marimoose's review against another edition
3.0
For the most part, I liked this book, though I did wish there was more of a glimpse of Lirael and the other Old Kingdom characters. I wished, but it wasn't as if I didn't expect there to be a minimal amount of it. The ending of Abhorsen seemed pretty conclusive to me, and anything further than that might have been overkill (unless, of course, there's a new adventure, I wouldn't mind that!). Nicholas Sayre is fantastic, and I'd always liked him, even in his slightly catatonic state in Abhorsen.
I was actually glad to see he included "Hansel's Eyes" in the collection. That was one of my favorite stories in the compilation A Wolf at the Door. There were some others I wasn't so keen on, but I figured it was a mixed bag to begin with. I did enjoy the second Arthurian story, and his choose-your-own adventure scenarios (though I practically did cheat!).
I was actually glad to see he included "Hansel's Eyes" in the collection. That was one of my favorite stories in the compilation A Wolf at the Door. There were some others I wasn't so keen on, but I figured it was a mixed bag to begin with. I did enjoy the second Arthurian story, and his choose-your-own adventure scenarios (though I practically did cheat!).
zanosgood's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dani_bugz's review against another edition
3.0
Though I'm not keen on short stories, I really enjoyed the novella, Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case. I loved hearing about Nick, and seeing what a great person he turned out to be!
roshk99's review against another edition
2.0
Kind of random book that doesn't really affect the rest of the series, but I just wanted to finish the series up
snugglor's review against another edition
4.0
A really nice collection of short stories that, despite their brevity, completely transport you to their worlds for their short duration.
alyssathayne's review against another edition
2.0
Not what I had hoped for
I have really enjoyed several of the other books authored by Nix, but this was mostly very disappointing. I didn't feel the background before each short story was necessary for the majority of the stories. I also felt that I didn't connect to the characters or their worlds for many of the pieces.
I have really enjoyed several of the other books authored by Nix, but this was mostly very disappointing. I didn't feel the background before each short story was necessary for the majority of the stories. I also felt that I didn't connect to the characters or their worlds for many of the pieces.
literallytouko's review against another edition
4.0
Any book of short stories is a mixed bag, and so there were obviously stories in this book I liked more than others. The big draw to picking this up is that it contained a novella, Across the Wall, which continues Nix's Old Kingdom series, which I recently re-read. And it was excellent! But there were several other stories that stood out for me as well, including Under the Lake, an Arthurian tale, and Hope Chest, a sort of western tale that takes place in presumably an alternate-history America, with a sort of Hitler stand-in character. There's also a fun choose your own adventure parody of choose your own adventures, that took me right back to elementary school.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
As is fairly typical for a short story collection, this is a mixed bag. It included some that were pretty good but others that were nearly unreadable. Both Arthurian's were actually pretty good. The wartime short Charlie Rabbit had its irritating points, but really worked. Down to the Scum Quarter - I suppose it might not be a bad Choose Your Own Adventure, but I saw nothing in it worth spending time on. But it was better than Endings. The Western, Hope Chest, was vaguely creepifying, so okay, but not really my thing. Nothing in this made me want to hunt down other of the author's shorter works. But they were fine enough.
ainegavgav's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I wasn't a fan of the Abhorson story at all. I was excited to get a bit more story behind the secret politics of Ancelstiere but didn't really feel like that featured as much as was promised. I thought the connection between Nick and Lirael was cheap and the entire conclusion a bit lazy.
The other short stories were generally better. I liked Charlie Rabbit, the Hill, the choose your own adventure story and the western. Once I got into the rhythm of the book I enjoyed aspects of it but I wouldn't be reaching for more.
The other short stories were generally better. I liked Charlie Rabbit, the Hill, the choose your own adventure story and the western. Once I got into the rhythm of the book I enjoyed aspects of it but I wouldn't be reaching for more.
r2p2's review against another edition
4.0
The other stories in this book besides just the one about Abhorsen are all fantastic. Great for light reading or to get your imagination going.