.

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Out of the Darkness Release

This single charity anthology has donated to the American Suicide Prevention Society. It is a fantastic collection of stories by authors on topics of overcoming the darkness of depression, loss of a loved one, self-harm, self-rejection, societal rejection and chronic pain. Out of the Darkness was published by Wolfsinger Publications on 20th December 2022.

My own story “Tatters” features in the anthology and is a very personal and emotional piece for me, exploring the concepts of chronic pain and psychosis and the emergence into the light at the other end.

If you wish you buy copies of Out of the Darkness and support this wonderful cause, you can find more information here.