Clamour and Mischief
Edited by
Narrelle M. Harris
Publisher: Clan Destine Press
Publication date: 1st December 2022
Genre: Anthology / Fantasy
Pages: 248
RRP: $36.95AU (paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
Review: Clamour and Mischief
Clamour and Mischief is an anthology of short stories with the connecting theme of birds, or more precisely corvids (birds from the crow family).
I do love anthologies as the stories are short, giving instant satisfaction, and can be picked up and put down without fear of losing the plot line.
Corvids have been used prolifically in novels. Just read any fantasy where ravens are the harbingers of bad news and death, even transforming into demons.
Clamour and Mischief includes 16 short stories with very diverse themes such as doom, death, superstition, manipulation, myth and kindness. Something for every reader's taste.
Two of my favourite stories were The Jackdaw Maiden by Katya de Becerra and Kupara and Tekoteko by Lee Murray.
The Jackdaw Maiden is an atmospheric tale of a young princess who was born with feathers and blamed for all the village ills, she befriends the birds and goes on to save the life of her sister.
Kupara and Tekoteko is a story of kindness and friendship set in New Zealand. Tekoteko oversees the village and asks Kupara (the raven) to help him do acts of kindness, to relieve the suffering of people living around them, as Teketeko is carved from wood and cannot move.
I hadn't previously come across any of the 16 authors featured in the anthology however I now have a few names I will be researching past works.
Some of the stories in this anthology were a bit too gruesome for me but the thing with anthologies is if one story doesn't suit you can move onto the next as it just might be the discovery of a new author you love.
My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (averaged over 16 stories)
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