Review of Tales of Magic and Destiny from Inklings Press
Tales of Magic and Destiny Amazon link
Begins well, falls off at the end, still four star material overall
I'm generally hesitant to read multi-author short story anthologies, because so few are worth reading, but I was asked to accept an Advance Review Copy of this one. and was pleasantly surprised as the stories near the beginning were solid stories with decent twists and characters who think.
Stars Above Shadows Beneath by Maria Haskins - a guardian awakened. Little bit of a rocky start as it was kind of deus ex machina, but kept me reading.
The Rogue of Averrath by Tom Jolly - puzzle solver who turns magic back on the wielder, very enjoyable
Chanter by Tawa Wood - A student's plan to overcome his shortcoming fails, and doesn't. A teacher helps surreptitiously.
Virtue's Blade by Rob Edwards - Cute little short about accepting a charge laid involuntarily and the difference a willing choice makes.
Fortified by Hall Jameson - AN uninvited guest earns a welcome.
Wolf Scout by Jeannette O'Hagan - tale of forbidden romance. A little long, but enjoyable.
Out of the Dust by Leo McBride - A desert village, a sandstorm and a very dangerous man.
A Sword of Bone by Aaron Emmel - disappointing. A natural talent discovered - and discarded.
The Fearsome Lambton Worm by Kerry Buchanan - This was where quality took a nose dive. Mary Sue squared.
The Heroine's Journey by Brent A. Harris - A sidekick steps out from the shadow of her heroic partner. Enjoyable enough.
It's Always Sunny at the Fortress of Bones by Jaleta Clegg - Nothing remarkable here. Okay, yet derivative.
Asherah's Pilgrimage by Ricardo Victoria - An original story yet I had trouble feeling sympathetic for anyone, and the smart-aleck dragon with a modern attitude kind of spoiled any chance the story had to attain a real mood or point.
Begins well, falls off at the end, still four star material overall
I'm generally hesitant to read multi-author short story anthologies, because so few are worth reading, but I was asked to accept an Advance Review Copy of this one. and was pleasantly surprised as the stories near the beginning were solid stories with decent twists and characters who think.
Stars Above Shadows Beneath by Maria Haskins - a guardian awakened. Little bit of a rocky start as it was kind of deus ex machina, but kept me reading.
The Rogue of Averrath by Tom Jolly - puzzle solver who turns magic back on the wielder, very enjoyable
Chanter by Tawa Wood - A student's plan to overcome his shortcoming fails, and doesn't. A teacher helps surreptitiously.
Virtue's Blade by Rob Edwards - Cute little short about accepting a charge laid involuntarily and the difference a willing choice makes.
Fortified by Hall Jameson - AN uninvited guest earns a welcome.
Wolf Scout by Jeannette O'Hagan - tale of forbidden romance. A little long, but enjoyable.
Out of the Dust by Leo McBride - A desert village, a sandstorm and a very dangerous man.
A Sword of Bone by Aaron Emmel - disappointing. A natural talent discovered - and discarded.
The Fearsome Lambton Worm by Kerry Buchanan - This was where quality took a nose dive. Mary Sue squared.
The Heroine's Journey by Brent A. Harris - A sidekick steps out from the shadow of her heroic partner. Enjoyable enough.
It's Always Sunny at the Fortress of Bones by Jaleta Clegg - Nothing remarkable here. Okay, yet derivative.
Asherah's Pilgrimage by Ricardo Victoria - An original story yet I had trouble feeling sympathetic for anyone, and the smart-aleck dragon with a modern attitude kind of spoiled any chance the story had to attain a real mood or point.
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