The Literary Fiction Shelf

The Sparkzgott Anthology
T.D. Holt
Independently Published
www.tdholt.com
9798840745304, $12.99 Paper/$5.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/Sparkzgott-Anthology-T-D-Holt/dp/B0BFTYK2CM

The Sparkzgott Anthology is a metaphysical, philosophical, and social inspe= ction that comes from an unusual point of view: a yet-to-be-conceived child=
that considers, in slices of "zime time," the facets of what makes us huma=
n. This examination takes the form of short vignettes of couples around the=
world who are in the process of creating life via their couplings, perspec= tives, and impulses. Sparkzgott is defined as "the spark at the instant of = ignition - of union." What precedes this spark and the recognitions that ac= company it are the subject of a wide-ranging set of examinations designed t=
o titillate, educate, and spark reflections beyond the usual literary forma=
t.

Intellectual readers who look for stories that are not quite religious, not=
quite philosophical, and not entirely cultural examinations, but which emb= race elements of all these and more, will find The Sparkzgott Anthology a j= ourney that is thought-provoking, while book clubs, especially, will want t=
o debate many of its presentations.

Unlike the usual anthology which features writings from various contributor=
s, the sole contributor to this is author T.D. Holt and the narrator he cre= ates to examine the foundations of humanity itself. The anthology itself ca=
n be said to reflect the essence of Sparkzgott under consideration here: "W= hat takes place during this combination - exactly at the time of fusion - i=
s the substance of this story: that void of time within which I become "I a= m." Spark and zygote? Sparkzgott: the briefest burst of time, yet infinite =
in significance." As the time slice countdowns evolve, readers can expect w= orks steeped in diverse human and cultural experiences and perspectives. Wh= ile each couple is united by the very spark they cultivate in their relatio= nship, they also are affected by the cultural milieu which births them and = that impulse to embrace "risk, adventure, and reward."

These themes blossom a series of touchstones which both explain and explore=
Sparkzgott, the ironies and inconsistencies of human thought and action, a=
nd the motivating forces which lead up to the creation of another thinking = human. If these descriptions sound intellectual and thought-provoking, they=
only reflect the special context of The Sparkzgott Anthology. It's one of = those collections which holds as great a potential as the ethereal being wh=
o narrates these inspections of life and creation, but also challenges read= ers in religious and philosophical ways that belay most traditional thought=
s about entertainment value.

Each slice of "Zime time" in these series of countdowns offers another pote= ntial for discussion, revelation, and realization. Each takes on a differen=
t perspective and challenge while uniting with the other "slices" in the an= thology to contribute to an overall perspective about what makes us human. =
In the end, The Sparkzgott Anthology proves mercurial, thoroughly absorbing=
, and nearly impossible to put down.

Its unique brand of social, spiritual, and philosophical reflections are es= pecially recommended for readers who harbor a special interest in literary = works of social inspection who would use The Sparkzgott Anthology as a touc=
h point for lively debate and discussion about all the qualities that make = humanity distinctive.

Darkness: A Collection of Stories: Volume 2
Dubhghlas Kraus
Graymalkin Publishing
9798807067807, $12.99 Paper/$3.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YHP6VJ5

The second volume of Darkness: A Collection of Stories continues the focus =
of Book 1 in probing different kinds of darknesses of heart and soul. It wi=
ll be of special interest to readers of psychological horror and revelation=
who look for literary stories of murder, justice, revenge, and redemption = that feature a special blend of angst and understanding.

Unlike the first collection, the stories here take another step into the de= finition and realms of darkness, creating works that represent a deeper pro=
be into psychology, with the supernatural forces often taking a back seat t=
o the emotional revelations. This approach emphasizes that the roots of hor= ror lie in the mind and heart as much as in outside events that influence t=
he course of beliefs, choices, and actions.

Take the opening short story "Vanity," for example. Here, struggling writer=
Josh Brannon faces the onslaught of editorial rejections that assault his = initial optimism and confidence about the power of his words. His stories "= aren't cookie-cutter enough." And neither is his life. As events unfold, Du= bhghlas Kraus crafts a portrait of horror that rests not on this one life's=
vision, but the dovetailed experiences of frustrated writer and blue-colla=
r worker Josh, the early influences shaping serial killer Billy Baumgardner=
, and a savvy, enthusiastic cop who pursues justice with a vengeance. The d= ays unfold with an eye to showing exactly how this coalescence of disparate=
lives happened, and how each individual was crafted by his life experience=
s and influences.

The psychological inspections are particularly astute. The day-by-day explo= ration is intricate and unhurried, giving readers time to absorb these char= acters and their motivations for skirting, navigating, or immersing themsel= ves in the darkness. Compare this delicate dance with "Cara," about a lonel=
y man whose rescue of a dog from a violent abuser leads him onto roads of b= oth redemption and revenge. His former dog Bear was his best friend for thi= rteen years, so after the beloved dog's demise, months pass without canine = companionship augmenting this loner's life. Searching ads for dogs for sale=
results in Jeff rescuing an abused canine, but matters don't end there, be= cause abuser Stephenson lives in the same town and they keep running into o=
ne another. When a dilemma arises, Jeff must think hard about what kind of = man he will be: one who pursues revenge or one able to affect a rescue even=
if it means sacrificing the thing he loves most in his life.

Each story presents thought-provoking moments where characters need to self= -assess and change. Some do, some don't. Some simmer, and some forgive. "Fu= nny thing about forgiveness. No matter how well justified a grudge is, hold= in' it is like pulling a wagon full of heavy stones. And for every slight f= orgiven, the cargo is lightened, and your journey that much easier." The un= ifying theme connecting these disparate lives, experiences, and choices is =
a progressive one of darkness, revelation, change, and eventual realization=
..

Readers receive a fine set of thought-provoking literary and psychological = inspections that display both the power of the mind and the power of the sh= ort story format. Libraries looking for fine examples of psychological susp= ense and growth in this genre will find Darkness: A Collection of Stories: = Volume 2 a fine choice, while book clubs looking for powerful psychological=
pieces that invite discussion will find more than enough fodder for debate=
and insights in these succinct, powerful works.

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Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

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Midwest Book Review

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