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Saturday, November 23, 2013

Allegories of the Tarot review and giveaway ~Kami




Allegories of the Tarot

byAnnetta Ribken (editor), Peter Giglio Lon Prater, Billie Sue Mosiman , Kris Austen Radcliffe , Spike Marlowe , Jessica McHugh , Eden Baylee ,…Rochelle Maya Callen , Red Tash , MeiLin Miranda , Catie Rhodes , Anne Chaconas , Patti Larsen , Jordan L. Hawk , Samantha Henderson, J.H. Sked , Tristan J. Tarwater , Jennifer Wingard , Laura Eno , Timothy Smith , Matthew Bryan

The ALLEGORIES OF THE TAROT Anthology is a short story collection, featuring 22 stories based on the 22 cards of the Major Arcana of the tarot. The stories range in length from 2,300 to 6,000 words, and are penned by new, emerging, established, and award-winning authors across a range of genres: Horror, Speculative Fiction, Bizarro Fiction, Erotica, Mystery, Humor, Paranormal, Epic Fantasy, Literary, Romance, and Historical Fantasy. Although you may not be interested in the genres of some of the stories, there is something in this anthology for everyone and it includes at least some of the genres you listed as being interested in reviewing, and so I thought of you when going through my list of Badass Blog Tour Hosts. The group of authors in this anthology includes a Pushcart Prize nominee, a Pulp Ark nominee, a former Bigfoot researcher, a journalist, an award-winning YA author, and a Rhysling Award winner.


http://www.allegoriesofthetarot.com/






This is a really great anthology with a very eclectic mix of authors and subjects. I was really enjoying the stories and I liked how the authors tied their own unique styles to the Tarot deck's major arcana. Some of the stories are centered around a Tarot reading and their Tarot card. I like the ones that interpret the Tarot card without ever actually mentioning the card better. Some of the stories were very short and ended too abruptly. All in all a very enjoyable read. 4 stars.


THE FOOL
On the Road to Devil's Gulch ~ Peter Giglio
In this story a young man is hitch hiking with a dog. Twenty-three-year-old Bill wants experiences that he can write about. The Tarot Card The Fool has a picture of a young man who is about to walk off a cliff, a dog biting at his heels. This story definitely takes that picture and turns it into a very interesting story.


 THE MAGICIAN
The Intern's Story ~ Lon Prater


An old man and a young man are at a bingo parlor intent on photographing fairies.

Deadly Son ~ Billie Sue Mosiman


Katrine tries to warn King Solomon that Sheba will bring catastrophe with her.

Flesh In Frame ~ Spike Marlowe


This is a really interesting story about a female artist and plants. A really short, very eerie little tale. I liked this one a lot.

THE EMPEROR
Dmitri and the Mad Monk ~ Kris Austen Radcliffe

Dmitri poisons, stabs and shoots Rasputin and then throws him in the river. Dmitri and Rasputin are both shifters and hard to kill.


On the Shoulders of Muses ~ Jessica McHugh


This is a science fiction story about muses. Delivering inspiration is very scientific in this story. Another very interesting short little tale that I enjoyed a lot.

A Modern Affair ~ Eden Baylee


Ellen is getting a Tarot reading, the Lovers card comes up and the psychic says that it could represent her having an affair with a younger man. Ellen's older husband is the Director of Obstetrics & Gynecology and she is an erotica writer. Ellen is struggling with writing a sex scene in her book. J.D. Ellsworth is a poet and in an online writer's group that Ellen is a member of and they quickly start messaging each other sexually charged, innuendo filled messages. Their banter is erotic and very steamy. I was disappointed that this story ended so quickly. I liked the little naughty, online affair.


 THE CHARIOT
Squashfest ~ Annetta Ribken
Two Southern girls go to a squashfest, some kind of fair to celebrate squash. They go to the fortune teller's tent. Sally Mae wants to know where her father is. “You’ll have a heap to get over, but in the end you’ll be on the winning side on account you’re ornery and stubborn.” This story seemed like part of a bigger piece. It wasn't really a stand alone story at all.

STRENGTH
A Promise in the Dark ~ Rochelle Maya Callen

In Zorilah the Arcana live. This story reminded me a lot of Kresley Cole's The Arcana Chronicles but this takes the Strength card, a girl holding a lion's mouth closed and crafts a story around a girl taming lions in an arena.


The Hermit ~ Red Tash


The Hermit's magical lantern shows him the truth, but not the only truth.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Vista Bridge ~ MeiLin Miranda


 Juanita tries to save suicides jumping off a bridge by giving them good luck. But life isn't fair and she isn't supposed to have her finger on the wheel.


JUSTICE
Justice ~ Catie Rhodes

Peri can see dead people.


Path of Sacrifice ~ Matthew Bryan


A demon story.


 DEATH
Transformation ~ Timothy Smith

 Rose's grandfather is dying. This is a sad little poignant tale.


TEMPERANCE
Reply All ~ Anne Chaconas


A story told in emails. The boss's wife is having an affair. A group is gossiping about it in email until a comment is accidentally sent “Reply All” and the entire office knows about it. I thought this story was so clever and funny. I could relate to office gossip through email and the dreaded “Reply All” button.


 THE DEVIL
Hoarder ~ Patti Larsen


  Jane buys more and more things to try to make herself happy. A very scary, creepy little story.


THE TOWER
After the Fall ~ Jordan L. Hawk

A psychic powers, sci fi, sweet, romantic story.


L’Etoile Flamboyant ~ Samantha Henderson

A tale of The Night Circus


THE MOON
The Moon ~ J.H. Sked

Anna has cancer and she goes to her magical friend.


THE SUN
The Strange Case of Sal and the Solar Elixir ~ Tristan J. Tarwater

JUDGMENT
A Body for Your Birthday ~ Jennifer Wingard

THE WORLD
Phoenix ~ Laura Eno



 GIVEAWAY RAFFLECOPTER

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MjJiZDNhMmE4MDhkNmJmYTVkNTI2ODAxNzAxY2FjOjQ=/


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