Cresting the Sun: A Sci-Fi/Fantasy Anthology Featuring 12 Award-Winning Short Stories

by Brian C. Hailes, Rick Bennett, Nicholas P. Adams

FIRST PLACE WINNER of the 2020 GOLDEN QUILL AWARD from the Utah League of Writers! Cresting the Sun is a science fiction and fantasy anthology compiling twelve award-winning short stories (with a taste of crime and horror mixed in). Each included tale has in recent years earned recognition from the esteemed L Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest judges, with adventures sure to rattle your bones, launch you beyond the stars, and carry you through space and time. Prepare yourself, hold on tight, and enjoy the ride! Roadblock by Brian C Hailes - All Drew really wants is a chance with his high school crush, Lily. But on his way to a party where he plans to give it one last shot, he's forced to take a detour off Highway 89, where fate has something else waiting in store. The Hubbard Drive by Rick Bennett - I just can't resist comedy. This time-dilation romp is my little Einsteinian "thought experiment" and tribute to L Ron Hubbard, a sci-fi giant. L.E.A.P. by Nicholas P Adams - A cop with the ability to navigate the timestream puts his skills to the test when a series of murders threatens his freedom and the future of those he'd kill to protect. Sketch Artist by Brian C Hailes - An innocent girl witnesses a murder, and works with a San Francisco Police Department sketch artist who has an uncanny ability to draw portraits based on witnesses' firsthand accounts with a ninety-five percent facial recognition accuracy rate. However, as they both find themselves caught in the middle of a deadly mob war, can they find the killer or killers before they themselves fall prey to the infamous crime families? The Devil & Woody Harrelson by Rick Bennett - Ever think about selling your soul to the devil? You may already have done just that if you clicked "accept" on the terms and conditions on an online program license agreement. Half Z's by Nicholas P Adams - A human/alien half-breed, desperate for a connection with either world, travels to the Gya'ol enclave for answers when she discovers a rapidly forming growth inside her body. The Chaser's Prey by Brian C Hailes - Having been shipped off to alien scout camp, Gareth Stillwater stumbles across the other boys torturing and mutilating a squirrel-like creature called an ehkhoor'n. When he confronts the alpha scout, Morrow Krin, and his accomplices, they bully him into secrecy . . . until he decides to steal Krin's hoverbike and put the animal out of its misery, placing himself (and everyone else) in harm's way. Overture to The Opera of The Blades by Rick Bennett - This literal "rock opera" features a computer genius who speaks only in palindromes and shows the effect she has on an immortal being. Uncoiling the Loop by Nicholas P Adams - A temporal manipulator struggles against time, the authorities, and a crotchety barkeep, to prevent his father from going on a killing spree before it happens. The Artist's Model by Brian C Hailes - An artist's model with a past veiled in amnesia meets a mysterious visitor who claims to know who and what she really is. But when her most beloved master artist and patron unexpectedly dies, she must find a way to live up to her otherworldly destiny, and fulfill her new role. Gone are the Light-Wielders by Nicholas P Adams - A shepherd boy holds the fate of the colony in his hands when he must choose between keeping a promise to his mother and his responsibility to the community.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fantasy, Anthologies

402 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 2019

Reviews

[Hallie Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cresting the Sun is an anthology that brings together twelve exceptional short stories, each blending elements of science fiction and fantasy with the kind of depth and innovation that only award-winning writers can deliver. The collection spans a range of tones, settings, and themes, offering readers a vibrant mosaic of the genre’s possibilities. From thought-provoking explorations of humanity’s future to intricate world-building that feels as expansive as it is immersive, this anthology is a true testament to the power of short-form speculative fiction. Each story, unique in its approach, showcases the diverse voices and perspectives that make the genre so compelling, demonstrating a mastery of storytelling that both entertains and challenges the reader.

The standout feature of Cresting the Sun is its ability to balance the fantastical with the profound. While some stories take the reader on epic, universe-spanning adventures, others delve into deeply personal and introspective moments, exploring what it means to be human in a world that stretches the boundaries of reality. The anthology’s pacing is well-managed, with each story offering a satisfying beginning, middle, and end while leaving plenty of room for contemplation. The writing is consistently engaging, with sharp prose and memorable characters, even in the shorter time frame of each story. Whether you are a longtime fan of science fiction and fantasy or someone new to the genre, this anthology offers a compelling cross-section of the best that contemporary speculative fiction has to offer, making it a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the future of storytelling.

[Elna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks you so much to the authors and the publishers for providing me with this book. I really appreciate that all three authors signed it!

Unfortunately, it's not for me. I read the first three stories (so one from each author) and that was enough. But I'll pass it along to my dad, who also loves science fiction and short stories.

[Jenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic collection of sci-fi/fantasy short stories! Each story is unique and an exciting read. The authors are very creative and knowledgeable, every story was new and executed well.
#goodreadsgiveaway

[Donna Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intellectual ideas swirl and a strong vision of the future is felt in this brainy anthology.

[Ron Frampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

twelve stories about space and time

[Amanda Huth · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was my first anthology. Overall it was a good book. There was a few stories i didnt care for. I liked Hailes stories the most.