nglofile's review against another edition
2.0
Am I the only one who finds it difficult to rate anthologies? When I reflect on the entire collection, two stars is where I have to land, but that isn't to say that some stories weren't fabulous and others not worth the effort to roll my eyes. Though I did track reaction to each selection, I'm only going to highlight a few stronger feelings here.
First, I love the idea of "dangerous" being interpreted with variety, but it was disappointing to see so many which decided that meant playing on sexuality. Can't we be a little more creative?
For the most part, favorites are credited to authors I already know well. Carrie Vaughn's "Raisa Stepanova" surprised in setting and subtlety, and "Bombshells" by Butcher was great fun with a bit of twist. Two I liked without previous affinity for the writers were "Nora's Song" by Cecelia Holland and "Neighbors" by Megan Lindholm -- quite different takes on danger, strength, and narrative.
If nothing else, this cemented my absolute distaste for Lawrence Block and Joe R. Lansdale. Never again are either of those authors taking any of my precious reading time.
audiobook note: Ups and downs with the multiple narrators, too. Interesting that those known for acting on screen (Jonathan Frakes, Stana Katic, and Sophie Turner) were the flattest -- bringing really nothing new to their stories. BIG exception to that observation, though, in Iain Glen's reading of Martin's (mediocre, unfocused) novella. It was brilliant and lovely, and my absolute favorite performance of the lot. Allan Scott-Douglas's reading of Gabaldon was wonderful. Of the women, Lee Meriwether, Claudia Black, Harriet Walter, and Inna Korobkina were standouts.
First, I love the idea of "dangerous" being interpreted with variety, but it was disappointing to see so many which decided that meant playing on sexuality. Can't we be a little more creative?
For the most part, favorites are credited to authors I already know well. Carrie Vaughn's "Raisa Stepanova" surprised in setting and subtlety, and "Bombshells" by Butcher was great fun with a bit of twist. Two I liked without previous affinity for the writers were "Nora's Song" by Cecelia Holland and "Neighbors" by Megan Lindholm -- quite different takes on danger, strength, and narrative.
If nothing else, this cemented my absolute distaste for Lawrence Block and Joe R. Lansdale. Never again are either of those authors taking any of my precious reading time.
audiobook note: Ups and downs with the multiple narrators, too. Interesting that those known for acting on screen (Jonathan Frakes, Stana Katic, and Sophie Turner) were the flattest -- bringing really nothing new to their stories. BIG exception to that observation, though, in Iain Glen's reading of Martin's (mediocre, unfocused) novella. It was brilliant and lovely, and my absolute favorite performance of the lot. Allan Scott-Douglas's reading of Gabaldon was wonderful. Of the women, Lee Meriwether, Claudia Black, Harriet Walter, and Inna Korobkina were standouts.
alanathehangry's review against another edition
2.0
A collection of stories from various authors is always tough, especially when you compound it with different genres. Not everyone is going to like each story, no matter how much they like the worshiped George R R Martin. That was the case for me. Some were never ever going to be my cup of tea, but some were spot on and I gobbled them up instantly. Others toed the line a bit and perhaps opened my eyes to genres I usually never dabble in.
Am I glad I read it? Sure, though it was a commitment of near 800 pages.
Am I glad I read it? Sure, though it was a commitment of near 800 pages.
anabfleal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
girl_sam_rex's review against another edition
4.0
The short stories I really enjoyed:
My Heart Is Either Broken,
The Hands That Are Not There,
Shadows For Silence In The Forests of Hell,
A Queen In Exile,
City Lazarus,
Pronouncing Doom,
Lies My Mother Told Me,
The Process and The Queen
My Heart Is Either Broken,
The Hands That Are Not There,
Shadows For Silence In The Forests of Hell,
A Queen In Exile,
City Lazarus,
Pronouncing Doom,
Lies My Mother Told Me,
The Process and The Queen
doctabird's review against another edition
I'm slowly getting through this whole anthology. At almost the halfway mark, I can say that I'm disappointed there aren't more "dangerous women" in this book. Many of the stories just have women as some peripheral, forgettable character, some of the women are either awful, or fall into stereotypes. Not that I think every story needs to pass the Bechdel test, but I would have assumed that an anthology about dangerous women would have stories that would be closer to passing it.... most don't even come close.
Some quick notes that I jotted after each story...
Some Desperado: Pretty good, interesting story. Kept me engaged.
My Heart is Either Broken: What was the point of this story?
Nora's Song: Boring.
The Hands That Are Not There: Women are peripheral
Bombshells: Strong women! Interesting and engaging
Raisa Stepanova: Good story. Two women are protagonists
Wrestling Jesus: Boring story about a man and a boy. There's one peripheral woman who's basically 'property.'
Neighbors: Awesome story. Women (one in particular) were central. It was suspenseful and there was a good twist.
I Know How to Pick 'Em: Worst one yet. Disgusting and disturbing story. The story is about about a man, women are just the people that use him, and he in turn treats them... badly. I almost didn't finish it, kinda wish I hadn't.
Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell: Great story! What I'd expect from Brandon Sanderson. Great world building. Strong women are central. Very suspenseful.
A Queen in Exile: Boring. But historical fiction isn't usually my thing
The Girl in the Mirror: There were women. They had magical powers that were "dangerous." The ghost was also supposedly powerful and dangerous and a woman. The main woman had to get saved by a man. The author honestly didn't make me care about the wine or the pencils and didn't show me how/why the ghost was scary.
Some quick notes that I jotted after each story...
Spoiler
Some Desperado: Pretty good, interesting story. Kept me engaged.
My Heart is Either Broken: What was the point of this story?
Nora's Song: Boring.
The Hands That Are Not There: Women are peripheral
Bombshells: Strong women! Interesting and engaging
Raisa Stepanova: Good story. Two women are protagonists
Wrestling Jesus: Boring story about a man and a boy. There's one peripheral woman who's basically 'property.'
Neighbors: Awesome story. Women (one in particular) were central. It was suspenseful and there was a good twist.
I Know How to Pick 'Em: Worst one yet. Disgusting and disturbing story. The story is about about a man, women are just the people that use him, and he in turn treats them... badly. I almost didn't finish it, kinda wish I hadn't.
Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell: Great story! What I'd expect from Brandon Sanderson. Great world building. Strong women are central. Very suspenseful.
A Queen in Exile: Boring. But historical fiction isn't usually my thing
The Girl in the Mirror: There were women. They had magical powers that were "dangerous." The ghost was also supposedly powerful and dangerous and a woman. The main woman had to get saved by a man. The author honestly didn't make me care about the wine or the pencils and didn't show me how/why the ghost was scary.
bramboomen's review against another edition
3 - “Some Desperado” by Joe Abercrombie - A Red Country story
5 - “My Heart is Either Broken” by Megan Abbott
4 - “Nora’s Song” by Cecelia Holland
2 - “The Hands That Are Not There” by Melinda Snodgrass
/ - “Bombshells” by Jim Butcher - A Harry Dresden story
4 - “Raisa Stepanova” by Carrie Vaughn
3 - “Wrestling Jesus” by Joe R. Lansdale
5 - “Neighbors” by Megan Lindholm
3 - “I Know How to Pick ’Em” by Lawrence Block
4 - “Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell” by Brandon Sanderson - A Cosmere story
3 - “A Queen in Exile” by Sharon Kay Penman
5 - “The Girl in the Mirror” by Lev Grossman - A Magicians story
3 - “Second Arabesque, Very Slowly” by Nancy Kress
3 - “City Lazarus” by Diana Rowland
/ - “Virgins” by Diana Gabaldon - An Outlander story
/ - “Hell Hath No Fury” by Sherilynn Kenyon
3 - “Pronouncing Doom” by S.M. Stirling - An Emberverse story
4 - “Name the Beast” by Sam Sykes
/ - “Caretakers” by Pat Cadigan
4 - “Lies My Mother Told Me” by Caroline Spector - A Wild Cards story
2 - “The Princess and the Queen” by George R.R. Martin - A Song of Ice and Fire story
5 - “My Heart is Either Broken” by Megan Abbott
4 - “Nora’s Song” by Cecelia Holland
2 - “The Hands That Are Not There” by Melinda Snodgrass
/ - “Bombshells” by Jim Butcher - A Harry Dresden story
4 - “Raisa Stepanova” by Carrie Vaughn
3 - “Wrestling Jesus” by Joe R. Lansdale
5 - “Neighbors” by Megan Lindholm
3 - “I Know How to Pick ’Em” by Lawrence Block
4 - “Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell” by Brandon Sanderson - A Cosmere story
3 - “A Queen in Exile” by Sharon Kay Penman
5 - “The Girl in the Mirror” by Lev Grossman - A Magicians story
3 - “Second Arabesque, Very Slowly” by Nancy Kress
3 - “City Lazarus” by Diana Rowland
/ - “Virgins” by Diana Gabaldon - An Outlander story
/ - “Hell Hath No Fury” by Sherilynn Kenyon
3 - “Pronouncing Doom” by S.M. Stirling - An Emberverse story
4 - “Name the Beast” by Sam Sykes
/ - “Caretakers” by Pat Cadigan
4 - “Lies My Mother Told Me” by Caroline Spector - A Wild Cards story
2 - “The Princess and the Queen” by George R.R. Martin - A Song of Ice and Fire story
swissmunicipal's review against another edition
3.0
There were definitely stories in the anthology that I really liked, but generally it was hit and miss from story to story.
One firm take away is that I do not enjoy George R. R. Martin's writing style. There's so much vitriolic language, particularly in reference to women, in addition to a general obsession with death and violence. The scope of the stories are incredible and epic - almost historic in their expanse. But when choosing something that I'm going to read for entertainment, his focuses are not something that I enjoy.
One firm take away is that I do not enjoy George R. R. Martin's writing style. There's so much vitriolic language, particularly in reference to women, in addition to a general obsession with death and violence. The scope of the stories are incredible and epic - almost historic in their expanse. But when choosing something that I'm going to read for entertainment, his focuses are not something that I enjoy.
itkovian_books's review against another edition
4.0
Overall: 4 stars
Some Desperado-4
My Heart is Either Broken-5
Nora's Song-2
The Hands that are not There-5
Bombshells-3
Raisa Stepanova-3
Wrestling Jesus-5
Neighbors-2
I Know How To Pick 'Em-4
Shadows For Silence in the Forest of Hell-5
A Queen In Exile-3
The Girl in the Mirror-3
Second Arabesque, Very Slowly-4
City Lazarus-4
Virgins-4
Hell Hath No Fury-3
Pronouncing Doom-4
Name The Beast-3
Caretakers-4
Lies My Mother Told Me-5
The Princess and the Queen-5
Some Desperado-4
My Heart is Either Broken-5
Nora's Song-2
The Hands that are not There-5
Bombshells-3
Raisa Stepanova-3
Wrestling Jesus-5
Neighbors-2
I Know How To Pick 'Em-4
Shadows For Silence in the Forest of Hell-5
A Queen In Exile-3
The Girl in the Mirror-3
Second Arabesque, Very Slowly-4
City Lazarus-4
Virgins-4
Hell Hath No Fury-3
Pronouncing Doom-4
Name The Beast-3
Caretakers-4
Lies My Mother Told Me-5
The Princess and the Queen-5
pickpoppies's review against another edition
I liked Cecelia Holland and Sharon Kay Penman so I'll add them to the reading list... but where did the theme of dangerous women go? Was it ever there? Oh well, on to the next book.