Captured An Anthology
Page Zapledam (Editor)
Quanta Publishing
ISBN 9798184739533
ASIN B0H8PNX6ZL
ASIN B0H8Q47LYP
I love reading anthologies for a few reasons. First; short fiction if a very different art form than the novel. Second, it gives me a chance to discover new authors. And third sometimes I am familiar with authors and it is just a chance to read another story by them. I have an author friend who calls me a completionist, in that when I love an author I try and track down everything they have published to read. This one was brought to my attention after reviewing the two Lemurverse Anthologies, Page the editor of this collection had contributed to both of the Lemurverse volumes. And there is some other overlap in contributors. But I am getting ahead of myself.
The pieces in this work are:
Last Hand at the Boneyard Casino
The Mars Initiative
Who Captured Who
The Prospect: A Weapons of Legend Tale
Raquel’s Tasting Notes: My Capture By Pirates
Nazca
Sterling Griswald and the Silent Scribe of Mars
And the contributors are:
Joseph Isenberg
S. Donovan Croft aka M.S. Avery
Isenberg contributed both the first and last piece in the collection. Before I get to the pieces in this collection I want to mention that I greatly appreciate the author bio’s and mentions of other works they have authored or contributed to. I also want to state that usually when you read an anthology there are typically some great stories, some good stories and it is not unusual to have a dud or two. That was not the case this time. Each of the stories in this collection was well worth reading. I enjoyed a number of them, and even had my son read one as soon as I finished the volume, because I knew he would love it. The editor's note at the start of the volume states:
“Allow your mind to be captured by Quanta Publishing’s cheeky and profound, elevated and provocative 2026 Science Fiction Anthology themed around “Captured” in all the various ways it can be imagined. From underachieving heroes to strange new worlds, this science fiction anthology runs an exciting gamut of far flung future and near future.”
And it absolutely lives up to that.
The Mars Initiative by Murray Eiland: I would state that this story with the most disturbing in the collection. In an attempt to create a society without conflict they have repressed much that makes up human. In some ways it feels like The Giver in space. And much like that story one young man who sees things differently rocks the boat. It is disturbing in that I could easily see society or a colonization effort going down this road. But ultimately it is a story about the power of story, and the importance of stories both communal and personal. An excellent piece.
Last Hand at the Boneyard Casino by Joseph Isenberg: this is a story in a long line of humorous space Sci-Fi. It reminds me a lot of stories I read a teen and young adult. Especially Phule’s Company by Robert Asprin or the later Stainless Steel Rat stories by Harry Harrison. The Third Assistant Depot Master Bilkenwell just want to run his illegal gambling game and serve out his time in piece and quiet out of the fight. That is not to be! What a fun read. Almost Deadpoolish, once the action starts.
Nazca by Clayton Barnett: I admit I was really invested in this story. And was hoping it would be the beginning or piece of a longer narrative. I loved the concept and the plat. A very interesting piece.
Raquel’s Tasting Notes: My Capture by Pirates by T.R. Benjamin reminiscent of Pier’s Anthony’s Bio of a Space Tryant Universe. I read most of those books as they were coming out in high school. But with a little more humour. I especially appreciated the distinction between the two religious positions. A fun story. A nice amuse bouche complimenting other pieces in the collection.
Who Captured Who by Page Zaplendam: with slight echo’s of The Wrath of Kahn, or the original episode it was based on Space Seed, picking up a life pod leads to all kinds of trouble. Some quick thinking and extreme determination might be enough to avert disaster, but to find out read this excellent story. After reading this piece I picked up the first work in two different series by Zaplendam, and they are pretty high in my ‘To Be Read’ pile.
The Prospect: A Weapons of Legend Tale by S. Donovan Croft: first this is an excellent offering. Second, it leaves you desperate for more! I absolutely want to know what happens next. A prison break from a high tech facility with very competent guards, that makes it look like a cake walk! Simon Jaggers is not only in awe but taken completely by surprise.
Sterling Griswald and the Silent Scribe of Mars by Joseph Isenberg this one also had a bit of the feel of the Stainless Steel Rat stories by Harry Harrison but more so the earlier books, but with Saffron Starrblaize as a female Slipery Jim. Mars has been isolated from earth for years maybe generations and is more of a western feudal system. Instead of horses riding lizards. But when an archaeologist crashes on the plan and encounter a smuggler both their lives take a radical turn.
Each story was well worth the read. I would be hard pressed to pick a favourite. And would not hesitate to pick up another Anthology from Quanta. I have added works from a few of the authors to my ‘wishlist’. And can easily recommend this excellent anthology.
Quanta Publishing Anthologies:
Stranded (2024)
Amazing Robots! (2025)
Noblesse Oblige Stellaris (2026)
Captured (2026)
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Book in the Tales from the Lemurverse Series:
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