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thewulverslibrary's review
3.0
Coming in at 260 pages, Sky Breaker: Tales of the Wanderer is a compilation of stories from eight authors that I've never read before and I was thoroughly impressed with the end result.
Nobody knows what created the tear in the sky, or who caused it. All anyone knew was the tear could be seen everywhere...and everywhen. It stretched not just across the sky but across time itself. Smaller tears began to form around the world. People feared them, used them, investigated them. But the mystery about these tears was dwarfed when a shadowy figure started to show interest in them. A being without form and known only by a name that caused terror for all who heard it:
The Wanderer
We open with a science fiction horror story called Swampers. Immediately we are introduced to the descriptive writing and strong visuals of author C.F. Welburn. This is a short story but the way that the world is described, the back story is imagined and the characters we are connecting to feels like much more than this. All these stories provide a similar depth of character and world-building and each story is unique in it's own right. These writers have assembled such a vast amount of creativity in one collection that has made me want to check out some of the others works they have produced individually.
It's incredible to see so many people pack so much backstory and world building into this. I didn't have any expectations but I enjoyed each story for different reasons. There were stories filled with humour, vast landscapes, water stories, intense dialogue, brutal gore and amusing characters. This was a brilliant narrative that was full of surprises and potential. I will definitely be checking out some of these authors in the future.
Nobody knows what created the tear in the sky, or who caused it. All anyone knew was the tear could be seen everywhere...and everywhen. It stretched not just across the sky but across time itself. Smaller tears began to form around the world. People feared them, used them, investigated them. But the mystery about these tears was dwarfed when a shadowy figure started to show interest in them. A being without form and known only by a name that caused terror for all who heard it:
The Wanderer
We open with a science fiction horror story called Swampers. Immediately we are introduced to the descriptive writing and strong visuals of author C.F. Welburn. This is a short story but the way that the world is described, the back story is imagined and the characters we are connecting to feels like much more than this. All these stories provide a similar depth of character and world-building and each story is unique in it's own right. These writers have assembled such a vast amount of creativity in one collection that has made me want to check out some of the others works they have produced individually.
It's incredible to see so many people pack so much backstory and world building into this. I didn't have any expectations but I enjoyed each story for different reasons. There were stories filled with humour, vast landscapes, water stories, intense dialogue, brutal gore and amusing characters. This was a brilliant narrative that was full of surprises and potential. I will definitely be checking out some of these authors in the future.
neencohen's review
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
An intriguing collection. I did enjoy the copper eyes that threaded the stories together alongside the broken skies. I enjoyed many of the stories but my top two were definitely Bring down the Sky by David Green and Topher the World by Derek Power. Two ultimate ends of the fantasy spectrum. Here are a few notes (all my own personal opinion) about each of the stories.
Swampers:
Interesting world building. A familiar past comes back to haunt you theme. Was a little jarring in places and think it might work better as a longer story, with characters developed more.
Darkwhale:
Enjoyable and visual. I am such a fan of riders in stories. There is so much more to be discovered in this. I love to think Tom grew as a person to care more about his own acceptance rather than his fathers.
Topher the World:
A chuckle of a read. Gave me complete terry Pritchett vibes. Loved it. Was a great break on the intense seriousness of the collection.
The righteous old guard:
Pretty gory read. Well written but for me it dragged a little with the detailed battle. Vicious and brutal and felt as though it were perhaps a starting chapter to something bigger but on its own not complete.
Ocean Cloud:
A good read with some enjoyable use of language. I liked the history of the world and the king, and it was an unexpected ending.
Bring down the sky: Oh my. This story is such a beautiful example of David Green’s writing. It’s brilliant and consuming, pulling you along while engaging the senses.
I love Green’s characters in this story. The unwilling MC, not by any means a hero and complex baddies are definitely my cup of tea. Bravo! Easily my favourite story in the collection so far.
Stormchild:
I enjoyed the writing and story, lots of description, though it felt a little out of place in the anthology. An epic adventure a little too long for the rest of the pieces of the anthologies puzzle.
Something wondrous:
This is a fun, and quick read. Set in a prison in the past, we get into the story with brilliant skill from the author.
And then, just when I was wondering how this fits in to the anthology. Boom! We get these answers and freakin twisted ties and turns.
Some Never Ending Story vibes.
The ending was unexpected but it left me unsatisfied.
Swampers:
Interesting world building. A familiar past comes back to haunt you theme. Was a little jarring in places and think it might work better as a longer story, with characters developed more.
Darkwhale:
Enjoyable and visual. I am such a fan of riders in stories. There is so much more to be discovered in this. I love to think Tom grew as a person to care more about his own acceptance rather than his fathers.
Topher the World:
A chuckle of a read. Gave me complete terry Pritchett vibes. Loved it. Was a great break on the intense seriousness of the collection.
The righteous old guard:
Pretty gory read. Well written but for me it dragged a little with the detailed battle. Vicious and brutal and felt as though it were perhaps a starting chapter to something bigger but on its own not complete.
Ocean Cloud:
A good read with some enjoyable use of language. I liked the history of the world and the king, and it was an unexpected ending.
Bring down the sky: Oh my. This story is such a beautiful example of David Green’s writing. It’s brilliant and consuming, pulling you along while engaging the senses.
I love Green’s characters in this story. The unwilling MC, not by any means a hero and complex baddies are definitely my cup of tea. Bravo! Easily my favourite story in the collection so far.
Stormchild:
I enjoyed the writing and story, lots of description, though it felt a little out of place in the anthology. An epic adventure a little too long for the rest of the pieces of the anthologies puzzle.
Something wondrous:
This is a fun, and quick read. Set in a prison in the past, we get into the story with brilliant skill from the author.
And then, just when I was wondering how this fits in to the anthology. Boom! We get these answers and freakin twisted ties and turns.
Some Never Ending Story vibes.
The ending was unexpected but it left me unsatisfied.
kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
While I'm not usually a fan of short stories, the way they were interconnected in this anthology made it feel a lot more like one bigger story, and therefore more to my taste!
As always, an anthology has some better and some weaker stories. So I shall try and say a little bit about each.
As always, an anthology has some better and some weaker stories. So I shall try and say a little bit about each.
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Book Sirens for an e-arc. All opinions remain 100% my own.
Swampers by C.F. Welburn
3.5 / 5
This was a strong start to the collection! I was very much intrigued by the essence of the Rent, as I love portal magic.
I enjoyed the focus being of the people left behind the ragic accident and a seemingly malignant vendetta being carried out to the survivors, but personally I would have loved more detail on the Rent itself.
Darkwhale by J.E. Hannaford
3 / 5
This was a really interesting story. At this point, I realised that rifts/rents would be a much bigger theme than I'd realised, which made me happy because I love portal magic. This story featured a lot about community which I enjoyed and I also loved the aspect of a bond with a whale. It was reminiscent of dragon riders. I did find some of the water battle scenes a bit confusing though to get my head around all the action, and I wasn't keen on Tom's dad's very conditional love and pride for him. Screw that!
Topher the World by Derek Power
4 / 5
Quote: " Legends have it that wizards are not welcome on the shores of Derchripo. They tend to meddle in affairs that require no meddling. Getting people of diminutive height to steal wedding bands and drop them in fiery mountains for no discernible reason".
This story was hilarious. I really enjoyed the fun of this all. It was much more light hearted, but took on some of those loveable tropes from classic fantasy, and pointed fun at them in a good-natured way. It was a more cheerful tone and was much needed as a prelude to the darkness of what was to come..
The Righteous Old Guard by Damien Larkin
5 / 5
This one was gritty, brutal, violent and full on action all the way through. It was amazing. I absolutely devoured this, pretty much whilst pruning in the bath. I loved that there was more depth on the worship of this stories deity and the lengths the worshippers went for them. It was very interesting to observe. At times it had me looking away at the sheer grim descriptions of it all, but it was superbly written and I would definitely like to read more from this land. I want to know more about how the Dead God religion began, why the worshippers practices are so violent and more about the rift in this specific tale.
Ocean Cloud by C. Marry Hultman
3 / 5
I found myself not as engrossed by the storytelling of this short story. I think it's because I really didn't care for our King of the story and couldn't empathise with him. The story itself felt like it lacked the detail and depth the others had. It was still very entertaining, but it's probably one of those out of the collection that won't naturally come to mind as often, later on down the line.
Bring Down The Sky by David Green
3.5 / 5
This one had some brutal scenes, but I enjoyed the overall action and direction of the plot. I'm glad that we got to explore what happens inside one of the portals in this short story.
StormChild by Lee C. Conley
2.5/ 5
Quote: "Oh seas... not seas, but expanses fraught with tears."
So this story was a decent read, there was definitely nothing wrong with it, I just didn't connect with the characters or story line. It wasn't really my niche.
Something Wondrous by H.L Tinsley
4/ 5
Ooh this one was very good. I thought the prison setting wasn't going to be my cup of tea but that changed super fast when things got really weird and eery. Great story progression in this one, but the ending did leave me confused, I must admit!
Epilogue: The First Step
4 / 5
The name: The Wanderer, sounds so endearing, when in fact this being is a meddling, evil, self-centered arse, who I loved to hate. The conclusion was very satisfying.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
Swampers by C.F. Welburn
3.5 / 5
This was a strong start to the collection! I was very much intrigued by the essence of the Rent, as I love portal magic.
I enjoyed the focus being of the people left behind the ragic accident and a seemingly malignant vendetta being carried out to the survivors, but personally I would have loved more detail on the Rent itself.
Darkwhale by J.E. Hannaford
3 / 5
This was a really interesting story. At this point, I realised that rifts/rents would be a much bigger theme than I'd realised, which made me happy because I love portal magic. This story featured a lot about community which I enjoyed and I also loved the aspect of a bond with a whale. It was reminiscent of dragon riders. I did find some of the water battle scenes a bit confusing though to get my head around all the action, and I wasn't keen on Tom's dad's very conditional love and pride for him. Screw that!
Topher the World by Derek Power
4 / 5
Quote: " Legends have it that wizards are not welcome on the shores of Derchripo. They tend to meddle in affairs that require no meddling. Getting people of diminutive height to steal wedding bands and drop them in fiery mountains for no discernible reason".
This story was hilarious. I really enjoyed the fun of this all. It was much more light hearted, but took on some of those loveable tropes from classic fantasy, and pointed fun at them in a good-natured way. It was a more cheerful tone and was much needed as a prelude to the darkness of what was to come..
The Righteous Old Guard by Damien Larkin
5 / 5
This one was gritty, brutal, violent and full on action all the way through. It was amazing. I absolutely devoured this, pretty much whilst pruning in the bath. I loved that there was more depth on the worship of this stories deity and the lengths the worshippers went for them. It was very interesting to observe. At times it had me looking away at the sheer grim descriptions of it all, but it was superbly written and I would definitely like to read more from this land. I want to know more about how the Dead God religion began, why the worshippers practices are so violent and more about the rift in this specific tale.
Ocean Cloud by C. Marry Hultman
3 / 5
I found myself not as engrossed by the storytelling of this short story. I think it's because I really didn't care for our King of the story and couldn't empathise with him. The story itself felt like it lacked the detail and depth the others had. It was still very entertaining, but it's probably one of those out of the collection that won't naturally come to mind as often, later on down the line.
Bring Down The Sky by David Green
3.5 / 5
This one had some brutal scenes, but I enjoyed the overall action and direction of the plot. I'm glad that we got to explore what happens inside one of the portals in this short story.
StormChild by Lee C. Conley
2.5/ 5
Quote: "Oh seas... not seas, but expanses fraught with tears."
So this story was a decent read, there was definitely nothing wrong with it, I just didn't connect with the characters or story line. It wasn't really my niche.
Something Wondrous by H.L Tinsley
4/ 5
Ooh this one was very good. I thought the prison setting wasn't going to be my cup of tea but that changed super fast when things got really weird and eery. Great story progression in this one, but the ending did leave me confused, I must admit!
Epilogue: The First Step
4 / 5
The name: The Wanderer, sounds so endearing, when in fact this being is a meddling, evil, self-centered arse, who I loved to hate. The conclusion was very satisfying.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
minipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
4.0
This anthology contains 8 short stories by 8 different authors. Each story follows The Wanderer and his journey across different worlds and timelines to close the random rifts that has appeared in the sky. I really enjoy how everything just ties in together at the end. If you're a fan of fantasy and don't mind some violence then I highly recommend checking this novel out.
***I would like to thank BookSirens and the authors for graciously providing a copy of the novel for me to read & review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
***I would like to thank BookSirens and the authors for graciously providing a copy of the novel for me to read & review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
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