Reviews

Sword Stone Table: Old Legends, New Voices by Jenn Northington, Swapna Krishna

mychemicalseal's review

3.0

I'm not overly familiar with Arthurian legend so not sure if that's why I felt so confused for a big chunk of this, or if I simply struggle with short story compilations?? I didn't like the future ones much (I'm not really one for sci-fi or space themed stories). great if this is your thing but I don't think I ever really got my teeth sunk into it.

kevinmccarrick's review

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

cook_memorial_public_library's review

4.0

A 2021 staff favorite recommended by Joe. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Ssword%20stone%20table%20krishna__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold

wchereads's review

adventurous emotional lighthearted

4.0

I enjoyed reading this but kept hoping that we could've gotten an author's note or some explanations about how they were inspired by Arthurian myths at the end of each story. I find "Mayday" to be fascinating but it seems to have made many references to characters in Arthurian myths that just flew over my head because I wasn't familiar enough with them. Meanwhile there are also tales like "Jack and Brad" and "the quay stone" which are great stories in their own right but seemed to have borrowed very few elements from Arthurian myths. Frankly, I'm not sure! So it would've been really nice to have a bit more insights into how Arthurian tales influenced these stories. 
My favourites from this collection are: "Passing Fair And Young", "Do, by all due means", "Flat White", "A Shadow in Amber" and "White Hempen Sleeves."
I would love to check out other books by some of the authors. And this is when I realize the danger of reading an anthology: my tbr will never end...

iggyebab's review

2.0

**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
Some of the stories were really great and some not so much. Like most compilations. People will be drawn to some of the stories more than others.

shrug_emoji's review

2.0

I wasn't really able to get into most of the stories in the book, (though I did enjoy a few, including do, by all due means and heartbeat)

avim's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

hailstorm3812's review

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I had fun with this. If you like Arthurian retellings this is enjoyable. Since it's an anthology it varies in quality and vibes from story to story but I enjoyed most. I will shout out MAYDAY by Maria Dahvana Headley, as it is by far the best. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism, Racism, and Death of parent

Minor: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Murder, Body horror, and Islamophobia

collins1129's review

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

calistaw's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0