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 se More...

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 More...

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 d More...

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 More...

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.

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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 pri More...

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 s More...

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.