Reviews in Brief

A collection of short stories inhabiting a universe full of mystery and wonder, The Unnatural Order of Things by Rick M. Clausen displays the author’s masterful command of the written word. In a series of surreal tales, we find thugs trapped in a desert loop, metaphysical visions of god-like horses, and the experiences of immortal cowboys, with each story being both eloquent and unpredictable. The stories possess a vital balance between fantasy and realism, so the narrative never becomes too absurdist to be believable, with Clausen mixing together straightforward prose with lyricism, authentic emotion with irony, for an innovative work of magic realism that is accessible enough for those who are unfamiliar with the genre.

A truly surprising autobiographical work about the author’s experience growing up with a family of vagabond artists, Artists and Vagabonds: How I Escaped My Mother’s Narcissistic Personality Disorder by Lorena L. Sikorski is a powerful exploration of family eccentricity and dysfunction. Exploring the family history from the 19^th century to the present, Sikorski spells out a long history of abuse, co-dependency, and mental illness that ran in the family’s structure, and which ultimately exacerbated her mother’s narcissism. Told in a matter-of-factly style without unnecessary flairs, this memoir offers deep reflections on family bonds and mental health that will be immediately recognizable to those who have had to navigate the conflict between familial connection and neglect, while also offering a strong degree of hope for healing.

Capturing the beliefs, pace, and tale-telling tradition of a bygone era, Old Shop Stories by C. Blaine Hyatt is a nostalgic portrait of simpler times. Gathered from memories of his father, this quaint but spirited collection of memories is compellingly varied – from stickball in the street and farm pets becoming dinner, to witnessing crimes, shearing sheep, and saving out-of-control trucks, these brief vignettes are like dusty photographs polished off to give a full-featured look at one man’s life, in a way that is at once personal and universally relatable. With a pastoral and intimate perspective, this charming peek into the past is an enchanting and transportive collection.

A Japanese bildungsroman written in Spanish, Rito de Iniciacion (Initiation Rite) by Diego Uribe tells the life of Akito, from his childhood until his emotional last moments. The author recounts Akito’s difficult upbringing and his harmful family ties, as well as his bond with his younger sister, Umiko, a relationship that keeps him going until he decides to escape his dire situation at home. As his journey progresses, he makes a number of bad decisions along the way, turning him into a “despicable being,” as he describes himself. Written clearly and simply, Uribe imbues this short novel with great emotion, gripping the reader from the start, though it leaves one wanting to know more about Akito’s life, as we are mainly privy to his mistakes. Despite Akito’s difficult life, Uribe’s novel is a compelling invitation to delve into Japanese culture through the vivid lens of one man’s journey.

A Victorian rags-to-riches story with a heroic twist, The Colonial Countess by Robin Bell is a historical drama featuring an empathetic young noblewoman from the wilds of Australia navigating a new life in the lap of English luxury. The premise of a stranger in a strange land is perennially intriguing, and it is handled here with subtlety and charm, while the thematic explorations of equality, nobility, and power give the narrative genuine depth. Though the dialogic elements can occasionally feel forced, and Bell sometimes tries to fit too much information in a sentence, this quick-moving tale is an adventurous portrait of a woman on the aristocratic rise, finding a relatable balance between what the world expects of her and who she truly wants to be. An insightful peek into English history, social hierarchies, and the life-changing power of wealth, this novel is an engrossing and thought-provoking read.

A richly creative and dramatic installment of Eric Lewis’ fantasy series, The Heron Kings Rampant leaps forward in time once again. The titular rebellious rangers are little more than storybook legends by now, but when a devastating weapon is set loose, and the band of heroes is framed for the destruction, one man’s quest for vengeance will uncover a new generation of honorable antiheroes. Weaving in timely themes of technological disruption, political division, and violent terrorism, this story hits closer to home than it may initially appear. Delicately balanced on the edge of alchemical fantasy, this third piece of the Heron Kings saga has a few rough corners in storytelling execution, but the Robin Hood atmosphere and steampunk world-crafting are relentlessly inventive and immersive.