What do you think?
Rate this book
Of Maidens & Swords: A Story Collection
Of Maidens & Swords: A Story Collection
This collects Melissa Marr's 2019 & 2020 short stories, including the three Wicked Lovely Stories: Love Hurts, Winter Dreams, and Summer Bound, as well as other fantasy short stories: "Nameless" (in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction), "The Devil's Due" (in Once Upon a Ghost anthology), "Knee Deep in the Sea" (n Lightspeed Magazine), and "Of Roses and Kings" (Tor).
This collects Melissa Marr's 2019 & 2020 short stories, including the three Wicked Lovely Stories: Love Hurts, Winter Dreams, and Summer Bound, as well as other fantasy short stories: "Nameless" (in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction), "The Devil's Due" (in Once Upon a Ghost anthology), "Knee Deep in the Sea" (n Lightspeed Magazine), and "Of Roses and Kings" (Tor).
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2021
108 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Marr
109 books13k followersMelissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 19, 2021
Only reading 'The Nameless' and 'The Devil's Due' as I've already read the other stories.
3.5 stars
The Nameless - Bit strange, a community made up only of women, who only birth female babies, and capture men who attack them from another village to provide them with those babies.
The Devil's Due - About a woman who wants to avenge her sister's deaths by marrying the man who killed them, killing him, and taking all his possessions.
3.5 stars
The Nameless - Bit strange, a community made up only of women, who only birth female babies, and capture men who attack them from another village to provide them with those babies.
The Devil's Due - About a woman who wants to avenge her sister's deaths by marrying the man who killed them, killing him, and taking all his possessions.
December 31, 2021
There is an author's note after the first few stories that made me appreciate those stories more. Then the next few stories all related to other books the author has written, and which I have not read. It really is my fault that I didn't much enjoy these, as it's clear in the book description that some of the stories are set in the Wicked Lovely universe, but I thought maybe I could dive into that world through these short stories. Turns out the characters had a lot of backstory with each other that I was missing, and so I couldn't follow very well in the second half of this book. If I ever read those books, I'll come back and re-read these stories, and I suspect I'll enjoy them more.
July 12, 2021
3.5 stars
Loved the two first stories and the last one the best (especially the gay Alice in Wonderland retelling). All the stories were well written and had interesting characters, I just wasn’t to into all the fairy-romance-stuff.
Loved the two first stories and the last one the best (especially the gay Alice in Wonderland retelling). All the stories were well written and had interesting characters, I just wasn’t to into all the fairy-romance-stuff.
June 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this fierce and feminist group of women highlighted as the main theme of this short story collection. I would consider this book essential reading for Wicked Lovely fans, and a great taste of Melissa Marr's fantastic world-building for a few of her fantasy novels for those who might not have read from her yet. Story by story, I'll go through a brief synopsis and highlights.
Of Roses and Kings was a really cool, queer retelling of Alice in Wonderland with a darker, murderess take and creative reimaginings of the Cheshire cat and Alice herself. I am amazed how much world building can be accomplished in such a short story.
The Nameless was almost a Red Riding Hood reimagining where men are the wolves and protecting one’s sisters is the name of the game. A village of sisters is protected by few warriors, so men do not steal them away, and this story is an insightful microcosm of the world at large and how women learn to protect themselves and survive.
Knee Deep in the Sea was a selchie story, and I haven’t had the opportunity to read many of those over the years. Isabel was a sympathetic and strong character, running toward nothing and toward the sea. It was well sketched out and painted the setting beautifully.
The Devil’s Due was a brutal and murderous story of a man who married three sisters over a period of time and the third sister who goes to find her sisters, while breaking with the convention of the time in terms of an interracial relationship, piracy, and being the savior of other women. A bit brutal for my taste, but worth reading.
Changing Guards: The Graveminder short story was intriguing. I really need to pick that one up. It’s been on my TBR for years and I want to know more after this short insight into the world building. It quickly moved up my TBR after reading this short story.
Love Hurts: A Wicked Lovely Story- Also available as the epilogue of sorts for Cold Iron Heart, this goes into Irial, Leslie, and Niall as they explore the next phase in their relationship, as Irial's story from Cold Iron Heart is shared and his revelation and what it means to him is revealed.
Summer Bound: A Wicked Lovely Story- A great bridge from one book to the next, filling the need for more content in this world between book releases as secrets are revealed and side characters get the spotlight. Siobhan and Tavish are two of my favorite Summer Court members and it’s great to see their perspective. Meeting Urian is a great set up for the next release in the series. Seeing the reveal play out from the revelations of Cold Iron Heart was fun as a fan of the series and this read filled my Wicked Lovely Fangirl heart and it was easily one of my anticipated e-books of the year.
Winter Dreams: A Wicked Lovely Story- This story speaks to Moira's introduction and as always, the dynamic between Keenan and Donia as he pursues her, while Donia tries to protect her heart. Meanwhile, Irial is intervening again, as his connection to the Foy's emerges without his own knowledge of the situation. I really liked seeing more of Moira since her character is just a shadow in the main series, and I will take more Keenan and Donia content any day.
Of Roses and Kings was a really cool, queer retelling of Alice in Wonderland with a darker, murderess take and creative reimaginings of the Cheshire cat and Alice herself. I am amazed how much world building can be accomplished in such a short story.
The Nameless was almost a Red Riding Hood reimagining where men are the wolves and protecting one’s sisters is the name of the game. A village of sisters is protected by few warriors, so men do not steal them away, and this story is an insightful microcosm of the world at large and how women learn to protect themselves and survive.
Knee Deep in the Sea was a selchie story, and I haven’t had the opportunity to read many of those over the years. Isabel was a sympathetic and strong character, running toward nothing and toward the sea. It was well sketched out and painted the setting beautifully.
The Devil’s Due was a brutal and murderous story of a man who married three sisters over a period of time and the third sister who goes to find her sisters, while breaking with the convention of the time in terms of an interracial relationship, piracy, and being the savior of other women. A bit brutal for my taste, but worth reading.
Changing Guards: The Graveminder short story was intriguing. I really need to pick that one up. It’s been on my TBR for years and I want to know more after this short insight into the world building. It quickly moved up my TBR after reading this short story.
Love Hurts: A Wicked Lovely Story- Also available as the epilogue of sorts for Cold Iron Heart, this goes into Irial, Leslie, and Niall as they explore the next phase in their relationship, as Irial's story from Cold Iron Heart is shared and his revelation and what it means to him is revealed.
Summer Bound: A Wicked Lovely Story- A great bridge from one book to the next, filling the need for more content in this world between book releases as secrets are revealed and side characters get the spotlight. Siobhan and Tavish are two of my favorite Summer Court members and it’s great to see their perspective. Meeting Urian is a great set up for the next release in the series. Seeing the reveal play out from the revelations of Cold Iron Heart was fun as a fan of the series and this read filled my Wicked Lovely Fangirl heart and it was easily one of my anticipated e-books of the year.
Winter Dreams: A Wicked Lovely Story- This story speaks to Moira's introduction and as always, the dynamic between Keenan and Donia as he pursues her, while Donia tries to protect her heart. Meanwhile, Irial is intervening again, as his connection to the Foy's emerges without his own knowledge of the situation. I really liked seeing more of Moira since her character is just a shadow in the main series, and I will take more Keenan and Donia content any day.
January 27, 2021
Of maidens and swords by Melissa Marr is a compilation of eight (previously published) short stories. Marr takes us back to the Wicked Lovely world that I love so much.
Winter Dreams: is a prequel to Wicked Lovely. Love Hurts: and Summer Bound: both take place after the Wicked Lovely series comes to an end, but they set up and offer clues and information which is good to have, if you plan on reading Cold Iron Heart because it is a prequel to the Wicked Lovely story as well as the series.
Changing the Guards is a prequel to Graveminder, which gives us clues and information on the Graveminder world.
There are also a few stand alones that are based on, yet based is not the word I’m looking for, more like influenced by fairytales.
Of Roses and Kings is a take on Alice in Wonderland.
The Nameless is about a village defending themselves.
Knee Deep in the Sea is about selchies.
The Devils Due is actually my favourite of the stand alone short stories, maybe it’s because Addy is a pirate, maybe it’s because the devil gets what’s his. All I know is this story makes me very happy. This was a fantastic read and is perfect if you don’t have the time to read a full book or you just want something little to hold you over while you pick your next series...
I received this book from the author for an honest review, the opinions posted in the above reviews are mine and mine only.
Winter Dreams: is a prequel to Wicked Lovely. Love Hurts: and Summer Bound: both take place after the Wicked Lovely series comes to an end, but they set up and offer clues and information which is good to have, if you plan on reading Cold Iron Heart because it is a prequel to the Wicked Lovely story as well as the series.
Changing the Guards is a prequel to Graveminder, which gives us clues and information on the Graveminder world.
There are also a few stand alones that are based on, yet based is not the word I’m looking for, more like influenced by fairytales.
Of Roses and Kings is a take on Alice in Wonderland.
The Nameless is about a village defending themselves.
Knee Deep in the Sea is about selchies.
The Devils Due is actually my favourite of the stand alone short stories, maybe it’s because Addy is a pirate, maybe it’s because the devil gets what’s his. All I know is this story makes me very happy. This was a fantastic read and is perfect if you don’t have the time to read a full book or you just want something little to hold you over while you pick your next series...
I received this book from the author for an honest review, the opinions posted in the above reviews are mine and mine only.
February 4, 2021
I loved this book! These short stories grabbed my attention and didn't let go. I couldn't wait to catch a few minutes to sit down and become enveloped in Melissa Marr's imaginative worlds. Definitely worth a read.
July 9, 2021
I really liked the Wicked Lovely stories, but the other stories I didn't much care for.
March 2, 2021
This was anthology was a home run for Melissa Marr! It is full of strong women that we all need to see in literature. From Wonderland to the decks of a pirate ship and to the familiar landscapes of Graveminder and Wicked Lovely, this book will transport you to some beautiful places.
The stories are captivating, and leave the reader wanting more. Each one is the seed for a full length novel, and with Marr you never know
The stories are captivating, and leave the reader wanting more. Each one is the seed for a full length novel, and with Marr you never know
March 26, 2025
Review attached: https://www.thenerddaily.com/review-o...
November 22, 2023
Wonderfully dark and inventive. I was hoping for more stand alone stories, though; alas!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews