Writing's been in the doldrums again lately. With that in mind, I decided to catch up on some reading and recently obtained an interesting historical fiction anthology called The Ring. Published to raise funds for The Reading Agency, the anthology is comprised of ten short stories which feature a ring associated with Fortuna, the Roman goddess of luck.
This post is part of a "Reading Between the Lines" blog tour, organised by Lynsey Adams.
Foreword
At The Reading Agency, we believe in the proven power of reading to deliver social and personal change. Yet we know that too many adults and children struggle to develop reading habits. With national data showing a decline in reading engagement, too many people are missing out on the transformative benefits of reading to improve our happiness, our health, and to thrive. This is where our work begins.
For over 20 years, we have partnered with public libraries to run initiatives like the Summer Reading Challenge for children and Reading Ahead for adults. These programmes encourage reading for pleasure, helping to build confidence, develop literacy skills, and foster lifelong reading habits. Research shows that those who participate read more frequently, gain confidence, and feel more positive about books. By expanding access to reading beyond the classroom or workplace, we help people unlock new opportunities and experiences through books.
Our partnership with public libraries is at the heart of our mission. Through our collaboration with them, we increase access to books and literacy support, ensuring that reading is a source of enjoyment, not frustration. As democratic access points to reading and knowledge, our work with libraries not only helps bridge educational gaps for children but also supports adults in developing their literacy skills, boosting employability, and enhancing mental well-being.
This anthology resonates with our mission. Just as the gold ring in these stories is passed down and shared through generations, so too should the joy of reading. The support of all the authors who have contributed to this helps us to reach and connect with even more people across our communities.
From all of us at The Reading Agency – to all of you reading these stories - thank you for being part of this important effort. Together, we can make reading a lifelong habit for all with libraries at the heart.
Blurb
Forged over 2000 years ago, when Rome was still a republic, a simple gold ring was inscribed with the name and symbol of Fortuna, capricious goddess of fate. From the seven hills of Ancient Rome, to the streets of modern day New York, the ring passes from hand to hand, through the centuries, shaping destinies and unveiling secrets.
A Roman patrician gambles his future on its luck. A crusading knight takes it from the finger of a slain foe. A child is gifted it by a soldier in the Thirty Years War and trusts it to keep her father safe. A jeweller takes it to America in the Gilded Age seeking a new life. Each tale is a moment in time, a new wearer, and a twist of fate—sometimes fortune smiles, but all too often the ring brings ill luck.
In these stories, history seems driven by the will of chance. Those who possess the ring seek to shape their own destinies, but it is always Fortuna herself who has the final say.
With contributions from Alistair Forrest, Fiona Forsyth, Jacquie Rogers, Alistair Tosh, Graham Brack, Eleanor Swift-Hook, Mark Turnbull, Maggie Richell-Davies, Robert Bordas and Val Penny this is a spellbinding anthology of interconnected short stories, where luck is never what it seems.
Review
This was a truly gripping read that I couldn't put down during my first time. As mentioned above, all the stories follow the ring of Fortuna as it's passed along different owners in different eras. The ten stories are all self-contained, but each one features the ring in some way. I think that's a nifty way to connect them.
I'll talk about some of my favourites:
The Wheel of Fortune (Alastair Forrest): The first story in the anthology, which takes place in 44 BCE, during the immediate aftermath of the assassination of Julius Caesar. Tiro, a servant of the Roman statesman Cicero, meets with Decimus Junius Brutus, one of the assassins involved in the conspiracy. The pair discuss the latter's relationship with Caesar, and the victim's possession of the Fortuna Ring. The discussion of the ring provides an almost magical aspect while still remaining down to earth.
Fortuna's Fool (Eleanor Swift-Hook): This story takes place in 1633 during the Siege of Nancy and follows a mercenary named Danny Bristow as he acquires the ring while gambling. While the first portion is mostly exposition, it's nonetheless built up well as Danny gets embroiled in an intrigue with his gambling opponent and three friends. I really enjoyed the Alexandre Dumas-esque feel to this particular story.
Hunter's Luck (Val Penny): The final story in the anthology, and part of Val's Hunter Wilson series of mysteries. Taking place in the present day, we follow Detective Inspector Hunter Wilson and Dr Meera Sharma as they go on a trip to New York. When the Ring of Fortuna ends up in Hunter's possession, he's framed for a murder and must clear his name with the help of his team members Tim Myerscough and Winston "Bear" Zewedu. Val's always good at creating vivid characters and dialogue, and this story delivers on that front.
The Ring is available on Amazon here, and I highly recommend picking it up.
To see the authors' other works, you can find their Amazon pages below:
- Alastair Forrest (The Wheel of Fortune)
- Fiona Forsyth (Ovid Buys a Ring)
- Jacquie Rogers (Home to Palmyra)
- Alistair Tosh (Andreas)
- Graham Black (A Matter of Balance)
- Eleanor Swift-Hook (Fortuna's Fool)
- Mark Turnbull (Of Gold and Grief)
- Maggie Richell-Davis (Hide and Seek)
- Robert Bordas (The Bequest)
- Val Penny (Hunter's Luck)
Happy writing.
