A review by sophiarose1816
Heroic Hearts by Chloe Neill, Charlaine Harris, Jennifer Brozek, Annie Bellet, Kevin Hearne, Kelley Armstrong, Nancy Holder, Patricia Briggs, Rachel Caine, R.R. Virdi, Anne Bishop, Jim Butcher, Kerrie L. Hughes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
An irresistible anthology loaded with urban fantasy from so many favorite and new to me authors compelled me to pick it up and dive into the riches within.
“Little Things” by Jim Butcher, narrated by James Marstairs
Dresden Files story
Tiny, but brave pixie hero discovers their castle is infiltrated and sets out to save the day when Harry is sad and trying to keep up with new responsibilities. Whimsical and fun-action!
“The Dark Ship” by Anne Bishop, narrated by Alexandra Harris
The Others story
An intuit and Terre Indigene sea tale on the Cel-Romano coast. Loved the tone to the intuit girl's story. She can't help saving others even when her circumstances are dire. Very satisfying!
“Comfort Zone” by Kelley Armstrong, narrated by Cassandra Morris
A Darkest Powers story
A necromancer and her werewolf boyfriend are trying to find a balance between hiding from the danger to them and stepping in to help others in desperate circumstances. Exciting and heartwarming!
“Train to Last Hope” by Annie Bellet, narrated by Maggie Meg Reed
Oh the ache of a parent who lost her child. A hearth witch and her Reaper wife go on one last search to find their missing daughter. Bittersweet, beautiful story.
“Fire Hazard” by Kevin Hearne, narrated by Luke Daniels
Iron Druid story
Atticus takes Oberon and Starbuck to fight the fires in Australia. He is worried there might be a supernatural influence. Oberon learns the difference between sausage and courage. Funny and whimsical adventure.
“Grave Gambles” by RR Virdi, narrated by Travis Baldree
A Grave Report story
Vincent hops dead bodies to solve their murders by monsters and I was intrigued by my first encounter with the series.
“Silverspell” by Chloe Neill, narrated by Suzanne Elise Freeman
Heir of Chicagoland story
Alisa and Connor work a case of a werewolf murdered and dark magic in the air. I enjoyed my first dip into the Chicagoland Vampire world and spin off Heirs of Chicagoland.
“Troll Life” by Kerrie L Hughes, narrated by Sean Patrick Hopkins
The coolest of worldbuilding- a troll minding a train station for supernaturals, his pet barghest, sentient trains, and a missing gargoyle child adventure. Favorite new to me author story of the book!
“The Return of the Mage” by Charlaine Harris, narrated by Johanna Parker
A world of Sookie Stackhouse story
An adventure for a pair of familiar Britlingen mercs. I liked encountering Batanya and Clovache once again. Sent on a rescue op that goes wrong. Abrupt ending leaving some loose ends.
“The Vampires Karamazov” by Nancy Holder, narrated by Daniel Henning
Alexei, his brothers, and his father are a family of Russian vampires in NYC. Alexei does not embrace vampirism and is very religious. His father is the opposite and no good. A tortured hero story.
“The Necessity of Pragmatic Magic” by Jennifer Brosek, narrated by Nancy Linari
A Karen Wilson Chronicles story
A mysterious artifact arrives at the museum where Maureen works and it takes all of her and Felicia's pragmatic magic skills to deal with the trouble that is unleashed. I was left with a few question, but I want more of the series.
“Dating Terrors” by Patricia Briggs, narrated by Holter Graham
An Alpha and Omega story
Asil's latest blind date takes him to Seattle for a ghost hunting date where he encounters a fae witch with a big monster problem. Something about Ruby has his wolf feeling whole and like he did before losing his mate. I need more Asil and the whole Alpha and Omega world.
Alas, the stories are through and I reveled in several, was entertained by all, and left with satisfaction at favorite authors' stories and discovery of a few new to me authors' books I need to pursue further. Most of these could be read as standalones and enjoyed as samplings to the authors, but I also appreciated the added pleasure of already being familiar with worlds and characters in the ones I knew. Bonus that regular series narrators were the readers and all did fab. Urban Fantasy fans should consider this a treat to read.
“Little Things” by Jim Butcher, narrated by James Marstairs
Dresden Files story
Tiny, but brave pixie hero discovers their castle is infiltrated and sets out to save the day when Harry is sad and trying to keep up with new responsibilities. Whimsical and fun-action!
“The Dark Ship” by Anne Bishop, narrated by Alexandra Harris
The Others story
An intuit and Terre Indigene sea tale on the Cel-Romano coast. Loved the tone to the intuit girl's story. She can't help saving others even when her circumstances are dire. Very satisfying!
“Comfort Zone” by Kelley Armstrong, narrated by Cassandra Morris
A Darkest Powers story
A necromancer and her werewolf boyfriend are trying to find a balance between hiding from the danger to them and stepping in to help others in desperate circumstances. Exciting and heartwarming!
“Train to Last Hope” by Annie Bellet, narrated by Maggie Meg Reed
Oh the ache of a parent who lost her child. A hearth witch and her Reaper wife go on one last search to find their missing daughter. Bittersweet, beautiful story.
“Fire Hazard” by Kevin Hearne, narrated by Luke Daniels
Iron Druid story
Atticus takes Oberon and Starbuck to fight the fires in Australia. He is worried there might be a supernatural influence. Oberon learns the difference between sausage and courage. Funny and whimsical adventure.
“Grave Gambles” by RR Virdi, narrated by Travis Baldree
A Grave Report story
Vincent hops dead bodies to solve their murders by monsters and I was intrigued by my first encounter with the series.
“Silverspell” by Chloe Neill, narrated by Suzanne Elise Freeman
Heir of Chicagoland story
Alisa and Connor work a case of a werewolf murdered and dark magic in the air. I enjoyed my first dip into the Chicagoland Vampire world and spin off Heirs of Chicagoland.
“Troll Life” by Kerrie L Hughes, narrated by Sean Patrick Hopkins
The coolest of worldbuilding- a troll minding a train station for supernaturals, his pet barghest, sentient trains, and a missing gargoyle child adventure. Favorite new to me author story of the book!
“The Return of the Mage” by Charlaine Harris, narrated by Johanna Parker
A world of Sookie Stackhouse story
An adventure for a pair of familiar Britlingen mercs. I liked encountering Batanya and Clovache once again. Sent on a rescue op that goes wrong. Abrupt ending leaving some loose ends.
“The Vampires Karamazov” by Nancy Holder, narrated by Daniel Henning
Alexei, his brothers, and his father are a family of Russian vampires in NYC. Alexei does not embrace vampirism and is very religious. His father is the opposite and no good. A tortured hero story.
“The Necessity of Pragmatic Magic” by Jennifer Brosek, narrated by Nancy Linari
A Karen Wilson Chronicles story
A mysterious artifact arrives at the museum where Maureen works and it takes all of her and Felicia's pragmatic magic skills to deal with the trouble that is unleashed. I was left with a few question, but I want more of the series.
“Dating Terrors” by Patricia Briggs, narrated by Holter Graham
An Alpha and Omega story
Asil's latest blind date takes him to Seattle for a ghost hunting date where he encounters a fae witch with a big monster problem. Something about Ruby has his wolf feeling whole and like he did before losing his mate. I need more Asil and the whole Alpha and Omega world.
Alas, the stories are through and I reveled in several, was entertained by all, and left with satisfaction at favorite authors' stories and discovery of a few new to me authors' books I need to pursue further. Most of these could be read as standalones and enjoyed as samplings to the authors, but I also appreciated the added pleasure of already being familiar with worlds and characters in the ones I knew. Bonus that regular series narrators were the readers and all did fab. Urban Fantasy fans should consider this a treat to read.