Collective Fantasy: An Unsavory Anthology by Elizabeth Suggs

Collective Fantasy: An Unsavory Anthology Reviews

• 
  Scott Hirschi

  Though the authors seem very capable of good writing, it felt like each story was a chapter taken out of a book and the majority of them aren’t able to stand on their own. Ideas are there, but it felt like they were all written in one night and they all decided to put them together and publish a book without much thought.
  “Come in my Chamber Lye” and “Dirty Secrets” were the two that I enjoyed most.
• 
  Andrew Pixton

  I'm not going to lie, for several of these short stories I went in with relatively low expectations and felt bored by the beginning. But then finished delightfully surprised by the conclusion. A great little anthology of indie authors.
• 
  Ammar Al Saffar

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• 
  H.R.R. Gorman

  The Collective Tales Publishing team does blind readings and selections for the majority of the slots in the book. I also believe that this means they choose the best works, not necessarily the most well-known authors. And, given the selection here, I can say they did great.
  
  The CTP editing team, as usual, ordered the stories perfectly. I must admit there are quite a few similarities between "Come and In My Chamber Lye" and "Aspects of Hunger", but they are placed within the book such that you can enjoy the contrast rather than lament the similarities. Stories like Suggs's "The Emerald Seed" have a very literary quality to them, and it's great to have at the front and immediately establish literary presence.
  
  Also, can I say I'm a Jonathan Reddoch fan? I think I can. He's one of the co-editors and wrote "Day of Miracles" in Collective Fantasy. It's short, but full of twists, and I really liked it. He also wrote one of my favorites in Collective Darkness, so it looks like I'm going to have to keep an eye out for his work!
  
  Immediately following "Day of Miracles" is "Aspect of Hunger", which I enjoyed for the creative escalation of its main character's needs and drive. It's one of the stories with the clearest sense of a magical world, and for that it's especially noteworthy.
  
  There's plenty of other stories to read and enjoy that I didn't mention above! They range from the seriously dark to the lighthearted, and many have a fantastic horror-comedy edge that I enjoy. If you like D&D style tales (but better told) or medieval fantasy, this is definitely for you.
  
  Caveat: I received a free copy as one of the authors of the 16 stories. I reviewed the book mostly based on my experience with the other 15 stories, but I wanted to be honest concerning the review and my position. Thanks.
• 
  Therearenobadbooks

  These collectives of stories are perfect for discovering new authors. Fantasy and horror short stories with great scenarios, characters, and twists.
  
  Some quotes from the book:
  "I often dreamed of an abandoned dungeon, one that I remembered as a newly orphaned youth. When I was awake, I had mourned for the loss of my parents in this place, but in my dreams, my eyes were dry..." Elizabeth Suggs
  
  "Was she a demon temptress, or rather an angel: had her kiss actually saved me from certain death?" Jonathan Reddoch
  
  "Honest Owewald's EmporiumFirst Rule: No questions asked Second Rule: No live merchandiseThrid Rule: All Transactions final Fourth Rule: Let the buyer beware" Marshall J. Moore
• 
  Jonathan

  Exciting new fantasy anthology
  
  This book contains a diverse range of voices and stories about thieves and murderers and witches and all sorts of fantasy criminal elements.
• 
  Caroline

  Some good concepts but not great execution and felt no story actually had a good ending. Wish some of them were more developed