Thank you to the kind readers and reviewers who take the time to make comment on any FableCroft books!
THE REBIRTH OF RAPUNZEL
Ray Thompson reviewed The Rebirth of Rapunzel in issue #77 of Historical Novels Review, saying: Forsyth’s argument is convincing, her prose clear, and the insights into the tale’s influence on her own work, especially Bitter Greens, fascinating. Definitely recommended.
In Aurealis #90, reviewer Rebecca McEwen says The Rebirth of Rapunzel is: “…an immersive and engaging examination of the significance of a woman who, in the end, saves herself.”
Ashleigh Meikle says the book is: a well-written, intelligent collection of non-fiction writing exploring the evolution of the tale of Rapunzel … Kate’s distinctive writing style shines through, making reading this offering as enjoyable as her novels, and is an engaging read for anyone interested in the subject matter.
A brief one at The Quirky Library, in which the reader notes: It was a very enlightening piece that helped me understand the themes of the Rapunzel tale and why it has continued to play a large part in our fairytale history, its feminist retellings and also Forsyth’s research process.
Alexandra Pierce gave us an in-depth reading of the book, saying (among other things): Forsyth has made her research very readable … This isn’t academic-lite; it’s academic-approachable. And on episode #142 of Galactic Suburbia, Alex says some very nice things about the book (after announcing the winners of the giveaway) – take a listen!
Cait Coker at The Future Fire decrees the book: a fascinating and readable collection, and if the material at times overlaps and repeats, the originality of the vast remainder is utterly absorbing. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in fairy tales, genre, or honestly, just writing.
At Goodreads, reader Liesa shared a wonderful review of the book, calling it “utterly compelling”.
Faith Mudge says that: the history and context of this fairy tale’s growth and change is so well presented that it allows the reader to form their own opinions based on those facts.
INSERT TITLE HERE
At Goodreads, Rivqa says that the anthology Insert Title Here is: “A very strong, very dark anthology featuring some wonderfully unique voices.”
A snappy review for Insert Title Here via Amazon, in which the reviewer calls the book: “literate and entertaining”.
Deanne Sheldon-Collins reviewed Insert Title Here in Aurealis #81, recommending that: If you want immersing but varied fiction, insert this title into your reading list.
Over at Marianne de Pierres’ blog, Joelene Pynnonen reviews Insert Title Here, noting it has: …consistently astounding world-building. Story after story explores unfamiliar realms – and story after story succeeds in making those realms blindingly convincing. As the title suggests, the possibilities in these stories are endless, and some of the worlds are so lovingly rendered that they would be more suited to a novel.
Katharine at VentureAdlaxre gives us another stellar review, saying of Insert Title Here that “every single story is heart-breaking or grim or absurdly strange and wonderful, and all are incredibly read-able.”
CRANKY LADIES OF HISTORY
Another lovely review of Cranky Ladies of History over at Marianne de Pierres’ blog, this time by Joelene Pynnonen, in which she says: …this is a collection to be savoured.
In the Future Fire’s comprehensive review of Cranky Ladies of History, reviewer Valerie Vitale had some thoughtful comments, including:“…a collection of stories definitely worth reading … informative and very engaging on an emotional level. It is a fascinating and inspiring parade of great women…”
In Aurealis magazine (#81). Deanne Sheldon-Collins looked at Cranky Ladies of History and notes that the book: showcases historical fiction, but touches of surrealism and folklore embrace the speculative nature of rewriting history.
Alex Pierce reviewed Cranky Ladies of History over at Goodreads and said so many lovely things, including (among a glimpse of each story in the volume): Look, it’s just great. A wonderful range of stories, of women, of styles, of close-to-history and far (but still with that element of Truthiness). Thanks Alex!
Tsana of Tsana Reads and Reviews gave Cranky Ladies the thumbs up, saying: …interesting and fascinating are the two words that best describe this collection.
A great review of Cranky Ladies of History over at Marianne de Pierres’ website, where reviewer A.V. Mather notes that the “contributing authors are as talented and diverse a group as you could expect to find in Speculative Fiction today” and that “What you have here is a treasure chest in which you will find a very eclectic collection of sharp and glittering delights…”
In a truly wonderful review at Goodreads, Catherine Heloise notes (among lots of other lovely things) that: the truly impressive thing about this anthology was that there really were no weak stories. Every story was compelling and fascinating in a different way; some were strict historical fiction, others had a touch of fantasy, fairy tale, myth, or even science fiction to them, and all were ordered with a keen eye to the stories that surrounded them. I’m not sure how best to describe this, but in my experience, at least, it’s rare to find an anthology which is put together in such a satisfying way.
Marlene at Reading Reality says of the book: The historical women in these stories kicked ass and took names. Sometimes literally, sometimes just figuratively. They are individually and collectively awesome, even if they are not all familiar.
Shelleyrae at Book’d Out said: “Cranky Ladies of History is an important collection of fiction that gives voice to an extraordinary selection of women from a broad range of backgrounds, eras and cultures. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.”
At Adventures of a Bookonaut, Sean was very complimentary about Cranky Ladies, saying the book is “a unique project in that it delivers entertainment while spotlighting 22 women of history that we should all know more about, even if it’s for the simple reason that their stories are different to those we are used to hearing.”
Katharine at VentureAdlaxre comprehensively considered the anthology, giving it five stars!
PHANTAZEIN
Reviewer Sophie Yorkson of SQ Mag says: Each and every one of the stories in Phantazein leapt off the page at me with a vivacity and clarity of storytelling.
Rivqa on Goodreads who said the book is: Beautiful and glorious. Stories to linger in the quiet corners of one’s mind.
In a lovely review of Phantazein in Aurealis #79, Deanne Sheldon-Collins calls the book: Atmospheric and lyrical, confronting but readable, it proves that even something not meant to exist can be worthwhile.
River from Cherry Blossoms and Maple Syrup did a lovely little review of Phantazein, saying: My favourite story in the collection easily was The Nameless Seamstress by Gitte Christensen. Such a vivid and gripping story about a seamstress! Also Tansy Rayner Roberts did a story and it was also made of fabulous. Seriously, there’s some fantastic stories in this collection, and it’s worth checking out.
Over at Welcome to my Library, Lisa had some lovely thoughts on Phantazein, including: beautifully told with richly woven worlds and characters I want to know more about.
Elizabeth at Earl Grey Editing Service says of Phantazein: “The stories that make up the anthology had a nice mixture of cultures” and “…I’d definitely recommend it…”
Tsana Reads and Reviews declares: “there’s something here for all kinds of fairytalesque fantasy fans.”
GUARDIAN
Cybelle over at Heroines of Fantasy discussed Guardian, calling it: “an outstandingly engaging read and works well as a stand-alone novel” and noting that “the pacing of this novel is impressive, and the characters are wonderfully rich”.
Tsana at Tsana Reads and Reviews has lovely things to say about Guardian by Jo Anderton, including: I highly recommend it to fans of technological fantasy or just fantasy which differs from the mainstream. The worldbuilding is very original and one of the real strengths of the series. The magic is very structured; leading some to call the series science fiction. In that light, fans of slipstream and genre-bending fiction should find much to like here.
Alex Stephenson said wonderful things about Guardian in Aurealis #72.
Ventureadlaxre gives a fantastic first review of Guardian.
INK BLACK MAGIC
There’s a lovely review of Ink Black Magic by Tansy Rayner Roberts by Carol on Goodreads, which says: Tansy Rayner Roberts has a gift all her own that sets her apart from all other fantasy writers and …it is a story marvellously complete in itself. So do read and love the Mocklore Chronicles in any order you like, because that’s what I intend to do.
Carolyn Cushman thought Ink Black Magic was a “fun fantasy adventure…that brings to mind Terry Prachett’s Discworld” in the February 2014 edition of Locus. (no link)
Jim C Hines enjoys the humour and layered plot of Ink Black Magic.
Krista at Escape Club discovers comic fantasy when she reads Ink Black Magic.
Dirk Flinthart extensively reviews Ink Black Magic.
Tsana takes a look at Ink Black Magic at Tsana Reads and Reviews.
PATH OF NIGHT
Kyla Lee Ward at Tabula Rasa gives an entertaining review of Dirk Flinthart’s Path of Night, noting: “Flinthart delivers a thoughtful and entertaining take on his material.”
Alan Baxter at 13 O’Clock enjoyed Path of Night.
Sue Bursztynski at The Great Raven thought Path of Night hit the mark.
Sean the Bookonaut enjoys Path of Night at Adventures of a Bookonaut.
Tsana is impressed with Path of Night at Tsana Reads and Reviews.
Jamie over at MDPWeb takes a good look at Path of Night.
Mark Webb thinks the book is “a lot of fun” in his review of Path of Night.
THE BONE CHIME SONG AND OTHER STORIES
On Goodreads, reader J. Ashley Smith offered a five-star review that says the book: is alive with gnarled, unusual stories, with weird, memorable worlds, every one rendered in spare, vivid prose…the stories explore transcendence through the body and its transformation, and the inseparability of magic and sacrifice.
Mieneke shares her love for The Bone Chime Song and Other Stories at A Fantastical Librarian.
Michelle Goldsmith says such nice things about The Bone Chime Song and Other Stories at Vilutheril.
Upcoming4.me reviews The Bone Chime Song and Other Stories here, and Joanne also talks about the process of writing the works, on the site.
Tsana is blown away by The Bone Chime Song and Other Stories here.
Alan raves about The Bone Chime Song and Other Stories here.
Publishers Weekly review here: the collection explores the human condition with vigor and grace.
ONE SMALL STEP, AN ANTHOLOGY OF DISCOVERIES
Foz Meadows gives a very favourable review of One Small Step at A Dribble of Ink.
Karen Burnham extensively reviews One Small Step in The Cascadia Subduction Zone, saying “…There are many rewards inside for those approaching with a mind open to broadening…”
Mieneke says marvellous things about One Small Step at A Fantastical Librarian.
Lois Tilton comprehensively reviews One Small Step at Locus Online.
One Small Step is featured in the Kirkus Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Picks for May 2013!
Tsana gives top marks to One Small Step here.
Joelene writes marvellous things about One Small Step here.
Dave Versace calls One Small Step “Smart, heartfelt and a little bit otherworldly…”, among other things, on Goodreads.
Publishers Weekly review here: A very strong slate of stories…
EPILOGUE
Pete Aldin says very nice things about Epilogue here.
Satima at the Specusphere reviews Epilogue.
Guy Salvidge wrote a comprehensive piece on Epilogue for Bruce Gillespie’s SF Commentary #89, and noted that: It’s a testament to the strength of the Australian speculative fiction field these days that’s there not one weak story in the anthology…
Maree Kimberley reviews Epilogue at Goodreads.
Katharine reviews Epilogue here.
More Goodreads reviews.
TO SPIN A DARKER STAIR
A comprehensive and wonderful review of To Spin a Darker Stair by Intellectus Speculativus.
Tsana is charmed by To Spin a Darker Stair at Tsana Reads & Reviews.
Sean is charming about To Spin a Darker Stair at Adventures of a Bookonaut.
Satima at the Specusphere reviews To Spin a Darker Stair.
Alexandra Pierce reviews To Spin a Darker Stair at Goodreads.
More reviews at Goodreads!
AFTER THE RAIN
Lorraine Cormack reviews After the Rain at ASIF!
After the Rain is reviewed at Scary Minds.
AUSTRALIS IMAGINARIUM
Suzie at Suz’s Space reviews Australis Imaginarium.
WORLDS NEXT DOOR
WND reviews at the WND website.
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