"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, Fiske's genre-bending stories call to mind the work of Aimee Bender and Karen Russell and dive deep into the processing of grief and the paths to redemption. At the heart of each of these stories is a recognition that we share a unifying oneness no matter how foreign we may appear in our various guises." - JoAnne Tompkins, bestselling author of What Comes After

"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. I look forward to pressing this book into the hands of fellow readers-it's that good." - G.G. Silverman, finalist for the Dzanc Short Story Collection Prize, St. Lawrence Book Award, and SFWP Literary Award

"Deliciously creepy." - The Sockdolager