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*I've come to a story that has suicide, but not in great detail, but it is there, for anyone uncomfortable with the subject.*
The Mirror: 5/5
I really enjoyed this short story. It is about a mirror that shows you things it shouldn't show you. (Yeah that doesn't sound confusing at all, does it? I promise the story itself makes much more sense than I do!) I couldn't help feeling some Harry Potter "Mirror of Erised" vibes while reading this because the moral of the story. Great short story and I liked the writing style. Set in the UK. I appreciate the research J.S did to make it sound authentic. (Maybe that helped with giving me the Harry Potter vibes lol) The ending was perfect and left me wishing this story was a longer one! For sure a spooky concept!
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The Ghost of Memory: 3.5/5
I felt like it needed to be longer. I did like it, but everything happened so fast. I know it is a short story, but I can't help desiring more. I however really enjoy the writing style. There are a couple parts mentioning spiders, so arachniphobia warning. I just felt like mentioning I got another weird vibe while reading this, totally unrelated to the book and J.S Bailey, but funny at any rate. A character is being referred to as "Cheese Man" and for some reason, I can only think of the Cheese Man on Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
To Willow: “I've made a little space for the cheese slices.”
To Xander: “These… will not protect you.”
To Giles: “I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.”
To Buffy: (silently shakes the cheese slices, then retreats)
I'm sorry.
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Vapers: 3/5
I don't have much to say about this one other than it was confusing. I did like it and I enjoy the writing style. It was more science fiction than supernatural; maybe that is the cause of my confusion because I don't read much sci-fi.
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Maria - 1/5 - This one isn't for me. It has a creepy vibe, but it doesn't feel like a complete story whether it was a short story or not.
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Agoraphobia - 4/5 - This story hits too close to home. It was written in the second person, so that made it even more personal as if I were the main character. Thankfully, it gives a hopeful message."
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The Author, The Lonely Walker and The Class - 4/5 - This one is interesting. It is a story within a story… within a story. I’m not going to say it isn’t confusing at first. I'm not usually a fan of this, but I think it was handled well here. This kind of story (especially considering it is so short) is a hit and miss for a lot of people, but I liked it. I feel like I could also relate to “the author” who talks about what I assume is social anxiety and having meltdowns in public. I don't want to spoil anything, but I relate to "the author" and "the lonely walker" in other ways, too. Really solid writing style.
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The Outing - 3/5 - This one seemed like it would be a sweet story about an average looking man (he pretty much describes himself as such) and a younger woman he thinks is out of his league getting together and getting married. It is a much darker story than that. I can’t say much without spoiling anything, though. I liked the story, but I wanted more or a little more “oomph.”
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Imaginary Friend - 4/5 - This story is a prequel to “Rage’s Echo” a novel by J.S. Bailey I haven’t read. Knowing nothing about Rage’s Echo, I really enjoyed this story. It was sad but sweet at the same time.
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Weary Traveler - 4/5- I really liked this one. It was spooky. I like how you are not sure what is real and what might be supernatural.
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Journal Entry From The End Of The Universe - 5/5- This one was told in journal entries. I really liked the format. This story makes you think about what matters and to be careful of what you wish for. The thing you wish for might not be what it is cracked up to be.
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And Lead Us Not - 2.5/5 - Disturbing. I wish there were more details and that it was longer. I know it is a short story, but something was lacking. Well written, but the story wasn't my cup of tea. A great, unexpected way to end it, though.
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White Lightning - 3/5 - Writing style on point. I like how it seems all the stories are about something different and not 16 stories of ghost hauntings or something. Nothing supernatural about this one that I could tell, but I guess that depends on how you interpret the story.
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And There We Will Be - 5/5 - This is a really sad story. It deals with some disturbing themes, such as child abuse, but as sad as the story is, there is a feeling of hope, too.
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Rochelle’s Pizza Run - -/- I decided not to read this as it is a short story sequel to another one of J. S Bailey’s books “The Story Beyond The Portal” and as that book sounds like something I would like, I want to read it first!
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Solitude - 4/5 - This is a prequel to “Servant, The Chronicles of Servitude, #1” by J. S. Bailey. I really liked it and look forward to reading the series. I did however not care for the line about suicide. Sometimes I just think people do not realize how lines like that can come across to other people, no matter if it fits the character who said it. Suicide is not something you should ever joke about. “If [ ] heard that they would commit suicide.”
The story was well written and suspenseful and leads into a promising series.
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Diamonds in the Sky - 5/5 - This was a great story. Science fiction. It was sad, but also bitter-sweet. I loved it.
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Nov 18, 2017
*I met J.S Bailey today when she did an impromptu book signing at my local Half Priced Bookstore. She was really nice. Gave me two free bookmarks and I said I would buy one of her books online as we were carrying little cash. But before we left the store, my husband was nice enough to let me get this one! I really enjoyed how J.S. Bailey described some of the short stories in this collection. Thanks for signing my book!*
