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A review by ulrikedg
Fantastic Hope by Laurell K. Hamilton
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.