“A story is a dangerous thing, Felton Herder. We must value them, we must be careful with them. Set one loose on the world, and you lose control over your own creation.”
5 out of 5 Stars
And They Were Never Heard From Again is my first foray into the Yarnsworld series. I picked it up on a whim in the kindle store because I believe it was free (or possibly $.99) either way it was inexpensive and it was only 40 pages long. I love short stories, and while I do already have a e-copy of They Mostly Come Out at Night, I haven’t read it yet and while that is on the shorter side as well, its still comparatively longer than And They Were Never Heard From Again.
So first thing I want to say is according to the blurb on Amazon And They Were Never Heard From Again is a good introductory spot for the Yarnsworld series. I agree with this even though I haven’t read any others (is that presumptuous of me?) I honestly feel like I wasn’t spoiled in any way in regards to the overall series. I would actually have to admit this made me even more eager to pick up the rest (I bought a physical copy of They Mostly Come out at Night the next day) So if you are worried, don’t be, dive into this dark atmospheric tale, you wont be disappointed.
And They Were Never Heard From Again pulled me in and I was instantly invested. Right from the start I was introduced to two brothers both very different from the other traversing their way through a forest. It doesn’t take long before this trip gets turned upside down and the darker elements start to creep their way in. Literally, they creep in, this story just gives you these tingles that hit the right nerves and the build up to what might happen is slowly making its self known. You get words like The Bramble Man, and Magpie King thrown at you, they tell you they shouldn’t be in the forest after dark, and so much more and it makes your mind reel with curiosity and fear (if you haven’t already immersed yourself in this world that is).
I loved that all the problems the boys faced arose from Felton’s actions. I know this sounds weird but it really made the story compelling because it showed how his selfishness caused harm for another. He was so absorbed in his own issues that he put aside the concerns of his much younger brother, resulting in frightening consequences. I would be a liar if I didn’t say what transpires to these boys didn’t make me cry. I’m sensitive so I cry easily but if children are put into harm it hits me even harder and these boys are young, especially Tad. It was dark, it was frightening, it was unsettling, and it made my heart pound, I didn’t know what was going to happen, this was only 40 pages and if this is an indication for what can happen in the longer tales, I have to say, I need to read them.
The idea that stories are more powerful than one tends to think and that we must be careful with them is such a strong lesson. I loved that Patrick used this to bring his tale to life. No story ever stays the same once its been released into the world and this story is a perfect example of just that.
It leaves on a very melancholy note with a hint of hope, and I have to say its very fitting for the entire tale. I loved that it wasn’t all cleaned up and instantly fixed. The consequences are going to last for a time and one of them has to live with that while facing it at the same time.
I would also like to say that I really really love the design choice for these covers.
An absolutely dark, creepy and unsettling short tale. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of Yarnsworld.
Intotheheartwyld 