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crabs_with_sticks's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of stories with a lot of famous names. Favourites includes 'Her Father's Sword' by Robin Hobb and 'The Best Man Wins' by K J Parker. Others were more disappointing, such as 'The Hidden Girl' which followed a quite typical story with a mediocre story line, as well as 'The Smoke of Glory is Gold' which started really well, but didn't have an end which payed off.
mwplante's review against another edition
4.0
Fun little excision from Fire & Blood and the world book. Worth a look at the time but now obsolete.
emilyplun's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I really loved The Best Man Wins by KJ Parker and The Colgrid Conundrum by Rich Larsen. Most of the others were really solid, with only two being misses for me ("I Am a Handsome Man," Said Apollo Crow by Kate Elliott and The Sons of the Dragon by GRR Martin).
Regarding the audiobook, each story had a different narrator, and they were all decent. Would recommend
Regarding the audiobook, each story had a different narrator, and they were all decent. Would recommend
drknightingale's review against another edition
3.0
I've been reading various anthologies by Gardner Dozois since I was about 9 years old. He has a well deserved reputation as one of the best editors in modern fantasy. I was thrilled with this collection of sword and sorcery stories.
I have to admit that I didn't read all of the stories in this collection. I'm holding off on the Robin Hobb story until I finally get around to reading her books.
My favorite stories in this collection are "The best man wins" by KJ Parker, "The Mocking Tower" by Daniel Abraham, and "The Smoke of Gold is Glory" by Scott Lynch. I'm a fan of rogues and mentors and trick endings.
I have to admit that I didn't read all of the stories in this collection. I'm holding off on the Robin Hobb story until I finally get around to reading her books.
My favorite stories in this collection are "The best man wins" by KJ Parker, "The Mocking Tower" by Daniel Abraham, and "The Smoke of Gold is Glory" by Scott Lynch. I'm a fan of rogues and mentors and trick endings.
jslowik9's review against another edition
Pg 65 - “We’re all thieves in this world of suffering,” the nun says. “Honor and faith are not virtues, only excuses for stealing more.” - Ken Liu
Pg 302 - I’m still not sure what happened. Bad luck, worse judgement, enemy action, sorcery? Hardly matters. When you’re on the ground getting kicked in the face, one pair of boots looks very much like another. - Scott Lynch
Pg 302 - I’m still not sure what happened. Bad luck, worse judgement, enemy action, sorcery? Hardly matters. When you’re on the ground getting kicked in the face, one pair of boots looks very much like another. - Scott Lynch
angelicwraith's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
kylie_formosa's review
3.0
3.33 stars (avg)
K. J. Parker - The Best Man Wins - 5 ⭐️
This was a really good story and the double twist at the end was wonderfully done. Amazing story to kick off the anthology. One of my favourites of the whole anthology.
Robin Hobb - Her Father's Sword - 2.5 ⭐️
You know there's unwavering familial loyalty and then there's just plain stupidity. And refusing to accept facts as they literally stand in front of you is just plain dumb.
Ken Liu - The Hidden Girl - 4.5 ⭐️
This was my first foray into ken liu's works and boy have I been sleeping on him. The magic in this story is so intriguing, I would love to read a whole novel set in this world. I can't wait to pick up the dandelion dynasty.
Matthew Hughes - The Sword of Destiny - 2 ⭐️
This story felt like an excerpt that was taken from a larger novel rather than a short story that can stand on its own. It was also like we were just experiencing the story rather than being immersed in it.
Kate Elliot - "I am a Handsome Man," Said Apollo Crow - 3 ⭐️
Could not care less what happened in this story but enjoyed the way the story was told. Would read more from the author.
Walter Jon Williams - The Triumph of Virtue - 3 ⭐️
Very well-written, but the mystery was kinda dry.
Daniel Abraham - The Mocking Tower - 4.5 ⭐️
Love the writing style and the atmosphere (Abrahams is so skilled in describing things in a way that is very engaging). I'm very excited to check out more of his works.
C. J. Cherryh - Hrunting - 2 ⭐️
Could not tell you what happened in this story. Would have probably been more enjoyable if I had known more about Beowulf but then again, I don't care enough.
Garth Nix - A Long, Cold Trail - 4 ⭐️
GN is one of my favourite childhood authors (Sabriel being one of my favourite books) so I was very excited for this short story. And he did not disappoint - the writing is great as always but the story itself was so complex and intricate... apparently there is a whole short story collection set in this world, which I will definitely be checking out.
Ellen Kushner - When I Was a Highwayman - 5 ⭐️
Loved the writing in this one and the story... oh my, that story... the casual bi rep, a sprinkle of murder. What a ride, what a great time. Definitely will be checking out more of Ellen Kushner's works.
Scott Lynch - The Smoke of Gold is Glory - 5 ⭐️
This was such a good story (although, I am a sucker for a classic quest story
K. J. Parker - The Best Man Wins - 5 ⭐️
This was a really good story and the double twist at the end was wonderfully done. Amazing story to kick off the anthology. One of my favourites of the whole anthology.
Robin Hobb - Her Father's Sword - 2.5 ⭐️
You know there's unwavering familial loyalty and then there's just plain stupidity. And refusing to accept facts as they literally stand in front of you is just plain dumb.
Ken Liu - The Hidden Girl - 4.5 ⭐️
This was my first foray into ken liu's works and boy have I been sleeping on him. The magic in this story is so intriguing, I would love to read a whole novel set in this world. I can't wait to pick up the dandelion dynasty.
Matthew Hughes - The Sword of Destiny - 2 ⭐️
This story felt like an excerpt that was taken from a larger novel rather than a short story that can stand on its own. It was also like we were just experiencing the story rather than being immersed in it.
Kate Elliot - "I am a Handsome Man," Said Apollo Crow - 3 ⭐️
Could not care less what happened in this story but enjoyed the way the story was told. Would read more from the author.
Walter Jon Williams - The Triumph of Virtue - 3 ⭐️
Very well-written, but the mystery was kinda dry.
Daniel Abraham - The Mocking Tower - 4.5 ⭐️
Love the writing style and the atmosphere (Abrahams is so skilled in describing things in a way that is very engaging). I'm very excited to check out more of his works.
C. J. Cherryh - Hrunting - 2 ⭐️
Could not tell you what happened in this story. Would have probably been more enjoyable if I had known more about Beowulf but then again, I don't care enough.
Garth Nix - A Long, Cold Trail - 4 ⭐️
GN is one of my favourite childhood authors (Sabriel being one of my favourite books) so I was very excited for this short story. And he did not disappoint - the writing is great as always but the story itself was so complex and intricate... apparently there is a whole short story collection set in this world, which I will definitely be checking out.
Ellen Kushner - When I Was a Highwayman - 5 ⭐️
Loved the writing in this one and the story... oh my, that story... the casual bi rep, a sprinkle of murder. What a ride, what a great time. Definitely will be checking out more of Ellen Kushner's works.
Scott Lynch - The Smoke of Gold is Glory - 5 ⭐️
This was such a good story (although, I am a sucker for a classic quest story
nelson5190's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful collection of stories by will known authors.
teresavh's review against another edition
3.0
It took so long to finish, and to go through some of the awful stories there. As any anthology, I got mixed feelings.
a_verthandi's review against another edition
GRRM, this is just fanfic of your own material.
Scott Lynch, you've made me want to read your stuff. Ken Liu, ditto.
Scott Lynch, you've made me want to read your stuff. Ken Liu, ditto.