Scan barcode
A review by tctippens
Lost Lore: A Fantasy Anthology by Dyrk Ashton, Alec Hutson, Steven Kelliher, Michael R. Miller, Terrible Ten, J.P. Ashman, Bryce O'Connor, Ben Galley, Phil Tucker, Mike Shel, Timandra Whitecastle, Laura M. Hughes, T.L. Greylock, David Benem, Jeffrey Hall, Benedict Patrick
4.0
Instead of writing a single review for the anthology or writing a short review of all 15 stories, I’ll leave you with my thoughts on my five favorites from the anthology:
I, Kane by Laura M. Hughes
Just…wow. Written in the form of a one sided-rant as a powerful dragon addresses a human scribe, this was a blast to read. Kane completely steals the show in his own story, full of personality and sarcasm.
If that’s not a compelling display of character and sign of an entertaining story, I don’t know what is.
A Simple Thing by Bryce O’Connor
Killing a man is a simple thing. At least, it is if you’re a highly skilled assassin.
The story begins with an assassin writing down the tale of how he made his first kill. O’Connor’s writing grips you early and doesn’t let go, making this a difficult story to put down. Most of the short story follows the assassin’s methodical planning in the weeks leading up to his first kill, rather than the kill itself, which was a refreshing approach.
I think my favorite part of the story was that the main character is completely unapologetic about becoming an assassin. There’s no moral crisis, no going through with things due to fear of an evil master. He knew what he was getting into and did so willingly.
And They Were Never Heard From Again by Benedict Patrick
I’ve been a fan of Benedict Patrick since I read They Mostly Come Out At Night last year. His books weave myth and legend into the core of the story, characters, and world, often taking the form of short stories in between chapters.
These stories are always fun to read, resembling real-world folktales by teaching moral lessons, explaining how things came to be, etc. When I picked up this, I was expecting more of the same.
Suffice it to say I was blown away by this story. Two boys are caught out in the woods at night, a time when any sensible person is barricaded in their cellars to hide from the monsters in the forest. Both boys are sympathetic characters that have you rooting for them, heart and soul.
The First Thread by Alec Hutson
Two things set this story apart in my mind: the Asian-inspired world and the gripping prose. The majority of the story isn’t full of fast-paced action, but I was hooked from the start.
A young concubine of the emperor forms an unlikely friendship with the emperor’s son, leading to her invitation to witness a secret ceremony. The worldbuilding is unique and enjoyable, with my favorite aspect being the warlocks of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
Into the Woods by Timandra Whitecastle
This is a story within a story, which was an interesting surprise for a story with an already-limited wordcount. Both the frame story and the dark tale within are powerfully written.
The morning of her first bleeding, a young girl is sent to visit her grandmother to be told what it means to be a woman. When the girl arrives, her grandmother tells her a rather…interesting story. It’s a bit of dark fairy tale.
There aren’t many stories that can make me audibly swear, hold my e-reader at arm’s length, and stare in horror at the words within. This is one of that can, and does so brilliantly.
I, Kane by Laura M. Hughes
Just…wow. Written in the form of a one sided-rant as a powerful dragon addresses a human scribe, this was a blast to read. Kane completely steals the show in his own story, full of personality and sarcasm.
For the record, ’tis evening—about teatime, in fact—the eighth full moon of the Year of the Flaming Maw, etcetera, etceter— No, don’t actually write ‘etcetera’, fool!
If that’s not a compelling display of character and sign of an entertaining story, I don’t know what is.
A Simple Thing by Bryce O’Connor
Killing a man is a simple thing. At least, it is if you’re a highly skilled assassin.
The story begins with an assassin writing down the tale of how he made his first kill. O’Connor’s writing grips you early and doesn’t let go, making this a difficult story to put down. Most of the short story follows the assassin’s methodical planning in the weeks leading up to his first kill, rather than the kill itself, which was a refreshing approach.
I think my favorite part of the story was that the main character is completely unapologetic about becoming an assassin. There’s no moral crisis, no going through with things due to fear of an evil master. He knew what he was getting into and did so willingly.
And They Were Never Heard From Again by Benedict Patrick
I’ve been a fan of Benedict Patrick since I read They Mostly Come Out At Night last year. His books weave myth and legend into the core of the story, characters, and world, often taking the form of short stories in between chapters.
These stories are always fun to read, resembling real-world folktales by teaching moral lessons, explaining how things came to be, etc. When I picked up this, I was expecting more of the same.
Suffice it to say I was blown away by this story. Two boys are caught out in the woods at night, a time when any sensible person is barricaded in their cellars to hide from the monsters in the forest. Both boys are sympathetic characters that have you rooting for them, heart and soul.
The First Thread by Alec Hutson
Two things set this story apart in my mind: the Asian-inspired world and the gripping prose. The majority of the story isn’t full of fast-paced action, but I was hooked from the start.
A young concubine of the emperor forms an unlikely friendship with the emperor’s son, leading to her invitation to witness a secret ceremony. The worldbuilding is unique and enjoyable, with my favorite aspect being the warlocks of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
Into the Woods by Timandra Whitecastle
This is a story within a story, which was an interesting surprise for a story with an already-limited wordcount. Both the frame story and the dark tale within are powerfully written.
The morning of her first bleeding, a young girl is sent to visit her grandmother to be told what it means to be a woman. When the girl arrives, her grandmother tells her a rather…interesting story. It’s a bit of dark fairy tale.
There aren’t many stories that can make me audibly swear, hold my e-reader at arm’s length, and stare in horror at the words within. This is one of that can, and does so brilliantly.