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A Childe's Garden of Whispers by Ian Donnell Arbuckle

whistberry's review

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5.0

Fascinating collection of short stories by a very talented writer. Some fantastical sci-fi and fantasy tales, some more down-to-earth character studies and slices of life, all of these stories reek of humanity with dashes of horror, heart, and startling insight. They are each special in their own way, but I'll single out two of my favorites: "Megazombie" which was not the full-out horror tale I expected from the title but rather a haunting meditation on love, grief, loss filled with surprising and unforgettable imagery; and "That Old Silk Hat" which reads like a traditional folktale as a magical piece of silk weaves its way into the lives of those who own it for even a brief time. The stories are all very different but taken together paint a picture that the human experience can be a melancholy, lonely, even horrific one at times, but underneath it all there are still chances for love, laughter, and connection. A collection that left me feeling both contemplative and satisfied, this will be a rewarding read for fans of thoughtful, heartfelt, and expertly written short fiction with a touch of magic.
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