Whispered Magics

by Sherwood Smith

As a child, Sherwood Smith was always on the watch for no fog bank went unexplored, no wooden closet unchecked for a false back, no possible magical token left on the ground or in the gutter. In these nine stories, the impossible becomes possible, magic is real, aliens come visiting. How would our lives change?

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Short Stories

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2013

About the author

I am a writer,( Patreon here) but I'm on Goodreads to talk about books, as I've been a passionate reader as long as I've been a writer--since early childhood.

I'm not going to rate books--there are too many variables. I'd rather talk about the reading experience. My 'reviews' of my books are confined to the writing process.

Reviews

[Roslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had just finished reading a book and was in that uncomfortable no-woman's land when nothing on your shelves really appeals. I thought a short story would give me time to decide which novel to read next, so I brought up 'Whispered Magics’ on my e-reader intending to read just one short story.

I found I couldn’t stop reading and ended up reading all the stories in no time. They hit exactly the right spot.

The stories don't have complicated plots but focus on character, situation and resolution, with magic at their centre. Each one is sharp, perceptive and lyrical, and packs an emotional punch. I could have wished one or two to be a little longer or more complex – in fact I could see at least one being the basis for a novella or novel - but this collection is one of the most satisfying I've read for a long time.

[Allie Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading it late at night and stayed up and finished them all! Some of the stories lack 'satisfying' endings, but that just means you can make up your own. Most of these stories seem a perfect level for my middle ESL students. There are some tough topics like child abuse and the class divide, but they're all treated respectfully.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories. I found them all so interesting. So many of them felt like they could be made into longer books but as with many short stories they just give enough to get you sucked in and then let you write the rest in your head.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection.

[Lovely Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really adored this book. Sometimes short story anthologies are hit or miss (perhaps moreso when there are multiple authors) but there wasn't a story here I didn't like. All of them left me wanting more yet all them were really perfect short stories. As someone relatively new to writing short stories, I greatly admire Sherwood Smith's skill in writing them. I highly recommend this little anthology of stories about magic.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really adored this book. Sometimes short story anthologies are hit or miss (perhaps moreso when there are multiple authors) but there wasn't a story here I didn't like. All of them left me wanting more yet all them were really perfect short stories. As someone relatively new to writing short stories, I greatly admire Sherwood Smith's skill in writing them. I highly recommend this little anthology of stories about magic.