Stupefying Stories: March 2012

What A Great Collection!

This is the second issue of a new series of e-books from Rampant Loon Press. Each volume is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories and this is the first issue I had a chance to read. I found this to be a solid collection, and each tale was short enough that I could read several in one sitting. - First Impressions by Aaron Bradford Starr - This was a story of first contact gone wrong. While the ending did not break any new ground among sci-fi themes, it was well done and I enjoyed the humor. - The Bamboo Garden by Clare L. Deming - This was the most amazing, magnificent, and imaginative fantasy story I've ever read. Disclaimer...I wrote it, so how objective do you think I'm going to be? It's a fantasy tale in a non-traditional setting, and I think it's a good one. - Home Security by Gary McKenzie - When something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This takes on a new meaning when Roy purchases a home security system from a shady fellow. I felt the characters were well-drawn and the idea was original. - Borrowed Feathers by Sarah Frost - A creepy look at the aftermath of an alien invasion. Humans are taken by the aliens, but birds of all kinds are gathered up and brought to one woman, trapped in a skyscraper and wondering how to go on. This was a rather chilling tale with lots of unanswered questions, but a fascinating read. - If This Be Magic by Anatoly Belilovsky - Two men, out for a night on the town, discover that magic takes many forms when they encounter a strange house and a man that intrigues their dates. I felt like I missed something in this story, like a reference I didn't understand. I think that the men were nicely set up to be unlikable, and the end was fitting. - The Oily by E. A. Black - Lara and Nate return to their childhood home where they confront haunted memories and secrets of Winwood House and the neighboring swamp. I don't usually like ghost stories, but this was one of my favorite selections in the book. - In Fall, After the Harvest by S. Travis Brown - Dave resists his company's new health and fitness initiative when almost everyone eventually gives in. This was the shortest piece but was funny, with an unexpected twist. - The King of Ash and Bones by Rebecca Roland - A ruined king seeks revenge in a fantasy setting where magic is transferred by implanted worms. I really enjoyed the idea behind the magic and I would love to see more of this world. - Watch This! by Henry Vogel - Two uncouth hillbillies lacking in common sense find themselves in an unexplained line. Humorous, and fitting with the cover of the issue.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent work

Solid storytelling all the way through.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

My story by tigerpelt

?.....................tigerpelts story........................................................... hello im tigerpelt im gonna tell you my story..................................
?...................chapter one..................................................................i woke up to the bush rusling. " mom" i mewed. I look around no ones hete but rain fish. Fish a golden she-cat was up. Suddnly my mom jumps out with a thrush. "I want a rabbit" yowled rain. It was her favriote prey. "You know how leaf-bare is this is all we got including the crow the fish and the mouse clan cats always get more" she mewed. Her pelt was golden like fish she hs a black tail and a puff of fur like me but rain was torttashelled like our father. Four clans lived here seaclan stormclan treeclan and grassclan. It was always hard to find food even in green-leaf and new-leaf. "Lets eat" fish mew. Thrn we ate...............
?.........................chapter two............................................................four cats came up to use. "So your the loners stealing are prey" one cat yowled angerly. "We have rights over this prey too" mom mewed. "Find anothr territory to steal food you had of smealt the makers" a little black tabby mewed he hissed at us. Rain squiled somewhere eles and tan out with a big fat thrush in her jaw. "Look what i found look what i found look what I found" rain mewed happly. The cats flicked his tail at his friends and us. This cat was a red she-cat with green eyes.. they walked and walk untill they came to a pool. The cats jumped in the red cat said "by the way im flamefeather".
?...............................the last chapter................................................"lionpelt is tigerpaw ready to be a warrior" lionpelt nodded " ok then silverheart is fishpaw readt to be a warrior" silverheart nodded " ok then redfeather is rainpaw ready to be a warrior" se nodded too "then i command starclan to look unpon these apprentices they learned hard ti lear your noble ways tigerpaw fishpaw and rainpaw do you promise to uphold the ways of the warrior code even at the cost of your life" they mewed "we do" " then in eachtanixe you ca be warriors tigerpaw you will be tigerpelt rainpaw you will be rainfeather and fishpaw you will be fishtail" they all yowled " tigerpelt rainfeather abd fishtail" but they all died and i found horseclan my on clan so thats my story