4.5* – I am not a huge short stories reader. I often feel that by the time I’m into the story, it’s over. Seeing J. S. Fields’ name on the cover of this anthology however made me want to give it a try. I loved the Ardulum series so much, I wanted more of their writing.
Behind the Sun, Above the Moon offers nine definitions, nine interpretations of magic, nine representations of non-binary characters in own voices. The stories take the reader from world to world, universe to universe. Some are set on Earth, others are not, in an intriguing mix of sci-fi and fantasy. Some are stories of redemption, some feel like beginnings, others like the end of forever.
They didn’t all work for me on the same level, but I found them all thought-inspiring and captivating. Short stories collection can be very uneven, but this one feels completely coherent, and not repetitive either. Even the story I liked the least – Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo – is really good. My favourites were twice-spent comet by Ziggy Schutz (a little slow to start but beautiful), Awry with Dandelions by J. S. Fields – surprise! – and Death Marked by Sara Codair.
1- twice-spent comet by Ziggy Schutz
2- From Dusk to Dying Sun by Paige S. Allen
3- Lost/Found by Brooklyn Ray
4- Awry with Dandelions by J. S. Fields
5- The Far Touch by S. R. Jones
6- Ink and Stars by Alex Harrow
7- Horologium by Emmett Nahil
8- Death Marked by Sara Codair
9- Weave the Dark, Weave the Light by Anna Zabo
Jude in the Stars 