Relics Wrecks & Ruins edited by Aiki Flinthart

I would like to thank Geneve Flynn for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Publisher – CAT Press

Published – 31/1

Price – £9.57 Kindle eBook £22 paperback

NB this collection will support a mentorship fund for emerging authors as such more information can be found via

Pre-order or buy here: https://books2read.com/Relics

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56367714-relics-wrecks-ruins

Paperback copies can be ordered directly from bookstores or by messaging Aiki on: admin@aikiflinthart.com

Futures and Pasts, Fearless and Frightening.This is a must-read collection for all fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. A celebration of legacy and endurance.•Bizarre remains of a lost civilisation emerge from the ice. •The ghosts of a drowned town wait to be awakened. •A witch with a dragon problem. •What Elvis will do to protect his fellow artists from annihilation.•An ancient spaceship carries the last, fragmented memories of Earth.•Broken souls of the dead are passed on to the new-born.•…These and many more tales showcase the hopes, remnants, and fears of humanity.

Having been diagnosed with terminal cancer, Aiki Flinthart reached out for works from as many of her favourite authors as would answer the call. And many did.Between these pages you’ll find stories by some of the world’s best science fiction, fantasy, and horror writers.

Find new favourite authors and re-join old friends. Their fabulous works are threads woven with a sure hand into a tapestry of the weird, the worrying, and the wonderful that make up mankind.Grab a copy of Relics, Wrecks, and Ruins today. You’ll also help fund a mentorship for emerging authors.Reviews:"Relics, Wrecks, and Ruins is the articulation of the generous contributions of our contemporary masters, in support of the Flinthart Residency and the next wave of emerging writers.

True to their mission, these stories push back against boundaries as they take us light years away, plunge toward the sea floor, and turn time and space elastic. Let yourself be drawn in by these celebrated voices. Listen closely for what resonates within."L.E. Daniels, author of Serpent’s Wake: A Tale for the Bitten and Winning Short Story Competitions: Essential Tools for the Serious Writer"Rich, varied, and bittersweet, this anthology is a fitting and triumphant salute to Aiki Flinthart’s dauntless spirit and irrepressible moxie" - Geneve Flynn, co-editor of Black Cranes: Tales of Unquiet WomenFull Author list: Neil Gaiman, Ken Liu, Juliet Marillier, Angela Slatter, Jan-Andrew (JA) Henderson, Garth Nix, Pamela Jeffs, Marianne de Pierres, Jasper Fforde, Mary Robinette Kowal, James (SA) Corey, Lee Murray, Sebastien de Castell, Ian Irvine, Robert Silverberg, Mark Lawrence, Kate Forsyth, Kylie Chan, Cat Sparks, David Farland, Jack Dann, Dirk Flinthart, Aiki Flinthart

What makes a great anthology? Easy answer brilliant stories from famous authors but is very subjective it’s a bit like in an orchestra saying I like the violin while others will love the flute. A good collection needs some music to play with this is why themes are important and in between weaving the choice of instruments the editor the conductor. In Relics, Wrecks & Ruins edited by Aiki Flinthart we look at our love of the past – items that remind us of history, family, destruction, and loss. Ina truly excellent collection crossing the lands of science fiction, fantasy, and horror to create a truly memorable reading experience.

Amongst the stories I enjoyed were

Washing the Plaid by Juliet Marillier – a stunning opener with a young girl meeting an elderly neighbour who can create stories in her carpet and strange home. It is about the wonder of storytelling and growing up becoming different people and staying yet the same. Perfection

The Names of the Drowned Are these by Angela Slatter – from charming to darkness with a unsettling tale a woman returning to her hometown now sunk behind a new dam. Various nasty historical elements are added and a trap for the unwary is being formed. Excellent.

The God-Complex by Jan-Andrew Henderson – a twisty SF tale of a science lab where people are experimenting on seeing the past. But the truth is rarely ever what we think it is. No character is quite who we think they are. A lot of fun reminds me of the Twilight Zone

A Malediction on the Village – an alternate history mystery tale of a land where witches and wizards are a lot more everyday. A village is being terrorised after a nearby archaeology site opened. Imagine a thirties set tale mystery with vicars, dogs and archaeologists combined with magic. Delicious!

In opposition to the Foe by Pamela Jeffs – An excellent SF tale with one of the remaining humans that has not been experimented on by alien invaders trying to survive. For a short tale this does the equivalent of a feature length movie in explaining what has happened and Liff’s use of language and pace is wonderful.

The Echo of Love by Marianne de Pierres – a rather obnoxious human expert is asked by the space station management to interview a strange casket that may contain an alien. A story that mixes understanding of language, love with something eerie building to a memorable finale. A lovely puzzle bof of a tale for the reader to solve.

16 Minutes by Jasper Fforde – A man is imprisoned for a crime he definitely committed to relive 16 minutes of life in the 90’s. An inventive mixture of thriller and Groundhog Day as someone re-evaluate their decisions and despite it all hope survives at the end.

American Changeling by Mary Robinette Kowal – Kim is a teenager slightly keen to revel against her parents, but this is complicated as they are fae disguised on earth for a secret mission. Loved this tale for painting deftly a picture of a 500-year magical conflict throwing in old religions, fairy battles and a race for survival yet also showing us Kim learning to stand on her own two feet. Impressive!

Pattern on Stone by James SA Corey – an inventive tale exploring mystery an archaeologist trying to explain the context of an object and two humans who have lived together for hundreds of year facing the end of a relationship. A story about how sometimes the reader can’t know everything we can have to infer but can never be sure. I think a favourite in the collection as I do love ambiguity in a story for the reader to constantly chew on.

The Wreck of the Tartarus by Lee Murray – Captain Kennedy R Jones is responsible for one of the US Navy’s most top-secret submarines and a unexpected volcanic eruption traps the vessel at the bottom of the ocean. Tension in this tale builds as we feel the pressure of the crew and the impact for them and their loved ones ashore. I loved the detour into genre this story takes and will leave it at that for you to discover.

Six String Demon by Sebastien de Castell – I love stories that are different and a guitarist hired to work into an rock band performing an exorcism delivers in no end. This tale has pace, verve and ends on a guitar solo. Another of my faves!!

Morgan of the Fay by Kate Forsyth – A retelling of an Arthurian legend from someone we tend to think as a villain. Very different, very magical and very very good. Spellbinding

Cosmic Spring by Ken Liu – An awesome beautiful tale that is my favourite in the collection. A giant ship at the end of the universe makes its way to the last burning star to meet others. It combines physics, family traditions, science, and loss in a remarkable way. You won’t forget this one in a hurry – life is eternal until the moment it is not.

River of Stars by David Farland – the Earth is out of control with pollution, greed and genetic experiments without consequences. A race of create dmer-people is down to a handful of survivors due to water pollution and they plan an audacious move to end this once and for all. It is powerful as we see the group try to traverse a dangerous Amazon filled with creatures, cruel humans and much more and yet despite all this pain forgiveness and hope fuels the story. Excellent and thoughtful

The Mirror in the Mirror by Jack Dann – an elderly couple suddenly get a chance to live their lives again. A haunting tale that reminds us second chances may sometimes not be what you want. Haunting by the end.

Heartbreak Hotel by Dirk Flinthart – A strange story of a US descended into civil war where one squadron meets Elvis Presley and many more. A dazzlingly glorious yet weird tale that hides many secrets. Dark but also has something to say about the human need for entertainment to take us away from it all.

The Movers of the Stones by Neil Gaiman – A poem about the past and the secrets hidden into the boring stones we can see or hold. Rather beautiful as you would expect.

Old Souls by Aiki Flinthart – an SF tale that challenges the reader on what is the best action to take. A rigid culture where population is carefully controlled from one generation to the next. Is freedom or responsibility more important. Not an easy tale but one of those you will think about what the right result was.

As you can see, I am extremely impressed with he quality of these tales, the authors assembled an the way the stories all use that theme – a hallmark of good editing. All fans of the genre should pick this up for a reminder that science fiction, fantasy and horror are able to take us away from life and yet also make us see it differently a bit like touring an old castle, finding an old item in the mud or a sea wreck off the coast. Brilliant and highly recommended!