Time is for Dragonflies and Angels by J.M. Erickson is a beautiful offering for fans of sci-fi and fantasy who are also into short stories and novellas. The collection features powerful themes, including parallel universes, man’s struggle to come to grips with his human predicament, racial discrimination, and many more. This collection has a lot to offer readers with diverse tastes. Those who enjoy dystopian themes will feel very comfortable with "Rogue Event," featuring the game that many people are familiar with, the struggle for control where a select group wants to control the workings of the lives of others. Read about a widower and an autistic young man in a one-of-a-kind adventure to find meaning in "Recount Our Dreams." "The Gray" is a moving tale that features the mechanics of bias, of racism, and beautifully portrays how a group can elect itself as the judge of others based on what makes them look different. And there is more!
J.M. Erickson shows great mastery in the art of the short story and scores great success when it comes to purposeful writing, for besides the entertainment the stories offer, there are lessons and values that can benefit readers enormously. The writing is beautiful and engaging, and the stories are fast-paced. These stories are well structured to keep the reader’s interest constant, exciting and arousing the desire to know what happens next. The characters are well developed and some will linger in the minds of readers for a long time after they have finished reading. Time is for Dragonflies and Angels is a gorgeous collection that I’d gladly recommend to anyone who loves short stories. – 5 Stars, Divine Zape, Readers’ Favorite Reviews
Time is for Dragonflies and Angels by J.M. Erickson is a compilation of imaginative sci-fi short stories and novellas that will give fans of the genre thought-provoking and inspiring tales. It starts with "Recount Our Dreams," a great story regarding parallel universes and a man who gains something in return after the loss of his family. In "Neurogenesis," the life of a kind man with intellectual developmental disorder is changed forever by a strange encounter while working as a cleaner at the MIT.
"Rogue Event" is a fascinating novella that takes place in the 22nd century where Earth is united into one global organization. The urban dwellers focus on business operations and productivity, but their strict rules as a corporate society are rejected by the lunar colonies and the underground citizens. When a mysterious rogue planet appears, global disaster is inevitable and their survival instinct is greatly tested. "To See Behind Walls" is a Walter Mitty-inspired story about a suburban father and loving husband with things to do around the house on a cold, winter Saturday morning.
My favorite is "The Gray." Amber the Elder needs to decide the fate of the planet TN-7, where two different races but similar species are at war with each other. The discovery of a third race on the planet leads to a favorable judgment from the wise elder. It’s a story that excellently reflects our society in terms of looking beyond our differences. Overall, every story focuses on the extent of our ability to adapt as human beings, including the ethical message of compassion, determination and tolerance. Erickson’s knowledge in the cognitive field clearly shows and makes each story much more substantial. Time is for Dragonflies and Angels is highly engaging and enjoyable, with great concepts and story lines as well as clear-cut and flawless prose. – 5 Stars, Divine Zape, Readers’ Favorite Reviews
Publisher: J.M. Erickson
ISBN - 13: 978-1-942708-24-7 (ePub)
ISBN - 13: 978-1-942708-25-4 (Softcover)
Publication Date: October 3, 2016
Pages: 240 pages
Cost: $10.99