Readers looking for their next collection of speculative fiction, suspense, mystery, and the supernatural that all come together to blend beautifully with science fiction…we’ve got you covered. Prepare to dive into author Annmarie SanSevero’s The Butterfly’s Stroke and Other Stories. This unique collection of short stories will draw you in and keep you eagerly page-turning to find out what happens next. There is something for everyone, and you won’t be disappointed with what you find.
The Butterfly’s Stroke and Other Stories draws the eye of readers with a dark background that immediately draws the eye. It exudes a sense of science fiction and a touch of foreboding with the ethereal elements in the background. Tiny butterflies flutter on the edges while a larger butterfly sits center stage.
Blacks, blues, whites, and flickers of red highlight the butterfly and draw the reader’s eye to it. The butterfly appears to float over a body of blue water that appears slightly agitated, closer to the shoreline in the distance. While the further out the water sits, the calmer its surface becomes.
The first story that readers are introduced to in The Butterfly’s Stroke and Other Stories is the namesake of the collection – The Butterfly’s Stroke. Author SanSevero gives readers an introduction where she shares some of the inspiration that led to the creation of this story. Author SanSevero gives us readers a bit of humor while also quickly piquing our interest in the upcoming story. An accidental injury that led to paralysis, but what if…there was a way to undo what was done?
“The Butterfly’s Stroke” is the story that is told from the third-person POV. The main character has suffered an injury that has left her paralyzed from the neck down. There is the possibility that a medical operation can restore her to being fully functional. Author SanSevero takes inspiration from Neuralink. But the author keeps the story original and engaging. How? By taking it in a direction that you’re not going to see coming.
The beauty of “The Butterfly’s Stroke” is more than just the engaging storytelling, but how the author SanSevero keeps readers guessing as to what the twist will be that comes. You’re going to imagine the typical “something goes wrong” and the operation has to be undone. But author SanSevero makes sure that what you get…is far from what you expect. Brace yourself for an unexpected ending.
The next story in The Butterfly’s Stroke and Other Stories is “A Living Client.” In the introduction to this short story, author SanSevero reveals that she had a tight deadline and wrote this story in less than 24 hours. This honestly works to smack your expectations down, but you’re going to be really surprised when you start reading.
“A Living Client” is an unexpectedly delightful mystery detective story about an investigator who is literally hoping and praying for a client to come in. Why? Well, he’s found himself in a rather dire financial situation. Is a loan shark coming to bully him for the money he owes? Nope! Due to a journalist “outing” Augustus as someone who talks to ghosts…well, clients became leery of him.
As you can imagine, that put a damper on business, and now the bills are staring him down. Hang tight, because this supernatural investigator is about to get a client who is going to challenge him with a very time-sensitive case. With the help of a haunted femur by the name of “Luke Thighwalker,” our main character will embark in a race against time to do what will seem impossible.
Honestly, if you can read the name – Luke Thighwalker and not have the strongest urge to pick this book up…we don’t know what to tell you. You get the sense that author SanSevero has a fun sense of humor and is possibly even a Star Wars fan. Blend that with the supernatural element woven into this story, and you have quite the tale.
“A Living Client” is an engaging mystery story that blends supernatural elements. Told from the third-person POV, this short story tells about a young woman seeking a specific family member in the hopes that they will be able to keep her alive. Readers can expect spirits, twists, and yet another unexpected ending. But it will definitely whet your appetite for more of these characters.
“Shattered” is the next story that readers will discover in The Butterfly’s Stroke and Other Stories. This particular story leans more towards YA than the previous stories in this collection. A young girl is trying to help her family achieve a better life by completing this school. But what would you do if you were pulled out to help some Psions fix something that should technically be unfixable? Would you go even knowing the risks? That if you fail, your family will never be able to get away from the mining planet, and that your mind will be wiped of what you’ve learned?
The intrigue is strong with “Shattered.” There is a strong sense of danger that will draw you into the story and keep you glued to the pages as you page-turn to find out what will happen next. Similar to the other stories in The Butterfly’s Strokes and Other Stories, this story is told from the third-person POV. Claudia is an interesting character, and this story holds the potential to be a full length novel if not a series, should author SanSevero so choose.
We could go on about each story you’ll discover in The Butterfly’s Strokes and Other Stories, but then what would you have to discover for yourself? Each of the stories in this collection has similar attributes, and those are that each of the stories is told from the third-person POV.
Each story found within The Butterfly’s Strokes and Other Stories gives readers a unique storyline that ranges from medical science fiction to supernatural with a touch of fantasy. These stories will draw you in and, more often than not, leave you wanting more. Author SanSevero tells readers that there are specific stories that she intends to expand upon, so there is much to look forward to.
Readers who enjoy discovering new stories will not want to miss out on The Butterfly’s Strokes and Other Stories. Settle in for drama, twists, well-placed humor, and endings that will leave you eager for more. By the time you finish reading The Butterfly’s Strokes and Other Stories, you’ll be eagerly looking forward to author SanSevero’s upcoming works, and exploring previous works to tide you over.
Pros:
- Engaging storylines
- Unique cast of characters throughout.
- Potential for stories to be expounded upon, so there is something for readers to look forward to.
- Page-turner
- Easy to read.
Cons:
- A couple of stories lacked detail, which left us wanting more.
Scribble's Worth 