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bluestjuice's review
4.0
Having read the first Legends anthology, I came to this one with a better idea of what to expect. Some of the authors are repeats, some are new, and like any anthology I had my favorites and the ones I didn't care so much for. My purpose in reading this was to get access to the second Dunk and Egg story by George R. R. Martin, so I was especially pleased that it was placed early in the anthology, so I could enjoy it and then enjoy the other stories without perpetually waiting for that one.
"Homecoming" - Robin Hobb: This is not a world with which I have any familiarity. This story managed to place it within what I felt to be a well rounded and developed world, without giving too much unnecessary background that was immaterial to the story itself. It quickly moved the protagonist off into an otherwise-unexplored sector of the world, such that the discovery of this area is new both to the characters and the reader. This worked very well! The protagonist was utterly unlovable at first but grew to become a much more well-rounded and sympathetic character by the end, and I was very interested in the archaeological and sociological bent of the plot. The themes also touched on the nature and purpose of art, which I really enjoyed.
"The Sworn Sword" - George R. R. Martin: As I said earlier, I was looking forward to this story. It picks up a year or two after the first story, and I felt that it wasn't as strong from a plot perspective - the major relationship between Dunk and Egg has been established, and so this felt smaller in scope, and more episodic. Nevertheless, Martin asks some meaningful questions about the nature of loyalty and duty, and Dunk got his first kiss. Awwww.
"The Yazoo Queen" - Orson Scott Card: I'm not a huge fan of the Tales of Alvin Maker - I like the theory of them but the world just doesn't enthrall me. This story was pretty okay, taking that into account, but it just didn't light me up.
"Lord John and the Succubus" - Diana Gabaldon: I have to say, I've never read any of the Outlander books. I'm told I should! Maybe I will. I liked the characterization and the way this story was written, and that was what made it really interesting for me. I would like to read more of her work.
"The Book of Changes" - Robert Silverberg: In the previous Legends work, this author's work was my least favorite, because it dwelled distractingly on the backstory of the main body of work. I liked this story much, much better. Although I believe the details of the work of epic poetry that the protagonist creates would have much richer meaning for someone familiar with the world, the tale of its creation and the powerful effect it has over the author is compelling in its own right, as well.
"The Happiest Dead Boy in the World" - Tad Williams: I had to look up this story to remember which one it was, which doesn't bode well. However, once I did that, I remembered I actually liked it quite a lot. The futuristic virtual universe is more sci-fi than fantasy in some ways (or at least that was my impression from this reading), but since the universe is full of landscapes mostly drawn from literature of various kinds, its inclusion is perhaps not so incongruous. In either case, the story was clever and also rather sad, leaving me interested in reading some of the other related works.
"Beyond Between" - Anne McCaffrey: Oh, Pern novels. I loathe them and I love them. It's an odd thing. This story tells the tale of the final days of Moretta, dragon rider, which was pretty bittersweet although likely would have been more meaningful to me if I were less removed from the series at this point. Still, it worked nicely.
"The Messenger" - Raymond E. Feist: Military adventure stories are about the last kind I expect to enjoy, and I know little about the setting of the world for this short story. Despite all that, this was a really enjoyable piece to read. I got caught up in the protagonist's simple but extremely treacherous mission, and held my breath every time he encountered another seemingly insurmountable barricade. Surprisingly interesting!
"Threshold" - Elizabeth Hayden: Another world about which I knew essentially nothing. Despite that, this story was exceptional. I came to know the characters well, and the setting was contained yet fit within the larger framework of the world so that it seemed at home without having to be under-explained. The nature of sacrifice is always an interesting theme, and I actually cried at one of the final scenes.
"The Monarch of the Glen" - Neil Gaiman: I love Neil Gaiman's writing and I very much liked American Gods, so I became quite excited when I saw this sequel was included. This tread more upon the notion of monsters and heroes than gods and mortals, and I think it could bear a re-reading or five. It's a dense and significant piece but also very subtle.
"Indomitable" - Terry Brooks: I never got into the Shannara books, and I have to be honest, this story did not particularly make me want to go read them. It was a pretty normal 'adventure quest' story with a young protagonist who learned something about himself, a few somewhat cardboard companions, and the memories of other companions (characters from the original works I presume) who drive the plot forward. It just wasn't all that exciting, and seemed kind of phoned in.
"Homecoming" - Robin Hobb: This is not a world with which I have any familiarity. This story managed to place it within what I felt to be a well rounded and developed world, without giving too much unnecessary background that was immaterial to the story itself. It quickly moved the protagonist off into an otherwise-unexplored sector of the world, such that the discovery of this area is new both to the characters and the reader. This worked very well! The protagonist was utterly unlovable at first but grew to become a much more well-rounded and sympathetic character by the end, and I was very interested in the archaeological and sociological bent of the plot. The themes also touched on the nature and purpose of art, which I really enjoyed.
"The Sworn Sword" - George R. R. Martin: As I said earlier, I was looking forward to this story. It picks up a year or two after the first story, and I felt that it wasn't as strong from a plot perspective - the major relationship between Dunk and Egg has been established, and so this felt smaller in scope, and more episodic. Nevertheless, Martin asks some meaningful questions about the nature of loyalty and duty, and Dunk got his first kiss. Awwww.
"The Yazoo Queen" - Orson Scott Card: I'm not a huge fan of the Tales of Alvin Maker - I like the theory of them but the world just doesn't enthrall me. This story was pretty okay, taking that into account, but it just didn't light me up.
"Lord John and the Succubus" - Diana Gabaldon: I have to say, I've never read any of the Outlander books. I'm told I should! Maybe I will. I liked the characterization and the way this story was written, and that was what made it really interesting for me. I would like to read more of her work.
"The Book of Changes" - Robert Silverberg: In the previous Legends work, this author's work was my least favorite, because it dwelled distractingly on the backstory of the main body of work. I liked this story much, much better. Although I believe the details of the work of epic poetry that the protagonist creates would have much richer meaning for someone familiar with the world, the tale of its creation and the powerful effect it has over the author is compelling in its own right, as well.
"The Happiest Dead Boy in the World" - Tad Williams: I had to look up this story to remember which one it was, which doesn't bode well. However, once I did that, I remembered I actually liked it quite a lot. The futuristic virtual universe is more sci-fi than fantasy in some ways (or at least that was my impression from this reading), but since the universe is full of landscapes mostly drawn from literature of various kinds, its inclusion is perhaps not so incongruous. In either case, the story was clever and also rather sad, leaving me interested in reading some of the other related works.
"Beyond Between" - Anne McCaffrey: Oh, Pern novels. I loathe them and I love them. It's an odd thing. This story tells the tale of the final days of Moretta, dragon rider, which was pretty bittersweet although likely would have been more meaningful to me if I were less removed from the series at this point. Still, it worked nicely.
"The Messenger" - Raymond E. Feist: Military adventure stories are about the last kind I expect to enjoy, and I know little about the setting of the world for this short story. Despite all that, this was a really enjoyable piece to read. I got caught up in the protagonist's simple but extremely treacherous mission, and held my breath every time he encountered another seemingly insurmountable barricade. Surprisingly interesting!
"Threshold" - Elizabeth Hayden: Another world about which I knew essentially nothing. Despite that, this story was exceptional. I came to know the characters well, and the setting was contained yet fit within the larger framework of the world so that it seemed at home without having to be under-explained. The nature of sacrifice is always an interesting theme, and I actually cried at one of the final scenes.
"The Monarch of the Glen" - Neil Gaiman: I love Neil Gaiman's writing and I very much liked American Gods, so I became quite excited when I saw this sequel was included. This tread more upon the notion of monsters and heroes than gods and mortals, and I think it could bear a re-reading or five. It's a dense and significant piece but also very subtle.
"Indomitable" - Terry Brooks: I never got into the Shannara books, and I have to be honest, this story did not particularly make me want to go read them. It was a pretty normal 'adventure quest' story with a young protagonist who learned something about himself, a few somewhat cardboard companions, and the memories of other companions (characters from the original works I presume) who drive the plot forward. It just wasn't all that exciting, and seemed kind of phoned in.
annecrisp's review against another edition
4.0
I read the first 4 stories, and I may read another later.
Robin Hobb - amazing, as always.
Robert Silverberg - okay, but it didn't leave me inspired to seek out his other works.
Tad Williams - a very intriguing tale. I am now feeling more motivated to get to this series. I've read several other books by him, but not these. My brother bought me these books several years ago, so I will have to pull them off the shelf.
Anne McCaffrey - this was a different, but well-written story. It was nice revisiting this series and getting to read a new-to-me Pern story.
Raymond Feist - I should come back and read this one someday.
Robin Hobb - amazing, as always.
Robert Silverberg - okay, but it didn't leave me inspired to seek out his other works.
Tad Williams - a very intriguing tale. I am now feeling more motivated to get to this series. I've read several other books by him, but not these. My brother bought me these books several years ago, so I will have to pull them off the shelf.
Anne McCaffrey - this was a different, but well-written story. It was nice revisiting this series and getting to read a new-to-me Pern story.
Raymond Feist - I should come back and read this one someday.
suzemo's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book for Robin Hobb's short story, and I absolutely adored it. I also very much enjoyed Gaiman's contribution (Monarch of the Glen), but I am not as familiar with other authors in the book and their stories were OK, but without the background of their previous writings, I wasn't as sucked into the stories.
bkeving_74's review
3.0
Enjoyable Read
The stories were hit and miss for me. I enjoyed the Martin story, Maajipur story, Riftwar story, and Otherland story. Pern and Alvin stories did less for me. Overall it was a good sequel to Legends anthology.
The stories were hit and miss for me. I enjoyed the Martin story, Maajipur story, Riftwar story, and Otherland story. Pern and Alvin stories did less for me. Overall it was a good sequel to Legends anthology.
ericbuscemi's review
5.0
The stories I read from this collection are:
'The Sworn Sword' by George R.R. Martin
In the same league as its predecessor, 'The Hedge Knight', and its successor, 'The Mystery Knight', all three of which tell tales of the hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg.
'The Yazoo Queen' by Orson Scott Card
Another interesting alternate America story about Alvin Maker and his pupil Arthur Stuart. Like 'Grinning Man', which featured Davey Crockett, this story features appearances by multiple famous historical figures.
'The Monarch of the Glen' by Neil Gaiman
This novella functions incredibly well as an epilogue for [b:American Gods|4407|American Gods (American Gods, #1)|Neil Gaiman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1258417001s/4407.jpg|1970226], especially considering Shadow is already in Europe at the end of that novel, and apprehensive about returning to America, which is addressed in this story.
'The Sworn Sword' by George R.R. Martin
In the same league as its predecessor, 'The Hedge Knight', and its successor, 'The Mystery Knight', all three of which tell tales of the hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg.
'The Yazoo Queen' by Orson Scott Card
Another interesting alternate America story about Alvin Maker and his pupil Arthur Stuart. Like 'Grinning Man', which featured Davey Crockett, this story features appearances by multiple famous historical figures.
'The Monarch of the Glen' by Neil Gaiman
This novella functions incredibly well as an epilogue for [b:American Gods|4407|American Gods (American Gods, #1)|Neil Gaiman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1258417001s/4407.jpg|1970226], especially considering Shadow is already in Europe at the end of that novel, and apprehensive about returning to America, which is addressed in this story.
germancho's review
5.0
(Dunk & Egg #2 Review) Man, I really needed this after A dance with dragons! It's beautiful in its simplicity, yet as well written as the early ASOIAF books. As a bonus, it also has a lot of back-story within about a certain raveny character who becomes pretty interesting in ADWD.
deanna_1963's review
4.0
This book showcases writing from several authors of series and introduces you to, or provides additional information about, the storylines. I found several new books to read after reading this book.
annienormal's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
wanderlustlover's review
4.0
Again, read for George R. R. Martin's "Tales of Egg and Dunk"
This is very literally where I realized the author had a plan. Novella 1 was possibly a shot in the dark, a vague idea of what might be done and I couldn't get into it. Because it was so topical only. This one is multifaceted. We're discussing the past, how fifteen years ago effects now, lives and crowns and loyalties and the unfairness of both royalty and loyalty.
And it was maddeningly lovely. There were even some moments I didn't dislike Dunk so much.
This is very literally where I realized the author had a plan. Novella 1 was possibly a shot in the dark, a vague idea of what might be done and I couldn't get into it. Because it was so topical only. This one is multifaceted. We're discussing the past, how fifteen years ago effects now, lives and crowns and loyalties and the unfairness of both royalty and loyalty.
And it was maddeningly lovely. There were even some moments I didn't dislike Dunk so much.