Witches Save the World – Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right by Rebecca Buchanan (Editor)

October 30, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Witches Save the World – Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right by Rebecca Buchanan (Editor)
Publisher: Gorgon’s Gaze Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Holiday, Poetry, Contemporary, Historical, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Covens. Cauldrons. And Curses.

The witch is a complex figure. Hero? Villain? Victim? Practitioner of a nearly-forgotten faith or just misunderstood? An elder who should be respected but is instead reviled? Or the member of an oppressed ethnic or sexual minority?

Witches of every sort appear in this anthology, and its companion volume, Witches Save the World: Hags, Harridans, and Hexes Gone Right. In some tales and poems, the witch embodies the primal forces of balance and karmic retribution, or they act in support of social justice, defending those who cannot protect themselves. Or they act in defense of Nature, calling to heel the corrupt governments and corporations that would strip the world in the name of power and profit. Or they are caretakers of their communities, mending minds and bodies, sometimes at the cost of their own freedom or even their own lives.

These are witches who do what must be done, because someone has to save the world.

Justice has many faces.

“The Blackened Grin of Justice” followed Agatha, the only healer in a town stricken with a terrible disease that was rapidly killing people. I enjoyed her character development in this piece, especially when it came to her devotion to her community and what she was willing to do to end the epidemic. Had this one been a full-length novel, I would have relished getting to know her even better than I already did.

I relish the challenge of reviewing anthologies given how many different authors and writing styles are typically included in them, although it can be tricky at times to choose a rating when I loved many of the stories but didn’t connect so well to other ones. That is something that happened to me again when I read this book, and “The Momentonomicon,” in which Sylvie took photos of roadkill and other deceased wild animals to commemorate their lives, was one such example. I struggled to understand why she thought this was a good way to remember them and would have found it helpful to explore her feelings on this topic on a much deeper level.

Sorrow was forced to become betrothed to a man she found repulsive in “The Witch’s Bridle” because her parents needed his money to keep the family farm running. This was one of my favorite stories due to how determined she was to find a way to evade this fate and how slim her odds were of getting out of this arrangement. She was an intelligent and resourceful young woman, and I never stopped hoping for a happy ending for her.

This is part of a duology that can be read in either order.

Witches Save the World – Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right was an empowering and deliciously scary read.

Filed Under: Horror, Poetry, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Witches Save the World – Hags, Harridans, and Hexes Gone Right by Rebecca Buchanan (Editor)

October 30, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Witches Save the World – Hags, Harridans, and Hexes Gone Right by Rebecca Buchanan (Editor)
Publisher: Gorgon’s Gaze Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Poetry, LGBTQ, Paranormal, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Hags. Harridans. And Hexes.

The witch is a complex figure. Hero? Villain? Victim? Practitioner of a nearly-forgotten faith or just misunderstood? An elder who should be respected but is instead reviled? Or the member of an oppressed ethnic or sexual minority?

Witches of every sort appear in this anthology, and its companion volume, Witches Save the World: Covens, Cauldrons, and Curses Gone Right. In some tales and poems, the witch embodies the primal forces of balance and karmic retribution, or they act in support of social justice, defending those who cannot protect themselves. Or they act in defense of Nature, calling to heel the corrupt governments and corporations that would strip the world in the name of power and profit. Or they are caretakers of their communities, mending minds and bodies, sometimes at the cost of their own freedom or even their own lives.

These are witches who do what must be done, because someone has to save the world.

Not everything can be described in black and white terms.

Madison had recently moved from Minneapolis to a rural community in that state for her first job as a new teacher and was struggling to make friends in

“Minnesota Comfort.” The plot twist in this tale was delightfully scary and made the beginning even better once I went back to reread it. There’s definitely something to be said for being surprised like this, so I will be keeping an eye out for what Ms. Thynes comes up with next.

Honestly, I wish I had enough space to mention a dozen stories here instead of only a few of them. I adored almost everything in this anthology, and it was incredibly difficult to narrow down my list while writing this review. With that being said, there were a few pieces that I thought would have been even stronger with a little more development, and “Weather Witch on the Main Portal” was one of them. As much as I liked Ebbie and Fletcher, I was a little puzzled by why they were the only witches who were trying to figure out why the magical storms had become so strong and why certain supernatural things in their universe that had been dormant for so long were now active again. These seemed like topics that should have interested every witch affected by them instead of just two of them. Had the explanation for this been longer, their adventure might have been my favorite one in this entire book as I thought both of these characters were well written and memorable.

“The Weaver’s Song” showed how a witch taught her students to repair cracks in the earth through music. So much attention was paid to the world building here that I nearly felt as though I were visiting another world while I got to know Nora and Opal as they made their dangerous walk home. This was an excellent example of how quickly a setting can feel three dimensional and how important it is to create characters that are equally well rounded.

This is the second instalment in a duology that does not need to be read in order.

Witches Save the World – Hags, Harridans, and Hexes Gone Right made me yearn for Halloween. Reading it was a treat!

Filed Under: Horror, Poetry, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Solomon Dark – Blood and Bourbon by Erick S. Gray

October 28, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Solomon Dark – Blood and Bourbon by Erick S. Gray
Publisher: Black Odyssey Media
Genre: Paranormal, Historical, Action/Adventure
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Blood and Bourbon is a gritty supernatural noir set during the Harlem Renaissance—a tale of vengeance, forbidden love, and the fight to protect a city caught between jazz and justice, bullets and blood.

Harlem, 1927. The jazz is hot, the liquor is illegal, and the shadows are deeper than they seem. Solomon Graves is a Black vampire and former slave turned underground king, running a speakeasy empire in the heart of the Harlem Renaissance. After decades of drifting through a world that treated his kind—both vampire and Black—as expendable, Solomon has carved out his own piece of the night.

But peace never lasts.

When Nyah, an ancient African vampire queen, arrives in Harlem seeking revenge for the husband Solomon killed back in 1850, the city becomes a battleground. Nyah doesn’t want justice—she wants to destroy everything Solomon has built, and the woman he’s come to love, a jazz singer named Eve Moreau.

As Nyah’s war escalates, Solomon must confront the sins of his past, the weight of centuries of trauma, and the darkness within himself. Torn between the man he wants to be and the monster he was made to become, Solomon has one choice: fight for Harlem—or let it all burn.

Caught between a brutal turf war with the mob and a supernatural vendetta centuries in the making, Solomon must confront the monster within and reckon with the sins of his past.

Erick S. Gray’s Solomon Dark presents a unique historical-supernatural premise, but while it had moments I enjoyed, the execution left me with mixed feelings. The novel introduces Solomon, a warrior who refuses to be emotionally and mentally bound by the chains of slavery, and Kaiser Adelberg, a German vampire hunter and member of a brotherhood pledged to protect humanity.

The part of the story I enjoyed the most was the exploration of what freedom means and the various paths people took to achieve it. This clash between the characters was a compelling theme that kept me reading. The book felt inconsistent due to a lack of detailed character development. For example, the character Akasha seemed driven by anger and vengeance, which was understandable; however, his actions came across as reckless and unplanned. This made it hard to connect with him. Although he had the means and ability, he lacked the skills to plan more successful attacks, resulting in animalistic behavior. I liked that Solomon wasn’t afraid to stand up to Akasha, and his character was strong in both mind and body, showing true leadership.

Overall, the narrative favored fast-paced action and focused heavily on scenes of slavery, while neglecting to provide enough depth for the characters. As a result, the story felt somewhat flat. I would have liked to read more about the enslaved individuals and their thoughts on being vampires versus being slaves. Additionally, I was interested in learning more about how Kaiser began his role in fighting evil.

While the book concludes in a way that suggests a continuation, I was hoping for a more memorable experience. As a fan of history and suspense, I felt the book had great potential, but it was just an “okay” read for me.

Note: The book contains explicit language and descriptions of violent sexual acts that may be triggering for some readers.

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Blood Rising by Markus Redmond

October 2, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Blood Rising by Markus Redmond
Blood Slaves Series, Book 2
Publisher: Dafina
Genre: Historical, Horror, Paranormal, Action/Adventure
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Kwadzo Okoro never believed the bloody legend of Ramanga was real. Now, he stands as the leader of a new Ramanga Tribe, one that sieged the Barrow plantation in a storm of righteous carnage, liberating its formerly enslaved Africans. Reclaimed as the Crimson Plantation, it is now also home to the wronged Natives who fearlessly aligned with the Ramangans.

But Kwadzo knows that freedom is not secure. Bartholomew and Constance Crabtree, the most influential slaveholders in the region since the demise of Big Jim Barrow, are galvanizing the Lakeside community to strike back—violently. The threat they pose, however, pales in comparison to the insidious menace of Penelope Knudsen. Her white-hot hatred, now fueled by Ramangan blood, and an ability to survive the sunlight—a power Kwadzo doesn’t have—threatens to upend Kwadzo’s advancement of Ramangan might throughout the colonies to free his people.

But the gravest threat comes from within: Rafazi. His blood fathered the rebellion, but he will not take orders from his own creation. And when Rafazi makes a deadly deal with the Crabtrees, Kwadzo is forced into a battle with his maker that he may not survive, while the everlasting freedom of every enslaved person in the colonies hangs in the balance.

In Carolina and beyond, a reckoning is coming that will change the colonies forever.

Blood Rising is a brilliantly terrifying blend of supernatural horror and alternate history. In this second installment, a vengeful Ramanga vampire tribe, formed of formerly enslaved Africans, wages war across the Southern colonies in an ultimate battle for land, freedom, and rights. This book focuses on the liberated Ramangans and local Native tribes as they try to establish a new society while facing violent, relentless backlash from surrounding white plantation owners.

While it wasn’t quite as action-packed or exciting as the first book, I did struggle with some parts. However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the aftermath of the rebellion and observing how life progressed after the initial emancipation of the enslaved. Following Kwadzo Okoro as he leads the new Ramanga Tribe, now established at the reclaimed Crimson Plantation alongside allied Native tribes, provides a compelling continuation of the story.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was seeing Gertie’s maturity since book one and her support for Kwadzo. The introduction of new, highly influential slaveholders Bartholomew and Constance Crabtree added a layer of anxiety to the plot. They were incredibly easy to dislike and constantly made me wonder if Kwadzo and his people would be able to continue their fight against such evil opposition. Another new character introduced is Jenue, whose relevance I’m unsure of. They seem to follow a similar path as Rafazi, showing less concern for the freedom of the people or the fight for it, focusing instead on their own happiness and pleasures.

What I appreciate most about Redmond’s writing is his commitment to historical accuracy. He addresses the brutal mistreatment of enslaved people and Native tribes with honesty, which adds significant weight to the story. This alternate history is driven by passion and justified anger, transforming a dark chapter of pre-colonial America into an empowering narrative. I particularly admire that it serves as a fascinating study of power, achieved through a brilliant reimagining of both history and vampire lore.

The suspense surrounding Penelope Knudsen was another highlight. Driven by hatred and fueled by Ramangan blood, her ability to survive sunlight creates a massive threat to Kwadzo. Watching her character unfold leaves me guessing whether she will choose to maintain her malevolent spirit or ultimately work for the greater good. With the dire threat of the blood-father Rafazi making deadly deals with the Crabtrees, the stakes are incredibly high. I’m anxiously waiting for the next installment in the book series to see how this reckoning in the colonies concludes!

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Cowboy Watch by Petie McCarty

October 1, 2026 By 3 Comments


Cowboy Watch by Petie McCarty
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Paranormal
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Rose

The Watchers Series–Book One

Fallen angels given one chance at redemption . . .

Come heaven or hell.

Cowboy Watch:

Someone is watching Kellen. She can sense it. But who . . .

Kellen Brand’s inheritance comes as a monumental shock—a rundown farm in West Virginia she doesn’t want and one paroled Watcher all her own, a fallen angel with a single chance at redemption. Seriously? A Watcher?

Only her eccentric mother . . .

Since Kellen vows that no sane woman would choose to live in Riverside, she’s on a mission to dump the old farm fast and to the first buyer who comes along. Unfortunately for her, the only buyer is spurned by a townful of objectors and one handsome cowboy—her neighbor, Luke Thornton. Luke must block Kellen’s farm sale or risk exposure of his own family’s secrets. He can ill afford his immediate and compelling attraction to his new neighbor.

Someone is watching Kellen, but not who she thinks. Someone deadly and intent on scaring her out of town. Or worse. Luke has a hellish choice to make—step in and rescue Kellen from her threats, or to protect his family, stand by and watch . . .

This is one of the best books I’ve read this year…. so much so that I read it in one setting.

The characters were so well written. I instantly felt a connection to both of the main characters. I also enjoyed the secondary characters as well….well, most of them. I have to admit to wanting to smack Krystle with a K. But, I think that’s a justified response.

I also have to applaud the author for completely hiding who The Watchers were….I had no idea until the absolute end of the book. Good job, Ms. McCarty… you completely misled me in a marvelous way.

I cannot wait to read the other books sin the series.

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The October Man by Ben Aaronovitch

September 16, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The October Man by Ben Aaronovitch
Publisher: Gollancz
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

With this long new novella, bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch has crafted yet another wickedly funny and surprisingly affecting chapter in his beloved Rivers of London series.

If you thought magic was confined to one country—think again.

Trier: famous for wine, Romans and being Germany’s oldest city.

When a man is found dead with his body impossibly covered in a fungal rot, the local authorities know they are out of their depth. But fortunately this is Germany, where there are procedures for everything.

Enter Tobias Winter, an investigator for the Abteilung KDA, the branch of the German Federal Criminal Police which handles the supernatural. His aim is to get in, deal with the problem, and get out with the minimum of fuss, personal danger and paperwork.

Together with frighteningly enthusiastic local cop, Vanessa Sommer, he quickly links the first victim to a group of ordinary middle aged men whose novel approach to their mid-life crisis may have reawakened a bloody conflict from a previous century.

As the rot spreads, literally, and the suspect list extends to people born before Frederick the Great, Tobias and Vanessa will need to find allies in some unexpected places.

And to solve the case they’ll have to unearth the secret magical history of a city that goes back two thousand years.

Presuming that history doesn’t kill them first.

Investigator Tobias Winter is called in to help the local police when a strange fungal rot appears to have possibly killed someone. The local police are at a loss, and in Germany there is thankfully a procedure to handle everything – even the unknown. Tobias soon uncovers some of the city’s history – and magic – and complications begin to arise.

I have been loving the Rivers Of London series and was rather thrilled to find this novella takes the same quirky, paranormal mystery world and expands it out of England and into Germany. I strongly feel that readers who aren’t sure whether they’re wanting to dip a toe into this series could easily start here. The writing style and general laugh aloud, tongue in cheek banter is very present in this story, along with the strong mystery and very well balanced magical and paranormal world. Basically I felt this story had all the strong points of the main books, just with some new characters, a new country and a shorter length.

While I do admit the shorter story length does mean the plot wasn’t as complicated and convoluted as I’m used to in this series I absolutely feel the author did the plot justice. I also enjoyed the layers to the characters and am rather hoping sometime down the track we shall revisit both Germany and Tobias and Vanessa.

With a fully magical and paranormal world on offer, the new setting of Germany and a bunch of new characters, I found this to be a highly enjoyable story and a quick and wonderful read. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Band From Another World by Kevin Garone

September 8, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Band From Another World by Kevin Garone
(Alien Survival Guide Book 3)
Publisher: Temor Press
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When Marv traces a mysterious transmission to an abandoned house, he’s ready to finally uncover proof of an otherworldly invasion. But when he and his friends sneak inside, they don’t find aliens.

Instead, they find a dusty basement full of musical instruments.

To Marv’s friends, this means one thing: instant rock band. But Marv was right to be suspicious. Strange shadows reach from the walls. Faces flicker in the dark. Worst of all, his friends start acting off. Like they’re not entirely themselves anymore.

And it’s happening to Marv, too.

Suddenly, he can play guitar like a total legend-no practice, no lessons, no explanation. But every note pulls him in deeper. The thoughts in his head aren’t all his. And the music doesn’t want to stop.

Can Marv uncover the truth behind the transmission before he loses himself completely?

Because something else is listening to the broadcast. And it’s not here for the music.

Not every wish should come true.

The paranormal subplot was a surprising and welcomed addition to this universe. While I can’t go into much detail about it without accidentally sharing spoilers, what I can say is that it added another layer of depth to what I already knew about this universe and could be a fantastic springboard for future adventures if the author is planning to write more about these characters. I don’t know if that will happen, of course, but he left plenty of space here for further explorations of the world Marv and his friends live in which, if nothing else, provides a lot of fodder for the imagination in the meantime.

I mentioned wanting more character development in my review of book one, I Know What UFO Did Last Summer. This was once again something that came to mind while I was reading, but this time it involved the secondary characters instead of the protagonist. As much as I enjoyed the plot and world building, I was hoping to get to know Marv’s friends better by this point. Although I could easily describe his personality and habits, it’s something I’d struggle with a bit if someone asked about what Jace, Kenji, Nora, or Liv were like. If as much attention had been paid to this as was given to describing their interest in aliens, I would have happily gone for a full five-star rating.

This is the third instalment of a series, but it works perfectly well as a standalone story, too. With that being said, there were some wonderful references and callbacks to the first two stories included here. One of them involved a fun plot twist related to previously-introduced characters that I didn’t see coming in advance, so do keep an eye out for it if you’re already familiar with these characters. Balancing the expectations of new and returning readers isn’t always easy, and I must tip my cap at Mr. Garone for making things accessible and amusing for everyone.

The Band From Another World (Alien Survival Guide Book 3) was a wild ride that still has me wondering what might happen next.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Our Ghost Harry by Peter De Geesewell

August 31, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Our Ghost Harry by Peter De Geesewell
Publisher: Rowanvale Books
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

How would you react if one day you found a genuine ghost sitting in your living room – declaring that from now on he’s your new housemate?

Meet Sir Henry, the bitter, mischievous ghost of Urquhart Castle in Scotland. Cursed by his own son to haunt his castle until he saves a girl’s life, he finally decides to leave his dilapidated, abandoned home and ‘emigrate’ to Switzerland, where he transforms himself into the genial and funny guardian spirit of his newly adopted family.

Our Ghost Harry is a charming ghost story that is equal parts spooky, hilarious and moving, perfect for readers aged 10 to 100. Ideal for reading aloud or enjoying on your own, it will terrify and delight audiences of all ages.

Regret is good, but fixing things is even better.

Sir Henry was a funny, cranky ghost whose past contained a few dark secrets he’d been wrestling with for over seven hundred years. Sometimes I loved him for his sense of humor and dramatic habits, but in other scenes I was exasperated by how unsympathetic and stubborn he could be. There’s something to be said for a character whose flaws are deeply woven into their personality and who was as well-rounded and interesting as he was.

The other characters in this book, especially the older members of Henry’s chosen family, were not given this same chance to shine. While I wouldn’t expect the exact same amount of time to be spent on describing what their personalities were like, the fact that I would struggle to describe how they behaved or what their biggest weaknesses were was why I ended up choosing a four-star rating. As much as I enjoyed the main character and the plot, I simply had too many questions about what the people around Henry were like to pick a rating higher than that.

This included a wonderful mixture of genres that I don’t get to see used together as often as I’d like to, especially when it came to combining comedy with horror. Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that explored the cultural differences between life today and what Henry experienced in the 1300s. His expectations of how things should proceed, especially when it came to who should decide how what was now a historical site should be used, were obviously wildly out of touch with what someone born several decades ago has grown up knowing as the proper way to do things. I know this is a little vague, but there are later plot points related to how the law and social norms have changed over the centuries that fans of history or adult readers might especially like.

Our Ghost Harry made me wish for a sequel. This was such an exciting romp through both modern-day and medieval life.

Filed Under: Horror, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Another One for the God of Insects by Cobalt Stone

August 17, 2026 By 2 Comments


Another One for the God of Insects by Cobalt Stone
Publisher: KDP
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Sanderson McCaffrey knows two things for certain.

The first is that some land takes care of the people who respect it.

The second is that government men never know when to leave.

For generations, the McCaffrey family has farmed the same South Texas soil. The crops survive droughts that should have killed them. The harvests come when they shouldn’t. And whenever outsiders push too hard, ask too many questions, or dig too deep into things that don’t concern them, trouble has a way of finding them.

Sanderson doesn’t pretend to understand it.

His father didn’t understand it.

His grandfather didn’t understand it.

But they all learned the same lesson.

Some questions are better left unanswered.

Twelve-year-old Sally McCaffrey has grown up hearing stories, working the farm, and learning the unwritten rules that have been passed down through her family for generations. She believes the world works the way nature works. Flies feed spiders. Spiders feed birds. Everything feeds something.

When a young state agriculture inspector arrives to investigate the McCaffrey farm’s impossible production records, he finds a family hiding something he can’t explain and a field that refuses to behave the way fields should.

The more he digs, the more determined he becomes to uncover the truth.

The more determined Sanderson becomes to send him home.

Neither man realizes how little control either of them actually has.

Set against the backdrop of South Texas farm country, Another One for the God of Insects blends rural folklore, family legacy, quiet dread, and Southern Gothic suspense into a story where the greatest danger is not what can be seen in the fields, but what has been waiting there all along.

Some inherit land.

Some inherit money.

The McCaffreys inherited something else.

Nothing is more important than respecting the land that sustains us all.

The world building was understated but complex. Readers who have any experience with farming or rural culture will have a little bit of an advantage with this piece as the descriptions of people who are from these subcultures was subtle, but I think it can also appealing to anyone who is unfamiliar with these subjects so long as they pay close attention to the dialogue and character development. This was something that should be slowly savored, especially once the inspector from the Texas Department of Agriculture arrived and began disregarding the instructions the main character gave to him.

Speaking of character development, Sanderson’s gruff, no-nonsense personality was perfect for a protagonist who had spent his entire life on the family farm. He valued choosing one’s words carefully and embracing the silence of the countryside if one didn’t have anything useful to say. Other readers should get to know his other personality traits for themselves, but he struck me as a solid example of what the average farmer is often like.

This tale included one of those endings that can make someone pause and go back to reread the last few paragraphs. I adored how open to interpretation was and how much it trusted the audience to pick up on the few clues that had been provided in order to know what deep secrets Sanderson and his family had been protecting for so many generations. If the rest of Mr. Stone’s work is anything like this, I want to read it all!

Another One for the God of Insects made me yearn for a sequel.

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Minding Earth – A Collection of Contemplative Geological Science Fiction by Russ Colson

August 12, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Minding Earth – A Collection of Contemplative Geological Science Fiction by Russ Colson
Publisher: Real Dragon Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Action/Adventure, Historical, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Take a light-hearted journey to the age of dinosaurs with Nate and Sandy as they consider whether the best inclinations of human nature might sometimes win out over the worst. Join Allan and Anna at an alien dig site as they explore the foundations of belief and bias amongst the petrified artifacts of a vanished race. Grapple with the morality of terrorism with Karzak and Janilla as they fight to save their alternate world from climatic catastrophe and bureaucratic intransigence.

Engage with six contemplative short stories that address the search for Truth, including the complexity of preconceived bias, the value of honoring the past, the importance of sometimes deceiving ourselves, the seductive prejudice of wanting to be right, and others. Each story is followed by short prompts and questions for reflection and discussion.

The past can never be unwritten.

Allen and his colleague Anna were tasked with finding out whether an extinct alien race had practiced any religion in “And the Rocks Cried Out.” One of the most unique parts of this tale was that the characters were investigating a species that had died out a long time ago. Anything that could be learned about what they were like must be found in the things they left behind. This isn’t typically how alien stories go, and I enjoyed the challenge of piecing together the clues along with the protagonists.

I would have liked to see more plot development in “Overturn.” It surprised me that this future version of Earth didn’t necessarily see climate change as a big deal, and knowing more about why they felt that way would have helped me to better understand their reaction to the newest threat to life on this planet that involved methane leaking into the atmosphere. The scientific evidence for why this was happening was fascinating. I simply needed more from the storyline itself.

“A Matter of Stratigraphy” explored what Syana and the other scientists discovered when visiting a planet that had sent out an emergency message a little over two hundred years ago and then gone silent forever. I especially appreciated the philosophical questions that were asked in this story as not everyone is necessarily eager to know the truth if they suspect having that information might conflict with their current beliefs about how the universe works.

Minding Earth – A Collection of Contemplative Geological Science Fiction is making me wish for more from this author. What an intriguing collection!

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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