A flock of shiny stories! Associated with life and death, disease and luck, corvids have long captured mankind’s attention, showing up in mythology as the companions or manifestations of deities, and starring in stories from Aesop to Poe and beyond.
In Corvidae birds are born of blood and pain, trickster ravens live up to their names, magpies take human form, blue jays battle evil forces, and choughs become prisoners of war. These stories will take you to the Great War, research facilities, frozen mountaintops, steam-powered worlds, remote forest homes, and deep into fairy tales. One thing is for certain, after reading this anthology, you’ll never look the same way at the corvid outside your window.
Featuring works by Jane Yolen, Mike Allen, C.S.E. Cooney, M.L.D. Curelas, Tim Deal, Megan Engelhardt, Megan Fennell, Adria Laycraft, Kat Otis, Michael S. Pack, Sara Puls, Michael M. Rader, Mark Rapacz, Angela Slatter, Laura VanArendonk Baugh, and Leslie Van Zwol.
Buy it now
“This is a fabulous collection that goes beyond fantastical tales of crows. There is world-building and myth-building and new fairy tales here. Among my favorites were “Knife Collection, Blood Museum, Birds (Scarecrow Remix)” by Sara Puls and “Flight” by Angela Slatter, but I was really blown away by “Bazyli Conjures a Blackbird”by Mark Rapacz…
If you love fantasy, urban or otherwise. get a copy of this!”
“I am not a book worm at all, and I only really read books others recommend me or that I find is the trend. This book, however, really tugged at my heart and was probably the first book I truly felt inclined to read.
What threw me off and cought me by surprise in Corvidae was that it was pretty much composed of many different stories, but each one was very unique and grabbed my attention throughout. I honestly didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but I wanted to throw myself into it and see what happens.
I would urge any of my friends who love corvids as well or just anyone who wants a good read to check this book out, I certainly enjoyed this!”
“I discovered Rhonda Parrish, the editor of this anthology, when I read the first book in this series, Fae. Fae set the bar high, and I’m happy to report that Corvidae is just as strong. What struck me about both anthologies is how each and every story has a unique voice, point of view, self. Each holds their own. None are there because the book needed a couple more stories to feel long enough. I know this is what I said about Fae, too, but I feel like it’s the most important, number one, tip-top criteria for short story books, so it’s worth saying again.
In terms of the content, I’m going to be honest: I find birds creepy. Yes, regular birds, not magical ones. Pigeons pecking at things in the street, sea gulls swooping through the air. They have beady little eyes that remind me of the intelligence and soullessness of a shark.
Which, of course, makes them great fodder for this anthology.
I wasn’t actually sure I’d like this book based on my general dislike of birds, but after reading it, I understand their appeal. They’re smart–even the ones that aren’t magical. And yet, should they be? They’re mostly made of fluff and air. How can they be smart? How?
Anyway, I would highly recommend this book. Rhonda does it again. I can’t wait to get my hands on Scarecrow, the next book in the series.”
