OK! I'm in love with 2 of these authors and unfamiliar with the 3rd, so I have a varied review on this, which is a delightful collection. The two stor...moreOK! I'm in love with 2 of these authors and unfamiliar with the 3rd, so I have a varied review on this, which is a delightful collection. The two stories I loved (by the authors I know and love) were KINDA wild and steamy, but more than that they were delightful romances set in worlds I love visiting.
"THE BLUSHING BOUNDER" by Meljean Brook This is set in the steampunk world of the Iron Duke (which I reviewed and LOVED). It is just a really sweet, beautiful story about one of the tangental characters in the main series. I enjoyed it a lot, I was reminded why I think this is one of the best and most interesting steampunk worlds out there, and was definitely craving a WHOLE novel set in the world...I WANT IT NOW! There wasn't a ton of sex in this, but it was a sweet romance, and I thought it was wonderful.
"VIXEN" by Jill Myles I don't know this author at all, but I have seen her books and wanted to try them out. When you compare it to the previous (and following) novella, this is just kinda waaaay too racy, and porn-y for my PERSONAL tastes. It follows shapeshifters, which I like, but I'm not a big fan of 2 guys and a girl romance, so I dunno. Just not my style. I'll pick up a full-length by her to see if being familiar with her world-building helps understand this piece better.
"KITTEN-TIGER & THE MONK" by Carolyn Crane THIS IS MY FAVORITE URBAN FANTASY SERIES WORLD. Ahem. I love Mind Games with an unnatural fervor. This was a fantastic glimpse into side characters, adds to the bizarre and comic-book inspired world these characters live in, and it was just a fun ride. There was some steamy stuff in here, and because there was great context and character and history around it, I was sucked in. Definitely can't wait for the next book in the main series, PACKARD I LOVE YOU!!!
Anyway, for 2.99 this is a good buy, and if you are familiar with any of these authors' works, you'll definitely get a kick out of this lovely collection.(less)
Well, I don't watch a lot of horror films, but now I see where they all rip off everything from: Lovecraft!
I didn't read EVERY one of these stories, t...moreWell, I don't watch a lot of horror films, but now I see where they all rip off everything from: Lovecraft!
I didn't read EVERY one of these stories, they got a bit repetitive after a while, but the stories were chilling and seeing how influential the storytelling is on modern horror is really interesting. Fascinating how much suspense can be put into a 10 page story.
Yes, I had nightmares of tentacle-things after I finished. Don't make fun of me.(less)
LOVED this collection. Think I'm on a hard sci-fi kick though, so this really rung true with me! All the stories were interesting (a few too pretentio...moreLOVED this collection. Think I'm on a hard sci-fi kick though, so this really rung true with me! All the stories were interesting (a few too pretentious in that hard sci-fi way, but surprisingly few). Particularly liked Elizabeth Moon's, and Sean Williams (always forget how much I like this author!) I know this ground might feel familiar to aficionados of this genre, but especially for ppl not as immersed, this is really a good compilation!(less)
I never really loved short story format, but I've been warming up to it since I've been trying to plow through books that have been sitting on my shel...moreI never really loved short story format, but I've been warming up to it since I've been trying to plow through books that have been sitting on my shelf for FOREVER. This compilation had some GREAT entries, all centering around the idea of wizards. Ones I loved the most were by Neil Gaiman, Orson Scott Card, Garth Nix and Kage Baker (who I have only read a few things by, must remedy!) A few were a little simplistic and young-adultish in tone, but still enjoyable. It's a fine line with fantasy/folktale, and these tales proved to be engrossing sometimes as a full length series. Very enjoyable!(less)