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leannarapier's review
4.0
I started this book a while back, got busy, and then remembered I never finished it. I reread some of my favorite stories. The best ones in my opinion were The Wolf at the Door, Gynoid, and the hilarious story of The Astounding Mortal Peril of Denna Dorwen.
hestonhoffman's review
adventurous
medium-paced
2.5
Very uneven. The first couple stories were fairly weak in my opinion. They felt a bit like college writing projects. It did get better as it went though.
writermags's review
4.0
Like with any short story collection I read, there were some stories I liked more than others. That being said, I really enjoyed this collection as a whole! Each writer had a unique take on their subject, and it was a pleasure to read all of them. I'm so glad I picked this up!
storiesforhisglory's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent
This was a treat. Multiple authors, some I’ve read before and others I just got my first taste of their work.
I always enjoy the sass that comes inherent with Kyle Robert Shultz’s afterverse stories. The vibrant descriptions in Hannah Heath’s story were awesome. I enjoyed the meandering storytelling style of Nate Philbrick’s tale of “mortal peril”... I’m looking forward to seeing more of E. B. Dawson’s work, too.
Each story intrigued me and made me want to see more of the tale than the snippet of a short story. Well done!!!
This was a treat. Multiple authors, some I’ve read before and others I just got my first taste of their work.
I always enjoy the sass that comes inherent with Kyle Robert Shultz’s afterverse stories. The vibrant descriptions in Hannah Heath’s story were awesome. I enjoyed the meandering storytelling style of Nate Philbrick’s tale of “mortal peril”... I’m looking forward to seeing more of E. B. Dawson’s work, too.
Each story intrigued me and made me want to see more of the tale than the snippet of a short story. Well done!!!
rmarcher's review against another edition
5.0
The Wolf at the Door: I was laughing so hard at the introduction to this one. The reader is warned not to keep reading... but obviously I ignored the warnings and continued on. After that it gets more serious, but Shultz masterfully weaves in bits of fairytale, the creatures that inhabit the world are intriguing, and the ending is not what you expect.
Vengeance Hunter: Hannah Heath's worldbuilding is amazing. It's woven in beautifully, it's rich and detailed, and it always leaves you wanting to know more and explore the world she's created. The motifs and tone of the story were also incredibly well-done, which further contributed to my vivid view of the world. The characters were all muti-faceted and gripping, as well, and seeing Ishtaka's struggle (from a distance!) was really interesting. I'd love to read a sequel.
The Word Thrower: The Word Thrower was probably my least favorite in the anthology, unfortunately. I wasn't as engaged with the main character, and I felt like there was an unnecessary number of side characters that we didn't really get to know. None of them stayed solid in my brain, even after a second read-through. However, the idea of word throwing is really interesting (I wish we'd gotten to see more of that), and the decision the main character had to make at the end was really thought-provoking.
The Astoundingly Mortal Peril of Denna Dorwen: The wit and humor in this one is amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed Denna's story, and the characters were incredibly distinct and unique.
Stealing Freedom: After reading Stealing Life in Phoenix Fiction's smaller anthology (which you can read if you sign up to their mailing list), I was super excited to see similar tech and characters and settings in Stealing Freedom. This one felt less action-driven and more character-driven, which was a bit disappointing, and I missed the more tech-filled tone and atmosphere I remembered from Stealing Life. I really enjoyed the tech that Koya had, and it fit well with what we saw in Stealing Life. This was another story where I found it difficult to connect with the main character, unfortunately. I might enjoy it better if I re-read it as its own thing rather than as sequel to Stealing Life.
Gynoid: I'm honestly not quite sure what I think of this one. I think it was interesting but it wasn't especially engaging for me? The idea of having an android for a main character is really interesting, and I think it was done well. I think the story would have been more satisfying and engaging if there were more background on REPL and AIHA, because they ended up seeming kind of faceless. I wasn't quite sure what their goals were or why and I got them mixed up. (That could just be me, though.) I think I'd enjoy seeing more in this universe, this story just wasn't for me.
Striker: I really enjoyed this one. Space-based sci-fi isn't usually my thing, I tend to prefer cyberpunk and future tech on Earth instead of spaceships and other planets, but this one was really good. The main character was engaging (even though he kinda needed to be smacked upside the head) and his motivation and drive really came through on the page. I also enjoyed the world around him, and I'd be interested to see more of it.
As a whole, I really enjoyed this anthology and I look forward to reading more from Phoenix Fiction Writers, both as a group and individually. I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys speculative fiction and/or antiheroes. :)
Vengeance Hunter: Hannah Heath's worldbuilding is amazing. It's woven in beautifully, it's rich and detailed, and it always leaves you wanting to know more and explore the world she's created. The motifs and tone of the story were also incredibly well-done, which further contributed to my vivid view of the world. The characters were all muti-faceted and gripping, as well, and seeing Ishtaka's struggle (from a distance!) was really interesting. I'd love to read a sequel.
The Word Thrower: The Word Thrower was probably my least favorite in the anthology, unfortunately. I wasn't as engaged with the main character, and I felt like there was an unnecessary number of side characters that we didn't really get to know. None of them stayed solid in my brain, even after a second read-through. However, the idea of word throwing is really interesting (I wish we'd gotten to see more of that), and the decision the main character had to make at the end was really thought-provoking.
The Astoundingly Mortal Peril of Denna Dorwen: The wit and humor in this one is amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed Denna's story, and the characters were incredibly distinct and unique.
Stealing Freedom: After reading Stealing Life in Phoenix Fiction's smaller anthology (which you can read if you sign up to their mailing list), I was super excited to see similar tech and characters and settings in Stealing Freedom. This one felt less action-driven and more character-driven, which was a bit disappointing, and I missed the more tech-filled tone and atmosphere I remembered from Stealing Life. I really enjoyed the tech that Koya had, and it fit well with what we saw in Stealing Life. This was another story where I found it difficult to connect with the main character, unfortunately. I might enjoy it better if I re-read it as its own thing rather than as sequel to Stealing Life.
Gynoid: I'm honestly not quite sure what I think of this one. I think it was interesting but it wasn't especially engaging for me? The idea of having an android for a main character is really interesting, and I think it was done well. I think the story would have been more satisfying and engaging if there were more background on REPL and AIHA, because they ended up seeming kind of faceless. I wasn't quite sure what their goals were or why and I got them mixed up. (That could just be me, though.) I think I'd enjoy seeing more in this universe, this story just wasn't for me.
Striker: I really enjoyed this one. Space-based sci-fi isn't usually my thing, I tend to prefer cyberpunk and future tech on Earth instead of spaceships and other planets, but this one was really good. The main character was engaging (even though he kinda needed to be smacked upside the head) and his motivation and drive really came through on the page. I also enjoyed the world around him, and I'd be interested to see more of it.
As a whole, I really enjoyed this anthology and I look forward to reading more from Phoenix Fiction Writers, both as a group and individually. I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys speculative fiction and/or antiheroes. :)
ebdawson's review
5.0
This anthology is packed with relatable characters, thought-provoking themes, and unforgettable adventures! Science fiction, cyberpunk, fantasy, fairytale retelling, space opera, contemporary fantasy...there is something in here for everyone. I'm going to say a few quick words about the individual stories.
The Wolf at the Door- A mysterious tale with lots of twists and turns. Shultz packs in his usual wit and cleverness. This story has some dark and brooding undertones. I kept thinking about this story long after I had finished it!
Vengeance Hunter- The only story I couldn't read because I know that I cannot handle vampires. Perhaps the most graphic story of the anthology, I am told that the themes of this unusual story are brilliantly written and executed! Hannah Heath is an excellent author and I'm sure if you like vampire tales or dark fantasy, you will enjoy it.
The Word Thrower- A super original modern fantasy about people with the ability to change reality with their words. Extremely well written. This story felt like a warm conversation with a dear friend. Wangler makes gentle observations about the world and forces you to examine your own heart and intentions. Loved it!!
The Astonishingly Mortal Peril of Denna Dorwen- This was a hilarious romp! I was hooked from the moment we found Denna hanging from a peg in the wall. I love some of the old-fashioned feel to Philbrick's prose and dialogue. He is clever enough to bring the reader into Denna's plotting and so by the end you can guess the twist just before it happens! Very much enjoyed!
Stealing Freedom- I was so excited to return to the world of Stealing Life because it is so vivid and unique. To me this story felt more character driven than the last one though, just because we have such a strong grasp of who Koya is. His fears and insecurities are vivid and we are rooting for him from the beginning. I love the creep factor behind the Bakemono Corporation and how they market themselves as "Family Friendly." The heist in this book took my breath away (you'll get that pun if you read the story!).
Gynoid- Such a unique story! Pierce takes a risk in her technique by communicating a big chunk of the story through the programming of this female android. The style feels unnatural at first, but I found it absolutely worthwhile when I got deeper into the story and saw the struggles of the protagonist. For anyone who has struggled to reconcile a logical mind with irrational emotions, this story will hit home! Pierce takes a classic SciFi concept and reimagines it in a way that really hits home. Jacelyn's choice at the end made me a bit afraid of her and yet at the same time I understood her. This was another story that kept me thinking long after I read the last words!!
Overall, I loved this anthology and I am super proud to be a part of it! Every author challenged themselves to explore new aspects of their craft and character development. The stories are so rich and diverse, I can see myself revisiting this anthology when I need a quick escape! I can't wait to get it in print!!!
The Wolf at the Door- A mysterious tale with lots of twists and turns. Shultz packs in his usual wit and cleverness. This story has some dark and brooding undertones. I kept thinking about this story long after I had finished it!
Vengeance Hunter- The only story I couldn't read because I know that I cannot handle vampires. Perhaps the most graphic story of the anthology, I am told that the themes of this unusual story are brilliantly written and executed! Hannah Heath is an excellent author and I'm sure if you like vampire tales or dark fantasy, you will enjoy it.
The Word Thrower- A super original modern fantasy about people with the ability to change reality with their words. Extremely well written. This story felt like a warm conversation with a dear friend. Wangler makes gentle observations about the world and forces you to examine your own heart and intentions. Loved it!!
The Astonishingly Mortal Peril of Denna Dorwen- This was a hilarious romp! I was hooked from the moment we found Denna hanging from a peg in the wall. I love some of the old-fashioned feel to Philbrick's prose and dialogue. He is clever enough to bring the reader into Denna's plotting and so by the end you can guess the twist just before it happens! Very much enjoyed!
Stealing Freedom- I was so excited to return to the world of Stealing Life because it is so vivid and unique. To me this story felt more character driven than the last one though, just because we have such a strong grasp of who Koya is. His fears and insecurities are vivid and we are rooting for him from the beginning. I love the creep factor behind the Bakemono Corporation and how they market themselves as "Family Friendly." The heist in this book took my breath away (you'll get that pun if you read the story!).
Gynoid- Such a unique story! Pierce takes a risk in her technique by communicating a big chunk of the story through the programming of this female android. The style feels unnatural at first, but I found it absolutely worthwhile when I got deeper into the story and saw the struggles of the protagonist. For anyone who has struggled to reconcile a logical mind with irrational emotions, this story will hit home! Pierce takes a classic SciFi concept and reimagines it in a way that really hits home. Jacelyn's choice at the end made me a bit afraid of her and yet at the same time I understood her. This was another story that kept me thinking long after I read the last words!!
Overall, I loved this anthology and I am super proud to be a part of it! Every author challenged themselves to explore new aspects of their craft and character development. The stories are so rich and diverse, I can see myself revisiting this anthology when I need a quick escape! I can't wait to get it in print!!!
gracecrandall's review
5.0
This was awesome!
Firstly, I really love the premise of this anthology. Most of the short story collections I’ve read have been sorted by author or genre; this is the first and only one I’ve seen that was crafted around a character archetype. It was so fascinating to see eight authors, each with such solid and disparate styles, tones, and genres, all tackle the same idea. It made for a really interesting read—the book seemed to fit and flow together as an entity in itself, instead of merely being a cobbled-together collection of snippets. I really appreciated that.
As for the stories themselves—
-Wolf At The Door by Kyle Robert Shultz starts this anthology off with a bang. It tells the tale of Wilhelmina Grimm, a sorceress, historian, and occasional monster-slayer. She arrives in the Black Forest, investigating a village that is plagued by the nightmarish Neverwolves. But, as she begins to record the village’s story, it begins to become clear that nothing is quite what it first looked like.
This story made me put the book down and stare at the wall in awe and amazement for about 5 minutes. It’s a fascinating and surprisingly emotional retelling of Little Red Riding Hood that somehow manages to incorporate almost all the elements of the original fairy tale while still being completely its own story, artfully told and with a twist that made my jaw drop.
-Vengeance Hunter, by Hannah Heath, follows Ishtaka, a Blood Hunter. In a society where fresh blood is a vital resource to stave off the deadly Hunger, Ishtaka takes kill orders for criminals, hunting them down and draining their blood to feed her people. But in spite of the Hunger, there are some who claim that the blood is not necessary at all—that refraining from it will, eventually, end the Hunger for good. In a world where any choice could prove deadly, Ishtaka must choose what to believe—and choose well.
Firstly: Vampire!!!! Bounty hunter!!!! *flails happily* I’m still geeking out about that.
Anyway, this story is probably one of my favorite iterations of vampire lore. The desert setting, the lavish portrayal of vampire culture and religion, and the complexity of the world it’s set in all work together to bring a lot of interest on their own. Even aside from the worldbuilding, though, this was a really fascinating story about someone forced to seriously question their worldview, their motives, and their past actions. I really loved Ishtaka’s internal struggle; it was realistic and compelling. She’s such a solid character from the get-go, and only gains dimensions and interest as the story continues.
-The Word Thrower, by Beth Wangler, introduces us to a world in which words are (literally) magical. Dax, our main character, is being trained how to use his ability to ‘throw’ words—he can speak, and change his surroundings at will. A word thrower can also influence other people, an ability as unethical to use as it is uncomfortable to think about. When Dax begins to suspect that another school may be teaching its students to throw words at people, he enrolls in that school to spy—but fitting in comes at a price.
This story surprised me, to be honest. It probably has the lowest stakes of any of the stories—there is no deadly peril of any kind—and yet I found myself truly disturbed by the grey morality and uncertainty of it. The notion of betraying an ideal to accomplish a goal really fit in with the Antihero tradition well, and got me thinking. Also, I love the stress the story puts on preserving the solidity of words and language.
-The Astoundingly Mortal Peril Of Denna Dorwen, by Nate Philbrick, begins with Denna, a shop-keeper and occasional rapscallion, late on her payments and hanging from a peg on the wall. Not the most enviable position.
How she ended up in this position is another story—a story Denna tells to one of her customers over a cup of mint tea. It’s a tale full of intrigue and assassins and the click-clacking creatures that hide under the streets and buildings of the city, and some of it is even true.
This story had me in stitches! Denna is an absolutely glorious character, and Nate’s writing style, while entirely his own, always gives me nostalgia for Lloyd Alexander with its playful phrasing, dynamic characters, and cozily fantastical settings. This story is hilarious and just plain fun. I loved the complexity of its setup, and how every part of the story laid the foundations for an ending that still surprised me.
-Stealing Freedom, by J.E. Purazzi, begins with Koya, a cyborg trying to live a normal life without being used as either a weapon or a lab experiment. But with the political scene that allows him even this small amount of leeway well on its way to changing, Koya has to act—even if no action seems like it will grant him the freedom he needs.
I really, really loved Koya’s characterization. He was such a solid presence throughout the story, and the sense of claustrophobia—of being unable to see a real way out—that he felt was visceral. I also loved how his augmentations were described—I could really picture them. I loved how he kept fighting, even in the bad situations he was landed in. I had a bit of a hard time really grasping the bent of all the political machinations that were effecting the plot, but Koya’s character arc came through clearly.
Gynoid, by K. L. + Pierce, follows Jacelyn—a gynoid attempting to reconcile two conflicting sets of programming.
This story was a really interesting look at the nature of humanity and free will. I didn’t completely understand all of it, but I really liked how Jacelyn’s constant counterbalancing of two separate programmed directives eventually led to her gaining (or perhaps rediscovering) a will of her own.
Striker, by E.B. Dawson, introduces us to a boy on the brink of a decision. Danny Keane has spent years nursing a need for revenge. A slaughtered village lingers in his past, crying for justice, and he intends to get it—whatever it takes, no matter what stands in his way. Danny gets himself turned into a Striker—one of an elite force of superpowered soldiers, meant to guard corrupt members of a tyrannical government.
Instead of revenge, Danny finds himself caught up in a coup; but after all—revenge can only take you so far.
I LOVED the idea of a Striker. The way Danny’s powers are described had me vibrating with excitement. I was really rooting for Danny to get his revenge, but I loved the turnaround here—the way his destructive cause is replaced by a slightly more constructive one. It’s a fascinating story and a fun look at what sci-fi can be.
Overall, I’ve been having to push down the urge to physically push copies of this book at strangers while shouting ‘read it! Read it now!’, which is always evidence of a worthwhile read for me. Antiheroes is a joyride of a collection, full of a vast variety of settings and subgenres and characters, and I loved every minute of it :D
Firstly, I really love the premise of this anthology. Most of the short story collections I’ve read have been sorted by author or genre; this is the first and only one I’ve seen that was crafted around a character archetype. It was so fascinating to see eight authors, each with such solid and disparate styles, tones, and genres, all tackle the same idea. It made for a really interesting read—the book seemed to fit and flow together as an entity in itself, instead of merely being a cobbled-together collection of snippets. I really appreciated that.
As for the stories themselves—
-Wolf At The Door by Kyle Robert Shultz starts this anthology off with a bang. It tells the tale of Wilhelmina Grimm, a sorceress, historian, and occasional monster-slayer. She arrives in the Black Forest, investigating a village that is plagued by the nightmarish Neverwolves. But, as she begins to record the village’s story, it begins to become clear that nothing is quite what it first looked like.
This story made me put the book down and stare at the wall in awe and amazement for about 5 minutes. It’s a fascinating and surprisingly emotional retelling of Little Red Riding Hood that somehow manages to incorporate almost all the elements of the original fairy tale while still being completely its own story, artfully told and with a twist that made my jaw drop.
-Vengeance Hunter, by Hannah Heath, follows Ishtaka, a Blood Hunter. In a society where fresh blood is a vital resource to stave off the deadly Hunger, Ishtaka takes kill orders for criminals, hunting them down and draining their blood to feed her people. But in spite of the Hunger, there are some who claim that the blood is not necessary at all—that refraining from it will, eventually, end the Hunger for good. In a world where any choice could prove deadly, Ishtaka must choose what to believe—and choose well.
Firstly: Vampire!!!! Bounty hunter!!!! *flails happily* I’m still geeking out about that.
Anyway, this story is probably one of my favorite iterations of vampire lore. The desert setting, the lavish portrayal of vampire culture and religion, and the complexity of the world it’s set in all work together to bring a lot of interest on their own. Even aside from the worldbuilding, though, this was a really fascinating story about someone forced to seriously question their worldview, their motives, and their past actions. I really loved Ishtaka’s internal struggle; it was realistic and compelling. She’s such a solid character from the get-go, and only gains dimensions and interest as the story continues.
-The Word Thrower, by Beth Wangler, introduces us to a world in which words are (literally) magical. Dax, our main character, is being trained how to use his ability to ‘throw’ words—he can speak, and change his surroundings at will. A word thrower can also influence other people, an ability as unethical to use as it is uncomfortable to think about. When Dax begins to suspect that another school may be teaching its students to throw words at people, he enrolls in that school to spy—but fitting in comes at a price.
This story surprised me, to be honest. It probably has the lowest stakes of any of the stories—there is no deadly peril of any kind—and yet I found myself truly disturbed by the grey morality and uncertainty of it. The notion of betraying an ideal to accomplish a goal really fit in with the Antihero tradition well, and got me thinking. Also, I love the stress the story puts on preserving the solidity of words and language.
-The Astoundingly Mortal Peril Of Denna Dorwen, by Nate Philbrick, begins with Denna, a shop-keeper and occasional rapscallion, late on her payments and hanging from a peg on the wall. Not the most enviable position.
How she ended up in this position is another story—a story Denna tells to one of her customers over a cup of mint tea. It’s a tale full of intrigue and assassins and the click-clacking creatures that hide under the streets and buildings of the city, and some of it is even true.
This story had me in stitches! Denna is an absolutely glorious character, and Nate’s writing style, while entirely his own, always gives me nostalgia for Lloyd Alexander with its playful phrasing, dynamic characters, and cozily fantastical settings. This story is hilarious and just plain fun. I loved the complexity of its setup, and how every part of the story laid the foundations for an ending that still surprised me.
-Stealing Freedom, by J.E. Purazzi, begins with Koya, a cyborg trying to live a normal life without being used as either a weapon or a lab experiment. But with the political scene that allows him even this small amount of leeway well on its way to changing, Koya has to act—even if no action seems like it will grant him the freedom he needs.
I really, really loved Koya’s characterization. He was such a solid presence throughout the story, and the sense of claustrophobia—of being unable to see a real way out—that he felt was visceral. I also loved how his augmentations were described—I could really picture them. I loved how he kept fighting, even in the bad situations he was landed in. I had a bit of a hard time really grasping the bent of all the political machinations that were effecting the plot, but Koya’s character arc came through clearly.
Gynoid, by K. L. + Pierce, follows Jacelyn—a gynoid attempting to reconcile two conflicting sets of programming.
This story was a really interesting look at the nature of humanity and free will. I didn’t completely understand all of it, but I really liked how Jacelyn’s constant counterbalancing of two separate programmed directives eventually led to her gaining (or perhaps rediscovering) a will of her own.
Striker, by E.B. Dawson, introduces us to a boy on the brink of a decision. Danny Keane has spent years nursing a need for revenge. A slaughtered village lingers in his past, crying for justice, and he intends to get it—whatever it takes, no matter what stands in his way. Danny gets himself turned into a Striker—one of an elite force of superpowered soldiers, meant to guard corrupt members of a tyrannical government.
Instead of revenge, Danny finds himself caught up in a coup; but after all—revenge can only take you so far.
I LOVED the idea of a Striker. The way Danny’s powers are described had me vibrating with excitement. I was really rooting for Danny to get his revenge, but I loved the turnaround here—the way his destructive cause is replaced by a slightly more constructive one. It’s a fascinating story and a fun look at what sci-fi can be.
Overall, I’ve been having to push down the urge to physically push copies of this book at strangers while shouting ‘read it! Read it now!’, which is always evidence of a worthwhile read for me. Antiheroes is a joyride of a collection, full of a vast variety of settings and subgenres and characters, and I loved every minute of it :D
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