vikcs's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
hoping4more's review against another edition
4.0
I would have given it 4.5 stars if I could. I didn't like one of the stories (couldn't finish it actually - it was far to confusing) so it knocked off half a point for me. Other than that I really enjoyed this antho. I bought it for Rachel Vincent's short about Kaci and it didn't disappoint. If you've read the Shifters series you should buy this book just for the short about a grown-up Kaci. There were so many great heroins and stories that I ended up adding some new authors to my watch list. Great read!
nicolelin23's review against another edition
3.0
This collection was ok. I have read better once. There were only a three stories that I did not read. Because i just could not get into them. The reason why I wanted to read this collection was for the Karan Chance and La Banks stories. I enjoyed both of those stories. When I read these type of collections I hope to find new authors that I might want to read in the future I really liked, Shiny by Rachel Caine, Vampires Prefer Blondes by P N Elrod and Superman by Jeanne C Stein. Also I really liked Mist by Susan Krinard and Monster Mash by Carole Nelson Douglas. But I found these stories were a little bit too involved. I wish that i had more back ground information.
wilda85's review against another edition
5.0
I got this anthology for only 1 story-Rachel Vincent's 'Hunt'. Its a spin off about Faythe's cousin Abby a few yrs later and I must say I LOVED it! Its a tragic story, but it took me back to a world I deeply miss and Abby reminded me SO much of Faythe. I couldn't be prouder of the woman she's become.
I'd love to see a spin off series about Abby in the future becoming an Enforcer, falling in love and someday taking over the Pride. But that would be way too good to ever happen.
OH and Jace is in this. He has a small part, but any part with Jace is well worth the read imo. I just hope we see him get his happy ending someday *hint hint Rachel* ;)
I'd love to see a spin off series about Abby in the future becoming an Enforcer, falling in love and someday taking over the Pride. But that would be way too good to ever happen.
OH and Jace is in this. He has a small part, but any part with Jace is well worth the read imo. I just hope we see him get his happy ending someday *hint hint Rachel* ;)
cathepsut's review against another edition
It has been years since I really, deeply enjoyed reading Urban Fantasy, with some exceptions. So take this review with a grain of salt. I am basically working through my TBR pile.
Based on the quarter of this book that I did read these are short stories set in between full-length novels of longer UF series. This book will be better for fans of these series. I think everybody else will miss context.
Shiny, A Weather Warden Story / by Rachel Caine ✅
Read Ill Wind in 2015, ⭐️⭐️⭐️, never continued the series and do not plan to.
The short story was entertaining.
In vino veritas / by Karen Chance ✅
Dorina Basarab #2.1, Cassandra Palmer #6.5. I read 16 of the books and stories. There is plenty more, but eventually they did not grab me anymore.
Can be read for free here: https://www.karenchance.com/extras/vi...
Or get a free copy on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
The story has lots of vampires. The usual high octane craziness. Probably better for people that know this world.
On my TBR pile and seriously considering to delete them:
Masks & Ride the Storm
Hunt / by Rachel Vincent, see Hunt. ❌
Apparently a spin off from Rachel's Shifters Series. I read the first book, Stray, in 2011. and gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️. Never continued the series or read anything else by the author.
Attempted rape and murder. Why do so many UF stories have rape in them? Not interested, skimmed.
Monsters / by Lilith Saintcrow ❌
I have not read anything by this author. The first two pages of this story made not much sense, you probably really need to know her books for this to work. Nope.
This point in the anthology brought me to page 86 of 366 and made me realize one more time that I do not enjoy this type of UF anymore. DNF at 23%.
Based on the quarter of this book that I did read these are short stories set in between full-length novels of longer UF series. This book will be better for fans of these series. I think everybody else will miss context.
Shiny, A Weather Warden Story / by Rachel Caine ✅
Read Ill Wind in 2015, ⭐️⭐️⭐️, never continued the series and do not plan to.
The short story was entertaining.
In vino veritas / by Karen Chance ✅
Dorina Basarab #2.1, Cassandra Palmer #6.5. I read 16 of the books and stories. There is plenty more, but eventually they did not grab me anymore.
Can be read for free here: https://www.karenchance.com/extras/vi...
Or get a free copy on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
The story has lots of vampires. The usual high octane craziness. Probably better for people that know this world.
On my TBR pile and seriously considering to delete them:
Masks & Ride the Storm
Hunt / by Rachel Vincent, see Hunt. ❌
Apparently a spin off from Rachel's Shifters Series. I read the first book, Stray, in 2011. and gave it ⭐️⭐️⭐️. Never continued the series or read anything else by the author.
Attempted rape and murder. Why do so many UF stories have rape in them? Not interested, skimmed.
Monsters / by Lilith Saintcrow ❌
I have not read anything by this author. The first two pages of this story made not much sense, you probably really need to know her books for this to work. Nope.
This point in the anthology brought me to page 86 of 366 and made me realize one more time that I do not enjoy this type of UF anymore. DNF at 23%.
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
I used to avoid mixed anthologies and short stories because I prefer plots with more depth, but I've recently rediscovered the magic and reminded myself that this is an excellent way to discover new authors I might like. I only recognized 5 names in this book, and have only read the works of 4, but was nevertheless looking forward to the whole set.
Shiny by Rachel Caine - a nice addition to the Weather Warden series, featuring David and Joanne on a theoretical day off. As you'd expect, things don't go as planned. I was already a fan of the WW series, so I knew I'd like this one.
In Vino Veritas by Karen Chance - urban vampire. I'm not familiar with this universe, which no doubt would have made it better, but the story stands decently on its own. It might be interesting to read more, but I won't go out of my way for it.
Hunt by Rachel Vincent - a shapeshifter is camping in the woods with friends when something goes horribly wrong. I'll definitely be looking out for more by Rachel Vincent.
Monsters by Lilith Saintcrow - this was the one I found hardest to get into. I'm not sure if this were an existing universe, but I didn't get any connection at all. The writing was good, and I could see myself enjoying more of her writing, just not this story.
Vampires Prefer Blondes by P.N. Elrod - an unusual look at vampires and theater dancers from a less serious point of view. Don't expect humor, but this was more of a fun read.
Nine-Tenths of the Law by Jenna Black - an exorcist possessed by a demon who tries to save another potentially possessed person. The story works well and somehow everything works.
Double Dead by Cheyenne McCray - demons, shapeshifters, dark elves and a conspiracy... incredibly, although the first couple of pages were a little uphill, it kept me hooked.
A Rose by Any Other Name Would Still Be Red by Elizabeth A Vaughn - a messenger from the High Baron brings decrees for enforcement in an unusual place. It involves werewolves. This was the only story that seemed slightly out of place, in a good way, but I still enjoyed it.
Superman by Jeanne C Stein - a vampire detective. If you like detectives like V.I. Warshawski, this will have a good feel for you. I hope to read more of her stories soon.
Monster Mash by Carol Nelson Douglas - an alternate Las Vegas ruled by werewolves and vampires instead of the Mob, strange magic and a touch of cinematic history make this an unusual story.
Wanted: Dead or Alive by L.A. Banks - Russian vampires who see the world differently. I wasn't as sure about this one, though I enjoyed it.
Mist by Susan Krinard - modern day valkyries battle other Norse mystical beings to protect certain weapons, but first they have to recognize them. Despite having only a passing familiarity with Norse mythology, this story drew me in easily.
Beyond the Pale by Nancy Holder - elves, knights and the Wild Hunt, but set in Germany. What could it really be like?
Shiny by Rachel Caine - a nice addition to the Weather Warden series, featuring David and Joanne on a theoretical day off. As you'd expect, things don't go as planned. I was already a fan of the WW series, so I knew I'd like this one.
In Vino Veritas by Karen Chance - urban vampire. I'm not familiar with this universe, which no doubt would have made it better, but the story stands decently on its own. It might be interesting to read more, but I won't go out of my way for it.
Hunt by Rachel Vincent - a shapeshifter is camping in the woods with friends when something goes horribly wrong. I'll definitely be looking out for more by Rachel Vincent.
Monsters by Lilith Saintcrow - this was the one I found hardest to get into. I'm not sure if this were an existing universe, but I didn't get any connection at all. The writing was good, and I could see myself enjoying more of her writing, just not this story.
Vampires Prefer Blondes by P.N. Elrod - an unusual look at vampires and theater dancers from a less serious point of view. Don't expect humor, but this was more of a fun read.
Nine-Tenths of the Law by Jenna Black - an exorcist possessed by a demon who tries to save another potentially possessed person. The story works well and somehow everything works.
Double Dead by Cheyenne McCray - demons, shapeshifters, dark elves and a conspiracy... incredibly, although the first couple of pages were a little uphill, it kept me hooked.
A Rose by Any Other Name Would Still Be Red by Elizabeth A Vaughn - a messenger from the High Baron brings decrees for enforcement in an unusual place. It involves werewolves. This was the only story that seemed slightly out of place, in a good way, but I still enjoyed it.
Superman by Jeanne C Stein - a vampire detective. If you like detectives like V.I. Warshawski, this will have a good feel for you. I hope to read more of her stories soon.
Monster Mash by Carol Nelson Douglas - an alternate Las Vegas ruled by werewolves and vampires instead of the Mob, strange magic and a touch of cinematic history make this an unusual story.
Wanted: Dead or Alive by L.A. Banks - Russian vampires who see the world differently. I wasn't as sure about this one, though I enjoyed it.
Mist by Susan Krinard - modern day valkyries battle other Norse mystical beings to protect certain weapons, but first they have to recognize them. Despite having only a passing familiarity with Norse mythology, this story drew me in easily.
Beyond the Pale by Nancy Holder - elves, knights and the Wild Hunt, but set in Germany. What could it really be like?
girrlfriday's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fun book that made me wonder why it's been so long since I read any fantasy/sci-fi. Usually in a short story collection there's one or two duds, but all of the stories in this one were fast, engaging, and humorous.
redhairedashreads's review
3.0
3 stars - I liked it
The rating is only for the story A Rose By Any Other Name Would Still Be Red by Elizabeth Vaughan.
This is a short scene with Red Gloves enforcing the end of slavery and rescuing a messenger. I enjoyed watching her decimate the enemy and not giving up. I do hope we learn more about the vores though because they seem like cool creatures.