Synopsis
An idea—one that spreads and takes root—is a dangerous thing. It can corrupt, betray, mislead. Reality warps under the weight of an idea firmly planted. Cultures and countries descend and die because of ideas. Those simple philosophies become gods. They become an Ethos.
A dark fantasy anthology featuring six novelettes conjured by the Arcanist Guild.
EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF by E J Doble: For a Fatewright, death is a choice – and for Solomon Kirke, that choice is simple. So when a small village summons him to kill a monster, he is duty-bound to answer the call – and with the reward on offer, there are certain things even a Fatewright can’t ignore.
ONE MATTERS NOT by James Lloyd Dulin: Taken as a child. Trained to sacrifice. Pitted against monsters. If the order demands it, Ashel Celine will hunt down her old friend without a question. She has done worse for the greater good.
THE LIES OF XENDIS by Jonathan Neves Mayers: A war between divine beings caused the world of Xendis to be split into two lands. As the Continent declines whilst the Realm prospers with the gifts left behind after the war, a crew of thieves plan a treacherous journey to steal their power and spread it amongst their people.
ASCENSION by Morgan Shank: Life draws meaning from the eternal forms, and the forms direct life’s course. The acolytes are taught to maintain this synergy…but how do they know the forms are true?
FROM THE HEART OF THE SEA by B. S. H. Garcia: As the sacred resonance that binds her ocean world begins to unravel, a devoted seer-in-training must choose between the tradition she was raised to protect and the sister willing to break it—before the deep consumes them both.
PHANTASM by Benjamin Aeveryn: Fire protects the monastery from the plague that ravaged the world, and the demonic carriers that still lurk beyond their walls. But when his only friend flees the safety of the monastery, one survivor begins to question everything he believes. Soon he just might discover how deeply it’s possible to lie to yourself.
Review
A dark fantasy anthology which profoundly questions what makes us human and what morals should guide us.
EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF by EJ DOBLE
As a fatewright, it is imperative that Kirke follow the strictures of his creed. His entire life depends on his ability to stay Worthy.
Think the Witcher with elemental magic with much darker purposes.
This is Nature vs Nurture LITERALLY.
What would you give up for power and immortality? Is death what makes us human?
ONE MATTERS NOT by JAMES LLOYD DULIN
This is one I’d love to have a full book on.
It starts with a woman from the Ikon Order buying fate-touched children to a conspiracy that brings friends against each other. It had incredible battle scenes that were very visual (endorsed by a reader who usually gets bored of action sequences quickly).
THE LIES OF XENDIS by JONATHAN NEVES MAYERS
A sea-faring thief, an island of evil with Healing magic and a decision that changes everything.
It had a good premise, but I think it needed slightly more pages to be fleshed out as I still had many questions at the end.
ASCENSION by MORGAN SHANK
Humans and dragons seeking eternity.
I despised the main character which was the point, but in such a short format, I couldn’t latch onto the world or the characters around them to feel invested.
This was more philosophical and I struggled to follow the plot.
FROM THE HEART OF THE SEA by B. S. H. GARCIA
Sea serpents and a rush to save the reef where two sisters must learn to trust each other.
Ambitious world-building with a pro-active heroine.
What is the difference between too reckless or too fearful?
We were thrust into a fully thought-out world, but I struggled to visualise it as so much was squeezed in.
PHANTASM by BENJAMIN AEVERYN
This one is perfect for spooky season.
Like, what a killer opening line:
They had to burn the dead, but they chose to burn the living.
An order of monks are taught to burn the demons who are carriers of the plague, even if they have your loved one’s faces.
What if it turns out the monks are being used? What if they are keeping people ignorant to control them, making them afraid of the outside world?
This one was the most thought provoking.
I dislike rating anthologies as I always love some and want more from others which could have been achieved with more page count.
Overall, a very impressive collaboration, and I definitely recommend checking out the stunning kickstarter.
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