“CEA Greatest Anthology Written” is a remarkable book for a
number of reasons. This massive anthology of short stories of every conceivable
genre was compiled by Shaun M. Jooste of Celenic Earth Publications for the
purpose of breaking a Guinness World Record. With over 100 short stories, this
volume can also assist in building up one’s biceps – the hard copy is the size
of the Manhattan phone book and weighs 3.5 pounds. While the book is offered in
kindle for 99 cents, I chose the hard copy for $20, well worth the price.
The compilation is written by writers from all over the
world and includes stories on romance, crime, mystery and psychological
thrillers, fantasy, horror, and science fiction. The style and sophistication
of the stories vary from author to author but overall it is quite a bargain.
For sure, it will take months to read every offering in this 551 page book.
Some of the best suggestions include the gripping fantasy, “The Evening Star”,
by Amanda Desiree; the bizarre “The Ruination Theater” by Adrian Johnson; and
“The Detour” by Donna Marie West, a suspenseful crime story.
Fiction lovers will surely enjoy “CEA” additionally because all of
the stories can be read in one sitting, which Poe believed to be a crucial
aspect of the short story. For the most part, these are obscure writers, many
of which undoubtedly used pseudonyms, but they deserve to be read, and it is
hoped will produce more fine tales.
