Side Quest: Stories
Side Quest: Stories is the award-winning fantasy, horror, and science fiction short story collection from Jalyn Renae Fiske.
FINALIST in 2026 Whistler Independent Book Award - Fiction
FINALIST in 2025 Chanticleer International Book Award - Collections and Anthologies
2nd PLACE in 2025 BookFest Book Award - Short Story Collections
GOLD Winner in 2025 Literary Titan Book Award - July Selection
GOLD Winner in 2024 Reader Views Literary Award - Short Story Collections
REGIONAL Winner in 2024 Reader Views Literary Award - South Region (US)
Inside Scoop Live Award for Most Innovative Short Story Collection
The Better-Faster Academy Achievement Award for Outstanding Debut Author
Order online from B&N, Interabang Books, Bookshop.org, Amazon, and more. Any bookstore can order it by request.
Find it on shelves at Powell's City of Books in Portland, Neighbor Books in McKinney, Crow Hollow Bookshop in Allen, and ArtbyMalm in Midland.
From JoAnne Tompkins, the bestselling author of What Comes After:
"Gorgeously written, wondrous and harrowing, Jalyn Renae Fiske’s SIDE QUEST: STORIES is filled with characters isolated from their true selves. Whether a creature who kills and drinks the blood of martyrs or a child grappling with the crimes of her father, the protagonists of these stories long to break free of the trap of their lives and distorted beliefs and identities. Dark, raw and radiant."
From the editors of The Sockdolager:
"Deliciously creepy."
From G.G. Silverman, author of The Blood Year Daughter:
"A strong new addition to the world of fantastical fiction, Fiske’s SIDE QUEST: STORIES is deeply steeped in magic and heart. A lyrical, enchanting voice that’s equal parts humorous and haunting, Fiske reminds us what it is to be truly human, and how to be true to our own quests."
What Readers are Saying...
“This is a delightful collection of stories. My favorites were 'Entwined,' 'A Grave of Wind and Leaves,' 'Emry the One Who Remembered' and 'Dragon Disposal.' But picking just a few is hard. The stories vary from grim and disturbing to some showcasing growth, self-realization and hope. I will be picking this up again and again.”
- Goodreads reviewer
“Side Quest: Stories had a strong lineup of short stories. Each story was unique, horrifying, and engaging in their own way. A personal favorite was the short story "Verity's Faery Teas" where it explored the usage of faeries much like how the real world uses animals. Honestly for having multiple, and very different stories, all in one book, they still contributed to a unified theme."
- LibraryThing reviewer
“I happened across Fiske's table at a local book market and was intrigued. Dark fantasy and sci-fi are right up my alley and this collection of short stories didn't disappoint. Each story was so different that I never knew what I was in for next, yet they all fit so nicely together. Fiske, you've inspired me to want to write again, thank you.”
- Goodreads reviewer
“Narrated by a truly gifted storyteller, with excellent world-building, quirky characters and dark, casual cruelty that leaves the reader gasping with stunned incredulity. I am sure I will never be able to view a fairy cake in quite the same light as I used to!
Recommended for lovers of the unusual, the quirky, the weird.”
- LibraryThing reviewer