tamreel45's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping to find some new authors to read, but I was disappointed. None of these are very interesting, nor did I feel a strong desire to keep reading the individual stories. The others I do like that were listed, it had been so long since I read their books that I felt lost.
tamreel's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping to find some new authors to read, but I was disappointed. None of these are very interesting, nor did I feel a strong desire to keep reading the individual stories. The others I do like that were listed, it had been so long since I read their books that I felt lost.
radcarlawho's review against another edition
5.0
To be completely honest, I only read "Lord John and the Plague of Zombies" by Diana Gabaldon before promptly returning it to the library. I'm not much into Urban Fantasy and I didn't want the next person on the waiting list to wait too long (I also had another book on hold that I wanted to start). Anywho, I LOVED this new addition to Lord John's series. It's so fun to be in his head; I love the way he thinks.
katleap's review against another edition
4.0
Solid 4 stars.
Up front I read this book for the Patricia Briggs story. It was quite a mix of stories, several being set in the past (and I mean past like aceient rome past). This collection was hit or miss. I either really liked the story (hence the 4) or didin't like it at all.
Charliane Harris: Death By Dahlia - I like the stookie shorts (even if I haven't read the stookie books). This one was from the vamps view and I liked it.
Joe R. Lansdale; The Bleeding Shadow - It has an old PI/noir sense to it. I didin't like it very much and I skimmed.
Simon R Green; The Hungry Heart - It is a Noightside short and although I haven't read the Nightside series I enjoy the shorts. One day I may actually get around to reading them.
"Styx and Stones” by Steven Saylor - I didin't like this one at all. The babylon stuff was cool but I would not seek out this story set.
"Pain and Suffering” by S. M. Stirling - was okay. It lost me a few times but kept bringing me back.
"It’s Still the Same Old Story” by Carrie Vaughn - I liked how this story unfolded with the flashbacks. It didn't jerk me in and out at all.
"The Lady is a Screamer” by Conn Iggulden - I only vaugley remember this one, which means that I a) skimmed most of it and b) didin't like it very much.
"Hellbender” by Laurie R. King - I was skepical at the beginning of this one but quickly got caught up in it. I liked it a lot, espcially the part about the salamanders.
"Shadow Thieves” by Glen Cook - I love fantasy. I get fantasy. This story had me so lost so fast and I didn't feel that i cared enought to actually figure what was going on. Was it my least favorite in the anthology. Close but not. However it was very confusing and I did not like it.
"No Mystery, No Miracle” by Melinda M. Snodgrass - I don't remember this story at all.
"The Difference Between a Puzzle and a Mystery” by M. L. N. Hanover - I liked this one and couldn't decide if I was more freaked out by the possed guy or the expert.
"The Curious Affair of the Deodand” by Lisa Tuttle - I like this one. The sherlock holmes feel was a definite plus.
"Lord John and the Plague of Zombies” by Diana Gabaldon - Decent. The story was good but it wasn't enough to make want to run out and read all her outlander series.
"Beware the Snake” by John Maddox Roberts - the other romer story. This one was okay but I will admit I skimmed most of the middle.
"In Red, with Pearls” by Patricia Briggs - Excellent. I love Warren anyway and this made it more so. Lovely.
"The Adakian Eagle” by Bradley Denton - My favorite of the whole anthology (even more than the PB). This story was well written and had a few twists that i didn't see coming. And Pop...well, he's awesome.
In conclusion I loved "The Akadian Eagle" and "In Red, with Pearls",
I liked "Death By Dahlia", "The Hungry Heart" "The Curious Affair of the Deodand” and "Hellbender".
Up front I read this book for the Patricia Briggs story. It was quite a mix of stories, several being set in the past (and I mean past like aceient rome past). This collection was hit or miss. I either really liked the story (hence the 4) or didin't like it at all.
Charliane Harris: Death By Dahlia - I like the stookie shorts (even if I haven't read the stookie books). This one was from the vamps view and I liked it.
Joe R. Lansdale; The Bleeding Shadow - It has an old PI/noir sense to it. I didin't like it very much and I skimmed.
Simon R Green; The Hungry Heart - It is a Noightside short and although I haven't read the Nightside series I enjoy the shorts. One day I may actually get around to reading them.
"Styx and Stones” by Steven Saylor - I didin't like this one at all. The babylon stuff was cool but I would not seek out this story set.
"Pain and Suffering” by S. M. Stirling - was okay. It lost me a few times but kept bringing me back.
"It’s Still the Same Old Story” by Carrie Vaughn - I liked how this story unfolded with the flashbacks. It didn't jerk me in and out at all.
"The Lady is a Screamer” by Conn Iggulden - I only vaugley remember this one, which means that I a) skimmed most of it and b) didin't like it very much.
"Hellbender” by Laurie R. King - I was skepical at the beginning of this one but quickly got caught up in it. I liked it a lot, espcially the part about the salamanders.
"Shadow Thieves” by Glen Cook - I love fantasy. I get fantasy. This story had me so lost so fast and I didn't feel that i cared enought to actually figure what was going on. Was it my least favorite in the anthology. Close but not. However it was very confusing and I did not like it.
"No Mystery, No Miracle” by Melinda M. Snodgrass - I don't remember this story at all.
"The Difference Between a Puzzle and a Mystery” by M. L. N. Hanover - I liked this one and couldn't decide if I was more freaked out by the possed guy or the expert.
"The Curious Affair of the Deodand” by Lisa Tuttle - I like this one. The sherlock holmes feel was a definite plus.
"Lord John and the Plague of Zombies” by Diana Gabaldon - Decent. The story was good but it wasn't enough to make want to run out and read all her outlander series.
"Beware the Snake” by John Maddox Roberts - the other romer story. This one was okay but I will admit I skimmed most of the middle.
"In Red, with Pearls” by Patricia Briggs - Excellent. I love Warren anyway and this made it more so. Lovely.
"The Adakian Eagle” by Bradley Denton - My favorite of the whole anthology (even more than the PB). This story was well written and had a few twists that i didn't see coming. And Pop...well, he's awesome.
In conclusion I loved "The Akadian Eagle" and "In Red, with Pearls",
I liked "Death By Dahlia", "The Hungry Heart" "The Curious Affair of the Deodand” and "Hellbender".
shaekin's review against another edition
No rating because I read this for a few particular short stories.
I actually like the short stories in the Sookie Stackhouse universe more than I like the full length books. Dahlia seems like a more interesting character, and the short story makes the author focus on one plot. Quick and fun.
I actually like the short stories in the Sookie Stackhouse universe more than I like the full length books. Dahlia seems like a more interesting character, and the short story makes the author focus on one plot. Quick and fun.
wk52bookreviews's review against another edition
2.0
I only enjoyed two stories from this collection:
The difference between a puzzle and a mystery - M.L.N. Hanover
13 The curious affair of the deodand - Lisa Tuttle
As a fan of the Outlander series, I wanted to like Lord John and the plague of zombies by Diana Gabaldon but I just didn't.
The difference between a puzzle and a mystery - M.L.N. Hanover
13 The curious affair of the deodand - Lisa Tuttle
As a fan of the Outlander series, I wanted to like Lord John and the plague of zombies by Diana Gabaldon but I just didn't.
hollsbooks78's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
4.0
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
It's hard for me to really know how to rate a book of short stories. First off, I don't read a whole lot of short story compilations, and second, this book was read over the course of... probably 2 years? although I hate to admit that. (I'm not much of a short story person, and although I enjoyed the majority of the stories in this collection, it's definitely easier to set aside a compilation of short stories without feeling like you're really interrupting anything, as compared to an actual full-length novel.)
I guess I'll run through the list of short stories/authors and rate them as I go:
1. Death by Dahlia - Charlaine Harris: 3/5 stars. Interesting enough - I liked Dahlia's character but honestly I'm a little bored now with the Sookie Stackhouse world. :(
2. The Bleeding Shadow - Joe R. Lansdale: 4/5. Again, interesting, and I liked some elements of this story a lot. The inclusion of music, as well as having a black detective involved during a time period where that wouldn't have been very common, were definitely selling points.
3. Hungry Heart - Simon R. Green: 5/5 stars. Any story that starts with a line like this wins:
4. Styx and Stones - Steven Saylor: 4/5 stars. Loved the setting of this story - Babylon somewhere between 92 and 90 B.C. Plus, humor!
5. Pain and Suffering - S.M. Stirling: I don't really remember this story, but I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it...? If I'd hated it, I would've remembered that I think. It was rather unremarkable, but I probably enjoyed it because I enjoy Stirling's writing.
6. It's Still the Same Old Story - Carrie Vaughn: 3/5. Again, don't remember a lot but I do remember the ending, which was sweet.
7. The Lady is a Screamer - Conn Iggulden: 3/5. I never really understood who "the Lady" was that helped our protagonist; it was clear that he received supernatural help, but the hows and whys were underexplained (IMO).
8. Hellbender - Laurie R. King: 4/5 for creativity, 3/5 for actual enjoyment/clarity of the plot.
9. Shadow Thieves - Glen Cook: 4/5 stars for creativity AND enjoyment! Although there was still a little clarity lacking (or my memory is poor, either way...).
10. No Mystery, No Miracle - Melinda M. Snodgrass: 5/5. Humor, historical cross-overs, religious tie-ins that are interesting/funny/perturbing... win. :)
11. The Difference between a Puzzle and a Mystery - M.L.N. Hanover: 4/5, similar to the previous story but not quite as enjoyable for me.
12. The Curious Affair of the Deodand - Lisa Tuttle: 5/5. Yay for proper 19th c. gentlewomen working for a Sherlock Holmes-type detective!
13. Lord John and the Plague of Zombies - Diana Gabaldon: 4/5. Interesting, but felt like I was lacking background because I haven't read anything else of Gabaldon's (unless you could 65% or so of the first Outlander book...).
14. Beware the Snake - John Maddox Roberts: 3/5. I felt like I was missing something in the plot arc, but enjoyed the plot and the setting (ancient Rome).
15. In Red, with Pearls - Patricia Briggs: 5/5. Patricia Briggs wins all the things. I haven't read anything by her that I've disliked yet. :)
16. The Adakian Eagle - Bradley Denton: 5/5. Goosebumps at the ending!!
~
So overall, I do recommend this, if you enjoy short story collections. There wasn't a single total dud in this collection; I did enjoy every story in some way, even if there were some stories that made me feel like I missed the crux of the mystery/problem being solved. Definitely a cool collection of interesting worlds and characters, though!
I guess I'll run through the list of short stories/authors and rate them as I go:
1. Death by Dahlia - Charlaine Harris: 3/5 stars. Interesting enough - I liked Dahlia's character but honestly I'm a little bored now with the Sookie Stackhouse world. :(
2. The Bleeding Shadow - Joe R. Lansdale: 4/5. Again, interesting, and I liked some elements of this story a lot. The inclusion of music, as well as having a black detective involved during a time period where that wouldn't have been very common, were definitely selling points.
3. Hungry Heart - Simon R. Green: 5/5 stars. Any story that starts with a line like this wins:
The city of London has a hidden heart; a dark and secret place where gods and monsters go fist-fighting through alleyways, where wonders and marvels are two a penny, where everything and everyone is up for sale, and all your dreams can come true.
4. Styx and Stones - Steven Saylor: 4/5 stars. Loved the setting of this story - Babylon somewhere between 92 and 90 B.C. Plus, humor!
5. Pain and Suffering - S.M. Stirling: I don't really remember this story, but I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it...? If I'd hated it, I would've remembered that I think. It was rather unremarkable, but I probably enjoyed it because I enjoy Stirling's writing.
6. It's Still the Same Old Story - Carrie Vaughn: 3/5. Again, don't remember a lot but I do remember the ending, which was sweet.
7. The Lady is a Screamer - Conn Iggulden: 3/5. I never really understood who "the Lady" was that helped our protagonist; it was clear that he received supernatural help, but the hows and whys were underexplained (IMO).
8. Hellbender - Laurie R. King: 4/5 for creativity, 3/5 for actual enjoyment/clarity of the plot.
9. Shadow Thieves - Glen Cook: 4/5 stars for creativity AND enjoyment! Although there was still a little clarity lacking (or my memory is poor, either way...).
10. No Mystery, No Miracle - Melinda M. Snodgrass: 5/5. Humor, historical cross-overs, religious tie-ins that are interesting/funny/perturbing... win. :)
11. The Difference between a Puzzle and a Mystery - M.L.N. Hanover: 4/5, similar to the previous story but not quite as enjoyable for me.
12. The Curious Affair of the Deodand - Lisa Tuttle: 5/5. Yay for proper 19th c. gentlewomen working for a Sherlock Holmes-type detective!
13. Lord John and the Plague of Zombies - Diana Gabaldon: 4/5. Interesting, but felt like I was lacking background because I haven't read anything else of Gabaldon's (unless you could 65% or so of the first Outlander book...).
14. Beware the Snake - John Maddox Roberts: 3/5. I felt like I was missing something in the plot arc, but enjoyed the plot and the setting (ancient Rome).
15. In Red, with Pearls - Patricia Briggs: 5/5. Patricia Briggs wins all the things. I haven't read anything by her that I've disliked yet. :)
16. The Adakian Eagle - Bradley Denton: 5/5. Goosebumps at the ending!!
~
So overall, I do recommend this, if you enjoy short story collections. There wasn't a single total dud in this collection; I did enjoy every story in some way, even if there were some stories that made me feel like I missed the crux of the mystery/problem being solved. Definitely a cool collection of interesting worlds and characters, though!
kimberly_b's review against another edition
4.0
Note: I only read the Diana Gabaldon story, Lord John and the Plague of Zombies, in this anthology. My rating only reflects my evaluation of that story. Also, I am not counting this toward my annual list of books read since I didn't read the entire collection.
Lord John and the Plague of Zombies is a fabulous short story. I thoroughly enjoy the Lord John novellas, including this one. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it--it grabbed me right from the beginning with the snake on the desk :-) 4 very solid stars!
Lord John and the Plague of Zombies is a fabulous short story. I thoroughly enjoy the Lord John novellas, including this one. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it--it grabbed me right from the beginning with the snake on the desk :-) 4 very solid stars!
felinity's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Some stories were great, others just confusing and overly-complicated.