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 spectru0m. 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.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen