Magic & Monsters — John R. Phythyon Jr.

Evil wears many faces. . . . A man's wife returns from the dead to take revenge on him for betraying her. A princess makes a disturbing decision when she turns her suitor into a frog and then can't undo it. A witch fights oppression from a bigoted king. Her grandmother's heirloom may prove the perfect solution to a distraught wife with a cheating husband. A kung fu warrior faces the vile princess who stole her love. Five short tales of betrayal, revenge, and sorcery fill this collection from John R. Phythyon, Jr., author of State of Grace, Little Red Riding Hoodie: A Modern Fairy Tale, and The Sword and the Sorcerer. Each features magic and a monster whose identity isn't always clear at the beginning of the story. Each poses questions about what is right and what is justified. Fantasy and horror merge in this cross-genre collection in which Phythyon explores the monsters walking among us and the magic we use to confront them. Includes the Origins Award-nominated story, "Xing Qing Pao's Lament." Click "Look Inside" for a free sample. Praise for other fantasy fiction by John Phythyon: The Sword and the Sorcerer "Taking time tested themes in the genre and blending them with current and relevant story arcs Phythyon] has broken new ground with this novel." --Chris Watson "Addictive from page one This is a wonderfully written fantasy that will keep you glued to the page." --Amy Brantley State of Grace "A fantasy story with a James Bond feel to it. This book is action packed and full of surprises." --Melanie Carrico "Phythyon scribes a range of emotional hooks, both heartbreaking and humorous, as well as horrific. The reader is instantly pulled into the plight of the many races and the alluring sense of magic in this fantastical place." --Writerbees Book Reviews Little Red Riding Hoodie: A Modern Fairy Tale "This novel is effortlessly gripping, and I finished it in under three hours." --Jay Hill, Honey Badger's Book Club "Great story, relevant to struggles of today's youth in middle school. Phythyon] does a great job of keeping you interested in the story and the ending delivers. Well done " --Stacey Miller Click "Look Inside" above for a free preview of Magic & Monsters.