Fabled Journey III

3/5 ( ratings)

This collection of fantasy short stories are from the three winners of Remastered Words 2018 audio anthology, including a tale from one of our judges, Ian Whates with ‘Return to Arden Falls’ which was first published in “Legend”, an anthology released in 2013 in honour of David Gemmell. There is a definite theme running through this year’s tales of the soldier’s passage; whether it be returning home to family, revisiting past battlefields, or taking the treacherous path into unknown realms and through bloody battlefields. Either way, wherever the roads may lead, you’ll be glad of a warm fire and comfy chair whilst the fabled journey plays out.

Here’s what some of our judges had to say:

“Gatekeeper, What Toll is well executed, thought-provoking, and brimming with imagination. Loved this one.” – Marc Turner

“I really enjoyed Gatekeeper, What Toll. It has a lovely fantasy concept at its heart – a gate that changes appearance and location depending on who approaches it – and it does an excellent job of telling a very large story through little snippets. It leaves you wanting to read the epic fantasy novel that appears to be happening at the borders of the story.” – Jen Williams

“The Miller’s Daughter is a touching story of heroism, coming home and of the bittersweet passage of time.” – Aliette de Bodard

“The Miller’s Daughter is a lovely, bittersweet fantasy of homecoming and loss, told at times in a fairy tale style, strengthened by excellent prose.” – Sebastien de Castell

“Bleak River is a really beautiful, disorienting story, containing some really, really nice poetic turns of phrase. Plenty of darkness, too; in particular, the concept of processing dead men’s bones into weapons upon the battlefield is deliciously grim. A captivating tale.” – Laura Hughes

“Bleak River lives up to its name and is unremittingly dark — a distillation of the spirit of grimdark.” – Ian Whates