Posted on  20/08/2024 17:05:33

My rating: 3 stars

Copy received from the author via StoryOrigin in exchange for an honest review

A lovely collection of fantasy short stories that will probably leave you wanting for more. :)

Out of the five fiery tales supposed to be included within this anthology, one was missing, therefore my rating is based on the four I was able to read.

Story 1. Written in the Stars by T.E. Bradford
The day I met the goddess was the day the sky rained fire.
A lovely short story about a high priestess in an ancient culture meeting a goddess. Except that the goddess was not quite what the High Priestess expected. Dressed in a silver skin that came off and was called "flight suit", said goddess causes quite the ruckus among the servants of the temple.
For such a short story, the author gives us here beautifully crafted characters and wonderful, real-lifelike reactions. And I also loved the idea it presents: the very future reaching out and influencing the past, as opposed to alien interference. Surprisingly refreshing and a pleasure to read. This little story gets a solid 4 star rating from me.

Story 2. I Am Master Serv, A Rai Saga Short Story by James Quinlan Meservy
"All creatures are made equal in the eyes of the Creator."
Naservin "Serv" Mastrov has one goal in life: to become the greatest Master of Prevast Sil (the Realm of)Zhestoviya has ever known. But to do so, he must seek out Zreen, a self-proclaimed Master of Prevast Sil who is trying to coerce a following and conquer the Realm. And happens to be Serv's estranged eldest brother.
The story in itself is very interesting. And I adored the volkrogs!! Can I have one too, please?! To be part of a volkrog pack despite being a human and have them speaking in your mind, knowing that they'll always care for you because they always care for their own?! There's no doubt about it! I want my own one too!!
The magic powers though were a bit too super extra powerful. And Serv was, unfortunately, a real A-hole that I couldn't care less about. His character and attitude took my mood off from the story and even though there would be space for him to change, at this time, I couldn't care less about him.
With beautiful prose and great writing but an insufferable MC, this story gets only 3 stars from me.

Story 3. A Fiery Twist of Fate by Rachel Pudsey
Kai Sisu lurks in the shadows, threatening the fate of an entire land.
He is a creature of legend. A myth. A being that no longer exists. Except, he does. And he is ready to take everything. So when an opportunity arises that will change the fate of Aronia for his benefit, how could he refuse? Even if it means doing the abhorrent. Even if it means allying himself with a woman who wants him to do the unspeakable. And even if it means he needs to steal and kill a little baby!!
This story had me glued to the pages from the very first lines and wouldn't let me go until I reached the end! And now I want more!!! Because it was fabulous!! From character insight to action and plot, this little tale delivers!
Wonderfully crafted and beautifully written, this one was just perfect! So it gets 5 magical stars from me!

Story 4. Crystal's Magical Tale by Maria Vermisoglou
"You are the light in my dark life."
This story starts with a wonderful premise. Crystal’s life isn’t so wonderful under the sea. With family expectations weighing her down she heads out to clear her mind, but instead finds herself in a world of mages.
A mermaid defying rigid society rules, two wishes whispered two worlds apart, a lonely mage seen as an outcast, in search of someone to see him as himself!! A wonderful start! Unfortunately, the story soon becomes repetitive and starts to drag in places. The good versus evil fight is a bit blown out of proportion since the people lead entire conversations during the actual fight and a mermaid's tears can even bring a person back from the dead. Now healing I get, but reviving is a stretch too far in my book. The writing is also in need of a bit of editing. I normally don't bother about it, but in this case it did take me out of the story at times. Sadly, this one gets only a 2.5 stars from me.

Total rating 3.6 stars

Overall, I’d recommend this lovely Anthology to all fantasy lovers who'd like a taste of these authors' work.

Check out this book and more of the authors here: