Genre: Mixed Genre Anthology
Publisher: eSpec Books
Published: 2016
Reviewer Rating: 
Reviewer: David L. Felts
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In the Lamplight, by L. Jagi Lamplighter, delivers an entirely enthralling anthology of 16 speculative stories that run the gamut from horror to fantasy to science fiction to surreal. There wasn’t a bad one in the bunch–which is a notable accomplishment for any anthology. Anyone who follows my reviews knows it’s hard to earn 5 stars from me, but this one did.
In my review research, I learned that several of the stories here are set in worlds previously created by Lamplighter in some of her other works. I wouldn’t be able to tell you which ones they were, and my lack of experience with Lamplighter’s previous fiction in no way impeded my enjoyment.
Although I enjoyed them all, some of the more memorable stories for me were:
A Few More Bug to Work Out: a fun and tongue-in-cheek look at a soldier breaking in a new set of battle armor. Anyone who has experience with computers will commiserate.
In Never Again the Same: young Patrick will, indeed, never gain be the same after the sneaky scheme his grandfather plays on him.
Faces and Enigmas: one of my favorites, a noirish crime-themed story set in a gigantic space station. The world Lamplighter created here was particularly well done and immersive.
Foot-Sore Angel: perhaps my favorite, a Moorcockian tale of Max Sheffield in the world of dreams. It evoked feelings I haven’t experienced since reading some of Michael Moorcock’s work as a teenager. I was particularly reminded of his story The Dream of Earl Aubec (aka Master of Chaos). ,Foot-Sore Angel delivers a convincing melding of fantasy and reality that creates a place that is both real yet surreal. Well done!
The Poppet: a creepy story about little Kitty and her new doll. Yikes.
If you’re looking for something fun, something downright entertaining yet at the same time different, then In The Lamplight is sure to scratch your itch.
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