Calvaria Fell - by Cat Sparks & Kaaron Warren (Paperback)

About the Book

"Calvaria Fell is a stunning collaborative collection of weird tales from two acclaimed authors, Kaaron Warren and Cat Sparks. It features previously published stories from both authors, along with a new novella by Kaaron Warren and four new stories by Cat Sparks. The collection offers a glimpse into a chilling future world that is similar to our own. Readers will be drawn into experiences at once familiar and bizarre, where our choices have far-reaching consequences and the environment is a force to be reckoned with. The title of the collection tethers these stories to a shared space. The calvaria is the top part of the skull, comprising five plates that fuse together in the first few years of life. Story collections work like this; disparate parts melding together to make a robust and sturdy whole. The calvaria tree, also known as the dodo tree, adapted to being eaten by the now-extinct dodo bird; its seeds need to pass through the bird's digestive tract in order to germinate. In a similar way, the stories in Calvaria Fell reflect the idea of adaptation and the consequences of our actions in a changing world. Calvaria Fell is a haunting and thought-provoking collection that will linger in readers' minds long after the final page has been turned"--]cProvided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Calvaria Fell is a stunning collaborative collection of weird tales from two acclaimed authors, Kaaron Warren and Cat Sparks. It features previously published stories from both authors, along with a new novella by Kaaron Warren and four new stories by Cat Sparks. The collection offers a glimpse into a chilling future world that is similar to our own. Readers will be drawn into experiences at once familiar and bizarre, where our choices have far-reaching consequences and the environment is a force to be reckoned with. The title of the collection tethers these stories to a shared space. The calvaria is the top part of the skull, comprising five plates that fuse together in the first few years of life. Story collections work like this; disparate parts melding together to make a robust and sturdy whole. The calvaria tree, also known as the dodo tree, adapted to being eaten by the now-extinct dodo bird; its seeds need to pass through the bird's digestive tract in order to germinate. In a similar way, the stories in Calvaria Fell reflect the idea of adaptation and the consequences of our actions in a changing world.

Review Quotes

"This weird fiction will glue you to the page. ... the starkness threats of the future transmute through the lens of potential, courage and invention. A richly rewarding, unique blend of writerly duet."--Aurealis Magazine

"Thoughtful takes on futures wracked with environmental challenges ... consistently original ... the stories evoke recognizably human responses to adverse conditions. Even with the duo of authors, this collection achieves remarkable coherence."--Publishers Weekly

"A powerful artistic impact ... Warren's storytelling often leans towards the psychological and the hauntingly emotional, whereas Sparks's narratives tend to be more expansive, exploring societal and environmental dynamics in speculative settings. This distinction in their narrative approach offers a diverse reading experience within the shared thematic framework."--Science Fiction Short Story Reviews

"A highly recommended collection for fans of ecohorror, climate fiction, dystopian, science-fiction, cyberpunk and dark fantasy. An exciting new dark fiction collection focused on sociopolitical issues, climate destruction, questioning humanity and the future we create now for ourselves. A beautifully written and engaging series of stories that is as quick-paced as it is a thought-provoking read. Put this on your to-read list!"--Leanbh Pearson, author of The Ghost Warrior

"An interesting collection of speculative fiction tales from the world of weird. As with most collections of shorter stories this has it's gems nestled among the better than average line up."--Monty's Book Reviews

"Presents a deliciously dark future, filled with invasive plastic, faux paradises, abandoned malls, spy networks tucked amongst citizen enclaves, and manipulative experimentation, all wrapped up in the kindness and cruelty humanity has to offer to itself. Swinging from tender to horrifying, there's a story here for anyone whose reading tastes lean towards the dark, the dystopian, and the weird, with a healthy serving of contemplative speculation that will leave you thinking long after you leave the pages."
--Maggie Slater, author of The Showerlier and other stories

"All of the stories give glimpses of strange, post-apocalyptic places where everything's gone topsy-turvy, and throughout it all, the thought that this isn't really that far from reality is it? Yet despite the horrors, the resiliency of the characters gives hope that maybe, just maybe they (we) will find a way through. I highly recommend this collection for its top-notch writing, well-told stories, and dark, disturbing themes. Perfect for fans of weird and dark speculative fiction."--Tkentwrites​

About the Author

Cat Sparks is a multi-award-winning Australian author, editor and artist. Cat's debut novel, Lotus Blue (Skyhorse, 2017) was shortlisted for the Compton Crook, Aurealis and Ditmar Awards. Her collections, The Bride Price (Ticonderoga, 2013) and Dark Harvest (Newcon, 2020) were nominated for Aurealis Awards and won Ditmars for Best Collected Work in their respective years. Eighty of her short stories have been published since the turn of the millennium and her 25 awards for writing, editing and art include winning the Peter McNamara Conveners' Award twice. Shirley Jackson award-winner Kaaron Warren has published five multi-award winning novels (Slights, Walking the Tree, Mistification, The Grief Hole and Tide of Stone) and seven short story collections, including the multi-award winning Through Splintered Walls. Her most recent short story collection is A Primer to Kaaron Warren from Dark Moon Books. Her most recent novella, Into Bones Like Oil (Meerkat Press), was shortlisted for a Shirley Jackson Award and the Bram Stoker Award, winning the Aurealis Award. Her stories have appeared in multiple Year's Best anthologies.