Januaries, a collection of stories themed around fantasy, is divided into four sections named after the four seasons. The very first story, The Wish Branch, set in spring, sets off at a cracking pace and leaves you literally wishing for more. The momentum is carried by the second story, The Audit, about, well, an audit with a difference – and it will leave you really thinking.
You’d hope that the pace continues, but this is a collection that contains a variety of stories in both content and form, perhaps to showcase the author’s oeuvre, and if that is the intent, it’s a good job.
Though not all the stories are so outstanding, they are all good, and those who like fantasy, romance, thrills and even science fiction, will enjoy them.
Spanning such a wide range of subjects and ambiences as Blake does, could have turned out chaotic but she has divided the stories into four parts, named after the seasons. Don’t expect the content to follow the moods of the weather, though; the stories in each part are by no means predictable; at one point you encounter a poem, in fact.
Reviewing an anthology can be a challenge, as some stories inevitably outshine others. However, this collection is a treasure trove of gems waiting to be discovered. Each tale offers a distinct reading experience, and Blake’s mastery of diverse narrative styles is on full display, as she skilfully transports readers to richly imagined worlds and introduces them to compelling characters. While some stories would undoubtedly benefit from expansion, they still deliver a powerful impact in their concise form. One of the anthology’s greatest strengths is its experimentation with form and style, offering a fresh perspective with each new story.
From a spirit who is tethered to a magical bridge who craves freedom, to a unique life auditing system that turns the protagonist into an instant millionaire, from a banished fairy who answers a Craigslist ad to an assassin who pursues their quarry through time and space… One thing is for sure — this book is not predictable.
There is something for everyone, as it were – animation fans, fight club mavens, romance novel addicts, sociology eggheads… the stories delve into emotions, relationships and the human condition. It’s got fantasy elements, mythology and science fiction, so there’ll be something that most readers will enjoy.
There are situationships, murder plots, love stories and that incredible absurdist poem mentioned above; in short, something for everyone. The stories span genres, themes and age groups, and the writing, which also mixes form and style, draws you into each chapter as surely as a fish is hooked.
Some of the stories are dark, some thought-provoking, and some outright hilarious as well as suspenseful, such as Fates And Consequences in which the protagonist is sent to Hell by mistake and falls in love with Hades’ wife. Be warned that there are adult themes and explicit language, so it’s not for the faint-hearted or the very young.
If there is a complaint, it is that some of the stories have enough “meat” in them to be full-fledged novels or at least novellas, in their own right. But that doesn’t detract from the pleasure of reading them. Reading is an understatement — full immersion is what results when one delves into the world conjured up by the author. No surprise there, as she is a NYT best-selling author and well known in the fantasy world.
The stories are by turns hopeful, sarcastic, silly, heartbreaking, deadpan and ornate, like a buffet, inviting you to take your pick. As the author says at the end to the reader, “May whoever we become next always surprise us; may we look into the void and share a laugh.”
Book: Januaries
Author: Olivie Blake
Publisher: Tor
Pages: 400
Price: ₹460
