About the Book:
Fate: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic
If you had a crystal ball to predict what lay ahead, would you be tempted to use it? Or would you leave the future to the turn of Fate?
Tales of Variety. Tales of History, Mystery and Magic – some comprising just one of these popular fiction genres, others, a mild mixture of all three. Perhaps you prefer historical fiction rather than a story about magic or fantasy? Maybe you enjoy exploring new themes or prefer sticking to the familiar? Historical fiction can often inform, imparting knowledge of the past, of its events and its people. Stories of mystery exercise the ‘little grey cells’ as Poirot would say, while fantasy and magic create new worlds and awed wonder.
Whatever result, this is where anthologies come into their own, and where short stories are often appreciated as enjoyable, entertaining, quick or easy reads shown through the eyes of a variety of extraordinary characters and situations. In this instance: an Anglo-Saxon woman facing the consequence of conquest, the pursuit of alchemy, the concern of a mother for her daughter, the shifting of time, the necessity of hidden identity, souls who will linger as ghosts, a warning from the supernatural, the necessity for (justifiable?) revenge. All mingled with the rekindling of romance through a mutual quest, and the preparations for a Cotswold village celebration. (Along with a good tip if illicitly snaffling cakes.
The binding theme? Destiny... Kismet... FATE!
Review:
"The Black Onyx Box" marks my first experience with R. Marsden, and the story left a mixed impression.
There is undeniable creativity in Marsden's ability to weave history, ambition, grief, and the fantastic so convincingly in such a modest page count, and the story boasts brilliant pacing. The world-building could have been stronger, but the simple landscape doesn't detract from the narrative.
If the seventh story in Fate: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic has a flaw, it's that Marsden allows minor storylines to trail into open-ended ambiguity. The author's note points readers to Marsden's larger canon, but offers no hint as to whether or not his full-length novels will bring these lost notes into focus.
About the Book:
Fate: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic
If you had a crystal ball to predict what lay ahead, would you be tempted to use it? Or would you leave the future to the turn of Fate?
Tales of Variety. Tales of History, Mystery and Magic – some comprising just one of these popular fiction genres, others, a mild mixture of all three.Perhaps you prefer historical fiction rather than a story about magic or fantasy? Maybe you enjoy exploring new themes or prefer sticking to the familiar? Historical fiction can often inform, imparting knowledge of the past, of its events and its people. Stories of mystery exercise the ‘little grey cells’ as Poirot would say, while fantasy and magic create new worlds and awed wonder.
Whatever result, this is where anthologies come into their own, and where short stories are often appreciated as enjoyable, entertaining, quick or easy reads shown through the eyes of a variety of extraordinary characters and situations. In this instance: an Anglo-Saxon woman facing the consequence of conquest, the pursuit of alchemy, the concern of a mother for her daughter, the shifting of time, the necessity of hidden identity, souls who will linger as ghosts, a warning from the supernatural, the necessity for (justifiable?) revenge. All mingled with the rekindling of romance through a mutual quest, and the preparations for a Cotswold village celebration. (Along with a good tip if illicitly snaffling cakes.
The binding theme? Destiny... Kismet... FATE!
Review:
Elizabeth St. John's "Following Fate" is arguably the most charming installment of the Fate: Tales of History, Mystery, and Magic anthology. Set in contemporary England, the story follows a history enthusiast as she unlocks the secrets hidden in a rare portrait of Sir Allen Apsley.
Julia's unexpected reunion with Oliver, a former flame, adds a romantic layer that feels natural and understated. Their connection, shaped by shared history rather than contrived drama, deepens the story without overshadowing the central plot. The relationship unfolds with a refreshing ease, balancing emotional warmth against the investigation at the heart of the narrative.
"Following Fate" reflects St. John's longstanding interest in the Stuart era, but unlike her longer works, the historical details of this piece are woven seamlessly into the plot, scattered like breadcrumbs across a modern landscape. The result is a narrative that appeals to both casual readers and those familiar with the period.
About the Book:
Fate: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic
If you had a crystal ball to predict what lay ahead, would you be tempted to use it? Or would you leave the future to the turn of Fate?
Tales of Variety. Tales of History, Mystery and Magic – some comprising just one of these popular fiction genres, others, a mild mixture of all three.Perhaps you prefer historical fiction rather than a story about magic or fantasy? Maybe you enjoy exploring new themes or prefer sticking to the familiar? Historical fiction can often inform, imparting knowledge of the past, of its events and its people. Stories of mystery exercise the ‘little grey cells’ as Poirot would say, while fantasy and magic create new worlds and awed wonder.
Whatever result, this is where anthologies come into their own, and where short stories are often appreciated as enjoyable, entertaining, quick or easy reads shown through the eyes of a variety of extraordinary characters and situations. In this instance: an Anglo-Saxon woman facing the consequence of conquest, the pursuit of alchemy, the concern of a mother for her daughter, the shifting of time, the necessity of hidden identity, souls who will linger as ghosts, a warning from the supernatural, the necessity for (justifiable?) revenge. All mingled with the rekindling of romance through a mutual quest, and the preparations for a Cotswold village celebration. (Along with a good tip if illicitly snaffling cakes.
The binding theme? Destiny... Kismet... FATE!
Review:
Alison Morton's "A Fateful Encounter," the fifth story in Fate: Tales of History, Mystery, and Magic, is a surprising but delightful departure from her usual fare. Best known for her Roma Nova series - set in a matriarchal remnant of the Roman Empire - Morton exchanges the familiar for something entirely new.
As a devotee of historical fiction, the concept of altering historical events exists at the very edge of my wheelhouse. Morton's confidence and creativity, however, sold me on the material almost immediately. The story steers clear of absurdity and fully embraces the playful potential of its concept. Her use of the literal Fates is a particular highlight, an imaginative yet restrained interpretation that is one of the strongest of the anthology in which it appears.
Morton's writing is clean and precise, with a pace that keeps her audience fully engaged. There's no indulgent exposition or convoluted plotting; instead, the story moves briskly, leaving room to charm and entertain. I read it twice for sheer enjoyment.
If the narrative has a flaw, it's the absence of an author's note. Given the piece is such a departure from Morton's previous work, I'd have welcomed a brief explanation of its origins and intent.
"A Fateful Encounter" is a sharp and imaginative; a delightful combination of historical and speculative fiction.
About the Book:
Fate: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic
If you had a crystal ball to predict what lay ahead, would you be tempted to use it? Or would you leave the future to the turn of Fate?
Tales of Variety. Tales of History, Mystery and Magic – some comprising just one of these popular fiction genres, others, a mild mixture of all three.Perhaps you prefer historical fiction rather than a story about magic or fantasy? Maybe you enjoy exploring new themes or prefer sticking to the familiar? Historical fiction can often inform, imparting knowledge of the past, of its events and its people. Stories of mystery exercise the ‘little grey cells’ as Poirot would say, while fantasy and magic create new worlds and awed wonder.
Whatever result, this is where anthologies come into their own, and where short stories are often appreciated as enjoyable, entertaining, quick or easy reads shown through the eyes of a variety of extraordinary characters and situations. In this instance: an Anglo-Saxon woman facing the consequence of conquest, the pursuit of alchemy, the concern of a mother for her daughter, the shifting of time, the necessity of hidden identity, souls who will linger as ghosts, a warning from the supernatural, the necessity for (justifiable?) revenge. All mingled with the rekindling of romance through a mutual quest, and the preparations for a Cotswold village celebration. (Along with a good tip if illicitly snaffling cakes.
The binding theme? Destiny... Kismet... FATE!
Review:
Helen Hollick's "In the Shadow of Ghosts," the fourth installment in the Fate: Tales of History, Mystery, and Magic anthology, is a moody foray into the First English Civil War. Set in North Devon amid the final days of Royalist resistance, the story follows Richard Tremayne, a battle-weary soldier in the service of the king.
Rooted in the grime and grit of wartime Britain, Hollick brings the smoke, uncertainty, and weight of a dwindling campaign into focus. The author's passion for the era is evident, and it is easy to fall into the landscape of the piece.
That strong sense of development, however, doesn't extend to the cast. Though central to the story, Tremayne is a distant narrator who never quite jumps from the page. There is much to admire in Hollick's illustration of his soldiering - the physical hardship, the waning morale, the relentless threat of death - but this dedication to detail does little to enliven the human element of the vignette.
When all is said and done, I wish there were more to "In the Shadow of Ghosts". As is, these pages left a vague and incomplete impression, as if they were meant to be part of a larger narrative.
About the Book:
Fate: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic
If you had a crystal ball to predict what lay ahead, would you be tempted to use it? Or would you leave the future to the turn of Fate?
Tales of Variety. Tales of History, Mystery and Magic – some comprising just one of these popular fiction genres, others, a mild mixture of all three.Perhaps you prefer historical fiction rather than a story about magic or fantasy? Maybe you enjoy exploring new themes or prefer sticking to the familiar? Historical fiction can often inform, imparting knowledge of the past, of its events and its people. Stories of mystery exercise the ‘little grey cells’ as Poirot would say, while fantasy and magic create new worlds and awed wonder.
Whatever result, this is where anthologies come into their own, and where short stories are often appreciated as enjoyable, entertaining, quick or easy reads shown through the eyes of a variety of extraordinary characters and situations. In this instance: an Anglo-Saxon woman facing the consequence of conquest, the pursuit of alchemy, the concern of a mother for her daughter, the shifting of time, the necessity of hidden identity, souls who will linger as ghosts, a warning from the supernatural, the necessity for (justifiable?) revenge. All mingled with the rekindling of romance through a mutual quest, and the preparations for a Cotswold village celebration. (Along with a good tip if illicitly snaffling cakes.
The binding theme? Destiny... Kismet... FATE!
Review:
Set in Norfolk in 1953, Marian L. Thrope's "One Black Dog" is the third entry in the Fate: Tales of History, Mystery, and Magic anthology. Written in the first person, Thorpe's rendering of Mr. Reynolds offers a narrative that feels familiar and lived-in—something more akin to memory than invention.
Anchored in Norfolk's local history, the "One Black Dog" makes use of both the bombing of St. Mary's in Snettisham in 1915 and the North Sea Flood of 1953. Thrope's clever framing of these details lend a delightful note of authenticity to the story, illustrating the regional memory of her chosen setting and reinforcing the story's familiar tone.
Black Shuck, the spectral black dog of East Anglian legend, reflects an element of local folklore. His appearances are brief and atmospheric, materializing as an unexplained and possibly unknowable force. His true nature is left open-ended, present enough to shape the mood without demanding a fixed interpretation.
Recognition of the regional culture is further emphasized by Thorpe's inclusion of The Dun Cow, an inn that replaced a centuries-old public house at the southern edge of Dersingham. The detail deepens the setting and draws lines to a past that lingers just below the surface of the present.
"One Black Dog" is a thoughtfully crafted piece, one where the interplay between history and folklore feels seamless rather than imposed. Immersive and resonant.
About the Book:
Fate: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic
If you had a crystal ball to predict what lay ahead, would you be tempted to use it? Or would you leave the future to the turn of Fate?
Tales of Variety. Tales of History, Mystery and Magic – some comprising just one of these popular fiction genres, others, a mild mixture of all three.Perhaps you prefer historical fiction rather than a story about magic or fantasy? Maybe you enjoy exploring new themes or prefer sticking to the familiar? Historical fiction can often inform, imparting knowledge of the past, of its events and its people. Stories of mystery exercise the ‘little grey cells’ as Poirot would say, while fantasy and magic create new worlds and awed wonder.
Whatever result, this is where anthologies come into their own, and where short stories are often appreciated as enjoyable, entertaining, quick or easy reads shown through the eyes of a variety of extraordinary characters and situations. In this instance: an Anglo-Saxon woman facing the consequence of conquest, the pursuit of alchemy, the concern of a mother for her daughter, the shifting of time, the necessity of hidden identity, souls who will linger as ghosts, a warning from the supernatural, the necessity for (justifiable?) revenge. All mingled with the rekindling of romance through a mutual quest, and the preparations for a Cotswold village celebration. (Along with a good tip if illicitly snaffling cakes.
The binding theme? Destiny... Kismet... FATE!
Review:
Jean Gill's "Six Pomegranate Seeds" weaves together myth and medieval history on the sundrenched island of Sicily circa 1240. The story follows Nina, the daughter of a nobleman, as she navigates the high-stakes politics of marriage. She neither dreams of escape nor suffers illusions of romance, choosing instead to pragmatically assess each of her suitors on the truth of their character, the security their home provides, and the level of autonomy she'd enjoy as their spouse.
Nina's pragmatism is refreshing, but her character is further distinguished by her love of troubadour poetry and admiration for talents like Dante da Maiano and Giacomo da Lentini. Her natural intellectualism and artistic tastes lend texture to the narrative, elevating her from obscure historical footnote to an engaging personage possessed of radical independence and uncommon ideals.
Persephone and Demeter, goddesses whose mythic perspectives appear in numerous works of literature, find voice in Nina's imagination. Gill's portrait of Persphone is nuanced, capturing both fury and bewilderment as she becomes acquainted with and learns to assert her agency among the Olympians. She doesn't surrender to fate; she reshapes it on her terms, mirroring her convictions and desires. Demeter, meanwhile, is a force of nature. She grieves with purpose, with might, and with a maternal ferocity that serves as an emotional counterweight to both of her younger counterparts.
Persephone's transformation plays out in Nina's dreams, not as prophecy or divine intervention, but as a catalyst for reflection and inspiration. Myth becomes metaphor, guiding Nina toward a choice that, while dictated by rank and social expectation, will shape the course of life and define her opportunities thereafter.
"Six Pomegranate Seeds" is a beautifully executed meditation on power, autonomy, and the ways women, goddesses or not, navigate systems designed to contain them. Subtle, resonant, and deftly crafted, it serves as a fine introduction to Gill's work.
About the Book:
Fate: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic
If you had a crystal ball to predict what lay ahead, would you be tempted to use it? Or would you leave the future to the turn of Fate?
Tales of Variety. Tales of History, Mystery and Magic – some comprising just one of these popular fiction genres, others, a mild mixture of all three.Perhaps you prefer historical fiction rather than a story about magic or fantasy? Maybe you enjoy exploring new themes or prefer sticking to the familiar? Historical fiction can often inform, imparting knowledge of the past, of its events and its people. Stories of mystery exercise the ‘little grey cells’ as Poirot would say, while fantasy and magic create new worlds and awed wonder.
Whatever result, this is where anthologies come into their own, and where short stories are often appreciated as enjoyable, entertaining, quick or easy reads shown through the eyes of a variety of extraordinary characters and situations. In this instance: an Anglo-Saxon woman facing the consequence of conquest, the pursuit of alchemy, the concern of a mother for her daughter, the shifting of time, the necessity of hidden identity, souls who will linger as ghosts, a warning from the supernatural, the necessity for (justifiable?) revenge. All mingled with the rekindling of romance through a mutual quest, and the preparations for a Cotswold village celebration. (Along with a good tip if illicitly snaffling cakes.
The binding theme? Destiny... Kismet... FATE!
Review:
Annie Whitehead's "Bramble Creep," the first story in the Fate: Tales of History, Mystery and Magic anthology, is set in the aftermath of the Battle of Hastings. The story focuses not on soldiers or kings, but on the noncombatants left scrambling for survival as blood cooled on the battlefield.
The alternating first-person narration lends the piece an intriguing if uneven generational contrast. Kata is emotionally remote, but dutiful, steady, and composed as the world fractures around her. Oma, on the other hand, is sharp and commanding despite her advanced age and fragile bones. The story favors Kata's quiet observations and earnest practicality, but it is Oma's indomitable presence that gifts the narrative vitality and strength.
Whitehead's illustration of the cyclical nature of history in "Bramble Creep" is noteworthy. References to the violence of the St. Brice's Day Massacre and Sweyn Forkbeard's invasions demonstrate a pattern that deepens the historical scope of this modest piece. Oma, as a survivor of all these events, becomes a living thread, a keeper of memory that carries the emotional scars and cultural weight of forced endurance and fortitude.
Although unrelated, "Bramble Creep" complements Eliza Redgold's "The Needle Can Mend," a short piece that appears in the alternative history anthology 1066 Turned Upside Down. Both works center on women navigating the aftermath of Hastings and engaging in subtle yet potent acts of resistance to domination and oppression.
