Scan barcode
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Four short tales of witchy spells in this anthology with Yasmine Galenorn, Ilona Andrews, Allyson James, and Jeanne C. Stein.
Series:
"Magic Dreams" (Kate Daniels, 4.5))
"Ice Shards" (Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon, 9.5)
"Double Hexed" (Stormwalker, 2.5)
"Blood Debt" (Anna Strong Chronicles, 6.5)
The Stories
Ilona Andrews' "Magic Dreams" is focused on Dali and Jim with brief mentions of Kate. A magical attack against one of the Pack's outlying offices results in problems for Jim when he investigates. Since Dali is one of the few shifters who practices magic, Jim requests her help. A truly inspired aid when it becomes apparent that Dali has some experience with the culture behind the attack.
I'm curious if we'll meet the Suanmi fire dragon again.
I had to keep checking that this was an Ilona Andrews as the writing felt odd. It wasn't the couple's usual style although, to be fair, it did suit Dali's ethnic background. Andrews makes an interesting point about Kate and telephones. How can Dali's mother not know that Jim is the alpha for the Cats?? When combined with the lack of empathy I felt for the story...it only rates a "3" from me.
Yasmine Galenorn's "Ice Shards" is a good story but I was not thrilled with the writing — wa-a-ay too much information, too much repetition, and too many little "adventures" that felt tossed in to stretch out the length of the story!
Although we do learn what really happened 600 years ago when Iris Kuusi, a Finnish house sprite, a Talon-haltija, turned Vikkommin inside out and imprisoned him inside a shadow. An act for which she was scourged, major power removed, and thrown out of the temple. Now Iris wants to give Bruce O'Shea the babies he wants and she must get the curse removed. Helping her are Camille, one of the three D'Artigo half-fae, half-human sisters, is along for the ride with Smoky, one of her husbands as is Rozurial, an incubus. The Elemental Lord, Howl, the Great Winter Wolf Spirit, has promised his aid on their trek into the Northlands. Trenyth, the queen's adviser, shows up to help out as well.
Allyson James' "Double Hexed" finds Janet and Mick, Maya, Cassandra, Coyote, Fremont Hansen, Ansel, the mirror, and eventually Pamela and Sheriff Jones stuck inside her hotel when a hex manifests over the entire hotel preventing its inhabitants from leaving and emphasizing their particular strengths over and above reason even as it prevents Coyote from using his power. Cassandra is convinced that her former employer has sent his sorcerer after her, Emmett Smith, and a blood sacrifice is needed.
It's an interesting stand-alone story since James incorporated everyone and included enough back history that I didn't feel lost and she did it in such a way that I didn't feel like I was getting the information dumped on me. It also provides us with a look into everyone's abilities. Pretty amazing in a short story.
Jeanne C. Stein's "Blood Debt" introduces Stephen Powers into Anna's life when the Elders send Samual to retrieve Anna for trial. It seems that Belinda Burke, the black witch whom Anna killed was in Sanctuary and should not have been touchable. Now Anna and one other must pay for the two lives Anna took.
This was a cute story — the comment on "flying United" was pretty funny — and I enjoyed it, but I wish Stein had been a bit more forthcoming as to Samual's part in all this. Otherwise, Stein did a good job of providing back history and moving us forward in this short story. Oh, and Tracey has been with them for three months now.
The Cover and Title
The quintessential magical warrior woman in black leather pants and a zip-up empire vest over a blue and purple lycra crop top, long, black hair blowing in the breeze as she leans up against a grey stone wall inscribed with magical symbols in a circle.
The title is accurate enough for all four women are Hexed with some sort of curse.
Series:
"Magic Dreams" (Kate Daniels, 4.5))
"Ice Shards" (Otherworld / Sisters of the Moon, 9.5)
"Double Hexed" (Stormwalker, 2.5)
"Blood Debt" (Anna Strong Chronicles, 6.5)
The Stories
Ilona Andrews' "Magic Dreams" is focused on Dali and Jim with brief mentions of Kate. A magical attack against one of the Pack's outlying offices results in problems for Jim when he investigates. Since Dali is one of the few shifters who practices magic, Jim requests her help. A truly inspired aid when it becomes apparent that Dali has some experience with the culture behind the attack.
I'm curious if we'll meet the Suanmi fire dragon again.
I had to keep checking that this was an Ilona Andrews as the writing felt odd. It wasn't the couple's usual style although, to be fair, it did suit Dali's ethnic background. Andrews makes an interesting point about Kate and telephones. How can Dali's mother not know that Jim is the alpha for the Cats?? When combined with the lack of empathy I felt for the story...it only rates a "3" from me.
Yasmine Galenorn's "Ice Shards" is a good story but I was not thrilled with the writing — wa-a-ay too much information, too much repetition, and too many little "adventures" that felt tossed in to stretch out the length of the story!
Although we do learn what really happened 600 years ago when Iris Kuusi, a Finnish house sprite, a Talon-haltija, turned Vikkommin inside out and imprisoned him inside a shadow. An act for which she was scourged, major power removed, and thrown out of the temple. Now Iris wants to give Bruce O'Shea the babies he wants and she must get the curse removed. Helping her are Camille, one of the three D'Artigo half-fae, half-human sisters, is along for the ride with Smoky, one of her husbands as is Rozurial, an incubus. The Elemental Lord, Howl, the Great Winter Wolf Spirit, has promised his aid on their trek into the Northlands. Trenyth, the queen's adviser, shows up to help out as well.
Allyson James' "Double Hexed" finds Janet and Mick, Maya, Cassandra, Coyote, Fremont Hansen, Ansel, the mirror, and eventually Pamela and Sheriff Jones stuck inside her hotel when a hex manifests over the entire hotel preventing its inhabitants from leaving and emphasizing their particular strengths over and above reason even as it prevents Coyote from using his power. Cassandra is convinced that her former employer has sent his sorcerer after her, Emmett Smith, and a blood sacrifice is needed.
It's an interesting stand-alone story since James incorporated everyone and included enough back history that I didn't feel lost and she did it in such a way that I didn't feel like I was getting the information dumped on me. It also provides us with a look into everyone's abilities. Pretty amazing in a short story.
Jeanne C. Stein's "Blood Debt" introduces Stephen Powers into Anna's life when the Elders send Samual to retrieve Anna for trial. It seems that Belinda Burke, the black witch whom Anna killed was in Sanctuary and should not have been touchable. Now Anna and one other must pay for the two lives Anna took.
This was a cute story — the comment on "flying United" was pretty funny — and I enjoyed it, but I wish Stein had been a bit more forthcoming as to Samual's part in all this. Otherwise, Stein did a good job of providing back history and moving us forward in this short story. Oh, and Tracey has been with them for three months now.
The Cover and Title
The quintessential magical warrior woman in black leather pants and a zip-up empire vest over a blue and purple lycra crop top, long, black hair blowing in the breeze as she leans up against a grey stone wall inscribed with magical symbols in a circle.
The title is accurate enough for all four women are Hexed with some sort of curse.
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
3.0
This is a review of Magic Dreams, #4.5 of the Kate Daniels series by [a:Ilona Andrews|21748|Ilona Andrews|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1219436898p2/21748.jpg]. Unfortunately, there is not a standalone version, hence the review of this anthology.
Magic Dreams was sad. I like Dali's character and it turns out her life is more sad than I thought. The villain was the saddest I have seen in this series to date. Even Jim was sad, although that could have had something to do with, well, spoilers. Anyway, sad. I enjoyed it overall and was quite angry that it was in no way acknowledged in the fifth book. Also sad. It's all sad.
Magic Dreams was sad. I like Dali's character and it turns out her life is more sad than I thought. The villain was the saddest I have seen in this series to date. Even Jim was sad, although that could have had something to do with, well, spoilers. Anyway, sad. I enjoyed it overall and was quite angry that it was in no way acknowledged in the fifth book. Also sad. It's all sad.
katyanaish's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, I'll admit that I only read Magic Dreams. That's because I haven't read any of the other authors, and I am tremendously neurotic and OCD about reading series: I must start at the beginning. And because the other ones are all listed as mid-series (Sisters of the Moon 9.5, Stormwalker 3.5, Anna Strong 6.5), I just couldn't do it. They are all series I have heard great things about, and would like to read, so I just can't bring myself to jump in mid-stream. So in the meantime, this anthology will hang out on my shelf, and when I get there in those series, it will be waiting.
On to my review of Magic Dreams... what's not to love? I love Dali. I love Jim. The energy between the two of them has been wonderful in the regular series, and it was so great to get this short story giving us the story of them coming together.
Also, it was hilarious. The book was from Dali's POV, and I was constantly laughing out loud. Stuff like this:
I adore this series. I absolutely cannot wait for more. More more more!!
On to my review of Magic Dreams... what's not to love? I love Dali. I love Jim. The energy between the two of them has been wonderful in the regular series, and it was so great to get this short story giving us the story of them coming together.
Also, it was hilarious. The book was from Dali's POV, and I was constantly laughing out loud. Stuff like this:
He snarled. I showed him my teeth.
A rolled up newspaper landed on my head and then on Jim's. "None of that in my house!"
Oh my gods. The alpha of Clan Cat just got smacked with a rolled-up newspaper. "Mom!" (p34)
I adore this series. I absolutely cannot wait for more. More more more!!
kayteeem's review against another edition
Read this mostly for the Illona Andrews short, and liked that one the best of the four novellas. Might have liked the others better if I knew the characters beforehand.
cheesygiraffe's review against another edition
4.0
#151 I only read "Ice Shards" by Yasmine Galenorn. I liked it a lot. It helped me understand where Iris's point of view comes from. Although why she waited 600 years to take care of what she should have taken care of a lot sooner. I understand she was young when it happened but the shadow was killing people all those years she waited to confront him. Grr!
sjb86's review against another edition
5.0
Great collection of shorts story's. Bought mostly for stormwalker and breed story but other were very good.
angels_gp17's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this Anthology to listen to the novella Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels #4.5) only. I LOVE the Kate Daniels series and have been listening to the books and loving them all over again. Instead of just listening to Magic Dreams I went ahead and listened to all four novellas; Magic Dreams, Ice Shards, Double Hexed, and Blood Debt. This Anthology was interesting and each novella was different and enjoyable to listen too.
Magic Dreams - 5 Stars
Here we get Jim & Dali, two shapeshiftes in the Cat Clan. If you are familiar with the Kate Daniels series then you have an idea of who these two are. Jim shows up in the first book and Dali shows up in the third book, but here we get to see more into them, their insecurities, and mating dance. Lots of fun to listen too and learn more about these two.
The Narrator: Renée Raudman did a superb job with the narration. The audiobook brings out the emotions, characters, mystery, and adventure.
Ice Shards - 4 Stars
Ice Shards takes place in the Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon #9.5 series. I haven’t tried this series yet, but do have book one on my TBR. This novella has made me want to bump up trying out Yasmine Galenorn. Iris has to face her past. I like how her past is weaved into the now. I found this novella interesting and entertaining.
The Narrator: Cassandra Campbell did a wonderful job. I really enjoyed the Irish accent given to Iris and all the other different voices for the other characters.
Double Hexed - 3 Stars
Double Hexed is part of the Stormwalker #2.5 series. This one I felt lost and like I was missing something. The familiar connections between the characters just wasn’t their for me. All the people introduced are friends, acquaintances, or a lover. This novella focused on Janet the main character in the Stormwalker series. We also get Coyote the God, Mike a dragon, Cassandra a witch, Ansel a Nightwalker, and a few others. Theirs a cute/hex on the inn that Janet runs. Their more dark primal instances are coming out. This novella wan’t working so well for me. It didn’t make me want to go out and pick up the Stormwalker series.
The Narrator: She did a good job. The voices where unique and you could distinguish between the different characters.
Blood Debt - 4 Stars
Blood Debt is Anna Strong Chronicles #6.5 series. We meet Anna a bounty hunter/vampire. Something in her past is coming back to bit her in the butt. We learn about her, her past, and how she was turned. She’s got to defend her actions in an otherworld court. Not just her life, but another’s is on the line. It’s interesting. Anna is determined to protect those who can’t defend themselves. I’m curious to try the Anna Strong Chronicles series. It sounds like it has adventure, mystery, and fun characters.
The Narrator: She did a wonderful job. All the voices where alive and unique. The story came alive.
Magic Dreams - 5 Stars
Here we get Jim & Dali, two shapeshiftes in the Cat Clan. If you are familiar with the Kate Daniels series then you have an idea of who these two are. Jim shows up in the first book and Dali shows up in the third book, but here we get to see more into them, their insecurities, and mating dance. Lots of fun to listen too and learn more about these two.
The Narrator: Renée Raudman did a superb job with the narration. The audiobook brings out the emotions, characters, mystery, and adventure.
Ice Shards - 4 Stars
Ice Shards takes place in the Otherworld/Sisters of the Moon #9.5 series. I haven’t tried this series yet, but do have book one on my TBR. This novella has made me want to bump up trying out Yasmine Galenorn. Iris has to face her past. I like how her past is weaved into the now. I found this novella interesting and entertaining.
The Narrator: Cassandra Campbell did a wonderful job. I really enjoyed the Irish accent given to Iris and all the other different voices for the other characters.
Double Hexed - 3 Stars
Double Hexed is part of the Stormwalker #2.5 series. This one I felt lost and like I was missing something. The familiar connections between the characters just wasn’t their for me. All the people introduced are friends, acquaintances, or a lover. This novella focused on Janet the main character in the Stormwalker series. We also get Coyote the God, Mike a dragon, Cassandra a witch, Ansel a Nightwalker, and a few others. Theirs a cute/hex on the inn that Janet runs. Their more dark primal instances are coming out. This novella wan’t working so well for me. It didn’t make me want to go out and pick up the Stormwalker series.
The Narrator: She did a good job. The voices where unique and you could distinguish between the different characters.
Blood Debt - 4 Stars
Blood Debt is Anna Strong Chronicles #6.5 series. We meet Anna a bounty hunter/vampire. Something in her past is coming back to bit her in the butt. We learn about her, her past, and how she was turned. She’s got to defend her actions in an otherworld court. Not just her life, but another’s is on the line. It’s interesting. Anna is determined to protect those who can’t defend themselves. I’m curious to try the Anna Strong Chronicles series. It sounds like it has adventure, mystery, and fun characters.
The Narrator: She did a wonderful job. All the voices where alive and unique. The story came alive.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
Since this is an anthology I am going to review the novellas separately.
Magic Dreams by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels #4.5)
In this one Dali and Jim fight together to bring down a Japanese demon. Dali is not a scary shifter, but she does know her magic. Jim is an alpha and they have always been at odds. That is you know they both like each other but never get together. So therefore I looked forward to reading this book knowing it would finally happen. Interesting mythology and in a way I did not feel like you had to have read the Kate Daniels series to understand the novella. Of course by having read them you would have met these two before and wanted the same thing I wanted. I enjoyed this novella.
Ice Shards by Yasmine Galenorn (Sisters of the Moon #9.5)
I never ever come across Finnish mythology and here I did. Iris Kuusi is a housesprite from Finland and she is going to the Northlands to find out if she killed someone 600 years ago. Ok I was a bit lost here at times, not really lost, but it was the fact that there have been 9 books in this series about three sisters. And this character who I guess is a minor character there. Also, they would not have had last names that far back and some names in it would not have been used. Still it was interesting in it's rich mythology. There seems to be a lot going on in that world (worlds).
Double Hexed by Allyson James (Stormwalker #3.5)
This one was my favourite because it really made me want to read the series behind it. Janet and her friends are trapped in her hotel because someone has put a hex on it. I found myself wanting to read more about Janet and her dragon lover Mick. Coyote was funny, the vampire seemed nice (when not crazed) and the rest of the cast interesting. It's a world I want to read about and book 1 made it to my wishlist.
Blood Debt by Jeanne C. Stein (Anna Strong Chronicles #6.5)
Yes 6 before this one but I never felt at loss. I got a bit of explanations what Anna was and what she had been through. In this book she stands trail for something she has done. And that made me know about her history. I would definitely be interested in reading her story from book 1. The writing and story was good and I do like kick-ass UF heroines.
Conclusion:
Interesting novellas that made me want to read more about the worlds presented. And as always some better than other.
Magic Dreams by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels #4.5)
In this one Dali and Jim fight together to bring down a Japanese demon. Dali is not a scary shifter, but she does know her magic. Jim is an alpha and they have always been at odds. That is you know they both like each other but never get together. So therefore I looked forward to reading this book knowing it would finally happen. Interesting mythology and in a way I did not feel like you had to have read the Kate Daniels series to understand the novella. Of course by having read them you would have met these two before and wanted the same thing I wanted. I enjoyed this novella.
Ice Shards by Yasmine Galenorn (Sisters of the Moon #9.5)
I never ever come across Finnish mythology and here I did. Iris Kuusi is a housesprite from Finland and she is going to the Northlands to find out if she killed someone 600 years ago. Ok I was a bit lost here at times, not really lost, but it was the fact that there have been 9 books in this series about three sisters. And this character who I guess is a minor character there. Also, they would not have had last names that far back and some names in it would not have been used. Still it was interesting in it's rich mythology. There seems to be a lot going on in that world (worlds).
Double Hexed by Allyson James (Stormwalker #3.5)
This one was my favourite because it really made me want to read the series behind it. Janet and her friends are trapped in her hotel because someone has put a hex on it. I found myself wanting to read more about Janet and her dragon lover Mick. Coyote was funny, the vampire seemed nice (when not crazed) and the rest of the cast interesting. It's a world I want to read about and book 1 made it to my wishlist.
Blood Debt by Jeanne C. Stein (Anna Strong Chronicles #6.5)
Yes 6 before this one but I never felt at loss. I got a bit of explanations what Anna was and what she had been through. In this book she stands trail for something she has done. And that made me know about her history. I would definitely be interested in reading her story from book 1. The writing and story was good and I do like kick-ass UF heroines.
Conclusion:
Interesting novellas that made me want to read more about the worlds presented. And as always some better than other.
twowhoodles's review against another edition
3.0
I'd only ever read Kate Daniels before, out of all the authors, but the stories in this anthology were all engaging - I'm definitely going to seek out their books.