This is the first I've read of Chaz Brenchly and I'm so happy that I'll be able to recommend this author to my reading circle. Short stories are one of the best ways to judge an author's skills. In fewer pages than many book chapters, an author must introduce the character, community and back story and then quickly bring the story to a satisfactory conclusion. There are many authors who could not accomplish this even half as well as Brenchley does. I keep a book of short stories next to me chair for those times that I'm looking for something a little different without committing to a full novel. But Brenchley's stories have now goaded me to go find the rest of his library of titles. This was an easy 5 star read.

What attracted me was the title and the cover. Suprisingly, I had not read any Chaz Brenchley before this collection, but I will definitely be looking for him in the future. You have stempunk horror tales set on Mars, secret societies in Cario, Vikings out for revenge and a host of other tales in this collection. In other words, everything from soup to nuts can be found hear arranged according to an internal order known only by the author and his editor. And then at the end, Chaz times in with tidbits about each story. A very satisfactory introduction to Chaz Brenchley!

Anything I say about the short fiction of Chaz Brenchley requires the disclaimer that he is a dear friend and colleague. Here’s the story of how I met him: Years ago, the Science Fiction Writers of America (note for the obsessive: it’s now the Science Fiction & Fantasy Association) had a Circulating Book Program of books provided by publishers for consideration for the Nebula Award. I made an effort to read at least the first few pages of every book I received. I flipped open one such submission and read:

“Down in the Shine was Issel, dreaming.”

A shiver went down my spine because I knew with utter certainty that here was a master of the craft. To begin a novel with such compelling poetry! (And the book did not disappoint, being a thing to be savored, not skimmed.) The book was Bridge of Dreams, by some Brit I’d never heard of.

A few years later I had signed a contract to edit my first anthology, Lace and Blade. I thought of that amazing opening line. I contacted the author and asked if he would submit a story. He agreed. “In the Night Street Baths” was set in the same world as Bridge of Dreams. I loved every word of it. (So did readers, and other editors — it was reprinted in a “Best of” anthology.)

So it made perfect sense that Chaz and I become personal friends, at first meeting on those rare occasions when he visited the United States, then more frequently once he’d moved to my home state. Since then I’d had the joy of editing more of his work, as well as many rich conversations.

Am I biased when it comes to Chaz stories? You bet, I am!

So here’s a truly amazing collection to be enjoyed slowly and reflectively, like fine wine. Share them with someone you love.

I had not heard of Chaz Benchley until I read this book. I'm glad I picked it. While the writing is a bit old fashioned the stories are all enjoyable. He wanders from genre to genre but keeps a main thread running through all. Humanity's strength and vulnerability.

I will be looking for more of his stories as I loved these!