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songwind's review against another edition
4.0
This is a collection of four novellas, all about supernatural detectives. I quite enjoyed the book. I knew two of the authors before hand, and found two new ones to like. Over all, I gave the book 4 stars, but the work was not completely even across the board.
"The Warrior" by [a:Jim Butcher|10746|Jim Butcher|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1205261964p2/10746.jpg] - 4.5 stars. If Butcher had a more inspired hand with the language itself, this one would be a 5 star story. We got to learn more about the Carpenters in this story, and about the Knights of the Cross. We see parts of Michael Carpenter that have been missing. Dresden himself, though the POV character, is really a secondary character in this story. It works well, and we do get a very good picture of Harry's feelings for the Carpenters, and about the things that happen around him.
"What a Difference a Day Makes" by [a:Simon R. Green|1240|Jack London|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1183236326p2/1240.jpg] - 3 stars. I have only read one John Taylor novel, [b:Something from the Nightside|155421|Something from the Nightside (Nightside, #1)|Simon R. Green|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172260131s/155421.jpg|150023]. Taylor is like most of Green's characters - a larger than life (anti-)hero in an equally large and dangerous situation. However, the story felt very disjointed, and the noir-esque monologues were poorly handled this time. It did remind me that I need to read another one of those novels, though.
"The Third Death of the Little Clay Dog" by [a:Kat Richardson|81017|Kat Richardson|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg] - 4 stars. I had never read anything by this author before, and I regret it. :) I liked this story a lot. The characters were engaging and believable. The story was complex without feeling contrived. There was a great deal of cultural information about Los Dias de los Muertos in Mexco. I am definitely getting some Greywalker books.
"Noah's Orphans" by [a:Thomas E. Sniegoski|5951|Jeff Smith|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg] - 3.5 stars. I tend to avoid most fiction with heavy Christian themes or symbolisms. It seems that most people writing it have an axe to grind or want to preach. Since I belong to several of the sorts of groups that the second group likes to preach against, and since I don't feel the need for reinforcement of my decision not to believe from the first group, they bore me. Sniegoski does neither. His world-building incorporates Biblical imagery and story, as well as apocryphal folklore, Enochian angel-lore, and a good dose of plain old imagination. His main character, a seraphim, is played for his struggling humanity rather than his angelic badassery. I'm not as excited about finding more Remy Chandler books as I am about Richardson's Harper Blaine, but he's definitely on the list.
"The Warrior" by [a:Jim Butcher|10746|Jim Butcher|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1205261964p2/10746.jpg] - 4.5 stars. If Butcher had a more inspired hand with the language itself, this one would be a 5 star story. We got to learn more about the Carpenters in this story, and about the Knights of the Cross. We see parts of Michael Carpenter that have been missing. Dresden himself, though the POV character, is really a secondary character in this story. It works well, and we do get a very good picture of Harry's feelings for the Carpenters, and about the things that happen around him.
"What a Difference a Day Makes" by [a:Simon R. Green|1240|Jack London|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1183236326p2/1240.jpg] - 3 stars. I have only read one John Taylor novel, [b:Something from the Nightside|155421|Something from the Nightside (Nightside, #1)|Simon R. Green|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172260131s/155421.jpg|150023]. Taylor is like most of Green's characters - a larger than life (anti-)hero in an equally large and dangerous situation. However, the story felt very disjointed, and the noir-esque monologues were poorly handled this time. It did remind me that I need to read another one of those novels, though.
"The Third Death of the Little Clay Dog" by [a:Kat Richardson|81017|Kat Richardson|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-F-50x66.jpg] - 4 stars. I had never read anything by this author before, and I regret it. :) I liked this story a lot. The characters were engaging and believable. The story was complex without feeling contrived. There was a great deal of cultural information about Los Dias de los Muertos in Mexco. I am definitely getting some Greywalker books.
"Noah's Orphans" by [a:Thomas E. Sniegoski|5951|Jeff Smith|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66.jpg] - 3.5 stars. I tend to avoid most fiction with heavy Christian themes or symbolisms. It seems that most people writing it have an axe to grind or want to preach. Since I belong to several of the sorts of groups that the second group likes to preach against, and since I don't feel the need for reinforcement of my decision not to believe from the first group, they bore me. Sniegoski does neither. His world-building incorporates Biblical imagery and story, as well as apocryphal folklore, Enochian angel-lore, and a good dose of plain old imagination. His main character, a seraphim, is played for his struggling humanity rather than his angelic badassery. I'm not as excited about finding more Remy Chandler books as I am about Richardson's Harper Blaine, but he's definitely on the list.
charitypink's review against another edition
5.0
I have read Jim Butcher's Dresden Files and Kat Richardson's Greywalker series, but because of this book, I have two new authors to check out! yay!
misterjay's review against another edition
4.0
This book is what you might call a sampler. There are four original, novella length stories here, each featuring a protagonist who is a private investigator of some kind in a world where magic and magical denizens are real.
Jim Butcher gives us a Harry Dresden story. Harry has to help his friend Michael, who, although recovered from the injuries he received in "White Night" has still retired from carrying a hold sword. Someone is stalking Michael's family, trying to get his sword. A fight ensues, naturally enough and Harry has some thinking to do. Really good and fits into the overall Dresden timeline well. Standard, exciting, page-turning Butcher fare.
Simon R. Green gives us a story of the Nightside, an unseen version of London where anything can and does happen. The hero is John Taylor, a magician and P.I. who has a gift for finding things. A woman finds him in a bar sharing a drink with his friend Dead Boy; she's hysterical and has no memory of the past 24 hours. Taylor and DB set out to help her find her missing memories and they do, but at a hell of a cost.
Kat Richardson tells us a ghost story from Oaxaca, Mexico, featuring scandal, betrayal, surly teenagers, old mystics and a little clay dog. Our heroine is Harper Blaine, called the Greywalker after she died for two minutes and came back being able to see and interact with ghosts, witches, angels, and whatever else may come out of the grey. What I enjoyed most about this story was the attention to detail. Richardson sets the stage with details of Mexican life and celebrations and occasional bits of Spanish dialogue in a way that turns an ordinary investigation story into something much more powerful.
Thomas E. Sniegoski brings us a story of the angel Remiel, who has endeavored to become more like God's chosen creation, more human. His wife has recently died and he is in mourning. Another angel visits him to tell him that Noah (he of the ark and dove) has been killed. The religious mythology is woven into a who dunnit story seemlessly and with a lot of style. Some of the dialogue seemed a little stilted, but the actions and characters more than made up for that.
While I was already a huge Jim Butcher fan, this book achieved its goal in that I have already searched out and ordered the first books featuring the heros and heroine from the other three authors. Good purchase. Worth the money and a great read for any fan of any of the protagonists who is looking for more of the same.
Jim Butcher gives us a Harry Dresden story. Harry has to help his friend Michael, who, although recovered from the injuries he received in "White Night" has still retired from carrying a hold sword. Someone is stalking Michael's family, trying to get his sword. A fight ensues, naturally enough and Harry has some thinking to do. Really good and fits into the overall Dresden timeline well. Standard, exciting, page-turning Butcher fare.
Simon R. Green gives us a story of the Nightside, an unseen version of London where anything can and does happen. The hero is John Taylor, a magician and P.I. who has a gift for finding things. A woman finds him in a bar sharing a drink with his friend Dead Boy; she's hysterical and has no memory of the past 24 hours. Taylor and DB set out to help her find her missing memories and they do, but at a hell of a cost.
Kat Richardson tells us a ghost story from Oaxaca, Mexico, featuring scandal, betrayal, surly teenagers, old mystics and a little clay dog. Our heroine is Harper Blaine, called the Greywalker after she died for two minutes and came back being able to see and interact with ghosts, witches, angels, and whatever else may come out of the grey. What I enjoyed most about this story was the attention to detail. Richardson sets the stage with details of Mexican life and celebrations and occasional bits of Spanish dialogue in a way that turns an ordinary investigation story into something much more powerful.
Thomas E. Sniegoski brings us a story of the angel Remiel, who has endeavored to become more like God's chosen creation, more human. His wife has recently died and he is in mourning. Another angel visits him to tell him that Noah (he of the ark and dove) has been killed. The religious mythology is woven into a who dunnit story seemlessly and with a lot of style. Some of the dialogue seemed a little stilted, but the actions and characters more than made up for that.
While I was already a huge Jim Butcher fan, this book achieved its goal in that I have already searched out and ordered the first books featuring the heros and heroine from the other three authors. Good purchase. Worth the money and a great read for any fan of any of the protagonists who is looking for more of the same.
aliciaking3's review against another edition
4.0
The Butcher one was as good as ever. I'm still on the fence about Green's writing. Kat Richardson made me go find her book, as did Sniegoski. I love love love discovering authors I want to read.
agbrewer's review against another edition
4.0
I have only read the Harry Dresden story so far, but I'll get back to the others soon. I really enjoyed the Dresden story though. I felt that it finally called out into the open the whole issue of what faith actually is. This has been a running theme throughout several of the books already but this story allowed it to get the sole focus. It helps that I totally agree with the idea that the biggest way to be a force for good in the world is to make sure to do the little things for others.
Update: Have to admit I was really disappointed in the Simon R. Green story in here. I found it highly disturbing, but then again I generally don't like gore and I have a pretty vivid mind's eye. So glad I wasn't watching that story in TV or I might have lost my lunch.
The Kat Richardson piece was really interesting though. I loved the setting and the cultural exploration of Mexico. Plus, as someone who generally gets spooked by "ghost stories" I thought this one would keep me at night. But it didn't at all. It was thoroughly enjoyable.
Finally, the Remy Chandler story really impressed me. I've never delved into the series before but now I might have to check it out. Remy is an intriguing character and I love his relationship with his dog.
Overall, a pretty interesting read, and if you are a Dresden Files fan I would highly recommend checking it out!
Update: Have to admit I was really disappointed in the Simon R. Green story in here. I found it highly disturbing, but then again I generally don't like gore and I have a pretty vivid mind's eye. So glad I wasn't watching that story in TV or I might have lost my lunch.
The Kat Richardson piece was really interesting though. I loved the setting and the cultural exploration of Mexico. Plus, as someone who generally gets spooked by "ghost stories" I thought this one would keep me at night. But it didn't at all. It was thoroughly enjoyable.
Finally, the Remy Chandler story really impressed me. I've never delved into the series before but now I might have to check it out. Remy is an intriguing character and I love his relationship with his dog.
Overall, a pretty interesting read, and if you are a Dresden Files fan I would highly recommend checking it out!
trueperception's review against another edition
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.
crankyfacedknitter's review against another edition
4.0
This is a strong collection of short stories. Usually I buy them because I recognize one or two names (Butcher and Green, in this case) and don't pay much attention (or get into) the other shorts much. Mean Streets was an exception. Solid book. I found myself actually looking up the other two authors for more.
Butcher's short was good, if a little heavy-handed in the morality play. I do like seeing the Carpenters again, even if only briefly. I'd say more, but I tend to gush about Butcher's writing, and this short doesn't need much build-up. (Also, I'm fairly certain that the fellow at the end was played by Morgan Freeman. I heard everything he said in Mr. Freeman's voice. I feel I should add that this is not uncommon for me.)
Green's short was about the Nightside, which is always weird and interesting, but I'm finding rarely has much staying power for me. I like the oddities he dreams up, but they're presented in such an offhand way that it almost feels like he's throwing random words into a bingo cage and pulling them out in handfuls to keep his word count going forward. "Noodle, purple, giraffe, spindly, flashlight, bounding. Okay...a food cart that bounds through traffic, steered by a long-necked purple fellow with spindly arms, serving out bowls of sentient noodles on his long, spindly arms with flashlights strapped to his hands! And...the noodles temporarily grant you the ability to hear color! And see angels! And the only price is YOUR SOUL. Excellent. Moving on to paragraph 143. Marble, shipwreck, animated, swollen...." There may be some stylistic differences that I found curious before, but now get in the way of the story, I think.
I had never read anything by Kat Richardson before, but I liked her short story. I do happen to be partial to the psychic/clairvoyant/medium trope, to be fair, but this story concentrated more on deciphering a different culture, and I enjoyed it. It's not a culture I know anything about, so I can't verify the accuracy of anything or see clearly where she altered something to fit her story/world. That said, learning about traditions and cultures is another one of my interests, so Richardson is 2 for 2 with me, here. I liked that the protagonist was sensible, didn't get ahead of herself, and acted as a bit of a mentor for a new character, nor did she seem to need to prove anything. Likable. I dug it.
Thomas Sniegoski was another new author to me, but I liked his short too. I have to admit, a good half of it is that he can talk to his dog, and the dog talks back. Is that too simple? Perhaps, but it is what it is. I appreciated having a different mythology to read about other than the vamp/were/fae that is so popular. There's nothing wrong with that mythology, but even I need a break now and then to cleanse the palate.
Butcher's short was good, if a little heavy-handed in the morality play. I do like seeing the Carpenters again, even if only briefly. I'd say more, but I tend to gush about Butcher's writing, and this short doesn't need much build-up. (Also, I'm fairly certain that the fellow at the end was played by Morgan Freeman. I heard everything he said in Mr. Freeman's voice. I feel I should add that this is not uncommon for me.)
Green's short was about the Nightside, which is always weird and interesting, but I'm finding rarely has much staying power for me. I like the oddities he dreams up, but they're presented in such an offhand way that it almost feels like he's throwing random words into a bingo cage and pulling them out in handfuls to keep his word count going forward. "Noodle, purple, giraffe, spindly, flashlight, bounding. Okay...a food cart that bounds through traffic, steered by a long-necked purple fellow with spindly arms, serving out bowls of sentient noodles on his long, spindly arms with flashlights strapped to his hands! And...the noodles temporarily grant you the ability to hear color! And see angels! And the only price is YOUR SOUL. Excellent. Moving on to paragraph 143. Marble, shipwreck, animated, swollen...." There may be some stylistic differences that I found curious before, but now get in the way of the story, I think.
I had never read anything by Kat Richardson before, but I liked her short story. I do happen to be partial to the psychic/clairvoyant/medium trope, to be fair, but this story concentrated more on deciphering a different culture, and I enjoyed it. It's not a culture I know anything about, so I can't verify the accuracy of anything or see clearly where she altered something to fit her story/world. That said, learning about traditions and cultures is another one of my interests, so Richardson is 2 for 2 with me, here. I liked that the protagonist was sensible, didn't get ahead of herself, and acted as a bit of a mentor for a new character, nor did she seem to need to prove anything. Likable. I dug it.
Thomas Sniegoski was another new author to me, but I liked his short too. I have to admit, a good half of it is that he can talk to his dog, and the dog talks back. Is that too simple? Perhaps, but it is what it is. I appreciated having a different mythology to read about other than the vamp/were/fae that is so popular. There's nothing wrong with that mythology, but even I need a break now and then to cleanse the palate.
_snowy_m's review against another edition
5.0
Only read Jim Butcher part and yessssssss you must read all the in between people.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
This was an amazing book to read all the way through the four novellas. I don't always have the best luck with anthologies. Usually one superb, one or two ehhh, and the rest are truly awful, at least to me.
I didn't have that problem with MEAN STREETS. From the very first novella by Jim Butcher, who I already love to read, through Simon R. Green and Thomas E Sniegoski, new to me authors and my most favorite, Kat Richardson...each story was uniquely told and very intriguing. Each used their main character of their series. I already know Harry Dresden and Harper Blaine and they didn't let me down. I got to know, at least a very little bit, Remy Chandler and John Taylor. I will be getting more of all of the authors. I have the first in series of the two authors I'd not read before on my to look for list.
I didn't have that problem with MEAN STREETS. From the very first novella by Jim Butcher, who I already love to read, through Simon R. Green and Thomas E Sniegoski, new to me authors and my most favorite, Kat Richardson...each story was uniquely told and very intriguing. Each used their main character of their series. I already know Harry Dresden and Harper Blaine and they didn't let me down. I got to know, at least a very little bit, Remy Chandler and John Taylor. I will be getting more of all of the authors. I have the first in series of the two authors I'd not read before on my to look for list.