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tyrean's review against another edition
3.0
A short story collection with several stories I loved, some I liked, and a few I abhorred. It's hard to actually give a collection like this a star rating. Some stories, like "Fellowship of the Dragon," "The Conjure Man," "Silver or Gold," and "Death and the Lady," were fun, enjoyable and inspiring! Then, there were others that I won't name that I struggled to finish, plus a few that I felt were tasteless.
Best quote from the book,
"The stories are just stories - they entertain, they make one laugh or cry - but if they have any worth, they carry within them a deeper resonance that remains long after the final page is turned, or the storyteller has come to the end of her tale." From "The Conjure Man" by Charles de Lint.
For the gems in the book, like the stories I mentioned above the book is worth finding and checking out (at least from the library like I did).
Best quote from the book,
"The stories are just stories - they entertain, they make one laugh or cry - but if they have any worth, they carry within them a deeper resonance that remains long after the final page is turned, or the storyteller has come to the end of her tale." From "The Conjure Man" by Charles de Lint.
For the gems in the book, like the stories I mentioned above the book is worth finding and checking out (at least from the library like I did).
circus_of_damned's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
relaxing
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
As a whole this is exactly what I was expecting from this anthology. For the most part I enjoyed the majority of the stories, with a few standouts and a few heavily missing the mark. For the whole though the bulk of the stories felt very Tolkien inspired to me, without feeling like they we copying or unoriginal. The detailed star rating of each individual story and my quick thoughts as well will be given below.
Reave the Just: 1 star
A short story with as many mentions of rape as this one was far to excessive, add in the victim blaming and shaming and it sickened and angered me. There was nothing Tolkien inspired about this story.
Troll Bridge: 5 stars
Pure humor and lighthearted fun, very Tolkien inspired, but with a Disc World twist of Terry Pratchett which made me very interested n picking up that series. Also the good old days vibes this story get was amazing.
A Long Night's Vigil at the Temple: 4 stars
This has a sci-fi and fantasy blend to it that I wasn't expecting to find. That being said this very much has Tolkien contemplative nature of a task and one questioning there ability to complete it, with the religious overtures in Tolkien work.
The Dragon of Tollin: 3 stars
Playing with the idea of The Hobbit, has a heavy handed approach with the ideas of greed and it bewitching effect. Found the darker tones p\present very enjoyable and a nice twist to The Hobbit story idea.
Faith: 5 stars
Felt like it belonged in Tolkien universe of works while still keeping the author voice and not feeling like a writer forcing themselves to write like Tolkien. Had the darkness and bittersweet end that I found in the work of Tolkien I've read, in particular Lord of the Rings.
In the Season of the Dressing of the Wells: 4 stars
This felt like it was inspired by Tolkien life after his return from WWI to England. And his motivation to write The Lord of the Rings. It had a beautiful and magical feel to it that enhanced the story.
The Fellowship of the Dragon: 5 stars
This felt heavily inspired by specifically The Fellowship of the Ring, but with an all female cast. Which was really nice given how rarely female characters are present or featured in Tolkien work or works inspired by him. The ending also had an amazing twist I didn't foresee, but really enjoyed. Would love a full length novel to see what happens next.
The Decoy Duck: 3 stars
This has very Viking inspired feel to it. And playing on history with the clash between Viking raiders and Catholic Englishmen. The only thing that perhaps could be Tolkien inspired is the religious nature of the story. However very much enjoyed the short story for what it was.
Nine Threads of Gold: 3 stars
This had very strong feelings of Fea present, but was very Tolkien inspired work with Wheel of Time influences as well. It had everything from ancient fight between good and evil to chosen one trope and band of unlikely friends fighting together and overcoming temptation. Really enjoyed and added a little originality with the inclusion of Fea in the story.
The Conjure Man: 4 stars
The hint of Tolkien pain at his return to England and the loss of nature to Industrialism was an interesting bend to the story. Appreciated the hint at how storytelling is needed in one life, and how the story isn't about Tolkien work but his life.
The Halfling House: 5 stars
This mad direct references and pulls from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. From dragons to rings of power and ring wraiths, to possibly inserting Bilbo and the Shire directly into the story. The band of Hero, that were all Wee Folk, was an amazing touch especially given the adventures they went on. Really a fun and cute tall I fell into.
Silver or Gold: 3 stars
An adventure tale to save a lost king, very enjoyable to read, but in no way felt Tolkien inspred to me.
Up the Side of the Air: 3 stars
This felt like they were pulling on Return of the King in particular Gandalf and Merry relationship. Enjoyable and found the ending very sweet and cute. Absolutely heart warming.
The Naga: 4 stars
The story had a very beautiful message weaved throughout. The writing was beautiful and the writer enjoyed dropping in SAT words throughout. The story itself wasn't very Tolkien inspired, but the message it delivered absolutely was.
Revolt of the Sugar Plum Fairies: 2 stars
This story didn't feel like it was inspired by Tolkien in any way. Add to it that I didn't really enjoy the story in and of itself and it was bust. I will say it was worth a chuckle so not a complete loss.
Winter's King: 4 stars
This was haunting and beautiful, the writing felt very fairytale in nature, right down to the disjointed and confused nature. Wishing this had been longer and more detailed. Felt like this was an Elven story Legolas wound have told to the Hobbits.
Gotterdammerung: 2 stars
This feels like it was perhaps inspired by Saruman fall to darkness before it came to light. However the writing was poor and the story felt disjointed to me.
Down the River Road: 1 star
This felt very disjointed, confusing, and overall unpleasant to read. For the most part like I was reading a Sci-Fi story that was on a bad acid trip. It felt like this story had no point at all, I get what the protagonist was after and what happened but it felt like it had no real point to the story.
Death and the Lady: 4 stars
This was haunting and had a beautiful magical feel throughout. Very much like it would be an Elven tail present in one of Tolkien books.
Reave the Just: 1 star
A short story with as many mentions of rape as this one was far to excessive, add in the victim blaming and shaming and it sickened and angered me. There was nothing Tolkien inspired about this story.
Troll Bridge: 5 stars
Pure humor and lighthearted fun, very Tolkien inspired, but with a Disc World twist of Terry Pratchett which made me very interested n picking up that series. Also the good old days vibes this story get was amazing.
A Long Night's Vigil at the Temple: 4 stars
This has a sci-fi and fantasy blend to it that I wasn't expecting to find. That being said this very much has Tolkien contemplative nature of a task and one questioning there ability to complete it, with the religious overtures in Tolkien work.
The Dragon of Tollin: 3 stars
Playing with the idea of The Hobbit, has a heavy handed approach with the ideas of greed and it bewitching effect. Found the darker tones p\present very enjoyable and a nice twist to The Hobbit story idea.
Faith: 5 stars
Felt like it belonged in Tolkien universe of works while still keeping the author voice and not feeling like a writer forcing themselves to write like Tolkien. Had the darkness and bittersweet end that I found in the work of Tolkien I've read, in particular Lord of the Rings.
In the Season of the Dressing of the Wells: 4 stars
This felt like it was inspired by Tolkien life after his return from WWI to England. And his motivation to write The Lord of the Rings. It had a beautiful and magical feel to it that enhanced the story.
The Fellowship of the Dragon: 5 stars
This felt heavily inspired by specifically The Fellowship of the Ring, but with an all female cast. Which was really nice given how rarely female characters are present or featured in Tolkien work or works inspired by him. The ending also had an amazing twist I didn't foresee, but really enjoyed. Would love a full length novel to see what happens next.
The Decoy Duck: 3 stars
This has very Viking inspired feel to it. And playing on history with the clash between Viking raiders and Catholic Englishmen. The only thing that perhaps could be Tolkien inspired is the religious nature of the story. However very much enjoyed the short story for what it was.
Nine Threads of Gold: 3 stars
This had very strong feelings of Fea present, but was very Tolkien inspired work with Wheel of Time influences as well. It had everything from ancient fight between good and evil to chosen one trope and band of unlikely friends fighting together and overcoming temptation. Really enjoyed and added a little originality with the inclusion of Fea in the story.
The Conjure Man: 4 stars
The hint of Tolkien pain at his return to England and the loss of nature to Industrialism was an interesting bend to the story. Appreciated the hint at how storytelling is needed in one life, and how the story isn't about Tolkien work but his life.
The Halfling House: 5 stars
This mad direct references and pulls from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. From dragons to rings of power and ring wraiths, to possibly inserting Bilbo and the Shire directly into the story. The band of Hero, that were all Wee Folk, was an amazing touch especially given the adventures they went on. Really a fun and cute tall I fell into.
Silver or Gold: 3 stars
An adventure tale to save a lost king, very enjoyable to read, but in no way felt Tolkien inspred to me.
Up the Side of the Air: 3 stars
This felt like they were pulling on Return of the King in particular Gandalf and Merry relationship. Enjoyable and found the ending very sweet and cute. Absolutely heart warming.
The Naga: 4 stars
The story had a very beautiful message weaved throughout. The writing was beautiful and the writer enjoyed dropping in SAT words throughout. The story itself wasn't very Tolkien inspired, but the message it delivered absolutely was.
Revolt of the Sugar Plum Fairies: 2 stars
This story didn't feel like it was inspired by Tolkien in any way. Add to it that I didn't really enjoy the story in and of itself and it was bust. I will say it was worth a chuckle so not a complete loss.
Winter's King: 4 stars
This was haunting and beautiful, the writing felt very fairytale in nature, right down to the disjointed and confused nature. Wishing this had been longer and more detailed. Felt like this was an Elven story Legolas wound have told to the Hobbits.
Gotterdammerung: 2 stars
This feels like it was perhaps inspired by Saruman fall to darkness before it came to light. However the writing was poor and the story felt disjointed to me.
Down the River Road: 1 star
This felt very disjointed, confusing, and overall unpleasant to read. For the most part like I was reading a Sci-Fi story that was on a bad acid trip. It felt like this story had no point at all, I get what the protagonist was after and what happened but it felt like it had no real point to the story.
Death and the Lady: 4 stars
This was haunting and had a beautiful magical feel throughout. Very much like it would be an Elven tail present in one of Tolkien books.
jjjreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mariebrunelm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I've always seen this vintage paperback on the family shelves. No one remember exactly how it arrived there. The name "Tolkien" probably is a clue, although the book has little to do with him beyond the short but well-written introduction by Jane Yolen. And that's one of the two reproaches I have with this book. It feels like the editor was so afraid a short story collection wouldn't sell, that he put the name of Tolkien on the cover. While some of the stories play with Tolkienian themes, most of them only have the genre of fantasy in common. I enjoyed the short story by Terry Pratchett a lot, and a couple of others were pleasant enough, but the majority was so blatantly sexist it made the enjoyment difficult.
TW : mention of rape & suicide in a text.
I only kept reading in the hope the next story would prove better. For instance, it's the first time I read Stephen Donaldson's prose, but I was not impressed. I do hope I missed something, because having the heroic figure of his story ask a woman who has been raped why she hasn't killed herself, deeply, deeply shocked me, especially when this question wasn't challenged. It tainted the whole collection to me. Several of the other stories had rampant sexism like having the woman in a group take care of the children, or have to be saved. And most of them didn't feel particularly original.
Well, this one won't be taking space much longer on my shelves!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Murder
telthor's review against another edition
2.0
For the most part, I found the majority of these tales plodding and tedious and pointless.
Truly, the best of the batch were Terry Pratchett’s Troll Bridge and Emma Bull’s Silver or Gold. The short story format felt cleanest in those tales.
I enjoyed Karen Harber’s Up the Side of the Air, and and at least Yolen’s Winter King felt like a fairy tale. I know so many of the authors in the list and like them, I just...couldn’t get into this collection. It’s too uneven.
Truly, the best of the batch were Terry Pratchett’s Troll Bridge and Emma Bull’s Silver or Gold. The short story format felt cleanest in those tales.
I enjoyed Karen Harber’s Up the Side of the Air, and and at least Yolen’s Winter King felt like a fairy tale. I know so many of the authors in the list and like them, I just...couldn’t get into this collection. It’s too uneven.