This book is 9 short stories that deal with the Machine Monks collecting keys to stop the Actuator. set in different times and locations there are success and failure. Science fiction that is futuristic but believable. A machine designed to help in life that goes crazy. Lots of fantasy mixed in with the Orcs and Elves mixed into the human race. An enjoyable read.

Someone had the bright idea to create a machine (The Actuator) that would change a region to work by the rules of a particular literary genre (think science fiction, horror, zombie apocalypse, etc.) as defined by particular people. Of course they had to play with this, but then someone sabotaged the Actuator so that it affected the world, dividing it into regions. The parties responsible for this mess (The Machine Monks) are seeking the needed keys to the regions so that they can shut them down and restore "normalcy," whatever that may be. Chaos Chronicles is a collection of short stories set in this world by a variety of authors. There is a heist story, a mashup tale of an elf that wanders into the Old West and is sent on a quest accompanied by a superheroine, a vampire, and a steam-punk wizard, a honeymoon gone very wrong in South Africa with animals turned into talking dinos. Of course there is the obligatory Arthur tale and a zombie apocalypse fitted in beside a flying saucer tale. In other words, plenty of genres to enjoy. So what are you waiting for? An engraved invitation?