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A review by selinadragonair
Evil is a Matter of Perspective: An Anthology of Antagonists by Adrian Collins
4.0
This anthology did a great job of introducing authors I did not know and presenting awesome storys about morally grey characters from authors I wanted to read more:
The Broken Dead - Michael R. Fletcher -- 4/5
I have read „Beyond Redemption“ so I was familiar with his unique sytle and story (and funny way of using broken german names for the characters). Liked the anthology very much, although the backstory felt like a different genre or story setting.
Every Hair Casts a Shadow - Teresa Frohock -- 2/5
I liked that there were so many characters interacting with each other, but I had the feeling I needed to know the books to enjoy this short story.
The Divine Death of Jirella Martigore - Alex Marshall -- 4/5
The story was all right, but it was the fluent writing that made me want to read Alex Marshalls The Crimson Empire series in the future.
A Royal Gift - Mark Adler -- 2/5
The author has a beautiful prose but what he writes about doesn’t interest me, sadly.
Old Blood by Adrian Tchaikovsky -- 4/5
I have read „Children of Time“ and loved it. I enjoyed this novella, but maybe it would have been better to read „Shadow oft he Apt“ before.
Black Bargain - Janny Wurts -- 2/5
I appreciate a challenging and exalted writing style, but Janny Wurts was wayy to much for me (especially because english is my second language). There were so many words I have never heard before. What was she even writing about?
Just like Steven Erikson and Scott Bakker not my cup of tea, I guess.
The Syldoon Sun - Jeff Salyards -- 3/5
I liked everything in this one: story, pace, writing, characters. I am content even without the urge to read more oft he author.
The Darkness Within the Light - Shawn Speakman -- 2/5
Again, I enjoyed the writing and the path of the villain, just not the setting of the story. Where is my cup of tea?
The Greater of Two Evils - Marc Turner -- 5/5
Here it is. Amazing writing, amazing characters, amazing story. I will definitely read Marc Turners „When the Heavens fall“!
Exceeding Bitter - Kaaron Warren -- 3/5
A nice horror story. The setting didn't quite fit with the rest of the novellas.
A Game of Mages - Courtney Schafer -- 5/5
This is the story I bought the anthology for in the first place. I love Courtney Schafers books and this story is no exception. She has an impressive way of giving characters depth, love the dynamic between the characters and the view from the perspective of the villains. Perfect addition to the main series.
The Shattered Prince and the Demon Veiled - Bradley P. Beaulieu -- 4/5
I have read „Twelve Kings of Sharakhai“ and even If I have little knowledge (or rather bad memory) of how this novella fits in the main story, I liked it nonetheless. It gives a very good impression of Beaulieus way of writing and characterisation.
A Storm Unbound - E.V. Morrigan -- 1/5
What was so special about this short story?! Except the mention of a shardblade there was practically no worldbuilding, just an assassin girl killing. For me this was the weakest story oft he anthology.
The Game by Matthew Ward -- 4/5.
I instantly liked Wards writing style and the main characters way of thinking. Had a nice Locke-Lamora-touch. Would probably read more of this author. (Is there a book in which this novella takes place??)
Blood Penny - Deborah A. Wolfe -- 5/5
Debora Wolfes story was the surprise of the anthology for me. Beautiful prose, interesting characters, dark and twisted story with an unexpected ending. „The Dragons Legacy“ is on my TBR pile now.
Better than Breath - Brian Staveley -- 4/5
Very short but good story. Might check out Staveleys series.
Foundation of Bones - Mazarkis Williams -- 3/5
The story was all right, but not that remarkable. I am more interested in Mazarkis Williams „Tower and Knives“ trilogy.
The Aging of a Kill - Peter Orullian -- 2/5
This was a long story! Although I liked the idea of the story and the set up, there was something about the prose, the dialogues and the descriptions that just didn’t impress me.
The Carathayan - R. Scott Bakker -- 3/5
A nice story, I guess. Like Janny Wurts and Steven Erikson, I appreciate a formidable prose, but only to an extent. I already tried Scott Bakkers „Prince of Nothing“ and it was not my cup of tea.
The Broken Dead - Michael R. Fletcher -- 4/5
I have read „Beyond Redemption“ so I was familiar with his unique sytle and story (and funny way of using broken german names for the characters). Liked the anthology very much, although the backstory felt like a different genre or story setting.
Every Hair Casts a Shadow - Teresa Frohock -- 2/5
I liked that there were so many characters interacting with each other, but I had the feeling I needed to know the books to enjoy this short story.
The Divine Death of Jirella Martigore - Alex Marshall -- 4/5
The story was all right, but it was the fluent writing that made me want to read Alex Marshalls The Crimson Empire series in the future.
A Royal Gift - Mark Adler -- 2/5
The author has a beautiful prose but what he writes about doesn’t interest me, sadly.
Old Blood by Adrian Tchaikovsky -- 4/5
I have read „Children of Time“ and loved it. I enjoyed this novella, but maybe it would have been better to read „Shadow oft he Apt“ before.
Black Bargain - Janny Wurts -- 2/5
I appreciate a challenging and exalted writing style, but Janny Wurts was wayy to much for me (especially because english is my second language). There were so many words I have never heard before. What was she even writing about?
Just like Steven Erikson and Scott Bakker not my cup of tea, I guess.
The Syldoon Sun - Jeff Salyards -- 3/5
I liked everything in this one: story, pace, writing, characters. I am content even without the urge to read more oft he author.
The Darkness Within the Light - Shawn Speakman -- 2/5
Again, I enjoyed the writing and the path of the villain, just not the setting of the story. Where is my cup of tea?
The Greater of Two Evils - Marc Turner -- 5/5
Here it is. Amazing writing, amazing characters, amazing story. I will definitely read Marc Turners „When the Heavens fall“!
Exceeding Bitter - Kaaron Warren -- 3/5
A nice horror story. The setting didn't quite fit with the rest of the novellas.
A Game of Mages - Courtney Schafer -- 5/5
This is the story I bought the anthology for in the first place. I love Courtney Schafers books and this story is no exception. She has an impressive way of giving characters depth, love the dynamic between the characters and the view from the perspective of the villains. Perfect addition to the main series.
The Shattered Prince and the Demon Veiled - Bradley P. Beaulieu -- 4/5
I have read „Twelve Kings of Sharakhai“ and even If I have little knowledge (or rather bad memory) of how this novella fits in the main story, I liked it nonetheless. It gives a very good impression of Beaulieus way of writing and characterisation.
A Storm Unbound - E.V. Morrigan -- 1/5
What was so special about this short story?! Except the mention of a shardblade there was practically no worldbuilding, just an assassin girl killing. For me this was the weakest story oft he anthology.
The Game by Matthew Ward -- 4/5.
I instantly liked Wards writing style and the main characters way of thinking. Had a nice Locke-Lamora-touch. Would probably read more of this author. (Is there a book in which this novella takes place??)
Blood Penny - Deborah A. Wolfe -- 5/5
Debora Wolfes story was the surprise of the anthology for me. Beautiful prose, interesting characters, dark and twisted story with an unexpected ending. „The Dragons Legacy“ is on my TBR pile now.
Better than Breath - Brian Staveley -- 4/5
Very short but good story. Might check out Staveleys series.
Foundation of Bones - Mazarkis Williams -- 3/5
The story was all right, but not that remarkable. I am more interested in Mazarkis Williams „Tower and Knives“ trilogy.
The Aging of a Kill - Peter Orullian -- 2/5
This was a long story! Although I liked the idea of the story and the set up, there was something about the prose, the dialogues and the descriptions that just didn’t impress me.
The Carathayan - R. Scott Bakker -- 3/5
A nice story, I guess. Like Janny Wurts and Steven Erikson, I appreciate a formidable prose, but only to an extent. I already tried Scott Bakkers „Prince of Nothing“ and it was not my cup of tea.