All Roads Destined: A Collection of Dark Fiction and Poems

by Lisa Diaz Meyer

Destiny is what we bring to the world where the roads are stained with tears and blood, and paved in eternal stone. In Part One, the continuation of The Outpost Trilogy shifts from post apocalyptic to science fiction. Part Two, The Enduring contains five dark fiction short stories. Part Three, The Fragments include fifteen poems of urgent struggle and destination. New York author, Lisa Diaz Meyer relates to the odd, macabre & funereal. ALL ROADS DESTINED is the second of her ALL ROADS trilogy. ALL ROADS DESTINED has received 5 Star reviews from Readers Favorite and Literary Titan. It also was nominated for CIPA EVVY in 2017 and received an Official Selection in Poetry from New Apple Literary.

270 pages, Paperback

Published September 27, 2016

About the author

ALL ROADS HOME, ALL ROADS DESTINED and ALL ROADS SHATTERED are Long Island author, Lisa Diaz Meyer’s current works of multi-genre, dark fiction short stories and poems. The author/poet uses several controversial topics and awarenesses in her collection of speculative fiction. She has received 5 Star Reviews for all three of her books from Readers Favorite and Literary Titan, including Literary Titan’s Gold Book Award for each and Distinguished Favorite Awards from Independent Press. For her book ALL ROADS DESTINED, she was nominated for a 2017 CIPA EVVY award and also received a New Apple Official Selection in Poetry 2017. ALL ROADS SHATTERED received New Apple Literary’s Solo Medalist Winner in Short Story Fiction 2018 and was a finalist in TopShelf Magazine 2019/2020. Readers can also find her work in several Red Penguin Books publications by JK Larkin, WHAT LIES BEYOND, I CAN’T FIND MY FLASHLIGHT, STAND OUT vol 1, TIS THE SEASONS, and THE OCEAN WAVES. She’s also featured in Long Island poetry publications, THE BARDS ANNUAL 2020 and THE BARDS ANNUAL 2021 and VOICES IN VERSE 2020.

Reviews

[Ann Laudicina]

Fantastic follow up to All Roads Home. The Outposts stories continue to amaze me. I couldn't put the book down. The poems and short stories are exciting and I can't wait to see what she has in store for her readers next.

[Debbie De Louise]

Having read Ms. Meyer's first collection of stories, I was hoping the second would be just as good and wasn't disappointed. The Outpost saga continued and took on a Sci Fi element that added to the twists and turns the plot took. My only criticism of that part of the book was the use of four-letter words. While some were in character, I didn't feel all of them were necessary. The second half of the book consisted of very short stories and a section called The Fragments that included some of Ms. Meyers' poetry. I found the poems lyrical and touching. I especially enjoyed "Clocks" and "Winter Sunset." I would recommend this book to those who like science fiction, poetry, and something a little different from the usual short story fare. Definitely a read to consider.

[Dennis]

Excellent continuation of The Outposts stories. More intriguing with every turn of the page. These stories could be easily be adapted into a movie or miniseries. The short stories and poems continue to be original with a lot of content. Can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next.

[Please Pass the Books]

All Roads Destined: A Collection of Dark Fiction and Poems by Lisa Diaz Meyer is the second book in Meyer's All Roads trilogy, arriving on the heels of the highly-rated first book, All Roads Home. The anthology begins with the second installment of the author's remarkable Outposts saga, followed by a collection of independent short stories and fifteen poems. The Outposts II carries on the story of Zaxton Mitchell and George/Georgia - with a greatly anticipated wedding - in the post-apocalyptic drama, taking a comfortable and perfectly executed turn into the realm of science fiction. Meyer's short stories include gems such as Friendship 59, which reads like a futuristic Siren tale, and poetry with prose that both sings and shatters the heart, such as The Climb.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that All Roads Destined by Lisa Diaz Meyer is gripping in a way that watching a tragedy unfold might be. Aristotle once told us that the aim of tragedy is to bring about a catharsis, and Meyer certainly forces a reader to dig deeper in the most unforgiving, morbidly cleansing way. Her short stories rarely have a happy ending, something of a reflection on the realities of our human experience she is able to tap into with little in the form of beings that are actually human. Her work might be dusky and dark (or macabre and funereal, as she unapologetically describes it) but the quality of Meyer's writing makes it not just palatable, but enjoyable too. For those waiting to see how The Outposts series unfolds, they won't have to, as All Roads Shattered, the saga's finale, is already available.

Review written for Readers' Favorite.

[David Thompson]

“All Roads Destined” is the first novel I have read from the very talented writer, Lisa Diaz Meyer. It won’t be my last! The book is advertised as a collection of short stories. It begins with the second offering in the Outposts series, a novel length tale. Four stand-alone short stories follow labelled "The Enduring." Each of these are well written with "The Crone" being my personal favorite, but on to the main story: It is a love story set in a dark fiction post apocalyptic setting entwined with a mystery or two. Trying to survive in this new world, complicated by traitorous "friends" and wayward political agendas, our dynamic lovers- Zax and Georgia want only a life and family to share and...peace. If only it was so simple. Plot twists galore with an engaging pace and relatable characters who draw you into their world as you cheer them on. There is a lot to like about this novel and along with the short stories, it is also supplemented by a series of thought provoking poetry at the end. I recommend it to readers of all stripes. Pick this one up and move it to the top of your to read list. You won't be disappointed.

[Moona]

All Roads Destined: A Collection of Dark Fiction and Poems by Lisa Diaz Meyer is a gripping exploration of fate, survival, and the macabre. As the second book in the All Roads trilogy, it seamlessly blends post-apocalyptic science fiction, dark fiction, and poetry to create a haunting reading experience. The collection is divided into three parts, each offering a unique journey. The Outpost Trilogy shifts from its post-apocalyptic roots into science fiction, deepening the themes of resilience and destiny. The Enduring presents five dark fiction short stories that delve into the complexities of human nature and the shadows of the unknown. The Fragments features fifteen evocative poems, each capturing the urgency of struggle and the weight of life's journey. Meyer's writing is both atmospheric and thought-provoking, making this collection a compelling read for those drawn to eerie storytelling and introspective poetry.

[Debbie]

This collection of short stories, poems, and plays by Debut author, Lisa Diaz Meyer, is broken into several sections. The first, and longest is "The Outposts," a novella-like saga that she plans to continue in forthcoming books and that I enjoyed the most. It's set in a future world where healthy, childbearing women are in demand due to an outbreak of Cancers in females. As one of these minority women, Georgia's parents have disguised her as a boy named George. What happens to George/Georgia when she and two male friends escape their beta outpost is the beginning of a tale of horror as well as one of courage and love. The other writings in the collection are also well rendered and thought-provoking. For instance, in the "Fragments section" of plays, there's a macabre dinner party where Jesus dines with Hitler. I look forward to Ms. Meyer's next book.