Bitmo Sunday book review

Sunday Book Review – Jumped by a Deadly Cholla by John Maberry – #shortstories #speculative Sci-fi

Published on by dgkaye

My Sunday book review is for John Maberry’s new release – Jumped by a Deadly Cholla. This is just one of eleven stories with twisted endings in this collection of speculative and science fiction. As many of you will know, I am not a sci-fi reader, but my friend John has recently released this collection of short stories and asked if I’d read and review. He is a wonderful storyteller.

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Blurb:

Cactus roots draw microbes from a meteorite—Lois nearly dies. One of eleven stories in a diverse collection of speculative fiction. A potpourri of fantasy and SF. Humor and horror. Supernatural and time-travel. Quick reads from flash fiction through short works, but a novelette too. Like twists? Find them here.

Jack hears the Dog Star’s Bark; an invite from the sun goddess of Sirius—a funny story. The Wishing Bell—evilreminiscent of The Monkey’s Paw. A sentient (alien) shrub offers gene modification tools in Climate Crisis Changes Humans. Werewolves—good ones and bad, in Dog Is my Copilot.

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My 5 Star Review:

Maberry is known for his speculative and science fiction short stories. In this new collection of stories, he takes us in to some strange environments with his stories, a mixed bag of funny to scary to things that leave you thinking. You will find stories about a deadly Cholla plant, werewolves, vampires, time travel, and a trip into the future after climate change has reached its capacity, if you enjoy futuristic and sci-fi stories, you will enjoy this book.

A few notable stories: A Climate Crisis Changes Humans – In the 22nd century devastation left from the previous century, Grelm says, “The humanoids will listen now.” Melanie and Josh discover a scentient plant. Fencing in The Sky – Big Sky county Montana, nobody needed fences. But a cyber scammer finds a way to sell his “BS Fencing” to the builder to include in the sale of land parcels complete with a digital fence.The Wishing Bell – Smitty is given a wishing bell and told he can make three wishes and must ring the bell after each one and must then pass the bell on to someone else and if not, there will be consequences. But after what happens after the first wish, Smitty decides he doesn’t want anymore wishes and doesn’t want to pass it on to anyone else. Jumped by a Deadly Cholla tells a story about a Cholla cactus plant that has injected some of its spores from a meteorite resting nearby, piercing Lois’s skin. These spores take on life by injecting humans through the Cholla barbs and poking the skin. Their aim is to take over the brain and thinking, but they need a host, and they find one in Lois as she brushed by it.

If you enjoy well written and intriguing themes for sci-fi short stories, you will enjoy this fun read.

©DGKaye2023

66 thoughts on “Sunday Book Review – Jumped by a Deadly Cholla by John Maberry – #shortstories #speculative Sci-fi”

  2. I’ve been bogged down with many other responsibilities lately, but I have John’s novel waiting in the wings.

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  5. This reminds me of some horror movies I have watched. It sounds like a fun read. Congratulations to John and thanks for sharing your thoughts, Debby. Great review.

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  8. With the word ‘cholla’ in the title, who could NOT give this book a second look? You also caught my attention with “climate change has reached its capacity”. What the heck is that???

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  10. I hope Deb’s arm has recovered after the twisting to take her to an alien genre (hahaha). 🙂 But seriously, thanks for reading and sharing a wonderful review with compliments to my writing skills. Eventually, mysteries and more memoirs will be coming. In the meantime, more psychological elements will be in the speculative fiction.

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    1. Thanks for the heads up on future stories John. I was happy to read and share with others. I know there are many sci-fi readers. And, my arm has recovered, lol. ❤

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  11. What a champ you are, Debby, reading books not in your comfort zone.

    I admire authors, like John Maberry, who have the imagination to write speculative and science fiction stories

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    1. Thank you Lauren. I know I sometimes surprise readers with something out of left field, but barely any sci-fi. Although I have enjoyed some short stories by a few in the genre. The only thing you will never see me reading, ever, is horror. ❤

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  13. Sounds a great book Debby and an author with a lovely Imagination is what takes us out of one reality into another .. And we need some light relief from the real toxic deadly world.. lol…
    Sending HUGS and hope you enjoyed your weekend Debby xx ❤

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  19. Thanks, Debs! And congratulations John. Also not my genre, but who could resist a story about A Chollah? One from Eric for you: “If you want to tickle someone’s fancy, try chicken soup with feathers!” Virtual hugs. xx

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  22. I just finished John’s collection “The Fountain” and this is a good reminder to get my review done. Sounds like an excellent read, Debby. I’m glad you enjoyed the stories and thanks for highlighting some stand-outs. Congrats to John on the excellent review. Hugs.

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  23. Pingback: DGKaye’s 5 Star Review of Jumped by a Deadly Cholla – John Maberry's Writing

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