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

…