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noranne's review against another edition
2.0
Overall, this anthology was a little meh. The theme was dangerous women, but it seemed like a lot of authors went in the damaged/deranged direction (where the characters were women at all, because they got sidelined a lot for an anthology themed about women). It took me a few months to get through it, reading one here or there, and not many of the stories really excited me.
Favorites: Nora's Song by Cecelia Holland, The Hands That Are Not There by Melinda Snodgrass, Neighbors by Megan Lindholm
Least Favorites: I Know How To Pick 'Em by Lawrence Block, Virgins by Diana Gabaldon, Lies My Mother Told Me by Caroline Spector
The GRRM novella was good. I happen to enjoy the faux-historical writing, so that was fine with me but could definitely be an issue for those who don't like that. I thought it went a little too far in the direction of "everyone is an idiot and everything is doomed and war is pointless" but, well, that's GRRM!
All in all, the ratio of hit to miss was just too low for this anthology.
Favorites: Nora's Song by Cecelia Holland, The Hands That Are Not There by Melinda Snodgrass, Neighbors by Megan Lindholm
Least Favorites: I Know How To Pick 'Em by Lawrence Block, Virgins by Diana Gabaldon, Lies My Mother Told Me by Caroline Spector
The GRRM novella was good. I happen to enjoy the faux-historical writing, so that was fine with me but could definitely be an issue for those who don't like that. I thought it went a little too far in the direction of "everyone is an idiot and everything is doomed and war is pointless" but, well, that's GRRM!
All in all, the ratio of hit to miss was just too low for this anthology.
siraels's review against another edition
3.0
This book is, how the name of the book indicates, about dangerous women. It's an anthology with more than twenty stories from various authors so it makes sense that not all of them were great. I wasn't a fan of all of the stories, mainly because something didn't suit me - characters, writing style, the setting or the plot but there could be more.
But what bothered me was how in some stories there wasn't a dangerous woman at all or they played a very very minor role. As a dangerous woman I imagine some assasin, queen, leader or some kind of a strong woman. Most of these weren't but it's still on the author's idea and what they imagine under "dangerous woman".
It may be a bit difficult to write down my opinion on each of these stories because some I've read two weeks ago and I'm not sure if I can remember every single thing.
Some desperado, Joe Abercrombie 2/5
This is probably a story I would imagine under "dangerous woman". But the main character and the plot didn't really suit me but I enjoyed it.
My heart is either broken, Megan Abott 2,5/5
I wasn't sure about this one. I liked it more than the first story, it was interesting but at times it could be a bit boring. But I liked how realistic it was because child can be kidnapped at any time. I'm still not sure, who the dangerous woman was.
Nora's song, Cecelia Holland 4/5
This one was the first story that I actually enjoyed even though the plot wasn't terrific. But I'm just a sucker for historical fiction and knights and ladies so this was a go-to story for me. I liked our main character, her tomboy-ish personality because she wanted to fight but she couldn't because she was a girl. The dangerous woman here was Eleanor of Aquitane and she's definitely an interesting character I would want to read more about.
The hands that are not there, Melinda Snodgrass 1,5/5
This one was... a bit weird. I liked it in the beginning but when the big reveal came I kinda lost my interest and nothing was sorted out in the story.
Bombshells, Jim Butcher 3/5
I was interested in this story and I was really enjoying it. The world seemed very interested except that I don't remember most of the plot now, almost two weeks later.
Raisa Stepanova, Carrie Vaughn 2,5/5
I enjoyed this one but it didn't give me anything special. I enjoyed the setting in World War II and that the main character was a female Russian pilot. It was enjoyable but I didn't really connect with any of the characters.
Wrestling Jesus, Joe R. Lansdale 1/5
Wrestling is not really my area of expertise so I didn't feel connected to any of it. The characters were unlikable and the "dangerous woman" was such a minor character that I don't understand why she was even there.
Neighbors, Megan Lindholm 3,5/5
I know that many people didn't like this one since I've read some review and they didn't really say extraordinary stuff about this one. But I enjoyed this story very much. It gives us a very good insights into the head of a seventy year old woman. Even though I can't say if it's 100% accurate because I'm a teenager, it made me feel like around my grandparents and I was a bit annoyed by her decisions and actions so I feel like that's a very good insight. The whole mystery was especially interesting and I had goosebumbs just reading about it. I wish that the ending was explained a bit better. It made me a bit unsure about getting old.
I know how to pick 'em, Lawrence Block 1/5
The only thing that the main character did was that he slept numerous times in one night with a woman who wanted him to kill her husband but he killed her instead. Not for me.
Shadows for Silence in the forests of hell, Brandon Sanderson 4,5/5
My second favourite one from this book.The world was really interesting and I honestly wanted to know more. I liked the characters and the intrigue and Silence was definitely a dangerous woman. You can see from this story that Brandon Sanderson is an amazing writer.
Queen in exile, Sharon Kay Penman 4/5
Another historical fiction for my historical lover heart! I thoroughly enjoyed this one even though now I don't remember much. I liked that it also mentioned one of the daughters of Eleanor of Aquitane, it made it a bit more connected to her story in this book. I liked the war theme in this book and I liked the main character.
The girl in the mirror, Lev Grossman 2/5
Not sure what to think about this one because it wasn't my thing. I didn't like the characters and I don't even remember the plot.
Second Arabesque, very slowly, Nancy Kress 4,5/5
This one meant a lot for me. I know that it isn't a terrific story and you can see it from most people's ratings but this one was special. It's set in a future post apocalyptic world where a sickness causing infertility started spreading the world. People separated in groups, mostly farms and packs and we got our view in one of the packs which is mainly small. Girls, who start bleeding, are forced to sleep with every single man from the pack so they get pregnant. And if they don't start bleeding, they're either enslaved, killed or become some kind of nurse but our pack already has one and they don't need more. This pack travels through the land and sets feet on a place that used to be a theater and some guy found old tapes there with some ballet lessons. And so he asks one girl, who hasn't start bleeding yet, to try it with him even though it was against the rules.
I honestly loved this one. It made me realize how much choices we are able to do now and we aren't stopped by anyone. It also has a special place in my heart because a part of me always wanted to be a ballet dancer but I'm already too old to start so I understand Kara.
City Lazarus, Diana Rowland 1/5
No. I just vaguely remember it was set in some post apocalyptic city where the river went away and that the woman killed the main character at the end or something. Honestly, how I remember it kinda tells how much I liked it.
Virgins, Diana Gabalon 1,5/5
I barely remember it. Diana Gabaldon puts so much unecessary details into it that it could've been a lot shorter. I was bored.
Hell hath no fury, Sherilynn Kenyon 2/5
I honestly don't really remember what it was about but I think some kind of paranormal ghost stuff but I'm not sure. I liked the scenes where we saw the main character seeing things that happened in the past but that's the only thing that I remember.
Pronouncing doom, S. M. Stirling 3,5/5
I loved this one. I love how it handled rape and that it's not a thing that should be forgiven. I liked the main character who was definitely a strong woman and the intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this one even though it was nothing terrific.
Name the beast, Sam Sykes 1,5/5
I honestly can't remember what it was about so I'll add rating later.
Caretakers, Pat Cadigan 1/5
Boring. I didn't really get it.
Lies my mother told me, Caroline Spector 4/5
This one was amazing! We had a female main character that that was definitely dangerous and I love how inventive it was. Michelle's adoptive daughter was amazing and I was for sure intrigued in the fact that she was basically a bigger insect. The world was really interesting but I wish it would be explained more because I didn't understand most of it. And I wish that Dan got a better ending because he didn't deserve it.
The princess and the queen, George R. R. Martin 5/5
So. It was worth the wait. The last one was my favourite one. And it's not even a surprise. GRRM knows how to write stories, especially good ones. Even though it was a chronicle-like type of writimg and it took longer to get into it, it took just a while. The characters were amazing. I love the world of Westeros and this story expanded my view of the world. And Alicent and Rhaenyra were for sure strong female character, in the other words "dangerous women".
But what bothered me was how in some stories there wasn't a dangerous woman at all or they played a very very minor role. As a dangerous woman I imagine some assasin, queen, leader or some kind of a strong woman. Most of these weren't but it's still on the author's idea and what they imagine under "dangerous woman".
It may be a bit difficult to write down my opinion on each of these stories because some I've read two weeks ago and I'm not sure if I can remember every single thing.
Some desperado, Joe Abercrombie 2/5
This is probably a story I would imagine under "dangerous woman". But the main character and the plot didn't really suit me but I enjoyed it.
My heart is either broken, Megan Abott 2,5/5
I wasn't sure about this one. I liked it more than the first story, it was interesting but at times it could be a bit boring. But I liked how realistic it was because child can be kidnapped at any time. I'm still not sure, who the dangerous woman was.
Nora's song, Cecelia Holland 4/5
This one was the first story that I actually enjoyed even though the plot wasn't terrific. But I'm just a sucker for historical fiction and knights and ladies so this was a go-to story for me. I liked our main character, her tomboy-ish personality because she wanted to fight but she couldn't because she was a girl. The dangerous woman here was Eleanor of Aquitane and she's definitely an interesting character I would want to read more about.
The hands that are not there, Melinda Snodgrass 1,5/5
This one was... a bit weird. I liked it in the beginning but when the big reveal came I kinda lost my interest and nothing was sorted out in the story.
Bombshells, Jim Butcher 3/5
I was interested in this story and I was really enjoying it. The world seemed very interested except that I don't remember most of the plot now, almost two weeks later.
Raisa Stepanova, Carrie Vaughn 2,5/5
I enjoyed this one but it didn't give me anything special. I enjoyed the setting in World War II and that the main character was a female Russian pilot. It was enjoyable but I didn't really connect with any of the characters.
Wrestling Jesus, Joe R. Lansdale 1/5
Wrestling is not really my area of expertise so I didn't feel connected to any of it. The characters were unlikable and the "dangerous woman" was such a minor character that I don't understand why she was even there.
Neighbors, Megan Lindholm 3,5/5
I know that many people didn't like this one since I've read some review and they didn't really say extraordinary stuff about this one. But I enjoyed this story very much. It gives us a very good insights into the head of a seventy year old woman. Even though I can't say if it's 100% accurate because I'm a teenager, it made me feel like around my grandparents and I was a bit annoyed by her decisions and actions so I feel like that's a very good insight. The whole mystery was especially interesting and I had goosebumbs just reading about it. I wish that the ending was explained a bit better. It made me a bit unsure about getting old.
I know how to pick 'em, Lawrence Block 1/5
The only thing that the main character did was that he slept numerous times in one night with a woman who wanted him to kill her husband but he killed her instead. Not for me.
Shadows for Silence in the forests of hell, Brandon Sanderson 4,5/5
My second favourite one from this book.The world was really interesting and I honestly wanted to know more. I liked the characters and the intrigue and Silence was definitely a dangerous woman. You can see from this story that Brandon Sanderson is an amazing writer.
Queen in exile, Sharon Kay Penman 4/5
Another historical fiction for my historical lover heart! I thoroughly enjoyed this one even though now I don't remember much. I liked that it also mentioned one of the daughters of Eleanor of Aquitane, it made it a bit more connected to her story in this book. I liked the war theme in this book and I liked the main character.
The girl in the mirror, Lev Grossman 2/5
Not sure what to think about this one because it wasn't my thing. I didn't like the characters and I don't even remember the plot.
Second Arabesque, very slowly, Nancy Kress 4,5/5
This one meant a lot for me. I know that it isn't a terrific story and you can see it from most people's ratings but this one was special. It's set in a future post apocalyptic world where a sickness causing infertility started spreading the world. People separated in groups, mostly farms and packs and we got our view in one of the packs which is mainly small. Girls, who start bleeding, are forced to sleep with every single man from the pack so they get pregnant. And if they don't start bleeding, they're either enslaved, killed or become some kind of nurse but our pack already has one and they don't need more. This pack travels through the land and sets feet on a place that used to be a theater and some guy found old tapes there with some ballet lessons. And so he asks one girl, who hasn't start bleeding yet, to try it with him even though it was against the rules.
I honestly loved this one. It made me realize how much choices we are able to do now and we aren't stopped by anyone. It also has a special place in my heart because a part of me always wanted to be a ballet dancer but I'm already too old to start so I understand Kara.
City Lazarus, Diana Rowland 1/5
No. I just vaguely remember it was set in some post apocalyptic city where the river went away and that the woman killed the main character at the end or something. Honestly, how I remember it kinda tells how much I liked it.
Virgins, Diana Gabalon 1,5/5
I barely remember it. Diana Gabaldon puts so much unecessary details into it that it could've been a lot shorter. I was bored.
Hell hath no fury, Sherilynn Kenyon 2/5
I honestly don't really remember what it was about but I think some kind of paranormal ghost stuff but I'm not sure. I liked the scenes where we saw the main character seeing things that happened in the past but that's the only thing that I remember.
Pronouncing doom, S. M. Stirling 3,5/5
I loved this one. I love how it handled rape and that it's not a thing that should be forgiven. I liked the main character who was definitely a strong woman and the intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this one even though it was nothing terrific.
Name the beast, Sam Sykes 1,5/5
I honestly can't remember what it was about so I'll add rating later.
Caretakers, Pat Cadigan 1/5
Boring. I didn't really get it.
Lies my mother told me, Caroline Spector 4/5
This one was amazing! We had a female main character that that was definitely dangerous and I love how inventive it was. Michelle's adoptive daughter was amazing and I was for sure intrigued in the fact that she was basically a bigger insect. The world was really interesting but I wish it would be explained more because I didn't understand most of it. And I wish that Dan got a better ending because he didn't deserve it.
The princess and the queen, George R. R. Martin 5/5
So. It was worth the wait. The last one was my favourite one. And it's not even a surprise. GRRM knows how to write stories, especially good ones. Even though it was a chronicle-like type of writimg and it took longer to get into it, it took just a while. The characters were amazing. I love the world of Westeros and this story expanded my view of the world. And Alicent and Rhaenyra were for sure strong female character, in the other words "dangerous women".
kaiysea's review against another edition
4.0
Several of the stories felt like they put out a call to authors for stories about dangerous women, without caring about if the women played a part in the story at all. Not all of the stories are like that. And I did like most of the stories, even the ones were the women were objects/faint memories/barely present. My favorite were Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell (Brandon Sanderson), The Hands That Are Not There (Melinda Snodgrass), Some Desperado (Joe Abercrombie), Neighbors (Megan Lindholm), The Girl in the Mirror (Lev Grossman), Virgins (Diana Gabaldon), Hell Hath no Fury (Sherilynn Kenyon), and A Second Arabesque, Very Slowly (Nancy Kress). The one that really made me think, "What the **** is this doing in this collection?" was I Know How to Pick 'Em (Lawrence Block).
gabmc's review against another edition
3.0
This collection is perfect for fans of fantasy and short stories, and of course George R.R. Martin! I found several new to me authors that I will read more of and got to know quite a lot of interesting - and bad-ass female characters. It's a refreshing concept to have a book based around all female lead characters. George R.R. Martin's story was really fun - set several hundred years before his 'Game of Thrones' saga, the story is about a war within a family and their dragons for the Iron Throne. Diana Gabaldon of 'Outlander' fame has a short story featuring a young Jamie Fraser - still my favourite fictional love interest. One new to me author was Brandon Sanderson and his 'Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell' featured a very cool mother who will do anything to protect her daughters.
tammym's review against another edition
Returned to library, but went months without opening it.
tricapra's review against another edition
5.0
A great anthology. I'll definitely be checking out some of these authors. Very few misses.
mgouker's review against another edition
3.0
I only read the Butcher story about Molly's visit to a club. Molly is the protagonist and is joined by a vamp from the white court (Justine) and Andy (a werewolf.) Like the rest of the series, there is an tumescent male gaze, which is especially off-putting because now it's Molly that's on about women's racks, but like... in a male way. The story itself fills in a piece of the background, showing how two adversaries contrast. I'll leave it at that.
It's worth reading. It's probably important in the context of the story (I don't know... I have several books to read before I finish the series.) The characters are great, and Molly does reflect upon more than bodies, but when she does, it sounds like Dresden is retelling her story. That's how I have it anyway.
It's worth reading. It's probably important in the context of the story (I don't know... I have several books to read before I finish the series.) The characters are great, and Molly does reflect upon more than bodies, but when she does, it sounds like Dresden is retelling her story. That's how I have it anyway.
ashpanda88's review against another edition
2.0
There were a couple of stories I really liked including "Some Desperado", "Neighbors", "Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell" and "Second Arabesque, Very Slowly". The rest was rubbish. I didn't really feel like this anthology lived up to the name of "Dangerous" Women... other than the stories listed above, I really wasn't seeing anything dangerous about the leading ladies. Disappointing based on the selection of authors included.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
3.0
A pretty good collection, though there weren't nearly as many warrior women as I wanted. The stories I liked the best were "Bombshells" by Jim Butcher, “I Know How to Pick ’Em” by Lawrence Block, and "Wrestling Jesus” by Joe R. Lansdale. Those stories are fun, dark, and deep, respectively. I was also fond of “The Princess and the Queen” by George R.R. Martin. I would say I wanted more detail/have it stretched out to a full length book... but knowing Martin, I probably wouldn't see that book for ten years. Anyway, the level of "danger" is subjective here. Personally, I found most of the dangers to be subjective and even sexualized in some cases. Not to say there's no danger in either of those, but I was hoping for ass-kicking warrior queens rather than backstabbers. Some people might like this book, others might be a little disappointed like I was. It all depends on what you find dangerous.
hkeck's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0