Reviews

The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest by Terri Windling, Ellen Datlow

robyotter's review against another edition

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2.0

Not nearly as good as most Datlow/Windling anthologies. It was geared for YA, but I often like YA.

vulpesmellifera's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-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

4.0

cmbohn's review against another edition

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3.0

I just found this collection of short stories at the library and it looked like fun. Like most collections, I really liked some of the stories, some were fun, but nothing special, and some were not my style at all. I did find some new authors to read - Tanith Lee and M. Shayne Bell both had stories I really enjoyed.

dancarey_404's review

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4.0

I usually anticipate that 20-25% of a short-story collection will not be to my liking. So I was pleased to find only 1 story here that I just skipped over.

evensong's review against another edition

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3.0

A nice light summer read. Really loved a few of the stories and skipped three or four. Wish it had stuck closer to the theme.

midgardener's review against another edition

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5.0

An excellent collection of forest and nature spirit-themed tales, this kind of work is exactly what we need these days. Nature has never left us, but more and more we find ourselves leaving it; this anthology provides a refreshing return to the creative natural world, beautifully seen through both lighter and heavier lenses of fantasy. My only criticism is that there are one or two stories that for less smoothly into the theme, but it's not irksome enough to merit a snatched star. All of the writing is intriguing, and each tale provides a different twist on nature both in setting and in tone. Highly recommended for anyone wanting more environmental fantasy in their life, and for anyone who needs reminding of the very real magic in our green works.

maggie_stiefvater's review against another edition

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5.0

This collection of short stories, all inspired by the myth/ legend of the Green Man, was the most satisfying collection of short stories I've read in a long time. There were only one or two that didn't stick with me for a long time after reading them, and as a whole, the work was tremendously cohesive. Definitely a keeper for any fan of YA fantasy.



***wondering why all my reviews are five stars? Because I'm only reviewing my favorite books -- not every book I read. Consider a novel's presence on my Goodreads bookshelf as a hearty endorsement. I can't believe I just said "hearty." It sounds like a stew.****

teaandpetrichor's review against another edition

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4.0

Grand Central Park by Delia Sherman — ★★★

Daphne by Michael Cadnum — ★★★★½ stars
Omg, this was just so good. It was magical and feminist and mythological, and the voice was superb.

Somewhere in My Mind Is a Painting Box by Charles de Lint — ★★★½

Among the Leaves So Green by Tanith Lee — ★★★★½
The anti-villain in this one was so intriguing, and I love when fantasy plays around with the human perception of time. When otherwordly beings regard generations as moments, but still live in the details. So, so good.

Hunter's Moon by Patricia A. McKillip — ★★★

Charlie's Away by Midori Snyder - ★★★★
Heartbreaking.

A World Painted by Birds by Katherine Vaz — ★★★
I really liked the magical realism of this story, but I didn't connect very well with the characters.

Grounded by Nina Kiriki Hoffman — ★★★★
The language and scenery of this story was gorgeous!

Overlooking by Carol Emshwiller — ★★
Kind of a Saskwatch retelling. I just didn't really care for the narrative style.

Fee Fie Foe Et Cetera by Gregory Maguire — ★★★½
I laughed out loud multiple times while reading this retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk. Maguire's voice reminds me a lot of Terry Pratchett. I was just really mad at what they did to the goose at the end. I hate unnecessary animal violence for laughs.

Joshua Tree by Emma Bull — ★★★★
This story shocked me with how similar its main character is to the protagonist in the novel I'm writing right now. It really helped me with the writer's block I've had for the last couple of weeks! I wish this story had more fantasy in it, though, especially since it's part of a fantasy anthology. But the character development was really well done.

Ali Anugne O Chash (The Boy Who Was) by Carolyn Dunn — ★★★★
The writing in this story is stunning! Dunn's descriptions of both the magical and the mundane are beautiful. I found the actual plot to be a bit confusing, but I didn't really care.

Remnants by Kathe Koja — ★★★
I'm not sure that this story actually belongs in this anthology. It wasn't a fantasy story, and had nothing to do with the Green Man, but I found it really emotive.

The Pagodas of Cibourne by M. Shayne Bell — ★★★★
So charming! I loved the historical setting, and also liked learning about pagodas, creatures I'd never heard of before.

The Green Word by Jeffrey Ford — ★★★

cekennamer's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-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

4.25

carolined314's review against another edition

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4.0

A beautiful romp through forest-and-nature inspired tales, with mythic overlays that render it deeply moving.