In STONES, STARS AND THE STORMS BETWEEN, G.J. Terral anchors seven detailed fantasy stories employing a range of tones—philosophical, mythical, tragic, adventurous, with explorations of how people may use—or abuse—the elements listed in the collection title. From an outcast striving to become a vessel for a storm to a young girl trying to atone for her dying mother’s transgression, each story is a glimpse into characters who seek something beyond humanity and often come away with more than they had bargained for.

The stories vary in style, but all contain fantastical elements and share a theme of temptation. Terral has a talent for creating atmospheres infused with both raw sensory details and lofty moral or emotional abstractions; his magic systems are vaguely druidic in their brutal, nature-based manifestations. In “Three Stones,” a priestess schemes to disrupt the ritualistic stone worship that has bound generations of pilgrims in false hope. “Growing Storms,” “Broken Mind, Shattered Heart,” and “Of Stars Before” all feature a protagonist whose body has been physically warped by stone, storm, or star—yet each approaches these elemental intrusions in a different way, with wildly varying outcomes. “Dust” and “In the Darklit Garden” deal with youthful grief and loss; the latter takes a more contemporary approach to its setting but still imbues the story with hints of magic. “Etched Soul” deviates most from the other pieces but stands aloft as one of the strongest written, with palpable tension between a young captive and the violent pillagers who raised him. Recurring archetypes and motifs—such as Arcanists and Alchemists, warlocks, stone-based religions, and body modifications—create intriguing connections between each tale, making the collection ripe for multiple readthroughs.

While many of the stories are captivating, they often take place in such complex worlds that key plot points and characters’ intentions get lost among the granular exposition needed to establish the setting and stakes. “Growing Storms” is particularly dense, but it also contains some of the most gorgeously cinematic and philosophical prose in the collection. At times, Terral sacrifices reader comprehension for world-building, though that is not necessarily a flaw. Overall, readers who adore this element of the fantasy genre will enjoy STONES, STARS AND THE STORMS BETWEEN far more than those who prefer character- or plot-driven short stories.

Author G.J. Terral is at his best when delving into the myriad ways people strive for and use power, though these exemplary moments sometimes get lost in the weeds of world-building in STONES, STARS AND THE STORMS BETWEEN.

~Cameron Gillespie for IndieReader