Book Reviews and More: CAG - Richard Paolinelli - Dreams Of The Storyteller Book 12

Saturday 18 November 2023

CAG - Richard Paolinelli - Dreams Of The Storyteller Book 12

CAG

Dreams Of The Storyteller Book 12

Richard Paolinelli

Tuscany Bay Books

ASIN B0CDRC8FL8

I have now read over half of the 20 stories in this series. Each story has been different, and they have all been excellent. My introduction to Richard’s works was a piece in the anthology Cracked. I have picked up several anthologies he has contributed to, that I have not got around to reading yet. I have also read 2 novel, Galen’s Way, and Galen’s Blade and eagerly await the two forthcoming offerings in that series. I have also picked up several of his other novels after reading the first few stories in this series.

After the few stories by Paolinelli I have read I am now trying to read one a week until I have read his whole back catalogue. Several of his stories and novels are towards the top of my ‘to be read pile’.

Richard is not only an author but the driving force behind Tuscany Bay Books, I have read many volumes from the Bay by a number of authors and all have been well worth the read. This was one of several new short stories that dropped in the collection Dreams Of The Storyteller. There are now 20 volumes in that collection, the first 2 date from 2014, 1 from 2022, and the rest have dropped in 2023.

After reading the first story I went back and grabbed the whole collection. Much like I did with Declan Finn last year with reading a story a week until I have read all he has published.

At the time of reading this I have read 389 books so far this year. This is an excellent story from Paolinelli’s masterful pen. I said in a previous review that I have been aware of Richard and his works for a few years now. It is my loss that I did not dig into his works earlier. Don’t make my mistake, pick some up and give them a read! The description of this story is:

“Air Group Commander Robert "CAG" Carrington serves in the United States Space Force in the early 22nd Century. While on normal near-Earth patrol he and his wingman are informed of the approach of an asteroid on a direct collision course with Earth.

As their attempts to stop the planet killer fail, Carrington is left with one final option. As every pilot knows, there is always one way to hit the target.”

This story originally was published in Space Force: Building The Legacy from Midlands Scribes Publishing. I do not have the anthology it came from but it is on my list to get around to eventually.

This story is written in a classic science fiction style. It takes me back to a lot of the stories I first read when I overcame my dyslexia. It is a very powerful and deeply moving story. You really feel for the two pilots and the situation they find themselves in. It is an excellent read. And to be honest I wish there were more stories available with these characters, I would love to see what Paolinelli would write about the CAG at the beginning of his career, or even his son’s turn to be CAG. I would love to see other stories set in this world.

It is a excellent short story, and leaves you wanting more. This was a story that as soon as I finished it; it went back into the ‘to be read’ pile. I have a feeling that once I have read the 20 volumes in the Dreams of a Storyteller Series, I will circle back and reread them in publication order. This is an excellent story in a wonderful collection. I can easily recommend it for fans of science fiction or anyone who loves a great short story!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!

For reviews of all books from Tuscany Bay click here.

Books by Richard Paolinelli:

Maelstrom

When the Gods Fell

The Calling

The Last Lonely Trail

A Zombie Christmas Carol

The Woman Returns

…

Infinity Series:

Escaping Infinity