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Of Myth and Monster

Hannah Heath (Goodreads Author),

Kyle Robert Shultz (Goodreads Author),

Beth Wangler (Goodreads Author),

E.B. Dawson (Goodreads Author),

C. Scott Frank (Goodreads Author),

Grace Crandall (Goodreads Author),

Deck Matthews (Goodreads Author),

Nate Philbrick (Goodreads Author),

more…

4.77 · Rating details · 30 ratings · 27 reviews

ARE YOU READY TO LEARN THE TRUTH BEHIND THE MYTHS? ARE YOU READY TO SEE WHAT’S LURKING IN THE SHADOWS?

Noah’s friend, Caitlin DeWinter, is destined to find the Key of Etna, and she’s determined to meet her destiny sooner rather than later, even if there is a sphinx guarding it.

There’s a monstrosity lurking in the streets of Hestia’s polis. The magical pest control units ha ...more

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Published September 12th 2020

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Aug 14, 2020 R.M. Archer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fiction, sci-fi, mythology, indie-books, kindle-books, to-buy, short-stories

I'll post a full review closer to the release date, but this is the best PFW anthology yet! I loved every one of the stories. ^-^

FULL REVIEW
PFW is releasing another anthology, so you know I jumped on it. I'm super thankful to have gotten another of their ARCs, and this one is quite possibly my favorite yet. It's definitely their best anthology yet, and if they keep improving their quality at this rate I'm going to have to create a six-star rating or something. XD Anyway, into the actual review. ...more

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Oct 13, 2020 Nate Philbrick rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

It’s about time I said a thing or two about this book. As a participating author, it’s easy for me to say how good it is, slap on a five-star review, and call it a day. But trust me...I’m not afraid to be objective in my reviews regardless of any personal involvement. Am I head-over-heels for every single story? No. There’s a wide variety of styles and tones here, and some match my personal tastes more than others. That’s just how anthologies work. Would I give each story five stars on its own m ...more

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Nov 11, 2020 Danielle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: self-published

This collection of short stories was an absolute joy to read! The worlds and creatures so exotic, vivid, and ethereal, the themes heartfelt, passionate, and true - I loved discovering each and every one, seeing where the adventure would lead. So many stories had such excellent world building, I was sad I was reading only a short story and longed to have a novel or even a series of stories based within these fantastical countries! I was enthralled by the transcendent alebrije in “Mistakes Were Ma ...more

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Mar 20, 2021 Deborah O'Carroll rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021-reads, 2021-ebook, z-to-get, 5-stars-awesome, collection, fantasy, got-for-review, myth-legend-fairytales, norse, owned-ebooks

My mini reviews of all the stories in this delightful collection!

Mistakes Were Made (by Hannah Heath)

What a delightful rollick! XD This one was so much fun and just such a wacky, amusing adventure. I especially loved the voice of this one -- such character! -- and the strong cultural flavor was neat. It's probably one of the most unique short stories I've ever read. Such colorful sci-fi! Marvelous!

The Boy Who Listened (by Kyle Robert Shultz)

Full disclosure: I copyedited this short story, but my ...more

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Sep 12, 2020 Laura Grace rated it it was amazing

VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/xJyOndBKc6M

What a great anthology!

I'm unsure of what to fully say as many of these stories were deeply moving, though one was quite humorous in a few places!

I guess I should start with saying that I came in with high expectations concerning this anthology. I DEEPLY enjoyed Strange Waters and I can say that these stories went above and beyond my said expectations! I'm only sad it took me a little longer to finish reading the anthology, but a few of these stor VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/xJyOndBKc6M

What a great anthology!

I'm unsure of what to fully say as many of these stories were deeply moving, though one was quite humorous in a few places!

I guess I should start with saying that I came in with high expectations concerning this anthology. I DEEPLY enjoyed Strange Waters and I can say that these stories went above and beyond my said expectations! I'm only sad it took me a little longer to finish reading the anthology, but a few of these stories demanded I take time to stop and think about it.

One of those said stories was Lamp of Silver. I still do not know exactly why this story resonated with me, but it did. It sort of wrecked me, but in an emotionally good way! Maybe because the genie was nothing like I expected. Maybe because Yasser made decisions I was unprepared for. Either way, it might be safe to say this was my favorite. <3

It is a tough call though because WOW! The creativity and the way these stories leapt off the page was epic! I give major props to Phoenix Fiction Writers as I have not read so much diversity ever in my bookish "career"! It was amazing and my heart feels so enlightened and moved! Thank you PFW for going above and beyond and spotlighting characters who are not perfect.

Quite a few of the myths and/or monsters I was not familiar with, though I really enjoyed the twist in The Gods of Troy! That was epic! I was actually frustrated with myself that I could not remember as much of the original story as I wanted to appreciate this story even more, but it gave all the right vibes I remember from reading it (including an epic poem of sorts!).

Lastly, a few different stories really showed anxiety and/or fear in a way that encouraged me. I'm not usually fond of reading anxiety on the page (because I wrestle with my own anxiety too often then I prefer), but seeing some of these characters wrestle with it and then face their fears made me cry (especially when reading H.E.R.O.). It was amazing! Probably not the right word to use, but it is good to know one is not alone. <3

Overall, I highly recommend this anthology to readers of fantasy and science fiction! I feel there is something for everyone, especially if you enjoy reading non-spooky stories about myths and monsters. ;)

*(I received an ARC from the publisher. All thoughts expressed are my own.)* ...more

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Sep 14, 2020 Kyle rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Shelves: anthologies

Full disclosure before we begin: I had the honor of contributing a story called "The Boy Who Listened" to this anthology. However, I'd like to also briefly share my thoughts on the other wonderful entries from my fellow Phoenix Fiction Authors.

Mistakes Were Made: Yet another very fun story from Hannah Heath with all the trademarks that make her fiction special--protagonists who break the usual molds, a deep and fascinating storyworld that blends elements of fantasy and sci-fi, and a gripping plo Full disclosure before we begin: I had the honor of contributing a story called "The Boy Who Listened" to this anthology. However, I'd like to also briefly share my thoughts on the other wonderful entries from my fellow Phoenix Fiction Authors.

Mistakes Were Made: Yet another very fun story from Hannah Heath with all the trademarks that make her fiction special--protagonists who break the usual molds, a deep and fascinating storyworld that blends elements of fantasy and sci-fi, and a gripping plot. There's something Pixar-like about how she manages to tell a very relatable and heartfelt story in a fresh, exciting world.

The Boy Who Listened: I wrote this. I hope you like it.

H.E.R.O.: I'm a fan of stories that revisit mythology and folklore in a science-fiction setting, and this tale did not disappoint. It reads like an action movie with plenty of clever analogues and allusions to Greek myth--plus, wonderful characterization, up to Beth Wangler's usual high standards.

The Gods of Troy: This story by E.B. Dawson adapts Greek myth into sci-fi as well, though it takes a very different approach, using space opera rather than the urban fantasy/cyberpunk elements of "H.E.R.O." The concept of The Odyssey in space was brilliantly conceived and explored in this entry. I would love to see this premise expanded into a full novel, but the story stands very well on its own.

The Unicorn Tamer: A comedic romp from C. Scott Frank that made me laugh out loud with its hilarious banter and wink-wink pop-culture references. Despite the very tongue-in-cheek tone of this story, there's actually a great deal of deep world-building in it. I didn't see the ending coming, but it fit well with the plot and characters, so it felt earned. Highly enjoyable.

Lamp of Silver: Grace Crandall is exceptionally skilled at the short story format, and this story is proof of that. I loved her creative take on the concept of genies, and the masterful way in which she wove a deep, resonant message into the plot.

The Staff of Callewhyr: A tale from the epic realm of Deck Matthews' excellent Riven Realm series (though no familiarity with those books is needed to enjoy this story). It balances well-written characters and a massive, intriguing story-world to create a riveting adventure.

Aura: I have to say, while many of the stories in this anthology were emotionally affecting, only one actually brought tears to my eyes--and that honor goes to this entry from Nate Philbrick. Aura is a hauntingly beautiful story that stayed with me long after I'd finished it.

The Eyes of the Barghest: J.E. Purrazzi brings her trademark skill with both character development and suspense/horror to this story. Deeply moving and thrilling at the same time, it kept me on the glued to the page throughout and delivered a highly satisfying ending. ...more

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Sep 17, 2020 Joseph Leskey rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: just about anybody

Shelves: best-characters, best-indie, best-prose, best-themes, best-worldbuilding, indie, reviewed, undimmed-brilliance

Pursuant to my discovery that the contents and structure of this anthology are at the uttermost degree of spiffing, I wish very much to let my distinct favor and accolade for the stories in this anthology to be known. For lack of better ideas, I give here a spattering of potentially paltry comments for each story. They are designed to be vague and somewhat unhelpful, such as is desirable for not spoiling anything.

This anthology starts with Mistakes Were Made, which explores two very different pe ...more

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Sep 26, 2020 Erin Dydek rated it it was amazing

What exactly is in the water over there at Phoenix Fiction headquarters? Oh, wait, that was last year's anthology, and Strange Waters did not disappoint! But another year has come and gone, and another excellent collaboration has been created. Of Myth and Monster is a collection of emotionally driven stories that dig deep into thought-provoking topics and display the genuine quality of what indie authors can produce. As someone who's been reading primarily indie books for the last year, I can te What exactly is in the water over there at Phoenix Fiction headquarters? Oh, wait, that was last year's anthology, and Strange Waters did not disappoint! But another year has come and gone, and another excellent collaboration has been created. Of Myth and Monster is a collection of emotionally driven stories that dig deep into thought-provoking topics and display the genuine quality of what indie authors can produce. As someone who's been reading primarily indie books for the last year, I can tell you I've read plenty of good, bad, and so-so books in that time. What I love about the PFW group is the depth and variety of their storytelling, and the enormous amount of passion poured into each author's work. These authors don't shy away from difficult topics, and their characters are well-rounded, relatable, and very realistic. Even when they're facing mythical creatures, they're sharing their frustrations about life, the unfairness of their situation, the failures they've experienced, and their darkest fears. I love those characters because I can see myself in them. I have loved, I have lost, I have been afraid, and I have faced my fears. Whether I triumphed or failed, I have shared their tears and laughter. Okay, so maybe I have never traveled the galaxy or wielded a magical staff, summoned a genie, been hunted by monsters, or had a temperamental pet phoenix, but I have suffered through finals week in college, lost loved ones to tragic circumstances, struggled with insecurities and setbacks, and experienced fear and loneliness. In these stories, there is a lot of hope shining through the dark situations; there are well-developed worlds and new places to explore. Yes, there are myths, and there are monsters, but most importantly, there are human characters who show us the way forward and how to pass on that hope so we can keep moving on our own journeys, knowing we are not alone.

Unless you are someone who looks a lot like a popular sentient woodland creature who takes pleasure in helping take down evil galactic regimes—then there is no hope for you. And I mean that in the nicest way possible. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, reading Of Myth and Monster can remedy that. I highly recommend it.

I received an ARC copy of the book to read and write an honest review. My opinions are my own.
...more

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Dec 09, 2020 Mary Emma Sivils rated it it was amazing

Such an interesting collection of stories! Even though I typically prefer novels over short stories, it was so fun to hop from one intriguing world to another in a small amount of time.
I think what impressed me most about this anthology was how different each story was from the others. There were hilarious moments and heartbreaking moments, and plenty of imagination throughout. Not every story stuck with me as much as others, but each one held my attention.
I won't go into detail about each story ...more

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Oct 10, 2020 Katelyn Buxton rated it it was amazing

Mistakes Were Made
Hannah Heath

This psychedelic adventure follows a Cs-get-degrees college student and her seemingly uptight best friend as they track down the alebrije that stole his homework. The tone is fun, but also painfully familiar to college students who have ever slid in an assignment just before it was due. I liked not only the fact that the hero of the adventure regularly trips over her own feet (c’est moi), but also that she had diabetes. Anyone can be a hero—even someone that wouldn’ ...more

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Sep 11, 2020 Julia Garcia rated it it was amazing

To be honest, I've been looking forward to this newest anthology from the Phoenix Fiction Writers since finishing the one they put out last year (2019).
I was fortunate enough to have an ARC copy show up in my inbox so I could read it early and I'm immensely thankful because I could hardly wait.

Here are my non-spoilery thoughts on the stories.

1. "Mistakes Were Made" by Hannah Heath
This story was lots of fun, featured colorful monsters and posed some very deep questions. And Guillerma is back w ...more

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Aug 26, 2020 J.E. rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

If you want a fuller review of this anthology you can find it on my website: http://www.jillanepurrazzi.com/non-fi...

Where to even start with this book. I might be incredibly biased because I am a member of the Phoenix Fiction Writers, but I refuse to believe that these authors are anything but incredibly talented and creative. This anthology ranges all over the board with inspiration and theme, while flying to the heights of lighthearted comedy and delving into the depths of grief and facing on ...more

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Sep 04, 2020 C.O. Bonham rated it really liked it

Shelves: short-fiction-collections, i-met-the-author

Of Myth and Monster, like all anthologies, is a mixed bag of styles and themes. For the most every story in here has something to do with a monster, a myth or a monster from myth.

Some of the stories are dark some are light and humorous and some fall in between. There are all kinds of myths and monsters represented, Greek, Roman, Celtic. The settings are equally varied from Pirates to a sci-fi retelling of Homer's Odyssey.

My favorite was "The Boy Who Listened," by Kyle Robert Shultz. It takes pl ...more

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Sep 11, 2020 Azelyn Klein rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, science-fiction, indie-published, anthology

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This story is my favorite. No, this one! No… Argh! I like them all!

I always get excited when the Phoenix Fiction Writers come out with something new, whether it be an anthology or a book by an individual author. The only problem is, they often come out with stuff so fast that I can’t keep up! Which means there’s plenty to read of course, and my TBR will never be sad.

Of the authors who are a part of PFW, I am most familia ...more

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Nov 25, 2020 Janelle Garrett rated it really liked it

I love anthologies. I love that I can curl up with a good story and be through start to finish in thirty minutes. The Phoenix Fiction Writers do anthologies really well. They are a collection of spec-fic writers who write mostly clean stories (I'm a member, but did not participate in this anthology due to extenuating circumstances) and tackle themes that most authors shy away from. This anthology, as its name suggests, centers around myths and magical beasts. I've given short reviews below, in n I love anthologies. I love that I can curl up with a good story and be through start to finish in thirty minutes. The Phoenix Fiction Writers do anthologies really well. They are a collection of spec-fic writers who write mostly clean stories (I'm a member, but did not participate in this anthology due to extenuating circumstances) and tackle themes that most authors shy away from. This anthology, as its name suggests, centers around myths and magical beasts. I've given short reviews below, in no particular order. This anthology also crosses age and gender gaps, so if you are a fan of many different types of spec-fic stories, and enjoy everything from YA to NA to middle grade, you'll enjoy this collection of tales.

The Boy Who Listened by Kyle Robert Schultz - A delightful tale of a nonverbal autistic boy (allllll the feeeeeeeels), and the power of really listening and true friendship. It challenges the reader to rethink labels and how we judge people based on what they have to offer a society that isn't tailored to them. 5/5 stars. Absolutely loved this one.

Mistakes Were Made by Hannah Heath - A fantasy based on Mexican folklore. A college girl finds her deadline quickly approaching for an assignment, but a pesky Chupacabra messes up her plans. With the help of a friend, she manages to make her deadline before her homework is eaten. 3/5 stars. This wasn't really to my tastes, and differs a lot from previous works by this author, who I usually love.

The Gods of Troy by EB Dawson - a fascinating take on the aftermath of the battle of Troy, except in space. It tackles the subject of the cost of pride. 4/5 stars. Really unique, and I wished it had been longer. I really hope the author dives more into this setting.

H.E.R.O. by Beth Wangler - a provocative story that challenges the reader to face their fear and see the brokenness that lies beneath suffering. A truly powerful look at the good that can come from stepping out of ones comfort zone to come to the aid of others that are in trouble. 5/5 stars. A phenomenal read, that really challenged me personally. One of my favorites in this anthology.

The Eyes of the Barghest by JE Purrazzi - a moving tale of two sisters and a monster, who isn't quite what it seems. It delves into processing grief in a powerful way. 5/5 stars, and another of my favorites in this anthology. It takes a hard look at how we view suffering in death, and how everyone processes grief differently.

The Unicorn Tamer by C. Scott Frank - a perplexing tale of cute furry creatures on a quest. I couldn't quite get a feel for this one, and skipped it after a few pages. 2/5 stars.

The Staff of Callewhyr by Deck Matthews - an academic is sent on a journey that was supposed to be simple, but turns into a fantastical adventure with a battered soldier who has a secret. It addresses the difference between true understanding and just having mere knowledge. 4/5 stars, and intriguing enough to make me want to read more by this author.

Lamp of Silver by Grace Crandall - a pirate is trapped and forced to listen to a the tale of an old man, and not is all as it seems. A genie who isn't a genie helps with the discovery that death is a truth that can't be ignored. 3.5/5 stars for creativity and uniqueness.

Aura by Nate Philbrick - complete with more adorableness that this author is known for, this story follows the tale of two young lovers - one with a gimp leg the other with tuberculosis - as they take on a dangerous mission to find a cure for their ailments. They encounter more than they expected. It touches on the price of true love and how the end doesn't always justify the means. 4/5 stars, with a touching ending and it has my favorite 'beast' out of this whole anthology.

*this review was originally published on Booknest.eu*
...more

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Sep 13, 2020 Hannah Heath rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Shelves: books-with-meaning, disabled-characters, fantasy, favorites, i-want-to-write-like-this, indie-books, sci-fi, short-stories

Are you a fan of unlikely friends? How about gruff heroes? Nerdy monks? Magic and an epic fantasy backdrop?

You're in luck! Deck Matthew's The Staff of Callewhyr has all of those things.

What I loved:
~ Renlyn. He's a very nerdy monk who just wants to study ancient mythology and isn't super keen on adventures. I love him.
~ Arnak. A stoic, gruff warrior with a secret? Yes, please!
~ The friendship. Renlyn and Arnak definitely don't have a lot in common, and yet they are somehow the perfect pair. ...more

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Sep 10, 2020 E.B. Dawson rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

"Alebrije are the least profitable magical creatures in this corner of the galaxy. You can’t use their hide for boots like chupacabra, you can’t harness their duende like Chaneques, and you can’t squeeze heavy labor out of them like Quinametzin. Alebrije exist only to be pretty and way chido, which means most people are stupid enough to think they aren’t worth chasing after."

If you know anything about the Phoenix Fiction Writers, you ought to know that we think outside the box. This collection o "Alebrije are the least profitable magical creatures in this corner of the galaxy. You can’t use their hide for boots like chupacabra, you can’t harness their duende like Chaneques, and you can’t squeeze heavy labor out of them like Quinametzin. Alebrije exist only to be pretty and way chido, which means most people are stupid enough to think they aren’t worth chasing after."

If you know anything about the Phoenix Fiction Writers, you ought to know that we think outside the box. This collection of stories about fantastic creatures is both incredibly fresh and familiar.

Hannah Heath kicks the anthology off with a Mexican inspired space opera that blends Mexican mythology and futuristic technology beautifully.

Guillerma and Mundo are college students in the throes of finals week (at a college that offers classes like "History of Pre-Classic Chosen Ones" and "Intro to Calaveras Studies.") Their philosophy of studying is very different. With enormous pressure from his family, Mundo feels his entire life hangs on getting an A+ in every single class, while Guillerma is more inclined to live in the moment. When Alebrijes are sighted nearby, Guillerma determines to go see them with or without Mundo, and ends up inadvertently dragging him into a hilarious adventure.

What I love about this story is the surprising amount of heart underneath the lighthearted shenanigans. Heath deftly makes you re-examine your own definition of what success means through these two contrasting characters. Their struggle to live up to their parents' expectations (or lack of expectations) and navigate the transition to adulthood is incredibly relatable, and their unusual friendship is heartwarming.

The chupacabras and alebrijes and fun technological elements are the icing on the cake! I would LOVE to see this world brought to life on the movie screen. It is full of color and culture, and Guillerma is so lovable and relatable with all her flaws.

It's the perfect introduction to this unique collection. I'll sum up my favorite parts of the other stories briefly:

The Boy Who Listened- Fun, imaginative, and achingly beautiful for anyone who has felt overlooked and unheard.

H.E.R.O.- Delightful worldbuilding, honest characterization, and a beautiful, beautiful conclusion.

The Unicorn Tamer- Wacky, bizarre, quaint, and original with an unexpected, yet thought-provoking conclusion. C. Scott Frank may be a philosophical assassin.

The Staff of Callewhyr- A quest set in a rich fantasy world takes an unexpected twist. I loved the exploration, wonder, and watching two men with seemingly nothing in common gain mutual respect for each other by the end.

The Lamp of Silver- A unique tale of betrayal with a hard-hitting theme of redemption. Also pirates. Need I say more?

Aura-A unique piece of historical fiction set against the backdrop of the Spanish civil war. I loved the subtle juxtaposition of selfish and selfless love, and the gentle theme of hope in the midst of darkness and chaos.

The Eyes of the Barghest-Beautiful. Haunting. Brilliantly executed. Purrazzi takes you on a journey which is incredibly personal to her. This story NEEDS to be illustrated or animated. It feels as ancient, as beautiful, and as universally relevant as your favorite folktale.

Love this anthology.
...more

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Sep 25, 2020 C. Frank rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

This book is a special piece of literature. I'm pretty biased because, well, as a member of PFW, I absolutely love everything these authors do. They're all unbelievably talented, and getting to read their work is always a treasure.

That said, here are a few standouts from Of Myth and Monster that I'll briefly touch on (and update as I have more thoughts).

- Mistakes Were Made, by Hannah Heath.

Fun. This piece was just bundles of fun. I loved the characters—Hannah crafted vibrant characters that wer This book is a special piece of literature. I'm pretty biased because, well, as a member of PFW, I absolutely love everything these authors do. They're all unbelievably talented, and getting to read their work is always a treasure.

That said, here are a few standouts from Of Myth and Monster that I'll briefly touch on (and update as I have more thoughts).

- Mistakes Were Made, by Hannah Heath.

Fun. This piece was just bundles of fun. I loved the characters—Hannah crafted vibrant characters that were so fun to watch and be invested in their stories, not to mention the beautiful fantasyscape she draws you into right from the start.

- The Staff of Callewhyr, by Deck Matthews.

I love Deck's fantasy world. Everything about Varkas is so engaging and enthralling, it's easy to love. And with every new entry, I find myself clawing for even more. This little story is no different. Places and characters are familiar enough to fans, but not so familiar that new readers won't be drawn in. If you're a fantasy love, this is for you!

- H.E.R.O. by Beth Wangler.

I'm ashamed to say I haven't read nearly as much of Beth's work as I need to (I'm working on it!) and this story was a great reminder of exactly how much I need to catch up on. First, I'm always a sucker for good Urban Fantasy. I'm not sure why, but anytime there are fantastic mythological elements in an urban setting, I will just throw my wallet in your general direction and ask for all of it. ALL OF IT.

H.E.R.O. did not disappoint. From the outset you feel like there is just a sprawling world of vivid urban fantasy that you are stepping into—it's a lens into something special. Everything about this story, from the setting to the characters to the creatures, motivations, and magic—it all just feels right.

Hestia is a character that you love to love. She's charming and awkward and quirky and 1000% relatable. But it's the growth of her character and finding strength through weakness to save the day that won my heart. It would've been easy to lob a cliche character arc into the mix for Hestia, but Beth masterfully grows the character into a subtle boldness born of necessity that feels natural and true and right and good, and yes, there are absolutely emotions at the conclusion.

My allergies threatened to get the best of me toward the end there, but once I dried my eyes from that pesky *cough* pollen *cough* I finished strong and knew that this story would never not be special to me.

--

Don't stop there, reader. The rest of these stories weave incredible mythos through fantasy, sci-fi, and everywhere in between to tell stories that will engage you. Even if you're not typically an anthology reader—these stories will find a special place in your heart. ...more

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Sep 07, 2020 Deck rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Shelves: 2020, fantasy, short-stories

I feel compelled to start with full disclosure: Of Myth and Monster is an anthology containing one of my own stories, “The Staff of Callewhyr.” As such, I must acknowledge that I may have a distinct bias. But, that’s all I’ll say about my own story because this anthology is fantastic.

The breadth of stories in this collection is truly remarkable, ranging from the comically self-aware to the intimately poignant.

Of particular interest is Grace Crandall’s delightful tale, “Lamp of Silver,” a tale o I feel compelled to start with full disclosure: Of Myth and Monster is an anthology containing one of my own stories, “The Staff of Callewhyr.” As such, I must acknowledge that I may have a distinct bias. But, that’s all I’ll say about my own story because this anthology is fantastic.

The breadth of stories in this collection is truly remarkable, ranging from the comically self-aware to the intimately poignant.

Of particular interest is Grace Crandall’s delightful tale, “Lamp of Silver,” a tale of the high seas featuring everything you’d expect from a good pirate story: mutiny and betrayal, swashbuckling and danger. But Carndall brings a unique perspective to beloved tropes of the pirate story.

The story employs the age-old narrative technique of a framing narrative, opening and eventually ending with an unnamed narrator (presumably a pirate) trapped in the wreckage of his ship. He is found by an old man who proceeds to share his story with his captive audience. For me, the framing narrative works well, recalling stories like Heart of Darkness in a way that lends the story a sense of classicism.

Crandall plays off this literary device, perhaps drawing on further inspiration from Arabian Nights (another story with a framing narrative), by introducing a sort of pseudo-genie released from the titular silver lamp. Only is not really a genie at all, but a momento, a being whose purpose is “to tell whomever holds me the one thing that everyone knows, but never remembers.” The creature is fascinating in its own right, and Crandall does a remarkable job of rendering the momento in terms that are both unsettling and oddly sympathetic—thanks in large part to her use of language.

Some of the imagery in this story is almost lyrical in its quality. There are many examples, but the one that stuck with me the most came in the opening scene, when we get a description of our storyteller, whose “eyes are like a night with no moon.” For me, it’s a stunning image: stark in its simplicity, but rich with import and implication.

As with any short story, it’s difficult to delve too deeply without giving away key information around the plot. Suffice it to say that I genuinely enjoyed “Lamp of Silver” and all the other stories in this collection. If you enjoy short fiction in the fantasy and science fiction genres, I highly recommend picking up Of Myth and Monster. ...more

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Oct 14, 2020 Deborah Kelty rated it it was amazing

Blog Review:
https://deborahkeltywriter.blogspot.com/2020/10/indie-book-review-of-myth-monster-by.html ...more

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Sep 10, 2020 Beth Wangler rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

I had the great honor to be one of the authors in this anthology—and I mean that in the truest sense of the word "honor." The passion, creativity, cleverness, and heart each author put into their entry is beautiful and inspiring. Every single story moved me in some way, whether it was to laughter, contemplation, or tears. By the end of reading the anthology, I found myself strengthened to hope and persevere despite how difficult life has been.

Of all of these stories, J.E. Purrazzi's "Eyes of the ...more

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Sep 11, 2020 oncedarkness rated it really liked it

Another great and varied anthology from the Phoenix Fiction writers.

Mistakes Were Made:
If anyone is familiar with Hannah Heath’s previous space opera, it’s not a surprise to say this story is full of funny moments, snarky characters, and excellent worldbuilding. I enjoyed the seemingly unlikely friendship between Guillerma and Mundo and the exploration into their motivations, and maybe in a broader sense, the impetus for the reader to think about what has shaped and motivated them.

The Boy Who Li ...more

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Sep 18, 2020 Kelly Harig rated it really liked it

Another awesome anthology from PFW. At least for me, this one was the most interesting because all of the creative monsters and retold myths. It was really neat seeing the different takes each author had on fantastic creatures. There's a pretty big emotional range in these stories, from ridiculous comedies to tearjerkers. And yet, they blend really well together, probably because these authors all know how to write stories with heart. Although I didn't connect with every single story in this ant ...more

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Sep 21, 2020 Jenna rated it really liked it

Review to come...

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Sep 30, 2020 Michael Lee rated it really liked it

Wow, this was a really interesting, in how all of these stories are separate, yet they link together very well. I really enjoyed reading this anthology, so I'll jump in to reviewing each story.

Mistakes Were Made
Hannah Heath did a fantastic job with this one. One word to describe it would be, comfortable. It just feels so pleasant to read, with the worldbuilding seeming to exist beyond what we were shown. While the focus of this is the characters, the worldbuilding is fascinating, and the plot is ...more

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Dec 31, 2020 Grace T rated it it was amazing

I LOVE THESE STORIES SO MUCH

I know I loved the Strange Waters anthology BUT I THINK I LOVE THIS ONE MORE HOW DO THEY KEEP COMING OUT WITH BETTER AND BETTER STORIES

I cried multiple times (Wangler and Shultz for sure, though probably others--I'd have to look at the contents again to see) and I want to get this in hard-copy eventually. ...more

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Feb 12, 2021 Alexis Johnson rated it it was amazing

A fantastic collection! I highly recommend supporting these bright and talented authors!

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Renee Metzler rated it it was amazing
Mar 22, 2021

Susannah Metzler rated it it was amazing
Dec 13, 2020

Brianna rated it really liked it
Jan 30, 2021

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About Hannah Heath

Hannah Heath

144 followers

Hi friend!

My name is Hannah Heath, and I write Christian Speculative Fiction like you've never seen before.

A bold statement, I know, but that's me. I believe in going big or going home. And, in case you can't tell from my neon hair or brightly-colored logo, I'm also a highly unconventional person. After all: A Christian in love with sarcasm and dark stories? An author whose hands hurt every time ...more