BORDERLANZ

Smith presents 15 short stories that explore the human condition through a mix of SF, horror, and fantasy.

The stories collected in this work vary in length (from 2 to 28 pages) and offer a range of mind-bending plots. “The Walker of the Shifting Borderland,” perhaps the most classically SF, follows “the Walker,” who seeks to restore balance between Order and Chaos in a post-apocalyptic world. Other tales lean more toward fantasy, such as “What’s in a Name” (in which a man must reckon with a hungry demon out for blood after it’s summoned incorrectly) and “Dream Flight”(in which a sick young girl finds solace in a powerful birdlike creature). Still others are more grounded in the real world, like a young boy’s horrifying reaction to his brother’s mysterious disappearance in “Fiddleheads.” Each entry is followed by a brief note from the author that reveals behind-the-scenes inspiration for and information about the story. With an ear for sharp dialogue and an engaging narrative voice, Smith has crafted an irresistible lineup of tales that deeply probe both the dark and light facets of humanity—regardless of how many actual humans appear in the stories themselves. (Curiously, the scariest story in the collection is one in which there are no literal monsters at all.) Satisfying twists and turns join with humor and deliciously vibrant descriptions to immerse readers in their compelling and eccentric worlds. (“A jeweled crust spread sparkling across her breasts and throat. Ruby lips bulged, hardened, curved to a blood rust scythe of a beak. Embers grew in black eyes that sank within the skull then burst into flaming orbs.”) The result is a must-read for anyone craving layered and offbeat chills and thrills.

A dazzling array of stories that consistently challenge readers to contemplate the possibilities around them.