A Matter of Perception

A Matter of Perception

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4.2 of 5 stars 4.20  ·  rating details  ·  15 ratings  ·  14 reviews
Take a journey into a world where the hidden becomes manifest and the lines between fantasy and reality blur. This collection of imaginative and entertaining stories about ghosts, sirens, light spectrum mages, realm hopping gods, alien monsters and ordinary people will warm your heart and make you smile, shiver, and maybe even wonder about the nature of reality itself. The...more
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Published November 5th 2011 by Catapult Press

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Deborah Lightfoot
I began reading this collection as I sat in my eye doctor's waiting room. By the time the tech came for me, she had to call me twice to drag me back into my present reality. The first story, "The Drorgon Slayer's Choice," had carried me away with well-crafted storytelling and first-rate characterization. My general complaint about short stories -- that they end too soon, giving readers no chance to get to know the characters -- does not apply to this engaging collection of six fully developed ta...more
Melissa
When Tahlia Newland, an on-and-off blog-buddy of mine, asked me to read and review her collection of magical realism/urban fantasy short stories, there was no way I could refuse, but the truth is I’d have read this collection of six tales no matter who the author was.

Taken together, these stories are a collection of different ways to perceive fantasy, and to use fantasy to perceive reality. The collection feels like a complete suite – all moods and tastes are well represented. Taken separately,...more
Kate Policani
This book is a collection of short stories with a variety of themes and settings. I'll give each one a little attention so none of them feel left out. If you want to know the author's intentions in writing (which I always do), be sure not to skip her thoughtful explanation of the themes at the end.

The Drorgon Slayer's Choice

The first story was a fantastic encounter between an unnamed photographer's assistant and The Gods. This fast-paced, thrilling glimpse into a bigger tale begins with a blow t...more
Fallen Monkey
A Matter of Perception was six-for-six keeping me engaged--I read the entire anthology in one sitting. What makes it an interesting collection is that it provides such a variety in tone and supernatural elements, yet it's held together, yes, by that common supernatural denominator, but also some thought-provoking philosophies on life.

If I had to pick a favorite, I think it would be "Not Me, it Can't Be." I found that such a lovely and surprising tale juxtaposing seemingly different life experien...more
Urban Fantasy Reviews
To read this review and more like it check out my site at www.ufreviews.com

This is a collection of short stories, which I have to admit isn't always my cup of tea, but this was actually a collection I enjoyed. Normally the short stories I do read have the same characters from series I like or involve the same group of people; this collection of short stories was a really interesting concept in that they all have to do with all the different ways to perceive the fantasy genre. One of the biggest...more
Kayla
This collection of short stories is a very quick, easy, and fun read. Each story has a unique, overall message, and though some dwell more in urban fiction and fantasy than others, all have an otherwordly aspect to them that I really enjoyed.

I love it when I read a collection like this and the stories aren’t so similar that I automatically get confused. Which happens more often than you would think. I think the order they were in helped the flow stay continuous and smooth, and I was able to keep...more
Christina
A Matter of Perception is a collection of short storied that Tahlia Newland has created. I have always been a fan of the whole powers and depth of characters portrayed in books and as I read 'Mistril's Mistake' and 'A Hole in the Pavement' (which were the two that I loved) I automatically loved the anthology.

As you read on each of the six short stories represent a theme in them. As I was reading through them all I started to get the sense of life lessons hidden within the words of the pages.



'

...more
Nely Cab
Jan 10, 2012 Nely Cab rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone
Bouncing through the perceptions of different characters in diverse situations is certainly a way to break free of the usual monotony of story telling. Such holds truth in Tahlia Newland's anthology, entitled "A Matter of Perception."

It is through several short stories that Ms. Newland introduces us to characters that see their lives through only one perspective without stopping to see that the world is not only black and white, but various shades of grey, along with a prismatic and colorful va...more
Shelleyrae at Book'd Out
Dec 03, 2011 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it 3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Shelleyrae by: Tahlia Newland
Shelves: blog-reviews
This collection of six short stories by Tahlia Newland explores the nebulous distinction between truth and perception though the stories vary in setting and theme. I think the first three stories have the potential to be developed into longer works while the last three are complete in themselves.

The first, The Drorgon Slayer's Choice, is billed as a romantic urban fantasy though I think it fits the paranormal romance genre better. A blow to the head results in a young woman able to see a deadly...more
Jenny Schwartz
I reviewed "The Hole in the Pavement", one of the short stories in this collection, as my first Australian Women Writers Challenge review. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm glad to say the entire collection hits that high standard.
A Matter of Perception is speculative fiction: that means life gets a little twist added to it.
I appreciated the overall optimism of the collection. These modern fairytales are hopeful, but they don't under-value the courage living requires by granting easy happy ever af...more
Lynxie
Tahlia delivers another solid book, this time by way of a mix of short stories.

I loved the little intro, A drop from the well of creativity. I loved the way the stories where characterised like children, it made me smile, especially this line:

Inspiration falls like a drop of mercurial silver into the vast depths of my open mind. It hovers in space, then collects and merges with a gaggle of ideas and images until it hangs pregnant and heavy with a pressing need to deliver.

I just adore that image...more
Rose
A Matter of Perception is a delightful collection of short stories revolving around the idea of perception and different ways of seeing the world. With its diverse mix of styles, there is a story in here for everyone. Whether it be looking at the world through a different pair of glasses, avoiding a hole in the pavement on the way to work or finding out that giant octopus like creatures are actually roaming the world unseen. Each story hints at the idea that reality is not always the way we perc...more
Tahlia Newland
Oct 30, 2011 Tahlia Newland rated it 5 of 5 stars  ·  (Review from the author)
I'm very critical of my own work, but I really like this anthology. It has a nice flavour to it. There's some creepy dark stories and some light ones to balance it out and they're all different to most work in this genre.
Simon
Dec 28, 2012 Simon marked it as to-read
Lee
Nov 22, 2012 Lee marked it as to-read
M Alexandra Gonsalves
Oct 25, 2012 M Alexandra Gonsalves marked it as to-read
Shelves: a1-wishlist
David Biddle
Sep 07, 2012 David Biddle marked it as to-read
Stacy Robinson
May 19, 2012 Stacy Robinson marked it as to-read
Lyn Cribb
May 19, 2012 Lyn Cribb marked it as to-read
Ana Torres
Apr 06, 2012 Ana Torres marked it as to-read
Bridgette
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Dec 29, 2011 Chris marked it as to-read
TayteH
Nov 24, 2011 TayteH marked it as to-read
Lisa Richards
Nov 06, 2011 Lisa Richards marked it as to-read
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Award winning author Tahlia Newland writes contemporary fantasy and magical realism with a metaphysical twist.

Two of her novels have received the Awesome Indies Seal of Approval for excellence in independent fiction and her young adult magical realism novel ‘You Can’t Shatter Me’ was awarded a B.R.A.G Medallion for an outstanding independent novel in 2013.

Tahlia has been writing full time since 2...more
More about Tahlia Newland...
You Can't Shatter Me Lethal Inheritance The Drorgon Slayer's Choice Stalking Shadows A Hole in the Pavement

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