If you’re looking for new myths, for stories about children destined for more, these stories will scratch that itch. They are not perfect, but they are, like their protagonists, worthy.

“The Messengers of Despair” by Jordan Kurella

This is an etiology, a myth. It’s beautifully conceived and timely for contemporary American culture. We need stories like this. We need stories that promise hope and offer a way to beat back despair, as this one so literally does. Large portions of the writing are really lovely and brush up against the sublime.

That said, there were some things that didn’t work for me. The writing itself is a little distracting. Although the author has a distinct voice, I don’t think that voice would have been lost or substantially altered by edits for grammaticality. I don’t need perfect grammar, but I did find the fragments and comma issues affected clarity at times.

I also don’t mind slow burns, but I had a little trouble “getting into” this story. If you can hang on until the second section, the payoff is worthwhile. It just took me a little too long to get situated in what I was actually reading. Similarly, the very end felt too drawn out. This is a tough one to rate because the middle is so good, but the tips and tails fell flat for me.

“The Tale of How You Were Born” by Eleanor Elizabeth Fog

Well, these two short stories were certainly well-paired. Like Kurella’s story, this is mythological and culturally relevant, but about witches and sorcerers and pregnancy in social dynamics. It’s a stronger piece of writing in terms of technical proficiency and in its structure, but it doesn’t reach the same heights Kurella reaches. This is exactly the kind of story I would describe as “solid.” It’s a good read.

This one is available in audio form, but I read instead of listening.