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The Alchemy of Sorrow
Here be dragons and sorcery, time travel and sorrow.
Vicious garden gnomes. A grounded phoenix rider. A new mother consumed with vengeance. A dying god. Soul magic.
These stories wrestle with the experience of loss—of loved ones, of relationships, of a sense of self, of health—and forge a path to hope as characters fight their way forward.
From bestsellers and SPFBO finalists to rising voices, 13 exceptionally talented authors explore the many facets of grief and healing through the lens of fantasy and sci-fi.
Vicious garden gnomes. A grounded phoenix rider. A new mother consumed with vengeance. A dying god. Soul magic.
These stories wrestle with the experience of loss—of loved ones, of relationships, of a sense of self, of health—and forge a path to hope as characters fight their way forward.
From bestsellers and SPFBO finalists to rising voices, 13 exceptionally talented authors explore the many facets of grief and healing through the lens of fantasy and sci-fi.
358 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2022
30 people are currently reading
1289 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Chorn
34 books504 followersSarah has been a compulsive reader her whole life. At a young age, she found her reading niche in the fantastic genre of Speculative Fiction. She blames her active imagination for the hobbies that threaten to consume her life. She is a freelance writer and editor, a semi-pro nature photographer, world traveler, three-time cancer survivor with hEDS, and mom to two. In her ideal world, she’d do nothing but drink lots of tea and read from a never-ending pile of speculative fiction books. She has been running the book review blog Bookworm Blues since 2010, editing full-time since 2016, and currently works freelance and as the staff editor for Grimdark Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
October 3, 2022
With the theme of grief caused by a variety of reasons ranging from losing your loved ones to losing your health and identity, this is an anthology bound to elicit strong emotions from readers. For that, I liked that right from the start, there's a listing of warnings for each of the stories, describing what kind of situational trauma it contains that would trigger a reader, so those that are sensitive to certain topics in their fiction and would rather not read stories involving them can skip them and go for those stories they can take in.
Not all stories handle the kind of grief they purport to address quite convincingly, and some read even breezy and with a sprinkling of cheer that masks the pain lying in-between lines, whilst others are dark and kick you in your sensitive bone with complete naturalness. Some have a contemporary, in-our-world type of setting whilst others are set in made-up worlds, but they all are SFF and magic and the supernatural play a role in varying degrees. With 13 stories by as many authors, styles will vary, as expected, as will quality.
For me, the two stories involving the loss of a parent were supposed to have been the most emotionally powerful, that's the grief I can relate to the most on a personal level, but didn't both work similarly. One worked for me, and the other didn't, which goes to show that, in the end, it's the author's deftness at writing grief what'll make or break a story for readers and not the topic itself. There were stories in which the writing style and choice of POV were counterproductive to its desired impact for me, such as "Lullaby" by K. S. Viloso, that was off-putting because... how exactly am I supposed to relate to a story told by an unborn child that somehow speaks like an all-knowing adult? Suspension of disbelief was impossible, and I ended up disliking it intensely in spite of its topics I'd not have usually disliked.
The diversity is good enough that you're bound to find at least one you like. In my case, my favourite stories were:
SKIES OF FIRE by Sonya M. Black
A story whose underlying grief is that of the loss of identity that comes from disability. It's painful if you have a chronic illness or know someone close who does, it reminds you of what they go through silently as their body degenerates and chronic pain settles in. But it's also bittersweetly hopeful, with a nice plot of a meaningful bond between a character and their animal.
A MATTER OF TRUST by Angela Boord
The tone in this story doesn't let you guess what the "sorrow" is here, and if you hadn't read the warnings at the start of the book, you'd likely not have guessed this was about an alcoholic and cheating ne'er-do-well of a father in search of redemption after hitting rock bottom and being found in said rock bottom sleeping with his wife's bestie. Does he redeem himself? You be the judge.
A RECURRENCE OF JASMINE by Levi Jacobs
I wasn't supposed to relate to this story's topic as it's totally unknown territory to me, but boy, did I love this! It was the best and my absolute favourite from the anthology. In this, a girl is brought before a dying god in hopes she'll be able to wring at least a dejected response from him, apparently playing on the Maiden Sacrifice to Monster trope, but by the end it subverts it as the girl is no maiden but a mother willing to go to any lengths for her baby. Wish this story had a continuation!
TWICE-DOMESTICATED DRAGONS by Intisar Khanani
The idea of a plague of garden gnomes whose natural predators are small domestic dragons made me smile, and brought to mind the stories Intisar was telling in her newsletter about the family of mice that lived in her house. It was easy to think of this as a mice vs cats story for her children but with garden gnomes and mini-dragons; but make no mistake, as silly and cheery as the concept sounds, this story deals with a serious topic: losing your parent and living as a refugee. It's very hopeful, perhaps the most hopeful here.
Looks like, for me, the best stories were placed at the beginning! The rest were harder to get into, but the positive is that with the sole exception above named, I didn't dislike any other, and this also introduced me to new authors I might want to read more of, as all of them were new to me save for Intisar Khanani.
Recommended, but do read the warnings for each story first.
Thank you to Crimson Fox Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Not all stories handle the kind of grief they purport to address quite convincingly, and some read even breezy and with a sprinkling of cheer that masks the pain lying in-between lines, whilst others are dark and kick you in your sensitive bone with complete naturalness. Some have a contemporary, in-our-world type of setting whilst others are set in made-up worlds, but they all are SFF and magic and the supernatural play a role in varying degrees. With 13 stories by as many authors, styles will vary, as expected, as will quality.
For me, the two stories involving the loss of a parent were supposed to have been the most emotionally powerful, that's the grief I can relate to the most on a personal level, but didn't both work similarly. One worked for me, and the other didn't, which goes to show that, in the end, it's the author's deftness at writing grief what'll make or break a story for readers and not the topic itself. There were stories in which the writing style and choice of POV were counterproductive to its desired impact for me, such as "Lullaby" by K. S. Viloso, that was off-putting because... how exactly am I supposed to relate to a story told by an unborn child that somehow speaks like an all-knowing adult? Suspension of disbelief was impossible, and I ended up disliking it intensely in spite of its topics I'd not have usually disliked.
The diversity is good enough that you're bound to find at least one you like. In my case, my favourite stories were:
SKIES OF FIRE by Sonya M. Black
A story whose underlying grief is that of the loss of identity that comes from disability. It's painful if you have a chronic illness or know someone close who does, it reminds you of what they go through silently as their body degenerates and chronic pain settles in. But it's also bittersweetly hopeful, with a nice plot of a meaningful bond between a character and their animal.
A MATTER OF TRUST by Angela Boord
The tone in this story doesn't let you guess what the "sorrow" is here, and if you hadn't read the warnings at the start of the book, you'd likely not have guessed this was about an alcoholic and cheating ne'er-do-well of a father in search of redemption after hitting rock bottom and being found in said rock bottom sleeping with his wife's bestie. Does he redeem himself? You be the judge.
A RECURRENCE OF JASMINE by Levi Jacobs
I wasn't supposed to relate to this story's topic as it's totally unknown territory to me, but boy, did I love this! It was the best and my absolute favourite from the anthology. In this, a girl is brought before a dying god in hopes she'll be able to wring at least a dejected response from him, apparently playing on the Maiden Sacrifice to Monster trope, but by the end it subverts it as the girl is no maiden but a mother willing to go to any lengths for her baby. Wish this story had a continuation!
TWICE-DOMESTICATED DRAGONS by Intisar Khanani
The idea of a plague of garden gnomes whose natural predators are small domestic dragons made me smile, and brought to mind the stories Intisar was telling in her newsletter about the family of mice that lived in her house. It was easy to think of this as a mice vs cats story for her children but with garden gnomes and mini-dragons; but make no mistake, as silly and cheery as the concept sounds, this story deals with a serious topic: losing your parent and living as a refugee. It's very hopeful, perhaps the most hopeful here.
Looks like, for me, the best stories were placed at the beginning! The rest were harder to get into, but the positive is that with the sole exception above named, I didn't dislike any other, and this also introduced me to new authors I might want to read more of, as all of them were new to me save for Intisar Khanani.
Recommended, but do read the warnings for each story first.
Thank you to Crimson Fox Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
March 29, 2022I am so honored to be part of "The Alchemy of Sorrow" - an SFF anthology of grief and hope, featuring 13 stories that will break your heart open and help you walk forward.
I've read almost all of the anthology's stories at this point, and I have found them to be so cathartic, full of deeply human hope in the face of griefs that can't always been gotten over or gotten past. Some sorrows just have to be lived with, as they become a part of who you are, one day at a time. But that doesn't mean you can't find hope. This anthology is a beautiful reminder of the resiliency of the human spirit, while still giving us everything we love about fantasy and science fiction.
My own story, Twice Domesticated Dragons, is (on the surface) about garden gnomes gone rogue, and a "failed" breed of dragons that have become their natural predator. But it's really about a young refugee girl just trying to hold her family, and herself, together in a new land.
The Alchemy of Sorrow delves into the varied experience of grief and loss – of loved ones, of relationships, of a sense of self, of health – and find hope as our characters grow and change and fight their way forward. Here be dragons and magic, time travel and sorrow.
In these difficult times, an anthology of voices speaking to the universal experience of grief, and the power of the human spirit to find hope and to heal, seems vitally important.
I hope you'll check it out! 💙
I've read almost all of the anthology's stories at this point, and I have found them to be so cathartic, full of deeply human hope in the face of griefs that can't always been gotten over or gotten past. Some sorrows just have to be lived with, as they become a part of who you are, one day at a time. But that doesn't mean you can't find hope. This anthology is a beautiful reminder of the resiliency of the human spirit, while still giving us everything we love about fantasy and science fiction.
My own story, Twice Domesticated Dragons, is (on the surface) about garden gnomes gone rogue, and a "failed" breed of dragons that have become their natural predator. But it's really about a young refugee girl just trying to hold her family, and herself, together in a new land.
The Alchemy of Sorrow delves into the varied experience of grief and loss – of loved ones, of relationships, of a sense of self, of health – and find hope as our characters grow and change and fight their way forward. Here be dragons and magic, time travel and sorrow.
In these difficult times, an anthology of voices speaking to the universal experience of grief, and the power of the human spirit to find hope and to heal, seems vitally important.
I hope you'll check it out! 💙
October 1, 2022
4.5 stars
First things first, this anthology comes out on November 1st 2022, so go pre-order this one right now, I promise you won't regret it!
So, when you start a book and the editor's note already manages to make you tear up, you know you are going to be in for an emotional and impactful read.
The Alchemy of Sorrow is an SFF anthology containing 13 beautiful stories centred around the themes of grief and sorrow. This collection is heavy, it will tug on your heartstrings and punch you in the gut. But, it is also comforting and cathartic, ultimately leaving you with a feeling of hope. These stories are a beautiful example of why the SFF genre is, in my humble opinion, the best way to delicately explore deeper and heavier subjects by looking at them through a fantastical lens. Yes, these stories are raw, honest and vulnerable, but they are honestly also a joy to read as they tickle your imagination and evoke a sense of wonder.
Now, I am fortunate enough to have never experienced the loss and grief that come from losing someone close to you. But that doesn’t mean that these stories didn’t resonate with me, because this anthology explores the many different ways in which grief and sorrow can manifest.
Grief over a past that is lost to you, over a life that was, or a life that never came to be. It shows how you can heal with time, but also how you can learn to live with your sorrows and griefs.
Each author approached these themes in their own authentic way and that made each story a fresh and compelling read.
As with most anthologies, there were some stories that worked better for me than others. However, I genuinely enjoyed reading each and every one of these, because they all managed to move me in their own way. The writing was also just beautiful and captivating across the board, perfectly fitting the melancholic yet hopeful tone of this anthology. All of these authors are incredibly talented writers and storytellers, and they all managed to completely hook me within just a couple of pages. I honestly think you can just feel the love and heart that went into these stories, which made them all the more impactful.
If I had to choose my five favourite stories, I would probably say:
- Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black
- A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord
- Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw
- The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers
- The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar
That said, there wasn’t a single story in here that I would rate lower than 4 stars, so safe to say that this was just an outstanding reading experience on the whole. Also, the gorgeous cover and interiour artworks only added to the beauty of this collection, I loved them!
I truly want to thank these authors from the bottom of my heart for being brave enough to share these raw and vulnerable stories with the world. What a stunning collection.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crimson Fox Publishing for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
First things first, this anthology comes out on November 1st 2022, so go pre-order this one right now, I promise you won't regret it!
So, when you start a book and the editor's note already manages to make you tear up, you know you are going to be in for an emotional and impactful read.
The Alchemy of Sorrow is an SFF anthology containing 13 beautiful stories centred around the themes of grief and sorrow. This collection is heavy, it will tug on your heartstrings and punch you in the gut. But, it is also comforting and cathartic, ultimately leaving you with a feeling of hope. These stories are a beautiful example of why the SFF genre is, in my humble opinion, the best way to delicately explore deeper and heavier subjects by looking at them through a fantastical lens. Yes, these stories are raw, honest and vulnerable, but they are honestly also a joy to read as they tickle your imagination and evoke a sense of wonder.
Now, I am fortunate enough to have never experienced the loss and grief that come from losing someone close to you. But that doesn’t mean that these stories didn’t resonate with me, because this anthology explores the many different ways in which grief and sorrow can manifest.
Grief over a past that is lost to you, over a life that was, or a life that never came to be. It shows how you can heal with time, but also how you can learn to live with your sorrows and griefs.
Each author approached these themes in their own authentic way and that made each story a fresh and compelling read.
As with most anthologies, there were some stories that worked better for me than others. However, I genuinely enjoyed reading each and every one of these, because they all managed to move me in their own way. The writing was also just beautiful and captivating across the board, perfectly fitting the melancholic yet hopeful tone of this anthology. All of these authors are incredibly talented writers and storytellers, and they all managed to completely hook me within just a couple of pages. I honestly think you can just feel the love and heart that went into these stories, which made them all the more impactful.
If I had to choose my five favourite stories, I would probably say:
- Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black
- A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord
- Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw
- The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers
- The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar
That said, there wasn’t a single story in here that I would rate lower than 4 stars, so safe to say that this was just an outstanding reading experience on the whole. Also, the gorgeous cover and interiour artworks only added to the beauty of this collection, I loved them!
I truly want to thank these authors from the bottom of my heart for being brave enough to share these raw and vulnerable stories with the world. What a stunning collection.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crimson Fox Publishing for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
October 3, 2022
Edited by Virginia McClain, An Alchemy of Sorrow is an exciting anthology of short stories by contemporary indie authors. Thirteen original stories examine grief, sometimes followed by hope, joy, and the resilience required to move on.
The cover by Zoe Badini is, without a doubt, stunning. I mean, look at it. Stunning. But what about the stories? Are they any good? I think many of them tackle the subject excitingly. Overall, though, the book is uneven: the stories vary in tone, depth, and quality. I have no doubt that each author put their heart and soul into each story.
On the other hand, some of the pieces were predictable and offered nothing new despite their emotional truth. As long as the reader makes an emotional connection to them, it shouldn't matter. Still, for the sake of objectivity, I need to mention it's not the type of anthology that would forge new paths for speculative fiction. Instead, it tries to approach grief through the lens of fantasy and find hope in most painful situations.
A few stories here succeeded and got a strong emotional response from me. I'm not saying others were lacking, but rather that each of us has a different experience with feelings of grief and loss. Virginia McClains' Thief is my favorite story in the collection. It's short, focused, and fun. It also touched me - I lost my mother way, way too early, and this piece nailed the feeling and the importance of saying goodbye.
Other stories I particularly enjoyed include Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black - a gripping and emotionally engaging tale of a fighter who lost part of her identity - physical prowess and must say goodbye to the life and companion she loved. Carol A. Park's Thicker Than Water provides a thrilling introduction to her Heretic Gods series. It follows a boy whose family discovers he's a Banebringer and whose more or less carefree life suddenly ends. I don't want to spoil anything, but it made me interested in reading Park's Banebringer.
I'd like to also mention Summer Souls by Clayton W. Snyder - a sad story but with a strong punch. Well worth reading. Krystle Matar and Angela Boord's pieces deepen the lore of their series (Etherean Empire and Tainted Dominion) and may be interesting for their fans.
Editors' selections offer a variety of voices, themes, and forms and a balance between fresh and established indie voices. I recommend An Alchemy of Sorrow to readers interested in different paths that lead from grief to hope. No anthology is perfect. Some stories from An Anthology of Sorrow won't appeal to you. But I'm sure you'll find at least a few to connect to and deeply enjoy.
ARC through NetGalley
The cover by Zoe Badini is, without a doubt, stunning. I mean, look at it. Stunning. But what about the stories? Are they any good? I think many of them tackle the subject excitingly. Overall, though, the book is uneven: the stories vary in tone, depth, and quality. I have no doubt that each author put their heart and soul into each story.
On the other hand, some of the pieces were predictable and offered nothing new despite their emotional truth. As long as the reader makes an emotional connection to them, it shouldn't matter. Still, for the sake of objectivity, I need to mention it's not the type of anthology that would forge new paths for speculative fiction. Instead, it tries to approach grief through the lens of fantasy and find hope in most painful situations.
A few stories here succeeded and got a strong emotional response from me. I'm not saying others were lacking, but rather that each of us has a different experience with feelings of grief and loss. Virginia McClains' Thief is my favorite story in the collection. It's short, focused, and fun. It also touched me - I lost my mother way, way too early, and this piece nailed the feeling and the importance of saying goodbye.
Other stories I particularly enjoyed include Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black - a gripping and emotionally engaging tale of a fighter who lost part of her identity - physical prowess and must say goodbye to the life and companion she loved. Carol A. Park's Thicker Than Water provides a thrilling introduction to her Heretic Gods series. It follows a boy whose family discovers he's a Banebringer and whose more or less carefree life suddenly ends. I don't want to spoil anything, but it made me interested in reading Park's Banebringer.
I'd like to also mention Summer Souls by Clayton W. Snyder - a sad story but with a strong punch. Well worth reading. Krystle Matar and Angela Boord's pieces deepen the lore of their series (Etherean Empire and Tainted Dominion) and may be interesting for their fans.
Editors' selections offer a variety of voices, themes, and forms and a balance between fresh and established indie voices. I recommend An Alchemy of Sorrow to readers interested in different paths that lead from grief to hope. No anthology is perfect. Some stories from An Anthology of Sorrow won't appeal to you. But I'm sure you'll find at least a few to connect to and deeply enjoy.
ARC through NetGalley
November 17, 2022
Being someone who fully believes that sharing grief and sorrow is the best, if not even only, way to help the soul to heal, I was looking forward to this anthology immensely.
Sometimes you need a break from your sorrows, and escapism and distraction is the way to go. Other days diving in the deep end, touching the bottom and just letting go is what is needed.
This book is for those later days. When you want to look the sadness in the eye, embrace it as a part of you, have a good cleansing cry and feel like you lost a boulder of emotional weight once you're done and come back to the surface.
Obviously, with topics as highly emotional as these, not every story will work for every reader. I'll try to say a little bit about all of these, in the book's order. Overall most stories were 4-5 star reads for me, which is a great balance for an anthology!
LULLABY - K.S. VILLOSO
I liked the twisted idea of this story, that took me a while to figure out what was even happening. A fascinating idea, but one that doesn't resonate with actual life experience with me personally (thankfully!), so this didn't leave as big of a mark on me.
SKIES ON FIRE-SONYA M. BLACK
I loved this so much. The different perspective of not just losing "someone", but losing parts of yourself, your life, your health. It was written in a really gripping way, and I especially adore how it very clearly states "This is not gonna change", while still giving you some sort of hope, as you can only move onward and try to adjust as best as you can. I felt this in my bones.
A MATTER OF TRUST - ANGELA BOORD
Boord I believe, is a word wizard. She writes books that sound like the opposite of my cup of tea, and then make me fall in love with them. This worked in Fortune's Fool, where she somehow managed to hook *me* of all people on a slow burn romance, and she did it again here. Using a character slate that I normally abhor, and making me care. How? I do not know. But feel it, I did!
A RECURRENCE OF JASMINE - LEVI JACOBS
I instantly cared about the main character, and was intrigued by the world and mystery in it. What does it really mean to be alive, and what makes life worth living in the end? Two very different perspectives clashing, which hopefully will make things better for everyone involved.
TWICE-DOMESTICATED DRAGONS - INTISAR KHANANI
I loved the topics and the hard truths in here, especially as they are so important right now. I definitely enjoyed the perspective I don't have much direct exposure to! For me the leap from funny gnomes to heart wrenching problems was a bit too big, but others might love it all the more for this exact blend.
THE WITCH IN THE WOODS - QUENBY OLSON
A fascinating tale about mothers and daughters, sacrifice, love and loneliness. I really enjoyed it, though it didn't manage to grip me as much as some of the others.
THIEF - VIRGINIA MCCLAIN
This didn't hurt, no it made me calm. Why? Because it felt so much like my own experience. A few glimpses, a few moments might not actually make a difference for the world, but it might be the tiny difference that manages to allow you to get to grips with what is happening. The one moment that turns something you just can't understand into a fact you can start to live around. This might not touch others nearly as much, but it was the one that mirrored my experiences so closely, it felt like it was written for me.
THICKER THAN WATER - CAROL A. PARK
I really loved to see how hate can be bred in those who did not hate before. How demonising someone can be the thing that actually turns someone to go down the wrong path. The balance of perspectives in here definitely put it's hooks in me all the way. I don't think I'd have enjoyed it as much if I hadn't read a book in the main series before though, which gave me a lot more insight into the world than this short story did.
DEATH IN THE UNCANNY VALLEY-M.L. WANG
I liked the sibling relationships in here, and how not everything went the way I expected. Seeing how differently people react to a hard loss, and how they struggle on their own to adjust, when maybe trying to stand together might be the way to ease the pain.
SUMMER SOULS - CLAYTON SNYDER
This was one of the stories that didn't resonate so well written me. I liked the world building and the main character, but I don't think I really "got" the deeper meaning behind this one.
RELIQUARY OF THE DAMNED RACHEL EMMA SHAW
The thought of my emotions and mental scars being visible to everyone is really scary to me. While I'm happy to share my mental health problems with people I know, or who have similar problems, I still like to look "strong" to total strangers. So I found this concept both immediately gripping and creepy. I think it would make life much easier if people could just see someone isn't fine on the inside. But weakness also means vulnerability, and this started a good thought process about it all for me...
THE QUIET-MADOLYN ROGERS
Another story I could really fall into. The quiet and calm that comes when it was all too much, and you just kind of shut down. Just function. It helps you keep going, but it also keeps you away from actual life. This felt so real and was written so compellingly, I lived it. (Wanted to say loved it, but this autocorrect typo is actually quite correct as well.)
THE PAPERWEIGHT WATCH-KRYSTLE MATAR
This hurt. In a good way, coming full circle to my intro. Nose dive to the ground, leave the emotional baggage on the ocean floor, salt the water even more, but come back up lighter.
This story about the loss of not just your family, but also your anchor, your safety, and in a way your home sucker punched me. The audio narration for this was also top notch and made it even more raw. I felt this so much, all the stages is grief, and the relief when you finally find some acceptance, despite the pain. So hard to read, but so good to have read it.
Sometimes you need a break from your sorrows, and escapism and distraction is the way to go. Other days diving in the deep end, touching the bottom and just letting go is what is needed.
This book is for those later days. When you want to look the sadness in the eye, embrace it as a part of you, have a good cleansing cry and feel like you lost a boulder of emotional weight once you're done and come back to the surface.
Obviously, with topics as highly emotional as these, not every story will work for every reader. I'll try to say a little bit about all of these, in the book's order. Overall most stories were 4-5 star reads for me, which is a great balance for an anthology!
LULLABY - K.S. VILLOSO
I liked the twisted idea of this story, that took me a while to figure out what was even happening. A fascinating idea, but one that doesn't resonate with actual life experience with me personally (thankfully!), so this didn't leave as big of a mark on me.
SKIES ON FIRE-SONYA M. BLACK
I loved this so much. The different perspective of not just losing "someone", but losing parts of yourself, your life, your health. It was written in a really gripping way, and I especially adore how it very clearly states "This is not gonna change", while still giving you some sort of hope, as you can only move onward and try to adjust as best as you can. I felt this in my bones.
A MATTER OF TRUST - ANGELA BOORD
Boord I believe, is a word wizard. She writes books that sound like the opposite of my cup of tea, and then make me fall in love with them. This worked in Fortune's Fool, where she somehow managed to hook *me* of all people on a slow burn romance, and she did it again here. Using a character slate that I normally abhor, and making me care. How? I do not know. But feel it, I did!
A RECURRENCE OF JASMINE - LEVI JACOBS
I instantly cared about the main character, and was intrigued by the world and mystery in it. What does it really mean to be alive, and what makes life worth living in the end? Two very different perspectives clashing, which hopefully will make things better for everyone involved.
TWICE-DOMESTICATED DRAGONS - INTISAR KHANANI
I loved the topics and the hard truths in here, especially as they are so important right now. I definitely enjoyed the perspective I don't have much direct exposure to! For me the leap from funny gnomes to heart wrenching problems was a bit too big, but others might love it all the more for this exact blend.
THE WITCH IN THE WOODS - QUENBY OLSON
A fascinating tale about mothers and daughters, sacrifice, love and loneliness. I really enjoyed it, though it didn't manage to grip me as much as some of the others.
THIEF - VIRGINIA MCCLAIN
This didn't hurt, no it made me calm. Why? Because it felt so much like my own experience. A few glimpses, a few moments might not actually make a difference for the world, but it might be the tiny difference that manages to allow you to get to grips with what is happening. The one moment that turns something you just can't understand into a fact you can start to live around. This might not touch others nearly as much, but it was the one that mirrored my experiences so closely, it felt like it was written for me.
THICKER THAN WATER - CAROL A. PARK
I really loved to see how hate can be bred in those who did not hate before. How demonising someone can be the thing that actually turns someone to go down the wrong path. The balance of perspectives in here definitely put it's hooks in me all the way. I don't think I'd have enjoyed it as much if I hadn't read a book in the main series before though, which gave me a lot more insight into the world than this short story did.
DEATH IN THE UNCANNY VALLEY-M.L. WANG
I liked the sibling relationships in here, and how not everything went the way I expected. Seeing how differently people react to a hard loss, and how they struggle on their own to adjust, when maybe trying to stand together might be the way to ease the pain.
SUMMER SOULS - CLAYTON SNYDER
This was one of the stories that didn't resonate so well written me. I liked the world building and the main character, but I don't think I really "got" the deeper meaning behind this one.
RELIQUARY OF THE DAMNED RACHEL EMMA SHAW
The thought of my emotions and mental scars being visible to everyone is really scary to me. While I'm happy to share my mental health problems with people I know, or who have similar problems, I still like to look "strong" to total strangers. So I found this concept both immediately gripping and creepy. I think it would make life much easier if people could just see someone isn't fine on the inside. But weakness also means vulnerability, and this started a good thought process about it all for me...
THE QUIET-MADOLYN ROGERS
Another story I could really fall into. The quiet and calm that comes when it was all too much, and you just kind of shut down. Just function. It helps you keep going, but it also keeps you away from actual life. This felt so real and was written so compellingly, I lived it. (Wanted to say loved it, but this autocorrect typo is actually quite correct as well.)
THE PAPERWEIGHT WATCH-KRYSTLE MATAR
This hurt. In a good way, coming full circle to my intro. Nose dive to the ground, leave the emotional baggage on the ocean floor, salt the water even more, but come back up lighter.
This story about the loss of not just your family, but also your anchor, your safety, and in a way your home sucker punched me. The audio narration for this was also top notch and made it even more raw. I felt this so much, all the stages is grief, and the relief when you finally find some acceptance, despite the pain. So hard to read, but so good to have read it.
September 19, 2024
I’ve been on a sort of short story binge recently, so it was the perfect time to pick up this anthology. I backed the kickstarter, and this hardcover book is absolutely gorgeous in its quality and detail. Each short has an illustration by Kerstin Espinosa Rosero which is a wonderful accompaniment.
As with any anthology, it is a mixed bag of stories where some I loved and others less so. Each one revolves around exploring grief through different lenses. Many are set in secondary worlds, some in authors’ existing universes, and some completely new.
By far and away, my favourite story was Krystle Matar’s The Paperweight Watch. Matar’s prose is absolutely sublime, and the way grief and the absence it leaves were described were unbelievably visceral. It made me want to send my mum a text, and we have a sometimes strained relationship.
Other stories I particularly enjoyed were A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs, Twice-Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanini, and The Witch In The Woods by Quenby Olsen.
It can be a tough read, so be sure to be gentle with yourself in case any of the stories catch you unprepared. But an outpouring of emotion can often be a good thing.
As with any anthology, it is a mixed bag of stories where some I loved and others less so. Each one revolves around exploring grief through different lenses. Many are set in secondary worlds, some in authors’ existing universes, and some completely new.
By far and away, my favourite story was Krystle Matar’s The Paperweight Watch. Matar’s prose is absolutely sublime, and the way grief and the absence it leaves were described were unbelievably visceral. It made me want to send my mum a text, and we have a sometimes strained relationship.
Other stories I particularly enjoyed were A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs, Twice-Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanini, and The Witch In The Woods by Quenby Olsen.
It can be a tough read, so be sure to be gentle with yourself in case any of the stories catch you unprepared. But an outpouring of emotion can often be a good thing.
May 5, 2024
4.5 stars
My gratitude to NetGaley and the publishers for this free e-copy in exchange for a honest review.
"The Alchemy of Sorrow" is a wonderful anthology of short stories about grief, hurt and hope in difficult times. Seeing each author's unique interpretation on pain and sorrow was profound and inspirational.
I will enumerate the stories and a few brief personal conclusions.
"Lullaby" by K. S. Villoso, one of my favorite because of the unexpected narrator. It expresses sorrow for what it could have been. It is deep, dark and raw.
"Skies on Fire" by Sonya M Black is an emotional exploration of the loss of purpose, caused by chronic illness and pain.
Adored the human - animal companion connection and I wanted even more.
"A Matter of Trust" by Angela Boord is the story of a broken man in need of redemption. Adventure, danger, guns.
"A Recurrence of Jasmine" by Levi Jacobs was another favorite. A mother's determination to fight for the safety of her son. I could almost smell the aromas and taste the flavors that enriched this story.
"Twice Domesticated Dragons" by Intisar Khanani
Don't be fooled by the garden gnomes gone rogue, this story is about children that are forced by their circumstances to grow up too fast and carry heavy responsibilities. Is about resilience and survival.
"The Witch in the Wood" by Quenby Olson uses the second person narrative to show a mother's distress at saving her baby girl and surpassing the fear of her heritage, the drastic and painful choice she has to make.
"Thief" by Virginia McClain is about handling grief. I loved how the narrator choose to cope with her journey towards healing. Seeing some humor and fantastic creativity woven in there made the story so much more impactful in the end.
"Thicker Than Water" by Carol A. Park is about the unexpected loss of identity. It has some well crafted horror elements that set a grim tone to even darker events. The sorrow of loosing the love you thought was unconditional.
Seeing that "Death in the Uncanny Valley" by M. L. Wang is about healing from grief and reforming family bonds with the help of virtual reality RPG was a bit unfamiliar and way out of my knowledge field, but I still appreciated the author's style.
"Summer Souls" by Clayton Snyder was my "weird in a good way" story. I enjoyed the concept of souls lingering on and imagined them as fireflies. There was also a indirect commentary on how and for what purpose we use technology.
Making the invisible visible was made possible by "Reliquary of the Damned". Rachel Emma Shaw blended the psychology of emotions in a dystopian alternative world with unique magic system. How will it be to be able to actually see the emotions and traumas one has experienced?
"The Quiet" by Madolyn Rogers reveals the duality of depression and grief. How would our world look if we could remove our pain? Will we be the same? Will it really serve us? I loved how all these are answered in a Fantasy setting with a relatable heroine.
"The Paperweight Watch" by Krystle Matar was by far the most beautifully written, devastating story of them all. I had so many conflicting feelings towards the narrator, but I still cared so much. The grief felt so close to my heart...
This if for sure a well realized, surprising collection of short stories.
You can now support my passion for books with a small donation here https://ko-fi.com/mariareadssff
My gratitude to NetGaley and the publishers for this free e-copy in exchange for a honest review.
"The Alchemy of Sorrow" is a wonderful anthology of short stories about grief, hurt and hope in difficult times. Seeing each author's unique interpretation on pain and sorrow was profound and inspirational.
I will enumerate the stories and a few brief personal conclusions.
"Lullaby" by K. S. Villoso, one of my favorite because of the unexpected narrator. It expresses sorrow for what it could have been. It is deep, dark and raw.
"Skies on Fire" by Sonya M Black is an emotional exploration of the loss of purpose, caused by chronic illness and pain.
Adored the human - animal companion connection and I wanted even more.
"A Matter of Trust" by Angela Boord is the story of a broken man in need of redemption. Adventure, danger, guns.
"A Recurrence of Jasmine" by Levi Jacobs was another favorite. A mother's determination to fight for the safety of her son. I could almost smell the aromas and taste the flavors that enriched this story.
"Twice Domesticated Dragons" by Intisar Khanani
Don't be fooled by the garden gnomes gone rogue, this story is about children that are forced by their circumstances to grow up too fast and carry heavy responsibilities. Is about resilience and survival.
"The Witch in the Wood" by Quenby Olson uses the second person narrative to show a mother's distress at saving her baby girl and surpassing the fear of her heritage, the drastic and painful choice she has to make.
"Thief" by Virginia McClain is about handling grief. I loved how the narrator choose to cope with her journey towards healing. Seeing some humor and fantastic creativity woven in there made the story so much more impactful in the end.
"Thicker Than Water" by Carol A. Park is about the unexpected loss of identity. It has some well crafted horror elements that set a grim tone to even darker events. The sorrow of loosing the love you thought was unconditional.
Seeing that "Death in the Uncanny Valley" by M. L. Wang is about healing from grief and reforming family bonds with the help of virtual reality RPG was a bit unfamiliar and way out of my knowledge field, but I still appreciated the author's style.
"Summer Souls" by Clayton Snyder was my "weird in a good way" story. I enjoyed the concept of souls lingering on and imagined them as fireflies. There was also a indirect commentary on how and for what purpose we use technology.
Making the invisible visible was made possible by "Reliquary of the Damned". Rachel Emma Shaw blended the psychology of emotions in a dystopian alternative world with unique magic system. How will it be to be able to actually see the emotions and traumas one has experienced?
"The Quiet" by Madolyn Rogers reveals the duality of depression and grief. How would our world look if we could remove our pain? Will we be the same? Will it really serve us? I loved how all these are answered in a Fantasy setting with a relatable heroine.
"The Paperweight Watch" by Krystle Matar was by far the most beautifully written, devastating story of them all. I had so many conflicting feelings towards the narrator, but I still cared so much. The grief felt so close to my heart...
This if for sure a well realized, surprising collection of short stories.
You can now support my passion for books with a small donation here https://ko-fi.com/mariareadssff
June 29, 2022
In February, a Kickstarter campaign went live and promptly went on to surpass all stretch goals over the next few weeks, thereby proving that they were tapping into a current reality for hundreds of readers. That reality is that we will all face (or perhaps are currently facing) loss or pain or heartache, and that we also want to find something to hold on to during those time.
Grief, but with hope. We all know what this is, but we often don’t talk about it.
Our world can quickly feel like it’s coming apart at the seams, whether it’s at a global scale like a pandemic or warfare, or something much more close to home like death of someone close or a chronic illness.
Without hope, each day feels worse than the previous, and despair overwhelms. With hope, those trying circumstances don’t go away, but they lose a little of their punch.
This collection of stories tries to hold grief and hope in a form of tension. That tension is awkward, unpleasant, and difficult, but also compelling and necessary.
As with any anthology, a reader will likely prefer some stories over others, and will find themselves relating to some more than others, but I would argue that every one of the tales in this collection will make the reader think … and hopefully feel.
Grief, but with hope. We all know what this is, but we often don’t talk about it.
Our world can quickly feel like it’s coming apart at the seams, whether it’s at a global scale like a pandemic or warfare, or something much more close to home like death of someone close or a chronic illness.
Without hope, each day feels worse than the previous, and despair overwhelms. With hope, those trying circumstances don’t go away, but they lose a little of their punch.
This collection of stories tries to hold grief and hope in a form of tension. That tension is awkward, unpleasant, and difficult, but also compelling and necessary.
As with any anthology, a reader will likely prefer some stories over others, and will find themselves relating to some more than others, but I would argue that every one of the tales in this collection will make the reader think … and hopefully feel.
June 23, 2022
Alchemy of Sorrow was a Kickstarter anthology, and this is a review of the early ebook version given to backers. If you missed out on the Kickstarter, be sure to watch for this coming out November 1, 2022!
With an anthology centered around grief and hope, I’m going to start by saying that pretty much all of these stories are quite emotional, and they each do it well in different ways. So here’s a snapshot review of each story focusing on what else they did well!
Lullaby by K.S. Villoso
The choice of the POV and the way the story was told created a really strong voice that was only enhanced by K.S.'s fantastic prose. I was enthralled from beginning to end with it!
Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black
The worldbuilding utilized the small amount of space so well and crafted such an interesting setting to tell this story in. And I now I would like to bond a phoenix if at all possible, please...
A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord
Angela is just so incredible with characters, and this story is no different! The moments between the characters are just magical, and their interactions feel so natural.
A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs
The atmosphere for this story, and the way it was told, were just so strong. Maybe influenced by recent readings, but it drew comparisons to Sandman for me in that way.
Twice Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani
I love dragons and I love gnomes, so this was just set up to be a home run for me! I loved the dynamic of how the two play off of each other, and the world that was built around it was so unique and interesting.
The Witch in the Woods by Quenby Olson
The atmosphere and character dynamics built a lot of tension for this story, and an interesting concept that tells a beautiful tale of motherly love.
Thief by Virginia McClain
This is a beautiful tale of missed goodbyes, and it hits hard. The concept is a great take on something I’m sure many people have thought of before, a way to change something in the past.
Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park
The worldbuilding was great in this story, it built out a very interesting world, and gave a lot of insight into the guilt of being a Banebringer, which are always perceived as evil.
Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang
M.L. is just about one of the best writers when it comes to emotion, and this story shows her talents with it well. And this was all wrapped up in a fun and interesting setting to explore it with.
Summer Souls by Clayton Snyder
The concept that Clayton plays with here was so intriguing and the atmosphere improved it all the more and led to a very powerful moment.
Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw
Rachel’s concept was also really interesting and creates such a fascinating dynamic between characters that was explored really well.
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers
This is such a visceral view of depression and how it affects people, and it’s put into a fantastic tale of a woman who is in the depths of her depression and how she deals with it.
The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar
Krystle is so good at delving into how the loss of parents and can affect someone. The dynamics between characters and their interactions are excellent, especially when they are shown through memory. Her relationships are so strong here.
The Art!
Finally, the art for the anthology is fantastic!
A beautiful cover by Zoe Badini
A wonderful map constructed by Diana Sousa
And gorgeous individual art pieces by Kerstin Espinosa Rosero
With an anthology centered around grief and hope, I’m going to start by saying that pretty much all of these stories are quite emotional, and they each do it well in different ways. So here’s a snapshot review of each story focusing on what else they did well!
Lullaby by K.S. Villoso
The choice of the POV and the way the story was told created a really strong voice that was only enhanced by K.S.'s fantastic prose. I was enthralled from beginning to end with it!
Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black
The worldbuilding utilized the small amount of space so well and crafted such an interesting setting to tell this story in. And I now I would like to bond a phoenix if at all possible, please...
A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord
Angela is just so incredible with characters, and this story is no different! The moments between the characters are just magical, and their interactions feel so natural.
A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs
The atmosphere for this story, and the way it was told, were just so strong. Maybe influenced by recent readings, but it drew comparisons to Sandman for me in that way.
Twice Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani
I love dragons and I love gnomes, so this was just set up to be a home run for me! I loved the dynamic of how the two play off of each other, and the world that was built around it was so unique and interesting.
The Witch in the Woods by Quenby Olson
The atmosphere and character dynamics built a lot of tension for this story, and an interesting concept that tells a beautiful tale of motherly love.
Thief by Virginia McClain
This is a beautiful tale of missed goodbyes, and it hits hard. The concept is a great take on something I’m sure many people have thought of before, a way to change something in the past.
Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park
The worldbuilding was great in this story, it built out a very interesting world, and gave a lot of insight into the guilt of being a Banebringer, which are always perceived as evil.
Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang
M.L. is just about one of the best writers when it comes to emotion, and this story shows her talents with it well. And this was all wrapped up in a fun and interesting setting to explore it with.
Summer Souls by Clayton Snyder
The concept that Clayton plays with here was so intriguing and the atmosphere improved it all the more and led to a very powerful moment.
Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw
Rachel’s concept was also really interesting and creates such a fascinating dynamic between characters that was explored really well.
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers
This is such a visceral view of depression and how it affects people, and it’s put into a fantastic tale of a woman who is in the depths of her depression and how she deals with it.
The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar
Krystle is so good at delving into how the loss of parents and can affect someone. The dynamics between characters and their interactions are excellent, especially when they are shown through memory. Her relationships are so strong here.
The Art!
Finally, the art for the anthology is fantastic!
A beautiful cover by Zoe Badini
A wonderful map constructed by Diana Sousa
And gorgeous individual art pieces by Kerstin Espinosa Rosero
May 30, 2023
4,5 stars
Grief is one of my favorite themes ever in literature. So when I found out about this anthology about grief and hope in SF/fantasy, I was so very excited ! And I'm delighted to say it did not disappoint !! I'm pleasantly surprised when I like short stories collections written by the same author but when it's multiple, I'm even more amazed !
There's only one story that truly left me unfazed. The rest of them were pretty good and some just excellent. I loved how the stories were different takes on grief and also how it was about different kinds of grief.
A few words on my favorites :
- Skies on fire : made me realize I want to see more about chronic illnesses/pain in literature. Too bad it was so short, I would love to read more about that story.
- Twice domesticated dragons : Intisar Khanani is an author I hadn't read in a while and I was very happy to see I still love her writing. That short story about grief and PTSD with a fun idea about dragons was very beautiful
- Thief : it was a hard reminder that I need to tell my mom I love her much more often
- Death in the uncanny valley : siblings relationships are my weakness and I loved the story between those two siblings struggling with their mom's passing
Grief is one of my favorite themes ever in literature. So when I found out about this anthology about grief and hope in SF/fantasy, I was so very excited ! And I'm delighted to say it did not disappoint !! I'm pleasantly surprised when I like short stories collections written by the same author but when it's multiple, I'm even more amazed !
There's only one story that truly left me unfazed. The rest of them were pretty good and some just excellent. I loved how the stories were different takes on grief and also how it was about different kinds of grief.
A few words on my favorites :
- Skies on fire : made me realize I want to see more about chronic illnesses/pain in literature. Too bad it was so short, I would love to read more about that story.
- Twice domesticated dragons : Intisar Khanani is an author I hadn't read in a while and I was very happy to see I still love her writing. That short story about grief and PTSD with a fun idea about dragons was very beautiful
- Thief : it was a hard reminder that I need to tell my mom I love her much more often
- Death in the uncanny valley : siblings relationships are my weakness and I loved the story between those two siblings struggling with their mom's passing
January 6, 2023
The Alchemy of Sorrow is a fantasy/sci-fi anthology dealing with different types of grief. It consists of 13 stories by various talented authors (whose works I will definitely check out after reading this) and it talks about all different types of grief and sorrow, caused by different life situations. I really enjoyed how varied this collection was, there were many different topics covered, including different types of people, grief, and different reactions to it. It was very interesting to read and many of the stories had me near tears (or straight-up crying).
Overall, there weren't any stories I really disliked, all were well-written and some of the best short stories I read. If you've seen any of my reviews talking about short stories and such collections, you would know I usually find something lacking in them. Here, however, I was pleasantly surprised by how well-rounded most of the stories here were and how much I enjoyed them. I'll go over my thoughts for each story briefly (my favorites have the titles in bold letters).
Lullaby by K.S. Villoso 2.5☆ - This was one of the stories where I felt that maybe knowing something about the world it's set in would've been beneficial. The story was well-written and complete, but I felt like I was missing the bigger picture. However, that's not the reason I'm rating this lower, it's mostly that I found the POV a bit strange and I couldn't really connect to the story because of it.
Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black 5☆ - This story deals with grieving yourself in a way. Following a phoenix rider who due to injury and disability has to step down and retire. I loved this story and the pain of the character we follow was almost too real.
A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord 4☆ - Following a father who wasn't really a good, present father and didn't know how to appreciate what he had until he lost it. The tone of this story is more bittersweet, as the main character knows his son is doing well, even if he cannot be present for it because he gambled away all his chances. It has a more hopeful note, of someone wanting to do better, and trying their best to earn a little bit of redemption while dealing with the sorrow of missing out on every happy moment with their child.
A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs 4☆ - This story was very interesting, as I feel it encompasses many different emotions and types of grief through more than one character. It shows a young mother willing to do anything to give her baby a chance at life, a better life, even if that means entertaining a dying god. I didn't expect to love this story when I started reading it but it tugged at my heart in ways I didn't see coming.
Twice-Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani 4.5☆ - This story follows a family, whose yard and house are plagued by pests in form of garden gnomes. Yusra, the oldest of the children, takes it upon herself to find a dragon in the woods, to get rid of the gnomes. The concept of the story seems silly, and she is successful in her task, but the story deals with so much grief and sorrow embodied in one girl. Yusra has lost her mother, and she and her father and siblings are refugees, and she is doing her damn best to keep the family from falling apart. But that is such a heavy burden for anyone, let alone a child grieving, a child living far from home, a child who's lost a parent. This was such an emotional story wrapped in a fun premise, but I was bawling by the end of it. It does not end sadly, don't get me wrong, it ends with a lot of hope but I was feeling very emotional.
The Witch in the Woods by Quenby Olson 4.5☆ - This one also made me feel quite emotional. This was a story about a mother's sacrifice, about giving up her child in order to save them. The finality of knowing there is no other choice, and hoping the child would understand why you did it was portrayed very well here, and I really loved this story.
Theif by Virginia McClain 5☆ - What would you do for just a bit more time with a loved one, even if you know it won't change the outcome? I was really moved by this story, grief can be a powerful motivator, and I feel like wanting more time with someone you love is
Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park 3.5☆ - This was another story where I felt like knowing the world this is set in would be helpful. I understood the grief this dealt with, being cast out by family for something completely out of your control, something you never chose or wanted, and having to find a sense of self in the loss of everything you've known. And I truly did empathize here, but I was a bit confused by the overall setting and what exactly was going on, so that dragged me away from the point a little bit.
Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang 3.5☆ - This story probably stands out the most by its setup, it is set in a VR game. Following the death of their mother, two siblings choose different ways of coping. The brother goes as far away as he can from home, while his little sister refuses to do anything but play a game their mother also used to play. A great story about needing closure and how important support is in such moments of tragedy.
Summer Souls by Clayton Snyder 4☆ - Very interesting take on the passage of time after the loss of a loved one. It was very well written, and there was an emphasis on memories and grief what keeps someone 'alive'. I liked how it made it clear how much time passed but also made it seem like time was standing still, which I feel is a super common feeling surrounding losing someone.
Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw 3.5☆ - A great story dealing with the invisible stuff that makes it hard to exist, the pain, and disabilities. Here I was maybe a bit too focused on the world overall and I felt it drew me away from the main point of the story a bit but overall I would love to read more set in this world.
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers 4☆ - This was such an interesting take on dealing with grief and sorrow. What would happen if you could just literally bottle it away and not feel it? It really shows that feeling of numbness that often comes with heavy emotions and tragedy, how it can sometimes feel like a good, safe space to exist in.
The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar 4☆ - This is the last story in the collection, and it is a very strong ending. This story is overflowing with emotion, it did such a great job of showing all different types of grieving someone and missing someone. Wanting to keep everything that relates to them, just to keep them a bit longer.
All in all, this is a very interesting collection, and I would highly recommend it. However, it does deal with some very heavy topics, so take care of yourself and check out the content warnings. I didn't add them here as there were multiple for each story, but they are listed in the book and I can share them if anyone wants to see them (you can also find them in the sample on amazon).
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Overall, there weren't any stories I really disliked, all were well-written and some of the best short stories I read. If you've seen any of my reviews talking about short stories and such collections, you would know I usually find something lacking in them. Here, however, I was pleasantly surprised by how well-rounded most of the stories here were and how much I enjoyed them. I'll go over my thoughts for each story briefly (my favorites have the titles in bold letters).
Lullaby by K.S. Villoso 2.5☆ - This was one of the stories where I felt that maybe knowing something about the world it's set in would've been beneficial. The story was well-written and complete, but I felt like I was missing the bigger picture. However, that's not the reason I'm rating this lower, it's mostly that I found the POV a bit strange and I couldn't really connect to the story because of it.
Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black 5☆ - This story deals with grieving yourself in a way. Following a phoenix rider who due to injury and disability has to step down and retire. I loved this story and the pain of the character we follow was almost too real.
A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord 4☆ - Following a father who wasn't really a good, present father and didn't know how to appreciate what he had until he lost it. The tone of this story is more bittersweet, as the main character knows his son is doing well, even if he cannot be present for it because he gambled away all his chances. It has a more hopeful note, of someone wanting to do better, and trying their best to earn a little bit of redemption while dealing with the sorrow of missing out on every happy moment with their child.
A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs 4☆ - This story was very interesting, as I feel it encompasses many different emotions and types of grief through more than one character. It shows a young mother willing to do anything to give her baby a chance at life, a better life, even if that means entertaining a dying god. I didn't expect to love this story when I started reading it but it tugged at my heart in ways I didn't see coming.
Twice-Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani 4.5☆ - This story follows a family, whose yard and house are plagued by pests in form of garden gnomes. Yusra, the oldest of the children, takes it upon herself to find a dragon in the woods, to get rid of the gnomes. The concept of the story seems silly, and she is successful in her task, but the story deals with so much grief and sorrow embodied in one girl. Yusra has lost her mother, and she and her father and siblings are refugees, and she is doing her damn best to keep the family from falling apart. But that is such a heavy burden for anyone, let alone a child grieving, a child living far from home, a child who's lost a parent. This was such an emotional story wrapped in a fun premise, but I was bawling by the end of it. It does not end sadly, don't get me wrong, it ends with a lot of hope but I was feeling very emotional.
The Witch in the Woods by Quenby Olson 4.5☆ - This one also made me feel quite emotional. This was a story about a mother's sacrifice, about giving up her child in order to save them. The finality of knowing there is no other choice, and hoping the child would understand why you did it was portrayed very well here, and I really loved this story.
Theif by Virginia McClain 5☆ - What would you do for just a bit more time with a loved one, even if you know it won't change the outcome? I was really moved by this story, grief can be a powerful motivator, and I feel like wanting more time with someone you love is
Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park 3.5☆ - This was another story where I felt like knowing the world this is set in would be helpful. I understood the grief this dealt with, being cast out by family for something completely out of your control, something you never chose or wanted, and having to find a sense of self in the loss of everything you've known. And I truly did empathize here, but I was a bit confused by the overall setting and what exactly was going on, so that dragged me away from the point a little bit.
Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang 3.5☆ - This story probably stands out the most by its setup, it is set in a VR game. Following the death of their mother, two siblings choose different ways of coping. The brother goes as far away as he can from home, while his little sister refuses to do anything but play a game their mother also used to play. A great story about needing closure and how important support is in such moments of tragedy.
Summer Souls by Clayton Snyder 4☆ - Very interesting take on the passage of time after the loss of a loved one. It was very well written, and there was an emphasis on memories and grief what keeps someone 'alive'. I liked how it made it clear how much time passed but also made it seem like time was standing still, which I feel is a super common feeling surrounding losing someone.
Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw 3.5☆ - A great story dealing with the invisible stuff that makes it hard to exist, the pain, and disabilities. Here I was maybe a bit too focused on the world overall and I felt it drew me away from the main point of the story a bit but overall I would love to read more set in this world.
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers 4☆ - This was such an interesting take on dealing with grief and sorrow. What would happen if you could just literally bottle it away and not feel it? It really shows that feeling of numbness that often comes with heavy emotions and tragedy, how it can sometimes feel like a good, safe space to exist in.
The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar 4☆ - This is the last story in the collection, and it is a very strong ending. This story is overflowing with emotion, it did such a great job of showing all different types of grieving someone and missing someone. Wanting to keep everything that relates to them, just to keep them a bit longer.
All in all, this is a very interesting collection, and I would highly recommend it. However, it does deal with some very heavy topics, so take care of yourself and check out the content warnings. I didn't add them here as there were multiple for each story, but they are listed in the book and I can share them if anyone wants to see them (you can also find them in the sample on amazon).
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!
October 30, 2022
5/5 Stars
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I knew going into this, that I was in for an emotional read. However, I never expected my heart to feel so broken, and yet so full at the same time.
The Alchemy of Sorrow is an SFF anthology containing 13 short stories which focus on the themes of sorrow and grief. Each author captured these themes beautifully in their own ways, making each short story different in how the themes are explored.
While not all the stories hit the same way for me, there is certainly something for everyone within this collection. In addition, as this is an anthology, I wouldn’t rate any of these stories lower than 4.5 Stars. Why did I choose 5 stars as my overall rating then? Simply put, my overall reading experience was 5 stars. Even if some stories didn’t impact me in the same way others did, they were still beautifully told.
From the first story to the last, there were moments that had me tearing up or left me contemplating aspects in my own life. Each story poses questions to the reader and makes them think about difficult scenarios of loss or change. For me, these weren’t simply stories, they were reminders that it’s okay to not be okay.
Some of my favourite stories include:
• Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black
• Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang
• A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs
• Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park
• A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord
• The Paperweight Watch by Krystal Matar
I’d recommend allowing yourself time to process each story before continuing with the next. I listening to the audiobook and the narrators did a great job at capturing the emotional states of the characters, making for an incredibly impactful experience.
Thank you to all the authors for their stories, for giving me a safe place to feel vulnerable and for giving me new perspectives.
From sorrow, grief, and hope, this anthology took me through them all. This is an emotional and remarkable read that I will certainly be coming back to.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I knew going into this, that I was in for an emotional read. However, I never expected my heart to feel so broken, and yet so full at the same time.
The Alchemy of Sorrow is an SFF anthology containing 13 short stories which focus on the themes of sorrow and grief. Each author captured these themes beautifully in their own ways, making each short story different in how the themes are explored.
While not all the stories hit the same way for me, there is certainly something for everyone within this collection. In addition, as this is an anthology, I wouldn’t rate any of these stories lower than 4.5 Stars. Why did I choose 5 stars as my overall rating then? Simply put, my overall reading experience was 5 stars. Even if some stories didn’t impact me in the same way others did, they were still beautifully told.
From the first story to the last, there were moments that had me tearing up or left me contemplating aspects in my own life. Each story poses questions to the reader and makes them think about difficult scenarios of loss or change. For me, these weren’t simply stories, they were reminders that it’s okay to not be okay.
Some of my favourite stories include:
• Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black
• Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang
• A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs
• Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park
• A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord
• The Paperweight Watch by Krystal Matar
I’d recommend allowing yourself time to process each story before continuing with the next. I listening to the audiobook and the narrators did a great job at capturing the emotional states of the characters, making for an incredibly impactful experience.
Thank you to all the authors for their stories, for giving me a safe place to feel vulnerable and for giving me new perspectives.
From sorrow, grief, and hope, this anthology took me through them all. This is an emotional and remarkable read that I will certainly be coming back to.
November 4, 2022
The Alchemy Of Sorrow
Edited by Sarah Chorn & Virginia McClain
Good Grief!
I know, possibly not the opening phrase you either expect or hope to hear on a book review, but for some reason it seems totally right here.
Having lost some close friends before they should have gone, I’m not a stranger to the feelings dealt with in this rather fantastic collection of short stories. What IS different for me is to gain an understanding of the ways in which these things can come about & the myriad ways in which different people deal with the results. Truly eye-opening.
Themes of grief and sorrow are (sometimes overwhelmingly) portrayed and dealt with here. I found I could not read one without a break before the next. I needed to digest what had just happened & deal with it. How much truer to life could you get?
I’m a life-long sf & f fan and these stories entertained me on all fronts, even without the added weight of the subject matter. The 13 shorts in this anthology all deserve recognition, and I would like to thank each author for sharing something so personal & giving it a voice. The world is a better place for your openness & bravery. Thank you. Kerstin Romero, I’m afraid I didn’t know of you before this, but each story’s illustration was just right. Thanks to you too.
For the Bibulous Bibliophiles out there – beware! This is a heady wine. It may taste heavy at first but will surely leave you refreshed & hopeful for the future. Cheers!
P.S. It was an honour (and a pleasure) being able to read this ARC. Ta!
Edited by Sarah Chorn & Virginia McClain
Good Grief!
I know, possibly not the opening phrase you either expect or hope to hear on a book review, but for some reason it seems totally right here.
Having lost some close friends before they should have gone, I’m not a stranger to the feelings dealt with in this rather fantastic collection of short stories. What IS different for me is to gain an understanding of the ways in which these things can come about & the myriad ways in which different people deal with the results. Truly eye-opening.
Themes of grief and sorrow are (sometimes overwhelmingly) portrayed and dealt with here. I found I could not read one without a break before the next. I needed to digest what had just happened & deal with it. How much truer to life could you get?
I’m a life-long sf & f fan and these stories entertained me on all fronts, even without the added weight of the subject matter. The 13 shorts in this anthology all deserve recognition, and I would like to thank each author for sharing something so personal & giving it a voice. The world is a better place for your openness & bravery. Thank you. Kerstin Romero, I’m afraid I didn’t know of you before this, but each story’s illustration was just right. Thanks to you too.
For the Bibulous Bibliophiles out there – beware! This is a heady wine. It may taste heavy at first but will surely leave you refreshed & hopeful for the future. Cheers!
P.S. It was an honour (and a pleasure) being able to read this ARC. Ta!
October 12, 2022
4.5 stars
So, this was a really wonderful anthology. I took my time reading it, savouring all the stories and I loved them all. In a few thousand words, these authors have created incredible worlds and written such unique portrayals of grief and sorrow. I don't think I have read a lot of books that center their focus on grief in a such a way and for that I am really appreciative of this anthology.
Honestly, I wouldn't mind if the authors do a volume 2 of Alchemy of Sorrow. It would so nice to read.
Make sure y'all check this book out when it releases!
Thank you Crimson Fox Publishing for my e-ARC through Netgalley!
So, this was a really wonderful anthology. I took my time reading it, savouring all the stories and I loved them all. In a few thousand words, these authors have created incredible worlds and written such unique portrayals of grief and sorrow. I don't think I have read a lot of books that center their focus on grief in a such a way and for that I am really appreciative of this anthology.
Honestly, I wouldn't mind if the authors do a volume 2 of Alchemy of Sorrow. It would so nice to read.
Make sure y'all check this book out when it releases!
Thank you Crimson Fox Publishing for my e-ARC through Netgalley!
Want to read
February 3, 2022Like Intisar, I feel so honored to be a part of this anthology. Not only are the stories in it amazing, but the response we've gotten from our kickstarter (for people wanting the fancy hardcovers, our ever-growing collection of related art, or just to get early access!) has shown there's a desire in the fantasy community for more of our brand of fiction that deals with topics like these head-on. Which this anthology does in spades! The story I wrote for it is A Recurrence of Jasmine--
One of the superpowers of fiction is exploring ideas that matter in the context of human life and experience, rather than abstract philosophy or notions of what 'should' be. In A Recurrence of Jasmine, I wanted to explore hope and its absence in the context of two characters who come at it from very different angles--one who has had everything, but lived so long life has lost its luster, and another who longs for a better life for herself and her child, but has had hope quashed so many times that she is afraid to hope, even when opportunity presents itself. There are no easy answers, but it's my hope in exploring their interaction, that the support we can offer each other even in hopeless times becomes a little easier to see.
And my hope that you'll support our kickstarter or otherwise get your hands on this book when it's available to the wide world, because it's well worth a read!
One of the superpowers of fiction is exploring ideas that matter in the context of human life and experience, rather than abstract philosophy or notions of what 'should' be. In A Recurrence of Jasmine, I wanted to explore hope and its absence in the context of two characters who come at it from very different angles--one who has had everything, but lived so long life has lost its luster, and another who longs for a better life for herself and her child, but has had hope quashed so many times that she is afraid to hope, even when opportunity presents itself. There are no easy answers, but it's my hope in exploring their interaction, that the support we can offer each other even in hopeless times becomes a little easier to see.
And my hope that you'll support our kickstarter or otherwise get your hands on this book when it's available to the wide world, because it's well worth a read!
November 1, 2022
I was sent an audiobook arc of this anthology in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Virginia McClain. My opinions are my own.
The Alchemy of Sorrow is an anthology of stories by thirteen indie authors with the theme of grief and hope running through each of them. I was a little nervous to read it having lost my mother earlier this year, but I needn’t have worried, as the different aspects of grief are handled carefully and with empathy. Subjects covered include loss of family members, career and associated sense of self, the ability to conceive a child, country, culture and lifestyle.
I really enjoyed all of the stories but my favourites were the following:
Twice Domesticated Dragons by Inistar Khanani.
This is one of the shorter stories, but extremely original, it totally captured my imagination. A family’s garden and property is being overrun by porcelain garden gnomes, who breed by finding broken crockery in dumpsters and bringing it to life. The only way to get rid of the gnomes is to find a twice domesticated dragon. The young daughter and two younger brothers of the family are hoping to rid their home of these pests, so the girl goes into the woods and discovers a mated pair. Unfortunately events trigger her PTSD and we discover that the family are refugees and that her mother was lost in a war zone.
We learn in the author’s note that this is:
“A story about resilience and healing” influenced by the refugee crisis in the world.
The Witch in the Woods by Quenby Olson.
This is the heartbreaking story of a desperate mother whose baby is dying. She hasn’t dared to name her daughter because of the likelihood she will die. Written in the unusual 2nd person perspective and full of evocative language I really loved the originality of this story. She seeks a witch in the woods despite knowing this will mean dire consequences for herself and her family. She has no hope and this is her only option.
What mother would not do anything within their power to save their child, no matter the consequences?
Skies on Fire by Sonia M Black
This is the story of a Phoenix Rider who is too injured to continue. Her career as a soldier of the Emperor is at an end and she must relinquish her trusty mount, her phoenix who she loves. She suffers from a loss of identity and purpose through her chronic illness and grieves the loss of her old life. She must give up her ambition and find a new sense of self.
The two stories which affected me the most emotionally were Thief by Virginia McClain and The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar.
Thief by Virginia McClain is a fairly short story about a young girl coming to terms with her mother’s fatal illness. Illness and death are a thief of time. The writing style really gripped me and caused a tear or two to be shed.
In The Paperweight Watch one of the characters from Krystle’s novel Legacy of the Brightwash, Ishmael, is front and center and coming to terms with the loss of both his parents and having to take over the family business and move on. The nature of grief is that small things can grab you and upset you when you least expect it and this is expertly depicted in this beautifully written story as Ishmael becomes obsessed with the new wooden floor which has been put down in his father’s office and his (in)ability to mend a beloved watch.
Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang
This was another favourite story for me. A 14 year old girl grieving for her mother has escaped into a virtual reality game she used to play with her mother as crippling illness took hold of her abilities in the actual world. The distraught girl is now searching the game levels for her mother’s avatar. She has been in the game for 3 days straight and her father is starting to worry. He persuades her older brother to also enter the game to try and find her and bring her back to reality. I enjoyed this idea of the two worlds, one in which a sick and dying person can perform to their full potential as an adventuring hero.
Other stories included are (in no particular order):
Lullaby by K L Villoso – a story told from the perspective of an unborn child observing his mother’s world and desperate for her affection while waiting to be born.
The Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw – an imaginative story inspired by the author’s own experience with invisible disabilities. In this story all such disabilities are displayed on the skin’s “memoir” for all to see.
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers – in which a young woman has lost a baby and become unable to conceive as a direct result. She has to deal with people assuming that since she is young it will only be a matter of time before she has another child.
Summer Souls by Clayton Snyder – a family are mourning the loss of their mother when a man arrives on the scene with a machine able to catch the souls of the dead and display their last moments. “Souls are just memories we can’t let go”.
A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord – the narrator is a drunken philanderer who lost his wife and child through adultery. He becomes “stuck in this no man’s land of grief and guilt and sorrow”. He mourns their loss and eventually learns how to move on. He begins to show heroic traits and to be less self-centered as time passes.
A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs – a young mother must persuade a god that she is entertaining and useful to him in order to escape sacrifice.
Thicker than Water by Carol A. Park – a family chooses to denounce their son when he shows signs of having become a Banebringer. He grieves their loss and the loss of everything he has known up to that point – friends, lifestyle, love and the security of a loving family.
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the stories in this excellent collection and am very glad I listened to them on audiobook. The narrators each had different styles of delivery which seemed to fit the stories they were presenting well. I have been introduced to a few authors who are new to me and whose work I will look out for. It is an imaginative and emotional anthology – you will probably need a box of tissues on hand!
The Alchemy of Sorrow is an anthology of stories by thirteen indie authors with the theme of grief and hope running through each of them. I was a little nervous to read it having lost my mother earlier this year, but I needn’t have worried, as the different aspects of grief are handled carefully and with empathy. Subjects covered include loss of family members, career and associated sense of self, the ability to conceive a child, country, culture and lifestyle.
I really enjoyed all of the stories but my favourites were the following:
Twice Domesticated Dragons by Inistar Khanani.
This is one of the shorter stories, but extremely original, it totally captured my imagination. A family’s garden and property is being overrun by porcelain garden gnomes, who breed by finding broken crockery in dumpsters and bringing it to life. The only way to get rid of the gnomes is to find a twice domesticated dragon. The young daughter and two younger brothers of the family are hoping to rid their home of these pests, so the girl goes into the woods and discovers a mated pair. Unfortunately events trigger her PTSD and we discover that the family are refugees and that her mother was lost in a war zone.
We learn in the author’s note that this is:
“A story about resilience and healing” influenced by the refugee crisis in the world.
The Witch in the Woods by Quenby Olson.
This is the heartbreaking story of a desperate mother whose baby is dying. She hasn’t dared to name her daughter because of the likelihood she will die. Written in the unusual 2nd person perspective and full of evocative language I really loved the originality of this story. She seeks a witch in the woods despite knowing this will mean dire consequences for herself and her family. She has no hope and this is her only option.
What mother would not do anything within their power to save their child, no matter the consequences?
Skies on Fire by Sonia M Black
This is the story of a Phoenix Rider who is too injured to continue. Her career as a soldier of the Emperor is at an end and she must relinquish her trusty mount, her phoenix who she loves. She suffers from a loss of identity and purpose through her chronic illness and grieves the loss of her old life. She must give up her ambition and find a new sense of self.
The two stories which affected me the most emotionally were Thief by Virginia McClain and The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar.
Thief by Virginia McClain is a fairly short story about a young girl coming to terms with her mother’s fatal illness. Illness and death are a thief of time. The writing style really gripped me and caused a tear or two to be shed.
In The Paperweight Watch one of the characters from Krystle’s novel Legacy of the Brightwash, Ishmael, is front and center and coming to terms with the loss of both his parents and having to take over the family business and move on. The nature of grief is that small things can grab you and upset you when you least expect it and this is expertly depicted in this beautifully written story as Ishmael becomes obsessed with the new wooden floor which has been put down in his father’s office and his (in)ability to mend a beloved watch.
Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang
This was another favourite story for me. A 14 year old girl grieving for her mother has escaped into a virtual reality game she used to play with her mother as crippling illness took hold of her abilities in the actual world. The distraught girl is now searching the game levels for her mother’s avatar. She has been in the game for 3 days straight and her father is starting to worry. He persuades her older brother to also enter the game to try and find her and bring her back to reality. I enjoyed this idea of the two worlds, one in which a sick and dying person can perform to their full potential as an adventuring hero.
Other stories included are (in no particular order):
Lullaby by K L Villoso – a story told from the perspective of an unborn child observing his mother’s world and desperate for her affection while waiting to be born.
The Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw – an imaginative story inspired by the author’s own experience with invisible disabilities. In this story all such disabilities are displayed on the skin’s “memoir” for all to see.
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers – in which a young woman has lost a baby and become unable to conceive as a direct result. She has to deal with people assuming that since she is young it will only be a matter of time before she has another child.
Summer Souls by Clayton Snyder – a family are mourning the loss of their mother when a man arrives on the scene with a machine able to catch the souls of the dead and display their last moments. “Souls are just memories we can’t let go”.
A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord – the narrator is a drunken philanderer who lost his wife and child through adultery. He becomes “stuck in this no man’s land of grief and guilt and sorrow”. He mourns their loss and eventually learns how to move on. He begins to show heroic traits and to be less self-centered as time passes.
A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs – a young mother must persuade a god that she is entertaining and useful to him in order to escape sacrifice.
Thicker than Water by Carol A. Park – a family chooses to denounce their son when he shows signs of having become a Banebringer. He grieves their loss and the loss of everything he has known up to that point – friends, lifestyle, love and the security of a loving family.
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the stories in this excellent collection and am very glad I listened to them on audiobook. The narrators each had different styles of delivery which seemed to fit the stories they were presenting well. I have been introduced to a few authors who are new to me and whose work I will look out for. It is an imaginative and emotional anthology – you will probably need a box of tissues on hand!
October 22, 2022
Thank you to Crimson Fox Publishing and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
The Alchemy of Sorrow is an ambitious idea. An anthology about grief and sorrow. It is so very different and there are so many different griefs. And I am glad to see so many different ones in this anthology. Grief is not just about death.
The art on the cover and in front of each story is gorgeous and a great asset to the story.
Lullaby by K.S. Viloso | 3 stars
Lullaby is a prologue to the author's series which feels a little weird. It is from the point of view of an unborn child, of the villian of the longer series. While the world felt really interesting I had some trouble with the point of view.
Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black | 4 stars
An interesting story that focuses on the grief of a phoenix rider for the loss of the ability of their body. It is such an interesting world that I would love to read more about. And an interesting take on grief.
A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord | 4 stars
A very interesting set up and side characters.
A Reoccurance of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs | 4 stars
I thought the set up with the god was really interesting and I really was invested in the characters. I would love to read more.
Twice Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani | 4 stars
For every child who has had to grow up too fast and carry more than they know how.
Of course I was going to love this because it had dragons. But then there was also something much more heartfelt in this story about a family of refugees just trying to surive. And a child having to take on more responsiblity than they should.
The Witch in the Wood by Quensby Olson | 4 stars
A Heartfelt story of a mother who has to give up her child to save it.
Thief by Virginia McCain | 4 stars
A story about the grief of a child. What would a few more extra minutes with your loved one really get you? And what would to do to get it?
Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park | 3 stars
This story is set in the world of a bigger series by the author. I think that showed because I wasn't sure if I was grasping all the elements like the banebringers.
Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang | 3,5 stars
This story is set in a VR Game which gave it a bit of a different feel than the other stories.
Summer Souls by Clayton Snyder | 4 stars
Memories are like that, I said. High and bright. But never so close you can see more than the shine.
A great standalone story about grief and memories.
Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw | 4 stars
I really liked the set up of the world in this story and I would love to read more about it.
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers | 5 stars
Through fantasy, I wanted to explore the strange duality of depression - that as miserable as it is, it can also be a refuge, it's numbness as shield against unbearable pain.
What happens when you don't allow grief or pain.
The Paperweight Watch by Krystie Matar | 5 stars
This one is so full of emotions.
The Alchemy of Sorrow is an ambitious idea. An anthology about grief and sorrow. It is so very different and there are so many different griefs. And I am glad to see so many different ones in this anthology. Grief is not just about death.
The art on the cover and in front of each story is gorgeous and a great asset to the story.
Lullaby by K.S. Viloso | 3 stars
Lullaby is a prologue to the author's series which feels a little weird. It is from the point of view of an unborn child, of the villian of the longer series. While the world felt really interesting I had some trouble with the point of view.
Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black | 4 stars
An interesting story that focuses on the grief of a phoenix rider for the loss of the ability of their body. It is such an interesting world that I would love to read more about. And an interesting take on grief.
A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord | 4 stars
A very interesting set up and side characters.
A Reoccurance of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs | 4 stars
I thought the set up with the god was really interesting and I really was invested in the characters. I would love to read more.
Twice Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani | 4 stars
For every child who has had to grow up too fast and carry more than they know how.
Of course I was going to love this because it had dragons. But then there was also something much more heartfelt in this story about a family of refugees just trying to surive. And a child having to take on more responsiblity than they should.
The Witch in the Wood by Quensby Olson | 4 stars
A Heartfelt story of a mother who has to give up her child to save it.
Thief by Virginia McCain | 4 stars
A story about the grief of a child. What would a few more extra minutes with your loved one really get you? And what would to do to get it?
Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park | 3 stars
This story is set in the world of a bigger series by the author. I think that showed because I wasn't sure if I was grasping all the elements like the banebringers.
Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang | 3,5 stars
This story is set in a VR Game which gave it a bit of a different feel than the other stories.
Summer Souls by Clayton Snyder | 4 stars
Memories are like that, I said. High and bright. But never so close you can see more than the shine.
A great standalone story about grief and memories.
Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw | 4 stars
I really liked the set up of the world in this story and I would love to read more about it.
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers | 5 stars
Through fantasy, I wanted to explore the strange duality of depression - that as miserable as it is, it can also be a refuge, it's numbness as shield against unbearable pain.
What happens when you don't allow grief or pain.
The Paperweight Watch by Krystie Matar | 5 stars
This one is so full of emotions.
November 2, 2022
This anthology broke my heart and pieced it back together again in every chapter.
The Alchemy of Sorrow stays true to its title through and through. This anthology came out today on November 1st, 2022 so please go order or request from your library if possible!
The cover of this book? Absolutely stunning!
Each piece of artwork was crafted to fit the chapter. Every single story had something that struck me deep. The depiction of grief and hope in each story was so poignant and stinging.
I was in shambles at the ones that were so rooted in despair of irreversible circumstances and familial trauma. Those ones absolutely hurt me deep.
I loved the different paces and cadence to each story and the way they're ordered in this book really kept me hooked. There are many topics in this book that I haven't experienced and yet I could feel how personal and true these stories were for each author. I can wholeheartedly say put so much effort to weave such painful yet hopeful stories in a short number of pages.
I haven't even mentioned the fantasy and sci-fi genre of it all yet. The flavour of grief is so different in each story and so is the fantasy/science fiction world and concept in all of the chapters. Every author writes wildly different worlds and characters so effortlessly.
Yet, with all these differences, the core of the anthology is grief, sorrow, and the importance of hope and light within all the darkness.
It was integrated so well in every single story. I felt like my pace of feeling upset and hope renewed with each story.
What a magnificent group of authors and their incredible ability to make me so upset and still so warm inside my chest.
Some of the stand out stories in this for me were:
Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black
Twice-Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani
The Witch in the Woods by Quenby Olson
Thief by Virginia McClain
Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers
The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar
I enjoyed it so much that I have submitted a request to my local library to obtain copies of this book.
Thank you to Crimson Fox Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book!
The Alchemy of Sorrow stays true to its title through and through. This anthology came out today on November 1st, 2022 so please go order or request from your library if possible!
The cover of this book? Absolutely stunning!
Each piece of artwork was crafted to fit the chapter. Every single story had something that struck me deep. The depiction of grief and hope in each story was so poignant and stinging.
I was in shambles at the ones that were so rooted in despair of irreversible circumstances and familial trauma. Those ones absolutely hurt me deep.
I loved the different paces and cadence to each story and the way they're ordered in this book really kept me hooked. There are many topics in this book that I haven't experienced and yet I could feel how personal and true these stories were for each author. I can wholeheartedly say put so much effort to weave such painful yet hopeful stories in a short number of pages.
I haven't even mentioned the fantasy and sci-fi genre of it all yet. The flavour of grief is so different in each story and so is the fantasy/science fiction world and concept in all of the chapters. Every author writes wildly different worlds and characters so effortlessly.
Yet, with all these differences, the core of the anthology is grief, sorrow, and the importance of hope and light within all the darkness.
It was integrated so well in every single story. I felt like my pace of feeling upset and hope renewed with each story.
What a magnificent group of authors and their incredible ability to make me so upset and still so warm inside my chest.
Some of the stand out stories in this for me were:
Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black
Twice-Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani
The Witch in the Woods by Quenby Olson
Thief by Virginia McClain
Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers
The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar
I enjoyed it so much that I have submitted a request to my local library to obtain copies of this book.
Thank you to Crimson Fox Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book!
October 26, 2022
Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4,5 out of 5 stars)
First of all, let me all of you recommend getting this anthology, you won't regret it!
The Alchemy of Sorrow is an SFF anthology containing 13 great stories, centered around the themes of grief and sorrow. I have to admit that this is a book that I had to change my way of reading, spacing days between reading one story and others because each time I finished one it resonated so hard, taking my emotions to the point of being just at the skin, so I needed to take it easy, palate each different story.
This anthology is a good example of why the SFF genre is an excellent way to touch certain themes, give different twists on them, and make the deepest exploration possible; while always keeping a ray of hope with each one. Sometimes going far from our reality is the best way to take a look at ourselves, and the fantasy/sci-fi settings act perfectly as catalyzers for that exact reason.
It is difficult to give a general score to an anthology as varied as this, but in general, I wouldn't say any of the stories deserve less than 4 stars. Featuring some of my favourite authors, and some unknown names to me, it is an excellent collection, that again, makes an excellent labour portraying grief and sorrow; it has also put some authors on my radar, as I haven't read previously anything of them. Just to highlight some of the stories, my favourite ones were:
-A Matter of Trust, by Angela Boord.
-Thief, by Virginia McClain.
-Death in the Uncanny Valley, by M.L. Wang.
-The Paperweight Watch, by Krystle Matar.
It wouldn't be fair to close this review without also talking about the excellent artworks that accompany each story, made by the fantastic artist that is Kerstin Romero, adding another layer of beauty to this anthology. Each single of the stories is by itself a piece of art. I can just say that seriously, thank the editors, the authors, and the artists to let me experience this anthology, because it has been a great experience.
First of all, let me all of you recommend getting this anthology, you won't regret it!
The Alchemy of Sorrow is an SFF anthology containing 13 great stories, centered around the themes of grief and sorrow. I have to admit that this is a book that I had to change my way of reading, spacing days between reading one story and others because each time I finished one it resonated so hard, taking my emotions to the point of being just at the skin, so I needed to take it easy, palate each different story.
This anthology is a good example of why the SFF genre is an excellent way to touch certain themes, give different twists on them, and make the deepest exploration possible; while always keeping a ray of hope with each one. Sometimes going far from our reality is the best way to take a look at ourselves, and the fantasy/sci-fi settings act perfectly as catalyzers for that exact reason.
It is difficult to give a general score to an anthology as varied as this, but in general, I wouldn't say any of the stories deserve less than 4 stars. Featuring some of my favourite authors, and some unknown names to me, it is an excellent collection, that again, makes an excellent labour portraying grief and sorrow; it has also put some authors on my radar, as I haven't read previously anything of them. Just to highlight some of the stories, my favourite ones were:
-A Matter of Trust, by Angela Boord.
-Thief, by Virginia McClain.
-Death in the Uncanny Valley, by M.L. Wang.
-The Paperweight Watch, by Krystle Matar.
It wouldn't be fair to close this review without also talking about the excellent artworks that accompany each story, made by the fantastic artist that is Kerstin Romero, adding another layer of beauty to this anthology. Each single of the stories is by itself a piece of art. I can just say that seriously, thank the editors, the authors, and the artists to let me experience this anthology, because it has been a great experience.
July 16, 2024
A rare five star anthology.
I am the kind of person who picks up anthologies normally as an author catalogue. It is a fun and easy way to sample a load of authors of interest, and some I've not heard of before, read a short work, and then decide if I want to pick up more of their work. I also very rarely give anthologies five stars, there is always a dud or a story that doesn't resonate with you.
That being said this story provided things that have me excited to pick up more by each author:
- Firstly each story was a hit, not a dud in sight.
- Secondly I found that each story actually WORKED as a short story; in fantasy many short stories feel like we've pressed fast forward on the cassette and we missed a load along the way as we fast tracked. They feel as though there are so many things left untouched or unexplored, information omitted, details lost. Again, not an issue with this book. Each story was clearly MEANT to be a short story.
- Thirdly The taste test worked. I know it worked because the authors I've read from before (KS Villoso, ML Wang & Quenby Olson) are all a genuinely great representation of their writing and skills. Therefore I can trust that the same can be said for the author's I've not read, and given how much I enjoyed their stories I am very excited to pick up more.
The presentation of the book was well constructed. The distribution of the stories well thought out, the illustrations by the wonderful Kerstin Espinosa Rosero were gorgeous, the introduction heartfelt and each instalment shining both as individual stories as well as bringing something to the anthology.
Overall this is one of the best anthologies I've had the privilege of reading and I would recommend you check it out.
I am the kind of person who picks up anthologies normally as an author catalogue. It is a fun and easy way to sample a load of authors of interest, and some I've not heard of before, read a short work, and then decide if I want to pick up more of their work. I also very rarely give anthologies five stars, there is always a dud or a story that doesn't resonate with you.
That being said this story provided things that have me excited to pick up more by each author:
- Firstly each story was a hit, not a dud in sight.
- Secondly I found that each story actually WORKED as a short story; in fantasy many short stories feel like we've pressed fast forward on the cassette and we missed a load along the way as we fast tracked. They feel as though there are so many things left untouched or unexplored, information omitted, details lost. Again, not an issue with this book. Each story was clearly MEANT to be a short story.
- Thirdly The taste test worked. I know it worked because the authors I've read from before (KS Villoso, ML Wang & Quenby Olson) are all a genuinely great representation of their writing and skills. Therefore I can trust that the same can be said for the author's I've not read, and given how much I enjoyed their stories I am very excited to pick up more.
The presentation of the book was well constructed. The distribution of the stories well thought out, the illustrations by the wonderful Kerstin Espinosa Rosero were gorgeous, the introduction heartfelt and each instalment shining both as individual stories as well as bringing something to the anthology.
Overall this is one of the best anthologies I've had the privilege of reading and I would recommend you check it out.
December 27, 2022
Thank you to the authors for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
2.5 stars
Overall, I thought this was an okay anthology. Unsurprisingly, my favourite story by far was written by M.L Wang, and I think that if you're interested in exploring the theme of grief in a more hopeful and cathartic way, the stories in this anthology will resonate with you in one way or another. My main criticism of this selection of stories is that many of them explored a very similar type of grief (the loss of a family member), and there were multiple stories discussing pregnancy/parenthood/infant children which is just really not for me, and not something I personally expected coming into this anthology. I think for an anthology that aims to discuss the different kinds of grief we experience, there really just wasn't enough variety in my opinion. I am also newer to short stories, so I don't know if this is just a common thing for long-form SFF writers to do, but I personally felt like this anthology suffered from most of these stories being a part of the authors' longer works.
Individual story ratings:
Lullaby - 4 stars
Skies on Fire - 3.5 stars
A matter of trust - 1 star
A recurrence of jasmine - 2 stars
Twice domesticated dragons - 3 stars
The witch in the wood - 3 stars
Thief - 2 stars
Thicker than water - 3.5 stars
Death in the uncanny Valley - 5 stars
Summer souls - 2 stars
Reliquary of the damned - 3 stars
The quiet - 4 stars
The paperweight - 2.5 stars
2.5 stars
Overall, I thought this was an okay anthology. Unsurprisingly, my favourite story by far was written by M.L Wang, and I think that if you're interested in exploring the theme of grief in a more hopeful and cathartic way, the stories in this anthology will resonate with you in one way or another. My main criticism of this selection of stories is that many of them explored a very similar type of grief (the loss of a family member), and there were multiple stories discussing pregnancy/parenthood/infant children which is just really not for me, and not something I personally expected coming into this anthology. I think for an anthology that aims to discuss the different kinds of grief we experience, there really just wasn't enough variety in my opinion. I am also newer to short stories, so I don't know if this is just a common thing for long-form SFF writers to do, but I personally felt like this anthology suffered from most of these stories being a part of the authors' longer works.
Individual story ratings:
Lullaby - 4 stars
Skies on Fire - 3.5 stars
A matter of trust - 1 star
A recurrence of jasmine - 2 stars
Twice domesticated dragons - 3 stars
The witch in the wood - 3 stars
Thief - 2 stars
Thicker than water - 3.5 stars
Death in the uncanny Valley - 5 stars
Summer souls - 2 stars
Reliquary of the damned - 3 stars
The quiet - 4 stars
The paperweight - 2.5 stars
September 13, 2022
A while back, I signed up to get an ARC of this anthology. For a while, I forgot about it. When I remembered again, I figured I wasn't picked to get one. That's fine. Then it showed up in my e-mail. I couldn't get to it right away as I was reading something else, but I finished that book tonight and immediately picked this up. This is the first ARC I've received. I'm really thrilled about that.
13 authors contributed to the anthology. Some of them are familiar names, others I haven't heard of before. Short stories and novellas are great ways to discover new authors. Given what the subject matter for these stories is, I fully expect to be sad a lot and perhaps cry. That's ok. I'm also not sure if I'll be able to apply the term 'enjoy' to any of these, at least not in the traditional sense.
Lullaby by K.S Villoso
The author's name is vaguely familiar, but I've never read any of her work before this.
The first person perspective threw me a little. It took me a while to figure out who the narrator was. I have to say, I've never read a story from the viewpoint of an unborn baby before. This was a first for me.
The author's note at the end made me curious to read more in the world this was set in.
Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black
I feel like I've heard of her before, but I'm not entirely sure.
The preface for this one informed me that this story dealt with chronic pain. I'm always a little hesitant to read such stories given that everyone deals with chronic pain/illness differently.
I'm intrigued by the concept of phoenix riders and their battles against griffin riders. That seems interesting. The story focuses on a former rider and her disability and the pain associated with it. I had a hard time connecting with the character, although it provided some insight into what life is like for a friend of mine who has a permanent disability.
Overall, well written.
A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord
I know guns in a fantasy setting aren't a new thing, but this is the first time I've read one. I enjoyed the Italian flavour of this story. Funny story, I have a sister-in-law named Giuli, so it was simple enough to figure out the pronunciation of that one character's name. I don't know enough about guns or the history of firearms, so I don't know if the wheel lock pistols used are a real thing or invented for this world. Regardless, the designs are lovely. The scene where the one man was making more lead shot was a nice touch.
The MC grew a lot over the course of this story.
A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs
As much as I saw the end coming, I still really enjoyed this story. After all, what wouldn't a mother do to protect her child?
Twice Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani
Oh look, a story about how utterly creepy garden gnomes are. Creepy gnomes plus dragons? Yes, please! Judging from the story elements, I'm guessing this is supposed to be set in our world. The dragons, although they appear only briefly, are interesting. Then again, I'm biased towards anything with dragons in it. Tiny, semi-domestic dragons that eat gnomes? Sign me up.
The Witch in the Woods by Quenby Olson
Quenby is the first author in this anthology that I've read. Her style is lovely. I'm intrigued by this curse and the magic that seems to pass from one generation to the next. Was Mim the MC's mom? Grandmother perhaps? It's not stated, but given that the MC is so sure her daughter will wind up in the same situation I feel it likely they're blood relatives of some sort.
She's left with an awful choice. Let her daughter die or save her, but be removed from her life. Woosh. In the grand scheme of things, it's not a hard choice, but it's not fun either.
Thief by Virginia McClain
Oh.
Oh man.
This one hit hard.
My mom is still alive and well, but the thought of losing her hurts more than I really want to admit. It'll happen one day, but hopefully that day won't be for a long time yet. What the MC went through for just a few more minutes with their mom...
Part of me wants to think this is set at some point in the last couple years. Might be, might not be, but this felt a lot like reading accounts from people who've lost loved ones to Covid.
Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park
This one left me wishing it was longer, that it was going to explain what Banebringers are. Knowing it's set in the author's novel series helps. If I want more, I can go find it. Despite how quickly Danton's family turned on him, I liked this one.
Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang
The transition from the fantasy to the futuristic real world jarred at first. Clarifying that the fantasy was just a VR game was really interesting. I loved the game mechanics preserving their mom for one last farewell, one last hug, and a chance at healing. Very well done.
Summer Souls by Clayton Snyder
While the concept of this story was intriguing, it didn't quite land with me.
Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw
My only issue with this story was that the author alternated between she/her and they for the protagonist's pronouns. That said, this is another fascinating concept. I kind of understood what was going on, but not really. I'm delighted that this is from a larger world.
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers
Magical power connected to a person's emotions isn't new territory, but I like the way it was handled here. The consequence of literally having your pain sucked out is not being as strong as you used to be.
The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar
This was a difficult read. Losing one parent, ok. That makes me sad. Both parents? I spent most of this story trying to keep myself from crying. The text was poignant and heart breaking.
13 authors contributed to the anthology. Some of them are familiar names, others I haven't heard of before. Short stories and novellas are great ways to discover new authors. Given what the subject matter for these stories is, I fully expect to be sad a lot and perhaps cry. That's ok. I'm also not sure if I'll be able to apply the term 'enjoy' to any of these, at least not in the traditional sense.
Lullaby by K.S Villoso
The author's name is vaguely familiar, but I've never read any of her work before this.
The first person perspective threw me a little. It took me a while to figure out who the narrator was. I have to say, I've never read a story from the viewpoint of an unborn baby before. This was a first for me.
The author's note at the end made me curious to read more in the world this was set in.
Skies on Fire by Sonya M. Black
I feel like I've heard of her before, but I'm not entirely sure.
The preface for this one informed me that this story dealt with chronic pain. I'm always a little hesitant to read such stories given that everyone deals with chronic pain/illness differently.
I'm intrigued by the concept of phoenix riders and their battles against griffin riders. That seems interesting. The story focuses on a former rider and her disability and the pain associated with it. I had a hard time connecting with the character, although it provided some insight into what life is like for a friend of mine who has a permanent disability.
Overall, well written.
A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord
I know guns in a fantasy setting aren't a new thing, but this is the first time I've read one. I enjoyed the Italian flavour of this story. Funny story, I have a sister-in-law named Giuli, so it was simple enough to figure out the pronunciation of that one character's name. I don't know enough about guns or the history of firearms, so I don't know if the wheel lock pistols used are a real thing or invented for this world. Regardless, the designs are lovely. The scene where the one man was making more lead shot was a nice touch.
The MC grew a lot over the course of this story.
A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs
As much as I saw the end coming, I still really enjoyed this story. After all, what wouldn't a mother do to protect her child?
Twice Domesticated Dragons by Intisar Khanani
Oh look, a story about how utterly creepy garden gnomes are. Creepy gnomes plus dragons? Yes, please! Judging from the story elements, I'm guessing this is supposed to be set in our world. The dragons, although they appear only briefly, are interesting. Then again, I'm biased towards anything with dragons in it. Tiny, semi-domestic dragons that eat gnomes? Sign me up.
The Witch in the Woods by Quenby Olson
Quenby is the first author in this anthology that I've read. Her style is lovely. I'm intrigued by this curse and the magic that seems to pass from one generation to the next. Was Mim the MC's mom? Grandmother perhaps? It's not stated, but given that the MC is so sure her daughter will wind up in the same situation I feel it likely they're blood relatives of some sort.
She's left with an awful choice. Let her daughter die or save her, but be removed from her life. Woosh. In the grand scheme of things, it's not a hard choice, but it's not fun either.
Thief by Virginia McClain
Oh.
Oh man.
This one hit hard.
My mom is still alive and well, but the thought of losing her hurts more than I really want to admit. It'll happen one day, but hopefully that day won't be for a long time yet. What the MC went through for just a few more minutes with their mom...
Part of me wants to think this is set at some point in the last couple years. Might be, might not be, but this felt a lot like reading accounts from people who've lost loved ones to Covid.
Thicker Than Water by Carol A. Park
This one left me wishing it was longer, that it was going to explain what Banebringers are. Knowing it's set in the author's novel series helps. If I want more, I can go find it. Despite how quickly Danton's family turned on him, I liked this one.
Death in the Uncanny Valley by M.L. Wang
The transition from the fantasy to the futuristic real world jarred at first. Clarifying that the fantasy was just a VR game was really interesting. I loved the game mechanics preserving their mom for one last farewell, one last hug, and a chance at healing. Very well done.
Summer Souls by Clayton Snyder
While the concept of this story was intriguing, it didn't quite land with me.
Reliquary of the Damned by Rachel Emma Shaw
My only issue with this story was that the author alternated between she/her and they for the protagonist's pronouns. That said, this is another fascinating concept. I kind of understood what was going on, but not really. I'm delighted that this is from a larger world.
The Quiet by Madolyn Rogers
Magical power connected to a person's emotions isn't new territory, but I like the way it was handled here. The consequence of literally having your pain sucked out is not being as strong as you used to be.
The Paperweight Watch by Krystle Matar
This was a difficult read. Losing one parent, ok. That makes me sad. Both parents? I spent most of this story trying to keep myself from crying. The text was poignant and heart breaking.
October 11, 2022
The Alchemy of Sorrow
K. S. Villoso et al
Crimson Fox Publishing, 2022
334 pages
.
.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me chance to read the ARC. This book is expected to publish on November 1st 2022
.
.
This book consist of 13 short stories from authors winner of Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off, several illustrations, and editors. As the title said: Alchemy of Sorrow, the main theme is Sorrow. And the content warning is three full pages! Death, suicide, illness, anything.
.
.
Several stories are of my favorite:
.
.
- Skies on Fire - Sonya M. Black
It's amazing to imagine that an Air Force consist of Phoenixes! In this story, Lieutnan Colonel Nozaki is about to resign, and her Phoenix reincarnating. It is beautiful but sad at the same time!
.
.
- Death in the Uncanny Valley - M. L. Wang
To be honest, I just recently finish her Sword of Kaigen, and craving anything of her writing xD
I found that I love it! And you can play game virtually together from Earth and from Mars!
It was about loss, but it is also about finding, about feeling of a family. I love it!
.
.
All the stories describe perfectly grief, sorrow, loss. There's even a Map of Grief and Hope. And the illustrations are truly beautiful!
.
.
Got to re-read whenever I have time 💙
K. S. Villoso et al
Crimson Fox Publishing, 2022
334 pages
.
.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me chance to read the ARC. This book is expected to publish on November 1st 2022
.
.
This book consist of 13 short stories from authors winner of Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off, several illustrations, and editors. As the title said: Alchemy of Sorrow, the main theme is Sorrow. And the content warning is three full pages! Death, suicide, illness, anything.
.
.
Several stories are of my favorite:
.
.
- Skies on Fire - Sonya M. Black
It's amazing to imagine that an Air Force consist of Phoenixes! In this story, Lieutnan Colonel Nozaki is about to resign, and her Phoenix reincarnating. It is beautiful but sad at the same time!
.
.
- Death in the Uncanny Valley - M. L. Wang
To be honest, I just recently finish her Sword of Kaigen, and craving anything of her writing xD
I found that I love it! And you can play game virtually together from Earth and from Mars!
It was about loss, but it is also about finding, about feeling of a family. I love it!
.
.
All the stories describe perfectly grief, sorrow, loss. There's even a Map of Grief and Hope. And the illustrations are truly beautiful!
.
.
Got to re-read whenever I have time 💙
October 4, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Crimson Fox for providing an eARC to review!
A really cool idea for an anthology and I liked that each author had the opportunity to provide the inspiration for their story afterwards - I think it adds a lot especially with the theme of the collection being something so personal.
I think my favourites were Skies on Fire, Twice-Domesticated Dragons, Witch in the Wood, The Quiet and The Paperweight Watch but I have a lot of respect for all the authors that contributed. While there were some heavy topics covered, I think that the anthology really did manage to convey that sense of fledgling hope at the end - that it's okay to grieve or be sad, but that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I think it also did a good job of conveying that this is a process.
I think that I prefer anthologies written all by the same author, but I appreciate the opportunity to be introduced to a bunch of people I haven't read from before, and get a sense of their style.
Overall a neat concept and very cool that this is out in the world!
A really cool idea for an anthology and I liked that each author had the opportunity to provide the inspiration for their story afterwards - I think it adds a lot especially with the theme of the collection being something so personal.
I think my favourites were Skies on Fire, Twice-Domesticated Dragons, Witch in the Wood, The Quiet and The Paperweight Watch but I have a lot of respect for all the authors that contributed. While there were some heavy topics covered, I think that the anthology really did manage to convey that sense of fledgling hope at the end - that it's okay to grieve or be sad, but that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I think it also did a good job of conveying that this is a process.
I think that I prefer anthologies written all by the same author, but I appreciate the opportunity to be introduced to a bunch of people I haven't read from before, and get a sense of their style.
Overall a neat concept and very cool that this is out in the world!
November 11, 2022
This is a brand new SFF indie anthology and it was so so good!
One of the most impressive things about this collection is the fact it deals with some heavier topics like loss, trauma and grief that can be considered very much out of the mainstream. Here you'll encounter on one side of the scale dragons, evil garden gnomes, crashing clocks and raw emotion. On the other side we read through pages and narratives of loyalty, helping others, working together despite hurt and grief and continuing to be brave despite harsh circumstances.
There was no sugar coating or simple fixes presented, because let's face it, life is many times really hard and keeps on throwing curveball after curveball out of the blue. As the saying justifiably goes- it's far from being a picnic. While I did have small quibbles with some of the stories' pacing or presentation decisions, you will encounter here a wide variety of the indie big names as well as upcoming voices to follow.
That is another strong point of this collection. If you are new to the world of indie stories and publishing, there really is quite a lot to like here. Whether it is a Lit RPG story of how a family can virtually come together via VR game or a rare Gem that turns the clock a few precious moments back- anybody and everybody will find something to their liking here. Additionally, the majority of authors included here have other works in the same world so there is plenty more to explore and get immersed it, I highly recommend it!
One of the most impressive things about this collection is the fact it deals with some heavier topics like loss, trauma and grief that can be considered very much out of the mainstream. Here you'll encounter on one side of the scale dragons, evil garden gnomes, crashing clocks and raw emotion. On the other side we read through pages and narratives of loyalty, helping others, working together despite hurt and grief and continuing to be brave despite harsh circumstances.
There was no sugar coating or simple fixes presented, because let's face it, life is many times really hard and keeps on throwing curveball after curveball out of the blue. As the saying justifiably goes- it's far from being a picnic. While I did have small quibbles with some of the stories' pacing or presentation decisions, you will encounter here a wide variety of the indie big names as well as upcoming voices to follow.
That is another strong point of this collection. If you are new to the world of indie stories and publishing, there really is quite a lot to like here. Whether it is a Lit RPG story of how a family can virtually come together via VR game or a rare Gem that turns the clock a few precious moments back- anybody and everybody will find something to their liking here. Additionally, the majority of authors included here have other works in the same world so there is plenty more to explore and get immersed it, I highly recommend it!
October 30, 2022
13 short stories written by 13 different authors, all of them surrounding grief.
The stories are very unique and different from one another. Since they are so different you’re bound to have favorite, and some you don’t really get.
But overall I really liked the concept of the book and how it was structured!
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review!
The stories are very unique and different from one another. Since they are so different you’re bound to have favorite, and some you don’t really get.
But overall I really liked the concept of the book and how it was structured!
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review!
October 15, 2022
The Alchemy of Sorrow is a Fantasy and Sci-Fi Anthology about grief and hope of each character in this book. For fantasy and science fiction genres, usually you are going to see the "good vs evil" battle. In this story, the evil is inside the characters. Their own negative minds. In each story, you are going to see and feel their struggle in fighting their weaknesses, believing with their own power, and keeping true to themself.
My favorite story is the one from K.S. Villoso. I love its point of view. At first, it confused me who the narrator was, but after I found it out, I was in awe! The perspective was amazing. I could feel the narrator's feeling, his grief. I think this story represents the theme really well.
I highly recommend this book. This book not only contains the stories from the authors, but you also can find their hope in them, their messages, and all of them are beautiful.
Visit my blog to read the full article of The Alchemy of Sorrow: hijabireads.blogspot.com
My favorite story is the one from K.S. Villoso. I love its point of view. At first, it confused me who the narrator was, but after I found it out, I was in awe! The perspective was amazing. I could feel the narrator's feeling, his grief. I think this story represents the theme really well.
I highly recommend this book. This book not only contains the stories from the authors, but you also can find their hope in them, their messages, and all of them are beautiful.
Visit my blog to read the full article of The Alchemy of Sorrow: hijabireads.blogspot.com
November 16, 2022
An exquisite collection of superbly written short stories that hits all the right emotional notes. With well-rounded and relatable characters this anthology realizes all the nuances and realities of grief while leaving a spark of hope that things will improve. From heart-wrenching to quietly poignant every story delivers.
September 19, 2022
There is so much sadness and so much beauty in this collection of short stories, each featuring a protagonist experiencing loss and, ultimately, healing. It was a difficult read, due to the subject matter, but a very rewarding one. Going in, I was familiar with the majority of the authors–some well-known names from the independent fantasy scene–but some were new to me.
There is a lot of variety among the stories here. My personal favorites included Intisar Khanani’s Twice Domesticated Dragons, about a young refugee girl forced to grow up too soon, as she takes care of her siblings and her grieving father, and seeks out dragons to protect her home from destructive garden gnomes. (The ending was so perfect and so lovely!) Levi Jacobs’ A Recurrence of Jasmine deals with a world-weary, dying god and a compassionate young mother who brings him hope.
The settings of these stories are varied, from fantasy worlds to cyberspace. In M.L. Wang’s Death in the Uncanny Valley, an online role-playing game serves as the means for a family to come back together after loss divides them. As one who enjoys the support and companionship of several online communities, this story hit particularly close to home.
I could go on – there were some real gems in this collection. I’d recommend reading through this one story at a time. More than that, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the strong emotions.
The pain and anger that the characters feel is no less real for having taken place in a fantasy setting: the worlds inhabited by these people are fictional but their feelings of bereavement, estrangement from loved ones, alienation, and grief are universal.
My thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for a review copy of this anthology.
There is a lot of variety among the stories here. My personal favorites included Intisar Khanani’s Twice Domesticated Dragons, about a young refugee girl forced to grow up too soon, as she takes care of her siblings and her grieving father, and seeks out dragons to protect her home from destructive garden gnomes. (The ending was so perfect and so lovely!) Levi Jacobs’ A Recurrence of Jasmine deals with a world-weary, dying god and a compassionate young mother who brings him hope.
The settings of these stories are varied, from fantasy worlds to cyberspace. In M.L. Wang’s Death in the Uncanny Valley, an online role-playing game serves as the means for a family to come back together after loss divides them. As one who enjoys the support and companionship of several online communities, this story hit particularly close to home.
I could go on – there were some real gems in this collection. I’d recommend reading through this one story at a time. More than that, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all of the strong emotions.
The pain and anger that the characters feel is no less real for having taken place in a fantasy setting: the worlds inhabited by these people are fictional but their feelings of bereavement, estrangement from loved ones, alienation, and grief are universal.
My thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for a review copy of this anthology.
September 12, 2023
The anthology of thirteen short stories about grief and sorrow was an enjoyable read for me and introduced me to authors I had not read from before.
Each story has a unique way of approaching the theme and dealing with it in a fantastical setting. I really enjoyed all of the stories but my favourites are A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord, A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs, Death in Uncanny Valley by M. L. Wang.
Each story has a unique way of approaching the theme and dealing with it in a fantastical setting. I really enjoyed all of the stories but my favourites are A Matter of Trust by Angela Boord, A Recurrence of Jasmine by Levi Jacobs, Death in Uncanny Valley by M. L. Wang.
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