J. A. Culican

Because I don't typically sit down and read a full anthology, this will be another evolving review based on the short stories in the anthology.

The Scarlet Thread by Elena Shelest ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
This historical fantasy story (verging on magical realism) is so touching and sweet. Shelest tends to write about the human condition and how it changes people. Disabilities healed or mystical ways to cure illnesses. This one is another in her Slavic fantasy short stories that is super touching. I've read them all and found them all thoroughly moving.
Check out her other similar stories in [b:Enchanted Forests|58544640|Enchanted Forests|Astrid V.J.|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1626119277l/58544640._SY75_.jpg|92000278], [b:Enchanted Waters|56563114|Enchanted Waters|Alice Ivinya|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609854988l/56563114._SY75_.jpg|88324512], and [b:Once Upon a Name: Tales of the Strange and Unusual|58804078|Once Upon a Name Tales of the Strange and Unusual|Susan Stradiotto|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1629327932l/58804078._SY75_.jpg|92407068]… (mais)

More than a month's worth of reading on various levels.

The World Below Book One by Vivienne Lee Fraser is a family-friendly quest that starts off in London and travels to Cornwall to rescue the parents of 18-year-old Priscilla Crown and Snake Fieth from the World Below that takes a day to read. 4 1/2*

Fire Soldier by J.A. Culican: Allow a day for this PG15 example of what can happen when domestic squabbles get WAY out of hand. 5*

WHICH WAY THE CAST JUMPS by Ava Silvers: Allow a full day for this NC17 paranormal involving grief, both fresh and old. 4*

Emissary by A.L. Morrow: Allow a day for this steamy MM celestial romance which travels all over the place. 4 1/2*

FIGHT FOR DARKNESS by Susan Stradiotto and Sophia-Rose Johnson: Allow two days for this mature adult cage-fighting paranormal supernatural fantasy phasing between Wickney, Wisconsin, and Penumbra. Trigger warnings for graphic violence and sexual abuse of a minor. 4*

Inheritance by Skye Callahan: Allow a long afternoon for this PG15 supernatural rescue romance involving experimentation on a child. 5*

Shadow and Soul by A. R. Colbert: Allow an afternoon for this PG13 paranormal romance quest for the missing ingredient. 5*

BENEATH THE WAVES OF NEVERSEA by K.A. Last: Allow a day for this strange fantasy adventure when Wendeline, Jonathan, and Michael follow Peter Pan to Neverland. Ronan Hatter is sent there by his mother, the Queen of Hearts, and this is what happens. 5*

Inferno Games by Elise Knight: Allow a solid two days (or three) for this adult paranormal supernatural visit to Hell where Quinn Amelia Valentine, 28, is seeking her kid sister Jenny Alicia Valentine. 4 1/2*.… (mais)

If I don't give a 3 star or above I do not like to leave a review, however, this time I will make an exception. I was so looking forward to reading this book, and I think my expectations were lofty. I love fantasy. It is my second most favorite genre to read after thrillers. With this story, the characters threw me in a loop. How in the world someone is going to be a master sword wielder in a 20-minute training session while wearing full armor? I am a Veteran, and I know what it is to move with a weapon and armor and if your body is not in a proper physical condition, it is a sad day for the Soldier. So it was very hard for me to believe that Julianna could be such a mighty warrior.

I am aware it is a fantasy story. However, make up a spell or give Julianna some type of an artifact or something to make her such a prodigy with weapons. I had a hard time just reading the first three chapters. But I kept at it, and to my chagrin, it didn't get better. I think a middle schooler might believe that a person could go from a zero to a hero by doing 20 minutes of training. They may like this story. I was disappointed, the plot idea was promising, but I found too many continuity errors. I wondered if this book was even edited.… (mais)