New Death and others by James Hutchings

New Death and others
Author: James Hutchings

eBook available on Smashwords, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. for $0.99.

Summary: Death gets a roommate... An electronic Pope faces a difficult theological question... A wicked vizier makes a terrible bargain...

44 stories. 19 poems. No sparkly vampires. There's a thin line between genius and insanity, and James Hutchings has just crossed it - but from which direction?

My Review: Love. That is all. It is so nice to find an indie author's compilation of short stories, and ones that are so well written. Right out the gate, I was amazed. So much so, I handed the iPad to Noe and asked her to read it. We both collectively went, "Ooooh. That's good!"

What I love about short stories and poems are that they are quick reads and easy to turn to when you don't have time for a 1,000 page novel (yes, I'm looking at you author of Game of Thrones series!) And probably my most favored collection is of the late great Edgar Allen Poe. This I think of, when I read Hutchings' stories.

Here is a sample of his work titled "The God of the Poor"

In the beginning of the world the gods considered all those things which did not have their own gods, to decide who would have responsibility and rulership.

"I will rule all flowers that are sky-blue in colour," said the Sky-Father.

"I will listen to the prayers of migratory birds, and you all other birds," the goddess Travel said to him. And so it went.

At last all had been divided, save for one thing.

"Who," asked the Sky-Father, "shall have dominion over the poor?"

There was an awkward silence, until the Sky-Father said,

"Come - someone must. Those with no gods will grow restless and cunning, and in time will cast us down, and we shall be gods no more."

"Not I," said blind Justice, and her stony face flashed a momentary smirk at the thought. "Why not Fame or Fortune?"

"Darling I don't think so," said the sister goddesses together.

There was a long pause. The gods shuffled their feet and avoided one another's gaze. At last a voice broke the silence.

"I will," said Death.