Captured - Edited by Page Zapledam - Quanta Publishing Anthology

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

Murray Eiland

Page Zaplendam

S. Donovan Croft aka M.S. Avery

T.R. Benjamin

Clayton Barnett

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)

…

 

Book in the Tales from the Lemurverse Series:

In the Midst of a River

Amelia Counterrevolution

…

In the Midst of a River - Clayton Barnett - Tales from the Lemurverse Anthology One

In the Midst of a River

Tales from the Lemurverse Anthology One

Clayton Barnett (Editor)

3-AR Studios

ISBN 9798308332312

eISBN 9798230022954

ASIN B0DXVYD55C 

I stumbled upon the second anthology in the Lemurverse, Amelia Counterrevolution, and absolutely loved it. I had picked up this one before even finishing that offering. One of the things I love about anthologies is being introduced to new authors, only one of the authors in this volume does not make an appearance in the second. Another thing I love is short form fiction is a very different art form than writing novels. And this work has a few different styles of short fiction in a few genres. To be honest I enjoyed each and every one of them, some more than others but overall a great collection. But I am getting ahead of myself, back to the volume at hand. 

The description of the anthology states:

“A talented team of writers have come together to produce ten short stories of speculative fiction for your enjoyment. Interstellar war, devious politics, espionage, crime, and even some bucolic peace, with a little romance on the side.

**

All of these united by the theme of In the Midst of a River. It could be a river on Earth or another planet; perhaps a river of stars. Or even a river of tears. These stories will touch your spirit, head, and heart. And make you stop and think, the next time you find yourself in the midst of a river.”

The contributors are:

Page Zaplendam

Joseph Isenberg

S. Donovan Croft

Clayton Barnett

Grathew

And each contributor penned two pieces in the collection. 

 

The stories are:

The Stillness in the River

The Intellectual Choice

A Bad Day for the Company

Gang, Gang, the Hail’s All Here!

The Oligarchs: A Weapons of Legend Tale

Circulus Interiorem: A Weapons of Legend Tale

Irrational Pai

Columbia River Diplomacy

Saturday Night

Chasing a letter

As mentioned two each in sequence in order based on the contributors list. At the beginning of the volume is QR codes to take you to the contributors. And the end of the collection are brief biographies. Quite well written and entertaining. I would have preferred if the QR codes on the digital edition were just links. But for those using mobile or physical copy it will work well. Before the text begins is a quote:

““No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”

     - Heraclitus

And then the editor’s forward states:

“Once upon a time, there was the Science Fiction and Fantasy Group on a social media site called Gab.com. There, various oddballs could gather and exchange outlandish ideas. Over time, it was agreed that face-to-face was needed, and the Imaginarium Convention in Louisville, Kentucky was chosen.

Two the first year, three the next, five the third, unofficially, the name Lemurs, from Mister Isenberg, was chosen for our writing circle.

At the end of that third year, I suggested we make an anthology of our very disparate works, highlighting our own styles. To not have things off in five different directions, I proposed a common theme, which is the title of this collection.

This has been one of the most difficult projects I have worked on; goading writers makes herding cats look simple. Missing one deadline after another, finally, all stories were in. Edited first by me and copyedited by Stephen Zimmer, I finally stuck a fork in this project.

Still wildly divergent, the theme knits these works together. I hope you, the reader, will meet us In the Midst of a River.

Deus vult.”

There are some great stories in this collection and a two I absolutely loved. I admit I laughed out loud at Gang, Gang, the Hail’s All Here!. And the story Irrational Pai has some serious humour. I also really enjoyed Chasing A Letter. I can easily state each story was worth the read. 

I also really appreciated the +JMJ+ dedication by the editor and the Deus Vult in the forward. I did have 2 of the authors in my ‘to be read’ pile, after reading book two in this series and this collection only reinforced bumping those authors up. I would not hesitate to pick up a third Lemurverse collection and it would definitely jump to the top of my ‘to be read pile’! This is a good anthology that I can easily recommend. 

Book in the Tales from the Lemurverse Series:

In the Midst of a River

Amelia Counterrevolution

…

Amelia Counterrevolution - edited by Clayton Barnett - Tales from the Lemurverse Anthology Two

Amelia Counterrevolution 

Tales from the Lemurverse Anthology Two

Clayton Barnett (Editor)

3-AR Studios

ISBN ‎ 9780997991321

eISBN 9780997991338 

ASIN B0GTYQ21PX 

I do not recall how I stumbled upon this anthology, I believe it was on social media somewhere. But the title and cover grabbed my attention. I picked it up without reading the description, and to be honest had missed the whole meme thing. But it was so worth the read. I was aware of 2 of the authors before reading this, 1 of whom I have picked up a couple just not got to them yet. One of the things I love about anthologies is being introduced to new authors, and that definitely happened. Another thing I love is short form fiction is a very different art form than writing novels. And this work has a few different styles of short fiction. For a story that is just a few paragraphs to one that is a number of pages long. And to be honest I enjoyed each and every one of them! But I am getting ahead of myself, back to the volume at hand. 

The description of the anthology states:

“The UK gambled.

The UK lost.

The right people won.

That didn't backfire at all.

In a critical moment for British society, the UK government created, not a video game, but a propaganda tool intended to prevent youth from being "radicalized." In the most stunning of unintended consequences, that game introduced to the world Amelia, now a digital icon for the conservative ideas the creators feared as having too much influence.

Amelia appeared in the UK, but her appeal is worldwide, and she has appeared in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and the US. She provides an international symbol for anyone who wishes to stand for individual liberty and the rights of the nation-state against the surveillance society which threatens to overrun us.

Amelia: Counterrevolution is an anthology of Tales from the Lemurverse, celebrating irony, farce, and the embrace of Western civilization, culture and history that the Amelia meme has now triggered world-wide. In Amelia: Counterrevolution, readers will find a varied, entertaining approach to the latest internet phenomenon.”

The contributors are:

Cato Minor

Clayton Barnett

Murray Eiland

Melinda Gorman

Grathew

Joseph Isenberg

L. Jagi Lamplighter

Page Zaplendam

 

The stories are:

That Didn’t Backfire at All – Cato Minor

Catch the Light – Murray Eiland

The Lion Awakens – L. Jagi Lamplighter

“Revolution Calling” – Clayton Barnett

Backfire – Page Zaplendam

Stop Staring – Murray Eiland

Twilight’s Last Gleaming – Page Zaplendam

The Girl in the Holograph – Joseph Isenberg

Amelia’s Travelogue, Part 1 – Melinda Gorman

The Rose’s Thorns – Grathew

At the beginning of the volume is QR codes to take you to the contributors. And the end are brief biographies. I would have preferred if the QR codes on the digital edition were just links. But for those using mobile or physical copy it will work well. Before the text begins is a quote:

“Still more majestic shalt thou rise,

More dreadful, from each foreign stroke;

As the loud blast that tears the skies,

Serves but to root thy native oak.

"Rule, Britannia! rule the waves:

"Britons never will be slaves." 

- “Rule, Britannia” ~ James Thomson, 1740”

And then the editor’s forward states:

“Once upon a time, there was the Science Fiction and Fantasy Group on a social media site called Gab. There, various oddballs could gather and exchange outlandish ideas. Over time, it was agreed that face-to-face was needed, and the Imaginarium Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, was chosen.

Two the first year, three the next, five the third, and now a swarm, unofficially, the name Lemurs, from Mister Isenberg, was chosen for our writing circle.

At the end of that third year, I suggested we make an anthology of our very disparate works, highlighting our own styles. To not have things off in five different directions, I proposed a common theme, which is the title of that first collection.

We had started a second anthology, but in January 2026, a meme of videos and music exploded into a niche of popular culture: Amelia. A supposed antagonist in a visual novel of UK government propaganda, the character “broke containment” and is changing culture and minds. It behooved us to nail ourselves to that comet’s tail while it is still in the sky.

Edited first by me and copyedited by Stephen Zimmer, I finally stuck a fork in this project.

Still wildly divergent, the theme knits these works together. I hope you, the reader, will enjoy getting to know this amazing young woman.”

The first piece sets the stage. Cato writes:

“Imagine if you worked at Shout Out UK, an organization supposed to educate youth. Your assignment is to create a game to propagandize them instead. It is essential that youth accept all decisions from the government. Even though it is clear the government of the United Kingdom is a monarchy, questioning immigration policies, going to protests, or even waving the Union Jack undermines democracy.

The game should have been a success. It casts a villain, a character called Amelia. She was supposed to be racist, xenophobic, Islamophobic, and a hateful character. Only, she wasn’t. She said only reasonable things that most Britons agree with. Her initial complaint was immigrants aren’t assimilating into English culture, but instead take jobs and opportunities from British citizens.

It was a mistake to make Amelia a sympathetic character to those on the English right since she shares their beliefs. She is not hateful. She doesn’t try to get the game player to commit any terrorist acts against the immigrant community. She merely speaks her mind and complains about immigrants not assimilating.”

Thus we have our protagonist, Amelia reminds me a lot of Chloe in Cedar Sanderson’s Groundskeeper Series. And her description reminds me of a co-worker with the same name and the descriptions are not far off either. In this volume we encounter a number of iterations and interpretations of Amelia, from natural home grown patriotic youth, to a synthetic whose programming is manipulated to rather unexpected results.

Many of the pieces are stand out stories. One of my favourites if L. Jagi Lamplighter’s The Lion Awakes. It ties so well to other favourite books I have read over the years. The Girl in the Holograph by Joseph Isenberg was particularly moving. Catch the Light is a splendid story in verse. Barnett’s offering is an intriguing piece. But I can easily state each story was worth the read. 

I also really appreciated the +JMJ+ dedication by the editor. Prior to reading this collection I had only read 1 story in another anthology by L. Jagi Lamplighter. But I did have 2 of the authors in my ‘to be read’ pile, after reading this collection a few of the others are now on that list. I picked up the first Lemurverse collection even before I had finished this one! This is an excellent anthology, that I can easily recommend. 

Book in the Tales from the Lemurverse Series:

In the Midst of a River

Amelia Counterrevolution

…

Pogue Too - Edited by Liska McCabe - Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 72

Pogue Too

Edited by Liska McCabe

Illustrated by Cedar Sanderson

Raconteur Press Anthologies Book 72

Raconteur Press 

ISBN 9798247887423

ASIN B0GN1F1ZCS

ASIN B0D6772W4X

I enjoy reading anthologies for many reasons. First, short form fiction is a very different art form than the novel. The writing needs to be tighter. The intent more purposeful, and the skill and craft needed is significantly different, at least for good short stories. Second, I read a few anthologies a year to get introduced to new authors. In this case I was only familiar with one author prior to picking up the volume. I also love seeing short works by authors who series I have already read.

I am not sure I will ever catch up on reading and reviewing all the Raconteur Press Anthologies, but I will try. I have picked up several of the other anthologies from Raconteur Press, but have to date only read a few of them. I loved Pogue One so much this immediately jumped to the top of my reading list, and it did not disappoint!

I was intrigued by the collection title and purpose, I always love a good space military story. And there are some more great ones in this second volume. The description of this book states:

“Most military fiction regales the reader with fast-paced tales of strong men with sexy weapons who close with, engage, and destroy the enemy with lethal precision. What it tends to ignore, though, is the supply clerk who issues him the body armor that protects him in the fight, the intelligence shop that arms him with information, or the maintenance troops who keep the vehicles running (ideally). Because there are so many ways in which POGs (I served in the early 2000’s) support the fight, one anthology was simply not enough to convey it all, so we had to do another one.

This time, Ted Begley takes us along for the ride with a shuttle driver who has an eye for a bargain. Addison Reid shows us that sometimes a logistics officer knows what troops on the frontline really need, even better than they do, however inexplicable it may seem. An FNG (Freakin’ New Guy) and his first-line leader learn a valuable lesson about an ancient tradition in Jason Hobbs’ “Snipe Hunt.” B. K. Gibson reminds us that even if you don’t expect the unexpected, you’d better be prepared to adapt to it. Rounding out the collection, Malory demonstrates that a POG’s most underappreciated, yet critical skills are, as always, ingenuity and resourcefulness.

The authors all do a fantastic job of capturing different facets of a POG’s life, from the professionalism to the competence to the humor and everything in between. As a former Air Defense Artillery officer, many of the stories in the following pages remind me of my own troops at different times, and I sincerely hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.”

The contributors are:

Liska McCabe

Ted Begley

Addison Reid

D. S. Ligon

Xavier Anderson

T. R. Benjamin

Z. M. Renick

Daryl F. Mallett

B K Gibson

Malory

The chapters or stories are:

Introduction

Another Man's Treasure – By Ted Begley

Al in Logistics – By Addison Reid

Manifest Destiny – By D. S. Ligon

Composting Status: Offline – By Xavier Anderson

The Shell Script of Destruction – By T. R. Benjamin

Masters of Mechamagic – By Z. M. Renick

Snipe Hunt – By Jason B. Hobbs

Revision 12 – By Daryl F. Mallett

Life of a Deliveryman – By B K Gibson

Sudden Death Overtime – By Malory

Also From Raconteur Press

Please, Tip Your Authors!

Endpiece

In the introduction we are informed by Liska McCabe:

“In every production, most eyes are drawn to the stage, but not a single scene would be performed without the people working in the shadows. From sets and costumes, to choreography, to lighting and sound, to rigging—without those support roles, a show simply cannot succeed. The military is no different, except there are fewer divas. Fewer, not none.

Most military fiction regales the reader with fast-paced tales of strong men with sexy weapons who close with, engage, and destroy the enemy with lethal precision. What it tends to ignore, though, is the supply clerk who issues him the body armor that protects him in the fight, the intelligence shop that arms him with information, or the maintenance troops who keep the vehicles running (ideally). Because there are so many ways in which POGs (I served in the early 2000’s) support the fight, one anthology was simply not enough to convey it all, so we had to do another one.

This time, Ted Begley takes us along for the ride with a shuttle driver who has an eye for a bargain. Addison Reid shows us that sometimes a logistics officer knows what troops on the frontline really need, even better than they do, however inexplicable it may seem. An FNG (Freakin’ New Guy) and his first-line leader learn a valuable lesson about an ancient tradition in Jason Hobbs’ “Snipe Hunt.” B. K. Gibson reminds us that even if you don’t expect the unexpected, you’d better be prepared to adapt to it. Rounding out the collection, Malory demonstrates that a POG’s most underappreciated, yet critical skills are, as always, ingenuity and resourcefulness.

The authors all do a fantastic job of capturing different facets of a POG’s life, from the professionalism to the competence to the humor and everything in between. As a former Air Defense Artillery officer, many of the stories in the following pages remind me of my own troops at different times, and I sincerely hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.

Strike Hard - Strike Deep,”

I have loved reading Military Science Fiction since the mid 1980’s when in high school, from my first reading of Starship Troopers by Heinlein to my eagerly awaiting each new volume in Pier’s Anthony’s Bio of a Space Tyrant’s series. So reading a collection like this was like going back to the early days of overcoming my dual form of dyslexia and reading anything I could get my hands on.

 There are a few authors I encountered in this collection I plan on tracking down more and reading. And I should get around to reading the nearly fifty Raconteur Press Anthologies, of which I have picked dup about a dozen. My first reaction was, to whis was similar to the first, ‘Wow what an epic anthology’! My second was if I did not have so many other books I want to read I would go back and reread Pogue One. 

Frequently when you read an anthology there are a few stand out stories, a few that are just meh and the others are good solid stories. That was not the case with this collection. I really appreciated every story in the volume. If I had to pick a story to say was my favourite it would be ‘Revision 12’ by Daryl F. Mallett, followed by ‘Sudden Death Overtime’ by Mallory and third would be; ‘Another Man's Treasure’ by Ted Bagley. But I loved the humour in ‘AI in Logistics’ by Addison. Another standout story is ‘Life of a Deliveryman’ by B K Gibson. The one I keep thinking about is the one by Malory, as a former Rugby player, it really stuck home It also reminded me of a workmate from 20 years ago, I would arrive at 6am and he would invariably be watching Ghana playing Cricket or some match from around the world on one screen while working away on the other.  

There are also numerous full page illustrations between each story and a few extras, they by the amazing Cedar Sanderson, the only thing that would have made it better is if she had contributed a story as well. 

The stories continue in a wide range of interpretations on the theme of military science fiction adventures. I enjoyed each story, and can easily recommend the anthology. It was an awesome collection to read. And I am looking to track down other works from a couple of the contributors. This is a collection that is guaranteed to entertain!

Raconteur Press Anthologies Series:

Ghosts of Malta

Knights of Malta

Saints of Malta

Space Cowboys

Space Cowboys 2: Electric Rodeo

Space Marines

Falcons of Malta

Pinup Noir

Space Marines 2

Moggies In Space

Your Honor, I Can Explain

Space Cowboys 3: Return of the Bookaroo

Or All Will Burn

Moggies Back in Space

PinUp Noir 2

You See, What Happened Was...

Space Cowboys 404: Cow Not Found

He Was Dead When I Got There

Or All Will Burn: Fierce Love

Full Steam Ahead!

Giant! Freakin'! Robots!

Pinup Noir 3

Space Marines III

Moggies in Space: A Galaxy Fur. Fur Away

What! You Again?: The Spurgle Chronicles

Wyrd West

Space Cowboys 5: Cattle Drive

Goblin Market

Hooves, Tracks and Sabers!: Tales of Alternate History

Alien Family Values

Moggie Noir

Or All Will Burn: At All Costs

Coffee Adventures: Quests for the Perfect Cuppa Joe

The Super Generation

Steam Rising: Tales of Steampunk and Wondrous Inventions

The Big Ones

Moggie Noir: Alley Cat Alibi

Road Trippin'

Cursed Canyon: Wyrd West

Giant Stompin' Robots

Coffee Capers: 10 Tales of Coffee and Adventure

Fission Chips: Space Cowboys 6

Goblin Bazaar

Pogue One

From the Brim to the Dregs

Giant Squeeing Robots

Sultry Murder Jazz: Pinup Noir

Plasma Pulp

Wyrd Warfare

Band of Monsters Wyrd Warfare

Magic Malfunction

Dames, Derringers and Detectives: Moggie Noir

Rawhide Revenants: Wyrd West

Goblin Souk

Vice Noir

Artifact Origins

Alien Family Traditions

Blades and Black Magic

Moggies of Mars

Planks and Plunder

Glitched Grimm: Twisted Fairy Tales with Terror

Creature Feature

Mercs and Mayhem

Bourbon and Lead

Corsairs and Cutlasses

Daggers and Dark Powers

High Class Muscle

Uncanny Valet

Insert Coin

Plasma Pulp: Lost Worlds

Pogue Too

Mad Science: Bits and Pieces

…

Raconteur Press Postcard Stories:

Postcards From Mars

Steam-Powered Postcards

Fanta-Fly Postcards

Postcards from Foolz

Single Servings of Liberty 

Imagine THAT! 

Last Call

…

Other Raconteur Press Anthologies:

Best of 2024

Hairballs, Hiccups and Hope

…

Pilgrim Tales An anthology of fiction by the Catholic Writers Guild

Pilgrim Tales An Anthology of Fiction

Catholic Writers Guild

ISBN 9798993935102

ASIN B0G5WZF1PV

ASIN B0G5VZ7WV8

I love reading anthologies for several reasons. First stories by authors I already know and love. Second to be introduced to new authors I have not encountered yet. And finally short fiction is a very different art form that long form pros found in novellas and novels, and I appreciate the skill and talent needed to craft a great short story. And there is no shortage of great stories in this collection! Usually when I read an anthology there are a few standout stories, a few great stories and often a dud or two. That was not the case this time, there is not a weak story in the collection. 

The description of the volume is:

“A pilgrimage is often thought of as a journey towards God. It can take many forms, as this collection of short stories from the Catholic Writer's Guild shows. Here we have pilgrims journeying through frozen mountains, through life, through outer space, through grief, through dinosaur-infested crags, through history, through love, and even through purgatory. Containing fifteen brand new short stories from fifteen Catholic authors, this anthology showcases work from established, award-winning novelists, alongside work from relatively unknown authors, displaying the breadth of talent within the Guild today.

Who says Catholic literature is dead?”

The contributors in alphabetical are:

Nancy Bechel

G. M. Baker

Judy D’Ammasso Tarbox

Karina Fabian

Jane Lebak

Mary McWilliams

Karen Meyer

Rietta Parker

John Ruberto

Laura Ruberto

Andrew Seddon

Mary Jo Thayer

Corinna Turner

A.R.K. Watson

Isabelle Wood

The sections and stories in this volume are:

Introduction

A Pilgrim’s Romance

Surrender

Gold In Them Hills

Pilgrimage To L5

Faithful Journeys, Hidden Sanctuaries

Pilgrim In Name Only

A Very Jurassic Pilgrimage

Not All Who Wander

Old Coffee Pots And New Beginnings

The Promise

The Day The Dome Dropped On My Head

Kyrie

Way Stations

Glorious Pilgrimage Of Margaret Henderson

The King’s Pilgrimage

About The Authors

And the stories listed with authors is:

A Pilgrim’s Romance - Nancy Bechel

A Very Jurassic Pilgrimage – Corinna Turner

Faithful Journeys, Hidden Sanctuaries - John Ruberto

Glorious Pilgrimage Of Margaret Henderson - Mary Jo Thayer

Gold In Them Hills - Karen Meyer

Kyrie - Andrew Seddon

Not All Who Wander - Rietta Parker

Old Coffee Pots And New Beginnings - Judy D’Ammasso Tarbox

Pilgrim In Name Only - Laura Ruberto

Pilgrimage To L5 - Karina Fabian 

Surrender - Isabelle Wood

The Day The Dome Dropped On My Head - Mary McWilliams

The King’s Pilgrimage - G. M. Baker

The Promise - A.R.K. Watson

Way Stations - Jane Lebak

I read this volume while travelling. It was excellent to pick up and read a story here and there, while on a journey to visit family. The dedication states:

“Dedicated to all the pilgrims, past, present and future

May God bless you on your journeys with insight, love, and mercy.”

And after the dedication is this quote:

“The whole journey of life is a journey of preparation…to see, to feel, to understand the beauty of what lies ahead, of the homeland towards which we walk.”

     ―Pope Francis, April 2013

Catholic fiction is nothing new, even Catholic Science Fiction has been around for 100 years now. One of the contributors to this collection even edited two anthologies, the first the year before the Guild formed. Those volumes 

Infinite Space, Infinite God I - 2006

Leaps of Faith - 2008

Infinite Space, Infinite God II – 2010

At least one other contributor from those earlier collections appears again in this volume. Classic Catholic Science Fiction includes the likes of A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller Jr., to nearly anything from Gene Wolfe. One of the best -known collections was edited by Fr. Andrew M. Greeley called Sacred Visions. But the difference is this collection as mentioned spans genres. We have contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and even one approaching dystopian. But across all the stories we have the theme of pilgrimage and the centrality of faith.

I will freely admit I am a huge fan of the works of Turner, Fabian, Watson, Lebak and Seddon, having read multiple from each of them, if not all their works. I have also previous read works by Mary Jo Thayer and G. M. Baker and enjoyed both of them. As such, just over half the stories were new authors to me. 

That being said I absolutely loved the new Rescue Sisters Story and the new unSPARKed offerings in this collection. I also really appreciated A Pilgrim’s Romance by Nancy Bechel, and seeking God’s will and direction. Another that really stuck with me was Gold In Them Hills by Karen Meyer, it had lessons I needed to be reminded of, for myself and my kids. The story by Judy D’Ammasso Tarbox called Old Coffee Pots And New Beginnings was really moving and I specifically shared the anthology with 2 friends mentioning that story. Way Stations by Lebak left me with an even greater urgency to be praying for souls in purgatory. Barker’s The King’s Pilgrimage is excellent historical fiction. I enjoyed the stories so much I have added others but most of the contributors to my ‘wish list’.

I must state I am surprised it took the guild this long to publish an anthology. I remember when the guild formed nearly 20 years ago, at the time I had a student membership, as a reviewer, it was fascinating to watch the organization grow. And this collection was so great I would not hesitate to pick up the next they release. This is an excellent collection of stories across genres and styles. There is definitely something for everyone. And to be honest the faith in these fictional stories is inspiring across the whole collection. This is a great anthology I can easily recommend.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! 

For all review of books by Karin Fabian click here.

For all review of books by Corinna Turner click here.

For all review of books by Jane Lebak click here.

For all review of books by A.R.K. Watson click here.

For all review of books by Andrew Seddon click here.

A Christmas Garland an Anthology of Verse - Edited by John Irvine as J. Pennington Irvine

A Christmas Garland an Anthology of Verse 

An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present

John Irvine - Editor (1903-1965)

as J. Pennington Irvine 

Thortnton

Belfast

1929

I stumbled upon this author. I was reading one of the Vision Books for young readers, Irish Saints by Robert T. Reilly, and there was an excerpt of a poem from A Treasury of Irish Saints A Book of Poems. It was really intriguing and after reading that first volume I made it a mission to try and track down everything Irvine published. At first my dyslexia had me thinking it was John Irving, and I have read a few of his fiction books. But some quick searching put that idea to rest.  This author John Irvine lived from 1903-1965. This volume was originally published in1941. 

I am thankful to the National Library of Ireland and their scanning service. Without which I would have read but one volume from this excellent Irish poet. I appreciate that they will scan out of print and out of copyright works. Especially when I cannot find them almost anywhere else, like most of the works or Irvine. This volume will mark the thirteenth I have read by Irvine. This is the earlies volume I have found published by Irvine, and it was published under the name J. Pennington Irvine. I have not found any others published under that name. 

About the author on a site with information about Irish authors states:

“John Irvine was born in Belfast and published several collections of poems: A Voice in the Dark, 1932; Willow Leaves: Lyrics in the Manner of the Early Chinese Poets,1941; Lost Sanctuary and other poems among others. He edited The Flowering Branch: An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present.”

Another online description of the author states:

“Irvine, born in Belfast, published about six collections of lyrics between 1932 and 1954, mostly from small presses in Belfast and Dublin.  He also edited an anthology of Irish poetry, The Flowering Branch.”

This volume begins with a quote from Irvine:

“He that seeks beauty will surely

find it, but he that is content

with the dross will never rise

above it.”

This book has a long acknowledgements section at the beginning, thanking authors, publishers, and speaking to 2 he could not confirm rights for after many attempts. 

The forward states:

“Within this little volume will be found a collection of seasonable poems which have been chosen not for their religious appeal more than their poetic beauty.. My great difficulty has been in selecting a sufficient number of the less widely known pieces appropriate to the season.

I have endeavoured to be as comprehensive as possible, including suitable poems from the earliest times until the present day.

The fruits of my gathering will be found in the following pages, and I trust that my readers will find them acceptable.”

The poems and contributors in this volume are:

Mary’s Song to Jesus - Padrir: Gregory

The Birds - Hilaire Belloc

New Year's Eve, 1913 - Gordon Bottomley

Old English Carol - Traditional

The Little Lord Jesus - Martin Luther

Christmas - E. Hilton Young

A Child of the Snows - G, K. Chesterton

The Holy Tide - Frederick Tennyson

Christmas Sonnet - J. Pennington Irvine

Children's Song of the Nativity - English Traditional

A Child's Carol - J. Pennington Irvine

The Crown of Roses - (Russian) Plechtcheev. Tr.G.D.

To A Snowflake - Francis Thompson 

Hoc Die Dominus Noster Nascitur - Padric Gregory

That Holy Thing - George MacDonald

Christmas Rede - Jane Barlow

The Lowly One - W. Earle

Silent Night - Joseph Mohr

Lines from "In Memoriam" - Lord Alfred Tennyson

The Oxen - Thomas Hardy

Hymn to the Nativity - Richard Crashaw

The Mistletoe Bough - Rev. T. G. Crippen

Fragment - Shakespeare

The House of Christmas - G. K. Chesterton

The Star of Bethlehem - Author Unknown

Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913 - Robert Bridges

The Lonely Child – Ruckert (From the German)

The 27 poems vary greatly in length. This is the second volume I have read that was edited by John Irvine. I have read 13 volumes that were written by Irvine, and believe that there are another 5 volumes edited by Irvine, including this earliest written or edited by him published under the name J. Pennington Irvine.

A few sample poems from this volume are:

     Christmas

     A boy was born at Bethlehem

          that knew the haunts of Galilee.

     He wandered on Mount Lebanon,

          and learned to love each forest tree.

     But I was born at Marlborough,

          and love the hom~ly faces there;

     and for all other men besides

          'tis little love I have to spare.

     I should not mind to die for them,

          my own dear downs, my comrades true.

     But that great heart of Bethlehem,

          He died for men He never knew.

     And yet, I think, at Golgotha,

          as Jesus' eyes were closed in death,

     they saw with love most passionate

          the village street at Nazareth.

               -E. Hilton Young.

Christmas Sonnet

They cast Thy mother forth into the night,

     Into the bitter night and frosty air:

Nor was there one took pity on her plight

     To bid her rest, in warmth, and shelter there.

They cast her forth, with tired and aching feet;

     And to that lowly stable place she fled,

.Yet uncomplaining, found it strangely sweet

     Upon the hay, to rest her weary head.

In this poor humble place Thou had'st Thy birth'.!

     Outcast and homeless in an ox's stall!

'Twas there Thine eyes beheld the light of earth;

     Rejected Thou by men, Oh ! Lord of all

Cast us not forth when we, with dying eyes,

     Behold Thee at the gates of Paradise.

          -J. Pennington Irvine.

          A Child's Carol

          In a rude and Jowly manger

               Sheltered from the frost and snow,

          Lay the Holy Infant Jesus

               On a morning long ago.

          Whilst around the humble dwelling

               Cold and wintry winds did sigh,

          Mary soothed the Babe so helpless,

               Sang a tender lullaby.

          Angel voices from the Heavens

               On that happy Christmas morn,

          Sang, and all the earth was joyful

               When the Saviour Christ was born.

                    -J. Pennington Irvine.

The Lowly One

Only a manger cold and bare, 

     When winter winds did blow;

Yet Christ the Lord was housed there

     Amid the winter snow.

No royal pomp did Him proclaim;

     But cradled in the hay,

Where only ox and ass had lain,

     The sleeping Infant lay.

No courtiers did his praises sing;

     But Seraphs from the skies

Poured forth their welcome to the King,

     With songs of Paradise.

He came the King of Kings to be;

     And Mary in the manger bore

A Child who reigns o'er earth and sea,

     Till time shall be no more.

-W. Earle.

     The Oxen

     Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock,

          "Now they are all on their knees,"

     An elder said as we sat in a flock

          By the embers in hearthside ease.

     We pictured the meek:, mild creatures where

          They dwelt in their strawy pen,

     Nor did it occur to one of us there

          To doubt they were kneeling then.

     So fair a fancy few would weave

          In these years! Yet, I feel,

     If some one said on Christmas Eve,

          "Come ; see the oxen kneel."

     "In the lonely barton by yonder coomb

          Our childhood used to know,''

     I should go with him in the gloom,

          Hoping it might be so.

               -Thomas Hardy.

I hope those poems give you a feel for the collection of 27. This is an interesting collection. This volume ends with another quote from Irvine:

“L'Envoi.

Dying now the fir elight glow,

And flickering the candle's light ,

All things are fast asleep, and so,

Kind readers one and all-Goodnight.”

I did enjoy this volume. The National Library of Ireland provided a scanned copy as the book is out of print and out of copyright. It is interesting to see what poems Irvine collected, and having read much of his lately, a few could have been by his pen. I only recognize a few of the contributors. And as such was pleasantly surprised by many of the poems. We are not given bios of the contributors, nor even when the pieces were first published. I would have appreciated those details. It is a volume I know I will return to again, likely next Advent.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by John Irvine:

A Treasury of Irish Saints A Book of Poems 

A Voice in the Dusk 

A Voice in the Dusk Lyrics  

By Winding Roads  

Fountain Of Hellas: Poems From The Greek Anthology  

Green Altars: Poems  

Lost Sanctuary and Other Poems 

Nocturne: Poems 

Selected Poems 

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi 

The Quiet Stream  

Two Poems 

Voces Intimae 

Willow Leaves: Lyrics in the Manner of the Early Chinese Poets  

Wind From the South 

With No Changed Voices: Poems 

…

Edited by John Irvine:

A Christmas Garland - as J. Pennington Irvine 

The Flowering Branch: An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present 

The Poems of Robert Burns 

The Poems of Robert Louis Stevenson 

The Poems of Tennyson 

The Poems of Thomas Moore  

… 

The Flowering Branch: An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present - Edited by John Irvine

The Flowering Branch:

An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present

John Irvine - Editor (1903-1965)

Derrick MacCord

Belfast

1945

First I am thankful to the National Library of Ireland and their scanning service. Without which I would have read but one volume from this excellent Irish poet. I appreciate that they will scan out of print and out of copyright works. Especially when I cannot find them almost anywhere else, like most of the works or Irvine. This volume will mark the thirteenth I have read by Irvine.

I stumbled upon this author. I was reading one of the Vision Books for young readers, Irish Saints by Robert T. Reilly, and there was an excerpt of a poem from A Treasury of Irish Saints A Book of Poems. It was really intriguing and after reading that first volume I made it a mission to try and track down everything Irvine published. At first my dyslexia had me thinking it was John Irving, and I have read a few of his fiction books. But some quick searching put that idea to rest.  This author John Irvine lived from 1903-1965. This volume was originally published in1941. 

About the author on a site with information about Irish authors states:

“John Irvine was born in Belfast and published several collections of poems: A Voice in the Dark, 1932; Willow Leaves: Lyrics in the Manner of the Early Chinese Poets,1941; Lost Sanctuary and other poems among others. He edited The Flowering Branch: An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present.”

Another online description of the author states:

“Irvine, born in Belfast, published about six collections of lyrics between 1932 and 1954, mostly from small presses in Belfast and Dublin.  He also edited an anthology of Irish poetry, The Flowering Branch.”

The introduction to this collection states:

“This is a brief survey of Irish poetry past and present, including a few translations from the Irish. It will be realized how difficult is the attempt to cover such a wide field in so small a volume.

As in ·all anthologies there are notable omissions, for this I make humble apology, and plead that the restrictions were many and the space at my disposal very limited. It is hoped, however, that this small volume may prove of value as an introduction to Irish poetry, for those not already familiar with its. delights.”

This volume is dedicated to his mother with these words:

“These flowers of my gathering are

offered as a small token for life·

long devotion and kindness.”

The poems and contributors in this volume are:

A Blessing on the Cows – Seumas O’Sullivan

A Sigh for Knockmany – William Carleton

A White Rose – John Boyle O’Reilly 

And Then No More - James Clarence Mangan 

At Mass – Robin Flower

Cashel of Munster – Edward Walsh

Clonmacnoise – T.W. Rolleston

Dark Rosaleem - James Clarence Mangan

Dirge of the Munster Forest, 1591 – Hon Emily Lawless

Do You Remember that Night? – George Petrie

Dreamy, Gloomy, Friendly Trees – Herbert Trench

Fathers and Sons – F.R. Higgins

Gone in the Wind - James Clarence Mangan

Hy-Brasail – Gerard Griffin

I See His Blood Upon the Rose – Joseph Mary Plunkett

It Is Not Beauty I Demand – George Darley

Lady Margaret’s Song – Edward Dowden

Lyric – John Hewitt

Mairi – John Irvine

Marie, My Girl – John Keegan Casey

My Hope My Love – Edward Walsh

Night Wind – A.E. George Russell

Non Dolet – Oliver St. J. Gogarty

O Dreamy, Gloomy, Friendly Trees – Herbert Trench

Ode – Arthur O’Shaughnessy

Pearl of the White Beast – George Petrie

Pulse of My Heart – Charlotte Brooke

Remembrance – Emily Bronte

Since Celia’s My Foe – Thomas Duffett

The Banks of Banna - Hon. George Ogle

The Blackbird of Derrycairn … - Austin Clarke

The Church of a Dream – Lionel Johnson

The Fair Warning – George Darley

The Farewell to My Harp – Thomas Moore

The Goat Paths – James Stephens

The Harbour – W.M. Letts

The Lake – Richard Rowley

The Lapful of Nuts – Sir Samuel Ferguson

The Little Black Rose – Aubrey De Vere 

The Little Waves of Breffny – Eva Gore-Booth

The Maid of Elfin-Mere – William Allingham

The Old Woman of the Roads – Padrick Colum

The Outlaw of Lough Lene – J.J. “Jeremiah Joseph” Callanan

The Priests and the Friars – Douglas Hyde

The River – Patrick MacDonogh

The Rock of Cashel – Sir Aubrey De Vere

The Silence of Unlaboured Fields – Joseph Campbell

The Stars Stand Up – Eleanor Hull

There is More Beauty – Sydney Bell

Thomas MacDonagh – Joseph Mary Plunkett

Virgin Gold – Sylvia Lynd

When You Are Old – W.B. Yeats

The table of contents is arranged based on the name of the authors. But the edition I had scanned was missing at least 2 pages from the contents. I manually created the list above.

This is the first volume I have read that was edited by John Irvine. I have read 13 volumes that were written by Irvine, and believe that there are another 5 volumes edited by Irvine, including the earliest written or edited by him published under the name J. Pennington Irvine.

A few sample poems from this volume are:

THE CHURCH OF A DREAM

Sadly the dead leaves rustle in the

     whistling wind,

Around the weather-worn, grey

     church, low down the vale:

The Saints in golden vesture shake

     before the gale;

The glorious windows shake, where

     still they dwell enshrined;

Old Saints by long dead, shrivelled

     hands, long since designed:

There still, although the world

     autumnal be, and pale,

Still in their golden vesture the old

     Saints prevail;

Alone with Christ, desolate else,

     left by mankind.

Only one ancient priest offers · the

     Sacrifice,

Murmuring holy Latin immemorial:

Swaying with tremulous hands the

     old · censer full of spice,

In grey, sweet incense _clouds; blue,

     sweet clouds mystical:

To him, in place of men, for he is

     old, suffice

Melancholy remembrances and

     vesperal.

     -Lionel Johnson

O DREAMY, GLOOMY,

FRIENDLY TREES.

O dreamy gloomy, friendly Trees,

     I came along your narrow track ·

To bring my gifts unto your knees

     And gifts did you give back;

For when I brought this heart that

          burns-

These thoughts that bitterly

          repine-

And laid them here among the

          ferns

And the hum of boughs divine,

Ye, vastest breathers of the air,

     Shook down with slow and

          mighty poise

Your coolness on the human care,

     Your wonder on its toys

Your greenness on the heart's

          despair,

     Your darkness on its noise.

     

- Herbert Trench 

MAIRI

Unquiet my heart

When she is near,

As the woods

In the young year.

Wilder my thoughts

Than birds that soar

In blue air

By the lake shore .

Would she but hear

The songs I made

By the brook

In the hazel glade.

Oh! heart be still

And let her pass

As grey mist

On the sweet grass.

And dream of her

With the dark eyes,

When stars come

And a wind cries.

- JOHN IRVINE.

I hope those three poems give you a feel for the collection of 52. This is an interesting collection. A few hit at the Faith of the Irish, and a few pay tribute to nature. A few go full on Song of Solomon, in their praise of the female, and her form. 

I did really enjoy this volume. The National Library of Ireland provided a scanned copy as the book is out of print and out of copyright. It is interesting to see what poems Irvine collected, and having read much of his lately, many could have been by his pen. I only recognize a few of the contributors. And as such was pleasantly surprised by many of the poems. We are not given bios of the contributors, nor even hen the pieces were first published. I would have appreciated those details. It is a volume I know I will return to again!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by John Irvine:

A Treasury of Irish Saints A Book of Poems 

A Voice in the Dusk 

A Voice in the Dusk Lyrics  

By Winding Roads  

Fountain Of Hellas: Poems From The Greek Anthology 

Green Altars: Poems  

Lost Sanctuary and Other Poems 

Nocturne: Poems 

Selected Poems 

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi 

The Quiet Stream  

Two Poems 

Voces Intimae 

Willow Leaves: Lyrics in the Manner of the Early Chinese Poets  

Wind From the South 

With No Changed Voices: Poems 

…

Edited by John Irvine:

A Christmas Garland - as J. Pennington Irvine 

The Flowering Branch: An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present 

The Poems of Robert Burns 

The Poems of Robert Louis Stevenson 

The Poems of Tennyson 

The Poems of Thomas Moore  

…