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mimmsmilk's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
A very strong collection of 13 fantastical short stories featuring women protagonists. At times the editor’s introduction and notes can come across a little too snarky, but I’m also conscious of the time this anthology was published, the general attitude, and how important this volume must’ve been.
I’ve only been exposed to one author previously so I had no idea what I was getting. I was very pleasantly surprised. I’ll list my personal highlights below.
The Dreamstone by C.J. Cherryh is a beautiful tale reminiscent of Arthurian legend or Spenser’s Faerie Queene, with enough subversion to keep it on message. So much heart in so small a space.
Morrien’s Bitch by Janet Fox is a brilliant darker entry, featuring a complicated antihero and strong supporting characters. At the end I was left wondering if it was the reader who’s the true fool of this story.
Falcon Blood by Andre Norton is the standout for me. If I had to choose a favourite, it would be this. A story overtly about gender that strives to challenge the characters and the reader, set against a rich backdrop that made me hunger for more.
Bones for Dulath by Megan Lindholm is a very good story from the only author I knew previously. I may be biased as she is one of my favourites. Still, the story starts in on action and immediately the characters are thrown into their quest. As a reader I was right behind them. The dialogue is whip-smart and the worldbuilding elements are just enough to create a great story with a satisfying conclusion.
Northern Chess by Tanith Lee is a great tale featuring a sarcastic woman warrior who has the skill to back up her sharp tongue. I’m a sucker for a story that personifies the inhuman. It has a dreamy, moorlike quality to it, tensing and uncoiling at exactly the right moments.
The Woman Who Loved the Moon by Elizabeth A. Lynn is a story straight out of folklore that takes the reader on a satisfying journey beginning to end. The characters bounce off of the page, asking: Why does there to be a message? This is our story, listen to us.
There was only one entry I didn’t care for. Emily Brontë’s excerpt didn’t really fit, was a little disjointed and felt like it was there just because. It is short though, so not much time wasted.
Very much enjoyed and highly recommended.
I’ve only been exposed to one author previously so I had no idea what I was getting. I was very pleasantly surprised. I’ll list my personal highlights below.
The Dreamstone by C.J. Cherryh is a beautiful tale reminiscent of Arthurian legend or Spenser’s Faerie Queene, with enough subversion to keep it on message. So much heart in so small a space.
Morrien’s Bitch by Janet Fox is a brilliant darker entry, featuring a complicated antihero and strong supporting characters. At the end I was left wondering if it was the reader who’s the true fool of this story.
Falcon Blood by Andre Norton is the standout for me. If I had to choose a favourite, it would be this. A story overtly about gender that strives to challenge the characters and the reader, set against a rich backdrop that made me hunger for more.
Bones for Dulath by Megan Lindholm is a very good story from the only author I knew previously. I may be biased as she is one of my favourites. Still, the story starts in on action and immediately the characters are thrown into their quest. As a reader I was right behind them. The dialogue is whip-smart and the worldbuilding elements are just enough to create a great story with a satisfying conclusion.
Northern Chess by Tanith Lee is a great tale featuring a sarcastic woman warrior who has the skill to back up her sharp tongue. I’m a sucker for a story that personifies the inhuman. It has a dreamy, moorlike quality to it, tensing and uncoiling at exactly the right moments.
The Woman Who Loved the Moon by Elizabeth A. Lynn is a story straight out of folklore that takes the reader on a satisfying journey beginning to end. The characters bounce off of the page, asking: Why does there to be a message? This is our story, listen to us.
There was only one entry I didn’t care for. Emily Brontë’s excerpt didn’t really fit, was a little disjointed and felt like it was there just because. It is short though, so not much time wasted.
Very much enjoyed and highly recommended.
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