I honestly had to idea what to expect from this book having missed the others, but I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by what I ended up reading, I won’t go into detail because I hate when people do that but I will say that the book is worth reading, so much so that I’ll be getting the first two in the series.

When I stumbled upon "Of Gods and Globes III," it was purely by chance. Intrigued by the mention of Andrew Najberg's contribution, I decided to give this anthology a shot. Little did I know, I was about to embark on a journey filled with captivating tales that would leave a lasting impression.

The subtitle, "Trigger Warnings and The Abyss," may seem peculiar at first glance, but within the pages of this anthology, it serves as a gateway to a realm where astrological influences intertwine with science fiction in unexpected ways. While the theme itself may appear unconventional, it proves to be a fertile ground for a diverse array of stories that defy expectations.

Schaubert provides an introduction that sheds light on the chosen theme, but as I delved into the stories, I found that whether taken literally or metaphorically, it mattered little. Each tale stood on its own merits, offering unique perspectives and imaginative narratives that kept me engrossed from start to finish.

The length and style of the stories vary greatly, ensuring a dynamic reading experience. While the quality may fluctuate, the majority of the tales succeeded in entertaining and intriguing me. Among the standout stories, "We Have No Spare Parts" by Andrew Najberg stands out as a brilliant and thought-provoking piece. Donna J. W. Munro's "The Mistress of the Labyrinth" captivated me with its mystery and inventiveness, while F. C. Shultz's "Mazzaroth Falls" offered a grand space opera infused with religious themes. Lastly, Chuck Boeheim's "Charon" masterfully combines elements of horror and science fiction, leaving a lasting impression with its memorable narrative.

As someone who approached this anthology with no preconceived notions, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and variety of the stories within. While I won't delve into specifics to avoid spoilers, I will say that "Of Gods and Globes III" is a worthy addition to any science fiction enthusiast's library. So much so, that I now find myself eager to explore the first two entries in the series.

In conclusion, "Of Gods and Globes III" offers a captivating blend of imaginative storytelling and thematic exploration. With its diverse collection of tales, it proves to be a delightful read that challenges perceptions and leaves a lasting impression on its readers.

I ended up reading the third entry of the 'Of Gods and Globes' anthology when Andrew Najberg mentioned he had a story in it. It turned out that, on top of his amazing story, there are a lot of good stories contained in this tome! “Trigger Warnings and The Abyss” was a rather bizarre subtitle, but, that said, even the theme of the anthology (astrological influences, taken in a wide sense) is a bit strange as a theme for science fiction stories, There's an introduction where some details are given and some things are explained about the choice of theme, but otherwise it really doesn't matter all that much whether you go for the literal or a metaphorical interpretation. I myself enjoyed the stories either way. The length varies; the point of each story varies widely; the quality also varies; but overall, a couple of stories excepted, I was consistently entertained and intrigued by most of the tales. In particular, I'd recommend “We Have No Spare Parts” by Andrew Najberg, a very smart story, “The Mistress of the Labyrinth” by Donna J. W. Munro, very mysterious and inventive, “Mazzaroth Falls” by F. C. Shultz, a space operatic, religion-themed story with a large-scale perspective, and “Charon” by Chuck Boeheim, combining horror and science fiction in a terrific and memorable way!

Short stories anthologies are not normally my preferred reading. Though I have always admired the author’s skill to produce a whole story in just a few words. Having been given the chance to look at this book I found I kept coming back to it. I would read one or two of the stories, then a week or a few weeks later some more. The stories are varied and interesting. Some about gods, others about finding some sort of fulfilment in one’s life. Overall worthwhile reading. Thank you to Lancelot Schaubert and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.