A collection of 27 stories: the finalists from the Owl Canyon Press Winter 2018 Hackathon Contest. My own story ("The Great Rise") was one of these, aA collection of 27 stories: the finalists from the Owl Canyon Press Winter 2018 Hackathon Contest. My own story ("The Great Rise") was one of these, and I'm pretty proud of it. I'll confess, I ended up skipping some of these; if they weren't grabbing me by the first couple of pages then I'd move on to the next one. More than a few actually felt remarkably like the same story! Still, the stories that stood out to me (the ones I enjoyed the most), were: "Random and Small Redemptions" by Rita Sommers-Flanagan (the 1st place winner) "Galop" by Donald Ryan "Paper Ocean, Paper Forest, Paper Sun" by Travis Dahlke "Rejoice" by Daniel Earl "The Therapy Session" by Lila Evans "A Summer of Rare Tolerances" by Scott Adam Gordon
I'd say my favourite was probably the one by Travis Dahlke; he has such an incredible way of writing; so much peripheral detail that just makes the story come alive....more
YA book with a magical-realism twist. Adelle meets Trill, who's different from all the other boys she's met. Different enough to fall for. But of courYA book with a magical-realism twist. Adelle meets Trill, who's different from all the other boys she's met. Different enough to fall for. But of course that's when he's got to go and break his neck and die. Ouch. That escalated quickly. If it sounds like I'm giving too much away, I'm really not: this is when the story really starts for Adelle. You see, Trill makes a return in her life in the form of a ghost that only she can see/talk to. Words are had. Feelings are re-examined. Lives (and afterlives) are questioned.
As a sweet bonus, THESE GREAT AFFECTS includes a separate story by yours truly. My own short work of fiction - LACUNA MISPLACED - can be found at the beginning. So now you really have no excuse to not pick up a copy today....more
I'm biased, since I wrote it myself. But don't listen to me...here are a few other reviews:
(from Amazon.ca) A fantastic first novel from Vancouver authI'm biased, since I wrote it myself. But don't listen to me...here are a few other reviews:
(from Amazon.ca) A fantastic first novel from Vancouver author Ryan Morris. Morris has created an engaging and vivid world in this understated psychological thriller. I just loved this book! Never one to pay all that much attention to birds beyond the casual acknowledgment of spring's first robin or the odd murder of crows, I have a new and deeper appreciation of ornithology (as well as the amount of research involved in this novel). But it's not all about birds! This novel really explores the dark reaches of the human psyche, and evokes an poignant connection with the raw emotions of the protagonist. Morris' world is unreal yet utterly believable. I couldn't put the book down!
(from Amazon.ca) While reading Molt I was thoroughly entertained! I read it in 3 days and was sad when it had to end. Ryan Morris is a talented writer who really makes it easy to engage and care about the characters in the book. Molt is a deeply and intricately woven story that has so many layers that you must pay attention to all that is happening so that you will really appreciate the dramatic and climatic ending. My favourite line from the book is: "Sometimes things don't need to change in order to be different. Sometimes things remain the same but go unnoticed."
(excerpt from The Vancouver Sun - July 10, 2010) Ryan Morris has done his research and, more importantly, woven it into a rewarding novel -- one that, thanks to his [film] background, has a cinematic feel. Check it out.
(from Amazon.ca) "Templeton Rate doesn't pretend to be someone he's not." And nor does this first novel from Vancouver writer (and ex cartoonist) Ryan Morris. I guess the question is, what is it? I lean towards the feeling that it's a horror story, but so odd and strangely lit that you don't really feel like you were reading horror until some strange imagery catches you off guard or you realize the creepiness of a situation that sneaks up on you and gives you a shiver. Our heroine, Isabelle Donhelle is a unique character, bookish but not risk-averse once she gets going after a spooky bus ride to Weird-Town and the between-world oddness of the Strangest Feeling cafe. This is the perfect setting to meet another unique character, Templeton Rate, one of the most striking but indefinable characters I have ever read. Together they stumble and careen through a bizarre but entertaining relationship that ends up in a deadly duel with a nightmarish force unleashed on the City of Boston, also a character in this novel. I must say that months after reading (Molt) much of this book sticks with me, partially because the story is so off-beat and partially because of the strength of the writing, which is also not standard fare. It is agile, zagging between light comedy and deadly action and at times quite startling. The writer obviously has fun with language, sprinkling verbal surprises and playful names liberally throughout. Chapter titles are refreshingly irreverent 'Two Years of Kissing Claude' (literally tongue-in-cheek) and 'Hedge Interlude' keep you turning pages. The book is not perfect; you close the last page wondering if the novelist had storyboarded the entire thing before beginning as it does wander and sway a bit. Some important action takes place off stage which annoyed me at times too. But the overall impression I had was of a young writer quite confident of his skill and willing to take risks and bring a fresh voice to the Canadian fantasy writers guild. Recommended.
(from Amazon.ca) The action takes a while to start rising so some patience is required. The protagonist is a whacked-out ornithologist, and the imagery and symbolism associated with birds is not for the faint of heart. Ryan did A LOT of research for this book. I mention these factors so a potential reader knows what he's getting into: this book requires commitment. However, I want to be really clear in saying that I recommend this book, ultimately because it will provoke thought.
(from Amazon.ca) The "Molt" turned out to be a very special book for me. It made me think and analyze situations in my life with the eyes of Isabelle. The fact that Ryan Morris created a character you live with through the whole book is amazing. The book is packed with synchronicities and life mysteries on every page. Through the symbol of a bird it raises the question of what we actually are in control of in this life. To a degree, it's a dark psychological thriller which is hard to put down for someone who is interested in human psychology. I am looking forward to Ryan Morris' next books....more
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