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Joe Ledger #10.1 (Twilight Falls)
Fantastic Hope
A collection of 16 sci-fi and fantasy stories edited by number one New York Times best-selling author Laurell K. Hamilton and author William McCaskey.
A child’s wish for her father comes true. The end of the world has never been so much fun. Conquering personal demons becomes all too real. It’s not always about winning; sometimes it’s about showing up for the fight. It’s about loving your life’s work, and jobs that make you question everything.
In this anthology, 17 authors have woven together brand-new stories that speak to the darkness and despair that life brings while reminding us that good deeds, humor, love, sacrifice, dedication, and following our joy can ignite a light that burns so bright the darkness cannot last.
Laurell K. Hamilton and William McCaskey are joined by Kevin J. Anderson, Griffin Barber, Patricia Briggs, Larry Correia, Kacey Ezell, Monalisa Foster, Robert E. Hampson, John G. Hartness, Jonathan Maberry, L. E. Modesitt, Jr., Jessica Schlenker, Sharon Shinn, M. C. Sumner, Patrick M. Tracy, and Michael Z. Williamson in this collection.
Contents:
Twilight Falls A Joe Ledger Rogue Team International Adventure
Jonathan Maberry
Not in This Lifetime
Sharon Shinn
Mr. Positive, The Eternal Optimist
Larry Correia
No Greater Love
Kacey Ezell
Broken Son
Griffin Barber
Heart of Clay A Dan Shamble, Zombie Pi Adventure
Kevin J. Anderson
Reprise A Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter Short Story
John G. Hartness
Asil and the Not-Date An Alpha and Omega Story
Patricia Briggs
In the Dust
Robert E. Hampson
Fallen
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Working Conditions
Patrick M. Tracy
Last Contact
M. C. Sumner
Ronin
William McCaskey
Skjöldmóðir
Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker
Bonds of Love and Duty
Monalisa Foster
Zombie Dearest An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Story
Laurell K. Hamilton
A child’s wish for her father comes true. The end of the world has never been so much fun. Conquering personal demons becomes all too real. It’s not always about winning; sometimes it’s about showing up for the fight. It’s about loving your life’s work, and jobs that make you question everything.
In this anthology, 17 authors have woven together brand-new stories that speak to the darkness and despair that life brings while reminding us that good deeds, humor, love, sacrifice, dedication, and following our joy can ignite a light that burns so bright the darkness cannot last.
Laurell K. Hamilton and William McCaskey are joined by Kevin J. Anderson, Griffin Barber, Patricia Briggs, Larry Correia, Kacey Ezell, Monalisa Foster, Robert E. Hampson, John G. Hartness, Jonathan Maberry, L. E. Modesitt, Jr., Jessica Schlenker, Sharon Shinn, M. C. Sumner, Patrick M. Tracy, and Michael Z. Williamson in this collection.
Contents:
Twilight Falls A Joe Ledger Rogue Team International Adventure
Jonathan Maberry
Not in This Lifetime
Sharon Shinn
Mr. Positive, The Eternal Optimist
Larry Correia
No Greater Love
Kacey Ezell
Broken Son
Griffin Barber
Heart of Clay A Dan Shamble, Zombie Pi Adventure
Kevin J. Anderson
Reprise A Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter Short Story
John G. Hartness
Asil and the Not-Date An Alpha and Omega Story
Patricia Briggs
In the Dust
Robert E. Hampson
Fallen
L. E. Modesitt, Jr.
Working Conditions
Patrick M. Tracy
Last Contact
M. C. Sumner
Ronin
William McCaskey
Skjöldmóðir
Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker
Bonds of Love and Duty
Monalisa Foster
Zombie Dearest An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Story
Laurell K. Hamilton
432 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2020
807 people are currently reading
2834 people want to read
About the author
Laurell K. Hamilton
424 books25.8k followersLaurell K. Hamilton is one of the leading writers of paranormal fiction. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Hamilton writes the popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels and the Meredith Gentry series. She is also the creator of a bestselling comic book series based on her Anita Blake novels and published by Marvel Comics. Hamilton is a full-time writer and lives in the suburbs of St. Louis with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 353 reviews
April 7, 2020
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I really enjoyed this collection of stories. I am sometimes a little hesitant to pick up short story collections since I have had mixed luck with them in the past. When I saw the group of authors that contributed to this collection, I knew that I had to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this group of wildly varied stories. I loved the fact that there was a little bit of everything in this book and had a great time reading all of the stories.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry - 3.5 stars
This was entertaining. This story was about a group of three men on a mission. There is a group that believes that in order to save the world 90% of its population needs to be exterminated. The trio goes to investigate a wiped-out village and stumble upon something they didn't expect. There was a lot of action and some pretty big surprises in this story.
Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn - 4 stars
I really enjoyed this story. Sasha remembers all of her past lives and her past friends which she seems to keep finding in each life. She also remembers how she dies in each life. There is one thing that she doesn't seem to remember though.
Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia - 4 stars
This was a fun little story. Someone is trying to kill Stanley and he isn't just going to let it happen regardless of how polite his assassin might be. There was a lot of action and the twist at the end was well done.
No Greater Love by Kaey Ezell - 4 stars
Jennilee stays behind with one of her mother's who is in labor while her family continues on their dangerous journey. Jennilee is just a teenager but it is up to her to help her mother deliver her baby and keep them safe. When things go horribly wrong, she makes the only decision she can and is still able to protect her family.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber - 3 stars
This is a futuristic story where prisoners are sent out into space to work. A scientist has a theory that could change everything and goes along with a crew to investigate. It was interesting to see exactly what their discovery was able to do.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson - 4 stars
I have read the first book in this series so I was familiar with the characters. It was nice to see Dan and his crew solve the case of the murdered golems and find a missing sword. The Renaissance Faire was filled with interesting characters and it was fun to see how everything fit together.
Reprise by John G. Hartness - 4 stars
This is a Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter short story. I haven't read any of the books from that series but would definitely give them a try after reading this story. This story follows Quincy Harker as he tries to stop what is going on in the local park while coming to terms with seeing a ghost from his past. I liked the characters a lot and found the story very interesting.
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs - 5 stars
This was a great story! I love Asil and the idea of him going out on these not-dates brought a smile to my face. Tami was an interesting character. There were some pretty big surprises in this story and I loved that in the end, Asil was a hero. There was even a hint of humor to go around.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson - 4 stars
I thought that this story was very well done. We see Winnie and Jenny at key points in their life starting in their childhood. Winnie likes to tinker in the old museum while Jenny seems to have more going on in her life but they have a wonderful connection. There is a pretty big surprise in this story which I thought was very well done.
Fallen by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. - 2 stars
This one was kind of confusing. The story jumps around a lot and I had a hard time keeping up. We see the main character, Estafen, in a lot of different situations but things often switched abruptly.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy - 4 stars
This was a really quick story about a young man that never misses a day of work. Now that he is a vampire, it changes a few things in his working environment. I enjoyed this one quite a bit and really liked the twist.
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner - 4 stars
This was a very interesting alien story. The main character is faced with a very difficult decision that can change his life forever. I really liked the descriptions and how everything played out.
Ronin by William McCaskey - 3.5 stars
This was a fun little story about a warrior that I never expected. The story did go in a direction that I didn't expect which was a big plus. I did enjoy this one quite a bit.
Skjoldmodir by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker - 4 stars
I really liked this story. I hate to admit that I have not read Beowulf but it seems that this is a Beowulf story from another point of view. I felt for this mother and everything that she has been through. Her love for her son was very evident. This was very well done.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster - 4 stars
This was a really big story. I loved the idea of these created soldiers. This is a story of survival and fighting until the end. I thought that Andret and the wolves were all fantastic characters. This was a very entertaining read.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton - 4 stars
I love Anita Blake in all of her necromancy glory. This is a story of one man that was raised from the dead a little too well and the impact that has left. I thought that this was an exciting story that would work very well for new readers and fans of the series.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. I had a lot of luck with almost all of the stories in this collection. I enjoyed reading the stories of the authors I was already familiar with such as Patricia Briggs, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Kevin J. Anderson and finding a few new authors that I would like to read more of in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
I really enjoyed this collection of stories. I am sometimes a little hesitant to pick up short story collections since I have had mixed luck with them in the past. When I saw the group of authors that contributed to this collection, I knew that I had to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this group of wildly varied stories. I loved the fact that there was a little bit of everything in this book and had a great time reading all of the stories.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry - 3.5 stars
This was entertaining. This story was about a group of three men on a mission. There is a group that believes that in order to save the world 90% of its population needs to be exterminated. The trio goes to investigate a wiped-out village and stumble upon something they didn't expect. There was a lot of action and some pretty big surprises in this story.
Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn - 4 stars
I really enjoyed this story. Sasha remembers all of her past lives and her past friends which she seems to keep finding in each life. She also remembers how she dies in each life. There is one thing that she doesn't seem to remember though.
Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia - 4 stars
This was a fun little story. Someone is trying to kill Stanley and he isn't just going to let it happen regardless of how polite his assassin might be. There was a lot of action and the twist at the end was well done.
No Greater Love by Kaey Ezell - 4 stars
Jennilee stays behind with one of her mother's who is in labor while her family continues on their dangerous journey. Jennilee is just a teenager but it is up to her to help her mother deliver her baby and keep them safe. When things go horribly wrong, she makes the only decision she can and is still able to protect her family.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber - 3 stars
This is a futuristic story where prisoners are sent out into space to work. A scientist has a theory that could change everything and goes along with a crew to investigate. It was interesting to see exactly what their discovery was able to do.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson - 4 stars
I have read the first book in this series so I was familiar with the characters. It was nice to see Dan and his crew solve the case of the murdered golems and find a missing sword. The Renaissance Faire was filled with interesting characters and it was fun to see how everything fit together.
Reprise by John G. Hartness - 4 stars
This is a Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter short story. I haven't read any of the books from that series but would definitely give them a try after reading this story. This story follows Quincy Harker as he tries to stop what is going on in the local park while coming to terms with seeing a ghost from his past. I liked the characters a lot and found the story very interesting.
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs - 5 stars
This was a great story! I love Asil and the idea of him going out on these not-dates brought a smile to my face. Tami was an interesting character. There were some pretty big surprises in this story and I loved that in the end, Asil was a hero. There was even a hint of humor to go around.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson - 4 stars
I thought that this story was very well done. We see Winnie and Jenny at key points in their life starting in their childhood. Winnie likes to tinker in the old museum while Jenny seems to have more going on in her life but they have a wonderful connection. There is a pretty big surprise in this story which I thought was very well done.
Fallen by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. - 2 stars
This one was kind of confusing. The story jumps around a lot and I had a hard time keeping up. We see the main character, Estafen, in a lot of different situations but things often switched abruptly.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy - 4 stars
This was a really quick story about a young man that never misses a day of work. Now that he is a vampire, it changes a few things in his working environment. I enjoyed this one quite a bit and really liked the twist.
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner - 4 stars
This was a very interesting alien story. The main character is faced with a very difficult decision that can change his life forever. I really liked the descriptions and how everything played out.
Ronin by William McCaskey - 3.5 stars
This was a fun little story about a warrior that I never expected. The story did go in a direction that I didn't expect which was a big plus. I did enjoy this one quite a bit.
Skjoldmodir by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker - 4 stars
I really liked this story. I hate to admit that I have not read Beowulf but it seems that this is a Beowulf story from another point of view. I felt for this mother and everything that she has been through. Her love for her son was very evident. This was very well done.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster - 4 stars
This was a really big story. I loved the idea of these created soldiers. This is a story of survival and fighting until the end. I thought that Andret and the wolves were all fantastic characters. This was a very entertaining read.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton - 4 stars
I love Anita Blake in all of her necromancy glory. This is a story of one man that was raised from the dead a little too well and the impact that has left. I thought that this was an exciting story that would work very well for new readers and fans of the series.
I would definitely recommend this book to others. I had a lot of luck with almost all of the stories in this collection. I enjoyed reading the stories of the authors I was already familiar with such as Patricia Briggs, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Kevin J. Anderson and finding a few new authors that I would like to read more of in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
April 14, 2020
True confession: I picked up this book for one reason and one reason only -- it includes a new Patricia Briggs story, starring the dangerous old werewolf Asil, who appears in the Alpha & Omega books primarily, although he comes up sometimes in the Mercy Thompson books too. The story is called "Asil and the Not Date", about a blind date gone bad, and the mayhem that ensues. It's fun and exciting, and is a must for fans of Briggs's world.
February 3, 2021
Given today’s current pandemic situation these are paranormal short stories many of us might need right now. The outcome of each story is positive in some way. For many of these authors this is a unique ending as they tend to have things go badly more often than not in their stories.
Here’s some comments for each story:
Story #1 - Twilight Falls (Joe Ledger): by Jonathan Maberry
Everyone by now knows Maberry is a superb writer. His quick paced action, witty characters, and subtle plot twists always amuse. This short story is no different. Great ending that questions who the “bad guys” really are.
Story #2 - Not in this Lifetime: by Sharon Shinn
Well wow! In such a short story I want to know every characters story and hear about it all. Really well done and established.
Story #3 - Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist: by Larry Correia
Absolutely hilarious! This legit made me smile.
So far this set of stories is exactly as advertised and the perfect compilation to help dissipate some of the awfulness of 2020.
Story #4 - No Greater Love: by Kacey Ezell
Based on a Mormon folktale this story has the heart, courage, and ferocity of the wolves discussed within it.
Story #5 - Broken Son: by Griffin Barber
This could easily be expanded into a full novel; if not an on-going series. It starts off simple enough with a criminal on trial and by the end we are in space, dealing with neuropsychology, and contemplating other life’s existence. An easy 5 stars.
Story #6 - Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson
I swear Kevin J. Anderson and I are like the same personality through and through. I always love his writing, his dry-ish humour is like my own, and he comes up with unique, creative, yet relatable stories that I love.
This one is no different; a short story set in his Dan Shamble PI series. A great intro to this series or to Anderson's writing.
Story #7 - Reprise by John G. Harris
This story is set in an existing world, Quincy Harker, that is intriguing (as it’s based on Dracula). Unfortunately the story itself felt too ‘thrown-in’ for me. I didn’t have any connection with the characters and felt like I was reading a personal story I shouldn’t be. It was awkward in the end as I don’t know the characters.
Story #8 - Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs
Classic and typical Briggs story. But I don’t mind that at all as you know exactly what you are getting into.
I really like this Asil and may need to look up which of her series he stars in.
Story #9 - In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson
An adorable story about a couple trying to preserve history on their moon colony.
Story #10 - Fallen by L. E. Modesittt, Jr.
Ugh. A bit much for wording and explanations. Got bored quickly.
Story #11 - Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy
This is a story about something I’ve longer been intrigued by since a Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode as a kid. If you had a terminal illness and could be saved by becoming a vampire, would you choose that life over none at all?
This is an interesting perspective on that question.
Story #12 - Last Contact by M. C. Sumner
Brilliant! A great take on aliens visiting earth.
Story #13 - Ronin by William McCaskey
Oh wow... that may be one of the most moving short stories I have read in a very long time. I actually forgot all these stories were supposed to have happy endings as I was sure it would go another way as I read.
A magical teddy bear helps a dad and his daughter in their dreams, and real life. The dad has PTSD from a war and isn’t doing well... *shivers*
Story #14 - Skjolfmodir by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker
This is a widely known, old story written from the perspective of the mother of ‘the monster’. Poor Grendel whom; in this version of the tale, didn’t deserve what happened.
“But if they sing of him for a thousand years, they must also sing of me.”
Story #15 - Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster
I liked this one and really wanted a lot more of it than we got. This is a solid idea that could easily be expanded into a full novel.
Story # 16 - Zombie Dreams (Anita Blake) by Laurell K. Hamilton
I started to read this and then realized I’m about four books behind in this series and there might be spoilers. So I’ve skipped past it just in case.
Overall
I highly recommend this set of stories. If not to find some new authors or series to try out; but just to lift your spirits a little in the dark days of early 2021 we are living in.
Here’s some comments for each story:
Story #1 - Twilight Falls (Joe Ledger): by Jonathan Maberry
Everyone by now knows Maberry is a superb writer. His quick paced action, witty characters, and subtle plot twists always amuse. This short story is no different. Great ending that questions who the “bad guys” really are.
Story #2 - Not in this Lifetime: by Sharon Shinn
Well wow! In such a short story I want to know every characters story and hear about it all. Really well done and established.
Story #3 - Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist: by Larry Correia
Absolutely hilarious! This legit made me smile.
So far this set of stories is exactly as advertised and the perfect compilation to help dissipate some of the awfulness of 2020.
Story #4 - No Greater Love: by Kacey Ezell
Based on a Mormon folktale this story has the heart, courage, and ferocity of the wolves discussed within it.
Story #5 - Broken Son: by Griffin Barber
This could easily be expanded into a full novel; if not an on-going series. It starts off simple enough with a criminal on trial and by the end we are in space, dealing with neuropsychology, and contemplating other life’s existence. An easy 5 stars.
Story #6 - Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson
I swear Kevin J. Anderson and I are like the same personality through and through. I always love his writing, his dry-ish humour is like my own, and he comes up with unique, creative, yet relatable stories that I love.
This one is no different; a short story set in his Dan Shamble PI series. A great intro to this series or to Anderson's writing.
Story #7 - Reprise by John G. Harris
This story is set in an existing world, Quincy Harker, that is intriguing (as it’s based on Dracula). Unfortunately the story itself felt too ‘thrown-in’ for me. I didn’t have any connection with the characters and felt like I was reading a personal story I shouldn’t be. It was awkward in the end as I don’t know the characters.
Story #8 - Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs
Classic and typical Briggs story. But I don’t mind that at all as you know exactly what you are getting into.
I really like this Asil and may need to look up which of her series he stars in.
Story #9 - In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson
An adorable story about a couple trying to preserve history on their moon colony.
Story #10 - Fallen by L. E. Modesittt, Jr.
Ugh. A bit much for wording and explanations. Got bored quickly.
Story #11 - Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy
This is a story about something I’ve longer been intrigued by since a Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode as a kid. If you had a terminal illness and could be saved by becoming a vampire, would you choose that life over none at all?
This is an interesting perspective on that question.
Story #12 - Last Contact by M. C. Sumner
Brilliant! A great take on aliens visiting earth.
Story #13 - Ronin by William McCaskey
Oh wow... that may be one of the most moving short stories I have read in a very long time. I actually forgot all these stories were supposed to have happy endings as I was sure it would go another way as I read.
A magical teddy bear helps a dad and his daughter in their dreams, and real life. The dad has PTSD from a war and isn’t doing well... *shivers*
Story #14 - Skjolfmodir by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker
This is a widely known, old story written from the perspective of the mother of ‘the monster’. Poor Grendel whom; in this version of the tale, didn’t deserve what happened.
“But if they sing of him for a thousand years, they must also sing of me.”
Story #15 - Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster
I liked this one and really wanted a lot more of it than we got. This is a solid idea that could easily be expanded into a full novel.
Story # 16 - Zombie Dreams (Anita Blake) by Laurell K. Hamilton
I started to read this and then realized I’m about four books behind in this series and there might be spoilers. So I’ve skipped past it just in case.
Overall
I highly recommend this set of stories. If not to find some new authors or series to try out; but just to lift your spirits a little in the dark days of early 2021 we are living in.
May 5, 2022
2022 Free Range Reading
A book chosen for fun, not part of any project, plan, or list. In fact, I purchased it primarily for Patricia Briggs' short story about her ancient werewolf character, Asil. That one was the best of the lot for me, as Asil is a favourite of mine, smart, handsome, and proud as he is.
The other short fiction collected here consists of stories designed to be hopeful. Since I mostly find urban fantasy to be a hopeful genre, I'm not sure how it differs from regular anthologies. There were several stories that stood above the rest, in my opinion. No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell was a great twist on the werewolf theme, from a Mormon point of view. I was struck by the dilemma of a very devout person having to choose a path that would normally be anathema. I was also very taken with Skjoldmodir from the duo of Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker. I am very impressed with several writing teams of mixed gender. They seem well balanced to me, and this interpretation of Beowulf is intriguing and reinforces my impressions. I also enjoyed Last Contact by M.C. Sumner, in which I saw significant echoes of Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End.
As in any anthology, there were tales that I found less captivating and one or two of them even boring. But even those have their place, probably appealing to folks with divergent tastes from mine. Literally something for everyone.
A book chosen for fun, not part of any project, plan, or list. In fact, I purchased it primarily for Patricia Briggs' short story about her ancient werewolf character, Asil. That one was the best of the lot for me, as Asil is a favourite of mine, smart, handsome, and proud as he is.
The other short fiction collected here consists of stories designed to be hopeful. Since I mostly find urban fantasy to be a hopeful genre, I'm not sure how it differs from regular anthologies. There were several stories that stood above the rest, in my opinion. No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell was a great twist on the werewolf theme, from a Mormon point of view. I was struck by the dilemma of a very devout person having to choose a path that would normally be anathema. I was also very taken with Skjoldmodir from the duo of Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker. I am very impressed with several writing teams of mixed gender. They seem well balanced to me, and this interpretation of Beowulf is intriguing and reinforces my impressions. I also enjoyed Last Contact by M.C. Sumner, in which I saw significant echoes of Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End.
As in any anthology, there were tales that I found less captivating and one or two of them even boring. But even those have their place, probably appealing to folks with divergent tastes from mine. Literally something for everyone.
May 12, 2020
This is a great collection of fantasy and science fiction short stories. I read a few and enjoyed most. My main reason for reading the book was the story in the Mercy Thompson/Alpha & Omega series. I wrote a review for that one. Since I liked some better than others, I settled on 3 stars as a kind of in-between.
Asil and the not-date Patricia Briggs 4 stars
Asil has some anonymous friends setting him up on blind dates. On his 3rd date he meets Tami, a social worker, and there are some fun twists. Things are not quite what they seem. This is quite short, but anything Briggs writes is gold!
Asil and the not-date Patricia Briggs 4 stars
Asil has some anonymous friends setting him up on blind dates. On his 3rd date he meets Tami, a social worker, and there are some fun twists. Things are not quite what they seem. This is quite short, but anything Briggs writes is gold!
December 8, 2025
This is an anthology of kick butt authors. In all honesty, I was in with Patricia Briggs participating with a story about the werewolf Asil but happily enjoyed the respite from reality as you delve into complete and utter fantasy/scifi short story after short story.
With all multi-author anthologies, there is a huge range of writing styles. In the end, Fantastic Hope was a good read for me. I really enjoyed some and some stories were just okay.
The best part about reading anthologies, besides catching up on some favorite series, is discovering new authors that will be added to my to be read shelf.
I received this ARC copy of Fantastic Hope from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review.
With all multi-author anthologies, there is a huge range of writing styles. In the end, Fantastic Hope was a good read for me. I really enjoyed some and some stories were just okay.
The best part about reading anthologies, besides catching up on some favorite series, is discovering new authors that will be added to my to be read shelf.
I received this ARC copy of Fantastic Hope from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Read
May 11, 2020I’m not rating the book bc I only read 2 short stories.
Asil & the not date By Patricia Briggs
This was the reason for my impulse buy & it was a fantastic short story. Asil was surprisingly good humored.
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zombie Dearest by Laurell k Hamilton
This was a happy surprise being I was unaware LKH contributed a short story to the anthology she edited. I’m a long time fan of Anita & this was an interesting story that combined her FBI & necromancy careers. Like every long time fan of the series I enjoy when LKH gives us what I call “A day in the life “ stories. As in just a regular (no romance/no BIG case/adventure ) “normal” day of FBI agent Anita or Necromancer Anita.
3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The rest of the authors are unknown to me & when I looked up their profiles on GR they didn’t seem to publish stories I’d be interested in.
My advice: Divide the cost of the anthology by the number of stories you plan to read to determine if it’s worth purchasing this book. It wonderfully edited & I did find the formatting easy to navigate but I basically paid $6.50+/- for 2 short stories. 🤷🏻♀️ it’s an individuals choice how & what they spend their money on. This was my 🤦🏻♀️🙄 moment. Don’t judge me.
Asil & the not date By Patricia Briggs
This was the reason for my impulse buy & it was a fantastic short story. Asil was surprisingly good humored.
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zombie Dearest by Laurell k Hamilton
This was a happy surprise being I was unaware LKH contributed a short story to the anthology she edited. I’m a long time fan of Anita & this was an interesting story that combined her FBI & necromancy careers. Like every long time fan of the series I enjoy when LKH gives us what I call “A day in the life “ stories. As in just a regular (no romance/no BIG case/adventure ) “normal” day of FBI agent Anita or Necromancer Anita.
3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The rest of the authors are unknown to me & when I looked up their profiles on GR they didn’t seem to publish stories I’d be interested in.
My advice: Divide the cost of the anthology by the number of stories you plan to read to determine if it’s worth purchasing this book. It wonderfully edited & I did find the formatting easy to navigate but I basically paid $6.50+/- for 2 short stories. 🤷🏻♀️ it’s an individuals choice how & what they spend their money on. This was my 🤦🏻♀️🙄 moment. Don’t judge me.
April 8, 2020
This is an anthology so I am going to do a mini review for each story.
Twilight Falls by Johnathon Mayberry
When a plane is spotted flying over several villages and then people are found dead, the people in charge think someone is spraying chemicals over them. Turns out that the people in the plane weren't the problem, they were actually trying to help but other bad guys got wind of what they were doing and decided to stop them. It was a fun quick story.
Not In This Lifetime by Sharon Shinn
What if you were to remember all of your past lives and the same guy kills you in each of your lives? That's what happens to Sasha in this story. Sasha remembers some of the people who have been in her life during her past lives and she's friends with them in this life. So when she spots the man who kills her and she knows will kill her in this life, she goes about trying to change the outcome this time.
Mr. Positive, The Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia
Chris is from the future and is sent to do things. Like if you could go back in time and kill Hilter, would you? So Chris has a mission to shoot Stanley in the heart for some reason but Stanley puts up a good fight and Chris ends up liking him but still he needs to finish his mission. This one had an ending that went in a way I wasn't expecting. Interesting idea.
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell
Jennilee and Anna were forced to stay in a cave Dalton left and pushed carts through the snow with their meager belongings on them but Jennilee's father had told Anna who was about to give birth, he would be back. Anna was married to Jennilee's father. When Anna dies after giving birth, Jennilee knows she can't stay there so she follows the trail her father is on only to get hurt. A woman comes to her rescue but things are not right or normal with this woman but she is able to save them both but not in a normal way. This was a really fun story. Not what I was expecting at all.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber
Sent to a space station penal colony for a few years, Borges makes the best of his time in the mines. He must be wealthy because he is given special treatment and one of the other inmates who they refer to as the broken says he can hear a song coming from somewhere else. So when a scientist comes aboard to check something out, he introduces her to the broken and the broken makes contact with another life form who informs them what happen to them.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson
A dragon with a gambling problem lost the Excalibur sword in a gambling bet and now there's a bunch of supernaturals looking for it. Someone was also killing Golems and they couldn't seem to figure out why until the end of the story. With so many different supernatural creatures in this story it was fun to see what would happen next.
Reprise by John G. Hartness
Quincy, the son of dracula watches a group of young people trying to summon a demon and spots a young woman who looks like the woman he loved and lost. He's taken with her and watches her and even talks with her. When he finds out what she and the others are up to it's almost too late to send the demon back to hell before it gets out and kills indiscriminately. But he's the son of dracula so thankfully things work out.
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs
Asil was a wolf shifter and he knew that at some point his wolf was going to get free and probably kill someone. He was depressed but when the emails about going on dates started to anonymously come to him, it peeked his interest so he kept going on dates. Asil liked Tami even when he found out she was a white witch. A witch had killed his mate so his crabby wolf wasn't too happy about her being around him. Tami and Asil helped one of her clients when they found themselves in danger but then there's a big twist to this one and I liked it.
In The Dust by Robert E. Hampson
This story took place throughout a couple's journey first as kids, then teens and then as adults with their own kids. I never knew where this story was headed until the very end which was nice. I liked this one and liked how I had to read the story and pick up on little things in order to see where this one would end up.
Fallen by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
I had a hard time figuring this one out at times. It was hard to tell where Estafen was, where he had been and what was going on. He wanted to change the way things were where he was but everyone and everything around him was making that difficult. When I was done, I finally figured out that this was a religious piece and that's probably why I had a hard time deciphering it for it to make sense to me.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy
Sam had recently been turned into a vampire and Delia owned the convenience store he worked at. She was a little afraid of him but he was just a lonely, young man that she was still friends with. When he bit her to save her life from terminal cancer, she knew he was one of the good guys and she made sure he had a place to work. This was a short, sweet story.
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner
When an alien ships hovers over a city, a detective shows up and tells Samuel that they want him to meet with them. Samuel is a paleoichthyologist or someone that studies extinct fish. He was taken to where the ship was a a kind of transport box was there to take him to the ship where he met and talked with the alien. The alien talked and answered questions and then had a question for him. This was interesting and thought provoking. Definitely one of my favorites.
Ronin by William McCaskey
This story is told from the vantage point of a stuffed teddy bear. I liked this story. The bear had fun with a boy that grew up to have a child of his own but the man had a lot of problems that the bear really couldn't understand. The bear can enter dreams and see what their nightmares are and help them through their fears. This story broke my heart but it was really good.
Skjoldmodir by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker
A mother of a son who was born not quite right, living in a village where the villages grew to fear and ultimately hate Grendel, the son, the monster as he was called after he got older. A mother who could do nothing but move on after her husband was killed in battle and try to keep her son safe even though nothing could keep them safe from the hateful villagers. This was such a sad tale.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster
The Donai were genetically engineered soldiers but in her lab they were just children or soon to be children in the gestation pods. She escaped with Andret, the oldest Donai soldier and some of the babies still in tubes. They landed on a far away planet and he kept the tubes filled with his kind safe until other Donai came looking for him.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton
Anita Blake was in her office when a man and woman walked in and accused her of getting their daughter pregnant. Turned out a zombie that Anita raised had sex with their daughter and when she put him back in the ground, the woman found out she was pregnant some time later. She gave birth to a normal baby but now she was laying in a hospital room dying from something the doctors couldn't figure out. So Anita finds out what's was wrong with the young woman and goes about fixing it. This is actually the story that I was most wanting to read. I got the book because of this author and am glad that I read this and the other stories.
Disclosure: I was given an ARC of this ebook via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Twilight Falls by Johnathon Mayberry
When a plane is spotted flying over several villages and then people are found dead, the people in charge think someone is spraying chemicals over them. Turns out that the people in the plane weren't the problem, they were actually trying to help but other bad guys got wind of what they were doing and decided to stop them. It was a fun quick story.
Not In This Lifetime by Sharon Shinn
What if you were to remember all of your past lives and the same guy kills you in each of your lives? That's what happens to Sasha in this story. Sasha remembers some of the people who have been in her life during her past lives and she's friends with them in this life. So when she spots the man who kills her and she knows will kill her in this life, she goes about trying to change the outcome this time.
Mr. Positive, The Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia
Chris is from the future and is sent to do things. Like if you could go back in time and kill Hilter, would you? So Chris has a mission to shoot Stanley in the heart for some reason but Stanley puts up a good fight and Chris ends up liking him but still he needs to finish his mission. This one had an ending that went in a way I wasn't expecting. Interesting idea.
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell
Jennilee and Anna were forced to stay in a cave Dalton left and pushed carts through the snow with their meager belongings on them but Jennilee's father had told Anna who was about to give birth, he would be back. Anna was married to Jennilee's father. When Anna dies after giving birth, Jennilee knows she can't stay there so she follows the trail her father is on only to get hurt. A woman comes to her rescue but things are not right or normal with this woman but she is able to save them both but not in a normal way. This was a really fun story. Not what I was expecting at all.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber
Sent to a space station penal colony for a few years, Borges makes the best of his time in the mines. He must be wealthy because he is given special treatment and one of the other inmates who they refer to as the broken says he can hear a song coming from somewhere else. So when a scientist comes aboard to check something out, he introduces her to the broken and the broken makes contact with another life form who informs them what happen to them.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson
A dragon with a gambling problem lost the Excalibur sword in a gambling bet and now there's a bunch of supernaturals looking for it. Someone was also killing Golems and they couldn't seem to figure out why until the end of the story. With so many different supernatural creatures in this story it was fun to see what would happen next.
Reprise by John G. Hartness
Quincy, the son of dracula watches a group of young people trying to summon a demon and spots a young woman who looks like the woman he loved and lost. He's taken with her and watches her and even talks with her. When he finds out what she and the others are up to it's almost too late to send the demon back to hell before it gets out and kills indiscriminately. But he's the son of dracula so thankfully things work out.
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs
Asil was a wolf shifter and he knew that at some point his wolf was going to get free and probably kill someone. He was depressed but when the emails about going on dates started to anonymously come to him, it peeked his interest so he kept going on dates. Asil liked Tami even when he found out she was a white witch. A witch had killed his mate so his crabby wolf wasn't too happy about her being around him. Tami and Asil helped one of her clients when they found themselves in danger but then there's a big twist to this one and I liked it.
In The Dust by Robert E. Hampson
This story took place throughout a couple's journey first as kids, then teens and then as adults with their own kids. I never knew where this story was headed until the very end which was nice. I liked this one and liked how I had to read the story and pick up on little things in order to see where this one would end up.
Fallen by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
I had a hard time figuring this one out at times. It was hard to tell where Estafen was, where he had been and what was going on. He wanted to change the way things were where he was but everyone and everything around him was making that difficult. When I was done, I finally figured out that this was a religious piece and that's probably why I had a hard time deciphering it for it to make sense to me.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy
Sam had recently been turned into a vampire and Delia owned the convenience store he worked at. She was a little afraid of him but he was just a lonely, young man that she was still friends with. When he bit her to save her life from terminal cancer, she knew he was one of the good guys and she made sure he had a place to work. This was a short, sweet story.
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner
When an alien ships hovers over a city, a detective shows up and tells Samuel that they want him to meet with them. Samuel is a paleoichthyologist or someone that studies extinct fish. He was taken to where the ship was a a kind of transport box was there to take him to the ship where he met and talked with the alien. The alien talked and answered questions and then had a question for him. This was interesting and thought provoking. Definitely one of my favorites.
Ronin by William McCaskey
This story is told from the vantage point of a stuffed teddy bear. I liked this story. The bear had fun with a boy that grew up to have a child of his own but the man had a lot of problems that the bear really couldn't understand. The bear can enter dreams and see what their nightmares are and help them through their fears. This story broke my heart but it was really good.
Skjoldmodir by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker
A mother of a son who was born not quite right, living in a village where the villages grew to fear and ultimately hate Grendel, the son, the monster as he was called after he got older. A mother who could do nothing but move on after her husband was killed in battle and try to keep her son safe even though nothing could keep them safe from the hateful villagers. This was such a sad tale.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster
The Donai were genetically engineered soldiers but in her lab they were just children or soon to be children in the gestation pods. She escaped with Andret, the oldest Donai soldier and some of the babies still in tubes. They landed on a far away planet and he kept the tubes filled with his kind safe until other Donai came looking for him.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton
Anita Blake was in her office when a man and woman walked in and accused her of getting their daughter pregnant. Turned out a zombie that Anita raised had sex with their daughter and when she put him back in the ground, the woman found out she was pregnant some time later. She gave birth to a normal baby but now she was laying in a hospital room dying from something the doctors couldn't figure out. So Anita finds out what's was wrong with the young woman and goes about fixing it. This is actually the story that I was most wanting to read. I got the book because of this author and am glad that I read this and the other stories.
Disclosure: I was given an ARC of this ebook via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 17, 2021
Foreward by Laurell K. Hamilton ★★★★★
“You’re holding hope in your hands.”
This was the best anthology introduction I have ever read.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry ★★★★½
Again I found myself enjoying a Joe Ledger short story, it was an excellent mix of action, intrigue, and story.
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs ★★★★☆
Another Asil goes on a date story and the reason I picked up this collection. It did not disappoint even if I preferred Unappreciated Gifts.
Mr. Positive, The Eternal Optimist by Larry Coreia ★★★★☆
An unhappy average man’s life is overturned when a hitman from the future is sent after him. A charming hitman who is the man’s best life coach... when he isn’t trying to shoot him.
Reprise by John G. Hartness ★★★★☆
Imagine if Mina Murray and Johnathan Harker has a son! Imagine him hunting demons and having a very cool uncle. This is a short story from the Raising Hell series that I now need to read.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton ★★★★☆
Anita Blake, gurl it’s been too long. I don’t think I will ever get into the books that came after Obsidian Butterfly, her magnum opus, but I appreciated the visit with one of my favorite characters.
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell ★★★★☆
Polygamists get my back up so I was quite surprised to find myself liking this Mormon werewolf tale.
Ronin by William McCaskey ★★★★☆
Oh, that was hard to read. A magical teddy bear battles his young charges nightmares with noble ease. Unfortunately, when he is given to a soldier at the end of his rope teddy discovers adult nightmares are not slayable.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster ★★★★☆
A foster mother to genetically engineered soldiers gives her life to save them.
Fallen L.E. Modesitt, Jr. ★★★★☆
A chaotic SciFi retelling of Lucifer’s Fall.
Skjöldmódir by Michael Z. Williamson & Jessica Schlenker ★★★★☆
Incredibly sad retelling of Beowulf from the perspective of Grendel’s mother. I preferred The Mere Wife.
Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn ★★★½☆
I finally read Sharon Shinn! I have been meaning to read her since Anita Blake said she was an author that could hold your attention. This was an enjoyable past lives story.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson ★★★½☆
Nice story about a boy living on the now colonized moon dedicated to preserving its history.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy ★★★½☆
A woman with terminal cancer is given hope by a vampire.
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner ★★★½☆
Aliens come and invite some of us to be saved and join in the great diversity. Pick me! Pick me! But also the elephants, whales, and dogs please.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson ★★½☆☆
An urban fiction at the Renaissance Fair, a sword-the-stone golem story... and a dragon.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber ★★☆☆☆
I did not follow these dots well. From a prison, to a new version of schizophrenia, to aliens, to your momma... it was a lot ok.
“You’re holding hope in your hands.”
This was the best anthology introduction I have ever read.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry ★★★★½
Again I found myself enjoying a Joe Ledger short story, it was an excellent mix of action, intrigue, and story.
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs ★★★★☆
Another Asil goes on a date story and the reason I picked up this collection. It did not disappoint even if I preferred Unappreciated Gifts.
Mr. Positive, The Eternal Optimist by Larry Coreia ★★★★☆
An unhappy average man’s life is overturned when a hitman from the future is sent after him. A charming hitman who is the man’s best life coach... when he isn’t trying to shoot him.
Reprise by John G. Hartness ★★★★☆
Imagine if Mina Murray and Johnathan Harker has a son! Imagine him hunting demons and having a very cool uncle. This is a short story from the Raising Hell series that I now need to read.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton ★★★★☆
Anita Blake, gurl it’s been too long. I don’t think I will ever get into the books that came after Obsidian Butterfly, her magnum opus, but I appreciated the visit with one of my favorite characters.
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell ★★★★☆
Polygamists get my back up so I was quite surprised to find myself liking this Mormon werewolf tale.
Ronin by William McCaskey ★★★★☆
Oh, that was hard to read. A magical teddy bear battles his young charges nightmares with noble ease. Unfortunately, when he is given to a soldier at the end of his rope teddy discovers adult nightmares are not slayable.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster ★★★★☆
A foster mother to genetically engineered soldiers gives her life to save them.
Fallen L.E. Modesitt, Jr. ★★★★☆
A chaotic SciFi retelling of Lucifer’s Fall.
Skjöldmódir by Michael Z. Williamson & Jessica Schlenker ★★★★☆
Incredibly sad retelling of Beowulf from the perspective of Grendel’s mother. I preferred The Mere Wife.
Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn ★★★½☆
I finally read Sharon Shinn! I have been meaning to read her since Anita Blake said she was an author that could hold your attention. This was an enjoyable past lives story.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson ★★★½☆
Nice story about a boy living on the now colonized moon dedicated to preserving its history.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy ★★★½☆
A woman with terminal cancer is given hope by a vampire.
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner ★★★½☆
Aliens come and invite some of us to be saved and join in the great diversity. Pick me! Pick me! But also the elephants, whales, and dogs please.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson ★★½☆☆
An urban fiction at the Renaissance Fair, a sword-the-stone golem story... and a dragon.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber ★★☆☆☆
I did not follow these dots well. From a prison, to a new version of schizophrenia, to aliens, to your momma... it was a lot ok.
May 20, 2020
This anthology meets it name beautifully. I wanted to read this book because of two authors I admire - Patricia Briggs and Sharon Shinn. In these hard times, I wanted to see what kind of story they create to inspire hope. They delivered.
In Ms. Briggs' story featured Asil who is a secondary character in one of her books. This one, where he is featured again being forced to go on a blind date is hilarious. His dry sense of humour and his ability to take a slightly practical joke keeps me laughing throughout the story. The plot twist threw me and that is what kept me entertained.
Ms. Shinn's tale was not only mind blowing but poignant. This topic on reincarnation can be a heavy subject. She takes this, turns it on its head in a light humour way yet delivers brutal punches with the seriousness of the situation. On top of this, she performs a left hook to the jaw with a plot twist that totally caught me off guard and breaks my heart. This moving piece of past lives and remembrance is impressive.
For the most part, every story included generates a feeling of longing, yearning, redemption or hope. With the exception of perhaps only 1 story which did nothing for me, all of them are a treasure to read. The one that moved me most and caused me to tear up was Ronin's by William McCaskey. His writing style may be unusual with the imagery. The power of his descriptions invokes a certain melancholy reminding me of my darker days. I am going to guess this is a self-reflection for him which makes this tale even more powerful. It gives those of us who have not experienced such soul rending loss and maddening strip of power, a window in to the bleak aftermath. I admire the demons the character wrestles with in Ronin. I know of several of these unsung surviving warriors, trying to hold on to life, one day at a time.
I loved this book because it generates emotion in these jaded times. It reminds me of humanity at its best and worst. It reminds me to be humble. This collection of stories is highly recommended to readers who are looking for tightly woven stories with fierce intensity. Love it!
*provided by NetGalley
In Ms. Briggs' story featured Asil who is a secondary character in one of her books. This one, where he is featured again being forced to go on a blind date is hilarious. His dry sense of humour and his ability to take a slightly practical joke keeps me laughing throughout the story. The plot twist threw me and that is what kept me entertained.
Ms. Shinn's tale was not only mind blowing but poignant. This topic on reincarnation can be a heavy subject. She takes this, turns it on its head in a light humour way yet delivers brutal punches with the seriousness of the situation. On top of this, she performs a left hook to the jaw with a plot twist that totally caught me off guard and breaks my heart. This moving piece of past lives and remembrance is impressive.
For the most part, every story included generates a feeling of longing, yearning, redemption or hope. With the exception of perhaps only 1 story which did nothing for me, all of them are a treasure to read. The one that moved me most and caused me to tear up was Ronin's by William McCaskey. His writing style may be unusual with the imagery. The power of his descriptions invokes a certain melancholy reminding me of my darker days. I am going to guess this is a self-reflection for him which makes this tale even more powerful. It gives those of us who have not experienced such soul rending loss and maddening strip of power, a window in to the bleak aftermath. I admire the demons the character wrestles with in Ronin. I know of several of these unsung surviving warriors, trying to hold on to life, one day at a time.
I loved this book because it generates emotion in these jaded times. It reminds me of humanity at its best and worst. It reminds me to be humble. This collection of stories is highly recommended to readers who are looking for tightly woven stories with fierce intensity. Love it!
*provided by NetGalley
July 23, 2025
Terrific short story from Patricia Briggs
I checked out a copy of this collection of urban fantasy stories from Hoopla in order to read the short story, "Asil and the Not-Date." This is the second in a series of interrelated short stories about Asil, "the Moor," a powerful, ancient werewolf who lives in Bran's pack in Aspen Creek, Montana.
The setup is presented in the first story: an anonymous group of werewolves from Asil's pack challenge him, via email, to go on five blind dates, that they will arrange for him. Mainly because he's bored, and this sounds like it might be interesting, Asil accepts the challenge. In order to win the challenge, all five dates must be successful, as defined by the following parameters:
1. Neither party runs screaming into the night.
2. There are no dead bodies at the end of it.
3. It lasts longer than 2 hours, and at least 1.5 hours of that time is spent with his date.
This story is the second of the five dates. It's as terrific as the first story. Asil is one of my favorite characters in the Alpha and Omega series, and it's a joy to get his point of view. There is a startling twist at the end of this story that I did not see coming. As always, Briggs does a fantastic job. I love everything she's written in the Mercy Thompson world.
There are currently published short stories about three of Asil’s five blind dates, which have appeared in collections of urban fantasy short stories. They include:
"Unappreciated Gifts" (from A Fantastic Holiday Season, 2014)
"Asil and the Not-Date" (from this collection, Fantastic Hope, 2020)
"Dating Terrors" (from Heroic Hearts, 2022)
These three, along with two brand-new stories, will be collected in the upcoming October, 2025 release, "Blind Date with a Werewolf," which will include all five of Asil’s blind date adventures.
I am very much looking forward to this. I hope it's released as an audiobook as well as in ebook format, because I will definitely want to get both.
By the way, an additional Asil short story from 2014, which is not related to the blind date trope, is included in the "Shifting Shadows" collection. Its title is "Roses in Winter." It features Asil interacting with Kara Beckworth, a 13-year-old female werewolf, who was changed at the age of 10 and miraculously survived.
I checked out a copy of this collection of urban fantasy stories from Hoopla in order to read the short story, "Asil and the Not-Date." This is the second in a series of interrelated short stories about Asil, "the Moor," a powerful, ancient werewolf who lives in Bran's pack in Aspen Creek, Montana.
The setup is presented in the first story: an anonymous group of werewolves from Asil's pack challenge him, via email, to go on five blind dates, that they will arrange for him. Mainly because he's bored, and this sounds like it might be interesting, Asil accepts the challenge. In order to win the challenge, all five dates must be successful, as defined by the following parameters:
1. Neither party runs screaming into the night.
2. There are no dead bodies at the end of it.
3. It lasts longer than 2 hours, and at least 1.5 hours of that time is spent with his date.
This story is the second of the five dates. It's as terrific as the first story. Asil is one of my favorite characters in the Alpha and Omega series, and it's a joy to get his point of view. There is a startling twist at the end of this story that I did not see coming. As always, Briggs does a fantastic job. I love everything she's written in the Mercy Thompson world.
There are currently published short stories about three of Asil’s five blind dates, which have appeared in collections of urban fantasy short stories. They include:
"Unappreciated Gifts" (from A Fantastic Holiday Season, 2014)
"Asil and the Not-Date" (from this collection, Fantastic Hope, 2020)
"Dating Terrors" (from Heroic Hearts, 2022)
These three, along with two brand-new stories, will be collected in the upcoming October, 2025 release, "Blind Date with a Werewolf," which will include all five of Asil’s blind date adventures.
I am very much looking forward to this. I hope it's released as an audiobook as well as in ebook format, because I will definitely want to get both.
By the way, an additional Asil short story from 2014, which is not related to the blind date trope, is included in the "Shifting Shadows" collection. Its title is "Roses in Winter." It features Asil interacting with Kara Beckworth, a 13-year-old female werewolf, who was changed at the age of 10 and miraculously survived.
July 12, 2024
Asil and the Not-date on Books On Track
Asil and the Not-date - Patricia Briggs: ~ ★★★★ (2020/06/13)
Asil's dating adventures continue and this time he is paired up with someone from a plant lovers site, who .
This is the third of Asil's dates that has gone horribly wrong, although we only get bits and pieces of what happened to the second disastrous date, but Asil is still determined to win the bet.
Quite enjoyable story that whets the appetite for more Asil stories, or any story in the Mercy Thompson world, really. Alas the next book in the series, the Alpha & Omega book, Wild Sign, won't be out until next year...
Previous book reviews:
✦ Smoke Bitten (Mercy Thompson, #12) ~ ★★★★★ (23/03/2020)
✦ Storm Cursed (Mercy Thompson, #11) ~ ★★★★ (25/09/2019)
✦ Burn Bright (Alpha & Omega, #5) ~ ★★★★ (25/09/2019)
✦ Silence Fallen (Mercy Thompson, #10) ~ ★★★★ (10/03/2017, 24/09/2019)
✦ Fire Touched (Mercy Thompson #9) ~ ★★★★ (13/03/2016, 24/09/2019)
Zombie Dearest on Books On Track
Zombie Dearest - Laurell K. Hamilton: ~ ★★★ (2022/01/28)
RTC
July 10, 2020
There was no doubt in my mind that I had to grab up this anthology and not just because one of the novellas was from a favorite series. I love trying new to me authors particularly in these genres and it was no hardship since I've seen glowing, enthusiastic reviews from fellow booklovers. Fantastic Hope took me on a journey through riveting, engaging, and often emotional stories from this world and beyond.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry
Joe Ledger Rogue Team International Adventure #10.1
A crack black ops team are up against bio terrorists who have already hit several locations. A source sends them into the heart of Africa on a mission to save the world.
Loved the craggy and lethal lead character and the taunt action.
5 stars
Not in This Lifetime by Sharon Shinn
A reincarnation story about a woman who meets familiar faces down through time- including the man who always kills her right when she makes close friends and finds something else. She's tried everything to change fate, will this time be any different?
Simple, but poignant. Nice finish with that twist.
4 stars
Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia
A sci-fi that is hilarious when an average guy encounters what he thinks is a mugging and turns into a bizarre series of attempts to shoot him and not kill him. And, the 'mugger' might not even be human.
Big points for the fun way of telling a curious sci-fi.
5 stars
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell
A historical paranormal that focuses on a young Mormon pioneer girl who makes the decision to stay behind with her father's second wife having a baby to help her while the rest of their group including her family goes on. Her sacrifice introduces her to the Loup Garou and she continues to sacrifice herself for love of others.
Emotional and sweetly tugging at my heart.
4 stars
Broken Son by Griffin Barber
Futuristic sci-fi that follows a crime boss serving his sentence on a space mine. His money and his ingenuity get him privileges. A mysterious scientist arrives to study an anomaly, but not after one of the 'broken' starts spouting gibberish that jibes with the scientist's study.
Strong, wry narration voice and engaging character
4.5 stars
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson
Dan Shamble, Zombie PI Adventure #6.1
Shamble a zombie PI and his human cop best friend, McGoo, come across the murder of golems who work at an unnatural Renaissance Faire while Shamble is taking his ghost girlfriend and vampire daughter to the fair.
This unnatural world sounds fun and I'm definitely hunting out the series.
4 stars
Reprise by John G. Hartness
Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter Adventure #17.5
A walk through Central Park has Quincy Harker blinking at the sight of a group of hooded figures attempting to call up a demon. He magically sabotaged this, but then his attention is caught by the face of one he thought tragically killed. This dredges up painful memories, but also makes him determined to intervene in the cabal who are not deterred in summoning the demon.
This sequel variation on the old Dracula story and all new adventures for a magic-wielding hero caught my attention and I want more.
4.5 stars
Asil and the Not Date by Patricia Briggs
Alpha and Omega Story #5.5
Asil is an old werewolf who's sanity is on shaky ground. His friends decide to help him. He is challenged to participate in five anonymous dates all through different dating agencies. His latest is through a non-dating agency and he meets her at a restaurant. Can a date for Asil be less than an adventure?
I love this side character in the main series and was tickled that he got a story. Nice twist and well-developed as usual.
5 stars.
In the Dust by Robert E Hansom
Following the life of Winn and Jenny from childhood through the years, this poignant and thoughtful futuristic story leads from his discovery of a hidden door to various milestones and life events together. And a quiet, determined man can accomplish much.
At first I was unsure where and when the story was taking place, but I loved experiencing it moving through the years and fleshing all that out. Winn and Jenny are engaging characters.
5 stars
Fallen by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
A traveler enters time at crucial moments and attempts to complete his quest, but is always thwarted by the opposition. They battle over such profound human tenets as faith, knowledge, and choice though the actual battle is over libraries (knowledge) of books. There is another scene taking place elsewhere with two great powers battling for control of something mysterious.
In the end, it all makes sense what it was about and ringing with the author's call to the reader. An allegorical sci fi perhaps?
4 stars
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy
A young man newly changed as a vampire pleads to keep his job at the convenience store- this bit of normalcy when everything else in his life is upended. The convenience store owner has a choice to make and receives a surprising gift.
It was more of a snapshot or vignette than finished story, but it was poignant and engaging. It also described vampirism in a visceral way that left me wanting more from this world.
4 stars.
Last Contact by MC Summer
When Dr. Fetherstonhaugh (Fanshaw), wakes up one crisp February morning in St. Louis, all the world is glued to whatever news-streaming device they have because an alien ship is now hovering over Milwaukee. His day only gets weirder when he's picked up from his university and taken to a different location.
A story with classical sci-fi overtones that had me curious and thoughtful by the end.
4 stars.
Ronin by William McCaskey
A teddy bear hero slays nightmare monsters in a little girl's dream world and is her stuffed companion by day. He was once her troubled father's dream hero, too. But does he have enough magic to help an adult's nightmares?
Unique and engaging magical story that hit the emotions.
4.5 stars
Skjoldmodir by Michael G Williamson and Jessica Schlenker
In the old days of Viking saga, a woman loses her home to invaders and is given in marriage to defray the family's burden. She is content and births a misshapen son, Grindel, whom she loves well. His uniqueness grows with fits and extra strengths. The village is scared of him and it is only in her darkest hour that a legend begins.
A retelling of Beowulf and Grindel the Wolf that stunned, amazed, and broke my heart in its triumph.
5 stars
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster
A human geneticist is ordered to destroy her Donai, genetically enhanced race. They are dangerous and bred for war, but they are her children that she brought into being. She just can't destroy them all so she runs with one nearly adult Donai and two precious cargo boxes donai eggs. Andre is entrusted with the future of his race from the woman he looks on as his mother.
Futuristic sci-fi survival story full of emotion and premise of what it means to be a person.
4.5 stars
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamiliton
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #26.5
A couple in anguish accuse Anita of getting their daughter pregnant- okay, not personally, but one of her raised zombies. Impossible, she thinks. But, as curious as the issue is, that daughter is now losing her life as it is drained in a connection to a zombie that shouldn't exist. Anita, her cop and shifter partners must chase the issue to the source before it's too late.
My first go at the series. It was exciting, creative, and an urban fantasy world that I wouldn't mind visiting again.
4.5 stars
I experienced Fantastic Hope in the audio edition with Kimberly Alexis and Holter Graham taking turns doing the narration work. It was my first time listening to either so I was suitably impressed by their combined talent. Both had flexible voices that could do a large colorful cast of characters, situations, tone, and pace so well. They also impressed me with how they had such a repertoire that this collection of stories didn't get confusing or struggle with the same voice sound. Just amazing work.
All in all this was a sensational collection of sixteen sci-fi and urban fantasy stories. They ran the gamut of settings, tone, emotions, and pace. It was an incredible variety and some clever plots and creative work with strong development. I either really liked or absolutely loved all of them. I'll be going back for many of the author's backlist works. Highly Recommend to sci-fi and urban fantasy fans!
My thanks to Berkley and Penguin Random House Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry
Joe Ledger Rogue Team International Adventure #10.1
A crack black ops team are up against bio terrorists who have already hit several locations. A source sends them into the heart of Africa on a mission to save the world.
Loved the craggy and lethal lead character and the taunt action.
5 stars
Not in This Lifetime by Sharon Shinn
A reincarnation story about a woman who meets familiar faces down through time- including the man who always kills her right when she makes close friends and finds something else. She's tried everything to change fate, will this time be any different?
Simple, but poignant. Nice finish with that twist.
4 stars
Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia
A sci-fi that is hilarious when an average guy encounters what he thinks is a mugging and turns into a bizarre series of attempts to shoot him and not kill him. And, the 'mugger' might not even be human.
Big points for the fun way of telling a curious sci-fi.
5 stars
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell
A historical paranormal that focuses on a young Mormon pioneer girl who makes the decision to stay behind with her father's second wife having a baby to help her while the rest of their group including her family goes on. Her sacrifice introduces her to the Loup Garou and she continues to sacrifice herself for love of others.
Emotional and sweetly tugging at my heart.
4 stars
Broken Son by Griffin Barber
Futuristic sci-fi that follows a crime boss serving his sentence on a space mine. His money and his ingenuity get him privileges. A mysterious scientist arrives to study an anomaly, but not after one of the 'broken' starts spouting gibberish that jibes with the scientist's study.
Strong, wry narration voice and engaging character
4.5 stars
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson
Dan Shamble, Zombie PI Adventure #6.1
Shamble a zombie PI and his human cop best friend, McGoo, come across the murder of golems who work at an unnatural Renaissance Faire while Shamble is taking his ghost girlfriend and vampire daughter to the fair.
This unnatural world sounds fun and I'm definitely hunting out the series.
4 stars
Reprise by John G. Hartness
Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter Adventure #17.5
A walk through Central Park has Quincy Harker blinking at the sight of a group of hooded figures attempting to call up a demon. He magically sabotaged this, but then his attention is caught by the face of one he thought tragically killed. This dredges up painful memories, but also makes him determined to intervene in the cabal who are not deterred in summoning the demon.
This sequel variation on the old Dracula story and all new adventures for a magic-wielding hero caught my attention and I want more.
4.5 stars
Asil and the Not Date by Patricia Briggs
Alpha and Omega Story #5.5
Asil is an old werewolf who's sanity is on shaky ground. His friends decide to help him. He is challenged to participate in five anonymous dates all through different dating agencies. His latest is through a non-dating agency and he meets her at a restaurant. Can a date for Asil be less than an adventure?
I love this side character in the main series and was tickled that he got a story. Nice twist and well-developed as usual.
5 stars.
In the Dust by Robert E Hansom
Following the life of Winn and Jenny from childhood through the years, this poignant and thoughtful futuristic story leads from his discovery of a hidden door to various milestones and life events together. And a quiet, determined man can accomplish much.
At first I was unsure where and when the story was taking place, but I loved experiencing it moving through the years and fleshing all that out. Winn and Jenny are engaging characters.
5 stars
Fallen by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
A traveler enters time at crucial moments and attempts to complete his quest, but is always thwarted by the opposition. They battle over such profound human tenets as faith, knowledge, and choice though the actual battle is over libraries (knowledge) of books. There is another scene taking place elsewhere with two great powers battling for control of something mysterious.
In the end, it all makes sense what it was about and ringing with the author's call to the reader. An allegorical sci fi perhaps?
4 stars
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy
A young man newly changed as a vampire pleads to keep his job at the convenience store- this bit of normalcy when everything else in his life is upended. The convenience store owner has a choice to make and receives a surprising gift.
It was more of a snapshot or vignette than finished story, but it was poignant and engaging. It also described vampirism in a visceral way that left me wanting more from this world.
4 stars.
Last Contact by MC Summer
When Dr. Fetherstonhaugh (Fanshaw), wakes up one crisp February morning in St. Louis, all the world is glued to whatever news-streaming device they have because an alien ship is now hovering over Milwaukee. His day only gets weirder when he's picked up from his university and taken to a different location.
A story with classical sci-fi overtones that had me curious and thoughtful by the end.
4 stars.
Ronin by William McCaskey
A teddy bear hero slays nightmare monsters in a little girl's dream world and is her stuffed companion by day. He was once her troubled father's dream hero, too. But does he have enough magic to help an adult's nightmares?
Unique and engaging magical story that hit the emotions.
4.5 stars
Skjoldmodir by Michael G Williamson and Jessica Schlenker
In the old days of Viking saga, a woman loses her home to invaders and is given in marriage to defray the family's burden. She is content and births a misshapen son, Grindel, whom she loves well. His uniqueness grows with fits and extra strengths. The village is scared of him and it is only in her darkest hour that a legend begins.
A retelling of Beowulf and Grindel the Wolf that stunned, amazed, and broke my heart in its triumph.
5 stars
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster
A human geneticist is ordered to destroy her Donai, genetically enhanced race. They are dangerous and bred for war, but they are her children that she brought into being. She just can't destroy them all so she runs with one nearly adult Donai and two precious cargo boxes donai eggs. Andre is entrusted with the future of his race from the woman he looks on as his mother.
Futuristic sci-fi survival story full of emotion and premise of what it means to be a person.
4.5 stars
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamiliton
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #26.5
A couple in anguish accuse Anita of getting their daughter pregnant- okay, not personally, but one of her raised zombies. Impossible, she thinks. But, as curious as the issue is, that daughter is now losing her life as it is drained in a connection to a zombie that shouldn't exist. Anita, her cop and shifter partners must chase the issue to the source before it's too late.
My first go at the series. It was exciting, creative, and an urban fantasy world that I wouldn't mind visiting again.
4.5 stars
I experienced Fantastic Hope in the audio edition with Kimberly Alexis and Holter Graham taking turns doing the narration work. It was my first time listening to either so I was suitably impressed by their combined talent. Both had flexible voices that could do a large colorful cast of characters, situations, tone, and pace so well. They also impressed me with how they had such a repertoire that this collection of stories didn't get confusing or struggle with the same voice sound. Just amazing work.
All in all this was a sensational collection of sixteen sci-fi and urban fantasy stories. They ran the gamut of settings, tone, emotions, and pace. It was an incredible variety and some clever plots and creative work with strong development. I either really liked or absolutely loved all of them. I'll be going back for many of the author's backlist works. Highly Recommend to sci-fi and urban fantasy fans!
My thanks to Berkley and Penguin Random House Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2020
Fantastic Hope
I was very interested in reading these urban fantasy stories. I was mostly in for it for some of my favorite authors and was anticipating to read some great stories with characters I already know and love. When I read the foreword I was pleasantly surprised by the general theme of the stories being something happy and something to make the readers feel good. We need more of those kind of stories in the world!
1. Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry ★★★★★
Lately I've been watching some spy thriller conspiracy TV dramas and this story fit right up that alley. I was surprised at how much special operatives language and protocols felt familiar to me. I enjoyed this short story quite a bit! It was a good opening into the collection.
2. Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn ★★★
I must admit this story was a bit cheesy for me. Too many things were too convenient in the end. I liked the little group of characters a lot though.
3. Mr. Positive, The Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia ★★★★★
This story has everything I like in my urban fantasy: some supernatural elements, some humor and something for me to connect with. The tone of the story is very endearing and I liked the action parts as well.
4. No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell ★★★★
I was surprised by religious content of this story. It made me thread very carefully. I ended even more surprised by liking this story a lot.
5. Broken Son by Griffin Barber ★★★★
Science fiction and space themed stories are really not my thing. But this one was really nice. It reminded me a bit at Vorkosigan saga by Lois MacMaster Bujold. I genuienuly liked this story against all odds.
6. Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson ★★★
I could describe this story as a really wild ride. There were too many supernatural elements and quirks for me to be able to really enjoy this story. I liked the humor that reminded me of works of Robert Asprin. I can point out some of the characters and ideas that were really engaging but as a whole I thought it was a bit too much.
7. Reprise by John G. Hartness ★★★★★
So far this story was the easiest to get into. Considering I have never read anything by this author I might have to change that in the future! It's a vampire themed and intriguing. I loved the slightly melancholly feel of the story combined with demons and slightly changed alternate history setting.
8. Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs ★★★★★
This is one of the two stories in this collection I was most interested about. First, it was written by a favorite author and second, it is set in a world full of lovable characters I already know. Asil is not exactly a favorite character but it is quite endearing and releateable for me. I was scared this story would be a sappy one but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it wasn't. Loved the ending!
9. In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson ★★★
Style of this story was more a series of short scenes than a traditional short story. Even with all that the emotions and the characters were very well done. This one is a bit science fictiony and thst is the only reason it was not that good for me.
10. Fallen by L. E. Modesitt, Jr ★
Finally a story I did not like at all. The theme, the execution, the flow – it was all very unsatisfactory to read. The little screenshots from history were not picked out with care at all. Pseudo religious content left a really bad aftertaste for me.
11. Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy ★★★★
This story is an excellent example of a sweet urban fantasy vampire story. And, yes! I am biased when it comes to vampires in urban fantasy! I like the simplicity and the kinda sad theme. It was very light and made me want to read more about the setting and the vampires in it.
12. Last Contact by M. C. Sumner ★★★★
There was someting about this story that I liked and I can not pintpoint what it was. Theme is thoughtfull and has some aliens in it.
13. Ronin by William McCaskey ★★★★
This one is a tear jerker! The story is a lovely blend of urban fatasy and harsh reality. It was a very endearing story.
14. SKJOLDMOĐIR by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker ★★★★★
Earlier this year I've read two different interpretations of nordic myths and this story made me want to read more of them. T has a certain epic quality mixed with subtle pathos of the main characters. I liked it a lot!
15. Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster ★★★★★
Another story that surprised me in a good way! The theme was totally science fiction but it I loved it. It is definitely something I could keep on reading.
16. Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton ★★★★★
I was very interested in this story and was not disappointed! I loved that this story has a little JC in it! Finally it is something that connects to one of the previous books. The idea that it represents is quite outrageous though. Loved reading it!
I was very interested in reading these urban fantasy stories. I was mostly in for it for some of my favorite authors and was anticipating to read some great stories with characters I already know and love. When I read the foreword I was pleasantly surprised by the general theme of the stories being something happy and something to make the readers feel good. We need more of those kind of stories in the world!
1. Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry ★★★★★
Lately I've been watching some spy thriller conspiracy TV dramas and this story fit right up that alley. I was surprised at how much special operatives language and protocols felt familiar to me. I enjoyed this short story quite a bit! It was a good opening into the collection.
2. Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn ★★★
I must admit this story was a bit cheesy for me. Too many things were too convenient in the end. I liked the little group of characters a lot though.
3. Mr. Positive, The Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia ★★★★★
This story has everything I like in my urban fantasy: some supernatural elements, some humor and something for me to connect with. The tone of the story is very endearing and I liked the action parts as well.
4. No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell ★★★★
I was surprised by religious content of this story. It made me thread very carefully. I ended even more surprised by liking this story a lot.
5. Broken Son by Griffin Barber ★★★★
Science fiction and space themed stories are really not my thing. But this one was really nice. It reminded me a bit at Vorkosigan saga by Lois MacMaster Bujold. I genuienuly liked this story against all odds.
6. Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson ★★★
I could describe this story as a really wild ride. There were too many supernatural elements and quirks for me to be able to really enjoy this story. I liked the humor that reminded me of works of Robert Asprin. I can point out some of the characters and ideas that were really engaging but as a whole I thought it was a bit too much.
7. Reprise by John G. Hartness ★★★★★
So far this story was the easiest to get into. Considering I have never read anything by this author I might have to change that in the future! It's a vampire themed and intriguing. I loved the slightly melancholly feel of the story combined with demons and slightly changed alternate history setting.
8. Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs ★★★★★
This is one of the two stories in this collection I was most interested about. First, it was written by a favorite author and second, it is set in a world full of lovable characters I already know. Asil is not exactly a favorite character but it is quite endearing and releateable for me. I was scared this story would be a sappy one but I was pleasantly surprised to see that it wasn't. Loved the ending!
9. In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson ★★★
Style of this story was more a series of short scenes than a traditional short story. Even with all that the emotions and the characters were very well done. This one is a bit science fictiony and thst is the only reason it was not that good for me.
10. Fallen by L. E. Modesitt, Jr ★
Finally a story I did not like at all. The theme, the execution, the flow – it was all very unsatisfactory to read. The little screenshots from history were not picked out with care at all. Pseudo religious content left a really bad aftertaste for me.
11. Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy ★★★★
This story is an excellent example of a sweet urban fantasy vampire story. And, yes! I am biased when it comes to vampires in urban fantasy! I like the simplicity and the kinda sad theme. It was very light and made me want to read more about the setting and the vampires in it.
12. Last Contact by M. C. Sumner ★★★★
There was someting about this story that I liked and I can not pintpoint what it was. Theme is thoughtfull and has some aliens in it.
13. Ronin by William McCaskey ★★★★
This one is a tear jerker! The story is a lovely blend of urban fatasy and harsh reality. It was a very endearing story.
14. SKJOLDMOĐIR by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker ★★★★★
Earlier this year I've read two different interpretations of nordic myths and this story made me want to read more of them. T has a certain epic quality mixed with subtle pathos of the main characters. I liked it a lot!
15. Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster ★★★★★
Another story that surprised me in a good way! The theme was totally science fiction but it I loved it. It is definitely something I could keep on reading.
16. Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton ★★★★★
I was very interested in this story and was not disappointed! I loved that this story has a little JC in it! Finally it is something that connects to one of the previous books. The idea that it represents is quite outrageous though. Loved reading it!
April 13, 2020
ARC provided by NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, Laurell K. Hamilton, and William McCaskey. All opinions are mine and freely given.
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04-13: 'Fantastic Hope' is a new anthology filled with various sci-fi and fantasy tales that has been edited by authors Laurell K. Hamilton and William McCaskey.
I knew I had to read this because it contained a brand new Anita Blake story.. and I'm a huge fan of Jean-Claude and the other great males from the series. Touted as being a collection deigning to focus on the positive sides of life, while still mixing things up with the darker aspects I typically enjoy, I was eager to try it out.
At first though, I wasn't sure happy endings were for me. As I slogged my way through the stories at the beginning of the collection, I found myself frequently putting the book aside to do anything. It just made me tired. I was bored, but wanted to persist.. in the hopes they would improve and it did have some great quotes.
"He had the kind of face you wanted to throw a coffee cup at. Even if you like coffee as much as I do."
-('Twilight Falls' by Jonathan Maberry)
"My father always used to say you can't beat the stupid from people, but it sure beats listening to their stupidity."
-('Broken Son' by Griffin Barber)
Just over a third of the way through the book, suddenly that's exactly what happened.
'Heart of Clay: A Dan Shamble, Zombie PI Adventure' by Kevin J. Anderson was a wonderful play on some old ideas. A combination of a pseudo-retelling of a classic and a humorous zombie detective novel, it was warm, inspired, and full of humor.
Likewise, 'Reprise: A Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter Short Story' by John G. Hartness really warmed me to the collection. It's obvious, I'm sure.. that Harker name most of us recognize, is indeed Dracula related. But what a sweet story, despite the awfulness of the topic within. I really enjoyed the intermingling of demonic/angelic mythos as well.
Now, for many years I've been intending to read a Patricia Briggs book and it just hasn't happened. But as luck would have it, there was a short story included by her as well and I couldn't have been happier.
'Asil and the Not-Date' had me off balance from the start. It has such a strange, yet interesting opening. I wasn't entirely sure what was going on and it took me a few pages to get my bearings, but her writing is so smooth. Basically, the main character is being set-up on 'dates' with by an anonymous group. All the information is being exchanged only by emails coming from someone marked 'Concerned Friends.
At the point where we pick up, he's already two dates down out of five and they have been more than interesting, to say the least. From here though, the next one definitely takes it up a few notches and I absolutely loved the story.
Other's included that deserve mention are McCaskey's 'Ronin' - which is a truly unique guardian tale, 'Skjoldmodir' by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker - a heartwrenching retelling of Beowulf, 'Bonds of Love and Duty' by Monalisa Foster, and of course.. 'Zombie Dearest' by Laurell K. Hamilton, which was unfortunately the last title in the book.. but well worth the wait.
After all, I did get to see Jean-Claude and Nicky was there too. I've always been conflicted about the Anita character and the whole center of everyone's universe angle, but the boys and the unique stories drive me to continue reading the series. When it comes down to it, that's a personal preference issue and does nothing to take away from Hamilton's ability as a writer.
If you're looking for a good collection of stories that you can easily read in chunks around quarantine home-schooling, with positive endings to brighten your days indoors.. look no further. Give this one a try.
PURCHASE LINKS: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | GOOGLEPLAY BOOKS | KOBO
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04-12: Finally finished today! The book does pick up pretty well. Review to come, tomorrow. :)
04-11: This has been a slow read for me for some reason. I'll admit, I didn't find the early stories interesting, but also I've just been tired I think.
04-09: I'm only a few stories in and it's marked an excerpt but it seems to all be there. We'll see. lol. I'm not sure happily ever after is really my thing..
04-06: This one is also out on Tuesday! I only got an excerpt.. but I've been reading the Anita Blake series for years and I definitely wanted to see the new story as well as check out the other authors included in this anthology. I'm going to have to pick up a full copy soon..
April 8, 2020
Only Read "ASIL AND THE NOT-DATE" by Patricia Briggs
This story is about Asil's 3rd date, I am unsure if there is the 2nd date story, I can't find it.
Anyway's this date also went sideways... I had some hope for this one, but... Things are not what they 1st appear.
I'm curious as for the rest of the dates and I hope Asil finds some happiness.
After asking for it on Patty's facebook got this answer:
"You haven't missed it! Patty decided it was too rude to write, lol! So I told her in that case, she owes us an extra date story to make up for #2! 😁 --Ann the trusty assistant"
So maybe we'll get the "rude" 2nd date story in the future.
This story is about Asil's 3rd date, I am unsure if there is the 2nd date story, I can't find it.
Anyway's this date also went sideways... I had some hope for this one, but... Things are not what they 1st appear.
I'm curious as for the rest of the dates and I hope Asil finds some happiness.
After asking for it on Patty's facebook got this answer:
"You haven't missed it! Patty decided it was too rude to write, lol! So I told her in that case, she owes us an extra date story to make up for #2! 😁 --Ann the trusty assistant"
So maybe we'll get the "rude" 2nd date story in the future.
June 18, 2021
Notes:
Usually, I avoid short story collections because it's a mixed bag experience.
There was only one story that I didn't like. The rest range between 3-4 Stars. Rating it at 4 for good narration.
Usually, I avoid short story collections because it's a mixed bag experience.
There was only one story that I didn't like. The rest range between 3-4 Stars. Rating it at 4 for good narration.
April 4, 2020
A great collection.
I especially loved the stories by Sharon Shinn and Patricia Briggs
I especially loved the stories by Sharon Shinn and Patricia Briggs
September 4, 2021
Read only Asil's story as the rest couldn't hold my interest at this time. Asil's story was hilarious. A perfect hit for anyone addicted to the Mercyverse.
July 21, 2020
An anthology of sixteen brand-new sci-fi and fantasy stories that speak to the darkness and despair that life brings while reminding us that good deeds, humor, love, sacrifice, dedication, and following our joy can ignite a light that burns so bright the darkness cannot last.
The Series
"Twilight Falls" (Joe Ledger, 10.1)
"Heart of Clay" (Dan Shamble, Zombie PI, 6.5??)
"Reprise" (Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter, ??)
"Asil and the Not-date" (Alpha & Omega, 5.5 and Mercyverse, 17.5)
"Zombie Dearest" (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, 26.5)
The Stories
Jonathan Maberry's "Twilight Falls"...
...is fascinating — and a little too close to our reality what with bioterrorists. I did love the hopefulness of this tale with those do-gooders! I have got to start reading his Joe Ledger series.
Colonel Joe Ledger (call sign "Outlaw") had been an Airborne Ranger, Bradley "Top" Sims (call sign "Pappy"), and Harvey "Bunny" Rabbit make up Havoc Team. Mr Church is the adult in any room, and he heads up Rogue Team International, which appears to be based in Phoenix House on Omfori Island in Greece. Doc Joan Holliday is the head of the integrated sciences division; Dr William Hu is the former head. Bug is their IT guy. I think Jake, Wolf, Anderson, Sean, and Rachel are more team members??
Buzz Clark is a Pulitzer-prize-winning photojournalist who provides hot tips. Junie Flynn is Ledger's lover. Jim Peabody hosts a conspiracy theory radio show. Thabo Mahao and Bongani Jiba are part of a team bent on saving the world. Gunter is their resource guy.
Silentium is a bioterrorist group which wants 90% of the world's population gone.
Sharon Shinn's "Not in this Lifetime"...
...was an intriguing mix of fun and confusion in which she keeps trying to change how she dies. Fortunately, the confusion was short-lived, and I did love that twist of an end. I almost cried.
Lili and the heroine are waitresses at Deli-Lishes. Back in 1969, Lili was living with Adam. Armand, Juwan, Sanjay, and Kenny are more employees. And friends. Bill is a customer and a repeat jerk.
Larry Correia's "Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist"...
...was too funny, lol, in a very macabre way. You'll be as frustrated as Stanley in trying to understand that mugger, Chris, who simply will not stop. And who is simply fascinated by what Stanley's time period has and doesn't have. ROFL. On a more serious note, Correia takes advantage of Chris' perspective to note how truly lucky we are. It'll make ya think... And yet another happy, very unexpected, ending.
Kacey Ezell's "No Greater Love"...
...is an historical paranormal tale about love in the dead of winter and the choices people will make to save each other. Sweet with yet another unexpected, happy ending.
Griffin Barber's "Broken Son"...
...revolves around Sol Boy, a career criminal sentenced to a space mining camp who is our unreliable narrator. I'm seeing it as a metaphor for how our soldiers are cared for once they can no longer fight for the government.
Kevin J. Anderson's "Heart of Clay"...
...is both sweet and funny and sad. It's also rather silly with some inconsistencies that didn't make sense.
Private Investigator Dan "Beaux" Shamble is a zombie. Robin Deyer is Dan's human lawyer partner at Chambeau & Deyer Investigations. Sheyenne is Dan's ghost girlfriend and his business manager. Alvina is a ten-year-old vampire girl who is either Dan's or McGoo's daughter...they can't decide which. Officer Toby "McGoo" McGoohan with the Unnatural Quarter PD is Dan's best human friend.
Mortimer Dred is the king of the Real Renaissance Faire, a faire that has it all. Talbot & Knowles run a blood bar at the faire where Jim and Don are golem employees. Alice is a dragon who performs and has a gambling problem. Noxius is a gremlin purveyor of sharp objects. Rettop the Cavewight is a potter who also administers first aid. Joe is a murdered golem. Art is the golem leader.
John G. Hartness's "Reprise"...
...has a very noir feel to this tale of demon summoning in a betrayal of those who want to repair the past.
Quincy Harker is a literal son of the Jonathan Harker in Stoker's 1897 Dracula. So how he's intended to be only 50 years old is beyond me. Count Dracula is Quincy's uncle. Uncle Lucas "Luke" Card is the current holder of the Renfield title and is based in Jersey City, these days. Luke also created the Shadow Council and Quincy is part of it.
Anna Treves had been the first true love of Quincy's life, and she was murdered in France in 1943 by a Nazi colonel. Rosalyn Reismann is Jewish and had had family who died in World War II. Edgar had been a cousin who died in one of the camps. Gerald.
Zippo Guy, Jacob, and Jerry are part of the dark coven attempting to summon Lord Raguel. Hiram and Rosalyn are also part of the coven. Abbadon, formerly known as Muriel who had guarded Eden, and Belial are demons.
Patricia Briggs' "Asil and the Not-date"...
...finds Asil the Moore dealing with a band of pranksters — some Concerned Friends — who have set him up on a not-dating site as a Christmas gift. There are all sorts of rules, and I can see why no one is betting on Asil to fulfill the goal, lol. On this date, there's a rescue with a surprise twist at the end...and you'll end up laughing.
Asil "the Moore" Moreno is a very, very old wolf who specializes in roses. Asil's son rules his old pack in Europe. Mariposa ( Cry Wolf , 2) had been Asil's foster daughter who became a black witch. The Marrok is the Alpha wolf for all werewolves in North America.
Tami Reed is a social worker in Spokane and loves her plants. Chris, a cop, is Tami's ex-boyfriend. Joshua is fifteen and lives in his own apartment; his two much younger sisters still live with their mom, Helen.
Aaron Marks was part of that second date, but not damaged by Asil. Carter lives in Billings. Phoebe is in Spokane, loves lilacs, and has a business downtown. Plantophiles is a not-dating site.
Robert E. Hampson's "In the Dust"...
...covers quite a bit of time, introducing us to the two protagonists and whizzing us through their lives in a mass of tell. There sure isn't much in the way of love although there is support.
Winnie "Winn" is a young boy fascinated by history who grows up to become a supervising master machinist at Armstrong Tool and Die...and then much more. Jenny Harriman is the young girl who likes Winnie who grows up to establish an experimental plot, the Garden of Eatin'. Grace and Mary are their children. Her father is an ambitious lawyer. Chris is a contemporary of theirs. Kubric is mayor until Harriman succeeds him. Dr Edwin Aldrin Wright (with three degrees) builds up Wright Fabrication, which becomes the single biggest driver of Armstrong's economy. Melliere Corp does agricultural genetics.
L.E. Modesitt, Jr's "Fallen"...
...is a series of tests: faith versus knowledge, as Estafen drops into different scenarios in which he must argue for knowledge. The arguments for faith are interesting, and thank goodness that Estafen's counterarguments always sound better! It read like a metaphor for our own world, although that second to the last paragraph was kind of spooky.
It's kind of weird with its Go-Captain and Stop-Captain.
Patrick M. Tracy's "Working Conditions"...
...is a weird paranormal and leaves me with questions at the end. It's also a metaphor for our own racist world, as Sam becomes different, which translates into bigotry against him. Delia Castleman owns a convenience store.
M.C. Sumner's "Last Contact"...
...is a science fiction tale that totally bypasses a "first contact". I gotta say this sounds a lot more realistic than most of those first contact stories, especially the way we're destroying our own planet.
What I found most interesting was George's agreeing with Dr Fetherstonhaugh that the aliens showing up at all will cause disruption to earth.
William McCaskey's "Ronin"...
...is a title for Bear, given him by the Sandman. He's meant to champion the child to whom he's given, Emily, and ride her dreams while battling her nightmares. Bear originally belonged to Jason, Emily's father, and without knowing it, Emily helps her father battle his own nightmares. This is so sad and makes me weep, and yet there's that hope again at the end.
Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker's "Skjoldmodir"...
...plays off the legend of Grendel and Beowulf, as we follow the female protagonist through her life and her trials as she attempts to raise her disabled son, Grendel.
Monalisa Foster's "Bonds of Love and Duty"...
...is yet another sad tale...with hope at the end. It's a typical government program. Kill off the beings they've used to win their war.
Laurell K. Hamilton's "Zombie Dearest"...
...has a sting in the tail for Anita! Although, I'm not sure what the cannibalism has to do with the ardeur Jean-Claude is speculating about. It's cute that Anita discovers Jean-Claude's need to fuss to deal with stress.
Anita Blake is a US Marshal with the Preternatural Division. She's engaged to Jean-Claude, the vampire Master of the City of St Louis. Belle Morte, the vampire with lust as one of her powers and who created Jean-Claude, is based in Europe. Mary is the daytime receptionist at Animators, Inc where Bert Vaughn is their greedy business manager. Sergeant Zerbrowski is the messy cop who is usually Anita's unofficial partner with the Regional Preternatural Investigation Taskforce. He was there that night at Thomas' gravesite. Katie is Zerbrowski's neat wife. Nicky Murdock, a lionshifter, is one of Anita's bodyguards as well as her Bride.
Herman and Julie Henderson are the parents of Justine who fell in love with Thomas Warrington, a zombie in Dead Ice , 24, two years ago and got pregnant. Harold Ramon works at the crematorium. Robbie Curtis is the creepy buyer.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a deep twilight and a lonely road curving into the distance. The sky is filled with stars including a shooting star. The text begins with an info blurb in lime green about the first editor. Below that the two editors (who are also authors) are listed at the top in white. Immediately below it on the left, in a centered stack, is an info blurb promoting two of the short stories within in a combination of royal blue and black. The title is below center in white with an info blurb below that in a lime green that continues into a white font of the more prominent authors with an "and more" following in the lime green.
The title is what every story offers, a Fantastic Hope.
The Series
"Twilight Falls" (Joe Ledger, 10.1)
"Heart of Clay" (Dan Shamble, Zombie PI, 6.5??)
"Reprise" (Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter, ??)
"Asil and the Not-date" (Alpha & Omega, 5.5 and Mercyverse, 17.5)
"Zombie Dearest" (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, 26.5)
The Stories
Jonathan Maberry's "Twilight Falls"...
...is fascinating — and a little too close to our reality what with bioterrorists. I did love the hopefulness of this tale with those do-gooders! I have got to start reading his Joe Ledger series.
Colonel Joe Ledger (call sign "Outlaw") had been an Airborne Ranger, Bradley "Top" Sims (call sign "Pappy"), and Harvey "Bunny" Rabbit make up Havoc Team. Mr Church is the adult in any room, and he heads up Rogue Team International, which appears to be based in Phoenix House on Omfori Island in Greece. Doc Joan Holliday is the head of the integrated sciences division; Dr William Hu is the former head. Bug is their IT guy. I think Jake, Wolf, Anderson, Sean, and Rachel are more team members??
Buzz Clark is a Pulitzer-prize-winning photojournalist who provides hot tips. Junie Flynn is Ledger's lover. Jim Peabody hosts a conspiracy theory radio show. Thabo Mahao and Bongani Jiba are part of a team bent on saving the world. Gunter is their resource guy.
Silentium is a bioterrorist group which wants 90% of the world's population gone.
Sharon Shinn's "Not in this Lifetime"...
...was an intriguing mix of fun and confusion in which she keeps trying to change how she dies. Fortunately, the confusion was short-lived, and I did love that twist of an end. I almost cried.
Lili and the heroine are waitresses at Deli-Lishes. Back in 1969, Lili was living with Adam. Armand, Juwan, Sanjay, and Kenny are more employees. And friends. Bill is a customer and a repeat jerk.
Larry Correia's "Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist"...
...was too funny, lol, in a very macabre way. You'll be as frustrated as Stanley in trying to understand that mugger, Chris, who simply will not stop. And who is simply fascinated by what Stanley's time period has and doesn't have. ROFL. On a more serious note, Correia takes advantage of Chris' perspective to note how truly lucky we are. It'll make ya think... And yet another happy, very unexpected, ending.
Kacey Ezell's "No Greater Love"...
...is an historical paranormal tale about love in the dead of winter and the choices people will make to save each other. Sweet with yet another unexpected, happy ending.
Griffin Barber's "Broken Son"...
...revolves around Sol Boy, a career criminal sentenced to a space mining camp who is our unreliable narrator. I'm seeing it as a metaphor for how our soldiers are cared for once they can no longer fight for the government.
Kevin J. Anderson's "Heart of Clay"...
...is both sweet and funny and sad. It's also rather silly with some inconsistencies that didn't make sense.
Private Investigator Dan "Beaux" Shamble is a zombie. Robin Deyer is Dan's human lawyer partner at Chambeau & Deyer Investigations. Sheyenne is Dan's ghost girlfriend and his business manager. Alvina is a ten-year-old vampire girl who is either Dan's or McGoo's daughter...they can't decide which. Officer Toby "McGoo" McGoohan with the Unnatural Quarter PD is Dan's best human friend.
Mortimer Dred is the king of the Real Renaissance Faire, a faire that has it all. Talbot & Knowles run a blood bar at the faire where Jim and Don are golem employees. Alice is a dragon who performs and has a gambling problem. Noxius is a gremlin purveyor of sharp objects. Rettop the Cavewight is a potter who also administers first aid. Joe is a murdered golem. Art is the golem leader.
John G. Hartness's "Reprise"...
...has a very noir feel to this tale of demon summoning in a betrayal of those who want to repair the past.
"Sometimes the best of us die to leave us an example ... to pull it into focus."I get confused over this Renfield-Dracula thing, especially when Hartness talks about uncles and going to see his uncle, Count Dracula, and then he goes to meet Luke. It's a sad tale and yet with a good point about what life is supposed to be.
Quincy Harker is a literal son of the Jonathan Harker in Stoker's 1897 Dracula. So how he's intended to be only 50 years old is beyond me. Count Dracula is Quincy's uncle. Uncle Lucas "Luke" Card is the current holder of the Renfield title and is based in Jersey City, these days. Luke also created the Shadow Council and Quincy is part of it.
Anna Treves had been the first true love of Quincy's life, and she was murdered in France in 1943 by a Nazi colonel. Rosalyn Reismann is Jewish and had had family who died in World War II. Edgar had been a cousin who died in one of the camps. Gerald.
Zippo Guy, Jacob, and Jerry are part of the dark coven attempting to summon Lord Raguel. Hiram and Rosalyn are also part of the coven. Abbadon, formerly known as Muriel who had guarded Eden, and Belial are demons.
Patricia Briggs' "Asil and the Not-date"...
...finds Asil the Moore dealing with a band of pranksters — some Concerned Friends — who have set him up on a not-dating site as a Christmas gift. There are all sorts of rules, and I can see why no one is betting on Asil to fulfill the goal, lol. On this date, there's a rescue with a surprise twist at the end...and you'll end up laughing.
Asil "the Moore" Moreno is a very, very old wolf who specializes in roses. Asil's son rules his old pack in Europe. Mariposa ( Cry Wolf , 2) had been Asil's foster daughter who became a black witch. The Marrok is the Alpha wolf for all werewolves in North America.
Tami Reed is a social worker in Spokane and loves her plants. Chris, a cop, is Tami's ex-boyfriend. Joshua is fifteen and lives in his own apartment; his two much younger sisters still live with their mom, Helen.
Aaron Marks was part of that second date, but not damaged by Asil. Carter lives in Billings. Phoebe is in Spokane, loves lilacs, and has a business downtown. Plantophiles is a not-dating site.
Robert E. Hampson's "In the Dust"...
...covers quite a bit of time, introducing us to the two protagonists and whizzing us through their lives in a mass of tell. There sure isn't much in the way of love although there is support.
Winnie "Winn" is a young boy fascinated by history who grows up to become a supervising master machinist at Armstrong Tool and Die...and then much more. Jenny Harriman is the young girl who likes Winnie who grows up to establish an experimental plot, the Garden of Eatin'. Grace and Mary are their children. Her father is an ambitious lawyer. Chris is a contemporary of theirs. Kubric is mayor until Harriman succeeds him. Dr Edwin Aldrin Wright (with three degrees) builds up Wright Fabrication, which becomes the single biggest driver of Armstrong's economy. Melliere Corp does agricultural genetics.
L.E. Modesitt, Jr's "Fallen"...
...is a series of tests: faith versus knowledge, as Estafen drops into different scenarios in which he must argue for knowledge. The arguments for faith are interesting, and thank goodness that Estafen's counterarguments always sound better! It read like a metaphor for our own world, although that second to the last paragraph was kind of spooky.
It's kind of weird with its Go-Captain and Stop-Captain.
Patrick M. Tracy's "Working Conditions"...
...is a weird paranormal and leaves me with questions at the end. It's also a metaphor for our own racist world, as Sam becomes different, which translates into bigotry against him. Delia Castleman owns a convenience store.
M.C. Sumner's "Last Contact"...
...is a science fiction tale that totally bypasses a "first contact". I gotta say this sounds a lot more realistic than most of those first contact stories, especially the way we're destroying our own planet.
What I found most interesting was George's agreeing with Dr Fetherstonhaugh that the aliens showing up at all will cause disruption to earth.
William McCaskey's "Ronin"...
...is a title for Bear, given him by the Sandman. He's meant to champion the child to whom he's given, Emily, and ride her dreams while battling her nightmares. Bear originally belonged to Jason, Emily's father, and without knowing it, Emily helps her father battle his own nightmares. This is so sad and makes me weep, and yet there's that hope again at the end.
Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker's "Skjoldmodir"...
...plays off the legend of Grendel and Beowulf, as we follow the female protagonist through her life and her trials as she attempts to raise her disabled son, Grendel.
Monalisa Foster's "Bonds of Love and Duty"...
...is yet another sad tale...with hope at the end. It's a typical government program. Kill off the beings they've used to win their war.
Laurell K. Hamilton's "Zombie Dearest"...
...has a sting in the tail for Anita! Although, I'm not sure what the cannibalism has to do with the ardeur Jean-Claude is speculating about. It's cute that Anita discovers Jean-Claude's need to fuss to deal with stress.
Anita Blake is a US Marshal with the Preternatural Division. She's engaged to Jean-Claude, the vampire Master of the City of St Louis. Belle Morte, the vampire with lust as one of her powers and who created Jean-Claude, is based in Europe. Mary is the daytime receptionist at Animators, Inc where Bert Vaughn is their greedy business manager. Sergeant Zerbrowski is the messy cop who is usually Anita's unofficial partner with the Regional Preternatural Investigation Taskforce. He was there that night at Thomas' gravesite. Katie is Zerbrowski's neat wife. Nicky Murdock, a lionshifter, is one of Anita's bodyguards as well as her Bride.
Herman and Julie Henderson are the parents of Justine who fell in love with Thomas Warrington, a zombie in Dead Ice , 24, two years ago and got pregnant. Harold Ramon works at the crematorium. Robbie Curtis is the creepy buyer.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a deep twilight and a lonely road curving into the distance. The sky is filled with stars including a shooting star. The text begins with an info blurb in lime green about the first editor. Below that the two editors (who are also authors) are listed at the top in white. Immediately below it on the left, in a centered stack, is an info blurb promoting two of the short stories within in a combination of royal blue and black. The title is below center in white with an info blurb below that in a lime green that continues into a white font of the more prominent authors with an "and more" following in the lime green.
The title is what every story offers, a Fantastic Hope.
May 26, 2022
This is an anthology of 16 short stories. A mixed bag of fantasy, sci fi, urban fantasy, shapeshifter. All are supposed to have hope as the center of the story.
I bought this for the Asil story by Patricia Biggs, which I liked a lot. The other stories are good too, some are part of a series. All can be read as stand alone.
Some other favorites : "Not In This Lifetime", "No Greater Love", "Reprise", "In the Dust", "Working Conditions", "Last Contact", "Ronin", Skjoldmodir", & "Bonds Of Love & Duty".
Didn't like as much : "Broken Son", "Fallen" & "Zombie Dearest".
Goofy stories : "Mr Positive, The Eternal Optimist" &"Heart Of Clay".
So, only 3 that I thought were ok. None I hated, which is pretty good for 16 stories!
I bought this for the Asil story by Patricia Biggs, which I liked a lot. The other stories are good too, some are part of a series. All can be read as stand alone.
Some other favorites : "Not In This Lifetime", "No Greater Love", "Reprise", "In the Dust", "Working Conditions", "Last Contact", "Ronin", Skjoldmodir", & "Bonds Of Love & Duty".
Didn't like as much : "Broken Son", "Fallen" & "Zombie Dearest".
Goofy stories : "Mr Positive, The Eternal Optimist" &"Heart Of Clay".
So, only 3 that I thought were ok. None I hated, which is pretty good for 16 stories!
April 15, 2020
There were some interesting stories and not my cuppa stories in this anthology. I only reviewed the two that I bought the book for:
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs
Asil’s well meaning friends have set him up on a few blind not-dates. There’s a few...stipulations (he is a grumpy old wolf), a betting pool, and some really wacky end results! Asil’s dating life has become a highlight in these novellas, but I wasn’t expecting the twist in this one at all!
Not In This Lifetime by Sharon Shinn
This short reminded me of The Age of Adeline; except Sasha dies and comes back in each life, while remembering those she left behind. Add a bit of suspense with a killer and mild comic relief with great cast of characters to help Sasha out and boom! Great story.
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs
Asil’s well meaning friends have set him up on a few blind not-dates. There’s a few...stipulations (he is a grumpy old wolf), a betting pool, and some really wacky end results! Asil’s dating life has become a highlight in these novellas, but I wasn’t expecting the twist in this one at all!
Not In This Lifetime by Sharon Shinn
This short reminded me of The Age of Adeline; except Sasha dies and comes back in each life, while remembering those she left behind. Add a bit of suspense with a killer and mild comic relief with great cast of characters to help Sasha out and boom! Great story.
April 16, 2020
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Fantastic Hope is a scifi fantasy anthology with stories which offer hope. In today's odd world, these are welcome. There are only a few authors I have read previously, and only two stories with characters I already knew.
I am not going to do an in depth review of all the stories but I would say they were all enjoyable. None of them were bad or such that I wished I hadn't read it or anything. I would place them into three groups: Ones I really loved, Ones I really enjoyed, and Ones I liked.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Mabarry - a Joe Ledger story
Not in This Lifetime by Sharon Shinn
Mr. Positive, The Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia - I really enjoyed Stanley and Chris. It was terrifying and then funny.
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell- There are some aspects about this which I usually wouldn't like (religious) but Jennilee was awesome.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson - a Dan Shamble, Zombie PI adventure
Reprise by John G. Hartness - a Quincy Harker, demon hunter story
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs - I know and love this world so this was very fun for me.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson - Scientists in the future on different planets.
Fallen by LE Modesitt, JR - This one felt too political or religious for my taste
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy
Last Contact by MC Sumner - a fun alien encounter.
Ronin by William McCaskey - Dreams and nightmares of a human watched over with love.
Skjoldmodir by Michale Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker - I liked this story but it was so sad.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster - Genetic engineering and the cultural racial biases vs. compassion and humanity.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton - My favorite characters from the series, Anita Blake and Jean-Claude. I haven't read the most recent books but I was very happy to see these two tracking down a raised zombie gone wrong.
I sometimes have trouble with the start of a new book or series in this genre and so that was bound to happen with some of them. I would rather have read this anthology over a longer period of time, leaving myself more time between stories to absorb and appreciate them. I do recommend this anthology. Some of the ones I really enjoyed come from series I would like to read now, because I realize I would have loved them with the background of a series I knew.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Fantastic Hope is a scifi fantasy anthology with stories which offer hope. In today's odd world, these are welcome. There are only a few authors I have read previously, and only two stories with characters I already knew.
I am not going to do an in depth review of all the stories but I would say they were all enjoyable. None of them were bad or such that I wished I hadn't read it or anything. I would place them into three groups: Ones I really loved, Ones I really enjoyed, and Ones I liked.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Mabarry - a Joe Ledger story
Not in This Lifetime by Sharon Shinn
Mr. Positive, The Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia - I really enjoyed Stanley and Chris. It was terrifying and then funny.
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell- There are some aspects about this which I usually wouldn't like (religious) but Jennilee was awesome.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson - a Dan Shamble, Zombie PI adventure
Reprise by John G. Hartness - a Quincy Harker, demon hunter story
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs - I know and love this world so this was very fun for me.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson - Scientists in the future on different planets.
Fallen by LE Modesitt, JR - This one felt too political or religious for my taste
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy
Last Contact by MC Sumner - a fun alien encounter.
Ronin by William McCaskey - Dreams and nightmares of a human watched over with love.
Skjoldmodir by Michale Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker - I liked this story but it was so sad.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster - Genetic engineering and the cultural racial biases vs. compassion and humanity.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton - My favorite characters from the series, Anita Blake and Jean-Claude. I haven't read the most recent books but I was very happy to see these two tracking down a raised zombie gone wrong.
I sometimes have trouble with the start of a new book or series in this genre and so that was bound to happen with some of them. I would rather have read this anthology over a longer period of time, leaving myself more time between stories to absorb and appreciate them. I do recommend this anthology. Some of the ones I really enjoyed come from series I would like to read now, because I realize I would have loved them with the background of a series I knew.
February 16, 2020
This was a good collection of stories. I like anthologies because I'm able to read authors I haven't yet read. Although, I was super excited to read Asil's Story by Patricia Briggs!
April 7, 2020
Not in This Lifetime by Sharon Shinn- 3 stars
Asil and the Not-Date. 5 stars
Didn’t read any of the other stories, especially not the awful Laurell K. Hamilton
Asil and the Not-Date. 5 stars
Didn’t read any of the other stories, especially not the awful Laurell K. Hamilton
April 17, 2021
Rating is just for “Asil and the Not-Date.”
March 13, 2021
I’m in one of those moods where I feel like doing individual reviews for each story. So here we go:
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry: NoOOoo! This book was published April of 2020, the height of the pandemic, and this story is about… a pandemic used as terrorism. Who the hell wants to read about a pandemic when they are living through one? The editors should have cut this one. Even if it wasn’t for the pandemic, this story was still meh. It was unnecessarily detailed; for example, instead of saying “I drew my knife” it says “I drew my Wilson Tactical Combat Rapid Response knife…” Who cares!? In what world is that good writing?
Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn: Another disappointment. First, the story is just a retelling of a story that’s been told a bunch of times before. But the worst was that at the end, the cops kill a bad guy and… there’s a protest. Then the story ends. The cops kill an attempted murderer. I’m not sure what kind of message the author is trying to make by bringing in a police protest and lines like: “I caught you on my camera!” and “Police are always killing people.” But the cops in this story weren’t killing an innocent man, they were killing someone who just attempted murder. So the whole random protesting makes no sense. If the author was trying to be deep, she failed.
Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia: Yay! A good story! I’ll admit, the type of story has been done before, but this was a fun new spin on it. I liked the humor and overall vibe. I also didn’t hate that there was a moral to the story. It was a little heavy-handed, but still ok. Overall, a fun read.
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell: This is a retelling of a Mormon story. It’s packed full of religion and scripture and… it has no place in a sci-fi/fantasy anthology. Having one magical character in there mixed with all of the religion doesn’t give it a pass. There’s a reason why there are totally separate Christian publishers – because the average reader doesn’t want preachy religious stories. Clearly, I am not a fan. But as an atheist, I wouldn’t be. If you are super religious, then hey, maybe you will like a story about a Mormon and a werewolf.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber: A sci-fi story about prisoners working in space – some normal and some “broken.” I really liked this one, it kept me flipping page after page.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson: I enjoyed this one as well. It was a quick story about the murder of golems. It was a fun read with a lot of characters – vampires, dragons, ghosts, wizards, and more. After reading this story, I am now kinda interested in reading the series it’s from.
Reprise by John G. Hartness: I have mixed feelings about this one. It was a mostly entertaining story and it was well-written. But it was also about nazis and the Holocaust and that always feels sketchy to me. It wasn’t necessarily outright disrespectful, but using the Holocaust as fodder for a story is a bit iffy.
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs: I am a fan of this series already so I figured I would like this story, and I did. However, I think parts of it would be confusing for someone new to the series. Overall though, the story was fun and I liked seeing more of this werewolf character.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson: This was a short and sweet sci-fi story. It was a nice read. Nothing groundbreaking or super memorable, but nice.
Fallen by L.E. Modesitt Jr.: Another sci-fi story. This one felt a bit out of place among the other stories. It is a little… too smart. The other stories have been straightforward and fairly simple. This one was much deeper and required more focused reading and even some re-reading to understand the points made. So, while not bad, it just felt out of place among a bunch of really simple stories.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy: This one contains spoilers.
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner: A science fiction story about aliens making contact. I loved this one! I am not really a fan of sci-fi, but this was I story that actually had me interested in reading more. I thought it was a clever spin on the usual alien contact story that we see in films. I also really liked the tone of the writing.
Ronin by William McCaskey: I really liked the creativity of this one. I did not like the Christian preachiness of it though. Second story in the bunch. I have read a LOT of these fantasy anthologies and this is the first with Christian stories. I hate it. I think that I would have enjoyed this story if it wasn’t for the BS bible-talk.
Skjoldmodir by Michael B. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker: This one is a retelling of Beowulf. A retelling that pretty much takes out any kind of magic or fantasy… so, not sure why it’s in a fantasy book. It wasn’t awful, it was just kinda boring. It also seemed like they were trying to make Grendel autistic. I could be totally reading into that, but it sure sounded that way.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster: Hands down the best story in the book! I’d give this one 5 out of 5 stars and the rest of the book 2 stars. This is a well-written and engaging story about a genetically engineered race. I really enjoyed it and even wanted more.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton: Mixed feelings. I enjoyed some parts and disliked others. I will say that this one may be confusing for someone new to her universe. I don’t think a new reader will know what the ardeur is (I read some of the series, but eventually stopped). I will also say that I'm still annoyed by the pointlessly gendered BS in her writing (“girl clothes”). This was published in 2020 - do better. I don’t separate my clothing and “girl clothes” and “boy clothes.” They are simply my clothes. I am a grown ass adult, I don’t place gender on pieces of fabric. Jeez. She just sounds like an out-of-touch boomer talking like that. But in spite of those things, I was entertained by the rest.
All in all… a disappointment. I think this will be the last time I read one of Hamilton’s anthologies and definitely the last time I read one by this publisher. There were some good stories in the mix, but it was mostly bleh with a mix of preachiness.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry: NoOOoo! This book was published April of 2020, the height of the pandemic, and this story is about… a pandemic used as terrorism. Who the hell wants to read about a pandemic when they are living through one? The editors should have cut this one. Even if it wasn’t for the pandemic, this story was still meh. It was unnecessarily detailed; for example, instead of saying “I drew my knife” it says “I drew my Wilson Tactical Combat Rapid Response knife…” Who cares!? In what world is that good writing?
Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn: Another disappointment. First, the story is just a retelling of a story that’s been told a bunch of times before. But the worst was that at the end, the cops kill a bad guy and… there’s a protest. Then the story ends. The cops kill an attempted murderer. I’m not sure what kind of message the author is trying to make by bringing in a police protest and lines like: “I caught you on my camera!” and “Police are always killing people.” But the cops in this story weren’t killing an innocent man, they were killing someone who just attempted murder. So the whole random protesting makes no sense. If the author was trying to be deep, she failed.
Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia: Yay! A good story! I’ll admit, the type of story has been done before, but this was a fun new spin on it. I liked the humor and overall vibe. I also didn’t hate that there was a moral to the story. It was a little heavy-handed, but still ok. Overall, a fun read.
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell: This is a retelling of a Mormon story. It’s packed full of religion and scripture and… it has no place in a sci-fi/fantasy anthology. Having one magical character in there mixed with all of the religion doesn’t give it a pass. There’s a reason why there are totally separate Christian publishers – because the average reader doesn’t want preachy religious stories. Clearly, I am not a fan. But as an atheist, I wouldn’t be. If you are super religious, then hey, maybe you will like a story about a Mormon and a werewolf.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber: A sci-fi story about prisoners working in space – some normal and some “broken.” I really liked this one, it kept me flipping page after page.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson: I enjoyed this one as well. It was a quick story about the murder of golems. It was a fun read with a lot of characters – vampires, dragons, ghosts, wizards, and more. After reading this story, I am now kinda interested in reading the series it’s from.
Reprise by John G. Hartness: I have mixed feelings about this one. It was a mostly entertaining story and it was well-written. But it was also about nazis and the Holocaust and that always feels sketchy to me. It wasn’t necessarily outright disrespectful, but using the Holocaust as fodder for a story is a bit iffy.
Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs: I am a fan of this series already so I figured I would like this story, and I did. However, I think parts of it would be confusing for someone new to the series. Overall though, the story was fun and I liked seeing more of this werewolf character.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson: This was a short and sweet sci-fi story. It was a nice read. Nothing groundbreaking or super memorable, but nice.
Fallen by L.E. Modesitt Jr.: Another sci-fi story. This one felt a bit out of place among the other stories. It is a little… too smart. The other stories have been straightforward and fairly simple. This one was much deeper and required more focused reading and even some re-reading to understand the points made. So, while not bad, it just felt out of place among a bunch of really simple stories.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy: This one contains spoilers.
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner: A science fiction story about aliens making contact. I loved this one! I am not really a fan of sci-fi, but this was I story that actually had me interested in reading more. I thought it was a clever spin on the usual alien contact story that we see in films. I also really liked the tone of the writing.
Ronin by William McCaskey: I really liked the creativity of this one. I did not like the Christian preachiness of it though. Second story in the bunch. I have read a LOT of these fantasy anthologies and this is the first with Christian stories. I hate it. I think that I would have enjoyed this story if it wasn’t for the BS bible-talk.
Skjoldmodir by Michael B. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker: This one is a retelling of Beowulf. A retelling that pretty much takes out any kind of magic or fantasy… so, not sure why it’s in a fantasy book. It wasn’t awful, it was just kinda boring. It also seemed like they were trying to make Grendel autistic. I could be totally reading into that, but it sure sounded that way.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster: Hands down the best story in the book! I’d give this one 5 out of 5 stars and the rest of the book 2 stars. This is a well-written and engaging story about a genetically engineered race. I really enjoyed it and even wanted more.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton: Mixed feelings. I enjoyed some parts and disliked others. I will say that this one may be confusing for someone new to her universe. I don’t think a new reader will know what the ardeur is (I read some of the series, but eventually stopped). I will also say that I'm still annoyed by the pointlessly gendered BS in her writing (“girl clothes”). This was published in 2020 - do better. I don’t separate my clothing and “girl clothes” and “boy clothes.” They are simply my clothes. I am a grown ass adult, I don’t place gender on pieces of fabric. Jeez. She just sounds like an out-of-touch boomer talking like that. But in spite of those things, I was entertained by the rest.
All in all… a disappointment. I think this will be the last time I read one of Hamilton’s anthologies and definitely the last time I read one by this publisher. There were some good stories in the mix, but it was mostly bleh with a mix of preachiness.
October 18, 2022
Entertaining short stories I listened to on audio specifically for the brevity for a week of quick commutes. Did not finish every short story - made a bee line for Laurell K. Hamilton's "Zombie Dearest" which was excellent, and was entertained by the quirky "Mr. Positive the Eternal Optimist" by Larry Correira. Ezell's "No Greater Love" was a bit too religious for my full appreciation, and Barber's "Broken Son" ultimately didn't catch me, so I'm shelving this for now because I don't want my general lack of appreciation of short stories to color what is likely an overall good read. I did love the optimistic thread tying these paranormal stories together given it was published during COVID!
March 6, 2022
2.5 stars
Like many short story anthologies, this one was uneven. Some stories I liked. Most I didn't. My favorite was Patricia Briggs' s story Asil and the Not-Date. It was set in the world of Alpha & Omega novels, starring - you guessed it - Asil.
Like many short story anthologies, this one was uneven. Some stories I liked. Most I didn't. My favorite was Patricia Briggs' s story Asil and the Not-Date. It was set in the world of Alpha & Omega novels, starring - you guessed it - Asil.
May 22, 2020
I grabbed this thinking I would only read the Briggs story, but Hamilton’s intro made me want to read the whole thing. I’m glad I did, because I found some new authors I liked. Here’s the rundown:
Twilight Falls, by Jonathan Mayberry
2 stars.
Concept was interesting but the narration was too macho tough-guy for me.
Not in this Lifetime, by Sharon Shinn
5 stars.
I liked the narrator and was invested right away. I’m always a sucker for time travel plots. This is my first Sharon Shinn, and I’ll have to check out more of her work.
Mr. Positive, Eternal Optimist, by Larry Correia
3.5 stars
Quite entertaining at the beginning, and the concept was fun. The dialogue later in the story got a little too self-helpy, and the story started feeling like a delivery system for the author’s philosophy of life.
No Greater Love, by Kacey Ezell
3 stars
Kind of a neat take on the werewolf story, but not developed enough to really grab me. The epilogue was a nice touch.
Broken Son, by Griffin Barber
3 stars
Interesting concept, but I felt like I had started in the middle of a larger story. I was inclined to dislike the cocky mob boss narrator, but I felt some sympathy for him at the end and wished there had been a little more explanation about his mother.
Heart of Clay, by Kevin J. Anderson
3 stars
Amusing concept, and I loved the idea of the Big Uneasy and the Real Renaissance Faire, but the jokes were a little too corny for me, and I didn’t really warm up to any of the characters.
Reprise, by John G. Hartness
4.5 stars
I’d never heard of this author, and it looks like his Quincy Harker character is from a series, so I’ll have to check it out. I really enjoyed this one. It was Harry Dresden-esque without being a rip-off. A demon hunting magician who calls Dracula “Uncle Luke” and lives in post WW2 New Jersey? Tell me more!
Asil and the Not-date, by Patricia Briggs
4.5 stars
This story is the reason I checked out the collection. Asil is one of those supporting characters you always want to know more about, and fans just really want him to be made whole by finding true love. There have been two short stories about Asil’s blind dates, and so far, his anonymous friends who set up profiles for him on dating sites are not making great choices. It’s still great to see Asil in action and get another entry from the Mercyverse.
In the Dust, by Robert E. Hampson
3 stars
I liked the gradual reveal of the setting for this story. The love story was kind of sweet, but the lack of tension and rapid progression through time kept me from feeling too invested.
Fallen, by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
3.5 stars
This was an imaginative sci-fi twist on Lucifer and the fall. The faith vs. knowledge argument between the two higher beings fighting over the dreamers’ fates was rather heavy-handed, and it kind of bummed me out with its either/or-ness.
Working Conditions, by Patrick M. Tracy
4 stars
This one was short and sweet, and I was charmed by the relationship between Delia and Sam. Vampirism has been used similarly before in service of the hope portrayed in this story, but I still liked it.
Last Contact, by M.C. Sumner
5 stars
Loved this one, a light sci-fi story with lots of fun pop-culture references and a delightful hippo-shaped alien. Plus, I learned how to pronounce Featherstonhaugh!
Ronin, by William McCaskey
4.5 stars
Inventive and moving, this was nice one, written by one of the collection’s editors. I laughed out loud when I realized the identity of the narrator. The end of the story wrapped up very quickly, but I liked how the narrator found a way to help his old charge.
Skjöldmódir, by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker
3.5
Well-written, but sad. I may have gotten more out of it if I had ever read Beowulf. I liked hearing the story from Grendel’s mother’s POV. Except for her hopes expressed in the final lines, it didn’t really seem to fit the collection’s theme of hopeful stories with happy endings.
Bonds of Love and Duty, by Monalisa Foster
5 stars
This felt like a piece of a larger story, but I still really enjoyed it. The concept of the donai was intriguing to me already, and then it took a surprising turn with wolves. I can never resist wolves. I’m interested in learning more about the author and her work.
Zombie Dearest, by Laurell K. Hamilton
3 stars
It’s been a while since I read an Anita Blake novel, and I thought it might be fun to revisit the world, but this story is really better for loyal readers of the series. She tried to include pertinent information, and it did help me follow the story, mostly. But it was largely done through awkward expository dialogue with Jean Claude and it wasn’t great.
Hamilton is one of the editors of the collection, and I really liked what she said in the intro. It’s what inspired me to read all the stories. I like that she included authors who haven’t published that much, alongside bestselling authors. I like her sassy author photo in the back of the book. I just didn’t love her story.
Twilight Falls, by Jonathan Mayberry
2 stars.
Concept was interesting but the narration was too macho tough-guy for me.
Not in this Lifetime, by Sharon Shinn
5 stars.
I liked the narrator and was invested right away. I’m always a sucker for time travel plots. This is my first Sharon Shinn, and I’ll have to check out more of her work.
Mr. Positive, Eternal Optimist, by Larry Correia
3.5 stars
Quite entertaining at the beginning, and the concept was fun. The dialogue later in the story got a little too self-helpy, and the story started feeling like a delivery system for the author’s philosophy of life.
No Greater Love, by Kacey Ezell
3 stars
Kind of a neat take on the werewolf story, but not developed enough to really grab me. The epilogue was a nice touch.
Broken Son, by Griffin Barber
3 stars
Interesting concept, but I felt like I had started in the middle of a larger story. I was inclined to dislike the cocky mob boss narrator, but I felt some sympathy for him at the end and wished there had been a little more explanation about his mother.
Heart of Clay, by Kevin J. Anderson
3 stars
Amusing concept, and I loved the idea of the Big Uneasy and the Real Renaissance Faire, but the jokes were a little too corny for me, and I didn’t really warm up to any of the characters.
Reprise, by John G. Hartness
4.5 stars
I’d never heard of this author, and it looks like his Quincy Harker character is from a series, so I’ll have to check it out. I really enjoyed this one. It was Harry Dresden-esque without being a rip-off. A demon hunting magician who calls Dracula “Uncle Luke” and lives in post WW2 New Jersey? Tell me more!
Asil and the Not-date, by Patricia Briggs
4.5 stars
This story is the reason I checked out the collection. Asil is one of those supporting characters you always want to know more about, and fans just really want him to be made whole by finding true love. There have been two short stories about Asil’s blind dates, and so far, his anonymous friends who set up profiles for him on dating sites are not making great choices. It’s still great to see Asil in action and get another entry from the Mercyverse.
In the Dust, by Robert E. Hampson
3 stars
I liked the gradual reveal of the setting for this story. The love story was kind of sweet, but the lack of tension and rapid progression through time kept me from feeling too invested.
Fallen, by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
3.5 stars
This was an imaginative sci-fi twist on Lucifer and the fall. The faith vs. knowledge argument between the two higher beings fighting over the dreamers’ fates was rather heavy-handed, and it kind of bummed me out with its either/or-ness.
Working Conditions, by Patrick M. Tracy
4 stars
This one was short and sweet, and I was charmed by the relationship between Delia and Sam. Vampirism has been used similarly before in service of the hope portrayed in this story, but I still liked it.
Last Contact, by M.C. Sumner
5 stars
Loved this one, a light sci-fi story with lots of fun pop-culture references and a delightful hippo-shaped alien. Plus, I learned how to pronounce Featherstonhaugh!
Ronin, by William McCaskey
4.5 stars
Inventive and moving, this was nice one, written by one of the collection’s editors. I laughed out loud when I realized the identity of the narrator. The end of the story wrapped up very quickly, but I liked how the narrator found a way to help his old charge.
Skjöldmódir, by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker
3.5
Well-written, but sad. I may have gotten more out of it if I had ever read Beowulf. I liked hearing the story from Grendel’s mother’s POV. Except for her hopes expressed in the final lines, it didn’t really seem to fit the collection’s theme of hopeful stories with happy endings.
Bonds of Love and Duty, by Monalisa Foster
5 stars
This felt like a piece of a larger story, but I still really enjoyed it. The concept of the donai was intriguing to me already, and then it took a surprising turn with wolves. I can never resist wolves. I’m interested in learning more about the author and her work.
Zombie Dearest, by Laurell K. Hamilton
3 stars
It’s been a while since I read an Anita Blake novel, and I thought it might be fun to revisit the world, but this story is really better for loyal readers of the series. She tried to include pertinent information, and it did help me follow the story, mostly. But it was largely done through awkward expository dialogue with Jean Claude and it wasn’t great.
Hamilton is one of the editors of the collection, and I really liked what she said in the intro. It’s what inspired me to read all the stories. I like that she included authors who haven’t published that much, alongside bestselling authors. I like her sassy author photo in the back of the book. I just didn’t love her story.
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