Hall of Heroes

by H.L. Burke, Laura VanArendonk Baugh, Karin De Havin

Twenty-Seven Thrilling Tales from Amazing Fantasy Authors!

Whether they are unwitting, plucky, or just plain epic, heroes capture the imagination and rescue us from everyday life. With stories set in fantastic, magical realms, gritty urban landscapes, and fairytale kingdoms, our heroes stand fast as defenders of good. Struggling against evil governments, wicked demi-gods, wrathful nature, supernatural con-men, and their own insecurities, each must find the strength to triumph and the will to persevere. 

In the second anthology from the Fellowship of Fantasy, twenty-three authors explore the theme of heroes, covering genres ranging from steampunk and fairytale to urban and Arthurian. These are the heroes you've been waiting for. 

Enjoy Heroes: A Fellowship of Fantasy Anthology and join the adventures!

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Anthologies, Fiction, Magic, Short Story Collection, Fairy Tale Retellings

422 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2017

About the author

Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic.

An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.

Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.

She is the author of a four part fantasy/romance series entitled "The Dragon and the Scholar," the Award Winning (2016 Realm Award for Young Adult Fiction) Nyssa Glass Steampunk series, and MG/Fantasy "Cora and the Nurse Dragon," among others .

Sign up for her monthly newsletter at www.hlburkeauthor.com

http://www.amazon.com/H.-L.-Burke/e/B...

Reviews

[Robin Goodfellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

-I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

The Hall of Heroes: A Fellowship of Fantasy is an anthology detailing the harsh struggles of nameless heroes as they endeavor to prove themselves and to others that heroes aren’t just people you read about in fairytales.

All the stories in the anthology have a magical realism to them. Whether it be about slaves breaking free from their confinement, or teenagers rescuing others from burning buildings, these protagonists show the world that they aren’t worthless. The feats aren’t all that unique; a knight saving a girl from her abusive family after all, isn’t going to garner as much attention as slaying a dragon, but it’s significant all the same. They demonstrate the simple fact that no matter who you are, or where you come from, you can be someone’s hero, and it’s something I loved seeing with each new narrative.

Personally, these stories reminded me of the Mother Goose Tales. Although there wasn’t nearly as much bloodshed as in The Hall of Heroes, the lessons are transparent. The values shown are what we carry through to our adult lives, and it’s because of these values that we’ve carried through our lives without too much regret or remorse. The stories also describes an innocence we’ve carried from long ago, and brings it to the fore front of the book.

Thus, I would give this anthology a rating of a 4.6 out of 5 stars. The elegant way these authors tell their stories, as well as the spiteful characters that encompass them, help me recall memories from before. They show me that not every action has to be “grand” to be considered special, and in fact sometimes, the greatest acts of heroism come from the compassion every day people show each other. Still, because of its fantastical nature, I would recommend it to fans of Cassandra Clare and Suzanne Collins.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The overall quality of these stories is really great, but I did have a few special favorites: Alancia's Dance was my favorite of the collection, with Cry of the Cave Lion a close second, but I also especially liked The Hero Feat of Hannah Helstrom, In Plain Sight, The Demon Monkeys, Sweet Basil, A Fiery Gift, and Sacrifice to the Iara. The best thing about this anthology is the variation of stories in the hero theme, so there will be something to appeal to all tastes. A few of the stories were very well written, but the story or situation wasn't my cuppa tea. Taste in stories, like all the arts, is subjective! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, no matter the genre.

[R.J. Rodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable anthology. I have not read all the stories but here are some comments on a few. When I read more, I will update this.

Alancia’s Dance - I liked this. It’s the story of a slave bull dancer and an awkward inventor against an evil king and a retelling of the Labryinth and Minotaur legend.

The Hero Feat of Hannah Helstrom - Poor Hannah is the weakest of the superheroes with only one talent (self healing) plus a whole lot of stubbornness. Will that be enough to save the day? An engaging narrative voice.

In plain sight - An amusing tale of a children’s entertainer who has fallen on hard times but is a hero against evil.

The superhero publicist - the story of a publicist with a super villain who wants to change his image. Humorous.

Sweet Basil - this is a heart-warming story of a girl risking herself to heal others. Living dragon tattoo.

And Only the Eyes of Children - a half-Fae protects humans. A lovely twist at the end.

Not Quite a Hero - A hero or is he? Dana is desperate to protect her father and save her town so she contacts a man - not a nice man - to help. But is there more to Jayden then he seems. And what will Dana do when forced to face the monster herself?

Gem - a boy literally saving the world. I really liked this.

River’s edge ransom - this felt like the beginning of a much larger book.

The Demon Monkeys - a heart-warming ending

Leticia’s song - a competent flipped story about a princess rescuing her prince. The MC doesn’t tell the story.

Save the Day - A fun zany kind of read about a girl and her best friend. She thinks she’s a loser but discovers she isn’t.

Finn MacRorie and the River Dragon - Larger than life hero in a sweet tale.

The Ungifted Twin - a well-crafted story of a girl who thinks she is ungifted. This unfolds in an intriguing way.

[Just Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite stories were Alancia's Dance, Superhero Publicist, Gem, Teamwork, and Not Quite a Hero. They not only kept my attention all the way through, but I really enjoyed them and thought they were well written. :)

I also liked Sweet Basil, The Tale of Sir Ronan of Camelot, A Fiery Gift, and Boy of Sand and Sky. The Love Talker was definitely well written and kept my attention, but my personal taste doesn't care much for for that type of story.

I'll remember these ones, and will likely re-read them at some point. :)

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome set of stories!

Each of these authors has provided a great story - you will not be disappointed. I've found several new favorites here.

[Alyssia Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

And likely the last anthology of the Indie Fantasy Addicts Summer Challenge. I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to real these as they are fantastic... and free! This is a really wide ranging collection of shorts that really digs in deep to find some unusual heroes. There's an eclectic mix of genre's and perspectives to chose from here and there are very few stories that fell short of their mark.

Alancia's Dance by H.L. Burke; 4/5 stars. A lovely little tale about a bull dancer and a fearsome Minotaur. I really liked the characterisations here and how Alancia did much of the hero work herself. Burke has a way with words that really brings this story to life beautifully. I’ve read a few of Burke’s shorts now and they seldom disappoint.
The Hero Fear of Hannah Helstorm by J.Phillip Horne; 4/5 stars. Another winner here, I’m really interested to read more from his universe in the future. Horne sets up an unlikely heroine here and I was drawn to the characters and the worst.
In Plain Sight by Arthur Diagle; 5/5 stars. I adored this tale with its quirky and unexpected hero and his talking dolls. The descriptions and the characters are fantastic and I loved how the action was set up.
Finn MacRorie and The River Dragon; 3.5/5 stars. Another strong contender, although not quite as excellent as the preceding tales. I do like how many of these authors have twisted the conventional hero trope into something new and interesting and how here the threat wasn’t of life shattering evil, but the smaller cruelties of the individual and family.
Little Victories by Karin DeHavin; 3/5 stars. A cuter little tale than didn’t have quite the impact of the others.
And Only The Eyes Of Children by Lauren Van Arendonk Laugh; 4.5/5 stars. Urban fantasy at its best, this is brilliantly narrated as a changeling goes after kidnapped children. I loved the references to Shakespeare and his plays and thought the action was brilliantly managed. This is a tale that captures humanity and fae at their worst and their best.
The Demon Monkeys by A.R.Silverberry; 4/5 stars. A brilliantly written tale that captured me. The world building here is really impressive considering the length of the story.
Superhero Publicist by Janeen Ippolitto; 2.5/5 stars. Humorous but that’s about it. It needed far more detail to flesh out the characters to my mind. As it stands, it’s not bad but it’s nothing special here.
Sweet Basil by Lea Doue; 4/5 stars. Another really well done tale that puts an unusual twist on magic and fantasy. I felt the characters were well drawn and I liked how they were broken, yet trying their best. There’s an over reliance on magic to fix problems, but that’s my only real complaint.
Darkness Follows the Light by David Millican; 5/5 stars. This is dark, creepy and absolutely brilliant. There’s a stark depiction of children living in abject poverty, and how when there are limited resources, those who have the least are at the bottom of priority lists.
Josiah U.Bear by D.W. Framenfelder; 2/5 stars. I struggled with this one despite loving bears and all things cuddly. The writing style just didn’t work for me and the narrative was so far fetched that it was clearly meant to be a satirical commentary. Not my cup of tea.
River's Edge Ransom by Julie C.Gilbert; 3.5/5 stars. Another one that I enjoyed; there are some interesting uses of magic here, but more importantly it’s a tale of love and betrayal when family goes wrong. I felt the ‘villain’ was a tad too caricatured, but I’m interested to read more in this universe.
Love Taker by Deanna Fugget; 3.5/5 stars. An interesting re-write of an age old faery tale. There’s a nice bittersweet twist at the end to hit you in the feels.
Gem by RJ Gonte; 5/5 stars. Oof. Talk about bitter sweet. This one really hit me in the feels and then some. Possibly more science fiction than fantasy, but it really reminded me of Jemsin’s Fifth Season series somehow. Beautifully written, poignant and heartfelt, this is a wonderful piece of writing!!
Leticia's Song by Jessica L.Elliott; 3/5 stars. Some more beautiful writing, but this is another tale that felt as though it were part of a larger whole rather than a self-sufficient short.
A Wooden Ruler by David Millican; 4.5/5 stars. Different and original, this story takes the perspective of a sentient toy gnome and his quest for freedom from the prison that holds his people... or in human terms, the store! I really enjoyed how unique this was and how well Millican manages the dual perspectives of gnomes and humans.
The Tale of Rolan of Camelot by Frank R.Luke; 3.5/5 stars. This one could have come straight out of Arthurian legend and I struggled to engage with it a little bit. The thorny issue of religion is brought back into play as Rolan makes a deal with the devil, and I felt it was a little too much like a basic morality tale of old.
A Fiery Gift by A.J.Bakke; 4/5 stars. A really sweet little tale that builds from a slow beginning. I was far more engaged once Everly finds the fire otters and loved the description of them gamboling through the magma. I didn't think the opening really brought a lot to the tale, but it more than made up for it with the climatic finale.
The Hero of Emoh: A Parents Fairytale by Sarah Ashwood; 4.5/5 stars. Another very different look on the faery tales of old, as we so rarely hear from the parents. Any parent (or onlooking sibling) who has brought up small beings of chaos and destruction will fall in love with this charming little tale.
Sacrifice to the Iara by H.L. Burke; 4.5/5 stars. A rare example of an author really capturing the magic of high fantasy in a short story. This has wonderful writing, some fantastic world building and characters who leap off the page. There is also a far more nuanced look at religion and spirituality hiding within the pages.
Charla visits Earth by Diane Asthle; 1.5/5 stars. I really didn't get on with this one, I have to admit. I found the characters rather bland, their gifts unexplored and my pet peeve of people acting in stupid ways for stupid reasons was on display.
Cry of the Cave Lion by E.Kaiser Writers; 4/5 stars. There's a Clan of the Cave Bear vibe to this piece and I really enjoyed it. I loved the writing style and the poignant message about fear and courage.
Save The Day by Zaplendam; 4/5 stars. Another winner, although a completely different style of writing. This is far more YA fantasy, but with enough tension to keep an adult reader satisfied. I'd have loved to see a little bit more of the fallout to the events, but that's one of the perils with reading shorts... and it's a good sign when my main complaint is that I wanted more.
Boy Of Soul And Sky by Laura Matthias Bendoly; 4/5 stars. Religion makes it's way into these tales once more, as we read about a young boy gifted extraordinary gifts and treated with disdain and derision because of them. I liked how Bendoly captures his fear and anxiety over using his gifts and how magic can be a double edged sword.
Teamwork by Laura Van Arendonk Baugh; 5/5 stars. Simplistically told, but the unusual point of view rocketed this one into my favourites from the collection. There are some very adult themes here, so be cautious, but it's a good reminder that it is not only the humans that can be heroes.
The Ungifted Twin by Tamie Dearen; 3/5 stars. Another one where I really enjoyed the writing style, but struggled to engage with the narrative and the characters. I suspect there is a huge world on display in the author's longer works though and I'm interested in checking them out.
Unlikely Hero by Arthur Daigle; 5/5 stars. Another stand out favourite from the collection as Daigle merges villain and hero in one sublime package. The descriptions were wonderful and the characters jumped off the page.

[Peggy McAloon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been on a three-day adventure, reading the 27 tales in this anthology based on enchanting worlds and incredible characters you will care about long after you finish the stories. I only hope I can do justice to the authors in my Hall of Heroes review. I found the writing to be well-edited, clean, strong, and professional. This 419-page collection will delight you from beginning to end.

All of the stories will satisfy your love of fantasy and the wonderful creatures we have grown to love. You’ll find jealous Kings and slaves who bend (to a point) under an iron rule. From the deadly Minotaur to the Merfolk, your reading nook will be catapulted into enchantment from beginning to end. There are Magicians and monsters, mechanical dolls, and creatures who live in mountains, valleys, and forests. Are you sure there aren’t some near your house?

You’ll find yourself cheering for the heroes as they thwart the monsters intent on snatching our children. Perhaps you’ll decide you also want to be gifted in one of the seven magic schools. Would you become a Destroyer, Shapeshifter, Conjurer, Minder, Seeker, Guardian, or Healer? The choice may or may not be yours!

The imaginations of the authors will thrill you as you encounter dolls who seem alive and water sprites that can’t exist, can they? I found the depths and complexities of the short stories were intriguing, making it truly a jewel you won’t want to put down.

The best part? Each story was vastly different from the ones before, and I was able to sample the writing styles of fantasy authors I hadn’t previously read.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hall of Heroes an anthology is great . If you like fantasy your going to love this . 27 stories from 23 author's with stories that vary from fairytale to steam link to Arthurian there's no doubt you will find stories you love .
This book is only 422 pages so it's a pretty quick read as a whole . So if you like your stories to shift urban landscapes to magical realms your in luck because it's all here .
I enjoyed every story although some more than others , but overall this book is an easy 5 stars just on variety alone . The world building and main characters are definitely a plus . So if your looking for a book full of good varied stories pick this up and give it a try you will not be disappointed that you did .

[Krista Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, let me preface by saying that all of these stories were excellently edited. I also must say you get A LOT for your money here! These are not superficial stories; these are in-depth and complex worlds that you will find.

As a whole, and especially for someone who prefers suspense or YA realistic fiction, I enjoyed some of the stories, though some I appreciated a bit more than others, and some I didn't relate to at all. Here is a breakdown of my experience.

1. Alancia's Dance: The story had spark, but there wasn't any real development with the guy and the romance seemed hasty and unrealistic.
2. The Hero Feat of Hannah Helstrom: Less focus on regeneration than I expected. I was also thrown off by the POV as it seemed to come from a male's perspective.
3. In Plain Sight: I was surprised by how accepting the town was of Zampini's dolls--they're abnormal and supernatural but everyone treats them like they are nothing extraordinary. I also didn't get the point of the ogre's role. Arthur Daigle's author note is confusing too-"Arthur Daigle is the author (no jokes, please, he's heard them all) --I don't know what he means.
4. Finn MacRorie and the River Dragon: This was an interesting little tale and it works quite nicely and magically. I was confused about the woman not being her Ma, though.
5. Little Victories: This was a fun little tale that concentrated effectively on Shea's talents.
6. And Only the Eyes of Children: There was a bit too much telling and not enough showing in this one, which made connecting to the character difficult.
7. The Demon Monkeys: This tale has so much bigness and depth in i1, I was impressed by how much Silverberry was able to implement in such a short piece--a very heavy life-changing world.
8. Superhero Publicist There was a nice message to this unique tale, a lesson we could all use about kindness and a change of heart.
9. Sweet Basil:This was dynamic story that emphasizes pain/a curse successfully. I was confused why the MC was hungry as this wasn't explained.
10. Darkness Follows the Light: I had a hard time with this one as the first several pages spells out every non-essential detail. This piece was pretty dark too, but it comes with a satisfying ending.
11.Josiah U. Bear: The writing style of this story is quite sophisticated. There is a bit of a political slant to it and some confusion with the MC's loyalty.
12. River's Edge Ransom: The characters are full of spark in this one,and there's a lot at stake. I would have liked more of an understanding as to why Jackson despises his sister.
13. The Love Talker: This story was put together well, as a cautionary tale, though the message seemed to have the mom's own personal reasons for her warning, which were never explored.
14. Gem: A unique look at a young boy with amazing abilities. Conte shows us how important a person's compassion for others is.
15. Leticia's Song: This one starts out a bit awkwardly as I am unsure of the motives behind the characters or the direction we are supposed to go. As you get deeper into the plot, a purpose unfolds, though I don't understand why a certain man teased a woman previously or how that relationship ever changed.
16. The Wooden Ruler: I couldn't connect to this story--it felt too abstract. I didn't see how things were connecting, these two different world.
17. The Tale of Sir Ronan of Camelot: A serious cautionary tale that surprised me. Why would you sell your soul to the devil? Thankfully, this one finds a happy ending.
18. A Fiery Gift: A bit too much telling. The otter is suddenly introduced pages after it has been discussed, but not clarified. Outside these two problems, the story is unique and it showcases a girl's special place in this world.
19. The Hero of Emoh: A Parent's Fairytale: Excellently spun together. The descriptions of the characters are vivid and one can't help but feel the terror of the child!
20.Sacrifice to the Lara: This tale was cohesive and full of intrigue.
21. Charla Visits Earth: What an engaging story. A mermaid, a boy, and two worlds colliding. Charla was delightfully ignorant and so the reader feels swept up in her child-like innocence. One thing that threw me was her sudden regret and belief that a certain man might be bad as it came out of nowhere.
22. Cry of the Cave Lion: I didn't get the purpose of the lion. I couldn't relate to the direction of the story as it seemed off.
23. Save the Day: This has a great lesson in looking past your disdain for someone and becoming a martyr for your own enemy. I enjoyed the two MCs in this one and the treacherous terrain they traveled.
24. Boy of Sand and Sky: What a precious story about a gifted boy who we should all love but who is up against the world's hate and intolerance. This was written with a special skill set that allowed us to adore a newfangled boy who changes the lives of a small world forever.
25. Teamwork: Excellent story from a dog's perspective. Scary. Edgy. Fulfilling.
26. The Ungifted Twin: An interesting story that foregrounds two strong-willed twins; we get a sweet sense of sibling love and fun and find a sense of certainty that all will be well even when there is danger.
27. Not Quite a Hero: Very descriptive and vivid with a strange and different kind of villain.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing and unique collection of short stories. I am very familiar with anthologies, some of my favorite authors have been found in such. Therefore, I must explain Hall of Heroes is unique. Until now every anthology I've ever read has at least one 5 star story. Usually, at least half are 4 or 5 stars and there are at least one story that's no more than 2 stars. But, Hall of Heroes is filled completely with 4 an 5 star tales. Some deserve their very own series and the authors of most of those have anticipated my desires by writing those very series. I not only am totally satisfied with this book, I now have several more to look forward to reading. As I'm sure you can tell, I highly recommend it and know you will enjoy it as well.

[Jolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come meet 27 interesting heroes!

Don't miss this awesome collection of 27 very different fantasy stories. Each one tells a unique story about some sort of hero. Some are traditional heroes although I don't recall if any actually wore capes. Some are reluctant heroes. And some might cause you to question whether the "hero" is actually a hero. The thing the I found most fascinating about all the stories was that each one kept me engaged even though it was short. I enjoyed reading it and yet it made me think about what constitutes a hero.

One word of caution regarding younger readers. While none of the stories in this anthology contain romantic sex, sexual violence is intended by the bad guys in "And Only The Eyes of Children" and "Teamwork". The hero saves the day before anything happens but there is enough discussion to know what was intended. Also "Darkness Follows the Light" does not have sexual abuse but there is some pretty significant malevolence towards young kids that is very creepy and I would not want to read to young kids. Of course I don't like Hansel and Gretel either.

One final note: I found myself desiring to go check out other works by the 23 authors in the anthology so be forewarned that your to-be-read pile will probably grow as mine has after reading this anthology!

[Carina Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in 2020

Out of the Fellowship of Fantasy series, this one was my favorite overall.

Favorites: (aka, if you decide not to read the entire anthology, you should definitely make sure to read these!)

-Superhero Publicist (super short, but quite possibly my top favorite of the entire anthology! humorous and I loved the idea of a superhero PR person... And also a certain twist 😉)
-Gem
-Sacrifice to the Iara
-The Hero Feat of Hannah Helstrom


Liked: (might bump up some of these to Favorites when I reread)
-Alancia's Dance
-The Demon Monkey
-Sweet Basil
-Save the Day
-Not Quite A Hero

Notable: (both of these were really quirky and unique!)
-Presenting... The Steampendous Adventures of Josiah U. Bear
-The Wooden Ruler

Disliked:
-And Only the Eyes of Children (content issues: child trafficking and some strong language)
-Darkness Follows the Light

As far as the rest of the stories that I didn't mention, either I overlooked them or they weren't my favorite. I'll plan on updating this review when I reread.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

All it takes to be a hero is a chance

Hall of Heroes is the second Fellowship of Fantasy anthology. All of the stories are clean and suitable for young adult readers. Many would be great to read aloud to younger audiences as well. There are also religious themes to many of the novellas.
Prior to reading this anthology series, I was unfamiliar with these authors. I picked up the series when it was offered free on Kindle and have enjoyed it thus far. Several of the offerings in this book are part of larger series that I look forward to reading. I found all of them to be well written, with good characterizations and world building within the confines of the novella format. With 26 short stories by 23 authors, there is something for everyone.

Standout stories for me were:
"Not Quite a Hero" by Arthur Daigle featuring Dana Illwind and Sorcerer Jayden
Dana summons the sorcerer to help save her town from a monster.

"The Ungifted Twin" by Tamie Dearen introducing characters to her Alora series
Deria has lost hope that she will manifest any gifts as she reaches her 17th birthday. Will her newly awakened gift be enough to save them from the evil Water Clan

"A Fiery Gift" by A.J. Bakke
Everly risks her life to rescue the fire otters when the volcano erupts.

"River's Edge Ransom" by Julie C. Gilbert Prequel to the Redeemer Chronicles
Daniel is contracted to kill Destroyer Marina at the behest of her brothers. But Marina is using her gifts to heal. Definitely left me wanting to read more of the series

"Sweet Basil" by Lea Doue
Part of her Firethorne Chronicles, Marisol has the power to heal thanks to a dragon tattoo.

"Alancia's Dance" by H.L. Burke
A twist on the legend of the Minotaur and the labyrinth

"The Hero Feat of Hannah Helstrom" by J. Philip Horne from Guild of Sevens Series
Hannah feels like an outcast among her super powered classmates as all she can do is self heal. But paired with her determination, that power is enough to save a young friend from catastrophe

"Leticia's Song" by Jessica L. Elliott part of the Charming Academy Series
Leticia uses a fairy song to help a princess rescue her lost prince.

"Teamwork" by Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Told from the point of view of Titan, the Doberman, the story of how he saves his mistress from a man who means her harm

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book much more than Fellowship of Fantasy's first anthology (Fantastic Creatures). I even discovered some very talented new-to-me indie authors. On the whole this is a greatly diverse collection of fantasy tales.

#1 Alincia's Dance by H. L. Burke 4:5
I've finally realized that I love mythological tales. This particular one is a mashup of the Greek Minotaur (half man, half bull creature confined in a labyrinth and regularly fed on human flesh) and . . . well, I can't name all the others because I'm not an expert on Greek mythology. But the story is fascinating, and the author did a great job creating her own unique twist on mythology. I'll absolutely look for more by H. L. Burke.
#2 The Hero Feat of Hannah Helstrom by J. Philip Horne 3:5
This particular story is a great addition to the anthology. Several quotations: "A hero answers trouble, he does not seek it." and "We serve to develop a servant's heart, for no hero serves himself." The story isn't exactly 'my type,' but I greatly appreciated its message.
#3 In Plain Sight by Arthur Daigle 3:5
I'm beginning to think that this author, with his twisted and dark sense of humor, is absolutely brilliant. Once again, not exactly 'my type,' but exceptional for those who like that style of humor. This one involves dolls --- slightly creepy dolls.
#4 Finn MacRorie and the River Dragon by Katy Huth Jones 4:5
I am grateful that the author's note explains this is an excerpt from a series. It's not a series I'm about to miss! This is a beautiful story involving a Celtic bard, and I think the series (He Who Finds Mercy) centers around his life.
#5 Little Victories by Karin De Havin 3:5
For some reason, I don't much like fairy stories set in the 21st century. I did relate well to the MC's animal rescues --- sounds a lot like me.
#6 And Only the Eyes of Children by Laura VanArendonk Baugh 2:5
More Faes in the 21st century *sigh* And I don't like this writing style.
#7 The Demon Monkeys by A. R. Silverberry DNF (1:5)
Sounds like an interesting story, but WHY so much magic?!
#8 Superhero Publicist by Janeen Ippolito 3:5
A villain suddenly wants to change sides, causing a real headache for his publicist. Hilarious!
#9 Sweet Basil by Lea Doue 3.5:5
Sweet Basil the dragon is very unique. The extra half star is because of him. ;D The other characters need a bit more development; however I can understand that characterisation is challenging in a short story.
#10 Darkness Follows the Light by David Millican DNF
Millican is an amazing writer, but his stories are way too dark and creepy for me.
#11 Presenting the Steampendous Adventures of Josiah U. Bear and the Rubber Barons by D. W. Frauenfelder 3:5
A bear stars in this one --- a very funny bear! The story is a little hard to follow because you're dropped into Bearland rather abruptly, but it's still a honey-sweet read. :)
#12 River's Edge Ransom by Julie C. Gilberts 2:5
YES, I REALLY THINK IT'S POSSIBLE TO WRITE CHRISTIAN SPEC-FICTION WITHOUT ALL THAT MAGIC!
#13 The Love Talker by Deanna Fugett 1:5
Here's one story in this collection that is positively not worth your time. How did I ever finish it?! The ending is good, but . . . it's not worth reading through the story.
#14 Gem by R. J. Contre DNF
I do not like the concept of this story. There's nothing really wrong with it, it simply doesn't interest me. I would like to check out some more of this author's work though.
#15 Leticia's Song by Jessica L. Elliot 3:5
This story isn't put together as well as Talori and the Shark by the same author. It's an interesting retelling of Pandora's box (also the Swan Prince?), but I feel that it could be much better.
#16 The Wooden Ruler by David Millican 4:5
Whoa. This author is ingenious! The story concept would sound positively ridiculous if I'd try to describe it. Just read it so you can experience it for yourself!
#17 The Tale of Sir Ronan of Camelot by Frank B. Luke 3:5
An Arthurian tale must be filled with excitement, but does the writing have to be colorless and the morals shaky?
#18 A Fiery Gift by A. J. Bakke 2:5
This story is interesting and imaginative, but poor writing basically ruins it.
#19 The Hero of Emoh: a Parent's Fairytale by Sarah Ashwood 3.5:5
What a beautiful, adventurous, sweet fairytale. . . about parenthood! Recommended for anyone who as experienced the magic of a child.
#20 Sacrifice to the Iara by H. L. Burke 4:5
"The Worldbreather always hears you, child. The question is, have you listened for the Worldbreather? Have you heard his whisperings, leading you the way you should go?" Another epic story by H. L. Burke.
#21 Charla Visits Earth by Diane Astle DNF
Weird story and poor writing
#22 Cry of the Cave Lion by E. Kaiser Writes 4:5
This story is pure poetry. I'm amazed by the writing.
#23 Save the Day by Page Zaplendam 3.5:5
Surprisingly, I actually really liked this one. I'm definitely reading more by Page Zaplendam.
#24 Boy of Sand and Sky by Laura Matthias Bendoly 3:5
The writing is great, but this story is just the wrong kind of strange.
#25 Teamwork by Laura VanArendonk Baugh 3:5
Ever wanted to hear the story from the Doberman's perspective? This one is for you.
#26 The Ungifted Twin by Tamie Dearan 4:5
Why, that's nice for a change --- a story that focuses entirely on sibling relationships rather than romantic relationships. This is a gifted writer and her world-building is excellent.. I was thrilled to find out Deria and Korporan are featured in Tamie Dearan's epic fantasy series, The Alora Series. I need more of this world!
#27 Not Quite a Hero by Arthur Daigle 2:5
I'd really like to give this story a better rating. Unfortunately, I'm not comfortable with the level of magic and sorcery.

Average rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

[Susan Moffat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed most of these short stories. It has been such a good way to discover new fantasy authors. Some of the stories are more traditional fantasy and some are modern or futurist. I'm looking forward to reading more from the authors of my favourite stories from the book.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great bunch of stories

All the stories in this book are top notch. I'm going to look up a few of the authors individually

[Clairisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great collection of stories!

1. Alancia's Dance by H.L.Burke🌟🌟🌟🌟
I'm becoming a big fan of Burke's work. This is another sweet story about bull dancer who is a slave girl who becomes friends with the inventor of the Labyrinth. I enjoyed the story very much.

2. The Hero Fear of Hannah Helstorm by J.Phillip Horne 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Loved Hannah and her hero feat which was very well written. Now I will never forget the word 'Reggie'.

3. In Plain Sight by Arthur Diagle 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I hope Arthur will write more of the Great Zamphini because I loved this quirky and mysterious character and his talking puppets.

4. Finn MacRorie and The River Dragon🌟🌟🌟🌟
A bitter sweet story of a struggling family who tries to survive during hard times and then the mysterious Mage Finn arrives and helps them.

5. Little Victories by Karin DeHavin🌟🌟
I didn't enjoy this one very much.

6. And only the Eyes of Children by Lauren Van Arendonk Laugh 🌟🌟🌟
This one was good but I didn't like the PoV of the way the story was told.

7. The Demon Monkeys by A.R.Silverberry🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a beautiful story I loved it. Orphan Scamp is curious about the stranger with magical powers. Later he befriends her and together they save her village. I hope to see more of Scamp in other works of the Author.

8. Superhero Publicist by Janeen Ippolitto🌟🌟🌟
Wasn't good or bad to short to say.

9. Sweet Basil by Lea Doue🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Another sweet story that I loved. A girl named Marisol who has a dragon tattoo that heals sickness.

10. Darkness follows the Light by David Millican🌟🌟🌟🌟
I enjoyed reading about Angelique and the action and adventure this story had.

11. Josiah U.Bear by D.W. Framenfelder🌟
Couldn't get into it.

12. River's Edge Ransom by Julie C.Gilbert 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This fantasy story I enjoyed very much. It had magic, adventure, betrayal etc. Hope to read more of the authors work.

13. Love Taker by Deanna Fugget🌟🌟🌟🌟
A good old Fae story with enough heartache to want you to read more.

14. Gem by RJ Gonte 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A interesting science fantasy story about a boy whose the chosen one.

15. Leticia's Song by Jessica L.Elliott. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A lovely story that reminds me of Swan Lake.

16. A Wooden Ruler by David Millican 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A very creative story.

17. The Tale of Rolan of Camelot by Frank R.Luke🌟🌟🌟🌟
I enjoyed this King Arthur retelling and the folklore in it.

18. A Fiery Gift by A.J.Bakke 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A very cute and brave story.

19. The Hero of Emoh: A Parents Fairytale🌟🌟🌟🌟
A different kind of fairytale which I enjoyed from the parents point of view.

20. Sacrifice to the Iara by H.L.Burke🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I loved the story and I'm beginning to became a fan of this Author's work. I love the descriptive detail that the story was written in and Loved the characters especially the flying serpent.

21. Charla visits Earth by Diane Asthle🌟🌟🌟
This one was okay but not so good.

22.Cry of the Cave Lion by E.Kaiser Writers 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a very good story about a hunting group in search of a lion.

23.Save The Day by Zaplendam 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I liked Jenny's unique abilities in this story.

24.Boy Of Soul And Sky by Laura Matthias Bendoly 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A truly wonderful heart moving story about a young boy named Gabriel and his god given gifts that he uses to help others.

25. Teamwork by Laura Van Arendonk Baugh 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A dog rescues his owner from thieves a great story!

26. The Ungifted Twin by Tamie Dearen 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I enjoyed this story about the gifted twins.

27. Unlikely Hero by Arthur Daigle 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
In this story we get to see how Dana & Jayden meet each other. Loved the humor and the unlikely duo.

[Linda Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun read with monsters galore! All read well some are great

Lots of stories about monsters and people who hunt them or are hunted by them. All are good and some are excellent. Took down names and will be looking up the full stories that should be around to give me more than a bite. I really like a full course meal and these were tidbits.

[Suzanne Cruz Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for sending me this via Voracious in exchange for an honest review.

I thought that the book was fun and exciting. To me, it was like something I look forward to reading if that makes sense because it was a collection of really good stories and they were all well written and well thought of. It was just awesome storytelling and it kept me well entertained and it grabbed my attention definitely. Even though it has that fantasy nature to it, it still has some teachable lessons and these stories were stories I forgot and somehow remembered through reading these stories. It was a nice long read though.

congratulations on the authors.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of one of the authors featured in this anthology for a few years now, Arthur Daigle. It was because of this that I picked up this work and I am glad I did so. I was delighted by many of the stories and plan to seek some of these authors out in the near future. Just a few of the stories that made a deep impression was Alancia's Dance, The Wooden Ruler, and Teamwork.

Not every story amazed me, but that was to be expected in a collection such as this. What impressed me more was there wasn't a single story I hated. I loved some more than others, but I liked all of them. I would recommend this to anyone looking for fantasy or unlikely heroes.

[Kimberly Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology was refreshingly clean of offensive material (there were 2 stories that went a little far into the dark for me); but overall, it was an excellent selection showcasing many separate authors' work. It had more consistently likable stories than any other anthology I have read. Each story was short, making the book easy to pick up and read to a good breaking point and pick it up again later with no loss of context. I am very thankful to the writers for putting this together.

[Gayreth Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting and entertaining!

This book is full of amazing stories. . Did you ever wonder what makes a hero? You will find out in these amazing tales. Heroes and Heroines ranging from Arthurian, Fairytales, Urban and Steampunk, all set in fantastic worlds. Something for everyone. I enjoyed every tale in this book. Very entertaining.

[Trudi Jorda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this tasty anthology dealing with heroes in many different forms and in many different ways and some that become heroes due to need. I would rccomend this for someone wanting to find new authors!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like most anthologies, this one contains a mix of good and bad. For the highlights, check my status updates. If any of them sound even slightly interesting, I recommend picking this up. I mean, it's free on Kindle, so what do you have to lose?

[shannon Stubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad

This had a lot of really good stories. I found a few good authors that I'm going to read more of their books later. Every story had its own hero and own universe. There is bound to be a story for everyone. I kind of thought Gem was cute.

[Eric Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me awhile to finish, but this was my go-to while waiting to start another book or to read a little before bed. For me that's what short story collections are for. I had a few favs and some I thought were complete duds. Then you have that with every collection in my opinion.

[Kandi J Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing collection of short stories all connected with heroes as the theme.

[Mark Lucas-Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology. Great for when want something good to read but being an anthology it was easy to pick up, put down and pick up again later.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ungifted Twin: Delightful tale of Deria and the awakening of her gifts.

[Leslie Wiederspan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful short stories. I had hoped a few of them were longer because they were so interesting. I even managed to get attached to several of the characters, despite being so short.