Acquired Book By: I never had the chance to finish reading this particular anthology series which I fell in love with by the Indie publisher World Weaver Press. Sadly, after I purchased “Sirens” and “Equus” I learned the sad news this publisher was only going to release one new anthology which debuted during Wyrd And Wonder (ie. “Mothers of Enchantment”) but there will be no new releases moving forward. I was thankful I have a few years at least to gather copies of the rest of their anthologies I would like to read (especially as they have an impressive collection of Solarpunk!) whilst sorting which other titles aside from “Mothers of Enchantment” I would also like to purchase before they close their doors forever without a way of acquiring their titles. I highly recommend you back-read through my reviews for this publisher and see which titles you’d like to gather yourself, too.
On a happier note, I purchased “Sirens” and “Equus” to continue my journey into the vision Ms Parrish had for her Magical Menageries series of anthologies – as I began this adventure within the pages of “Fae” (see also Review), then “Corvidae” (see also Review) and “Scarecrow” (see also Review). It has been such an incredible and thrilling ride!! Especially as I have found such depth of centre within the stories I’ve blogged about as I made my way through each anthology – those writers captured me truly by the ways in which short fiction can truly transcend the shortness of its tales.
I was not obligated to post a review on its behalf. I am sharing my thoughts on behalf of this anthology for my own edification and a continued journey of sharing my readerly life on Jorie Loves A Story. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Note: I received the Press Materials from the publisher World Weaver Press after requesting to use them for Wyrd And Wonder whilst I shared my reviews for both Sirens and Equus which would complete my journey with this anthology series edited by Rhonda Parrish.
Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!
It has been about six years since I was caught inside the JOY of reading this anthology series which had bewitched my imagination and endeared me to the artfulness of how anthologists put together their anthologies! Yet, it was with a heavier heart I realised after contacting this publisher about the press materials, I would have to seek out titles I had planned to purchase within a shorter time-frame lest they go out of print before I have the chance to read them. Whilst at the same time, I’ve been a book cheerleader for the publisher ever since (2015) when I first read FAE. The anthology which started my journey into the Magical Menagaries series.
This fifth year of #WyrdAndWonder marks my final year reading the series but also marks the end of the publisher’s presence in our lives with exciting new releases which never fail to captivate our hearts, invigorate our joy of reading Fantasy, Cosy Horror or Science Fiction and give us new writers to appreciate discovering along the way. Of the three Indie publishers I read anthologies by regularly (ie. Seventh Star Press, World Weaver Press and Xchyler Publishing) World Weaver Press has had the consistency and choice of thematic to explore which I have appreciated the most. I know now I have to start to seek out new small press and Indie publishers to journey after in search of what I thought was going to be a longer lasting presence in Speculative Fiction by this publisher and that was the hardest part to reconcile this May.
Blessedly, the anthologist herself (Rhonda Parrish) has heaps of new lovelies (ie. anthologies) for me chase after next and quite a few of them are released into print which is good news for me! Several of hers are strictly Digital First from what I can gather online but I am just thankful after I conclude my readings of both SIRENS and EQUUS there will be other collections out there by her I will be able to read and enjoy. She has become a favourite anthologist of mine and knew I wanted to continue to follow her publishing career post-Wyrd And Wonder this year.
One interesting bit to disclose is that I never used to be as curious about reading Mythological Fantasy or Mythologically influenced stories as I have been these last years since Louise @foxesfairytale introduced me to the JOY of this pursuit with her own event @Mythothon which I have had to unfortunately step out of participating in whilst the cycles have been live and ongoing. I hope one day to resume my readings rooted in those cycles and take a journey into the heart of which theme she had selected as I pursue my own journey of story and adventure therein. For now, it is her inspiration and influence of suggesting a new path of entry into this side of SpecFic which has made all the difference in me as a reader. Without that first year of #Mythothon, I am not sure if I would have been as keenly invested into this sub-niche of Fantasy as much as I am and for that, I am forever grateful.
I broach this because SIRENS plays off what we know about sirens and what we haven’t yet learnt – they were the beguiling creatures in Greek Mythos which had the reputation of luring men to their death and of making seafaring life a bit more arduous to undertake if they were within range of being heard. Although I knew about sirens, this was the first time I was interested in reading more about them and in effect learning more about the Mythos behind their original stories. As that is one grace of reading these kinds of curated anthologies – you get to learn more about the original subject of interest as much as viewing the vision the new writers of today have given the legends, lore and fables within that scope of exploration.
If you’re as keenly interested in short stylised fiction as much as I am, I hope you’ll consider SIRENS, EQUUS or any of the other lovely editions of the Magical Menagaries series to be your #nextread!
Sirens
by (Editor) Ms Rhonda Parrish
Source: Purchased | Personal Library
Sirens are beautiful, dangerous, and musical, whether they come from the sea or the sky. Greek sirens were described as part-bird, part-woman, and Roman sirens more like mermaids, but both had a voice that could captivate and destroy the strongest man. The pages of this book contain the stories of the Sirens of old, but also allow for modern re-imaginings, plucking the sirens out of their natural elements and placing them at a high school football game, or in wartime London, or even into outer space.
Featuring stories by Kelly Sandoval, Amanda Kespohl, L.S. Johnson, Pat Flewwelling, Gabriel F. Cuellar, Randall G. Arnold, Michael Leonberger, V. F. LeSann, Tamsin Showbrook, Simon Kewin, Cat McDonald, Sandra Wickham, K.T. Ivanrest, Adam L. Bealby, Eliza Chan, and Tabitha Lord, these siren songs will both exemplify and defy your expectations.
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 978-0692687208
Published by World Weaver Press
on 12th July, 2016
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 263
Published By: World Weaver Press (@WorldWeaver_wwp)
Collection No.1 in this series is FAE | Info on Editor’s Blog | Info on Pub
Collection No. 2 in this series is Corvidae | Info on Pub
Collection No.3 in this series is Scarecrow | Info on Editor’s Blog | Info on Pub
Collection No. 4 in this series is SIRENS | Info on Pub
Collection No. 5 in this series is EQUUS | Info on Pub
Converse via: #DiverseSFF, #SFF, #SciFi, #Fantasy & #Anthology
+ #MagicalMenageries (the series tag!)
Available Formats: Trade Paperback, Ebook
Genre(s): Fantasy | Sirens | Mythology | Short Stories
(Inspired by) The Odyssey | LGBTQ+ | Anthology
About (Editor) Ms Rhonda Parrish
Like a magpie, Rhonda Parrish is constantly distracted by shiny things. She’s the editor of many anthologies and author of plenty of books, stories and poems. She lives with her husband and three cats in Edmonton, Alberta, and she can often be found there playing Dungeons and Dragons, bingeing crime dramas or cheering on the Oilers. To stay in touch her website is updated regularly and her Patreon is updated even more regularly.
My Review of sirens:
{ am electing to highlight the stories within the anthology
which piqued my interest the most out of the sixteen offered inside }
Anthologies enrich my reading curiosities tenfold it’s still true
– but the anthologies that World Weaver Press
are putting out are amongst the treasured books in my personal library!
Before I began my readings, there is a lovely introduction into the back history of sirens – and of how, they were rumoured to be connected to Persephone before she was taken by Hades. (which I also was unaware of as I haven’t read too much into Greek Mythos to know of that particular detail!) It was then theorised that perhaps the sirens who sang with such vigor to men on the seas was really a different kind of wailing altogether – one which was to punish men for the sins of a God. From that perspective it felt very fitting because it made sense to me that that might be the cause of their grief – as they wouldn’t have been able to reconcile the loss of Persephone.
If anyone else has read more Greek Mythos than I have – I would welcome your comments to see if perhaps this new theory about sirens befits what you’ve learnt yourself? It makes a strong commentary about love and loss and friendship; how all of that can be much more powerful of a connection than people realise and at the time of disconnection, how that grief can re-emerge into a powerful presence all of its own.
I liked how this collection also explores stories without sirens having their voice – where they are in effect silent or mute for whichever reason. I am reading another story this Wyrd And Wonder called: Speechless in Acheten Tan which also tucks into a narrative about how you can find your voice even if you aren’t able to use it. Overall, I liked how this collection was both varied in style but also in message as it gave a more dimensional glimpse into sirens and the legacy they give us all.
| Siren Seeking by Kelly Sandoval | Site | @KellyMSandoval
I, admit, it took me a bit to unpack this particular short story because ‘Meda’ I hadn’t realised at first was ‘Medusa’ though there were a few subtle hints dropped about the story to clue me into this realisation which unfortunately I just didn’t connect until the very final scene! Thelia on the other hand is the lead character – a retired siren who has chosen to live amongst us in a very contemporary modern world wherein dating has gone digital. Except for one particular switch-up to our dating lives – she only seeks out the fantastical to date rather than the mundane! Laughs.
It is a diary of dates – wherein Sandoval chooses the most unusual dates for Thelia to pursue whilst at the same time being bisexual Thelia has a wider choice of dates than most. Sandoval cheekily takes us date by date to disclose what it is about each date which is ineffectively not working for Thelia and in most cases, it isn’t their personality but rather, they simply do not bring enough into the relationship to warrant a second meeting. I had two favourites of course – as the first was a fairy who conjured a way to have flowers delivered which re-bloomed and regenerated themselves without realising how inconvenient that would be on the receiver. Whilst it was the mermaid Lusha who gave Thelia more insight into what she was seeking and what she hadn’t realised was still affecting her as a retired siren.
Sandoval cleverly allowed us to see past the veil of what is not readily seen – wherein, Lusha’s tail and appearance were able to be viewed during one particular moment which gave us new reasons to be cautious of mermaids! And, yet it was interesting to see the effect Lusha had on Thelia as well – as it was almost as if there ought to be a warning for sirens about mermaids! Yet, in the background was Meda – the constant voice of reason, the listening board and the kind-hearted friend who understood Thelia’s internal battles even better than Thelia sometimes understood herself. It was a tale rooted in friendship and heartache whilst there is a bit of hope at the end for ‘what could be’ but what isn’t going to happen anytime soon. I felt this was very much a story about sisterhood friendships and the pursuit of finding love in a world that isn’t as readily easy to predict where love and happiness can thread together in a beautiful spool of contentment.
→ Fairies, Mermaids, Sirens, Medusa and other lovelies are inclusive!
→ The fantastical elements are a bit subtle and understated to where you gather the sense it is all a bit commonplace now to where they have integrated into our own world. For that reason, it felt very contemporary and honest about how what seems to be straight out of Mythos can sometimes just become part of the ‘norm’ of society another moment when the barriers are removed from their world and ours. Whilst I loved the small glimpses of those ‘otherworld’ moments nestled within the context of Thelia’s pursuit of love as she picks dates off a dating app. Loads of moments to smirk over and have a bit of a giggle, too!
| Moth to an Old Flame by Pat Flewwelling | Facebook | @Nine_Day_Wonder
This is set against the backdrop of war – in London, where we find ourselves besotted by the angst and anguish of a woman who is cast against her nature in a world she was finding difficult to reconcile. It was here as a caretaker of animals, she found a way to use her talents as a siren in a very unique way: as the animals helped lure men to her shop and keep them there long past their due. It was a lonely existence and it wasn’t without its hardships – yet, it was when Eros arrived with his pitiful pleas and his desperate suggestion for uniting for the greater good when we see her truer nature persevere.
Flewwelling has a lot of depth in this short – she’s nudged us into that realm of where war and emotion interweave into a nexus of hopeless thoughts and urgent pleas of mercy. When war rages and where the heart hopes for peace – set against a backdrop of Greek Mythos wherein Eros has lost his Psyche and has a bent of fate to encourage this siren (Serena) to bend to his desire and will. You could gather the idleness of her life has driven her a bit mad round the edges; cut off from both land and sea. She hasn’t thrived as much as she could have outside and the life she’s committed to living now was a lost void of disillusion.
And, yet, right in the middle of that adverse circumstance when all felt lost to Serena, she found the courage to help right the wrongs of what was happening round her and find the will to evoke change. I was mesmorised by how Flewwelling gave us a hearty glimpse into world war and one which we know dearly well by now given how many of the stories of that generation have survived these many years lateron and still give us something new to consider and contemplate. We shift from living amongst the Gods and seeing how the Fates can intervene on human destiny to parlaying into a story which is both for the mythological loving reader as much as the historical!
Serena and Psyche were such wickedly fleshed out characters of their own natures whilst Eros was a harder nut to crack because he felt both self-serving and protective all at the same time! His methods were a bit ill placed mind you because he took the road that suited his needs first but, in the end, it was how Flewwelling concluded this tale within the threads of known history which made it such a satisfying ending! My heart bled for Dr Jack too throughout all of this – as his ordeal was cast against such a tyranny of what could not be stopped by mere mortals alone! I felt he was the innocent cast against the Gods and that depending on their choices, his fate was sealed one way or the other and that was dearly hard to process as I read the story. This was an emotional read for me and could almost have been a snapshot of a larger series and world.
→ Greek Mythology at its finest!
→ A re-invention of dramatic World War Historical Fiction interwoven with Greek Mythos and set within a backdrop of the London Blitz. The depth of the story’s heart far outweighed the length of its word count as you definitely felt beguiled by the presence of the Gods & how their choices were affecting the humans, but it was the entirety of the story which packed the most punch for its length due to the nature of the circumstances evolving in and around the Gods! I especially enjoyed the characterisation of Serena, too, how we were given insight into her nature as a siren but also, of whom she had become in her isolation.
This story also explored how sirens have a difficulty in communicating their voice and songs to those who are hard of hearing or deaf – which allowed Flewwilling to add an additional emotional layer and texture to how she perceived Serena and her ability to interact with those around her as well.
| Nautilus by V. F. LeSann | GoodReads (writing duo) | @FennellFiction | @bobbistylz
One of my favourite segues in Speculative Fiction is Science Fiction and in particular, all stories which evolve through Space Opera or set on the edges such as the Rims. This has held true for many years and is consistently explored through my readings over the years as a book blogger. However, this was the first time I saw someone take the ethos of Mythos into deep space and twist the constructs of a story round the influence of a particular entity which had its own intentions to first do harm in order to serve its own needs.
This writing duo tucks us close into the pursuit of finding a lost ship Argonaut whilst endearing us to the crew aboard the rescue/recovery mission of the Nautilus. Rather than focusing soley on the human crew, we are privy to the internal mechanisms of the heart of the ship. In this part of Space, all ships are sentient beings interconnected to an avatar which can take the form and shape of someone the crew will feel comfortable around. Or to flip this round to Star Trek, it was a variant of how Data became both an asset and a personal member of the Next Generation crew. In this story, Nautilus is swimming in a thoughtful repose about how his life (as I gathered despite the gender neutrality of the story, he perceived himself as a male) was both limited and tethered to the will of those who commanded the stars.
I was also reminded of portions of Farscape wherein the ship itself was a living organism but didn’t have the same presence of mind as Nautilus which could also be said of seaQuest DSV. What drew me into the heart of this story though was the enormity of its depth and heart. This wasn’t just about a research and recovery mission for a long-lost crew and ship; it was much more than that and yet it was tempered against what happens when you find yourself in a nesting ground of interstellar sirens?
There were themes of identity and self-awareness from the perspective of an AI technology who was finding themself too constricted by their programmed purpose and designation. To the worrisome effects sirens have on humans who aren’t aware of being under the influence of a siren’s call on their mental state and health. It explored how insanity is a fragile line which can become crossed without the awareness of the human mind in certain situations which push a human past what it can understand, such as the unsettling shift in behaviour of this crew. Whilst I also felt the greater arc of the story was set in pace with both Nautilus’s own liberating journey and the recovery of finding out what happened to Argonaut. Without spoiling the ending – the concluding passages of this short story truly excel at flipping the script on what you think will happen vs what is possible if you re-imagine what is a greater force of influence – such as individual freedom and the pursuit of autonomy.
→ Sirens in SPACE. Deep Space.
→ The interesting bit of this story is how we’re not entirely sure what is happening until the very END. And, by then, of course, we were so mesmorised by the journey, it took a bit longer to process the conclusion because of what it meant over the larger scale of what was said and expressed. This world has a hauntingly beguiling fingermark on what can transcend both time, space and the ever reaches of a siren’s call.
| Safe Waters by Simon Kewin| Site | @SimonKewin
I was quite intrigued by this story – about how Lina finds herself at a resort wherein people can transition into a special experience of having themselves transfused into another lifeform wherein they get to ‘play’ as a method of escape from their lives. It was there were people were encouraged to choose wisely about which form they wanted to undertake during that holiday as much as ensuring that whichever form they selected, they would remain in charge of it at all times.
The comedy of the story was the conversation Lina had with another woman; wherein that person wanted to be part of the cojoined experience with the others in attendance. She wanted the most interaction she could grasp whilst Lina on the other hand wanted more isolation, more serenity and a firm break from connectedness. The two were at different crossroads and it reflected in their choices of what they wanted to become for this experience.
The interesting bit of course is how the body they selected and the ways in which they were aware of themselves in that particular state of existence was quite incredible! Of course, Lina elected to become a mermaid and although, I felt this was more of a mermaid story rather than one built round the influence of sirens; if you parlay the ending against what we know about sirens, there was a subtle more unspoken wavering of influence in the choice Lina made which could in effect be considered the call of a siren. Yet it was so quietly effective, you could have overlooked it.
→ A mermaid story within a chronicling of Sirens
→ Despite the curious surprise of finding a story about a mermaid rather than reading about the influence of a siren, I must say, this story befits the premise and heart of the stories collective to this anthology all the same! A bit shorter than most but the girth of presence is wonderfully explored as much as how much heart is inclusive of the story, as we chase after Lina and observe how in this world – you are only limited by your own courage and the faith to change your own stars.
| Experience by Sandra Wickham | @sandrawickham
I was quite caught inside this story to where I nearly missed some of the overtures knitted into it about the Goddess and the sirens! What was beautiful about the way Wickham had written this story was about how there was a sense of hopeful closure for one character who had lived her whole life without the ability to reconcile the past. Something had happened to her, and it not only haunted her, but it played with her mind.
It was here on a cruise ship wherein she met with a siren who was facing her own reckoning because she no longer desired the life she had once lived. Both of these women were at a crossroads in their life, and both were equally motivated to help the other and that was the beauty of it for me. That both of them had something to gain from their connection and their friendship, which ironically, at first the siren nearly refused even happening! She was self-motivated to remain free to do as she chooses but she had enough heart and empathy to recognise when someone needs assistance, too. That was her saving grace – empathy and compassion for others and yet, not even she fully understood the task presented to her by the Goddess.
I had to smirk about the messengers the Goddess sent to speak to the siren – they were a bit glib about what was going on in the wider scheme of the task they gave her to carry-out but in many ways, I was thankful for that veil because it let us as readers feel as if we were walking beside them rather than having it all told to us after the fact. This siren of course had the same beguiling effect on men as others but what I appreciated about Wickham’s approach to this story was to showcase how sirens affect other beings; other supernaturally inclined beings!
There is also an age difference between the two characters and Wickham explored age in different ways throughout the story, too. From the perspective of what age can foretell about a person’s life to the perspective on age from others and how people perceive your worth due to age and appearance. It is a lovely story about the fortitude of survival and the grace which comes from age and the wisdom which is much more important than the limited glow of youth.
→ A siren on a cruise ship!
This read to me as though it was a perfectly encapsulated dramatic comedy – as portions of the story were very comedically timed and delivered whilst there is a dramatic arc inside the story as well which is emotionally charged. I liked how Wickham handled the heavier subjects she explored in the story against the hope of change and renewal which was happily inclusive of the ending. And, yet, of course, finding a siren on a cruise ship who made her living as a singer was just wicked brilliant!
Closing Thoughts & Expectations of the continuing serial delights
of Rhonda Parrish as this anthological series expands:
I was thrilled to be able to peer into stories which thoughtfully played off the Classical and Modern spins of thought about sirens. There was emotional strife, comedic relief and thought-provoking tales which gave you more fodder to chew on than you first realised possible! I enjoyed being in different settings as well – from deep Space to a cruise ship to being seaside whilst a siren goes through her process of dating and finding herself forevermore disappointed by her choices. Yet, even when you feel you’ve reached your emotional limits – you find yourself in a war drama set against the foils of the Gods themselves!
The lovely imagery and imaginative eye of the writers who are inclusive of this anthology truly enthralled me with their ability to capture the vision of their story but also, giving me such fantastical glimpses into mermaids, sirens, and the Gods or Goddesses of Greek Mythos. There was a beautiful synergy of interest throughout the stories I read which parlay themselves into new fables to be told and listened too. Which was the beauty of it of course, because most Mythological stories are fables full of lessons of life or cautionary tales of one variety or another. I appreciated the diversity of the stories as much as the voices within them, too.
It is hard to believe I’ve almost concluded my time within the Magical Menageries series as I only have Equus left to read! Blessedly, there will be other collections and anthologies by Ms Parrish to chase after next and for that, I am grateful I first found her editorial work through World Weaver Press. As much as I hope some of the writers, I’ve found through their anthologies I can read again – either in new anthologies by other publishers and press or in their longer format stories. They each have a lovely style of etching out the fantastical and for that, I am a grateful reader!
This book review celebrates the writers
& publishing team of: World Weaver Press
Showcases of World Weaver Press Titles:
FAE (see also Review)
Disclosing my keen interest in CORVIDAE + Scarecrow (#BookishNotBookish No.6)
Scarecrow (see also Review)
CORVIDAE (see also Review)
SURPRISE! I awarded World Weaver Press the honour of two of my Jorie Loves A Story Cuppa Book Love Awards as disclosed on my *End of the Year Survey, 2015*.
The previously mentioned Cover Reveal w/ Notes for
Murder in the Generative Kitchen as well as my review for this story
I spotlighted The Meddlers of Moonshine on my review of The Falling of the Moon
Far Orbit: Apogee (edited by) Bascomb James (see also Review)
Heir to the Lamp (Book One: The Genie Chronicles)
by Michelle Lowry Combs (see also Review)
Solomon’s Bell (Book One: The Genie Chronicles)
by Michelle Lowry Combs (see also Review)
Frozen Fairy Tales (edited by Kate Wolford (see also Review)
After I conclude my readings of “Equus” it will mark my 11th review for this publisher.
This book review is part of the #bookhaul of Fantasy novels
I purchased this year for #WyrdAndWonder:
Reading this story contributed to
my #WyrdAndWonder Year 5:
CLICK THE BANNER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR YEAR 5 EVENT | READ JORIE’S YEAR 5 INTRO
Enjoying my fantastical reviews about the worlds of Fantasy?
Ever since the beginning of Jorie Loves A Story, I have embarked on a Quest to seek out stories within the worlds of Fantasy which would heighten my awareness of the genre and give me wicked good reads – across the subniches of a genre I’ve loved since I was seventeen. Every May, I happily co-host @WyrdAndWonder – whilst throughout the months of the year, I regularly read & discuss the Fantasy reads I am discovering.
Visit my full archive for ALL my #EnterTheFantastic wanderings! As well as take a walkabout through my archives for #WyrdAndWonder – or take a walkabout through my archive for everything deemed wickedly fantastical!
{SOURCES: Book cover for “Sirens”, book synopsis, World Weaver Press badge and promo banner were all provided by the publisher World Weaver Press and are used with permission. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Rainbow Digital Clip Art Washi Tape made by The Paper Pegasus. Purchased on Etsy by Jorie and used with permission. Tweets were embedded due to codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: Wyrd And Wonder Book Review badge Year 5, #bookhaul collage badge and Sirens book review quote banner (Photo Credit: ©jorielovesastory.com), #WyrdAndWonder Year 5 banner and the Comment Box Banner.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2022.
I’m a social reader | I tweet my reading life
📖SIRENS
🧜♀️4th #MagicalMenageriesShort format fiction has a convicting way of encapsulating such a heap of depth into a story which evokes such a strong presence of its heart; why #JorieReads anthologies!🙌#bookreview during #WyrdAndWonder@bobbistylz https://t.co/MJVLbQfCTx pic.twitter.com/nWo4qUhh86
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- #WyrdAndWonder
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