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Mythic Orbits Volume 2
This anthology aims to collect the best available speculative fiction short stories written by Christian authors. That's whether the stories have openly Christian themes or characters or not, without requiring the stories to have any specific theme. (The anthology also limits itself to clean fiction--that is, no profanity, graphic sexuality or extreme violence.)
Over the past year, an online acquaintance questioned the purpose for the Mythic Orbits anthologies, stating that an anthology requires a unifying theme in order to succeed. To make sense and be marketable.
But there have been previous yearly anthologies based on the best science fiction and even fantasy from a given year (World's Best Science Fiction, edited by Donald A. Wollheim, Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction of the Year and Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year). So simply seeking the best available can be the goal of an anthology.
And anthologies can be organized around the writers as well, especially when there's something unusual about the category. For example, Ciencia Ficci�n Antolog�a de Cuentos (Argentine Science Anthology of Stories) was an anthology known by its authors--the nationality of the writers important because Argentinians are not widely-known to write science fiction.
So, is it widely-known all over the world that Christians write speculative fiction?
Well, clearly Christians who themselves are speculative fiction writers know what they write. But does everybody else?
Especially when we're talking about theologically conservative Christians, Evangelicals of some sort, professed Bible-believing Christians, do people know about their works? Is it legitimate for people to wonder if writers with personal convictions along these lines produce speculative fiction, that is, science fiction and fantasy and related genres like LitRPG, paranormal, and horror?
This book provides an Not only do Christian writers produce speculative fiction stories, they write some great ones.
Enjoy these examples!
Over the past year, an online acquaintance questioned the purpose for the Mythic Orbits anthologies, stating that an anthology requires a unifying theme in order to succeed. To make sense and be marketable.
But there have been previous yearly anthologies based on the best science fiction and even fantasy from a given year (World's Best Science Fiction, edited by Donald A. Wollheim, Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction of the Year and Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year). So simply seeking the best available can be the goal of an anthology.
And anthologies can be organized around the writers as well, especially when there's something unusual about the category. For example, Ciencia Ficci�n Antolog�a de Cuentos (Argentine Science Anthology of Stories) was an anthology known by its authors--the nationality of the writers important because Argentinians are not widely-known to write science fiction.
So, is it widely-known all over the world that Christians write speculative fiction?
Well, clearly Christians who themselves are speculative fiction writers know what they write. But does everybody else?
Especially when we're talking about theologically conservative Christians, Evangelicals of some sort, professed Bible-believing Christians, do people know about their works? Is it legitimate for people to wonder if writers with personal convictions along these lines produce speculative fiction, that is, science fiction and fantasy and related genres like LitRPG, paranormal, and horror?
This book provides an Not only do Christian writers produce speculative fiction stories, they write some great ones.
Enjoy these examples!
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2018
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 17, 2019
When author/publisher Travis Perry contacted me for a review, he was uncertain of my response, as it seemed I might not be interested in his appointed genre. I told him that while speculative fiction was a new review genre for me, that I would be delighted to do a review ... and I’m so glad I agreed to read “Mythic Orbits Volume 2,� edited and published by Travis, which highlights the best short stories available in science fiction, fantasy, and related speculative genres like paranormal and litRPG.
This amazing anthology grips the reader right from the start, with the most startling stories that unveil new worlds and ideas. I found myself so plunged into these tales that time stood still ... all worries about my growing TBR pile, my advancing age as a big birthday approaches Saturday ... fell away. That’s what the best fiction does for me and “Mythic Orbits� fulfilled that mission perfectly!
Recounted are stories of robots, reimagined fairy tales, life from inside a video game, human survival on distant worlds, a dragon manifesting itself in tattoos, and time travel linked to a daily calendar.
The eleven authors demonstrate that Christian writers not only craft tales in these genres � that they do so with great command of the genre, its fantastical language and worlds. Highly recommended!
Thank you, Travis, for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. What a privilege it has been to do this review!
This amazing anthology grips the reader right from the start, with the most startling stories that unveil new worlds and ideas. I found myself so plunged into these tales that time stood still ... all worries about my growing TBR pile, my advancing age as a big birthday approaches Saturday ... fell away. That’s what the best fiction does for me and “Mythic Orbits� fulfilled that mission perfectly!
Recounted are stories of robots, reimagined fairy tales, life from inside a video game, human survival on distant worlds, a dragon manifesting itself in tattoos, and time travel linked to a daily calendar.
The eleven authors demonstrate that Christian writers not only craft tales in these genres � that they do so with great command of the genre, its fantastical language and worlds. Highly recommended!
Thank you, Travis, for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. What a privilege it has been to do this review!
August 27, 2018
Yes I am a contributor, but as long as I do not plug myself it should be alright.
Mythic Orbits Volume 2, is a short fiction anthology that was meant to find the best speculative fiction written by Christians. In my humble opinion it succeeded and then some. Wait that could be considered bragging, let me try a different track.
I have heard some people say that they don't like to read anthologies. They only like novels. I think this is a continuity issue for them. Like if they're reading to fast and all the stories blend together.
This is confounding to me. But if the above sentence describes you, look below to find a guide on how to read Mythic Orbits Vol. 2:
First stare at the cover. It has a space dragon. Dragons are cool.
Next open the book and read the contents and Introduction. You can stop for today that was very good work. But if you still feel like you want to continue:
Read the first three stories in one sitting, if you want, then stop. You'll be crying far too much to continue for today. These three are different enough in tone you shouldn't get confused.
Read the next story and stop to digest it. It is weird and mind blowing and will make you go, "what did I just read!"
Read the next three stories. They are all short. One of them is mine. Again they are different enough you shouldn't get confused.
Read the next two. But take a break in between to process, because they have twisty endings.
Read the last two. Stop, because the book is finished. Also because the level of feels in the last story is through the roof and you will need ice cream to emotionally recover.
Congratulations you have now finished the anthology Mythic Orbits vol. 2. Please leave a review. And let me know in the comments if this guide was helpful.
Mythic Orbits Volume 2, is a short fiction anthology that was meant to find the best speculative fiction written by Christians. In my humble opinion it succeeded and then some. Wait that could be considered bragging, let me try a different track.
I have heard some people say that they don't like to read anthologies. They only like novels. I think this is a continuity issue for them. Like if they're reading to fast and all the stories blend together.
This is confounding to me. But if the above sentence describes you, look below to find a guide on how to read Mythic Orbits Vol. 2:
First stare at the cover. It has a space dragon. Dragons are cool.
Next open the book and read the contents and Introduction. You can stop for today that was very good work. But if you still feel like you want to continue:
Read the first three stories in one sitting, if you want, then stop. You'll be crying far too much to continue for today. These three are different enough in tone you shouldn't get confused.
Read the next story and stop to digest it. It is weird and mind blowing and will make you go, "what did I just read!"
Read the next three stories. They are all short. One of them is mine. Again they are different enough you shouldn't get confused.
Read the next two. But take a break in between to process, because they have twisty endings.
Read the last two. Stop, because the book is finished. Also because the level of feels in the last story is through the roof and you will need ice cream to emotionally recover.
Congratulations you have now finished the anthology Mythic Orbits vol. 2. Please leave a review. And let me know in the comments if this guide was helpful.
October 7, 2018
This was a very interesting anthology! I enjoyed the mix of science fiction and fantasy stories as well as a few other genres I haven't read before. (I honestly thought there was going to be more science fiction oriented stories, even though I realize the description says the anthology has multiple genres.)
My favorite story was definitely Dragon Moon. This story just hit me right in the heart and was a little teary after reading it. However, I also really enjoyed Recalled from the Red Planet and loved how open the Gospel was in that story. Seeking What's Lost had an interesting moral dilemma that I liked as well. Also, Her Majesty's Guardian and The Other Edge both left me slightly horrified when it ended, especially The Other Edge. That was a twist! Oh, and Unerella was such a good fairy tale retelling (if it can be called that)!
Each of these stories had a lot of heart and appreciated each distinct flare the authors brought. Definitely was a lot of good story telling! (I read it in a day if that says anything.)
Overall, this is a very good anthology. I would recommend to readers who are wanting to discover new authors and wanting to read in a variety of genres, but without the time constraints of a long book.
*(Many thanks to one the authors and publisher for providing me an ARC. I was not required to write a review or positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
My favorite story was definitely Dragon Moon. This story just hit me right in the heart and was a little teary after reading it. However, I also really enjoyed Recalled from the Red Planet and loved how open the Gospel was in that story. Seeking What's Lost had an interesting moral dilemma that I liked as well. Also, Her Majesty's Guardian and The Other Edge both left me slightly horrified when it ended, especially The Other Edge. That was a twist! Oh, and Unerella was such a good fairy tale retelling (if it can be called that)!
Each of these stories had a lot of heart and appreciated each distinct flare the authors brought. Definitely was a lot of good story telling! (I read it in a day if that says anything.)
Overall, this is a very good anthology. I would recommend to readers who are wanting to discover new authors and wanting to read in a variety of genres, but without the time constraints of a long book.
*(Many thanks to one the authors and publisher for providing me an ARC. I was not required to write a review or positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
October 6, 2018
Why do I love this book so much????
Because it has my first published short story! One of the first complete short stories I wrote back when I was eighteen, originally titled UnChosen Girl, but now Unerella.
Pretty much all of the stories in this book are sci-fi. Now, I'm not really a science fiction person, but I did enjoy most of the stories in the book.
Here's a brief review for each story:
LIVING HISTORY: (Sci-Fi) In which humans are at the bottom of the classes and Sam must find a job to survive.
I always have a hard time wrapping my head around sci-fi and alien type stories, but I think many others will love this story.
HER MAJESTY'S GUARDIAN: (Fantasy) The queen has turned everything yellow and her guardian is forced to do something about it.
I really loved this one!
DRAGON MOON: (Fantasy) Darla's little brother has cancer, but she is determined she can keep him alive with his dreams, and so she becomes the dragon he wants.
Such a sad, beautiful story!
THE OTHER EDGE: (Sci-Fi horror) An alien ship enter's Earth Orbit and Varik is determined he'll take the next "small step for mankind". But are they prepared for what awaits?
I was surprised by this story, and I think that's why I liked it. Or maybe I just like horrific endings?
SEEKING WHAT'S LOST: (Sci-fi) J'Nia creates reality video games amidst her regrets of not being able to save her murdered children. Her next video game is determined to open up all her wounds and put her back in the past . . .
RECALLED FROM RED PLANET: (Sci-fi) A sci-fi alternative rapture story set on Mars.
THE WORKSHOP AT THE END OF THE WORLD: (Fantasy) Children no longer appreciate nor want the same sort of gifts that Nicholas makes. Will he have to shut down his workshop?
THEY STOOD STILL: (Sci-Fi horror) War veteran, Samuel Tamaki, forgets his wheelchair and reality by submerging himself in his video games � until the moment all of that is taken away and he's forced into a reality of his own making.
I didn't think I'd like this story until I got a ways into it. Once I did I couldn't stop reading it.
THE MEMORY DANCE: (Fantasy) A father and daughter find themselves stranded in a blizzard and following a strange old man, learning an important life lesson on their way.
This story gave me vibes of "Beauty and the Beast" meets "The Snow Queen". I loved how unique it was!
UNERELLA: (Fairytale)
MY STORY, SO YES I LOVE IT ;D
What about all the other girls that attended Cinderella's ball? Is there not a happily ever after for every deserving girl?
MARK THE DAYS: (Sci-fi) Denver marks off every day in calendar with a little x. But one morning he wakes up to find out that he didn't mark the previous day off � and he has no recollection of that day, either. He soon discovers that he can place his pen on any day and live that day out of order from the rest. But something is keeping his from reliving the day he forgot . . .
Wow, I loved this one so very much. It hooked me and though it was clear how it would end, the ending was still so moving. I also loved how Christianity wasn't presented as cheesy in this story. Very well written!
Because it has my first published short story! One of the first complete short stories I wrote back when I was eighteen, originally titled UnChosen Girl, but now Unerella.
Pretty much all of the stories in this book are sci-fi. Now, I'm not really a science fiction person, but I did enjoy most of the stories in the book.
Here's a brief review for each story:
LIVING HISTORY: (Sci-Fi) In which humans are at the bottom of the classes and Sam must find a job to survive.
I always have a hard time wrapping my head around sci-fi and alien type stories, but I think many others will love this story.
HER MAJESTY'S GUARDIAN: (Fantasy) The queen has turned everything yellow and her guardian is forced to do something about it.
I really loved this one!
DRAGON MOON: (Fantasy) Darla's little brother has cancer, but she is determined she can keep him alive with his dreams, and so she becomes the dragon he wants.
Such a sad, beautiful story!
THE OTHER EDGE: (Sci-Fi horror) An alien ship enter's Earth Orbit and Varik is determined he'll take the next "small step for mankind". But are they prepared for what awaits?
I was surprised by this story, and I think that's why I liked it. Or maybe I just like horrific endings?
SEEKING WHAT'S LOST: (Sci-fi) J'Nia creates reality video games amidst her regrets of not being able to save her murdered children. Her next video game is determined to open up all her wounds and put her back in the past . . .
RECALLED FROM RED PLANET: (Sci-fi) A sci-fi alternative rapture story set on Mars.
THE WORKSHOP AT THE END OF THE WORLD: (Fantasy) Children no longer appreciate nor want the same sort of gifts that Nicholas makes. Will he have to shut down his workshop?
THEY STOOD STILL: (Sci-Fi horror) War veteran, Samuel Tamaki, forgets his wheelchair and reality by submerging himself in his video games � until the moment all of that is taken away and he's forced into a reality of his own making.
I didn't think I'd like this story until I got a ways into it. Once I did I couldn't stop reading it.
THE MEMORY DANCE: (Fantasy) A father and daughter find themselves stranded in a blizzard and following a strange old man, learning an important life lesson on their way.
This story gave me vibes of "Beauty and the Beast" meets "The Snow Queen". I loved how unique it was!
UNERELLA: (Fairytale)
MY STORY, SO YES I LOVE IT ;D
What about all the other girls that attended Cinderella's ball? Is there not a happily ever after for every deserving girl?
MARK THE DAYS: (Sci-fi) Denver marks off every day in calendar with a little x. But one morning he wakes up to find out that he didn't mark the previous day off � and he has no recollection of that day, either. He soon discovers that he can place his pen on any day and live that day out of order from the rest. But something is keeping his from reliving the day he forgot . . .
Wow, I loved this one so very much. It hooked me and though it was clear how it would end, the ending was still so moving. I also loved how Christianity wasn't presented as cheesy in this story. Very well written!
September 23, 2018
Disclaimer up front: I received a free copy of Mythic Orbits 2 for review purposes. All opinions are my own!*
As I've said before, reviewing anthologies is a bit difficult, because it's the rare anthology where you like all of the stories. So, I'm going to start with the stories I liked, and move on from there.
My favorites in this collection were:
-"Her Majesty's Guardian," by Donald S. Crankshaw. A lot of the stories I've read recently have set themselves apart by having a big twist at the end. This one set itself apart by telegraphing the ending, and then just doing a beautiful job getting there. The writing was lovely enough that an ending that should have been bitter became bittersweet.
-"Dragon Moon," by Linda Burklin. This one is a bit of an odd one for me because it's not a story I would have ever said I'd want to read. I couldn't picture myself ever making the decisions that the protagonist made, and so the whole thing felt sort of foreign to me.
But here's the thing: I believed the protagonist. While I was in the story, I believed the story. It felt real.
And so, even though I didn't expect to, I ended up really liking this one.
-"The Workshop at the End of the World," by Kristin Janz. This one deserves inclusion because of its premise ("What if Santa's elves were more like the solemn elves of Tolkien than the silly elves of a claymation special?") and because of how well that premise was carried out. Well done.
-"Mark the Days," by Kat Heckenbach. Here's another one that I felt shouldn't quite have worked for me, but that did nonetheless. (Also, this is why I keep reading anthologies: they stretch me as a reader, and I get to experience the kind of stories I wouldn't necessarily pick out for myself. All this without the commitment of reading a whole novel!) I admit, I might have liked this one simply because the author cleverly let us figure out what was going on just a little while before the protagonist figured it out, and that's always fun.
The Honorable Mentions.
After those four standouts, about half of the rest of the stories were ones that were mostly good, but each needed a little something. One was well-written, but had a "twist" ending that didn't feel like a twist at all. A couple of them were good...but needed to cut their word count by about 1/3. (I know that might sound a bit catty, but I don't mean it that way. There are so many pretty good stories that only need a bit of cutting to make them really good stories. It's like cooking down a good broth, so that you really get that punch of flavor.)
In this middle category, I'd include:
-"Living History," by Steve Rzasa.
-"The Other Edge," by C. W. Briar.
-"They Stood Still," by William Bontrager.
The rest of them...didn't really work for me. And much like the category above, I'm not going to match my criticisms here to specific stories because, frankly, I'm a writer too, and I know how hard it is to put your work out there, and I respect that effort. I don't want to give negative criticism unless another author has specifically asked me to.
But here are the things that didn't work for me with these stories (and, to be clear, not all of these criticisms apply to every one of these stories, and some of these stories were much better than some of the others):
-Absolutely bizarre use of English. As in, such weird word choices throughout that I thought it might be a translation made by an inexperienced translator.
-Plot and characters that were too simplistic.
-Just kind of boring.
So, there is my review of Mythic Orbits 2. I'm glad this kind of anthology is being put together--it's nice that readers who are interested in getting their SFF fix without having to take in graphic sexual content or language have options like this. I enjoyed getting to know a few new-to-me-authors, and I'll watch with interest to see what this pub company does in the future!
*I should also note that I know two of the contributors to this collection, Donald S. Crankshaw and Kristin Janz. In this case, that's a happy thing for me, because Kristin and Donald's stories were two of the ones I enjoyed the most. (Reading your friends' work is always a bit scary, because what if you don't like it?)
As I've said before, reviewing anthologies is a bit difficult, because it's the rare anthology where you like all of the stories. So, I'm going to start with the stories I liked, and move on from there.
My favorites in this collection were:
-"Her Majesty's Guardian," by Donald S. Crankshaw. A lot of the stories I've read recently have set themselves apart by having a big twist at the end. This one set itself apart by telegraphing the ending, and then just doing a beautiful job getting there. The writing was lovely enough that an ending that should have been bitter became bittersweet.
-"Dragon Moon," by Linda Burklin. This one is a bit of an odd one for me because it's not a story I would have ever said I'd want to read. I couldn't picture myself ever making the decisions that the protagonist made, and so the whole thing felt sort of foreign to me.
But here's the thing: I believed the protagonist. While I was in the story, I believed the story. It felt real.
And so, even though I didn't expect to, I ended up really liking this one.
-"The Workshop at the End of the World," by Kristin Janz. This one deserves inclusion because of its premise ("What if Santa's elves were more like the solemn elves of Tolkien than the silly elves of a claymation special?") and because of how well that premise was carried out. Well done.
-"Mark the Days," by Kat Heckenbach. Here's another one that I felt shouldn't quite have worked for me, but that did nonetheless. (Also, this is why I keep reading anthologies: they stretch me as a reader, and I get to experience the kind of stories I wouldn't necessarily pick out for myself. All this without the commitment of reading a whole novel!) I admit, I might have liked this one simply because the author cleverly let us figure out what was going on just a little while before the protagonist figured it out, and that's always fun.
The Honorable Mentions.
After those four standouts, about half of the rest of the stories were ones that were mostly good, but each needed a little something. One was well-written, but had a "twist" ending that didn't feel like a twist at all. A couple of them were good...but needed to cut their word count by about 1/3. (I know that might sound a bit catty, but I don't mean it that way. There are so many pretty good stories that only need a bit of cutting to make them really good stories. It's like cooking down a good broth, so that you really get that punch of flavor.)
In this middle category, I'd include:
-"Living History," by Steve Rzasa.
-"The Other Edge," by C. W. Briar.
-"They Stood Still," by William Bontrager.
The rest of them...didn't really work for me. And much like the category above, I'm not going to match my criticisms here to specific stories because, frankly, I'm a writer too, and I know how hard it is to put your work out there, and I respect that effort. I don't want to give negative criticism unless another author has specifically asked me to.
But here are the things that didn't work for me with these stories (and, to be clear, not all of these criticisms apply to every one of these stories, and some of these stories were much better than some of the others):
-Absolutely bizarre use of English. As in, such weird word choices throughout that I thought it might be a translation made by an inexperienced translator.
-Plot and characters that were too simplistic.
-Just kind of boring.
So, there is my review of Mythic Orbits 2. I'm glad this kind of anthology is being put together--it's nice that readers who are interested in getting their SFF fix without having to take in graphic sexual content or language have options like this. I enjoyed getting to know a few new-to-me-authors, and I'll watch with interest to see what this pub company does in the future!
*I should also note that I know two of the contributors to this collection, Donald S. Crankshaw and Kristin Janz. In this case, that's a happy thing for me, because Kristin and Donald's stories were two of the ones I enjoyed the most. (Reading your friends' work is always a bit scary, because what if you don't like it?)
August 9, 2018
I had one problem with this book, and that was I wanted each story to continue! Each was well written and drew me in immediately. A voracious reader and a writer myself, I can often see where a story will go, which makes being surprised by a turn of events special for me. And yet, within this anthology of eleven stories I was surprised, astonished and bewildered � delightfully so - in turns. I highly recommend it.
September 10, 2018
I haven't read very many anthologies, but this book definitely made me want to read more. It was easy to sit down and quickly read one story in the middle of my busy day without having to interrupt the plotline because I'm not finished. And each story is captivating enough to hold my attention for an entire sitting. A story has to be pretty enthralling to keep my reading for more than a few pages at a time.
Each one was enjoyable and thought provoking at the same time. It pulled me out of my world to a world where I could escape and then come back with my mind spinning with new thoughts and ideas. Some were mind blowing, others thought provoking, and one in particular had me on the verge of tears.
Each one was enjoyable and thought provoking at the same time. It pulled me out of my world to a world where I could escape and then come back with my mind spinning with new thoughts and ideas. Some were mind blowing, others thought provoking, and one in particular had me on the verge of tears.
October 28, 2018
Some of these stories are interesting. I especially enjoyed Dragon Moon, which was super sweet, even though I normally am not a big fan of short stories.
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