"A dream is not reality, but who's to say which is which?" ~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Imagine, if you will, an addition to your house built "A dream is not reality, but who's to say which is which?" ~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Imagine, if you will, an addition to your house built solely to entertain children. It is called the nursery. Any marvel a child can imagine manifests itself in three dimensions on the ceiling and walls, accompanied by scents and temperature changes to round out the experience. They might like a day spent in a clover field brimming with bunnies or an invented trip to the circus. As a bonus, you gain free time to clean the home or read a book. It's perfectly safe — it’s virtual reality.
But is a room in which your children can live out their dreams genuinely innocent? What if the little ones are into something more thrilling? George and Lydia Hadley had recently begun to wonder what their kids, Peter and Wendy, have been up to in the nursery. Lo and behold, they discover a sensory sensation that leaves their hair standing on end…
The Veldt was written in 1950, and Ray Bradbury was undoubtedly ahead of his time. This creepy sci-fi short story is just the ticket!
"You Have Arrived at Your Destination — is set in the future, it is set about five minutes in the future…" ~Amor Towles
Sam, and his wife Annie, have ta"You Have Arrived at Your Destination — is set in the future, it is set about five minutes in the future…" ~Amor Towles
Sam, and his wife Annie, have taken the slow path, saving and planning to create a stable home. Now it's time to start a family, which in their case necessitates a course of IVF. At Vitek laboratory, offspring can be ordered from a menu as easily as one could order a burger and fries. Of course, gender and eye color are on offer, but more importantly, a child's future success can be manipulated based on a selection of "contoured" personality traits. Yes siree, Bob, you can manufacture the kind of kid that would make any parent proud.
Annie has spent a considerable amount of time with the employees of Vitek, designing her and Sam's prospective progeny. We join this story on the day her choices are shown to her husband, the unveiling of which will turn his vanilla world upside down.
If you could give your baby a leg-up through genetic manipulation, would you? And is it wrong to take a shortcut to manufacture the best possible life for your child? These are just a couple of the questions that Towles' thought-provoking short story raises. This was an intriguing deviation from his usual style of writing, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of his other works....more
"The start of a new novel carried with it a sense of occasion, and the alphabets in Luna’s mind started to shuffle their letters in anticipation. She "The start of a new novel carried with it a sense of occasion, and the alphabets in Luna’s mind started to shuffle their letters in anticipation. She opened the book and began to read."
Writing a review for a story as impressive as In the Shadow of Time is difficult. I have long been a fan of Kevin Ansbro’s writing style because of his flamboyant prose and phenomenal storytelling, but this book exceeded expectations.
The aperitivo whispered of fantasy as I met a fair-skinned child and her dying parents in Silkeborg Forest, Denmark, circa 1970. "It was their intention that the chalk-skinned infant would prove easy for a passer-by to spot, reminiscent perhaps of a religious icon looking down from a wall niche in a church." But fantasy is not where this road leads, and my journey had only begun as the feisty Dr. Sofia Ustinova, a world-renowned physicist, came into view.
Cut to England in the year 2020 as Sofia watched her beast of a husband leave their Surrey mansion with great relief before she settled in for what promised to be a relaxing time with her cat Copernicus and a good tome. Although she didn't know it, the universe had bigger plans for her and her feline companion... "…an alarming noise screamed through the house, rattling it to its foundations and sending the cat scrambling for cover."
While still in England, albeit a week later, I became acquainted with Hugo Wilde, a nobleman, an assassin, and a hunky bad boy, who took center stage. With a grin on my face that was almost painful, I discovered that he and his pal Vincent were as amusing as they were deadly. "My God, you are such a peacock," grinned Vincent O’Toole, Wilde’s right-hand man and chief tormentor. "Do you deliberately order those shirts a size too small so you can show off your pretty-boy muscles?" Hugo’s next assignment would challenge everything he’d ever believed to be true.
My fellow bibliophiles, what I’ve written here is but a nibble of the big adventure that lay behind the beautiful cover. There was never a moment to pause because the many moving parts came together like a well-oiled machine, whisking the narrative along at a swift pace. This enthralling saga so transported me, that my house could have caught on fire, and I would not have noticed.
In true Ansbro style, the prose is scrumptious, with a delicious poetic filling in a multilayered story. He blends darkness with humor like a fine chocolatier tempers chocolate. This story will make you laugh and it might also make you cry.
Please excuse me while I clear the stars from my eyes after reading this incredible tale. And if you are looking for the book to read this year or any year, I highly recommend In the Shadow of Time. This is one for the ages!...more
“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” ― W.B. Yeats
In the space of a few paragraphs, the author had me “The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” ― W.B. Yeats
In the space of a few paragraphs, the author had me wholly invested in Nadia and her perplexing pocket predicament. This sparkling story is chock-full of fizz with an exquisite finish!
If you can spare ten minutes, please don’t miss this little nibble of delight. It’s free to read Here.
Thank you to Kevin, Debbie, Cheri, and Laysee, for sharing this jewel!...more
"All by myself Don't wanna be All by myself Anymore" ~Eric Carmen, All By Myself
A short science fiction story published initially on May 6, 1950, There Wi"All by myself Don't wanna be All by myself Anymore" ~Eric Carmen, All By Myself
A short science fiction story published initially on May 6, 1950, There Will Come Soft Rains walks us through a day in the life of an automated home. I know it sounds simple, perhaps even a bit boring, but I can assure you that this tale is anything but dull.
Like an aria, the narrative opened slowly with the dawning of a new day filled with promise. But instead of a soloist, the lead of this grand opera comes in the form of a family home; and as rain fell softly, drumming a gentle pitter-patter on its roof, I watched gadgets go about their usual business and listened in as the house told me of the day's events.
"Today is August 4, 2026," said a second voice from the kitchen ceiling, "in the city of Allendale, California." It repeated the date three times for memory's sake. "Today is Mr. Featherstone's birthday. Today is the anniversary of Tilita's marriage. Insurance is payable, as are the water, gas, and light bills."
As breakfast was auto-plated, I thought that my wait to meet the inhabitants of this state-of-the-art domicile was about to be rewarded. But no one appeared. Where had they gone?
Bradbury endowed this abandoned house, and each of the mechanical creatures therein, with human qualities, and these characters made of metal and fire touched me as much as any person could. His writing was sublime and so fraught with tension that I held my breath as the story built to a crescendo.
A haunting but brilliant cautionary tale that will give you pause for thought. I loved it!
Five brilliantly shining stars! My favorite read of the year!
"We lose ourselves in books. We find ourselves there too." –Anonymous
As I closed the gFive brilliantly shining stars! My favorite read of the year!
"We lose ourselves in books. We find ourselves there too." –Anonymous
As I closed the gorgeous cover of this book, I find that more exact words were never written. I have been swept away by mermaids, lost in a faraway world with a space-travelling cowboy and found myself in tears over a love that could not be. Kevin Ansbro has indeed taken me on a journey from Cornwall to Phuket and nearly every exciting place in-between. Reading The Minotaur’s Son & Other Wild Tales has been like peeping through the looking glass into worlds I could never have dreamed of. I feel like Alice in the Wonderland that Ansbro has created!
And some of these wild tales will make you cackle. I laughed so hard at the hip-thrusting cowboy from the twenty-second century that my dog growled at me. The growling, of course, only made me chuckle even louder! However, within these pages you will also find poignant stories of honor and modern-day fables that are packed with moral dilemmas. There is even a magical concubine and a postman. One would be hard-pressed to ever come across such a fantastical cast of characters. Honestly, there wasn’t one of these brilliant allegories that I didn’t love.
I have to give a special nod to one story in particular. Kinnara, another dazzling book by this author, is my favorite book of all time, and in this splendid assemblage, I was given another taste of Thailand. A lovely surprise!
I would be remiss if I didn’t lavish praise over the buttery rich picturesque prose that graces the pages of every Ansbro creation. Some of the passages are so artfully crafted that I reread them just to bask in the glorious images Ansbro paints with words.
"Once the sea was alone, it whispered its watery secrets and drifted into a deep sleep."
So, if you like historical fiction, this book has it. Fancy a little Science Fiction? Here it is! How about some spectacular magical realism? Yesiree! Step right up and get yourself a copy! Love, laughter, tragedy, longing, greed ... all that and more burst to life from these fabulous pages. I haven’t quit thinking about the array of fascinating characters and a reread is sure to beckon.
There couldn’t possibly be a more entertaining book on the market today!...more
"When Ross MacLeod pulled the trigger and brought down the pheasant, he had no way of knowing he’d killed himself. And billions of others."
Antici"When Ross MacLeod pulled the trigger and brought down the pheasant, he had no way of knowing he’d killed himself. And billions of others."
Anticipation crackles on crisp winter air as the world stands on the cusp of a new year. The MacLeod family plan to bring it in with panache, as they do every year at their ancestral farm in Dumfries, Scotland. However, the nightmarish promise that this new year holds blows in on dark whispers from a stone circle on the property.
“Often on dark nights, they’d crept out of the house to hike to the very field they walked now, to hold secret meetings and try to raise the spirits within the little stone circle the locals called sgiath de solas, shield of light.”
It is the beginning of the end for this tight-knit family and billions of others across the globe. Ross MacLeod, on his return to the United States, brings more than goodwill back from Scotland. He gifts everyone he encounters with a killer virus that is aptly named ‘Doom’. The opening of a magick portal sends a shockwave of death and awakening shuddering across the planet. Humans with latent magical powers suddenly find themselves dripping with ability, though not everyone immune to the Doom virus possess these newfound skills. A Mad Max foot-on-the-throttle world quickly emerges, pitting light against dark.
The concept was interesting, but I’m sorry to say that the plot was sadly predictable and I couldn’t connect with any of the leading players. A few moments had me crossing my fingers and toes that the story might finally take off. Unfortunately, the Year One series and I will part ways here.
Since I’m not a serious fan of ‘end of the world’ scenarios, unless the concept is extraordinary, please don’t let my rating scare you off. Go ahead and give this book a whirl if dystopian fiction with a side of magic appeals. Nora Roberts is a prolific author with a great many novels under her belt....more
"Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it." ― J.M. Barrie, Peter P"Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it." ― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
3.5 rounded up to 4 for a good concept and an interesting ending.
In this Peter Pan-meets-steampunk-Mad-Max, Everland is a new twist on the original fairytale. As with the prototype, Pete is our hero; a cocky bit of fun with all manner of tricks up his sleeve. His sidekick, Bella, the Tinkerbelle of this yarn, adds a bit of pre-teen lovelorn angst with a large helping of attitude. And, of course, we have the villain, Hook.
While the players are reminiscent of the original, this is set in a dark, dystopian society without the magic of pixie dust and fairies. A bomb containing the Horologia virus has been dropped on London, quickly decimating the population, beginning with the adults. Children are less susceptible, though not immune, and must now find a way to live as orphans. What’s left of humanity splits into hunters and the hunted. Fifteen-year-old Gwen Darling and her younger siblings, Joanna and Mike, believe they are among the last survivors. Hiding from Hook and his marauders they scavenge to stay alive. Gwen happens upon Pete and Bella while searching for food, and so the adventure begins. Pete introduces his new-found friends to the city of ‘lost boys’ where a semblance of civilization has been restored, including running water and light via some steam-powered tinkering. But, as with any good tale, there is a looming secret…
Everland is a cute story and, though I guessed what was going to happen, I didn't lose interest. I would suggest, that it might better-suit a younger audience....more
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the Russians and the Americans have bombed the globe into a near-uninhabitable wasteland. They continue to fight, thoSet in a post-apocalyptic world, the Russians and the Americans have bombed the globe into a near-uninhabitable wasteland. They continue to fight, though there isn’t much left to scrap over and the Russians are winning until America invents the claws: robotic balls of whirling blades that attack and kill any warm-blooded being not wearing a particular patch designed to shut them down. The tide of the war turns, and the Russians send a message that they want to talk.
Philip K Dick’s narrative is thought-provoking, leading the reader to contemplate man’s inventions and how they might prove to be humanity's ultimate undoing. Though the ending was predictable, the tale is well-written and engaging. I would recommend this short-story to any sci-fi lover.
Another big thanks to Apatt for his recommendation!...more
It took me a few chapters to warm up, but once the heat kicked in I was hooked!
George Orr has been caught using prescription medications borrowed fromIt took me a few chapters to warm up, but once the heat kicked in I was hooked!
George Orr has been caught using prescription medications borrowed from others, and he’s in hot water. But George isn’t your run-of-the-mill pill-popper; he has dreams that frighten him and his attempt to escape these nightmarish visions has driven him down a drug-fueled road to ruin.
Assigned to a voluntary therapy program with Dr William Haber, who specializes in sleep disorders, George spills his seemingly-preposterous secrets and hopes he’s found someone who can help him. The therapist/patient relationship is pushed to its boundaries as trustful George hands himself over to Dr Haber, and so the rollercoaster ride begins.
I loved the concept as it caused me to think about the choices we each make as people and as a society. There is an abundance of moral dilemmas here, interwoven with angst and love, and also some wonderfully-written sci-fi.
I truly enjoyed this work. I would recommend to those science fiction lovers out there in search of a great story. The Lathe of Heaven is the first book I've read by Ursula Le Guin, who recently passed away. I dare say it won’t be my last.
Thanks to Apatt Seriniyom for tuning me into this book, and to Kevin Ansbro for being my buddy reader on this one!...more
Bloodchild outlines a symbiotic relationship between earthlings (Terrans) and the Tlic, native inhabitants of a new world that humans have fled to forBloodchild outlines a symbiotic relationship between earthlings (Terrans) and the Tlic, native inhabitants of a new world that humans have fled to for safety. The Tlic, looking somewhat like crustaceans, provide Terrans with a safe haven in exchange for their willingness to assume a certain unsavory role. The story is told from the perspective of Gan, a young human male on the cusp of becoming one of those chosen. Gan explores what being selected means to him and his family, as the horror of becoming a (view spoiler) is made clear through a series of unexpected events. The tale is as touching as it is gruesome but ends with a message of hope.
In true short story tradition, Butler masterfully captures the imagination of the reader in this brisk, gender-twisting tour de force.
It was brilliant! A big thank you to Kevin Ansbro and Apatt for the recommendation!...more