anabfleal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
girl_sam_rex's review against another edition
4.0
The short stories I really enjoyed:
My Heart Is Either Broken,
The Hands That Are Not There,
Shadows For Silence In The Forests of Hell,
A Queen In Exile,
City Lazarus,
Pronouncing Doom,
Lies My Mother Told Me,
The Process and The Queen
My Heart Is Either Broken,
The Hands That Are Not There,
Shadows For Silence In The Forests of Hell,
A Queen In Exile,
City Lazarus,
Pronouncing Doom,
Lies My Mother Told Me,
The Process and The Queen
doctabird's review against another edition
I'm slowly getting through this whole anthology. At almost the halfway mark, I can say that I'm disappointed there aren't more "dangerous women" in this book. Many of the stories just have women as some peripheral, forgettable character, some of the women are either awful, or fall into stereotypes. Not that I think every story needs to pass the Bechdel test, but I would have assumed that an anthology about dangerous women would have stories that would be closer to passing it.... most don't even come close.
Some quick notes that I jotted after each story...
Some Desperado: Pretty good, interesting story. Kept me engaged.
My Heart is Either Broken: What was the point of this story?
Nora's Song: Boring.
The Hands That Are Not There: Women are peripheral
Bombshells: Strong women! Interesting and engaging
Raisa Stepanova: Good story. Two women are protagonists
Wrestling Jesus: Boring story about a man and a boy. There's one peripheral woman who's basically 'property.'
Neighbors: Awesome story. Women (one in particular) were central. It was suspenseful and there was a good twist.
I Know How to Pick 'Em: Worst one yet. Disgusting and disturbing story. The story is about about a man, women are just the people that use him, and he in turn treats them... badly. I almost didn't finish it, kinda wish I hadn't.
Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell: Great story! What I'd expect from Brandon Sanderson. Great world building. Strong women are central. Very suspenseful.
A Queen in Exile: Boring. But historical fiction isn't usually my thing
The Girl in the Mirror: There were women. They had magical powers that were "dangerous." The ghost was also supposedly powerful and dangerous and a woman. The main woman had to get saved by a man. The author honestly didn't make me care about the wine or the pencils and didn't show me how/why the ghost was scary.
Some quick notes that I jotted after each story...
Spoiler
Some Desperado: Pretty good, interesting story. Kept me engaged.
My Heart is Either Broken: What was the point of this story?
Nora's Song: Boring.
The Hands That Are Not There: Women are peripheral
Bombshells: Strong women! Interesting and engaging
Raisa Stepanova: Good story. Two women are protagonists
Wrestling Jesus: Boring story about a man and a boy. There's one peripheral woman who's basically 'property.'
Neighbors: Awesome story. Women (one in particular) were central. It was suspenseful and there was a good twist.
I Know How to Pick 'Em: Worst one yet. Disgusting and disturbing story. The story is about about a man, women are just the people that use him, and he in turn treats them... badly. I almost didn't finish it, kinda wish I hadn't.
Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell: Great story! What I'd expect from Brandon Sanderson. Great world building. Strong women are central. Very suspenseful.
A Queen in Exile: Boring. But historical fiction isn't usually my thing
The Girl in the Mirror: There were women. They had magical powers that were "dangerous." The ghost was also supposedly powerful and dangerous and a woman. The main woman had to get saved by a man. The author honestly didn't make me care about the wine or the pencils and didn't show me how/why the ghost was scary.
bramboomen's review against another edition
3 - “Some Desperado” by Joe Abercrombie - A Red Country story
5 - “My Heart is Either Broken” by Megan Abbott
4 - “Nora’s Song” by Cecelia Holland
2 - “The Hands That Are Not There” by Melinda Snodgrass
/ - “Bombshells” by Jim Butcher - A Harry Dresden story
4 - “Raisa Stepanova” by Carrie Vaughn
3 - “Wrestling Jesus” by Joe R. Lansdale
5 - “Neighbors” by Megan Lindholm
3 - “I Know How to Pick ’Em” by Lawrence Block
4 - “Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell” by Brandon Sanderson - A Cosmere story
3 - “A Queen in Exile” by Sharon Kay Penman
5 - “The Girl in the Mirror” by Lev Grossman - A Magicians story
3 - “Second Arabesque, Very Slowly” by Nancy Kress
3 - “City Lazarus” by Diana Rowland
/ - “Virgins” by Diana Gabaldon - An Outlander story
/ - “Hell Hath No Fury” by Sherilynn Kenyon
3 - “Pronouncing Doom” by S.M. Stirling - An Emberverse story
4 - “Name the Beast” by Sam Sykes
/ - “Caretakers” by Pat Cadigan
4 - “Lies My Mother Told Me” by Caroline Spector - A Wild Cards story
2 - “The Princess and the Queen” by George R.R. Martin - A Song of Ice and Fire story
5 - “My Heart is Either Broken” by Megan Abbott
4 - “Nora’s Song” by Cecelia Holland
2 - “The Hands That Are Not There” by Melinda Snodgrass
/ - “Bombshells” by Jim Butcher - A Harry Dresden story
4 - “Raisa Stepanova” by Carrie Vaughn
3 - “Wrestling Jesus” by Joe R. Lansdale
5 - “Neighbors” by Megan Lindholm
3 - “I Know How to Pick ’Em” by Lawrence Block
4 - “Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell” by Brandon Sanderson - A Cosmere story
3 - “A Queen in Exile” by Sharon Kay Penman
5 - “The Girl in the Mirror” by Lev Grossman - A Magicians story
3 - “Second Arabesque, Very Slowly” by Nancy Kress
3 - “City Lazarus” by Diana Rowland
/ - “Virgins” by Diana Gabaldon - An Outlander story
/ - “Hell Hath No Fury” by Sherilynn Kenyon
3 - “Pronouncing Doom” by S.M. Stirling - An Emberverse story
4 - “Name the Beast” by Sam Sykes
/ - “Caretakers” by Pat Cadigan
4 - “Lies My Mother Told Me” by Caroline Spector - A Wild Cards story
2 - “The Princess and the Queen” by George R.R. Martin - A Song of Ice and Fire story
swissmunicipal's review against another edition
3.0
There were definitely stories in the anthology that I really liked, but generally it was hit and miss from story to story.
One firm take away is that I do not enjoy George R. R. Martin's writing style. There's so much vitriolic language, particularly in reference to women, in addition to a general obsession with death and violence. The scope of the stories are incredible and epic - almost historic in their expanse. But when choosing something that I'm going to read for entertainment, his focuses are not something that I enjoy.
One firm take away is that I do not enjoy George R. R. Martin's writing style. There's so much vitriolic language, particularly in reference to women, in addition to a general obsession with death and violence. The scope of the stories are incredible and epic - almost historic in their expanse. But when choosing something that I'm going to read for entertainment, his focuses are not something that I enjoy.
itkovian_books's review against another edition
4.0
Overall: 4 stars
Some Desperado-4
My Heart is Either Broken-5
Nora's Song-2
The Hands that are not There-5
Bombshells-3
Raisa Stepanova-3
Wrestling Jesus-5
Neighbors-2
I Know How To Pick 'Em-4
Shadows For Silence in the Forest of Hell-5
A Queen In Exile-3
The Girl in the Mirror-3
Second Arabesque, Very Slowly-4
City Lazarus-4
Virgins-4
Hell Hath No Fury-3
Pronouncing Doom-4
Name The Beast-3
Caretakers-4
Lies My Mother Told Me-5
The Princess and the Queen-5
Some Desperado-4
My Heart is Either Broken-5
Nora's Song-2
The Hands that are not There-5
Bombshells-3
Raisa Stepanova-3
Wrestling Jesus-5
Neighbors-2
I Know How To Pick 'Em-4
Shadows For Silence in the Forest of Hell-5
A Queen In Exile-3
The Girl in the Mirror-3
Second Arabesque, Very Slowly-4
City Lazarus-4
Virgins-4
Hell Hath No Fury-3
Pronouncing Doom-4
Name The Beast-3
Caretakers-4
Lies My Mother Told Me-5
The Princess and the Queen-5
pickpoppies's review against another edition
I liked Cecelia Holland and Sharon Kay Penman so I'll add them to the reading list... but where did the theme of dangerous women go? Was it ever there? Oh well, on to the next book.
finderin's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
trudecal's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic collection of short stories. Nearly all of them left me wanting more. Along with enjoying samplings from some of my favorite authors, I also discovered several more that I can't wait to delve into.
xim3na's review against another edition
3.0
Some Desperado/Abercrombie: 2 stars.
This story seemed too western for my liking. Action was good but I didn't really care for the main character.
My heart is Either Broken/Abbott: 3 stars
I didn't want to like this story, I can't stand it when children are used like this. Stresses me out, but the writing was good.
Nora's Song/Holland: 2 stars
It was just ok. Still don't get the tittle-did I miss something.
The Hands That Are Not There/Snodgrass: 3 stars
Interesting story. I liked it.
Bombshells/Butcher: 2 stars
Reminded me of Cat from Night Huntress series. Would be very similar if there had been a Bones and a romance aspect.
Raisa Stepanova/Vaughn: 2 stars
It was another one that for me, was just alright.
Wrestling Jesus/Landsdale: 2 stars
Neighbors/Lindholm: 3 stars
Thought provoking, but somewhat sad.
I Know How To Pick' Em/Block: 2 stars
A bit dark for me...
Shadows for Silence/Sanderson: 3 stars
A Queen in Exile/Penman: 3 stars
Always love historical fiction that drives me to research further.
The Girl in the Mirror/Grossman: 4 stars
Rated higher because I know this world and I appreciate any further insight into it and its characters (Plum)& I know who the girl in the mirror is :)
Second Arabesque/Kress: 2 stars
City of Lazarus/Rowland: 3 stars
Virgins/Gabaldon: 4 stars
JAMMF and Ian enough said
Hell Hath No Fury/Kenyon: 3 stars
Pronouncing Doom/Stirling: 2 stars
Name the Beast/Sykes: 3 stars
Caretakers/Cadigan: 3 stars
Lies My Mother Told Me/Spector: 2 stars
The Princess and The Queen/RR Martin: 4 stars
This story seemed too western for my liking. Action was good but I didn't really care for the main character.
My heart is Either Broken/Abbott: 3 stars
I didn't want to like this story, I can't stand it when children are used like this. Stresses me out, but the writing was good.
Nora's Song/Holland: 2 stars
It was just ok. Still don't get the tittle-did I miss something.
The Hands That Are Not There/Snodgrass: 3 stars
Interesting story. I liked it.
Bombshells/Butcher: 2 stars
Reminded me of Cat from Night Huntress series. Would be very similar if there had been a Bones and a romance aspect.
Raisa Stepanova/Vaughn: 2 stars
It was another one that for me, was just alright.
Wrestling Jesus/Landsdale: 2 stars
Neighbors/Lindholm: 3 stars
Thought provoking, but somewhat sad.
I Know How To Pick' Em/Block: 2 stars
A bit dark for me...
Shadows for Silence/Sanderson: 3 stars
A Queen in Exile/Penman: 3 stars
Always love historical fiction that drives me to research further.
The Girl in the Mirror/Grossman: 4 stars
Rated higher because I know this world and I appreciate any further insight into it and its characters (Plum)& I know who the girl in the mirror is :)
Second Arabesque/Kress: 2 stars
City of Lazarus/Rowland: 3 stars
Virgins/Gabaldon: 4 stars
JAMMF and Ian enough said
Hell Hath No Fury/Kenyon: 3 stars
Pronouncing Doom/Stirling: 2 stars
Name the Beast/Sykes: 3 stars
Caretakers/Cadigan: 3 stars
Lies My Mother Told Me/Spector: 2 stars
The Princess and The Queen/RR Martin: 4 stars