The book's title hints at the content, but it doesn't even scratch the
surface of what is between the sheets. As a reader who enjoys short stories, I
found this edition full of literary gold. All the contents are fun to read and
thought provoking, and there is something for nearly everyone. The stories are
quite diverse and include, along with sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and a western.
One thing all the stories are thrilling reads.
The opening tale is about a 14-year-old kid whose weird uncle Bob
disappears. Max misses his uncle and intends to find him when he gets messages
from Bob on his electronic devices. What follows are stories from other portals
that may or may not be from another plane of existence.
From the blurb on the back of the book, here is a small sampling of the
eleven stories in this volume...
- A man returns to consciousness with a slowly returning memory and a body
that doesn't function normally.
- A college student working overnight at a convenience store faces an
unspeakable terror.
- After attending his best friend's funeral, a young man confronts grief,
guilt, and a ghostly apparition.
- A band of killers track a desperado across the desert and to a deserted
mission, where a final showdown ensues.
- Strange music draws a young boy to an old mill in his town, where he is
presented with a wondrous new world and a tough choice.
And that barely describes the contents. There is so much more.
My favorite story of this collection is entitled Happy Camper. 24-year-old
Ronnie reluctantly agrees to go camping with a couple of his friends. Normally,
Ronnie spends his free time in his apartment gaming. When the trip begins, he
is overwhelmed by everything he encounters. Every noise and movement cause him
anxiety. He finds himself surrounded by nature and is experiencing nearly
everything for the first time, and he is not enjoying his experience. He longs
for the familiar surroundings of the city.
What happens to Ronnie is a kind of transformation as he discovers things
about himself and what he is actually capable of.
My takeaway from Happy Camper is to always remain open to new and unfamiliar
experiences. You never know what you might learn about yourself and others as
well.
I recommend Portals of the Mind for any reader who enjoys a good short story
collection. It is entertaining, and sometimes a little scary. Every story is a
gem. The world building is excellent and the characters are fascinating.
Stephen knows how to create characters a reader can care about in a very short
space. I had a lot of fun reading this collection.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
To find out more about Stephen Wise and his work, visit StephenJWise.com
Well, there it is...
Qapla!
A wonderful short story! 🥰
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