Once, Twice, Thrice...: A Trio of Tales

Name: Once, Twice, Thrice...: A Trio of Tales
Price: 9.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781500749156

✍️ David J Gibbs

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$9.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

David J Gibbs offers three speculative tales blending urban fantasy and cosmic horror.

The collection examines how ordinary encounters trigger extraordinary consequences across different genres. One narrative moves from a city street to a parallel dimension, focusing on romantic obsession. Another contrasts childhood folklore with the isolation of space exploration. The final story uses rural travel to resolve professional stagnation through personal connection. Gibbs structures these pieces to show how the supernatural intrudes on daily life. The work does not rely on complex world-building but rather on immediate emotional stakes. Readers will find a mix of psychological tension and genre conventions. The author’s background in Cincinnati informs the urban elements of the first tale.

Key Themes

folklore space outpost writer's block

Literary Context

David J Gibbs is described as one of Cincinnati's most imaginative authors. The book was published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform in 2014. It represents a period where independent publishing allowed regional voices to reach wider audiences without traditional gatekeepers.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Neil Gaiman · Shirley Jackson · Stephen King

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2014 📖 254 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781500749156

📝 Description: Once, Twice, Thrice...: A Trio of Tales

David J Gibbs presents a collection of speculative fiction in Once, Twice, Thrice. The author is identified as one of Cincinnati's most imaginative writers. This volume contains three distinct narratives that explore supernatural and science fiction themes. The first story follows Everett, who experiences a chance street encounter that transports him to another world. He becomes entranced by the woman he meets there. The second tale shifts to a harrowing scenario in space. A young boy’s fascination with folklore becomes critical when the last outpost in the solar system faces danger from an object drifting through the void. The third narrative focuses on a writer suffering from creative block. He travels to the country and meets someone who sparks more than his imagination. This book suits readers interested in short-form speculative fiction that blends urban fantasy with cosmic horror. It may not appeal to those seeking long, continuous novels or hard science fiction without mythological elements. The collection is organized as a triptych of separate stories rather than a single unified plot. Gibbs uses these varied settings to examine how personal connections intersect with the unknown.

💎 Our verdict on Once, Twice, Thrice...: A Trio of Tales

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

David J Gibbs delivers a compelling trio of tales that effectively merge urban fantasy with cosmic horror. The collection succeeds by focusing on immediate emotional stakes rather than intricate world-building, allowing supernatural elements to intrude seamlessly into daily life. Everett’s journey from a city street to a parallel dimension captures romantic obsession, while the space-bound narrative contrasts childhood folklore with isolation. The final story addresses creative stagnation through personal connection. Gibbs structures these pieces to examine how ordinary encounters trigger extraordinary consequences. This volume suits readers who appreciate psychological tension and genre conventions in short-form speculative fiction. It is best enjoyed by those who favor atmospheric storytelling over plot-heavy narratives, offering a mix of dread and introspection.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy short-form speculative fiction will find value in this triptych of separate stories that blend urban fantasy with cosmic horror. The collection appeals to those interested in how personal connections intersect with the unknown, offering immediate emotional stakes rather than complex world-building. It is ideal for fans of psychological tension and genre conventions who appreciate narratives where ordinary encounters trigger extraordinary consequences. Those seeking long, continuous novels or hard science fiction without mythological elements may find it less suitable, but enthusiasts of dark fantasy and ghost stories will likely engage with the varied settings and the author’s examination of romantic obsession and isolation.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

David J Gibbs delivers a compelling trio of tales that effectively merge urban fantasy with cosmic horror. The collection succeeds by focusing on immediate emotional stakes rather than intricate world-building, allowing supernatural elements to intrude seamlessly into daily life. Everett’s journey from a city street to a parallel dimension captures romantic obsession, while the space-bound narrative contrasts childhood folklore with isolation. The final story addresses creative stagnation through personal connection. Gibbs structures these pieces to examine how ordinary encounters trigger extraordinary consequences. This volume suits readers who appreciate psychological tension and genre conventions in short-form speculative fiction. It is best enjoyed by those who favor atmospheric storytelling over plot-heavy narratives, offering a mix of dread and introspection.