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Verhale van Erana: Mites en Legendes
Five short tales of fantasy and fantasy romance set in the dark world of Erana; the world of the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles. Some are new and the others have been expanded and revised from the original versions.
The Moon on the Water: The tale of the love between a goddess and a warrior and the terrible curse it brought.
The Tale of Treyna the Beloved: When a mortal woman is pursued by two rival gods even the heavens are wrought by magic.
Storm-Born: A lonely magician finds companionship with a creature of the storm but magic demands a price, what price will it be?
The Blue Phial: A lesson in listening to instruction carefully, lest one makes an embarrassing mistake.
The Legend of Oeliana: A story of a nymph and a toad, jealous magic and debts repaid.
The Moon on the Water: The tale of the love between a goddess and a warrior and the terrible curse it brought.
The Tale of Treyna the Beloved: When a mortal woman is pursued by two rival gods even the heavens are wrought by magic.
Storm-Born: A lonely magician finds companionship with a creature of the storm but magic demands a price, what price will it be?
The Blue Phial: A lesson in listening to instruction carefully, lest one makes an embarrassing mistake.
The Legend of Oeliana: A story of a nymph and a toad, jealous magic and debts repaid.
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2014
2 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
A.L. Butcher
72 books278 followersBritish-born A. L. Butcher is an avid reader and creator of worlds, a poet, and a dreamer, a lover of science, natural history, history, and monkeys. Her prose has been described as ‘dark and gritty’ and her poetry as ‘evocative’. She writes with a sure and sometimes erotic sensibility of things that might have been, never were, but could be.
Alex is the author of the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles and the Tales of Erana lyrical fantasy series. She also has several short stories in the fantasy, fantasy romance genres with occasional forays into gothic style horror, including the Legacy of the Mask series. With a background in politics, classical studies, ancient history and myth, her affinities bring an eclectic and unique flavour in her work, mixing reality and dream in alchemical proportions that bring her characters and worlds to life.
She also curates for a number of speculative fiction themed book bundles on BundleRabbit.
Her short novella Outside the Walls, co-written with Diana L. Wicker received a Chill with a Book Reader’s Award in 2017 and The Kitchen Imps won best fantasy for 2018 on NN Light Book Heaven.
Alex is also proud to be a writer for Perseid Press where her work features in Heroika: Dragon Eaters; and Lovers in Hell – part of the acclaimed Heroes in Hell series. http://www.theperseidpress.com/
http://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/
Alex is the author of the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles and the Tales of Erana lyrical fantasy series. She also has several short stories in the fantasy, fantasy romance genres with occasional forays into gothic style horror, including the Legacy of the Mask series. With a background in politics, classical studies, ancient history and myth, her affinities bring an eclectic and unique flavour in her work, mixing reality and dream in alchemical proportions that bring her characters and worlds to life.
She also curates for a number of speculative fiction themed book bundles on BundleRabbit.
Her short novella Outside the Walls, co-written with Diana L. Wicker received a Chill with a Book Reader’s Award in 2017 and The Kitchen Imps won best fantasy for 2018 on NN Light Book Heaven.
Alex is also proud to be a writer for Perseid Press where her work features in Heroika: Dragon Eaters; and Lovers in Hell – part of the acclaimed Heroes in Hell series. http://www.theperseidpress.com/
http://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 4, 2014
I must start this out by saying that this book was not what I expected. I really don’t know what I expected. I had heard online good things about the author so I decided to try her out. This was the first of her books that I’ve read. I intend to read more.
This book is exactly as billed in the title: a group of short myths and legends. It is a cool book.
What is so cool about it, you ask? Well, let me add a little color to the statement:
1. Each story is written differently, some in very different styles and feels, which demonstrates this author’s incredible versatility.
2. There are very personal stories, and stories that are written with an almost biblical/mythical distance, which is both full of deep emotional meaning and cold, hard lessons of truth.
3. There are myth stories spoken in reverent voices that you might hear from a village wise-person or elder. They were distant and magical and personal.
4. In all cases the author’s voice is lyrical and emotionally demanding.
5. There were strong female characters that aren’t merely love-forlorn suckers – again, cool.
6. I have never seen Trolls portrayed this way (I’ll leave it at that).
7. I could go on but I shall not—I am sure you get the point.
This is a short book, and very easy to read. You will be done before you know it, and wishing you weren’t. For what it is, a book of Myths and Legends, I am awarding it 5-stars. I am looking forward to reading her novels!
If the author’s intent was to tease me with this book, it worked. I have been lured into the world and I want more.
This book is exactly as billed in the title: a group of short myths and legends. It is a cool book.
What is so cool about it, you ask? Well, let me add a little color to the statement:
1. Each story is written differently, some in very different styles and feels, which demonstrates this author’s incredible versatility.
2. There are very personal stories, and stories that are written with an almost biblical/mythical distance, which is both full of deep emotional meaning and cold, hard lessons of truth.
3. There are myth stories spoken in reverent voices that you might hear from a village wise-person or elder. They were distant and magical and personal.
4. In all cases the author’s voice is lyrical and emotionally demanding.
5. There were strong female characters that aren’t merely love-forlorn suckers – again, cool.
6. I have never seen Trolls portrayed this way (I’ll leave it at that).
7. I could go on but I shall not—I am sure you get the point.
This is a short book, and very easy to read. You will be done before you know it, and wishing you weren’t. For what it is, a book of Myths and Legends, I am awarding it 5-stars. I am looking forward to reading her novels!
If the author’s intent was to tease me with this book, it worked. I have been lured into the world and I want more.
December 26, 2015
Tales of Erana was my first foray into the rich, layered world this author has created. This is a place of mystery, drama and complexity. I like my fantasy to have light and shade, and Erana is populated by fully fleshed-out characters with their own dreams, histories, hopes and regrets.
Erana feels real because it has a wealth of myth and legend, a real sense that it has been 'lived in'. The stories in this book provide us with numerous ways into this world, allowing us to glimpse its strangeness and wonder, but also its sorrow and loss.
I would recommend these tales to any fantasy reader. Erana is a hazardous world, but it is also one that has beauty and hope. And this is a fine introduction to it indeed.
Erana feels real because it has a wealth of myth and legend, a real sense that it has been 'lived in'. The stories in this book provide us with numerous ways into this world, allowing us to glimpse its strangeness and wonder, but also its sorrow and loss.
I would recommend these tales to any fantasy reader. Erana is a hazardous world, but it is also one that has beauty and hope. And this is a fine introduction to it indeed.
June 4, 2014
A fun collection of myths, legends, and histories set in the world of Erana (home of the Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles). These stories are short, with a variety of subjects ranging from humor to tragedy, all with a romantic touch, written in lovely, mythical language. This collection makes a nice introduction to the Light Beyond the Storm series, or an enjoyable supplement to the series.
October 10, 2018
A book of romantic tales set in a world of high fantasy. A fun collection of myths, legends, and histories set in the world of Erana. These stories have subjects that rang from humor to tragedy.
August 6, 2016
Tales of Erana is a collection of around half a dozen short stories set, unsurprisingly, in the world of Erana. This is the same world as The Light Beyond the Storm Chronicles, but no prior knowledge is needed to understand and enjoy Tales of Erana.
Probably the single most important event in Erana's history is a plague that devastated prior civilisation and led to a hatred of magic (which was blamed for the disease), and the short stories occur at varying times in relation to the plague. They also cover various species (including the rather likeable trolls).
The writing style's easy to read and does a great job of drawing you into the world naturally, and without info-dumping.
My favourite aspect of the short stories, however, was their variability. They're all quite different and the author has a great knack for the varying styles, and at the tricky task of making short stories engaging and complete. I particularly liked the troll stories, which remained me a little of the approach of The Silmarillion (although much briefer, of course).
It's pretty short but costs a princely 77 pence, so that's fine. The brevity means I can't really go into any details without (more or less) giving away a whole plot but I enjoyed each of them.
Thaddeus
Probably the single most important event in Erana's history is a plague that devastated prior civilisation and led to a hatred of magic (which was blamed for the disease), and the short stories occur at varying times in relation to the plague. They also cover various species (including the rather likeable trolls).
The writing style's easy to read and does a great job of drawing you into the world naturally, and without info-dumping.
My favourite aspect of the short stories, however, was their variability. They're all quite different and the author has a great knack for the varying styles, and at the tricky task of making short stories engaging and complete. I particularly liked the troll stories, which remained me a little of the approach of The Silmarillion (although much briefer, of course).
It's pretty short but costs a princely 77 pence, so that's fine. The brevity means I can't really go into any details without (more or less) giving away a whole plot but I enjoyed each of them.
Thaddeus
March 7, 2015
Tales Of Erana: The Warrior's Curse by Alexandra Butcher is a spooky original tale that was easy to get lost into. The writing is smooth and well thought out. Very natural and inviting. This powerful tale takes you on a journey where you know trouble lies ahead. You just don't know the what's or the how's but there is room for imagination which makes this a compelling read.
There is a monster that must be done with but not all is as it seems. There is also greed and betrayal. Trouble has to be lurking right around the corner, yet this is all about survival and with that there is uncertainty.
Quote ~
"The stories of the ruins of Erana bristling with shiny loot had been true. Rumours were many in a land of lies and half-truths, and for those who dared seek it, salvation might be found. Of course, many of those who dared found insanity, death or simply disappeared. The Witch-Hunters often had eyes on the lost treasure, and besides who knew what could be unearthed from these strange and forbidden places?"
There is a monster that must be done with but not all is as it seems. There is also greed and betrayal. Trouble has to be lurking right around the corner, yet this is all about survival and with that there is uncertainty.
Quote ~
"The stories of the ruins of Erana bristling with shiny loot had been true. Rumours were many in a land of lies and half-truths, and for those who dared seek it, salvation might be found. Of course, many of those who dared found insanity, death or simply disappeared. The Witch-Hunters often had eyes on the lost treasure, and besides who knew what could be unearthed from these strange and forbidden places?"
December 20, 2014
I’ve really been looking forward to reading this and, while it wasn’t what I expected, it was an excellent read.
It has a lovely style of writing and several short, compelling tales most of which were a story within a story.
I would love to see a trilogy that tells the story of the land that these tales came from.
It has a lovely style of writing and several short, compelling tales most of which were a story within a story.
I would love to see a trilogy that tells the story of the land that these tales came from.
March 19, 2018
As regular readers of, and visitors to, this website will know, fantasy is not a genre usually reviewed. However, the author A. L. Butcher kindly interviewed T. R. Robinson and it was considered only fair, and a way to show appreciation, to read one of her books. It must be made clear this was not a requirement for the interview; as said it was simply seen as a means for showing gratitude.
Tales of Erana is a short story collection: thought better this than a full length novel as it is not a genre readily taken to and may have struggled with a full length book.
There is a good mix of tales. Some are ‘feel good’ whereas others are dark and troubled. The variety is well achieved to hold the reader’s interest. Moral undertones are frequently encountered as are clear, realistic, observances upon the human condition which are readily apparent even though presented within the fantasy structure.
The author’s style presents well written character personalities as well as excellently structured world building. It is easy for a reader to imagine each as they read. No easy task, as many authors will acknowledge, especially as these are all created within a fantasy world rather than in the more readily ‘seen’ ‘human’ world readers are familiar with.
Those not familiar with fantasy may occasionally become a little lost in a couple of the tales but this is more likely due to their unfamiliarity with the genre than anything else. However, for those who enjoy, and readily read fantasy, this book would be a good choice. And, for those who have wondered whether the genre is one for them, this collection would make an excellent choice in which to ‘dip their toes’. In addition, with it being a selection of short stories, the book would suit anyone looking for a read to occupy anything like a lunch break or commute or simply to break the monotony of daily routine.
Tales of Erana is a short story collection: thought better this than a full length novel as it is not a genre readily taken to and may have struggled with a full length book.
There is a good mix of tales. Some are ‘feel good’ whereas others are dark and troubled. The variety is well achieved to hold the reader’s interest. Moral undertones are frequently encountered as are clear, realistic, observances upon the human condition which are readily apparent even though presented within the fantasy structure.
The author’s style presents well written character personalities as well as excellently structured world building. It is easy for a reader to imagine each as they read. No easy task, as many authors will acknowledge, especially as these are all created within a fantasy world rather than in the more readily ‘seen’ ‘human’ world readers are familiar with.
Those not familiar with fantasy may occasionally become a little lost in a couple of the tales but this is more likely due to their unfamiliarity with the genre than anything else. However, for those who enjoy, and readily read fantasy, this book would be a good choice. And, for those who have wondered whether the genre is one for them, this collection would make an excellent choice in which to ‘dip their toes’. In addition, with it being a selection of short stories, the book would suit anyone looking for a read to occupy anything like a lunch break or commute or simply to break the monotony of daily routine.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews