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A review by trueperception
Mean Streets by Jim Butcher
4.0
The Warrior by Jim Butcher 4/5
A nice side story, giving a little extra info on what happens to Michael, post-retirement. It has a slightly different feel than usual Dresden stories, but is still quite well told, and keeps your interest through the whole novella.
The Difference A Day Makes by Simon R. Green 4/5
I was tempted to give this one a 3, based on the way it starts out, and the overall atmosphere, but it does improve. The only real complaints I have are that the author crams so much fantasy into the beginning that it loses that sense of realism that I feel defines the Urban Fantasy genre; and that Simon Green doesn't seem to have much polish in his writing style. Things don't seem to be painted as well as they could be. The story does pick up, though, and the concept is fairly interesting. Since I haven't read any other books by this author, I'm not sure how much of the stories take place in the Nightside and how much in real London, but I think having a good mix of the two, leaning more towards real London (similar to how Butcher does in the Dresden Files with Chicago/New Mexico/London and the Nevernever) would do a lot to help enforce that feeling of realistic fantasy.
The Third Death of the Little Clay Dog by Kat Richardson 4/5
Very well written, except that I didn't really get what exactly the Grey is. The Mexican cultural elements seemed well researched and well used, which is always nice. Though I don't like Blaine as much as Dresden, I'm going to pickup Greywalker.
Noah's Orphans 3/5
The story was not poorly written, but I just could not find myself interested in it. It could be because of the religious elements (me having no beliefs), but even then, the author messed up his source material. His books could be good, but I doubt they'd be my cup of tea. Easily my least favorite novella of the book.
A nice side story, giving a little extra info on what happens to Michael, post-retirement. It has a slightly different feel than usual Dresden stories, but is still quite well told, and keeps your interest through the whole novella.
The Difference A Day Makes by Simon R. Green 4/5
I was tempted to give this one a 3, based on the way it starts out, and the overall atmosphere, but it does improve. The only real complaints I have are that the author crams so much fantasy into the beginning that it loses that sense of realism that I feel defines the Urban Fantasy genre; and that Simon Green doesn't seem to have much polish in his writing style. Things don't seem to be painted as well as they could be. The story does pick up, though, and the concept is fairly interesting. Since I haven't read any other books by this author, I'm not sure how much of the stories take place in the Nightside and how much in real London, but I think having a good mix of the two, leaning more towards real London (similar to how Butcher does in the Dresden Files with Chicago/New Mexico/London and the Nevernever) would do a lot to help enforce that feeling of realistic fantasy.
The Third Death of the Little Clay Dog by Kat Richardson 4/5
Very well written, except that I didn't really get what exactly the Grey is. The Mexican cultural elements seemed well researched and well used, which is always nice. Though I don't like Blaine as much as Dresden, I'm going to pickup Greywalker.
Noah's Orphans 3/5
The story was not poorly written, but I just could not find myself interested in it. It could be because of the religious elements (me having no beliefs), but even then, the author messed up his source material. His books could be good, but I doubt they'd be my cup of tea. Easily my least favorite novella of the book.