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rellwood74's review against another edition
5.0
I read the Laurell K. Hamilton and the Patricia Briggs stories. I might come back and read the rest later.
coynej82's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
bfg01's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Picked up for Sharon Shinn's story, but didn't click with the others as much.
lisawreading's review against another edition
4.0
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.
leabookjoy's review against another edition
5.0
French & English reviews
Lu uniquement pour l'histoire d'Asil (et c'est mieux si vous avez déjà lu la série Alpha & Omega avant !!)
Ahhhh LA MEILLEURE NOUVELLE EVER !!
Asil a toujours été un de mes personnages préférés (La meute du Marrok a toujours fait partie de mes favoris <3 ) et j'ai eu un super coup de cœur pour l'intrigue du blind date pour trouver un ami (je suis sûre que c'est Anna et Charles les responsables avec l'aide de Bran parce que je le vois bien faire ça =D) ! Il faut dire qu'Asil a besoin d'ami surtout après
On avait les points de vue de Asil et de l'assistante sociale ce que j'ai adoré et sans rien spoiler parce que c'est tellement génial mais CE RETOURNEMENT DE SITUATION A LA FIN !! JE NE M'Y ATTENDAIS PAS DU TOUT !!!
Bref, un coup de cœur <3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read only for the story of Asil (and it's better if you have already read the Alpha & Omega series before !!)
Ahhhh THE BEST SHORT-STORY EVER !!
Asil has always been one of my favorite characters (Of course the Marrok pack has always been one of my favorites <3) and I LOVED the blind date plot to find a friend (I'm sure it's Anna and Charles who are responsible with the help of Bran because I can totally see him doing that =D)! And Asil needs a friend especially after
We had the POV of Asil and the social worker which I loved and without spoiling anything because it is so great but THIS TURNAROUND AT THE END !! I WASN'T EXCPECTING THAT AT ALL !!!
In short, a favorite <3
Lu uniquement pour l'histoire d'Asil (et c'est mieux si vous avez déjà lu la série Alpha & Omega avant !!)
Ahhhh LA MEILLEURE NOUVELLE EVER !!
Asil a toujours été un de mes personnages préférés (La meute du Marrok a toujours fait partie de mes favoris <3 ) et j'ai eu un super coup de cœur pour l'intrigue du blind date pour trouver un ami (je suis sûre que c'est Anna et Charles les responsables avec l'aide de Bran parce que je le vois bien faire ça =D) ! Il faut dire qu'Asil a besoin d'ami surtout après
Spoiler
la trahison de Sage dans le dernier livre qui a du beaucoup le toucher ...On avait les points de vue de Asil et de l'assistante sociale ce que j'ai adoré et sans rien spoiler parce que c'est tellement génial mais CE RETOURNEMENT DE SITUATION A LA FIN !! JE NE M'Y ATTENDAIS PAS DU TOUT !!!
Bref, un coup de cœur <3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read only for the story of Asil (and it's better if you have already read the Alpha & Omega series before !!)
Ahhhh THE BEST SHORT-STORY EVER !!
Asil has always been one of my favorite characters (Of course the Marrok pack has always been one of my favorites <3) and I LOVED the blind date plot to find a friend (I'm sure it's Anna and Charles who are responsible with the help of Bran because I can totally see him doing that =D)! And Asil needs a friend especially after
Spoiler
the betrayal of Sage in the last book which must have been so hard for him a lot ...We had the POV of Asil and the social worker which I loved and without spoiling anything because it is so great but THIS TURNAROUND AT THE END !! I WASN'T EXCPECTING THAT AT ALL !!!
In short, a favorite <3
smcwhorter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
danicamidlil's review against another edition
4.0
I only read the one story by Patricia Briggs. More Asil stories, please!
anastasiaadamov's review against another edition
4.0
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!
heathersbike's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great collection and the hope theme resonated with me right now. A couple meh but mostly really good and nothing awful. I returned the book before doing this so snagged the list from someone else. I'm not normally this thorough but I want to remember these authors!
An Anita Blake that is mostly detective story with paranormal aspects as it was when it started! Instead of the devolved soft porn with paranormal aspects and a smattering of detective. Rejoice and enjoy!
I had heard rumblings about Asil and the Not-date from the Facebook site but had avoided reading anything. It was just as great as everyone implied.
New to me Dan Shamble, Zombie PI had me checking the 1st in the series out to read next.
Jonathan Maberry's Joe Ledger is another character I may look to read more of. And I'm sure my kid would enjoy the character a lot.
Glad I'm going over these as I wanted to look for something else by Sharon Shinn...
I liked the Terminator references in Mr. Positive although I had figured out the twist before we got there (ok, not long before...)
Kacey Ezell's story was unique and wonderful.
Griffin Barber's - solid contribution.
John G. Hartness was another one who I wanted to read something else but didn't find anything? I should have read the bios more carefully...
Robert E Hampson - great combo of history and fantasy.
Fallen was the first story that sisnt do it for me. One of the meh. Not bad, just didn't really engage me.
Patrick M. Tracy - liked the twists to the vampire legend
M.C. Sumner - loved this
William MCaskey - teddy bear magic! Ingenious!
Monalisa Foster - very much enjoyed this.
Michael Z. Williamson & Jessica Schlenker - retelling of Beowulf and Grendell. This was the other story that was meh for me. And I didn't find it nearly has hopeful as the others.
An Anita Blake that is mostly detective story with paranormal aspects as it was when it started! Instead of the devolved soft porn with paranormal aspects and a smattering of detective. Rejoice and enjoy!
I had heard rumblings about Asil and the Not-date from the Facebook site but had avoided reading anything. It was just as great as everyone implied.
New to me Dan Shamble, Zombie PI had me checking the 1st in the series out to read next.
Jonathan Maberry's Joe Ledger is another character I may look to read more of. And I'm sure my kid would enjoy the character a lot.
Glad I'm going over these as I wanted to look for something else by Sharon Shinn...
I liked the Terminator references in Mr. Positive although I had figured out the twist before we got there (ok, not long before...)
Kacey Ezell's story was unique and wonderful.
Griffin Barber's - solid contribution.
John G. Hartness was another one who I wanted to read something else but didn't find anything? I should have read the bios more carefully...
Robert E Hampson - great combo of history and fantasy.
Fallen was the first story that sisnt do it for me. One of the meh. Not bad, just didn't really engage me.
Patrick M. Tracy - liked the twists to the vampire legend
M.C. Sumner - loved this
William MCaskey - teddy bear magic! Ingenious!
Monalisa Foster - very much enjoyed this.
Michael Z. Williamson & Jessica Schlenker - retelling of Beowulf and Grendell. This was the other story that was meh for me. And I didn't find it nearly has hopeful as the others.