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starknits13's review against another edition
3.0
Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist - kinda hilarious!
Asil and the Not-date - I need the must love cats story!! I love Asil!
Asil and the Not-date - I need the must love cats story!! I love Asil!
ulrikedg's review against another edition
3.0
A couple of highlights, but not enough to be worth buying. If you're interested in one or two of the authors, check it out from your local library.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry - Did not start
Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn - This was the story that made me want to read this book. I'm a Shinn fan, and I figured her submission would be good. It was well written, and I mostly enjoyed it, but in the year of BLM & increased awareness of police violence, the ending hits a bit of a sour note.
Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia - New author to me. He struck a nice balance between plot and comedy.
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell - DNF. The inaccuracies in the birth scene were egregious. If you cut the baby's cord immediately after birth, you MUST clamp or tie it first; otherwise, it will spurt blood all over. Alternatively, you can wait until it is limp and white, and then you can cut it. The mother dies for no apparent reason. She doesn't hemorrhage or have a heart attack or anything. She just ceases to live because the baby is out, and she's not necessary for the plot. Human milk production also doesn't work that way. I read the author's note about the inspiration for the story, and that was neat, but not worth finishing the story. (I skimmed a bit, including the last page, and don't feel like I missed out by stopping when I did.)
Broken Son by Griffin Barber - DNF. Didn't catch my interest in the first couple of pages.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson - Did not start. KJA is on my list of authors to avoid since reading his Star Wars novels back in the '90s. Bad author! No cookie/readie.
Reprise by John G. Hartness - Skipped, may come back to.
Asil and the Not-date by Patricia Briggs - This was the other story that convinced me to read this book. The setup didn't work for me, but the actual story did.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson - New author to me. Nice story.
Fallen by L. E. Modesitt, Jr. - Did not start, not interested.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy - Lots of potential, but someone needs to teach Patrick about enthusiastic consent. You don't get to violate someone's body, even for their own good. It's especially noticeable in a book with a story by Patricia Briggs (contrast to her vampire character Stephan).
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner - This might be my favorite story in this book. Short and sweet.
Ronin by William McCaskey - Did not start, not interested.
Skjoldmodir by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker - Well written, but not a hopeful story. In any other context, I would recommend it highly.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster - If humans try to murder their genetically modified super soldiers, it won't end well for the humans.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton - Did not start; not interested.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry - Did not start
Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn - This was the story that made me want to read this book. I'm a Shinn fan, and I figured her submission would be good. It was well written, and I mostly enjoyed it, but in the year of BLM & increased awareness of police violence, the ending hits a bit of a sour note.
Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia - New author to me. He struck a nice balance between plot and comedy.
No Greater Love by Kacey Ezell - DNF. The inaccuracies in the birth scene were egregious. If you cut the baby's cord immediately after birth, you MUST clamp or tie it first; otherwise, it will spurt blood all over. Alternatively, you can wait until it is limp and white, and then you can cut it. The mother dies for no apparent reason. She doesn't hemorrhage or have a heart attack or anything. She just ceases to live because the baby is out, and she's not necessary for the plot. Human milk production also doesn't work that way. I read the author's note about the inspiration for the story, and that was neat, but not worth finishing the story. (I skimmed a bit, including the last page, and don't feel like I missed out by stopping when I did.)
Broken Son by Griffin Barber - DNF. Didn't catch my interest in the first couple of pages.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson - Did not start. KJA is on my list of authors to avoid since reading his Star Wars novels back in the '90s. Bad author! No cookie/readie.
Reprise by John G. Hartness - Skipped, may come back to.
Asil and the Not-date by Patricia Briggs - This was the other story that convinced me to read this book. The setup didn't work for me, but the actual story did.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson - New author to me. Nice story.
Fallen by L. E. Modesitt, Jr. - Did not start, not interested.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy - Lots of potential, but someone needs to teach Patrick about enthusiastic consent. You don't get to violate someone's body, even for their own good. It's especially noticeable in a book with a story by Patricia Briggs (contrast to her vampire character Stephan).
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner - This might be my favorite story in this book. Short and sweet.
Ronin by William McCaskey - Did not start, not interested.
Skjoldmodir by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker - Well written, but not a hopeful story. In any other context, I would recommend it highly.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster - If humans try to murder their genetically modified super soldiers, it won't end well for the humans.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton - Did not start; not interested.
andimontgomery's review
3.0
This was a mixed bag for me. Some stories were more interesting and compelling than others, but others leaned too far in their social commentary.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry - 2 stars - This was just an ok story of a special forces group on a mission to save the world.
Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn - 3 stars - While I enjoyed the reincarnation part of this story, I hated the author’s interjection of her opinions about the police at the end of the story.
Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia - 4 stars - This was a clever and fun (!) story that reminded me of the Dr. Who world, with a man trying to elude an immortal assassin.
No Greater Love by Kaey Ezell - 3 stars - This was a heartwarming story of what measures a young girl will take to keep her new baby brother safe while searching for her family in a snow storm.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber - 2.5 stars - I had a hard time getting into this story of a prisoner sent to a mining space camp who ends up participating in a huge discovery.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson - 3 stars - This follows a zombie detective’s investigation into the murder of a golem during the Renaissance Faire.
Reprise by John G. Hartness - 3.5 stars - This was a good story of a demon hunter with interesting familial connections who is plagued by his past.
Asil and the Not-Date p by Patricia Briggs - 3 stars - I liked Asil’s dating story, but I was disappointed that the author had to be so preachy with her views on the homeless.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson - 2 stars - I liked the IDEA of this story, but the execution just wasn’t very engaging.
Fallen by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. - DNF. I just couldn’t get into this story.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy - 3.5 stars - This was a very short story about a new vampire who works at a convenience store.
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner - 2.5 stars - This was an engaging story…until the author got preachy about environmental concerns.
Ronin by William McCaskey - 2 stars - I just couldn’t get into this story.
Skjoldmodir by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker - DNF - I wasn’t interested in reading a Beowulf/Grendel story.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster - 3 stars - This was an interesting story of how a cloned soldier protects his charges.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton - 2 stars - I haven’t read an Anita Blake story in ages, and this story reminded me of why I gave up on the series.
Twilight Falls by Jonathan Maberry - 2 stars - This was just an ok story of a special forces group on a mission to save the world.
Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn - 3 stars - While I enjoyed the reincarnation part of this story, I hated the author’s interjection of her opinions about the police at the end of the story.
Mr. Positive, the Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia - 4 stars - This was a clever and fun (!) story that reminded me of the Dr. Who world, with a man trying to elude an immortal assassin.
No Greater Love by Kaey Ezell - 3 stars - This was a heartwarming story of what measures a young girl will take to keep her new baby brother safe while searching for her family in a snow storm.
Broken Son by Griffin Barber - 2.5 stars - I had a hard time getting into this story of a prisoner sent to a mining space camp who ends up participating in a huge discovery.
Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson - 3 stars - This follows a zombie detective’s investigation into the murder of a golem during the Renaissance Faire.
Reprise by John G. Hartness - 3.5 stars - This was a good story of a demon hunter with interesting familial connections who is plagued by his past.
Asil and the Not-Date p by Patricia Briggs - 3 stars - I liked Asil’s dating story, but I was disappointed that the author had to be so preachy with her views on the homeless.
In the Dust by Robert E. Hampson - 2 stars - I liked the IDEA of this story, but the execution just wasn’t very engaging.
Fallen by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. - DNF. I just couldn’t get into this story.
Working Conditions by Patrick M. Tracy - 3.5 stars - This was a very short story about a new vampire who works at a convenience store.
Last Contact by M.C. Sumner - 2.5 stars - This was an engaging story…until the author got preachy about environmental concerns.
Ronin by William McCaskey - 2 stars - I just couldn’t get into this story.
Skjoldmodir by Michael Z. Williamson and Jessica Schlenker - DNF - I wasn’t interested in reading a Beowulf/Grendel story.
Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster - 3 stars - This was an interesting story of how a cloned soldier protects his charges.
Zombie Dearest by Laurell K. Hamilton - 2 stars - I haven’t read an Anita Blake story in ages, and this story reminded me of why I gave up on the series.
scottyb's review against another edition
3.0
Overall I'd give this a 3-3.5. Like any anthology, there are some hits and some misses, but I enjoyed the majority (with some being real stinkers...)
clairetrellahill's review against another edition
Not rating the entire collection because I only wanted to read Asil and the Not-Date by Patricia Briggs.
I’ll give it 3.5 stars—it’s short and sweet, in line with her other Asil short story about dates that don’t go as planned. Of course there’s a twist, which I didn’t see coming, so that was good, but the nature of the twist kind of made me sigh. No spoilers, but we continue to beat a dead horse, which was disappointing when I thought we might actually be breaking some new ground for Asil. But it is a story in which a date doesn’t go as planned. Nice ending though.
I’ll give it 3.5 stars—it’s short and sweet, in line with her other Asil short story about dates that don’t go as planned. Of course there’s a twist, which I didn’t see coming, so that was good, but the nature of the twist kind of made me sigh. No spoilers, but we continue to beat a dead horse, which was disappointing when I thought we might actually be breaking some new ground for Asil. But it is a story in which a date doesn’t go as planned. Nice ending though.
mdlaclair's review against another edition
5.0
I just read Patricia Briggs short story. I felt it was very good Asil is a favorite of mine.
rclz's review against another edition
5.0
I only read the Jonathan Maberry, Patricia Briggs and Laurell K Hamilton stories. I'd always wanted to read one of Mayberry's but never got around to it. I think I'll move him farther up the TBR pile. Good story for a short.
Then there is Briggs and Hamilton. Never go wrong with either. I expected good stories and I got them.
Then there is Briggs and Hamilton. Never go wrong with either. I expected good stories and I got them.
rouver's review against another edition
3.0
This rating is for the Patricia Briggs story ONLY!! I have no idea if the rest of the book is any good, but I didn't have much success with the 1.3 other stories I read in it. Blech.
The only reason I picked this book up was to read the werewolf story by Patricia Briggs. THAT was a fun little read & I always enjoy when she writes short stories about her supporting characters. In this case, it was about Asil, an ancient werewolf who was barely able to control his animal side until an "omega" werewolf joined his pack (they have a calming influence). In an attempt to try to help him rejoin society, an anonymous group of friends have set up a betting pool to see if he can complete a series of dates set up for him from a variety of dating sites.
The other story I read was by Laurell K. Hamilton, who wrote the "Anita Blake; vampire hunter" series. I managed to slog through 10 of those novels, and I honestly should have stopped much sooner. This short story just confirmed that I'd made the right choice.
I thought I'd give another author a try, and started on the first story in the book by Jonathan Maberry. I was interested to read about this kick-ass female, Colonel Ledger...and then was irritated to discover that Ledger had balls. The only description to give me any idea of who Ledger is wasn't until page 7, where his gender is at least revealed when he talks about his 'nuts' crawling into his chest during a HALO jump. The other characters were caricatures & not engaging, so I didn't bother finishing the short story. Maberry might be an awesome author, but he didn't impress me with the bit I read. *shrug*
The only reason I picked this book up was to read the werewolf story by Patricia Briggs. THAT was a fun little read & I always enjoy when she writes short stories about her supporting characters. In this case, it was about Asil, an ancient werewolf who was barely able to control his animal side until an "omega" werewolf joined his pack (they have a calming influence). In an attempt to try to help him rejoin society, an anonymous group of friends have set up a betting pool to see if he can complete a series of dates set up for him from a variety of dating sites.
The other story I read was by Laurell K. Hamilton, who wrote the "Anita Blake; vampire hunter" series. I managed to slog through 10 of those novels, and I honestly should have stopped much sooner. This short story just confirmed that I'd made the right choice.
I thought I'd give another author a try, and started on the first story in the book by Jonathan Maberry. I was interested to read about this kick-ass female, Colonel Ledger...and then was irritated to discover that Ledger had balls. The only description to give me any idea of who Ledger is wasn't until page 7, where his gender is at least revealed when he talks about his 'nuts' crawling into his chest during a HALO jump. The other characters were caricatures & not engaging, so I didn't bother finishing the short story. Maberry might be an awesome author, but he didn't impress me with the bit I read. *shrug*
amyiw's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars for--- I started this at "Asil and the Not Date", by Patricia Briggs. It was the continuation of the dates Asil has been set up on by "concerned friends" in the anthology, [b:A Fantastic Holiday Season: The Gift of Stories|23432718|A Fantastic Holiday Season The Gift of Stories|Kevin J. Anderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441787710l/23432718._SY75_.jpg|42909361]. This one wasn't as good but I always enjoy a little more of Asil.
So the reason the short story wasn't as good as "Unappreciated Gifts"... This story was definitely shorter than the last and starts with Asil running through the woods and thinking about whether he was going to get another email. Well this waste the little time that this very short story is going to have. So we end up with the date and resulting chaos being super fast and the ending just a bit too swift and characters just not rounded. I love Asil so seeing him was great but there was no Tango in which he realizes that he was really enjoying himself like in the other short of his "dates". I do believe he is enjoying the dates even with the mess ups. So it was fun 3 1/2 stars but I wouldn't bump it up.
I read a some more of the shorts and like only one, disliked one, and another two were only good to OK. They are all very short. Only one made the characters to be more real, rounded, understood and liked.
So, so far I will give this a 3 - 3 1/2 over all. I don't know if I'll get back to it and finish the many stories that are left as I'm not finding them engaging enough.
So the reason the short story wasn't as good as "Unappreciated Gifts"... This story was definitely shorter than the last and starts with Asil running through the woods and thinking about whether he was going to get another email. Well this waste the little time that this very short story is going to have. So we end up with the date and resulting chaos being super fast and the ending just a bit too swift and characters just not rounded. I love Asil so seeing him was great but there was no Tango in which he realizes that he was really enjoying himself like in the other short of his "dates". I do believe he is enjoying the dates even with the mess ups. So it was fun 3 1/2 stars but I wouldn't bump it up.
I read a some more of the shorts and like only one, disliked one, and another two were only good to OK. They are all very short. Only one made the characters to be more real, rounded, understood and liked.
So, so far I will give this a 3 - 3 1/2 over all. I don't know if I'll get back to it and finish the many stories that are left as I'm not finding them engaging enough.