The Sum of Us: Tales of the Bonded and Bound (Laksa Anthology Series: Speculative Fiction)

Recommended by Publishers Weekly 2018 Alberta Book Publishing Award (Best Speculative Fiction Book) Finalist Nominated for 2018 (Canadian SF&F) Aurora Award (Best Related Work/Anthology) One story selected for Best of British Science Fiction 2017 (ed. by Donna Scott, Aug 2018) One story selected for Best Indie Speculative Fiction, Vol. 1 (Bards & Sages Publishing, Nov 2018) Explore the depth and breadth of giving and of caring and delve into the world of caregivers--where they can be funny, sad, or heartwarming--with twenty-three original thought-provoking and moving stories. A henchman looks after an aged supervillain. A soldier in charge of the governor's children. A cat helps his patients pass on. An android tends to a terminally ill patient. A service dog looks after an ice hockey player. A young apprentice guides a blind welder in space. An old couple with diminished capabilities depend on each other to survive an earthquake. An aging tutor overcomes the reservation of her pupil to build a submersible vessel. A hospice director trying to do the right thing. A pious monk makes the ultimate decision. And many more. The world of caregivers and unsung heroes, the province of ghosts . . . Who are THE SUM OF US? Children giving care. Dogs and cats giving care. Sidekicks, military, monks, ghosts, robots. Even aliens. Care given by lovers, family, professionals. Caregivers who can no longer give. Caregivers who make the decision not to give, and the costs and the consequences that follow. Bound to us by invisible bonds, but with lives, dreams, and passions of their own. If we believe that we are the protagonists of our lives, then caregivers-our pillars-are ghosts, the bit players, the stock characters, the secondary supports, living lives of quiet trust and toil in the shadows. Summoned to us by the profound magic of great emotional, physical, or psychological need, they play their roles, and when our need diminishes . . . The caregivers fade. These are their stories. AUTHORS: Colleen Anderson, Charlotte Ashley, Brenda Cooper, Ian Creasey, A.M. Dellamonica, Bev Geddes, Claire Humphrey, Sandra Kasturi, Tyler Keevil, Juliet Marillier, Matt Moore, Heather Osborne, Nisi Shawl, Alex Shvartsman, Kate Story, Karina Sumner-Smith, Amanda Sun, Hayden Trenholm, James Van Pelt, Liz Westbrook-Trenholm, Edward Willett, Christie Yant, and Caroline M. Yoachim Introduction by Dominik Parisien Edited by Susan Forest and Lucas K. Law Anthologies in this series (Strangers Among Us, The Sum of Us, Where the Stars Rise) have been recommended by Publishers Weekly, Booklist (American Library Association), Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, School Library Journal, Locus, Foreword Reviews, and Quill & Quire. PRAISE FOR THE SUM OF US "This is overall a strong collection . . . make it worth reading." - Publishers Weekly " . . . so definitely consider buying a copy, if not for yourself, then for someone who is serving as a caretaker. Hopefully the stories can serve as comfort to them. At the very least, it should make us all appreciate caretakers for all they do." - Lightspeed Magazine "This anthology was one of the better ones, with no 'howlers' and several thought provoking page-turners." -Tangent Juliet Marillier, New Zealand born, Australian resident, writes historical fantasy novels and short stories, mostly for adult readers. Her work is published internationally and has won numerous awards. Juliet's lifelong love of folklore, fairy tales and mythology is a major influence on her writing. Among her works are the Blackthorn & Grim series, the Sevenwaters series and the Shadowfell series. She is a member of OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.) When not busy writing, Juliet looks after her crew of five rescue dogs.