Havok’s latest anthology, entitled Casting Call, examines many common archetypes of fiction in several genres (fantasy, mystery, comedy, etc.). The magician, the wizened elder, and the sneaky rebel are but a few character types offered in a flash fiction—one thousand words or less—story. As usual, Havok’s high quality is on display across its forty-four entries.
Unlike most of my reviews, my son and I both read all of Havok’s anthologies, so you are treated to two opinions. We each rate the story from 1-10, and I also assign a 1-10 rating to how elegantly the piece is written and how well it captures the archetype. The archetype rating is new for this theme. If I can’t discern the character type, it receives a low rating. If I think the author did a decent job on the character’s archetype, it receives a 5 or 6. If the author, however, keeps within the archetype but does something new or refreshing with it, it receives top marks.
Full disclosure. I wrote one of the stories in this anthology. I won’t reference it but will keep this an impartial review. I always review Havok anthologies no matter who are the authors. See Short Stories and Poetry
My top stories strictly based on preference were “A Handful of Twigs,” “Singing Down the Dark,” “The Bodies in Question,” “The Watchman,” “Gone Fishin’,” and “Beacon Across Time.” But the one that stood out for me was “The Good Boy” by Michael Teasdale in the Caregiver / Lover category. To me, this captures the essence of science fiction. Set in the future, it humanizes a non-human caregiver in a poignant way—a very moving piece.
My son’s top stories were “Tomorrow,” “Iron Hood,” “A Handful of Twigs,” “Shiner,” “The Wandmaker’s Offer,” “The Fears,” “Bridge Vigil,” “Save the Cat,” “Gone Fishin’,” “Beacon Across Time,” “I’ll Explain Later,” and “The Nightmare Hunters Before Christmas.” But his favorite story in the anthology was “Blink” because “it was really different.”
This anthology holds a rare occurrence where both my son and I rated one story very high. This offering could’ve been both of our favorites. The story, “Jester’s Maze” by Lincoln Reed, is easily a standout in this anthology. This piece of flash fiction captures both the essence of Halloween and a chilling thriller at the same time, and I consider this one of the best horror short stories I’ve read this year.
Several stories received high ratings in the writing category including “Fines and Flames,” “Singing Down the Dark,” “Orf vs. the Peak-Beast,” “The Watchman,” “All I Did Was Science,” “Jester’s Maze,” “Paperbound,” and “Blink.” The runner-up for best written was “The Ruler and the Rebel” by Andrew Winch—some wonderful prose here. However, if I had to choose one, I would say you will find some superb writing in “Beacon Across Time” by Teddi Deppner. The words just flow across this engaging entry.
And how about the theme? This was the most fun part of the anthology for me. The creative ways people used the archetypes in the story often delighted me. I cannot describe some of these stories because of spoilers. For Ruler/Rebel, read “Tomorrow” and “The Ruler and the Rebel.” A unique magic “system” exists in “Singing Down the Dark.” And stereotypes are ridiculed in “The Bodies in Question.” Sometimes a fighter is more than someone who battles others as in “The Hero of Kittens.” And “Just a Hench,” told by a henchwoman looking for a job, is a wonderful study in point-of-view. “The Path Home” won me over in the Creator/Explorer category (it has both). The Caregiver role has a dark side in “Paperbound.” And “Gone Fishin’” is such an original idea, one has to read it to believe it. The innocent narrator in “Beacon Across Time” learns a valuable lesson from an unlikely alien species. A child’s wish has power in “Dandelion Wishes.” And even a hobo has to start somewhere in “Blink.”
This category has a tie for the best of the best. Both stories are about caregivers, and the two stories couldn’t be more different. The narrator of “Bridge Vigil” is an odd character until you find out her reason. And “A Wake of Vultures” starts with a dying turtle’s wish for a caregiver, but the answer is anything but straightforward.
So what will it be? A courtroom drama where “The Verdict” isn’t the final judgment? A world where “A Handful of Twigs” is significant…or is it? Should you battle giant monsters (“Shiner”) or encounter something deadly in an out-of-the-way tavern (“The Skinwalker”)? From a small girl trying to find “A Path Home” to a “Beacon Across Time” (and space) to an abandoned corn maze named “Jester’s Maze,” everyone will find something they’ll love in Havok’s Casting Call.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2W7F7GR