xeni's review
3.0
I had this weird sense of deja vu while reading this Valdemar collection. At least half of these stories I've read before. But I have no record of it - no previous addition to GR, no hard copy on my shelf, no recollection of the other half of these stories so I probably did not read this exact book before. Did half these stories get sold and end up in other short story collections as well? It's just so strange.
Anyway, as usual with SS collections I find them either 1. too simple or 2. I want more. Since the authors don't need to focus on creating the setting (Valdemar is so established by now, it's probably rather easy to write in this world as an outside author), I expect a higher quality of story. You should be writing compelling characters with interesting plots. And I expect even more from the authors who are writing series (like the Dann siblings one), since they have even less character work to do! But overall these stories left me feeling a bit meh.
I'll keep reading the Valdemar SS collections. How can I not when I adore the world? I'm hoping that their quality also improves as I move up in the years.
Anyway, as usual with SS collections I find them either 1. too simple or 2. I want more. Since the authors don't need to focus on creating the setting (Valdemar is so established by now, it's probably rather easy to write in this world as an outside author), I expect a higher quality of story. You should be writing compelling characters with interesting plots. And I expect even more from the authors who are writing series (like the Dann siblings one), since they have even less character work to do! But overall these stories left me feeling a bit meh.
I'll keep reading the Valdemar SS collections. How can I not when I adore the world? I'm hoping that their quality also improves as I move up in the years.
bookwyrm37's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
Discussed as past events in 1 or 2 stories, nothing graphicmsjb22's review
2.0
As usual with anthologies, a bit of a mixed bag, but this one wasn't as good as some of the others...
pandaofhugs's review
5.0
So Valdemar and Mercedes Lackey have been one of my favorite worlds and authors for a long time. This is a fantastic! collection of short stories (about 20 pages apiece give or take a few) by a myriad of authors. Including one by Mercedes Lackey herself! (its the very last one) but well worth the wait to read all of them.
inferiorwit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Violence, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Murder, Medical content, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Drug use, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, and Death of parent
whisper88's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
libra17's review
2.0
Kinda Lackluster
I'll be honest: I got this almost entirely for the short story about Vanyel. That being said, I'm working my way through the other short story anthologies and had high hopes for the other stories in this volume. Such, however, was not meant to be. The only two stories from this collection that I really liked were Consequences Unforseen and Vixen. Here's to hoping some of the other anthologies have more to them.
I'll be honest: I got this almost entirely for the short story about Vanyel. That being said, I'm working my way through the other short story anthologies and had high hopes for the other stories in this volume. Such, however, was not meant to be. The only two stories from this collection that I really liked were Consequences Unforseen and Vixen. Here's to hoping some of the other anthologies have more to them.
morgandhu's review
3.0
I just cam't resist Valdemar. So when I happened across the latest volume of Valdemar-themed short stories, No True Way, I just had to get it, read it, and finish it as quickly as I could. As much as I love reading new tales of Valdemar, I must acknowledge that the quality of the stories is a bit uneven, but all are at the very least a please to read for a fan of Valdemar, if not not equally well crafted.
Some of my favourite stories in this collection are: The Barest Gift, by Brenda Cooper; Consequences Unforeseen by Elizabeth A. Vaughan; A Brand from the Burning, by Rosemary Edghill and Rebecca Fox; and Vixen, Lackey's own contribution to the anthology.
Some of my favourite stories in this collection are: The Barest Gift, by Brenda Cooper; Consequences Unforeseen by Elizabeth A. Vaughan; A Brand from the Burning, by Rosemary Edghill and Rebecca Fox; and Vixen, Lackey's own contribution to the anthology.