Theriac

Emanations #2.5

by Becca Mills

In the small town of Dorf, Wisconsin, a shy, damaged seer named Callie McCallister struggles with a frightening mission -- a mysterious half-demon child must eat a "Sweet-'n-Salty Rudolph" Christmas cookie in her presence, or all will not be right with the world.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Ebooks

29 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2014

About the author

Becca Mills is an over-educated, under-exercised lover of good coffee, science, and fast cars. And books. Oh yes. She believes the world can be a rough place and that everyone deserves to leave it behind now and then. That pretty much makes books a human right, no?

Becca is currently completing Book 3 of the Emanations series: Isolate. When not novelizing, she spends quite a bit of time on her "day job" as a college writing teacher.

Reviews

[Noelle Brighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story - it gives a view of what may come next in book three of the series. Anxious and excited to read Isolate, hope to see it soon!

[J.T. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story worthy of your time!

This was an interesting story and unlike what I typically read. I am unfamiliar with the associated novels but "Theriac" within itself is an interesting story and I will likely look into the novels.

The author does an excellent job explaining the main character's powers and the idea of a demonic pet is provoking to say the least. Do not hesitate to check this story out... even if you do not consider yourself a reader of urban fantasy!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason I had pictured Callie as a woman in her 60's. This story says she is 34 so much younger than I had thought. This was a sweet short story and actually made me like her more than I had when reading Nolander. Since she is only in her thirties, I wonder if she and Beth's brother may have a future together. She seems to have gotten over her horror of his daughters being half-demon. I'm not even sure that Justine qualifies as being a demon but hopefully that will be delved into deeper in the long-awaited third novel.

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cookies and milk

She has lived amongst but apart from her community as seeing the hidden demon within people has made her feel isolated. Add in a sole male parent, little girls and a vision of the eldest eating a cookie and smiling inn her presence. How can she bring it about as her visions are never wrong? Are the children like their mother, a demon, or are they something else?

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute fantasy listening 🔰😀

Alexa reads to me due to eye damage and issues from shingles. I find it like 👍being there.
A will written fantasy Sci-Fi novella adventure with characters that are interesting and will developed. The story line is about a demon hunter and how relationships between her and children of a demon changes. I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading 📚 2021 😯

[Jim Kratzok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story!

This story was a rather sweet one. Callie is able to sense supernatural creatures and is clairvoyant as well. She's also a bit if a religious nut seeing the world in clearly defined black and white. This story sees her being gently pulled into the gray areas and I think she finds it's not such a bad thing after all.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story

This was a quick read, but the story was really enjoyable. I wanted more story! The characters were interesting and I wanted to read more. If you have a few minutes, this is a perfect read.

[Kathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very short side story that is not necessary to read. if you choose not to, it won't have any affect on the main storyline of the Emanations (supposed-to-be) trilogy. It's side story about callie.

[Melody Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend not to read book synopsis so I just went right into this not having any idea what it was about and it was Awesome! I already purchased the next one to read. Urban Fantasy at its best

[Sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad

These short ones are tough to comment on but this was an easy ride and enough to whet my appetite for another one.

[Buzz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have loved to had more then just 29 pages to this. This is just a little add on to book 2. Still waiting for book 3.

[Maria do Socorro Baptista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gostei imensamente deste conto, principalmente da luta interna da protagonista contra seus próprios medos. Agora fiquei curiosa para ler a série completa..

[Mills]

It would be nice if there were an indication in the synopsis that this needs to be read after some other books in the series - rather, than, you know, on the last page of the book when it was really too late. I say this because I - and I don't think I'm alone in this - mostly read short stories to get an idea of an author's style and skill before investing in a full length novel, ergo I usually read short stories before any other books in a series. I won't rate Theriac. It would feel unfair, as without context all this is is a portrait of a woman who is insane in her fundamentalism. I'll withhold judgement until/if I end up getting some context to place the story in.

[Erin Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story of the Nolander-Emanations series stays closer to home (Earth-First Emanation) and should be read after Books 1 and 2 of the series.

The story develops Callie and Tiffany, plus all of Beth's blood relatives left back in Dorf. In my review of the first book of the Nolander-Emanations series I mentioned the character development needed to be worked on. The writer shows her growth as an author with this short; her skill developing more complicated characters without them being all spooky, hidden types is shown her and continues to increase with each publication.

Looking forward to the 2016 release of the next book in the series.

[Spotted Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit from Becca

Her world becomes increasingly diverse and fresh and always interesting. It's been a while since I read the first and second installments, but this little holiday tidbit brings the magic right back. Becca Mills is straightforward with her prose and her supernatural creatures, but it's so clever that I can't help but turn the page. Looking forward to Isolate. Will have to reread the first two in the meantime!

[Dr susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot tell a lie. I do not like Callie. I understand that her religious worldview is her way of coping with what happened to her, but to blindly group all others, including children and harmless beings, into the 'bad demon' category is wrong. Theriac is the story of Callie finally realizing that she may have a problem.

[Caroline Gabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

having read the two books before this short story i am know the people in the storys.
it brought tears to my eyes

[Shymsal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[S B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great segue to the remainder of the series. Completely hooked.

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

short story part of Emanations series

[Phyllis Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice short story. Shows the beginning of a character arch.

[Marja · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little short story and addition to Emanations series. Too bad I'm not a big fan of Callie but I think this made me like her a little more. I'd give this 3,5 stars.

[Velvetink]

kindle

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting short story about a woman who finds some humanity in the demons that she has been hunting. Not what I expected.