joebuuz's review
The Return of the Pig by K.J. Parker
4* - I enjoyed this story. A fund series of misadventures that end up revealed to be of an unseen purpose by our narrator wizard.
Community Services by Megan Lindholm
5* - Sad and tragic. This one hit me right in the gut, probably because I'm a dad watching my daughter grow up and leaving some toys behind.
Flint and Mirror by John Crowley
3* - Promising start to the story but it did satisfy me with the resolution.
The Friends of Masquelayne the Incomparable, by Matthew Hughes
5* - This one was so much fun to read. The POV of Masquelayne is quite villainous.
The Biography of a Bouncing Boy Terror: Chapter II: Jumping Jack in Love, by Ysabeau S. Wilce
3* - This story was in the frame of a story being told to children and it was full of colorful words and poetic imagery. I didn't follow what was going on and it wasn't for me. Someone else may enjoy it though.
ababoglo's review against another edition
5.0
A mixed bag as any anthology... but with some serious gems inside! Notes on the favourite stories to follow
wynwicket's review against another edition
4.0
As with any anthology, there were some good, some great, and a few meh. The sheer variety was impressive, though, and I discovered a few new-to-me authors. yay! Highlights for me included THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BOUNCING BOY TERROR: CHAPTER TWO: JUMPING JACK IN LOVE, by Ysabeau S Wilce and THE STAFF IN THE STONE, by Garth Nix.
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
Personally I only cared about a few of the stories. None of them made me feel like i had to run out and buy the title.
oisin175's review against another edition
5.0
Some stories are better than others but overall this book is excellent and provides a good sample of a range of really good fantasy authors.
badmc's review against another edition
4.0
Short stories anthologies are not my favorites, but this was mostly enjoyable, squeezed in between other books. My favorites come from pens of George R.R.Martin(a surprise, seeing as I abandoned ASOIAF) and Matthew Hughes. It was also nice to read more Ysabeau S. Wilce, and it's high time to start reading some Kate Elliott work.
ortiga's review against another edition
COMMUNITY SERVICE (5*) by Megan Lindholm (aka Robin Hobb) is just fantastic. I want more. I read a snippet somewhere suggesting she might be attempting a full length novel with the protagonist. Please. I loved the bit about the junk drawer and the bookish magic: the world building is first class.
Quotes:
I felt the vindictive satisfaction of someone who was finally able to betray a traitorous friend.
I knew if he apologised again I'd never be able to forgive him. There's something terrible about hearing someone say they're sorry when they truly understand just how bad they hurt you.
I though it at him, trying to find my anger and make it hot again'.
Cigarette in one hand, banana in the other. I hate him, but I didn't hate him so much as I knew him.
'I don't know why anyone has a living room when they could have a library instead.'
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SEVEN, by Naomi Novik (2*)
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Quotes:
I felt the vindictive satisfaction of someone who was finally able to betray a traitorous friend.
I knew if he apologised again I'd never be able to forgive him. There's something terrible about hearing someone say they're sorry when they truly understand just how bad they hurt you.
I though it at him, trying to find my anger and make it hot again'.
Cigarette in one hand, banana in the other. I hate him, but I didn't hate him so much as I knew him.
'I don't know why anyone has a living room when they could have a library instead.'
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SEVEN, by Naomi Novik (2*)
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papernapkin's review against another edition
2.0
If you're looking for a fantasy anthology, try [b:Rogues|20168816|Rogues|George R.R. Martin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1404616147l/20168816._SY75_.jpg|27565413] instead.
maryposa's review against another edition
2.0
Not a bad collection, just didn't keep my interest. I did enjoy the Community Service story by Megan Lindholm, but after that my interest severely waned.