Book Review for Legends of Perilisc by Jesse Teller

Legends of Perilisc, by Jesse Teller, is a short story collection that explores the imperfections of the deities that made this world, as well as humanity’s struggles to go on with their lives.

Each story has a gorgeous narrative, filled with sorrowful realism, the phrases laced with magic. From gods fighting for the souls of humans, to humans trying to usher in a New Age, to even the slaying of a long, corrupted beast; these tales delve into the reality that not everything stays the same, though good and evil are still very real forces in the world. Like its novels, this anthology illustrates the fantastical parallels between life and fiction, and how certain truths of humanity’s perseverance are reaffirmed, regardless of the times.

Though it may be cliche, one story that stuck out to me was the first one, The Second Age. It tells a melancholic legend of how the gods began fighting, the bloodshed that came about, and finally, the pain that stemmed from the war. But still, despite this humanity had managed to survive through the eyes of a forgotten deity, one who watched over both their benevolence and maleficence. What’s more, these short stories were connected through this very seedling. It crafted and gave life to the many tales that soldiers, adventurers, and even enemies will tell, and was something Teller did well.

As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.1 out of 5 stars. Teller’s universe never ceases to astound me. I enjoyed the meticulous details and fantastical imagery that closely tie this collection to Teller’s other stories. Thus, I would recommend this book to fans of the Perilisc universe, as well as fans of epic fantasies in general.