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Heroes
When adversity strikes, we call upon heroes to save the day.
In this anthology, talented writers retell the timeless tales of saviors from legend.
Remaining true to their origins, this collection features 14 reimagined sagas of courage, strength, ingenuity, and most importantly, hope.
You may know their stories…
But not told like this.
Featuring Works By:
Daniel Quigley
Jess L. Tong
Laura McLoughlin
Stephen Howard
Chris Durston
Madeline Dau
Michael J. Mullen II
Douglas Jern
Matthew Siadak
R. Raeta
Jaecyn Boné
Dina S.
Dewi Hargreaves
Carter Hutchison
In this anthology, talented writers retell the timeless tales of saviors from legend.
Remaining true to their origins, this collection features 14 reimagined sagas of courage, strength, ingenuity, and most importantly, hope.
You may know their stories…
But not told like this.
Featuring Works By:
Daniel Quigley
Jess L. Tong
Laura McLoughlin
Stephen Howard
Chris Durston
Madeline Dau
Michael J. Mullen II
Douglas Jern
Matthew Siadak
R. Raeta
Jaecyn Boné
Dina S.
Dewi Hargreaves
Carter Hutchison
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2022
About the author
Ashley Hutchison
7 books32 followersEditor, writer, and painter with experience working for Triplicity Publishing, New London Writers, and Jorvik Press. She is the editor-in-chief of Lost Boys Press, and when not dabbling in books and art, you'll find Ashley searching for the weird and wonderful in local bookstores.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 8, 2022
Heroes is a short story anthology from Lost Boys Press that I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced reading copy to peruse. In the forward, editor-in-chief Ashley Hutchison discusses the motivation behind the theme: to provide inspiration and hope in this time when we could all use some by publishing re-imaginings of classic heroic tales. It is an interesting organizational idea and inspires a wide-ranging array of stories.
I’ll be the first to admit to being more familiar with some of the folklore these stories were based on than others. Ended up having to Google a few to either get or remind myself of the backstory, and I think it was worth doing to give a greater depth to the reading experience. It would have been fun, in fact, if the book had a short appendix giving the basics of each myth. Having said that, there were plenty here that I was well-versed in, and I also think the stories stand on their own whether you know the background mythology or not.
As usual when I review anthologies, I’ll highlight a few that spoke to me, but there wasn’t a clunker in this generous selection of 14 stories by a diverse group of authors.
The one that is sticking with me the most is Dragon by Douglas Jern based on Sigurd and Fafnir. It boasts intriguing world-building and kind of a slow burn start that only hints at the truly sinister confrontation to come. The ultimate battle is full of tension, thrills, and unforgettable imagery as our hero Siggy goes up against a uniquely terrifying and grotesque foe. This one really set my imagination on fire.
Gwenhifar and the Vat-Knight by Dewi Hargreaves is a thoughtful take on Arthurian legend as the Lady of a mysteriously mystical lake creates what she believes to be the perfect warrior only to face an agonizing decision when she is warned that he may bring about the downfall of the realm. I enjoyed this creative take that blends subtle sci-fi with the classic Arthur-Guinevere-Lancelot love triangle. Experiencing it through the eyes of the Lady, who views herself as the Lancelot figure’s mother, adds emotion and poignancy to this familiar tragedy.
Immortal Kingdom by Chris Durston somehow successfully transplants the legend of Gilgamesh and Enkidu into an examination of online video games, internet fame, and the meaning/worth of immortality. Our two heroes come from very different worlds and the evolution of their relationship is as compelling as the battles they face together.
The Call by R. Raeta is a quietly touching reinterpretation of Joan of Arc’s martyrdom that imagines an unfortunately all-too-believable present day, fascist/religious dystopia where one woman’s gift of seeing into the heart of evil provides inspiration for a revolution. We could only hope to have such a hero when our time comes to rise up.
Behind the Mask by Jaecyn Boné is a modern take on the Medusa myth with a bittersweet romance at its core. It also weaves in our current virus anxieties with some tricky ethical questions. How far is too far when you’re trying to save someone you love? I appreciated the daringly downbeat ending on this one.
These were just a few of the ones that spoke to me the most, but all of the stories are well-written in a range of genres to please every taste. I’ve found all of the books I’ve read so far from Lost Boys Press to be professionally edited and presented and this one was no exception. A well-balanced collection on an inspiring theme. (Content warning: violence and dark themes)
I’ll be the first to admit to being more familiar with some of the folklore these stories were based on than others. Ended up having to Google a few to either get or remind myself of the backstory, and I think it was worth doing to give a greater depth to the reading experience. It would have been fun, in fact, if the book had a short appendix giving the basics of each myth. Having said that, there were plenty here that I was well-versed in, and I also think the stories stand on their own whether you know the background mythology or not.
As usual when I review anthologies, I’ll highlight a few that spoke to me, but there wasn’t a clunker in this generous selection of 14 stories by a diverse group of authors.
The one that is sticking with me the most is Dragon by Douglas Jern based on Sigurd and Fafnir. It boasts intriguing world-building and kind of a slow burn start that only hints at the truly sinister confrontation to come. The ultimate battle is full of tension, thrills, and unforgettable imagery as our hero Siggy goes up against a uniquely terrifying and grotesque foe. This one really set my imagination on fire.
Gwenhifar and the Vat-Knight by Dewi Hargreaves is a thoughtful take on Arthurian legend as the Lady of a mysteriously mystical lake creates what she believes to be the perfect warrior only to face an agonizing decision when she is warned that he may bring about the downfall of the realm. I enjoyed this creative take that blends subtle sci-fi with the classic Arthur-Guinevere-Lancelot love triangle. Experiencing it through the eyes of the Lady, who views herself as the Lancelot figure’s mother, adds emotion and poignancy to this familiar tragedy.
Immortal Kingdom by Chris Durston somehow successfully transplants the legend of Gilgamesh and Enkidu into an examination of online video games, internet fame, and the meaning/worth of immortality. Our two heroes come from very different worlds and the evolution of their relationship is as compelling as the battles they face together.
The Call by R. Raeta is a quietly touching reinterpretation of Joan of Arc’s martyrdom that imagines an unfortunately all-too-believable present day, fascist/religious dystopia where one woman’s gift of seeing into the heart of evil provides inspiration for a revolution. We could only hope to have such a hero when our time comes to rise up.
Behind the Mask by Jaecyn Boné is a modern take on the Medusa myth with a bittersweet romance at its core. It also weaves in our current virus anxieties with some tricky ethical questions. How far is too far when you’re trying to save someone you love? I appreciated the daringly downbeat ending on this one.
These were just a few of the ones that spoke to me the most, but all of the stories are well-written in a range of genres to please every taste. I’ve found all of the books I’ve read so far from Lost Boys Press to be professionally edited and presented and this one was no exception. A well-balanced collection on an inspiring theme. (Content warning: violence and dark themes)
March 5, 2022
I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to sift through a pile of submissions and curate just the right compilation of the best of the best that not only fit the theme and entertain the reader but also flow together and drive the reader’s imagination beyond the confines of, say, 387 pages. Lost Boys Press has done just that with Heroes, their latest collection of short stories centered around fresh, unique renditions of well-known myths and legends.
As with any good anthology, there’s something in Heroes for everyone and, I think, something new for everyone, as well. I’ve read so many collections that contain maybe two stories that entertain me and not much else, but that wasn’t the case here. While I went in with biases for the stories in the realms of Greek mythology, Arthurian legend, and the legend of Robin Hood, I came out wanting to know more about the heroes I didn’t grow up enthralled with. Certainly, some of the stories spoke more deeply to me than others, or were told in styles that better suit my general interests, but I can truthfully say there wasn’t a single piece that left me wanting (except for wanting them to keep going and going…and going).
Without going through each piece, I appreciated the way Heroes was structured: luring me in with a dark scene quickly lightened by well-written witty banter, taking me through a whole roller coaster of emotion and anticipation, and finishing me with a thought-provoking, introspection-inducing punch to the chest. As a writer whose mind often goes down these paths, I also enjoyed diving into the settings the authors chose and seeing how they brought the classic elements of the stories into those worlds.
We’re always told not to judge a book by its cover, but I can tell you I absolutely would have picked this book off a shelf if I had no idea who Lost Boys Press or any of the contributors were, because Dewi Hargreaves knocked the Heroes cover out of the park. I’ve got the paperback preordered, but I will be ordering the hardback as well simply for incredibly aesthetic collectible status.
Overall, this is a fantastic collection of stories by writers who I will continue to read as they hopefully publish more of their work, curated and presented by a press that I’ve discovered to be a genuine champion of and friend to the writing community. Keep up the good work, LBP!
As with any good anthology, there’s something in Heroes for everyone and, I think, something new for everyone, as well. I’ve read so many collections that contain maybe two stories that entertain me and not much else, but that wasn’t the case here. While I went in with biases for the stories in the realms of Greek mythology, Arthurian legend, and the legend of Robin Hood, I came out wanting to know more about the heroes I didn’t grow up enthralled with. Certainly, some of the stories spoke more deeply to me than others, or were told in styles that better suit my general interests, but I can truthfully say there wasn’t a single piece that left me wanting (except for wanting them to keep going and going…and going).
Without going through each piece, I appreciated the way Heroes was structured: luring me in with a dark scene quickly lightened by well-written witty banter, taking me through a whole roller coaster of emotion and anticipation, and finishing me with a thought-provoking, introspection-inducing punch to the chest. As a writer whose mind often goes down these paths, I also enjoyed diving into the settings the authors chose and seeing how they brought the classic elements of the stories into those worlds.
We’re always told not to judge a book by its cover, but I can tell you I absolutely would have picked this book off a shelf if I had no idea who Lost Boys Press or any of the contributors were, because Dewi Hargreaves knocked the Heroes cover out of the park. I’ve got the paperback preordered, but I will be ordering the hardback as well simply for incredibly aesthetic collectible status.
Overall, this is a fantastic collection of stories by writers who I will continue to read as they hopefully publish more of their work, curated and presented by a press that I’ve discovered to be a genuine champion of and friend to the writing community. Keep up the good work, LBP!
March 30, 2022
TL;DR: It's really good and very fun. Definitely worth checking out, even if you aren't a mythology/history/heroes superfan. Promise.
Growing up, I was never really all that into mythology. I know the broad strokes of a handful of stories, but a lot of the details and nuance are unknown to me. So, going into this anthology, there were a lot of blind spots in my knowledge of these stories and I was a bit concerned when I received this ARC, that it might impact my experience. I'm happy to report, that my anxiety was unfounded.
The Heroes anthology from Lost Boy's Press includes 14 unique, inventive retellings of classic hero tales, ranging from Gilgamesh to Perseus and Medusa, Theseus and the Minotaur to Mulan. The book presents a little something for every one and a lot to love for those who like a good retelling.
The writers in the collection all bring different, dynamic voices and styles to the mix that made for a thoroughly enjoyable read. For me, some standouts included Dragon by Douglas Jern (a retelling of the Norse story of Sigurd and Fafnir with an almost horror-like twist), The Call by R. Raeta (a fast paced, but impactful Joan of Arc retelling), and Foresta Pietrificata by Madeline Dau (a steampunk-style retelling of Perseus and Medusa with old Italian flair).
So, let the epic Morricone music set in, curl up in your coziest reading spot with your favorite beverage, and dig in to this delightful collection. I can't imagine you'd regret it.
Growing up, I was never really all that into mythology. I know the broad strokes of a handful of stories, but a lot of the details and nuance are unknown to me. So, going into this anthology, there were a lot of blind spots in my knowledge of these stories and I was a bit concerned when I received this ARC, that it might impact my experience. I'm happy to report, that my anxiety was unfounded.
The Heroes anthology from Lost Boy's Press includes 14 unique, inventive retellings of classic hero tales, ranging from Gilgamesh to Perseus and Medusa, Theseus and the Minotaur to Mulan. The book presents a little something for every one and a lot to love for those who like a good retelling.
The writers in the collection all bring different, dynamic voices and styles to the mix that made for a thoroughly enjoyable read. For me, some standouts included Dragon by Douglas Jern (a retelling of the Norse story of Sigurd and Fafnir with an almost horror-like twist), The Call by R. Raeta (a fast paced, but impactful Joan of Arc retelling), and Foresta Pietrificata by Madeline Dau (a steampunk-style retelling of Perseus and Medusa with old Italian flair).
So, let the epic Morricone music set in, curl up in your coziest reading spot with your favorite beverage, and dig in to this delightful collection. I can't imagine you'd regret it.
March 28, 2022
This review is as unbiased as possible, and more so. Being upfront, I am one of the authors in this anthology and read a copy in advance as part of the review crew where we get advance copies of the book for fair and honest reviews.
First and foremost, the bad: my own knowledge around some of the heroes and legends told here was drastically lacking. And that's a me problem and not a problem with the anthology. When I came across something I did not know, I used the key provided in the index to know who the Hero in question was so I could break off to do some research. I wanted to know what was, so I could see the genius and skill the authors used to twist and reshape the legend in their retelling.
Every story took their hero and ran with it in a different way. The smorgasbord of genres, and genres within genres, left me amazed at how each hero fit seamlessly into the story told.
From Lab R Inc making my heart absolutely race, to The Call making my heart soar even as it ripped me to pieces, to Codename: Viking making me feel like I was right there with the characters.
No story failed to deliver and each and every one seemed like a slice of something bigger and left me hungry for so much more.
Highly recommend this journey through the retelling of fourteen heroes and their legends retold.
First and foremost, the bad: my own knowledge around some of the heroes and legends told here was drastically lacking. And that's a me problem and not a problem with the anthology. When I came across something I did not know, I used the key provided in the index to know who the Hero in question was so I could break off to do some research. I wanted to know what was, so I could see the genius and skill the authors used to twist and reshape the legend in their retelling.
Every story took their hero and ran with it in a different way. The smorgasbord of genres, and genres within genres, left me amazed at how each hero fit seamlessly into the story told.
From Lab R Inc making my heart absolutely race, to The Call making my heart soar even as it ripped me to pieces, to Codename: Viking making me feel like I was right there with the characters.
No story failed to deliver and each and every one seemed like a slice of something bigger and left me hungry for so much more.
Highly recommend this journey through the retelling of fourteen heroes and their legends retold.
February 27, 2022
I really grew into this collection and particularly enjoyed the reimaginings of myths I knew about before reading. I particularly enjoyed the inventiveness surrounding the Arthurian legend (Dewi Hargreaves) and Medusa (Jaecyn Boné), but also found the Joan of Arc story (R. Raeta) affecting.
A lot of these stories showed a willingness to play with different genres as well. I particularly liked how the Beowulf story (Michael J. Mullan II) included the keen attention to detail of the modern war novel - that is one story that I felt could have done with another 30 to 50 pages to build up scenes in between the action and allow the story to breathe more.
Finally, I thought it was really neat how many of the stories played with the relationships differently - the Cu Chullainn story by Laura Jayne McLaughlin and Madeline Dau's Perseus tale. These took well-known relationships and offered a different slant on them, which added to further nuance to the tales.
Maybe I was a little biased in my reading towards the tales I knew of because I could enjoy how they were changed, but I imagine others would love this for the tales they don't know anything about, and so can come into the collection fresh. Anyway, a fine read and there is plenty here to suggest that a lot of these writers have a great creative future ahead of them.
A lot of these stories showed a willingness to play with different genres as well. I particularly liked how the Beowulf story (Michael J. Mullan II) included the keen attention to detail of the modern war novel - that is one story that I felt could have done with another 30 to 50 pages to build up scenes in between the action and allow the story to breathe more.
Finally, I thought it was really neat how many of the stories played with the relationships differently - the Cu Chullainn story by Laura Jayne McLaughlin and Madeline Dau's Perseus tale. These took well-known relationships and offered a different slant on them, which added to further nuance to the tales.
Maybe I was a little biased in my reading towards the tales I knew of because I could enjoy how they were changed, but I imagine others would love this for the tales they don't know anything about, and so can come into the collection fresh. Anyway, a fine read and there is plenty here to suggest that a lot of these writers have a great creative future ahead of them.
February 19, 2022
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I knew all the stories they were based on. I enjoyed the ones that I recognized!
May 1, 2022
When I first heard about this anthology, I had to admit that my interest was piqued. After all, I spent many, many years burying myself in mythology (for no other reason than I thoroughly enjoyed them), so this seemed like something I could really dig my teeth into.
I was not disappointed.
There isn't a single story in this collection that doesn't impress, and each one carries the reader through a plethora of emotions and sensations, all the while calling back to the heart of the story they're retelling while breathing new life into the mythology and folk tales we all know and love. It was difficult to really pick any that really stood out to me because they were all full of impact, but if pressed, I have to say, "The Hanged Man" by Daniel Quigley (the first in the collection) and "Immortal Kingdom" by Chris Durston were the two that really hit me the hardest.
"The Hanged Man" evoked a certain kind of joyful hope in me, the kind that can only be generated when coming along for a completely unexpected (at least for one of the characters) adventure to right the wrongs of the past. "Immortal Kingdom" struck a different cord, the part of humanity deep inside that struggles with it's own mortality and the idea that death comes to us all. I'm not going to lie, I was well and truly crying by the end of it.
This really is a truly inspired collection of retellings, bringing in the heroism and classicalism of myth and legend while weaving in a depth and breadth of emotion and character development that makes it a collection you don't want to miss.
Note: I received a complementary copy of this ebook and am leaving a voluntary review.
I was not disappointed.
There isn't a single story in this collection that doesn't impress, and each one carries the reader through a plethora of emotions and sensations, all the while calling back to the heart of the story they're retelling while breathing new life into the mythology and folk tales we all know and love. It was difficult to really pick any that really stood out to me because they were all full of impact, but if pressed, I have to say, "The Hanged Man" by Daniel Quigley (the first in the collection) and "Immortal Kingdom" by Chris Durston were the two that really hit me the hardest.
"The Hanged Man" evoked a certain kind of joyful hope in me, the kind that can only be generated when coming along for a completely unexpected (at least for one of the characters) adventure to right the wrongs of the past. "Immortal Kingdom" struck a different cord, the part of humanity deep inside that struggles with it's own mortality and the idea that death comes to us all. I'm not going to lie, I was well and truly crying by the end of it.
This really is a truly inspired collection of retellings, bringing in the heroism and classicalism of myth and legend while weaving in a depth and breadth of emotion and character development that makes it a collection you don't want to miss.
Note: I received a complementary copy of this ebook and am leaving a voluntary review.
March 2, 2022
I don’t like mythology. I hate history even more. Facts, names and dates are boring. Luckily, I didn’t have to like either of those things to love this book. From the creepy to the futuristic and everything in between each story is a unique twist on characters I might have known and ones I’d only heard in passing. These are not the characters they taught you in history class. These are completely reimagined and beautifully retold characters whom you’ve yet to meet. Throw away any expectations of what you expect legends are and immerse yourself in these original works of art.
After each story, I had to stop and take a moment, as if I had just read an entire novel. Each world immersed me into it and I felt surrounded by the unique inventions of each author. You’d think a Minotaur in a maze would be straightforward, but the heartbreak and surprise at the end will leave your heart lost in that maze. I’d only heard in passing of legends like Beowulf, but cannon in my head now is a Noble Viking fighting Nazis and that’s the story I want. Even famous stories like Midas and his golden curse are spun so expertly, with excitement and danger I never knew old legends could hold. These stories are the heroes we all deserve to learn about.
After each story, I had to stop and take a moment, as if I had just read an entire novel. Each world immersed me into it and I felt surrounded by the unique inventions of each author. You’d think a Minotaur in a maze would be straightforward, but the heartbreak and surprise at the end will leave your heart lost in that maze. I’d only heard in passing of legends like Beowulf, but cannon in my head now is a Noble Viking fighting Nazis and that’s the story I want. Even famous stories like Midas and his golden curse are spun so expertly, with excitement and danger I never knew old legends could hold. These stories are the heroes we all deserve to learn about.
March 15, 2022
This is a really fun collection of short stories! Easy to read with something for everyone.
February 22, 2022
What I Did Like:
-Some of the stories were AMAZING. Specifically, I adored The Call and Behind the Mask. They sucked me right in and the vibe was wonderful.
-I did get excited if I recognized the myth/legend a story was based on. I think I literally cheered when the title for the Robin Hood story came up.
-This is really a diverse collection of stories, which means there’s something for everyone!
Who Should Read This One:
-If you like short stories, give these a go! You are SURE to find something in here that you like.
-If you’re a fan of mythology and like when those stories are played with a little, PREORDER THIS ONE ALREADY. What are you waiting for? It was practically written FOR YOU.
My Rating: 4 Stars.
The formatting was great, the central theme is awesome, and if you like short stories this is for you!
For Full Review: https://tabathashipleybooks.com/2022/...
-Some of the stories were AMAZING. Specifically, I adored The Call and Behind the Mask. They sucked me right in and the vibe was wonderful.
-I did get excited if I recognized the myth/legend a story was based on. I think I literally cheered when the title for the Robin Hood story came up.
-This is really a diverse collection of stories, which means there’s something for everyone!
Who Should Read This One:
-If you like short stories, give these a go! You are SURE to find something in here that you like.
-If you’re a fan of mythology and like when those stories are played with a little, PREORDER THIS ONE ALREADY. What are you waiting for? It was practically written FOR YOU.
My Rating: 4 Stars.
The formatting was great, the central theme is awesome, and if you like short stories this is for you!
For Full Review: https://tabathashipleybooks.com/2022/...
March 31, 2022
I'm going to try to be nonbais here, but I'm not sure if I can be as a contributer. Every story lock within these pages is in dire need of being released. Help these heroes of legends find places in New Worlds. Fall in love all over again with some of the greats from the past, turned something utterly new.
Enjoy the Ancient Greek Myths, the Sagas as Scandinavia, the Mysteries of the Far East, and the Icons of European Lore, there is literally something for everyone in this book of Heroesnout of their Time!!!
Enjoy the Ancient Greek Myths, the Sagas as Scandinavia, the Mysteries of the Far East, and the Icons of European Lore, there is literally something for everyone in this book of Heroesnout of their Time!!!
April 10, 2022
Seems like cheating to give a book that I edited 5 stars, but I’ve earned that right! Check this book out people! Your favorite heroes in new settings with new outcomes. Still the same great triumphs and tragedies. Great new rainbow flavors! 😉
September 17, 2023
Some seriously talented people wrote things for this book. Not all the stories work for me, but in general the ones I don't gel with are ones in genres I wouldn't be keen on anyway.
If you're into your retellings-with-a-twist-ses, chances are there'll be at least one or two pieces in here that'll appeal.
If you're into your retellings-with-a-twist-ses, chances are there'll be at least one or two pieces in here that'll appeal.
March 19, 2022
I received an advance readers copy of Heroes and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It is way outside of my normal genre. I tend to read rose-tinted books, but I loved these re-imaginings. Some I knew—some I didn't, but each was so captivating that I found myself completely pulled into each world. From the life lesson that we're all a little flawed, to the absolutely stunning visuals(descriptions), this book is something else.
May 11, 2022
The stories in this are terrifically well-thought-out retellings of old myths and stories about heroes. I am honestly crap at writing reviews. I generally like something or I don't, with nothing in between. But I just had to say how much I enjoyed this anthology. Every story in it was fantastic. Seriously. If you like stories about heroes - and who doesn't - you should really give this book a try.
(Edited to add an actual review. I was sick when I read this and was too exhausted to actually write the review.)
(Edited to add an actual review. I was sick when I read this and was too exhausted to actually write the review.)
November 2, 2023
This is an anthology featuring retelling of myths and legends. The introduction states the main idea behind the choices was hope. I received a copy to judge for the Indie Ink Awards for Best book cover, best illustrator, prettiest book interior, best light read, side character mvp, and funniest book. Because of some of the things I was judging for, I also decided to grab a physical copy. As you can see, the cover is gorgeous and there are definitely some nice interior things.
As this is an anthology, the only thing for me was shortness, it’s hard to fall into a story when every time you do, it ends. Then the next one is a new author with a new style of writing. It makes it hard to hit that stride with a typical light read. The stories were enjoyable though, I just couldn’t get super into reading mode with it.
For the most part, the retellings all took on a scifi approach. I’m not sure if that was a requirement, because it wasn’t noted in the intro, but if it wasn’t, I would have liked to see some other things thrown in. There was one that was like a scifi/western Robin Hood, and I kept wondering why it wasn’t just a western, cause that is a retelling in itself!
Regardless, this is a fun anthology full of unique myth and legend retellings by various indie authors.
Featuring Works By:
* Daniel Quigley
* Jess L. Tong
* Laura Jayne McLoughlin
* Stephen Howard
* Chris Durston
* Madeline Dau
* Michael J. Mullen II
* Douglas Jern
* Matthew Siadak
* R. Raeta
* Jaecyn Boné
* Dina S.
* Dewi Hargreaves
* Carter Hutchison
Personally a 3/5* for me.
As this is an anthology, the only thing for me was shortness, it’s hard to fall into a story when every time you do, it ends. Then the next one is a new author with a new style of writing. It makes it hard to hit that stride with a typical light read. The stories were enjoyable though, I just couldn’t get super into reading mode with it.
For the most part, the retellings all took on a scifi approach. I’m not sure if that was a requirement, because it wasn’t noted in the intro, but if it wasn’t, I would have liked to see some other things thrown in. There was one that was like a scifi/western Robin Hood, and I kept wondering why it wasn’t just a western, cause that is a retelling in itself!
Regardless, this is a fun anthology full of unique myth and legend retellings by various indie authors.
Featuring Works By:
* Daniel Quigley
* Jess L. Tong
* Laura Jayne McLoughlin
* Stephen Howard
* Chris Durston
* Madeline Dau
* Michael J. Mullen II
* Douglas Jern
* Matthew Siadak
* R. Raeta
* Jaecyn Boné
* Dina S.
* Dewi Hargreaves
* Carter Hutchison
Personally a 3/5* for me.
March 24, 2023
To be honest, I knew nothing of Heroes by Ashley Hutchison until just a couple of weeks ago. I ended up picking this one up along with several categories it was nominated for in the Indie Ink Awards. I figured I could easily fit this in before the deadline due to it being a rather low page count for a collection of short stories. I do struggle with short stories at times and not because I don't enjoy them. Quite the opposite in fact! It drives me crazy at times when I read a short story that I really liked and then it's over as quickly as it began.
I've tried to put some though into how I wanted to review this style of book as well. What I came up with was I created a bit of a scoring for each short story within Heroes and I'll share my traditional thoughts overall on the book and will wrap up with mention of a couple of my favorites from the list.
The pacing of each story was fairly smooth. I never really had any issues with anything that was difficult to understand, typos or any real slow parts. I guess this is to be expected since again these are short stories that don't have a lot of page counts available to really build up to much. Each story gets into the action or story fairly quickly until it wraps up.
The character development is one of those traditional categories I mention that is difficult because we spend such short time with these characters. With that being said though, I think each of the authors providing works for this anthology did well in getting me to understand and often connect or relate to most of their characters. Definitely not easy to do with only about a 20-40 minutes attention span.
Finally the world building often suffers from the same lack of time as the character development. I think what helps the world building a bit in Heroes is most of these stories are retellings of very familiar stories. So the foundation is already laid and we just need to get settled into what's different. And different these were. Most of these are futuristic retellings of stories such as Robin Hood and King Arthur just to name a couple. It took me a couple of stories to get comfortable with these but once I did, I rather enjoyed most of them for what they are.
As I mentioned, I wanted to point out at least a couple of my favorites. All of these authors were new to me so I might have a few that are now on my radar to see what else they've been up to in the past as well as in the future.
I think my overall favorite was probably Codename: Viking by Michael J. Mullen II. This is a more modern if not futuristic retelling of Beowulf. As a fan of Beowulf itself I really enjoyed the action of this one and the connection from the older tale into this more modern twist.
I also really enjoyed Behind the Mask by Jaecyn Bone which was a retelling of Perseus and Medusa. Again I grew up a huge fan of films like Clash of the Titans and Jason and the Argonauts. So this was right up my alley.
Lastly, I'll mention the final story in Heroes which was Mulan and the DOGYN of Power by Carter Hutchison. This one probably stuck with me simply due to a bias of being exposed to similar stories more recently out of the group. This one gave off very strong vibes relating to the Pacific Rim films and even more so Iron Widow which I read last year if I remember correctly. It was definitely a very enjoyable read and could easily see this one expanded into a full novel or series.
This ended up bit a very quick and enjoyable read exposing me to some additional great authors I tend to look into further. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes more modern or futuristic retellings of popular tales from the past and our childhoods. Books like Heroes can be nice to fit in just about anywhere because you don't need to knock it all out at once. If you have a moment you're waiting for an appointment or to pick someone up this would be perfect. Or if you only had a day before you dive into your next epic read, pick this up and knock out a couple short stories today. Plenty of options to chip away at this one and enjoy the ride!
I've tried to put some though into how I wanted to review this style of book as well. What I came up with was I created a bit of a scoring for each short story within Heroes and I'll share my traditional thoughts overall on the book and will wrap up with mention of a couple of my favorites from the list.
The pacing of each story was fairly smooth. I never really had any issues with anything that was difficult to understand, typos or any real slow parts. I guess this is to be expected since again these are short stories that don't have a lot of page counts available to really build up to much. Each story gets into the action or story fairly quickly until it wraps up.
The character development is one of those traditional categories I mention that is difficult because we spend such short time with these characters. With that being said though, I think each of the authors providing works for this anthology did well in getting me to understand and often connect or relate to most of their characters. Definitely not easy to do with only about a 20-40 minutes attention span.
Finally the world building often suffers from the same lack of time as the character development. I think what helps the world building a bit in Heroes is most of these stories are retellings of very familiar stories. So the foundation is already laid and we just need to get settled into what's different. And different these were. Most of these are futuristic retellings of stories such as Robin Hood and King Arthur just to name a couple. It took me a couple of stories to get comfortable with these but once I did, I rather enjoyed most of them for what they are.
As I mentioned, I wanted to point out at least a couple of my favorites. All of these authors were new to me so I might have a few that are now on my radar to see what else they've been up to in the past as well as in the future.
I think my overall favorite was probably Codename: Viking by Michael J. Mullen II. This is a more modern if not futuristic retelling of Beowulf. As a fan of Beowulf itself I really enjoyed the action of this one and the connection from the older tale into this more modern twist.
I also really enjoyed Behind the Mask by Jaecyn Bone which was a retelling of Perseus and Medusa. Again I grew up a huge fan of films like Clash of the Titans and Jason and the Argonauts. So this was right up my alley.
Lastly, I'll mention the final story in Heroes which was Mulan and the DOGYN of Power by Carter Hutchison. This one probably stuck with me simply due to a bias of being exposed to similar stories more recently out of the group. This one gave off very strong vibes relating to the Pacific Rim films and even more so Iron Widow which I read last year if I remember correctly. It was definitely a very enjoyable read and could easily see this one expanded into a full novel or series.
This ended up bit a very quick and enjoyable read exposing me to some additional great authors I tend to look into further. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes more modern or futuristic retellings of popular tales from the past and our childhoods. Books like Heroes can be nice to fit in just about anywhere because you don't need to knock it all out at once. If you have a moment you're waiting for an appointment or to pick someone up this would be perfect. Or if you only had a day before you dive into your next epic read, pick this up and knock out a couple short stories today. Plenty of options to chip away at this one and enjoy the ride!
October 21, 2022
Heroes is a collection of short stories that Lost Boys Press have put together with the same theme throughout - all the stories take commonly known myths and reinvent them in different ways. Some of them work terrifically, mixing different genres or ideas, almost as if they were supposed to be written in that way in the first place. Others however, fell a little flat for myself and the twists didn’t add anything to the original lore. In some ways this is the risk you take when you collect a group of short stories, not everyone is going to land for every reader. However, it was a fun ride all the same and reading new ideas is always interesting as a reader, whether they work or not.
One thing I do want to point out is the placement of the stories, and clearly this is my own bias because everyone will have their own favourite story; however in this case my clear favourite was The Hanged Man, which was the first story within the book. Quirky monk, who embodies the ideals of monk-hood but blurs the lines with his own free-spirited behaviour, rescues a man who wants to hang himself. The story was full of charm, humour and a slice of magic; and I was drawn in from the second I started this story. The monk in the story is not your typical wise and strong character, and this played well within the story. Setting the bar high within this selection of stories, I had high hopes for the others that followed. Unfortunately, none quite reached the heights of The Hanged Man for myself. There were other stories within the novel, that contained elements that I really enjoyed and twists that are clever. Such as the Robin Hood story that is set in a more futuristic environment.
I have never read a collection of short stories before, and this book has definitely peaked my interest in reading more of these collections. I feel as though I struggled at times with the pacing of the stories, moments feeling rushed or conversations ending in a blink of an eye; where normally in traditionally sized novels I would expect more in between or larger foundations between sections; I sometimes felt things moved at a lightning pace. I didn’t get enough time to attach myself to the story or characters, and sometimes the characters would lose themselves to me because I didn’t care quite enough. Overall, I enjoyed my time with Heroes and it hasn’t definitely tipped my mind towards reading more short story collections.
One thing I do want to point out is the placement of the stories, and clearly this is my own bias because everyone will have their own favourite story; however in this case my clear favourite was The Hanged Man, which was the first story within the book. Quirky monk, who embodies the ideals of monk-hood but blurs the lines with his own free-spirited behaviour, rescues a man who wants to hang himself. The story was full of charm, humour and a slice of magic; and I was drawn in from the second I started this story. The monk in the story is not your typical wise and strong character, and this played well within the story. Setting the bar high within this selection of stories, I had high hopes for the others that followed. Unfortunately, none quite reached the heights of The Hanged Man for myself. There were other stories within the novel, that contained elements that I really enjoyed and twists that are clever. Such as the Robin Hood story that is set in a more futuristic environment.
I have never read a collection of short stories before, and this book has definitely peaked my interest in reading more of these collections. I feel as though I struggled at times with the pacing of the stories, moments feeling rushed or conversations ending in a blink of an eye; where normally in traditionally sized novels I would expect more in between or larger foundations between sections; I sometimes felt things moved at a lightning pace. I didn’t get enough time to attach myself to the story or characters, and sometimes the characters would lose themselves to me because I didn’t care quite enough. Overall, I enjoyed my time with Heroes and it hasn’t definitely tipped my mind towards reading more short story collections.
February 1, 2023
Loved this diverse collection of hero journeys.
The standouts?
Beowulf fighting the Nazis!
Robin Hood as a futuristic western and narrated like you're watching a movie, complete with soundtrack!!!!
Mulan piloting a huge mech suit to fight kaiju in space!!!!!!!
There is something for everyone in this fun and eclectic anthology. Everyone needs a hero sometimes.
Full disclosure: I was given a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review by the publisher, Lost Boys Press.
The standouts?
Beowulf fighting the Nazis!
Robin Hood as a futuristic western and narrated like you're watching a movie, complete with soundtrack!!!!
Mulan piloting a huge mech suit to fight kaiju in space!!!!!!!
There is something for everyone in this fun and eclectic anthology. Everyone needs a hero sometimes.
Full disclosure: I was given a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review by the publisher, Lost Boys Press.
March 26, 2024
This anthology is amazing from start to finish. If you like Greek mythology, or even if you’re like me and are kinda “meh” on it these stories will make you love Greek mythology. Every story is so unique and interesting! These are not the myths you are used to. Honestly I find myself recommending this book to people all the time. It is so good!
May 30, 2022
Enjoyed about one or two stories in here.
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