A review by katleap
Down These Strange Streets by George R.R. Martin
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".