The Stories They told Their Children

by Izabela Raittila

This is an anthology of fantasy short stories depicting the culture and beliefs of a fictional continent called the Gragiyan Empire. Inspired by the works of J.R.R.Tolkien and various European myths, these mythical tales follow powerful deities known as the Erai, their immortal servants—the enchanting Enai, and courageous mortals.

It includes the tragic love story of Avarrin and Amara, a touching romance inside the bleak Halls of Makar, the legend of the Orealisi Oasis, the battles of the Atarai and more.

99 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2022

About the author

Izabela "Iza" Raittila was born in Poland but raised in the United Kingdom. She's a been fan of fantasy, mythology and folklore ever since she was a child. She read J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Silmarillion' during the coronavirus pandemic, which inspired her to write her debut book, the short stories anthology 'The Stories They Told Their Children'. She is currently editing her first Gothic horror novel ‘Reign in Hell: A Gothic Romance’ inspired by various myths, Dante’s ‘The Divine Comedy’ and the TV show ‘Hazbin Hotel’.

In addition to writing, she also enjoys reading fantasy, Viking era historical fiction and Gothic horror. Her other hobbies include cycling, listening heavy metal music. She lives in Finland with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[A Night Bird]

This is a collection of standalone fantasy stories from a rich world, populated with a pantheon of gods - Erai - with with unique dominions and traits, and the immortal creatures - Enai - associated with many of the gods. Some of these stories are heart-breaking and tragic, a case in point being the story of an immortal Enai and his mortal lover, the love they find, and the love lost and the sorrow born as she is taken to the halls of the Dead, and he cannot rescue her. Others are bright and interesting, such as the story of the union between the Forest Erai and one of his Forest Enai, and the demi-god child with unique traits born of that union, and how both his father and his mother care for their tree-like son, Sammorien.

[M.J. Pankey]

This was a really fascinating read. I enjoyed the fictional mythology created by Izabela Raittila, it was original, magical, and on par with historical mythologies. It felt like I was actually reading a translation of an actual mythological record. Very creative and very Tolkien-esk.

But unlike Tolkien, there isn't a novel that builds on this mythology and provides additional context. My favorite part of mythology is how it influences social structures and the humanity that believes it, whether fictional or not.
Sadly, I don't have that with The Stories They Told Their Children, but if the author ever does create one I will certainly read it

[Lucy DeRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A copy of this book was sent to me in return for an honest review ~

I loved this book! This is a collection of short stories following Gods and the creatures they create. Each story follows different characters with some stories being sad and others being more cheerful. It is very reminiscent of Greek mythology so if you like mythology based books you will probably really like this.

You could see similarities with other stories but the author really puts their stamp on creating new words and different spins on the characters and their stories.

This was a great collection!

[Christian Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

World Building!

I love a good fantasy story and this one delivered. The concept of multiple authors collaborating and creating a shared universe is always an intriguing one, and I appreciate the space Ms. Raittila has created. The author has created a fabulous world filled with unique beings that takes a unique spin on fantasy mythology. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of memorable characters and tales!

Such a lovely set of tales to take you away to another world. A collection of such intriguing characters in this mythical world. I loved everything that happened in the underworld - Makar! The ‘Girl in the Cave’ was another of my favourites. These will stick with me for a long time. I look forward to reading before.

[Jay Batista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Fairy Tales for a Fantasy World!

Fantasy World Books is a collaboration of authors from around the globe, each contributing to in-depth world building and story craft. This great book is filled with short bedtime stories that not only provide a background for the fantasy realm of the fictional world but provide an insight into the character of the parents who would relate these gems to their drowsy children. The stories detail the pantheon of gods and their relationship to the elfin creatures that populate the forests and mountains as well as the mortals who share their realm.

This amazing collection of tales was penned by a Polish author based in Finland writing in English, and each story is stand-alone, yet they combine to provide an interesting backdrop to the fantasy world of the Gragiyan Empire and its four provinces: Gragiya, Arhia, Lavinium and Niralis. The story of Avarrin explains why the gods and elves, known as “Enai,” stay aloof from the concerns of men, and how Lord Atar will raise the bravest of warriors from the halls of the dead to serve in his host. We learn about the “Erenkanti, is a term used by the forest Enai for messenger birds,” an imaginative idea I am sure other authors in this series will adopt.

The book has humor: “I may have over-reacted slightly,” the fire god admitted.” And it has some lyrical writing, for example: “That same night, she dreamed of the copper-haired Lady Lavinia dancing barefoot in a field, surrounded by a numerous mountain Enai, chanting and waving their hands up in the air causing sparks of multicolored lights to flash through the sky.” I especially enjoyed the stories of Ieskr carrying the water nymph across the desert to establish an oasis, and the story of Sammorien, “Lord Silyan’s son, the moss man, the spirit and protector of the woods and the first ever demigod.”

Short and fun, these stories are a great introduction into the shared realms of Fantasy World Books. Highly recommended.

[Susan Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something very different from my usual reads! Raittila has created an imaginative and well-crafted mythology, covering a central creation myth for the author’s invented world, together with a series of delightful legend-like tales of the lesser beings, servants of the gods, who inhabit it and interact with the humans brought into being there. The stories, like all good myths and legends, are never anodyne, but rather encompass love, tragedy, and the inevitability of fated outcomes.

But there is delight there too. I particularly liked the tales of the forest Enai and the gentle, kind Lord Silyan. The birth of Sammorien is a special moment. Stories of the relationship between Lord Makar and Lady Morae were also favourites of mine. One can easily imagine children sitting by the fireside and listening, avidly, to these stories of strange gods and elf-like beings.

[Jess Frankel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read Ms. Raittila's work before, so I'm no stranger to her style or her flair for the unusual. These short stories, interesting, to say the least, and richly detailed, depict a pantheon of gods and goddesses in a universe that is every bit as deep and fascinating as the universes of the Greek and Roman gods.

We have a pantheon of gods called Erai, and a group of immortal creatures called Enai. Some stories are dark, with a fatalistic air about them, while others are lighter and more humorous. Read the entire collection, and you'll come away enriched.

Highly recommended.

[Layla Hawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stories They told Their Children by Raittila is a powerful collection of legends from the world of her imagination. They are not happily ever-after-stories, but don't need to be. They have the nature of ancient myths and folk tales. They are well-written, creative and evocative. I give this book an unqualified 5 stars.