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amybraunauthor's review against another edition
4.0
This one was hard to rate since I was unfamiliar with half the authors, but it was still a great dive into urban fantasy from the point of view of the villains. Many were a mix of anti-heroes and truly sadistic beings, and overall I enjoyed the stories. Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Jonathan Mayberry, and Diana Pharaoh Francis had the best ones in my opinion, but there are definitely stories for all urban fantasy fans, with all kinds of vampires, demons, angels, gods, ghosts, and supernatural elements filling the pages and expanding your imagination. I kind of wish some of the stories were longer and would have enjoyed some of them more with a bit more context, but again, none of these were bad, and Francis in particularly sparked my interest on reading more of her series to see what led her characters to the story's main setting. A great collection of short reads that don't provide any spoilers for new fans looking to expand their urban fantasy library.
charitypink's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad, the stories were well written. I think I would have enjoyed them more had I read the novels that the villains came from. Some I have read, like the Jim Butcher series (which is a favorite). I did like the story told from Marcone's point of view. But some of the author's I've never read anything by, so I didn't have any real context for the stories.
beastreader's review against another edition
1.0
I was so excited to read this anthology. While, it has been a while since I have read some of these authors' series, I was happy to see so many of the authors I am familiar with in this anthology. I agree with other readers that the first story Even Hand by Jim Butcher was a let down as it has been produced before. So not a new story. That is kind of the point of an anthology is that readers are exposed to new short stories.
The read the next four stories. They were ok but not one of them except for maybe Sixty-Six Seconds by Craig Schaefer kind of sparked my interest and sort of kept it. In fact, I was disappointed that I did not find the first five stories that great that my interest to read further into this anthology was lost. I might come back to it later and read some of the other stories but for now, I am done. Yet, I will say that I did like the very dark vibes I was getting from the stories. Some stories might just give you nightmares. The view point from the villians' side into of the heroes side was refreshing.
The read the next four stories. They were ok but not one of them except for maybe Sixty-Six Seconds by Craig Schaefer kind of sparked my interest and sort of kept it. In fact, I was disappointed that I did not find the first five stories that great that my interest to read further into this anthology was lost. I might come back to it later and read some of the other stories but for now, I am done. Yet, I will say that I did like the very dark vibes I was getting from the stories. Some stories might just give you nightmares. The view point from the villians' side into of the heroes side was refreshing.
bunrab's review against another edition
3.0
Short stories about the bad-guy characters in various fantasy series, and if one hasn't read a particular series, often the short stories make no sense.
mxdeannaf's review against another edition
3.0
A good villain should be as complex a character as a good hero. This book was a fun read and introduced me to a lot of new stories from different authors. I was originally drawn to this book because I enjoy Seanan McGuire, Jim Butcher, Lilith St Crow, and Kim Armstrong. Most of the others I had not heard of, so it was nice to expand my range a bit. This anthology let me know a little about author's writing styles and worlds. I figured if I read about their antagonists, I would know whether or not I would like to read the main stories.
I enjoyed a number of the stories, especially the ones which showed that the villains were fleshed out characters with their own motivations rather than simply existing in opposition to the hero. Some of the stories introduced me to characters who went so completely against my moral and philosophical grain it made me uncomfortable to read. Others assumed that I would have knowledge of the story they related to and were so convoluted I couldn't easily follow the plot, and some of the origin stories would have made more sense if I knew more about the main story as well.
Overall, I would recommend this book to people who are either already fans of the contributing authors and looking for a new perspective on their favourite villains and anti-heroes, or to people who want a taste of a story without the emotional commitment to the main character.
Recieved from NetGalley
I enjoyed a number of the stories, especially the ones which showed that the villains were fleshed out characters with their own motivations rather than simply existing in opposition to the hero. Some of the stories introduced me to characters who went so completely against my moral and philosophical grain it made me uncomfortable to read. Others assumed that I would have knowledge of the story they related to and were so convoluted I couldn't easily follow the plot, and some of the origin stories would have made more sense if I knew more about the main story as well.
Overall, I would recommend this book to people who are either already fans of the contributing authors and looking for a new perspective on their favourite villains and anti-heroes, or to people who want a taste of a story without the emotional commitment to the main character.
Recieved from NetGalley
angels_gp17's review against another edition
3.0
Urban Enemies is a collection of seventeen short stories from Joseph Nassies, Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Seanan McGuire, Kelley Armstrong, Jonathan Maberry, Jeff Somers, Steven Savile, Caitlin Kittredge, Sam Witt, Craig Schaefer, Jon F. Merz, Faith Hunter, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Lilith Saintcrow, Carrie Vaughn, & Domino Finn.
This collection of short stories was an ok read. They are all a little dark and deal with the villains of many different series. I think this collection is great for libraries. It's got a lot of author's so, it might get you interested in trying them.
I picked up this collection; because I wanted to read Jim Butcher’s short story, but I did end up reading all seventeen stories featured. I enjoyed some and others didn’t work out.
Rated: 3.5 Stars
*****
Even Hand by Jim Butcher
Even Hand features John Marcone the human criminal lord in Chicago in the Dresden Files. We get to see what he’s been working on in regards to negating magic. The author treats us to a little battle that tests out his defenses. We see that even as a criminal he has rules and one is no children ever.
I’m fan of the Dresden Files. It’s a great Urban Fantasy series to explore. I liked seeing Marcone.
Rated: 4 Stars
Hounded by Kelly Armstrong
Hounded is a dark tale. We learn about the Huntsman and that they hunt those that have killed the fae only. But, here we have one who has been cast out, an outcast; because he hunts humans who have killed. The way he traps these humans isn’t right and it’s what lead him to be outcasted.
It’s interesting, but a little dark for my taste.
Rated: 3 Stars
Nigsu Ga Tesgu by Jeff Somers
Here we learn that Magicians aren’t nice people. It’s told in Mika’s POV and is very dark.
It was enjoyable, but a little dark for my taste.
Rated: 3 Stars
Sixty-Six Seconds by Craig Schaefer
We are treated to two series that cross in the same world, Harmony Black and Daniel Faust. Faust is nobody's hero. He's a card-carrying villain by trade, a thief and sorcerer. We learn that Demons take over dead bodies and wreak havoc in the modern world. The Chainmen are the first and last line of defense against the enemies of Hell.
I enjoyed Sixty-Six Seconds. Our lead is trying to help someone he cares about out and is on a time crunch.
Rated: 4 Stars
Kiss by Lilith Saintcro
We get a character from the Jill Kismet series.
I have not read the series, so this one was not easy to follow. We get made up languages and words; which don’t make sense. I was lost.
Rated: DNF
The Naughties T Cherub By Kevin Hearne
Here we get Loki’s POV a character in the Iron Druid series. It takes place after [b:Staked|16280689|Staked (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #8)|Kevin Hearne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1434745650l/16280689._SX50_.jpg|22382333]. Loki is working his way towards Ragnoroke. He visits Hades in Hell to gag if he will participate.
I enjoyed this insight into Loki, the trip to Hell, and this little pop into the series. I’ve got plans to try out the Iron Druid series.
Rated: 3.5 Stars
The Resurrectionist by Caitlin Kittredge
This short is set in the Hellhound Chronicles during the 1930’s. It is the begging of Lee’s story. We get a missing girl, zombies, hellhounds, and warlocks. Lee once was a hunter, but has left that life, yet that life never left him. He’ll have to be that man again.
I really liked this insight into Lee and little taste of the series.
Rated: 4 Stars
Down where the Darkness Dwells by Joseph Nassise
Here we visit the Templar Chronicles series and Necromancer Simon Logan a villain in the series. This is the start of when he gains his powers. He’s on a search for hidden treasures that will give power, but what he finds turned him into the most powerful leader and no longer an acolyte.
I very much enjoyed this short story. I’m curious about the series now.
Rated: 4 Stars
Bellum Romanum by Carrie Vaughn
Here we meet Roman aka Gaius Albinus who is Kitty’s nemesis in the Kitty Norville series.
I actually tried this series and stoped after book two. It wasn’t working for me. As for this short, Bellum Romanum, I liked Roman and seeing him at the start of his life and what he has in the works.
Rated: 4 Stars
Altar Boy by Jonathan Maberry
Here we visit the Joe Ledger world and it features Toy a villain and a recovering bad guy fighting for his soul and redemption. He’s trying to turn a new leaf, given a new chance to do good, but his past has caught up with him…. What will he do?
This was an interesting short and I enjoyed it. Toy is a complex character. He knows he’s done bad and will probably do it again, but he’s also trying to help the good guys and atone for his sins.
Rated: 4 Stars
Make It Snappy by Faith Hunter
This one takes us into the Jane Yellowrock series featuring Leo and his vampire gang; before Jane comes into the picture. He takes on an old enemy that he thought was dead and learns that the Europe Vampires have set their sights on his land and will be come.
I liked this short. It was fun to see Leo before Jane. I like the Yellowrock series. It’s a great Urban Fantasy to read. I actually was taking a break from the series, but after reading this I wanted to get back to the books.
Rated: 4 Stars
Chase The Fire by Jon F. Merz
Here we visit the Lawson Vampire series. Shiraz and Ava both have plans, but only one will live to complete them. It’s interesting that these vampires aren’t dead, but have evolved along side humans. We get deception, politics, and hidden plots inside the Vampire world.
It was an enjoyable read.
Rated 3.5 Stars
Unexpected Choices by Diana Pharaoh Francis
Here we visit the Horngate Witches series. Giselle, a Witch and Shoftiel, an Angel are not good and not evil. They both do what they feel is right to save people they care about, but those choices have a cost. Shoftiel was punished and sent to the Mistlands. He has a chance at freedom by making a deal with Giselle who needs his help in a snatch and grab.
Unexpected was investing. We get a run down of the world and what happened to it and why theirs magic now.
Rated: 4 Stars
Reel Life by Steven Savile
This is an odd read. We have Seth who is a criminal. He’s jealous and envious of his brother. He makes a deal with a magician who makes this alternate world called Glass Tower. In this world time moves differently, he doesn’t age, yet can step outside the world into a new time and will age unless he returns to the Glass Tower.
It’s weird, violent, got abuse, rape, death, and destruction. I didn’t care for it. It’s got several trig points that I don’t like to read about and the weirdness of the story didn’t help.
Rated: 1 stars
The Difference Between Deceit and Delusion by Domino Finn
This short story takes place before the Black Magic Outlaw series kicks off. We get a look at the backstory of the villain, Tunji Malu, who started all the trouble in that world. It stars off with torture then onto the kill. Once we move on we get a short battle, and making a deal with a Jinn who also has big plans.
It was an ok read.
Rated: 3 Stars
Balance by Seanan McGuire
This one is in the InCryptid universe. It’s got manipulating minds and causing chaos.
I couldn’t get into this short story.
Rated: DNF
Everywhere by Sam Witt
Here we visit Pitchfork Country series. Joe Hark fights dark forces that plague the world when he discovers his mentor has; become one of these monsters it puts them against each other.
I didn’t like it and couldn’t get into the short story.
Rated: DNF
This collection of short stories was an ok read. They are all a little dark and deal with the villains of many different series. I think this collection is great for libraries. It's got a lot of author's so, it might get you interested in trying them.
I picked up this collection; because I wanted to read Jim Butcher’s short story, but I did end up reading all seventeen stories featured. I enjoyed some and others didn’t work out.
Rated: 3.5 Stars
*****
Even Hand by Jim Butcher
Even Hand features John Marcone the human criminal lord in Chicago in the Dresden Files. We get to see what he’s been working on in regards to negating magic. The author treats us to a little battle that tests out his defenses. We see that even as a criminal he has rules and one is no children ever.
I’m fan of the Dresden Files. It’s a great Urban Fantasy series to explore. I liked seeing Marcone.
Rated: 4 Stars
Hounded by Kelly Armstrong
Hounded is a dark tale. We learn about the Huntsman and that they hunt those that have killed the fae only. But, here we have one who has been cast out, an outcast; because he hunts humans who have killed. The way he traps these humans isn’t right and it’s what lead him to be outcasted.
It’s interesting, but a little dark for my taste.
Rated: 3 Stars
Nigsu Ga Tesgu by Jeff Somers
Here we learn that Magicians aren’t nice people. It’s told in Mika’s POV and is very dark.
It was enjoyable, but a little dark for my taste.
Rated: 3 Stars
Sixty-Six Seconds by Craig Schaefer
We are treated to two series that cross in the same world, Harmony Black and Daniel Faust. Faust is nobody's hero. He's a card-carrying villain by trade, a thief and sorcerer. We learn that Demons take over dead bodies and wreak havoc in the modern world. The Chainmen are the first and last line of defense against the enemies of Hell.
I enjoyed Sixty-Six Seconds. Our lead is trying to help someone he cares about out and is on a time crunch.
Rated: 4 Stars
Kiss by Lilith Saintcro
We get a character from the Jill Kismet series.
I have not read the series, so this one was not easy to follow. We get made up languages and words; which don’t make sense. I was lost.
Rated: DNF
The Naughties T Cherub By Kevin Hearne
Here we get Loki’s POV a character in the Iron Druid series. It takes place after [b:Staked|16280689|Staked (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #8)|Kevin Hearne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1434745650l/16280689._SX50_.jpg|22382333]. Loki is working his way towards Ragnoroke. He visits Hades in Hell to gag if he will participate.
I enjoyed this insight into Loki, the trip to Hell, and this little pop into the series. I’ve got plans to try out the Iron Druid series.
Rated: 3.5 Stars
The Resurrectionist by Caitlin Kittredge
This short is set in the Hellhound Chronicles during the 1930’s. It is the begging of Lee’s story. We get a missing girl, zombies, hellhounds, and warlocks. Lee once was a hunter, but has left that life, yet that life never left him. He’ll have to be that man again.
I really liked this insight into Lee and little taste of the series.
Rated: 4 Stars
Down where the Darkness Dwells by Joseph Nassise
Here we visit the Templar Chronicles series and Necromancer Simon Logan a villain in the series. This is the start of when he gains his powers. He’s on a search for hidden treasures that will give power, but what he finds turned him into the most powerful leader and no longer an acolyte.
I very much enjoyed this short story. I’m curious about the series now.
Rated: 4 Stars
Bellum Romanum by Carrie Vaughn
Here we meet Roman aka Gaius Albinus who is Kitty’s nemesis in the Kitty Norville series.
I actually tried this series and stoped after book two. It wasn’t working for me. As for this short, Bellum Romanum, I liked Roman and seeing him at the start of his life and what he has in the works.
Rated: 4 Stars
Altar Boy by Jonathan Maberry
Here we visit the Joe Ledger world and it features Toy a villain and a recovering bad guy fighting for his soul and redemption. He’s trying to turn a new leaf, given a new chance to do good, but his past has caught up with him…. What will he do?
This was an interesting short and I enjoyed it. Toy is a complex character. He knows he’s done bad and will probably do it again, but he’s also trying to help the good guys and atone for his sins.
Rated: 4 Stars
Make It Snappy by Faith Hunter
This one takes us into the Jane Yellowrock series featuring Leo and his vampire gang; before Jane comes into the picture. He takes on an old enemy that he thought was dead and learns that the Europe Vampires have set their sights on his land and will be come.
I liked this short. It was fun to see Leo before Jane. I like the Yellowrock series. It’s a great Urban Fantasy to read. I actually was taking a break from the series, but after reading this I wanted to get back to the books.
Rated: 4 Stars
Chase The Fire by Jon F. Merz
Here we visit the Lawson Vampire series. Shiraz and Ava both have plans, but only one will live to complete them. It’s interesting that these vampires aren’t dead, but have evolved along side humans. We get deception, politics, and hidden plots inside the Vampire world.
It was an enjoyable read.
Rated 3.5 Stars
Unexpected Choices by Diana Pharaoh Francis
Here we visit the Horngate Witches series. Giselle, a Witch and Shoftiel, an Angel are not good and not evil. They both do what they feel is right to save people they care about, but those choices have a cost. Shoftiel was punished and sent to the Mistlands. He has a chance at freedom by making a deal with Giselle who needs his help in a snatch and grab.
Unexpected was investing. We get a run down of the world and what happened to it and why theirs magic now.
Rated: 4 Stars
Reel Life by Steven Savile
This is an odd read. We have Seth who is a criminal. He’s jealous and envious of his brother. He makes a deal with a magician who makes this alternate world called Glass Tower. In this world time moves differently, he doesn’t age, yet can step outside the world into a new time and will age unless he returns to the Glass Tower.
It’s weird, violent, got abuse, rape, death, and destruction. I didn’t care for it. It’s got several trig points that I don’t like to read about and the weirdness of the story didn’t help.
Rated: 1 stars
The Difference Between Deceit and Delusion by Domino Finn
This short story takes place before the Black Magic Outlaw series kicks off. We get a look at the backstory of the villain, Tunji Malu, who started all the trouble in that world. It stars off with torture then onto the kill. Once we move on we get a short battle, and making a deal with a Jinn who also has big plans.
It was an ok read.
Rated: 3 Stars
Balance by Seanan McGuire
This one is in the InCryptid universe. It’s got manipulating minds and causing chaos.
I couldn’t get into this short story.
Rated: DNF
Everywhere by Sam Witt
Here we visit Pitchfork Country series. Joe Hark fights dark forces that plague the world when he discovers his mentor has; become one of these monsters it puts them against each other.
I didn’t like it and couldn’t get into the short story.
Rated: DNF
heregrim's review
5.0
ARC review- A hero in a book is only as good as their villain. This collection centers not on the efforts of the hero, but on the adventures of the villains from some of Urban Fantasy's biggest series. Now, to be honest, it was Jim Butcher's Even Hand that attracted me towards this collection, but a few other stories have me running to read the rest of their series. A few of my other favorites-Nigsu Ga Tesgu by Jeff Somers, The naughtiest Cherub by Kevin Hearne, Down Where the Darkness Dwells by Joseph Nassise, Chase the Fire by Jon F. Merz, Reel Life by Steven Savile and Balance by Seanan McGuire. In some I wish to walk through the world these villains inhabit and create, in others the character itself draws me, wishing to see the hero that must battle this villain. Still, with only some of these series known to me, and fewer read, this collection opened up whole new worlds of reading that I am racing to get me hands on.