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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.
annieaves's review against another edition
2.0
Good god this book was so boring. It took me ages to get through these stories. I kept reading, hoping that the next story would be better but I hardly enjoyed any of them. I had really had high hopes for this because I’ve really enjoyed the books from some of these authors, but for me it was a major disappointment.
m4r's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
ranking of the short stories:
1. the hidden girl (ken liu)
2. 'i am a handsome man' said apollo crow (kate elliott)
3. the mocking tower (daniel abraham)
4. the best man wins (kj parker)
5. the sword of destiny (matthew hughes)
6. her father's sword (robin hobb)
7. hrunting (cj cherryh)
8. the triumph of virtue (walter jon williams)
9. a long cold trail (garth nix)
1. the hidden girl (ken liu)
2. 'i am a handsome man' said apollo crow (kate elliott)
3. the mocking tower (daniel abraham)
4. the best man wins (kj parker)
5. the sword of destiny (matthew hughes)
6. her father's sword (robin hobb)
7. hrunting (cj cherryh)
8. the triumph of virtue (walter jon williams)
9. a long cold trail (garth nix)
katleap's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
There were stories that I didn't like, a bunch that were middle of the road, and handful of good ones and one awesome one, which was Hrunting by C.J. Cherryh.
The Best Man Wins by K.J. Parker - 4 stars
A smith is commissioned by a young man to make him the best sword he's ever made. Things don't turn out as planned. There are plenty of hints of how the story will turn out, but I liked the smith's voice and how he talked about what he was doing.
Her Father’s Sword by Robin Hobb - 2 stars
Towns folk are being kidnapped and returned as uncaring Forged. Taura wants her father back and the sword that should be her legacy. The writing was great but I didn't like this story at all.
The Hidden Girl by Ken Liu - 3.5 stars
A general's daughter is stolen and trained to steal lives as an assassin. There was awesome alternate realty hopping and cool mythology. I just wanted a little more of a concrete ending about what she was going to do.
The Sword of Destiny by Matthew Hughes - 3.5 stars
The henchman of a wizard is sent to steal the sword of destiny, fails and runs away only to discover that he can't escape said destiny. This story was amusing. I liked that is didn't turn out exactly as I expected and turned some fantasy tropes on their heads. Sometime running from your destiny is a good thing.
"I Am a Handsome Man", Said Apollo Crow by Kate Elliott -3.5 stars
Apollo Crow is hired by empire to track down a group of rebels. I liked this story and found Apollo an interesting narrator.
The Triumph of Virtue by Walter Jon Williams - 3 stars
A young lawyer solves a crime he probably shouldn't have. This was a mystery plot and slice of court intrigue that didn't go anywhere. So I got to the end going 'what was the point?' but it was enjoyable getting there.
The Mocking Tower by Daniel Abraham - 4 stars
A thief sets out to steal a sword made with the soul of the dead emperor. This felt like the beginning of something and I found it interesting. I wanted to know more about the tower and the mage and if the prince learned his lesson.
Hrunting by C.J. Cherryh -5 stars
The grandson of viking goes searching for the heirloom sword lost by Beowulf in Grendel's cave. This was an awesome tale. It felt like something out of norse/old english mythology. And it fit with my opinions about Beowulf perfectly.
A Long, Cold Trail by Garth Nix - 2.5 stars
A male witch knight and his fighting magic puppet mentor take on a corrupt godlet. I am a huge Garth Nix fan. That said this story drove me nuts. It took forever for me to even care about what was going on and to figure out what was going on and it ended a bit abruptly for me.
When I Was a Highwayman by Ellen Kushner- 2 stars
This is a prequel about Richard St. Vier. It was okay, didn't really add anything to the riverside universe for me.
The Smoke of Gold Is Glory by Scott Lynch - 2 stars
A down on his luck thief gets together with friends to take on a dragon and its treasure. I was so bored with this story. Mostly I think because of the way it was told. The ending was good but i kept loosing the thread of the story.
The Colgrid Conundrum by Rich Larson - 4 stars
Two theives need a lockbox opened and get drawn into helping street children and avenging a murdered husband. These guys were intruiging and I could read more about them.
The King’s Evil by Elizabeth Bear - 3 stars
Giant killer hornets that lay larva in corpses, ewwwwwwwwww.
Waterfalling by Lavie Tidhar - 4 stars
Gorel of Goliris is a powerful warrior searching for the home he was torn from as a boy and run by an addiction forced on him by twin goddesses. I was fascinated by this universe. The magic and gunslinging and the coming army. I really kinda want a whole book and to know if he ever gets home.
- The Sword Tyraste by Cecelia Holland -4 stars
When his brothers are killed and their ship deliberately smashed on the rocks, the youngest brother takes revenge. This is another Norse retelling about a a sword and a tyrant and vengeance. I liked it.
- The Sons of the Dragon by George R.R. Martin - 3 stars
So this read kinda like a history that was written for a book. It was a little bit dry, not told as an actual story just a telling of what happened. And I was not in love with it.
There were stories that I didn't like, a bunch that were middle of the road, and handful of good ones and one awesome one, which was Hrunting by C.J. Cherryh.
The Best Man Wins by K.J. Parker - 4 stars
A smith is commissioned by a young man to make him the best sword he's ever made. Things don't turn out as planned. There are plenty of hints of how the story will turn out, but I liked the smith's voice and how he talked about what he was doing.
Her Father’s Sword by Robin Hobb - 2 stars
Towns folk are being kidnapped and returned as uncaring Forged. Taura wants her father back and the sword that should be her legacy. The writing was great but I didn't like this story at all.
The Hidden Girl by Ken Liu - 3.5 stars
A general's daughter is stolen and trained to steal lives as an assassin. There was awesome alternate realty hopping and cool mythology. I just wanted a little more of a concrete ending about what she was going to do.
The Sword of Destiny by Matthew Hughes - 3.5 stars
The henchman of a wizard is sent to steal the sword of destiny, fails and runs away only to discover that he can't escape said destiny. This story was amusing. I liked that is didn't turn out exactly as I expected and turned some fantasy tropes on their heads. Sometime running from your destiny is a good thing.
"I Am a Handsome Man", Said Apollo Crow by Kate Elliott -3.5 stars
Apollo Crow is hired by empire to track down a group of rebels. I liked this story and found Apollo an interesting narrator.
The Triumph of Virtue by Walter Jon Williams - 3 stars
A young lawyer solves a crime he probably shouldn't have. This was a mystery plot and slice of court intrigue that didn't go anywhere. So I got to the end going 'what was the point?' but it was enjoyable getting there.
The Mocking Tower by Daniel Abraham - 4 stars
A thief sets out to steal a sword made with the soul of the dead emperor. This felt like the beginning of something and I found it interesting. I wanted to know more about the tower and the mage and if the prince learned his lesson.
Hrunting by C.J. Cherryh -5 stars
The grandson of viking goes searching for the heirloom sword lost by Beowulf in Grendel's cave. This was an awesome tale. It felt like something out of norse/old english mythology. And it fit with my opinions about Beowulf perfectly.
A Long, Cold Trail by Garth Nix - 2.5 stars
A male witch knight and his fighting magic puppet mentor take on a corrupt godlet. I am a huge Garth Nix fan. That said this story drove me nuts. It took forever for me to even care about what was going on and to figure out what was going on and it ended a bit abruptly for me.
When I Was a Highwayman by Ellen Kushner- 2 stars
This is a prequel about Richard St. Vier. It was okay, didn't really add anything to the riverside universe for me.
The Smoke of Gold Is Glory by Scott Lynch - 2 stars
A down on his luck thief gets together with friends to take on a dragon and its treasure. I was so bored with this story. Mostly I think because of the way it was told. The ending was good but i kept loosing the thread of the story.
The Colgrid Conundrum by Rich Larson - 4 stars
Two theives need a lockbox opened and get drawn into helping street children and avenging a murdered husband. These guys were intruiging and I could read more about them.
The King’s Evil by Elizabeth Bear - 3 stars
Giant killer hornets that lay larva in corpses, ewwwwwwwwww.
Waterfalling by Lavie Tidhar - 4 stars
Gorel of Goliris is a powerful warrior searching for the home he was torn from as a boy and run by an addiction forced on him by twin goddesses. I was fascinated by this universe. The magic and gunslinging and the coming army. I really kinda want a whole book and to know if he ever gets home.
- The Sword Tyraste by Cecelia Holland -4 stars
When his brothers are killed and their ship deliberately smashed on the rocks, the youngest brother takes revenge. This is another Norse retelling about a a sword and a tyrant and vengeance. I liked it.
- The Sons of the Dragon by George R.R. Martin - 3 stars
So this read kinda like a history that was written for a book. It was a little bit dry, not told as an actual story just a telling of what happened. And I was not in love with it.
lookingtoheaven's review against another edition
This book was difficult to rate. Some stories I loved, some I abandoned, and some I hope I can wipe from my mind. But I chose to rate for the ones I love, because they kept me coming back to these stories and provided a soft spot to land when other books had led me down. I am glad to have read it.
jefffrane's review against another edition
4.0
I suspect this may be Gardner Dozois' last anthology, but he goes out on a strong note. Dedicated to original stories of Sword & Sorcery, it contains lots of strong stories, although a few seem to stretch the term's definition. Some are light-hearted, but Robin Hobb's "Her Father's Sword" is cold and dark. Good stuff from K. J. Parker, Matthew Hughes, and Kate Elliott. There's excellent historical S&S from C. J. Cherryh and Cecilia Holland. More good storytelling from Garth Nix, Ellen Kushner, Rich Larson and Elizabeth Bear. Truly, not a clinker in the bunch, which says a great deal about Gardner Dozois and his decades of contribution to the fields of fantasy and science fiction.
juliav's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
selinadragonair's review against another edition
4.0
There were some really good novellas in there. Not everything was for my taste, but it's definitely worth reading.
- The Best Man Wins by K.J. Parker 4/5
It started simple but it grew on me and in the end I really liked it.
- Her Father’s Sword by Robin Hobb 5/5
The atmosphere, the characters, the story. And Fitz! Perfect.
- The Hidden Girl by Ken Liu 5/5
Wow, I loved the prose, the setting and characters. After this novella I can't wait to read Ken Lius Dandelions Dynasty!
- The Sword of Destiny by Matthew Hughes 3/5
This story just didn't appeal much to me, but it was ok. Also, was that a Gollum reference?
- "I Am a Handsome Man", Said Apollo Crow by Kate Elliott 4/5
I really liked the storytelling from the start, all the "catch me lying" part was keeping me guessing.
- The Triumph of Virtue by Walter Jon Williams 3/5
Although the writing was good I think it could have been better (and a bit shorter).
- The Mocking Tower by Daniel Abraham 3/5
It was all right, but it did not get me anywhere near excited.
- Hrunting by C.J. Cherryh 2/5
It dragged a bit for me and I wished for more action.
- A Long, Cold Trail by Garth Nix 3/5
What I liked most about this story was Mister Fitz!
- When I Was a Highwayman by Ellen Kushner 2/5
This whole story felt like an erotic novel with the sex scenes cut out. The writing was good, though.
- The Smoke of Gold Is Glory by Scott Lynch 5/5
It was a more challenging read for me, but I loved the way of story telling.
- The Colgrid Conundrum by Rich Larson 4/5
I very much enjoyed this one! It had a fitting atmosphere, a twisty story and good characters.
- The King’s Evil by Elizabeth Bear 3/5
This was really challenging to read for me, but I appreciate the prose and the story.
- Waterfalling by Lavie Tidhar 3/5
The story felt like a drug trip. Somehow the sparing prose got me hooked, though!
- The Sword Tyraste by Cecelia Holland 1/5
This was ... a nice try? Felt callow and flat.
- The Sons of the Dragon by George R.R. Martin 4/5
I knew what to expect, so I enjoyed it.
- The Best Man Wins by K.J. Parker 4/5
It started simple but it grew on me and in the end I really liked it.
- Her Father’s Sword by Robin Hobb 5/5
The atmosphere, the characters, the story. And Fitz! Perfect.
- The Hidden Girl by Ken Liu 5/5
Wow, I loved the prose, the setting and characters. After this novella I can't wait to read Ken Lius Dandelions Dynasty!
- The Sword of Destiny by Matthew Hughes 3/5
This story just didn't appeal much to me, but it was ok. Also, was that a Gollum reference?
- "I Am a Handsome Man", Said Apollo Crow by Kate Elliott 4/5
I really liked the storytelling from the start, all the "catch me lying" part was keeping me guessing.
- The Triumph of Virtue by Walter Jon Williams 3/5
Although the writing was good I think it could have been better (and a bit shorter).
- The Mocking Tower by Daniel Abraham 3/5
It was all right, but it did not get me anywhere near excited.
- Hrunting by C.J. Cherryh 2/5
It dragged a bit for me and I wished for more action.
- A Long, Cold Trail by Garth Nix 3/5
What I liked most about this story was Mister Fitz!
- When I Was a Highwayman by Ellen Kushner 2/5
This whole story felt like an erotic novel with the sex scenes cut out. The writing was good, though.
- The Smoke of Gold Is Glory by Scott Lynch 5/5
It was a more challenging read for me, but I loved the way of story telling.
- The Colgrid Conundrum by Rich Larson 4/5
I very much enjoyed this one! It had a fitting atmosphere, a twisty story and good characters.
- The King’s Evil by Elizabeth Bear 3/5
This was really challenging to read for me, but I appreciate the prose and the story.
- Waterfalling by Lavie Tidhar 3/5
The story felt like a drug trip. Somehow the sparing prose got me hooked, though!
- The Sword Tyraste by Cecelia Holland 1/5
This was ... a nice try? Felt callow and flat.
- The Sons of the Dragon by George R.R. Martin 4/5
I knew what to expect, so I enjoyed it.