I have read the first three volumes and I have to say it was really enjoyable. I do not often read short stories, but these had me hooked!
My Review
If you are familiar with The Twilight Zone, or similar television shows, then you will have some idea of how this analogy will feel. Each short story is completely separate. Each story feels distinctly different, and if you don’t like one, there will certainly be at least one you do enjoy! I don’t often read short stories because I feel like I need more – more background, more character development, more detail on the set up or ending. While I felt each story here had the potential to be something longer, I can appreciate the power of a short story.
In volume 1 I found The Door a little… predictable, but at the same time I really enjoyed how it was written with the realisation slowly occurring. I can imagine it being turned into something a bit longer and still being just as satisfying. On the other hand, I found Afterdeath a bit… odd. It was definitely an interesting concept, and not one I have read about before. It wasn’t bad-odd, I just felt if it was longer than maybe I would have been able to grasp the ideas within the story a bit more. During the story I was a little confused and it took me some time afterwards to process what had happened.
I felt volume 2 was more intense – yes, I would probably say it was better than the first because I loved each and every story. CAL might seem a bit cliché, but it still had emotion. The Terrible, Perfect Duet was so bizarre I wasn’t sure whether I was surprised or amused! Because of that, I thought the order choice was pretty clever. I would write about each story, but in the interest of keeping this review short and sweet: each story features unique characters and interesting plot lines. If you’re going to try one of these analogies, I would recommend this one as it was my favourite!
Once again the intensity is turned up in Volume 3. Tooth and Nail and The Edge of Insanity were true gems. They nailed horror without being gruesome and gory. Those are the kind of stories that stay with you. I didn’t find the other stories as compelling, but I am certainly hooked on these anthologies!
Volume 1
The Door by Ian Kezsbom: Six people are stuck in a room with no memory of how they got there, while a fear of the unknown keeps them from opening the only exit they have.
Blackout by Lisa Gail Green: A terrifying tale of a young woman whose memory is shattered and a creepy neighbor who is not all that he seems.
Infinity by Ian Kezsbom: Two brothers, forced to travel through time to save the world from an unspeakable evil, have little idea of what they have actually gotten themselves into.
Eye of the Wolf by Lisa Gail Green: A young girl struggles against the power of the full moon as she tries to hide her deadly secret from her family.
Afterdeath by Leslie S. Rose: In a future where our journey beyond death is no longer a mystery, the promise of eternal love waits, unless you break the rules.
Author Links
Volume 2
CAL by Lisa Gail Green: A young man challenges his father after falling in love with a cybernetic life form.
The Terrible, Perfect Duet by Trysta A. Bissett: Cicadas, insomnia, and high school. What could possibly be more horrifying?
Helios by Leslie S. Rose: As humanity flees the wrath of Earth's dying Sun, a daughter's quest to claim her birthright jeopardizes the chance to escape.
Encrypted by Ian Kezsbom: Spies. Codes. Murder. A thriller about a man on the run – hiding a secret that others would kill for.
Lighting the Sacred Way by S.P. Sipal: Set during the time of the Roman Empire, a woman tries to vanquish the evil spirit residing within her. One that arrived on the day her husband was murdered.
Author Links
Ian Kezsbom | Lisa Gail Green | Leslie S. Rose | Deborah D. Pasachoff | Trysta A. Bissett | S.P. Sipal | Suzanne O’Dell
Volume 3
Tooth and Nail by Trysta A. Bissett: How far would a man go to save his wife – even if she didn’t want saving?
Downstage by Leslie S. Rose: The Theater – a place of entertainment, intrigue, and, of course, death.
The Edge of Insanity by Ian Kezsbom: When the last survivors of an alien invasion have nowhere to run, they must make a stand or lose their minds.
Skin on Skin by Lisa Gail Green: A simple touch that reveals so much more – and becomes a curse for one young woman.
Transformations by Martina A. Boone: An epic archeological discovery leads to horrific consequences.
Author Links
Trysta A. Bissett | Ian Kezsbom | Lisa Gail Green | Leslie S. Rose | Deborah D. Pasachoff | Martina A. Boone | Jenny Ceja Lee
Fuzzbom Publishing Profile
Fuzzbom Publishing was started by Ian Kezsbom and his wife, Deborah Pasachoff. Their first books were the Journeys of Wonders anthologies, which came to life with the help of their writing partners Lisa Gail Green and Leslie S. Rose. Their first novel, The Binding Stone by Lisa Gail Green – a YA Paranormal, was published this past year to excellent reviews (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CRFBA7I).
Giveaway
Win an ebook or print book (Winner’s Choice) of Journeys of Wonder – Volume 1
Thanks so much for the kind review!
ReplyDeleteIt's so great of you to help spread the word on JOW - thanks.
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