Review: Amidst Fury and Valor by Anne J. Hill & Moriah Chavis
Blurb:
In realms of new tales and ancient legends, dragons take flight in this collection of stories filled with courage, heroism, and sacrifice in the dark unknown.
Whether fighting foes on a battlefield or struggling against inner demons, these heroes in Amidst Fury and Valor remind us that true bravery is facing our dragons even when afraid.
Review:
When you’re in need of a little bite to fuel you, this anthology will hit the spot, spark creativity and fill your soul. Filled with mini epics, I started off just reading one little story to try and curb my reading slump, but digested the whole book within a day and a half, ailment cured. With a wide variety of dragons, worlds, and styles, this collection still felt so smooth as I transitioned from one story to another. And I think the case can easily be made that everyone needs an anthology on their shelf for those moments you need a complete thought in the course of a cup of tea rather than over days (and days) every now and again.
I opened the book to Little Rider first. Amanda Auler is a favorite and I knew if anyone could get me out of a slump it was her. It wrenched my heart. It wasn’t just a story about a dragon whose cave has been infiltrated by the most unlikely of intruders. The weight between these few words was beautiful and it spoke to some of my experiences. I think that’s the true beauty in simple stories. There’s so much room to hang in the moment when it’s not taken up by more. That’s the benefit of having books like these. You don’t always need 400k words to say what you need to say, sometimes you only need a few.
“Though he is not my kin, nor born of my blood, I have bonded with him as if he were my own.” - Little Rider by Amanda Auler
When I got to Teenage Knights in Faded Blue Jeans I knew this whole book was something special. BRR Cannon delivered a light, entertaining, action packed snippet I couldn’t put down. It was a dream that a lot of us could relate to, a kid who's been chastised for their dragon books, finally getting to put their knowledge into practice. A modern day story of a ragtag group of kids that brings a smile and encourages the kid within us all. Which is another huge benefit of this anthology. It’s great for bedtime stories, struggling readers who get daunted by larger books, or for short reading sessions to get in those words. The stories are rich and rewarding for any age, and as a mom I definitely enjoy that they are all shareable with the whole family.
“Another Story? How many times have I heard that question? “If only you spent less time reading those useless stories, Marcus,” my parents always say. Little do they know all that reading is about to save their lives.” -Teenage Knights in Faded Blue Jeans by BRR Cannon
Icebound was one of my last reads as I bounced around the stories. A reluctant hero with a gift that scares him, faced with a foe no one could have dreamed of. This was a coming into power story that melted my icy heart (and made me want strawberries). The story was laiden with hope. In fact they all were. Through every story there was the outwardly obvious thread of dragons holding them all together. But the inward ties of courage, overcoming, and daring to hope were what held this anthology so tightly together.
“But he knew what his Gift was for now. He couldn’t turn back. There was a purpose to the burning in his body and soul.” - Icebound by Megan E. Parmerter
These threads were made more touching by its purpose. A large portion of the royalties from this project are going to support a boy named Ephraim as he battles cancer. The dragons the characters face, (including some inner dragons) don't really roam this earth. But there are dragons that do. Dragons that boys like Ephraim need to know can be conquered. Dragons that can be faced, with a head held high. Dragons that take the greatest bravery to conquer. This book tells that truth, and it is magnificent.
So there you have it. This anthology is chock full of indie authors I’ve loved for a while, and they did not disappoint. There are others I’ve added to my TBR because, if their mini tale is this good, I must read more. There is something for everyone in here, modern, mythology inspired, elemental magic, and the trusted medieval comforts we all love.
“The young dragon puts on his full armor. He is prepared, For the biggest battle he will endure. But with his Maker and his faith, He can face even the darkest of nights.” - Dragon Warrior poem by Brooke J. Katz
So check out this gorgeous collection of fire-breathed stories, perfect to pick up whenever you're in need of a bite sized adventure. Sure to pull you out of any slump, these tales were engaging, immersive and the perfect pick-me-ups as I read through. Little Rider, Teenage Knights in Faded Blue Jeans, and Icebound were only a small selection of the awesome finds in this book. I highly recommend this anthology for any shelf where small and large hands alike can reach it. The fact that it's for a good cause is icing on the cake.
