bookwisp86's review against another edition
4.0
A good collection of fantasy stories all with women as the leading roles. This is the first of I think 30 of these anthologies. Favorite story was severed heads, about a woman seeking revenge against a wizard and Gimmile's Song about a warrior seeking peace.
innae's review against another edition
4.0
"What are we without friends? Just severed heads rolling across the sands." pg. 49 Glen Cook
Here are my thoughts on the tales within this book:
The Garnet and the Glory by Phyllis Ann Karr: Not my favorite tale at all, it was an okay read. Perhaps if I read more of the sagas of Frost and Thorn I would have found it better.
Severed Heads by Glen Cook: better than the first tale, and I did like the revenge side of the tale
Taking Heart by Stephen L. Burns: technically a story about a male thief...but really a much different tale indeed. I saw it coming, but it was still a good tale, with a touch of humor.
The Rending Dark by Emma Bull: meh. had a little bit of a horror story in it, but I just didn't get to liking the main characters.
Gimmile's Songs by Charles R. Saunders: LOVE this tale. I must note that our heroine spends 90% of the tale (including a fight scene) naked. Yep, written by a man...a strong woman, but she should be naked! ha!
The Valley of the Troll by Charles de Lint: again with a little bit of horror. I enjoyed this one immensely. And the bad guys get what they deserve, nice.
Imperatrix by Deborah Wheeler: a tale about the disguising of a royal to solve the problems of the world. We have read it before, but it still was told nicely.
Blood of Sorcery by Jennifer Roberson: I so love Jennifer's stories. And this one didn't fail me either. It has some hidden ideas about fate and duty.
With Four Lean Hounds by Pat Murphy: Another great story. And a tale of how kindness will win over MASTERY everytime.
House in the Forest by Anodea Judith: a tale for the ecologist. Save the planet sort of tale, with a haunted house. NICE.
Sword of Yraine by Diana L. Paxson: Finding where you belong, and accepting what you didn't know you should accept. I loved this tale (but again with the naked fighting chicks)
Daton and the Dead Things by Michael Ward: Humor. An enjoyable tall tale -- the fish was THIS big I swear..well, no, I don't have any proof :-)
Gate of the Damned by Janet Fox: The only Amazon story in the bunch, and it just wasn't that good. Only ok.
Child of Orcus by Robin W. Bailey: end this tale however you will...the lady or the tiger, with a twist. I enjoyed it very much...our heroine is just wonderful.
Things come in Threes by Dorothy J. Heydt: more humor, a nice ending to a great anthology.
I liked more stories than I didn't, and I didn't HATE any of them, a rarity. Marion Zimmer Bradley could tell a good tale, both with her own words, and with others.
Here are my thoughts on the tales within this book:
The Garnet and the Glory by Phyllis Ann Karr: Not my favorite tale at all, it was an okay read. Perhaps if I read more of the sagas of Frost and Thorn I would have found it better.
Severed Heads by Glen Cook: better than the first tale, and I did like the revenge side of the tale
Taking Heart by Stephen L. Burns: technically a story about a male thief...but really a much different tale indeed. I saw it coming, but it was still a good tale, with a touch of humor.
The Rending Dark by Emma Bull: meh. had a little bit of a horror story in it, but I just didn't get to liking the main characters.
Gimmile's Songs by Charles R. Saunders: LOVE this tale. I must note that our heroine spends 90% of the tale (including a fight scene) naked. Yep, written by a man...a strong woman, but she should be naked! ha!
The Valley of the Troll by Charles de Lint: again with a little bit of horror. I enjoyed this one immensely. And the bad guys get what they deserve, nice.
Imperatrix by Deborah Wheeler: a tale about the disguising of a royal to solve the problems of the world. We have read it before, but it still was told nicely.
Blood of Sorcery by Jennifer Roberson: I so love Jennifer's stories. And this one didn't fail me either. It has some hidden ideas about fate and duty.
With Four Lean Hounds by Pat Murphy: Another great story. And a tale of how kindness will win over MASTERY everytime.
House in the Forest by Anodea Judith: a tale for the ecologist. Save the planet sort of tale, with a haunted house. NICE.
Sword of Yraine by Diana L. Paxson: Finding where you belong, and accepting what you didn't know you should accept. I loved this tale (but again with the naked fighting chicks)
Daton and the Dead Things by Michael Ward: Humor. An enjoyable tall tale -- the fish was THIS big I swear..well, no, I don't have any proof :-)
Gate of the Damned by Janet Fox: The only Amazon story in the bunch, and it just wasn't that good. Only ok.
Child of Orcus by Robin W. Bailey: end this tale however you will...the lady or the tiger, with a twist. I enjoyed it very much...our heroine is just wonderful.
Things come in Threes by Dorothy J. Heydt: more humor, a nice ending to a great anthology.
I liked more stories than I didn't, and I didn't HATE any of them, a rarity. Marion Zimmer Bradley could tell a good tale, both with her own words, and with others.
bookcrazylady45's review against another edition
3.0
I sure hope the next ones are better. I started with number 22-25 and loved almost every story. Just finished number 1 and didn't really care for a single one.
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