About Declan
Declan Cosson was born in Paris, France in 1999. He moved to Ireland in 2001 where he has lived ever since.
He attended Hollypark school between 2005 and 2012. He then attended Clonkeen College between 2012 and 2018. After that he studied English, Media and Cultural Studies in IADT between 2019 and 2022.
Collection of the Yearly Strange summary:
The Collection of the Yearly Strange is a short story collection that details terrifying encounters throughout history into the future. These tales will take you from the gas lit streets of the early 20th century London and then towards the deepest depths of the Atlantic Ocean and even to the furthest reaches of the Alpha Centauri.
Along the way, you will meet a plethora of creatures ranging from heroic humans to robotic and insectoid monstrosities to even alien invaders ready to abduct. Though the tools, culture and weapons may change throughout history, one constant in these tales remain: And that is that there is always something that goes bump in the night when you least expect it. Because of that these tales are not for the faint hearted.
Book Endorsment
“This is a great book to dip into and I’m looking forward to seeing some of these stories in The Yearly Strange extended in the future. The stories grow in strength from beginning to end.”
~ Barbara O Neill, Kent, Music Teacher, fan of fantasy fiction
“I have recently had the chance to read the tales of the yearly strange and shivered deliciously. Declan Cosson is a very promising young writer and his collection of short stories show a vivid imagination and a turn for the macabre and even a touch of pure horror. I know that I will not so easily forget his giant hornets nor his Chupacabra spiders. There is also a less sinister side in that bravery, friendship and kinship are important traits of character for the main protagonists. This is a collection that will appeal to young readers and I hope that Declan will continue to enthrall us with further collection. “
~ Barbara Vermersch, Normandy, English teacher
Ernst was, like many terrans, a fusion of identities…
Horror and humor subtly blend in The Collection of the Yearly Strange, by Declan Cosson. Incredible dialogues, gripping action scenes capture the reader all along unusual plots depicting most unexpected encounters through time and space.
Expect surprises, shocks, let your imagination reach out for unknown space realms, as Cosson´s narrator walks you through this page turner, always with the blink of an eye.
~ Heloisa Prieto, holder of awards for Brazilian literature, Brazilian author of The Musician (koehler books)
This is not a genre I normally read however, I found it to be well written and interesting. The characters were believable and engaging.
I found that, once I had started reading it, I was compelled to continue till the end.
I much enjoyed reading it and will recommend it to family and friends.
~ Angelina Kelly
Treat yourselves to a captivating collection of eight short stories by
Declan Cosson with Collection of the Yearly Strange. The book
opens with Night of the Sandman, where a mother draws on her wit
and courage to fight and fend off a monster trying to kill her son.
In That’s No Storm, a US military helicopter crashes over Normandy in
the 60s, unleashing a storm of hornets that puts everyone’s lives in danger.
In the distant future, a human submarine crew fighting
against the robotic regime comes across a prehistoric monster in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean in Bloop.
Finally, Icarus follows a
Solaran warrior and his friend as they march into battle against the reptilian Drakkar far into the future in the Alpha Centauri star
system.
Using diverse settings, characters, and timelines, Declan Cosson ensures the book lives up to its title and tells eight fascinating
stories bound to satiate your appetite for the eerie and the atypical.
Collection of the Yearly Strange delivers absorbing short stories
brewed with a swirling mix of genres, including sci-fi, horror, and fantasy.
From monsters roaming the streets of London during the
Great War to the intergalactic battles between different alien
species in Alpha Centauri, the settings and timelines vary in
extremes, seamlessly switching tonal shifts as you finish one story and start another.
Overall, this is the perfect collection every short story reader loves. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and you should too.
~ Pikasho Deka
Blood and death are the foundation upon which civilization is built and preserved. Commander Rufus Thorne is troubled as the battle
for Edinburg rages on in Blood and Gears by Declan Cosson.
The machines have the upper hand. Can the flying fortress intervene and save the day? Legionnaires are the key to this fight.
Zach joins the legionnaires after the death of Hans and is assigned to the
alpha squad. Can Zach measure up to their standards? Will he add value to the battle for St. Petersburg against the onslaught of the
machines? The black mouth is a monstrosity made to turn the tide of the Third World War, but now it seems invisible in its destruction of humanity. Can it be stopped?
Blood and Gears by Declan Cosson is a meticulously written work of science fiction that details the fight between humans and machines
that have gone rogue. The story is entertaining and thought provoking, especially now that Artificial Intelligence is being
developed at an alarming speed. It got me thinking not only about the benefits of technology but also about its downside.
With his vivid descriptions of the events and the battles, Declan captures the reader’s imagination. The characters are also well-developed,
and the plotline is flawless and flows seamlessly. I would love to see a movie based on this book.
Declan has also used easy-to understand language in the book, which makes the story accessible to any reader. I can’t wait to read something else from Declan
~ Frank Mutuma
The Claíomh Solais by Declan Cosson is an epic fantasy set in early 20th-century Ireland. The story follows sixteen-year-old Damien O’Laoghaire, who, while working on an archaeological dig, discovers
the legendary Claíomh Solais sword.
Alongside his brother Seosamh
and the enigmatic English archaeologist Eric Trent, Damien learns that their discovery has attracted the attention of the Fomorian
King Bres, who aims to destroy the sword and reclaim Ireland. To protect the sword and their country, Damien and Eric ally with the Society of Saint Patrick and other mythic allies, embarking on a
perilous journey filled with supernatural threats.
Author Declan Cosson’s imaginative blending of Irish mythology with early 20th-century settings creates a captivating and unique
fantasy world that I fell right into and never wanted to leave.
I loved the mixture of realistic recent historical events and mythical elements fashioned from folklore. Cosson provides a fresh perspective on classic fantasy tropes with new twists on how the concepts of prophecy, destiny, and power might play out.
Our young protagonist is well-penned to be highly relatable in his enthusiastic naivety, and as he is tested by the many exciting events of the plot and guided by the enigmatic Eric Trent, Damien grows into a young man you can really root for. The balance of dark, suspenseful moments with heroic themes offers a thrilling and emotionally resonant story that’s never over-dramatized, and the supernatural elements are well-grounded to keep us constantly believing in the power Damien has to become a true hero.
Overall, The Claíomh Solais is a highly recommended fantasy adventure for fans of mythology and action-packed novels.
~ K.C. Finn
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