Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind and Other Stories

by Beka Gremikova

Encounters. Whether with magic or science, expected or unexpected, they can change our minds, our destinies, even our world…

In this collection of twenty-two short tales, journey across multiple genres alongside various characters, including:

~a mother who gathers dragon scales to provide for her family despite a perilous jungle and her own self-doubt;

~a young half-human, half-mermaid girl on the search for her father with murderous soldiers on her heels;

~an opera singer-turned-ghost-hunter attempting to thwart a Phantom who just won’t stop interfering with her act;

~a family at risk of losing their humanity to the Moon as its magic wreaks a monstrous change within them;

~and an alien on a rescue mission to save her best friend’s children from those who wish them harm.

Full of comedy and tragedy, heartache and hope, monsters and magic, these stories are an encounter that just might change you too…

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Dragons, Science Fiction, Fairy Tales, Anthologies, Fairy Tale Retellings

ebook

Published October 1, 2023

About the author

Beka Gremikova writes folkloric fantasy and light sci-fi from her little nook in the Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada. When she’s not travelling, playing video games, or dabbling in various art forms, she can be found curled up in a corner with a mystery novel. Her work is featured in multiple anthologies, and her debut book, UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERS OF A DRACONIC KIND AND OTHER STORIES, released with SnowRidge Press in Fall of 2023. Be on the lookout for PROJECT KNIFE, set to release late 2025.

Reviews

[Marquise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update April 2024:
My favourites are still the same as my review below, when many of the stories had different endings or plots. Some I don't even recognise in this final version! Major rewrites galore in some cases, and in others only touch-ups. In both cases, it was interesting to see the changes Beka made. She's definitely one of those authors that truly (and patiently!) listen to feedback.
_________________________

This book collects a variety of Beka's previously published stories and a few unpublished ones (I've not read all of her work yet so I'm not sure and hope she clarifies it, for all I know they might be new only to me), both fairy tale retellings and original stories. You know which ones I'm here for, but that's not to say I didn't like the non-retelling stories. I did have favourites amongst those as well.

When I first read this anthology, I thought the number of stories was excessive. I'm partial to having fewer (and preferably longer) stories in anthologies, as I believe quantity is often the enemy of quality when it comes to anthologies. However, as this contains stories from one single author and has undergone an editing process that's narrowed down the number of them to a few and choicest, that's been mostly fixed. The number is still high, and there are a few stories I personally don't think were ready for publication.

There are twenty-two stories to choose from, and since I have to pick my favourites as is my usual way, I'm naming these as the standout ones:

UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERS OF A DRACONIC KIND
5 stars
The story that lends its name to the anthology is a heartwarming story about a mother who earns a living collecting dragon scales, who finds a dragon that can empathise with her in one of her forays into the wood. This one is an original, and has potential for a longer story or novel.

A TASTE OF GRACE
5 stars
I'd already read this retelling of "Rapunzel" in another anthology, and loved it then. Loved it more on a reread, as I count it amongst my favourites for this fairy tale. The addiction theme is simply a brilliant twist.

THE GRAVE DANCERS
4 stars
About a boy seeking absolution from the ghost of a dear friend that appears nightly at a graveyard. The beginning would have you think it's going to be all sad, but it's surprisingly uplifting given it's a rather tragic plot.

MER-CHILD
5 stars
Yet another favourite story I revisited here. As its title indicates, it's a story about a daughter of a mer and a human that must find her place in the world and struggles with this dilemma, until the day she meets her father and finally embraces her destiny.

PRINCE OF BEES
4.5 stars
A story about a prince who embarks on a quest to find a princess at a castle guarded by bees. It reads like a real fairy tale, and is very sweet (no pun intended), but the ending is a bit abrupt. I wouldn't object to making this one longer either. (I wasn't sure what tale this was at first, but I eventually did guess which one. I remain a master Grimmologist.)

TIGER BRIGHT
5 stars
Another original, and a tragic one at that. It's about a tiger cursed for having protected humans. It reads a bit like an anti-Jungle Book in a sense, without the cheery innocence of Kipling's story and a dose of brutality that, even if it's not shown, it's felt throughout.

SEA CLAIM
4 stars
Gut-wrenching is the first word I'd use to describe this original story of mermaids and how they're transformed into sea creatures by an unfeeling and unsympathetic sea that pays them back for their hesitation. Wish it had a different ending, but it definitely wouldn't be so good otherwise.

THE WOLF AT THE DOOR
4.5 stars
There was once a mermaid story in another anthology that hit you in the feels because there was a protagonist with dementia, and this story does the same but with Little Red Riding Hood. If you have grandparents still alive, you'll want to hug them tight after this.

THE MERMAID'S SOUL
5 stars
A reread of a favourite, again. Beka really likes mermaid stories, there's always one by hers somewhere, and they always tend to be bittersweet when not downright tragic. And that's how she should stay, I don't want to see mermaid comedy from her anytime soon, singing crabs are for children and Disney.

Overall, it's a well put together anthology, and I would like to see more unpublished work and fewer repeats in future collections.

I received an ARC from the authors in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A delightful collection of stories themed around different kinds of encounters. Varied in characters, distinct in genres, charming in effect. Loved this!

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Life enjoys a game of irony. While I read plenty of indie works and plenty of anthologies as well, I had never encountered the name ‘Beka Gremikova’. While she is quite active on Goodreads and we also have a good friend in common (Hi, Marquise! *waving vigorously*), we’ve never bumped into each other virtually. When Beka wanted to update her book’s cover pic here on Goodreads, Marquise directed her to me. As a GR librarian, I was happy to help. But as a reader unashamedly biased towards stunning book covers, my eyes popped out of their sockets in wonderment when I saw that magnificent cover art. 😍 And so I did what I had never done before in my life: I asked her to consider me for an ARC. She generously agreed.

So, you see… the journey to this review also began with a serendipitous ‘Unexpected Encounter.’ 😊

Am I allowing the above to influence my opinion? I hope you know me better than that.

This collection has twenty-two stories, all of which are set around encounters. The confrontations differ from story to story (happy, tense, creepy, dangerous,…) as do the characters (humans, dragons, werewolves, mer folk,…) While most of the tales have a strong fantastical feel (spanning multiple SFF genres such as sci-fi, low fantasy, and paranormal), they also have an equally dominant undertone of folklore and legends. The author calls her work ‘folkloric fantasy”, which is the perfect epithet. A couple of the stories are reboots of popular fairy tales, but most of the content comprises original plots.

The introduction mentions that many of these stories began as flash fiction pieces that were expanded to the short fiction length. I was apprehensive when I read this because extension of an existing completed plot hardly ever works in favour of the story. But the quality of the author’s work was such that I couldn’t even make out which stories were padded out to meet the short fiction length.

Despite the wildly imaginative elements, the writing has a soothing quality to it, even when the stories go dark. The only complaint I have is that the flow was predictable for many of the stories. This didn’t spoil my fun that much because those stories were still good, but I do like to be more surprised especially when I am reading creatively flexible genres such as fantasy.

As an avid reader of anthologies/collections, I pretty much have a checklist of what I want such books to have. This collection ticked off every item on my list.

✔ An attractive cover that matches the content.

✔ A title not just taken from one of the stories but also that suits the collection as a whole.

✔ An author’s note right at the start, detailing their thought process behind the collection. (Beka’s note is amazing, btw! I would have given it a separate 5 stars if I could. I always appreciate authors who put such efforts into making readers understand the intent behind their imagination.)

✔ A reasonable number of stories. (Not too many, not too few.)

✔ A more or less consistent length across the stories. (Not too long, not too short.)

✔ A sensible plot and character development.

✔ An ending that’s perfect for the tale, even if it is open.

(Yeah, that’s *all* I want! I am so easy to please! 😛)


Furthermore, the author also included features that weren’t present on my checklist but left me impressed! (And in case of the second point below: chortling!)

✔ A detailed list of triggers for each story after her introductory note. I rarely read trigger warnings as they contain major spoilers, but this is a good practice for those who need content warnings.

✔ A little note about her words having "extra" or rearranged letters due to her Canadian spellings. This Queen’s English user ain’t complainin’! 😄

✔ The distinct graphic banners above each story title, which indicate the genre of the story – a WOW idea, as it helps those who might not like a particular genre to skip the story.

✔ The setting and world-building – something I don’t even usually look at in short fiction due to length constraints. In most stories here, the locations aren't mentioned and when they are, they are mostly fictional. Yet the author’s descriptive style made it easy for me to guess the possible regional setting, whether Africa or South Asia or South-East Asia.


But what about the stories themselves, you might be wondering…

As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the twenty-two stories, only one story got 2 stars and five stories got 3-3.5 stars. The remaining sixteen were all at 4 stars and above. As there are too many good stories to mention here, I’ll only specify my top favourites with 4.5+ stars:

🐉 Unexpected Encounters of the Draconic Kind – The story that lends the book its title, and also establishes the mood of the collection. I am anyway biased towards dragons, and the one in this book ensured that this story was an easy winner. - 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

🌶 A Spoonful of Spice – As someone who loves spicy food (courtesy my Indian genes!), I had a great time reading this, though I could see where it was going. It was funny to see a spirit use modern words. - 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

👻 The Grave Dancers – Again, a story that was guessable in its outcome but the imaginativeness and the characters won me over. - 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

🐯 Tiger Bright – Now this is what I love – a story that takes me by surprise at the end. Adored the ironic twist in the finale! - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

🌊 Sea Claim – Not my kind of story, to be honest, but I loved the message it incorporated. The ending was stunning. - 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

✉ The Screwtech Letters – I don’t think this story will make it to the favourites list of many readers, but I am a computer geek. You give me an entertaining fantasy story set INSIDE a computer AND written in epistolary style AND with a generous dollop of humour? I give you five stars without any hesitation. - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

All in all, this is one of the best fantasy story collections I have read. The author said in her note that she meant it to be a relaxing-cum-challenging read, and the collection meets that complex aim admirably.

Strongly recommended to all short fiction and fantasy lovers.

3.9 stars, based on the average of my ratings for each tale. (If you are familiar with how mathematical averages work, you will know that this is an outstanding average for a 22-story collection.)


My thanks to author Beka Gremikova for providing me with a complimentary copy of “Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind and Other Stories” at my request. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.




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[Srivalli Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 Stars (the review for is an older version of the ARC)

One Liner: Entertaining

Some of you already know I can’t resist a good cover. This book is no exception. When two friends added the book, I knew I had to read it, at least for that black and gold cover. With wolves, mermaids, and dragons, this one promised to be an exciting ride.

The book begins with a quick note by the author and potential triggers listed with the story titles. The underlying theme is supernatural/ paranormal for all stories. That makes this a highly diverse collection set in various worlds. The writing style is easy to follow and blends descriptions, emotions, and beautiful storytelling.

However, as with every anthology, some stories were wonderful, some good, and some meh. Here’s a short review of each story (written after reading it). I read 2-3 stories a day.

Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind – 4 Stars

Amika, a dragon scale gatherer, has a hard time finding enough freshly-shed scales to make money for a living (and feed her family). What does a chance encounter with a dragon do to her? Can she survive to tell the tale? What a start to the anthology. Beautiful! I wish this was a novella with good world-building.

A Taste of Grace – 4.5 Stars

A retelling of Rapunzel that starts a few years after the HEA in the original. It tackles the theme of addiction, the reason for Rapunzel being taken by the witch. A fresh and unique perspective and in the right length.

A Spoonful of Spice – 3.5 Stars

This was fun, alright! Except that it reads more like a rounded excerpt from a novel than a complete short story. I wouldn’t mind reading the full version if it’s available.

Deep Dive – 3 Stars

Iris goes on a sky-diving trip for her birthday. However, cannot help but think about something that happened earlier. While thoughts are fine, someone listening to them through the telepathy chip is not. This one has the right tension and pace but is predictable to an extent.

The Grave Dangers – 4.5 Stars

Tristan regrets abandoning his sweetheart when she catches the Dancing Plague. Desperate to make amends, he visits the graveyard in the woods with a gift. The Flickers (ghosts) come to life at night and tend to kill anyone who trespasses. Can Tristan make it alive? This one managed to spring surprises and has a lovely ending.

Mer-Child – 5 Stars

This should be a novella or even a novel. It made me teary-eyed (which doesn’t happen often). Half-breeds have no place after a treaty for ‘peace’ between humans and merfolk. But Tula is determined to survive and find her only family, her father- the man who doesn’t even know of her existence.

Tough Crowd – 4 Stars

Jessmina works as a jester at an inn as the war continues to ravage outside. However, the latest visitors at the inn may bring some more for her. This is a short and emotional story about war, family, understanding, and forgiveness.

Topsy Turvy Tiger – 2 Stars

Well, I had high hopes, given the title (I love alliterations), but this was mostly meh. Magical circus and all. It needs some fleshing out to read better.

Just a Hench – 3.5 Stars

Set in the far future, it’s the story of Liz, the abandoned daughter of a supervillain. Life is not easy with either side suspecting her, but a girl’s got to find a way to live! This one is quite heartwarming, though I couldn’t connect with it much.

Change of Heart – 4 Stars

Written in the second-person POV, it’s the story of a young werewolf fearing the change (transition from human to wolf). But then, some things cannot be controlled. It’s a short piece with a sort of haunting-like tone with a lovely message. Something is missing, though.

Down in Flames – 2.5 Stars

A magical (of-sorts) raid on smugglers where the narrator has an over-enthusiastic young partner to train on the job. Anything could go wrong, and her guilt could mess things up further. This should have been more detailed and longer. It reads like an excerpt.

Prince of Bees – 4 Stars

Where is my epilogue? This is the story of Prince Ivan, a gentle young man on a rescue mission to save a princess from an evil sorcerer. Of course, has to handle his own brothers first, but there’s someone to help, too. This is a sweet story that reads much like a fairytale.

Of Masks and Macarenas – 4.5 Stars

This is one of my favorites in the book. What happens when a wannabe ghost haunts an opera singer’s shows? Tina sure isn’t the kind to bow down without a fight. An entertainer.

Retrieval – 4.5 Stars

A Tulitian woman has to save her friend’s half-Tulitian boys before they are hurt. With the official agencies being useless in this aspect, she has to do it her way. Is it possible? This is a heartwarming story with a good dose of emotion and action.

Tiger Bright – 4 Stars

A man-eater is hunting the village, and the narrator, a young girl is the one sent to save the people. After all, she has some gifts to do so. But at what cost? The narration is vivid and gripping. Creative, for sure. The plot itself is such that it can go in a loop until something changes.

Sea Claim – 4.5 Stars

Terrific! Galia and Odessi are half-human, half-mer. At fifteen, the sea would claim them as her own. They stand on the shore, ready for the Change. But Galia has second thoughts. What will this do to her life? You can guess what will happen, but that won’t stop you from reading. No other ending would suit the story.

The Perfumers of Qukamar – 4 Stars

Adi Shebalik has been cursed by an ambitious aromancer for not submitting to her. Since then, he’s searching for someone to save him from doom. After all, how can a perfumer smell only two scents? This is a fun story with drama, intrigue, emotion, and HEA. A complete package, though I wouldn’t say no to a bit more world-building.

Sir Gawain and The Green Thumb – 4 Stars

This is a funny little retelling set in King Arthur’s kingdom. The kind you sit back and enjoy. Sir Gawain, a new knight, buys an (electronic) lawnmower. However, his enthusiasm gets him in trouble. Can he save his skin this time?

The Screwtech Letters – 4.5 Stars

Lol… this is such a one-sided epistolary short story where Sir Frederick, the Crasher of Computers, teaches his cousin George to mess up the computer for an upgrade. Too good! Pure entertainment.

No Man’s Jungle – 4 Stars

Oh, my kind of story! Dawson Malone is on yet another quest and enters a forest despite warnings from an old seller. But then he is too sure of himself to do otherwise. So what happens next? This is a fun read with a nice twist at the end.

The Wolf at the Door – 4.5 Stars

Oh, this is such a beautiful and heartfelt retelling of the original. It takes the core elements and places them in a totally different setting. Won’t reveal anything else. Beautiful!

The Mermaid’s Soul – 3.5 Stars

Do Mermaids have a soul? What about someone like Ianthe, who is neither a mermaid nor a human? How does her interaction with a man change her life? I loved the previous two mermaid stories and had high hopes for this one. While I like the theme tackled, the story somehow felt underwhelming. Maybe because it was too short, or my mind connected a scene from the story to one from a movie I saw as a child, never mind that these two have nothing in common except a mermaid. In case you’re wondering, here it is: Sahasa Veerudu Sagara Kanya (Adventurous Hero and the Sea Maiden), a 1996 Telugu movie.

To summarize, Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind and Other Stories is an intriguing and entertaining collection of 22 short stories with something for everyone. Only two stories fall below the 3-star mark, with 4 stories between 3 and 4 stars.

However, anthologies are highly subjective, so give it a read to find your favorites. I’ll be sure to other works by the author.

Thank you, Prolific Works and SnowRidge Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

[Beka]

October 1, 2024: ANNIVERSARY SALE! For the entire month of October, Unexpected Encounters’ ebook is $0.99 across all platforms! If you know a friend who may be interested, please feel free to let them know!

March 25, 2024: $0.99 SALE!!!! This book is on sale until March 30th, so snag it while you can!

March 4, 2024 Update: *REVIEW COPIES AVAILABLE*

Hi everyone! Review copies are now available for UEOADKAOS through BookSprout! You can get a free copy here (if the link doesn't work, message me and I will send it to you directly): https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review.... Please consider reading and leaving an ~honest~ review - each one helps this book find its ideal audience. Or if you know someone who'd love this opportunity, feel free to pass it along to them! (The more, the merrier!) Thanks in advance! <3

November 22, 2023: SALE! The ebook of Unexpected Encounters is now on sale for 99c across all retailers! This is the lowest it's been since release, and I don't know when it will be quite this low again, so if you've been waiting to snag a copy, now's your chance! :-D

https://books2read.com/UnexpectedEnco...

October 17th, 2023: IT’S RELEASE DAY!!!! This book is now available in ebook, paperback and hardcover (though I’d ask if you’re ordering a hardcover to wait about a week, as we are checking on some last minute tweaks). Anywho, it’s here!!!! *happy dance*

September 30th, 2023: A note to ARC readers: the ARC website my Publisher uses has been updated with the most current version of the book. If you haven't started yet (which is completely fine!) and would prefer to read the most updated version, please DM me and I can resend you the link! :-D

September 16th, 2023: Paperback preorders are now closed! Thanks to all who preordered! You’ll receive a lovely little swag bundle in the mail. 🥰 And for those of you waiting on the hardcover, it’s going to be SPECTACULAR. Just a little over a month now til release day! 🤩

August 25th, 2023: Hey, friends! Paperback preorders are now OPEN! If you order directly from my publisher, you put more money in my pocket since the 'Zon won't be the middleman. You'll also receive some pretty cool swag (a signed bookplate, two stickers and art prints!) I'd post photos, but I don't know how to on here, LOL. But if you go to this post https://www.instagram.com/p/CwVAhkGu1..., it'll show you the swag!

IMPORTANT NOTE: Preorders close September 15th, so be sure to get your order in before then if you want your copy with the swag pack!

US Orders: https://snowridgepress.com/product/un...

International Orders: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

Thank you all for your support! <3


August 20th, 2023: eARCs have officially been emailed to those who signed up! If you applied to receive one, check your inbox *and* your spam folder! If you still don't see it in there, please reach out to me. :-)


August 3, 2023: eARC signups are officially open! If you’d like the chance to read and review this book early, sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e...


July 25, 2023: We have a cover, friends. And it’s SO BEAUTIFUL 😭🧡 Ebook preorders are open, too: you can find them on Amazon. In its first day, it broke the Top 100 in one of its categories, which was such an encouragement. Paperback preorders will open soon with the opportunity to snag some gorgeous swag (I’m talking stickers and art prints and maybe even a bookmark I designed 😉).

June 28th, 2023: Finished the bulk of the edits, settled on the 22 stories to be included, and I’m leaving it alone for a week while I spend time with family and get caught up on chores and other release day preparations! Current word-count is 57, 800 words.


May 29th, 2023: Street Team and Cover Reveal Signups are now open! If you want to help me spread the word and receive a first glimpse of the GORGEOUS cover by MiblArt, you can sign up here: https://forms.gle/VDPue7Km8msd2eZJ6

May 3, 2023: Currently working through beta comments on my rough draft and reworking the stories to make 'em all shiny before I submit to my editor in late June/early July. April was a rough month health-wise, so I didn't get much work done and battled quite a bit of discouragement towards this project. But May has brought renewed enthusiasm and love for these stories, and I can't wait to share them with you all. I know not every story will be to everyone's taste, which is fine, cuz I'll admit I'm eccentrically eclectic in both readerly and writerly fashion, and that's just how I roll. XD But I hope you'll give them a chance when this anthology releases in the Fall, and that at least one of the many stories in here will speak to your heart. <3

March 16, 2023: Beta Readers, the manuscript should be in your emails! I'm going to slink into my cave and stuff myself with ice cream for two weeks to celebrate finishing this Rough Expanded Draft before I start addressing edits. Also, yknow, celebrate my birthday, lol. Thank you to all my betas on this project. You all are fantastic and I'm so grateful to have you in my corner. <3

March 14, 2023: Round one of self-edits completed. But sheesh, this is gonna be rough. 😭 Betas, prepare yourselves. I need all the help I can get.


March 7, 2023: Project Dragon now has an official title: UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERS OF A DRACONIC KIND AND OTHER STORIES. The title comes from the lead-in story for the collection, about a mother foraging for dragon scales in the jungle...and then she comes face-to-face with a dragon. This story about motherhood and strength is very close to my heart, and I can't wait to share it and all the other stories in this anthology with you in the Fall! <3

January 2, 2023: Project Dragon—title and cover reveal forthcoming—is now available to add to your shelves! I’ll be using this spot for updates on beta/ARC opportunities as well as preorders and swag. <3 I can’t wait to share this book with you all in the Fall!

[W.R. Gingell]

from "bitter greens" to "beam me up scotty", this collection is bright with ideas and whimsy. the writing is really pleasing with truly elegant progression, but where it really shines is the sheer imagination of concept and the brilliancy of the worlds Beka creates

that's not to say that there aren't themes in this collection--there are, they're good ones, and they're what just faintly overwhelmed me. they were so overt that sometimes it was like having beautiful things pushed into my face so i couldn't fully enjoy their beauty. i ended up enjoying far more the flights of fancy that had less of a moral to them. that said, "a taste of grace" really called to me, and lovers of deeper writing will adore this collection

i'm so very excited to see what frilled beasts of imagination spring forth when Beka begins to weave her themes more subtly with her delightfully buoyant imagination

[Intisar Khanani]

At turns heartwrenching and uplifting, this poignant collection of stories by Beka Gremikova delves into what it is to be human--or half-mer, or altogether alien--and the relationships that make us who we are. Highly recommend!

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best short story collections I’ve ever read! Also the first one I’ve read not included in a series that’s all written by one author? Can’t recall if that’s right or not, but regardless I really enjoyed this collection!

I was a little concerned I would only be okay with it at first because aside from the first story most of the ones at the beginning I was only so so about, but then I hit near the middleish point (don’t remember what percentage, oops) to find the ones I truly loved which made me very happy! There’s a little bit of everything from sad to happy to surprising from the magical to the mundane to funny and very serious, and whether I loved or was just okay with them ALL the stories are well written and very easy to get sucked into.

Now as I normally do with these types of collections my absolute FAVORITE stories are: Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind, Mer-Child, Just a Hench, Change of Heart, Down in Flames, Prince of Bees, Retrieval, The Wolf at the Door, and The Mermaid’s Soul. These are all my favorites and are amazing and if the author ever does expanded novels of Prince of Bees and The Mermaid’s Soul (this one HAS been extended to its own separate book and I must read it!) I will be so very happy. ☺️

A wonderful collection with a jaw dropping gorgeous cover that has stories for just about everyone tucked within its cozy pages. (And, Beka, if you read this you are an amazing author and keep up the good work! I love your storytelling! 🥰)


‼️Content (these are for all the stories)‼️

TRIGGER WARNING: a character is addicted to a magical plant and has cravings for it they are trying to break; a character has Alzheimer’s

Language: crap; damned; bastard; hellhole; ass; dang; bloody; hell; damnation

Violence: a fantasy god threw a boy in a well (not shown); a ghost tries to strangle a character; a ghost is vaporized and “killed”; a character remembers how a king slaughtered a lot of people before their eyes (not detailed); injuries and blood (not detailed); a character stabbed a man in the eye (not shown); fighting with weapons (not detailed); a character cuts off a tiger’s head (not shown); in the past a gun was held to a girl’s head; guns are fired and pointed at people; a man is stung by a bee; men are turned into statues; a character was thrown into the sea as a human sacrifice

Sexual: a man cheated on his girlfriend; mild suggestive hints; kissing (not detailed)

Drug/Alcohol: a character is addicted to a magical plant and has cravings for it they are trying to break; characters work at a bar and people drink

Other: magical creatures; fantasy spirits and gods are worshipped and seen in a fantasy world; shrine offerings; premeditated murder; ghosts; mermaids and half mermaids; a witch; magic; shapeshifters; talk of alien/human experiments; a character has Alzheimer’s


****Note: I received a free copy of the book from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions are most assuredly my own, and I wasn’t required to write a positive review. If I was, I wouldn’t have read it. 😜****

[Katie Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely collection! Short stories are one of my personal favorite forms of storytelling, and in an era when the push seems to be for longer--and longer--and LONGER--books, it's refreshing to see an author like Beka Gremikova who really knows how to tell a story briefly and tell it well.

I beta-read many of these stories in their original flash fiction form when they came out with Havok Publishing a couple years ago, so it's been wonderful to see Beka expand them to a complete anthology!

My favorite thing about Beka Gremikova's writing is her ability to take a familiar story or image (myths, archetypes, what have you) and "poke" at it until she uncovers something unexpected at its heart. Which makes Unexpected Encounters an especially fitting title for this collection.

I will say, I didn't read every single story in here because I knew from the super helpful trigger warning in the front that some would be too dark for me, or otherwise not to my taste (*cough* "Sea Claim" *cough*) I appreciated having the trigger warning though, and I wish more authors would include that kind of content guide in their work.

Of the stories I read, I especially loved "Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind," "Mer-Child," "Just a Hench," "Change of Heart," "The Screwtech Letters," and of course, my ALL-TIME FAVORITE Beka Gremikova story, "Prince of Bees." "Prince of Bees" hits so many sweet spots for me--Slavic folklore, feminism, pointed critiques of toxic masculinity, and a genuinely kind and caring hero. I've always loved "Prince of Bees" since its flash fiction days, but there was an extra little twist in this expanded version that brought tears to my eyes. Just... so good.

There was just one story, "A Spoonful of Spice," which I felt was stronger in its flash fiction form. Because it's such an absurd setup (deliberately absurd--it's funny that way), I think it didn't need any extra explaining or worldbuilding. Briefer can be better in a case like that. The new version is still funny, of course, I just liked the old one more.

Overall, fantastic anthology, 5 easy stars! If you love fairy tales, folklore, and short stories, you need to read Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind right away.

[Mariella Taylor]

I can't leave an official review on this because I was part of the editing team, but needless to say, as someone who doesn't usually care for short stories all that much, there were so many in this collection that were an absolute delight to read--whether amusing or heart-wrenching.

Below, I'll list a few of my favorites:

A Taste of Grace
Mer-Child
Just a Hench
Tiger Bright
Perfumers of Quakamar
Sir Gawain and the Green Thumb
The Wolf at the Door
and, of course, the title story :)

[Savannah Jezowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beka Gremikova is an expert at short fiction. She drags you into each tale and doesn’t let you go until the end. These are tight and imaginative stories with compelling themes that will touch your heart. There are chills, feels, and quirkiness to make you roar with laughter. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I think I would choose the titular story, “Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind.” But, then again, “Sir Gawain and the Green Thumb?” That's pure genius.

[Cassandra Hamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy release day to this incredible book! Beka is such a talented writer! There’s a little something for everyone—fairy tales, romance, humor, tragedy, even some spooky vibes (I’m looking at you, “The Grave Dancers”).

I adored all the stories, but my personal favorites are “A Spoonful of Spice,” “The Perfumers of Qukamar,” “Prince of Bees,” “Mer-Child,” and “Retrieval.” Here’s a bit more about each story:

“A Spoonful of Spice”—ever since Beka first wrote it for Havok Publishing, I’ve adored this story. It’s about a little girl who tried to help her aunt with the shrine offering… but she put WAY too much spice into it, and the spirit to whom it was offered is known to get his revenge on disrespectful humans. Hilarious and sweet.

“The Perfumers of Qukamar”—this one has been MUCH improved in this anthology. It’s about a man who was cursed to only smell coconut and vanilla by his embittered aromancer ex, but none of the perfumers will help him because they’re all pledged to his ex’s service. There’s politics and a hint of romance, and overall, it’s incredibly unique.

“Prince of Bees”—again, the edits on this one transformed it into one of my favorites. This is about a kind prince in a kingdom that values fierceness who tries to rescue a princess with the help of his bee companion. I won’t spoil the ending, but it was really beautiful and a celebration of healthy masculinity.

“Mer-Child”—cue the tears. This one is about a half-mer girl who’s trying to find her human father. Except he’s known to be a mer-killer…

“Retrieval”—another emotional story about an alien trying to get half-alien children away from their abusive human father.

If you’ve read the stories in other places (on Havok or in other anthologies), they were all edited to perfection, so it won’t be the same story you think you know. I highly, highly recommend this short story collection!! Plus, just LOOK at that beautiful cover. *happy sigh*

[CC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness, I was SO TORN trying to pick whether to buy the paperback or the hardcover of this one. Settled for the paperback for now :D (will snag the hc in future) but now I'm very mad at Amazon for not printing it well like it deserves >-<

Anyway, delving into my first read of this beautiful release in its published form! :) I love how the first story (from which the title for this collection originated) is about MOTHERSSS 💖💖💖
We need more wonderful moms like Cahya featured in stories. Period.

P.S. The intro in this book HAS MY HEART.


~Apr 2023 notes~
[for beta reader edition] Many thanks to the author for letting me on her beta reader team for this new release!! I wasn't able to finish reading it like I'd really wanted to but everything I've read are simply wonderful with each featuring unique themes and twists. <3 Gremikova's writing NEVER Disappoints - I always feel very comforted and pulled in while reading her prose.

Definitely can't wait for the cover reveal and publication release now!!

Anyway, add this to your TBR peasants!! xD

[Hannah Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful collection! Grab this one now because it will be perfect for cozying up with during the dark fall evenings, a mug of pumpkin spice something in hand.

A few of my favorite selections: The Wolf at the Door, A Taste of Grace, No Man’s Jungle, and the Mermaid’s Soul. There were really only one or two in the collection didn’t sit right with me, but I think mostly that’s personal preference (I don’t usually seek out stories about ghosts and spirits.)

Gremikova is truly a master of short-form fiction, and I never left a story feeling shorted by the worldbuilding, character depth, or plot. Each story feels alive, rich, and entirely unique. Even the stories that were similar to each other in content (like the three mermaid stories) are all so distinct from each other that it’s almost hard to believe so many worlds can come from one author! They vary greatly in tone, too, some are hilarious, others tragic. Some make you chuckle, some make you think. If you like spec fic, you can’t miss this book!

I read the collection straight through, but I could see the collection being great for mood reading, or even as a resource in a creative writing course for studying things like POV, voice, narrative distance, and story structure.

My only note/wish is in regards to organization of the stories. In the forward, the author explains the art headings at the beginning of each story, which classify them as fantasy, sci-fi, or more on the spooky side, etc. I think those headings are a great idea, but they were absent from the version I read. I don’t know if they’ll be in the final ebook or if they are hard copy exclusive, but that’s something to consider if you’re debating paperback vs ebook. I think the absence of the headers made it trickier to get grounded in the world of each individual story right off the bat, as genre was not discernible by the stories’ titles alone.

Thank you so much to the author and to Snow Ridge Press for the opportunity to read this book. I received a free advance copy of this collection, and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

[Olivia Gratehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monsters, twisty fairy tales, families bonds, Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind is an anthology full of amazing short stories. From retellings to originals, this book has a little bit of everything for everyone!

I had the privilege of being a beta reader for this book and it was SO much fun to read! Beka does an incredible job introducing compelling characters and stories in the span of just a few thousand words, and each one was so unique and interesting! She has such a witty and beautiful writing writing that immediately draws you in, sometimes funny, sometimes devastating, always brilliant.

In this story you’ll find dragons, mermaids, wolves, ghosts, magic, and most of all, encounters that change people. (PS though I love all the stories in this book, The Screwtech Letters and Change of Heart are my favorite. 😉)

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind and Other Stories is an aptly named collection. Within these pages I was delighted by the wide variety of story, setting, theme and emotions presented to the reader. The worldbuilding in each story is unique and the short plots still surprise and captivate. I laughed and teared up in equal measure—‘Sir Gawain and the Green Thumb’ got the most laughs, while ‘A Taste of Grace’ and ‘Mer-Child’ got the tears. (‘Mer-Child’, in particular, came for my life with a Dad Reunion).

Some stories nodded to well known tales and fairy stories, others felt wholly unique, but each carried a fresh perspective and jolt of originality. The unexpected encounters with heartfelt emotion and well drawn characters kept me reading until the last page. I’m very much looking forward to what the author writes next!

[Breana Sprinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a few silly stories mixed into a nice blend with other stories that spoke in beautifully crafted themes of understanding, family, and acceptance.

Encounters of a Draconic Kind is one favorite because of the powerful connection between a mother dragon and human mother. The understanding & symbolism of strength held much.

A few other favorites include:
A TASTE OF GRACE,DEEP DIVE,
THE GRAVE DANCERS,
JUST A HENCH,CHANGEOF HEART,
PRINCE OF BEES, RETRIEVAL,
TIGER BRIGHT, SEA CLAIM,
THE PERFUMERS OF QUKAMAR,
THE WOLF AT THE DOOR,
& THE MERMAID'S SOUL.

Okay, so that's a list.
But, they were interesting. Good.
Each one brilliantly unique.
Each drawn precisely.

If you're intrigued by fantasy with powerful themes, short stories, or a humorous time...you'll find a story within this book.

Happy to have received an ARC copy & of course happy to leave a voluntary review.

[Brooke J Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can never go wrong with a Beka Short story and I love that we now have a collection of them. If you want variety in your stories this is the collection for you. Each story is so special and magical with it's own twist and turns you are never board and always left feeling like the reading you just did was time well spent. Beka in each of her short stories takes you into them you can see every clearly and feel what the characters are feeling some are silly, some are sad, some are edge of your seat, some are swoony I just love this collection and highly recommend.

[Morgan Manns · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading a plethora of Gremikova’s captivating stories on Havok’s Flash Fiction website, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I learned that she was releasing a book that delved into the world of dragons, fairy tales, magic, myths, and more! Naturally, I eagerly signed up to be an ARC reader.

Gremikova’s storytelling has a remarkable ability to immediately draw in the reader. Her anthology boasts a diverse collection of tales, featuring everything from devoted scale collectors to queens who can taste emotions, daughters of supervillains, and of course very cool dragons. That’s just the tip of the literary iceberg. Her stories also introduce readers to daring princes breaking curses, dancing ghosts, and so👏much👏more👏.

It’s truly astounding to witness one author craft so many awesome worlds, unique characters, and innovative ideas. Gremikova’s collection is nothing short of remarkable.

If you’re new to anthologies, this book is a fantastic introduction. With themes ranging from fantasy to sci-fi, it’s ideal for those seeking quick, satisfying reads. Most stories can be enjoyed in a single sitting, making it a perfect choice for readers on the go – whether you’re on the bus, winding down before bedtime, or lounging on the beach.

I wholeheartedly recommend Gremikova’s book to anyone seeking an enthralling and diverse reading experience. You’re in for a literary treat that won’t disappoint!

I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

[Madison Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read for lovers of dragons, mermaids, and anything in between. I was blown away by Beka Gremikova's writing style and the emotion that she captured in each short story. Her characters were so realistic and beautifully written, and very quickly I was able to become immersed in their worlds that I almost forgot that I was just reading a short story. I became so attached to some that I was so sad that their story ended! I wanted to see more of what happened.

Some of my favorites were the stories containing mermaids, but each one was so well-crafted and felt so unique. Even the ones that were retellings from folklore and fairytales were written with a unique and original spin. I had gotten The Little Mermaid vibes from one of the stories, but even that one was crafted so originally.

Beautiful is the best way that I can describe this collection. It was the perfect book for me to read before bed each night. Instead of having to keep reading chapter after chapter, staying up until late into the night, I was able to just finish a short story and go to bed. It was perfect for me, and might be an excellent solution for someone like me who has difficulty putting a good book down to go to sleep. Another story, another day, or at least that is what I told myself. :)

I loved how inspiring these stories were. I felt that I could resonate and connect with several of the characters and their personal struggles. And seeing them conquer and face their demons gave me a small ounce of courage that maybe, just maybe, I could too. They were uplifting and full of hope, even the sad ones. I loved the lessons and the morals. I was teary-eyed by a line within the last story that the prince shared with Ianthe.

Thank you, Beka, for gifting me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely adored it and cannot recommend it enough!

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this anthology had a great fantasy element to each short story, it had everything that I was looking for from the genre. I enjoyed that each story was unique and different and that there wasn't a weak story in the bunch. I enjoyed getting to read this and thought the writing was perfect.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Night Owling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all the stories but A Taste of Grace
might just be the best fairytale retelling/reimagining ever

[Kayla Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored reading this collection! Wholeheartedly, I recommend this book to adult readers who enjoy diversity in genre as well as shorter narratives which pack a punch in terms of world-building, relatable characters, and emotional impact.

Beka Gremikova's writing style and relatable messages within her multi-genre collection kept calling me back for more resulting in me finishing this book in less than 24 hours. I couldn't wait to see what the next story offered, and I am so excited that the author has a volume two planned for 2024!

My top three favorite stories in the collection include: Mer-Child, Prince of Bees, and The Mermaid's Soul. These stories stood out to me and keep replaying in my mind, not only for the beautiful writing but also because of the characters and what their narratives offer readers.

Mer-Child is a story that doesn't cover-up heartache or trauma but also illustrates the power of love and family. Prince of Bees includes an animal companion and explores how traits that one see as a flaw can actually truly be a strength. The Mermaid's Soul is an absolute wonderful conclusion to the book. It illustrates the power of kindness, second chances, grace, and redemption; not just extended to others, but extended to one's own self as well. Pair this with the deeper layers of faith woven in---truly, one of my favorite flash fiction stories I've ever read!

The Wolf at the Door also tugged at my heart strings and The Screwtech Letters made me giggle; people who like anthologies that offer a variety should definitely pick up Unexpected Encounters! Not only is there diversity within the included genres but the headers on the title page of each piece identify the genre; a special touch. Readers who like fantasy, science-fiction, humor, and spooky-ish (not horror) stories, will like the mix Unexpected Encounters offers.

Another one of the features readers will appreciate about this collection is the trigger/content warnings the author includes in the beginning of the book. This list will ensure readers can avoid elements that make them uncomfortable.

Though not every story includes a "happy" ending, the collection as a whole offers readers a sense of comfort; no one is alone and everyone is worthy of love, restoration, and life. If you like good speculative fiction, then you need to check out Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind and Other Stories!


*I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I am leaving a review of my own volition, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[J.R. Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed reading this collection of stories. I switched between reading the ebook and paperback. I loved the chapter heading designs that indicated the genre of each story.

The ones I enjoyed the most were either fun and witty, or hit hard with excellent world-building while addressing tough issues (family/belonging/abandonment/redemption.)

Here are my top favorites:

🏰A Taste of Grace
🪐 Deep Dive
🧜‍♀️ The Mer-Child
🏰 Tough Crowd
🪐 Just a Hench
🐉 Down in Flames
🪐 Retrieval
🏰 The Perfumers of Qukamar
🪐 The Screwtech Letters
🧜‍♀️ The Mermaid’s Soul

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gremikova is such a talented short story writer and I'm so glad we have a collection of some of her best work. I'd read some of these before, but that didn't stop me from enjoying them for a second time. The title story was my favourite. It almost made me cry (granted, I'd just woken up and was tired). All this to say I'm really looking forward to everything she has planned for the future. Grab this one!

[Robert Foland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind and Other Stories is a delightfully intriguing collection of short stories. Beka Gremikova serves up a wonderful mix of characters and story variety. Gripping from page to page. A true pleasure to read.

I received a free copy and leave my voluntary review.

[OldBird · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and whimsical selection of short stories to tug at the heartstrings. From thoughtful sci fi to silly sketches with a weird twist, this is clearly an author who knows how to set the scene with only a ten minute read. Tackling difficult topics as well as writing entertaining tales, there's something for every story fantastical lover here.

From the very first tale telling of dragons and the power of motherhood to a Red Riding Hood with a sweetly sorrowful twist, these are stories to make you think. I especially adore the twist on what happened after Rapunzel's HEA. There are a great many merfolk tales here too, all with a different and original take on the mythology and fairy tales we all know. Again my favourite of these dealt with family bonds, and the author writes these with such sensitivity it's hard not to be drawn in. Even the sci fi caught my usually fantasy obsessed imagination by telling human stories - a supervillain's kid looking for their place in the world was a clever twist. The odd one or two felt as if they could be even better as slightly longer stories for context, but all were enjoyable reads.

I can't wait to see more from this author in future - it's so rare to be touched emotionally and drawn away into fantastic worlds at the same time. Stellar stuff.

[Raina S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

From cover to cover, this book read like a long night of wild dreams. Each story transported readers into unique worlds with varying conflicts through differing literary genres and all concluded with a pointed, moral message to take away alongside the adventure provided. Like with dreams, short stories in this regard encounter difficulties because they are often over before one is effectively involved in the plot and contently immersed in the environment. Reader expectations within the fantasy realm rely heavily on the experience provided only by world building. Along these lines, many stories provided complete dreamlike, adventuring experiences while others possessed an engaging premise but suffered in delivery. "Unexpected Encounters of a Dragonic Kind," "Topsy Turvey Tiger," "Change of Heart," "Tiger Bright," "Sea Claim," and "No Man's Jungle" stand out as the most complete adventures with pristine world building to support it and also as my selected favorites. Stories like "A Taste of Grace," "Deep Dive," "Prince of Bees," "Retrieval," "Of Masks and Macarenas," "Sir Gawain," and "The Screwtech Letters" struggled on the delivery of their phenomenally creative premises and could have benefitted from expanded length to give the stories the attentive allowance they deserve. Overall, the experience Beka offered through this anthology was nothing short of magnificent. As the book operated as a night's worth of dreams in its structure, so did it bless my sleep with adventures of the likewise.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

These short stories packed a big punch! The author has a talent for bringing forth strong emotions in just a few words. I was left in awe by how much of an emotional impact each of these stories had. Quite a few left me in tears, while others had me laughing out loud. One of the things I loved was that each story had surprising twists and unexpected turns that I never saw coming.

Some of my favorites were: Just a Hench, Change of Heart, The Grave Dancers, Deep Dive, The Mermaid’s Soul, A Taste of Grace, Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind, and Sir Gawain and the Green Thumb. ALL of the stories were great, though. There's not a bad one in the bunch.

These stories are just the right size if you’re looking for a quick read in spare moments, but the collection is also great to binge-read all in one sitting. It's a must-read for fans of fantasy and sci-fi. I highly recommend it!

I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

(I have a more detailed review over on my blog: https://rusticreadinggal.blogspot.com...)

[Ami Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting

What a nice variety of interesting stories! Ranging from fairytales to Greek mythology, they each left me feeling fulfilled, even when they weren’t all happy endings.

[Grace T · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75, rounding up. Some fun and moving premises in here! Taste of Grace is hands-down my favorite, though, for thoughtful and hopeful handling of difficult themes.