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bitterindigo's review
3.0
Three and a half stars. I absolutely adored the first two or three stories, and then there were some that left me cold, some that were okay, and it never really picked up again before it was over, although I liked the last story by Seanan Maguire. Many stories were set in fictional universes I didn't know, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but sometimes makes it harder to connect. Some set up interesting worlds but then the plot was completely predictable.
reader44ever's review
5.0
Average rating for the 14 stories: 4.25 stars
Overall rating for this anthology: 4.5 stars - great!
It took five days but I finally finished this great collection of stories. I wish my life could take a hint and leave me alone to read, but sadly other things do intrude all too often. But I really, really enjoyed this anthology. And it was kind of nice to read it over five days: that gave me more time to savor the stories. :)
I really liked this collection, and I really liked doing my review story-by-story. When I read them all again - and I will, since this book is going on my must-buy shelf :) - I'll be able to just update the stories I want to record new thoughts for. I have several new series to read, and several series to get back to, so I imagine I will have new thoughts - and possibly new ratings, too - when I reread this book. But that's part of the fun in reading anything: there's always something new to find and or feel with each read of any book. :)
My first-read thoughts on each story are below. I enjoyed them all! :)
4 stars: Painted Love by [a:Rob Thurman|121825|Rob Thurman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1310421838p2/121825.jpg]:
I really liked this story, although I found it sort of confusing. I suspected Doodlewas a tattoo and couldn't figure out how he could do the things he did. But in the end, when he shared he was a demonic tattoo, my confusion cleared up. Though even while I was confused I was enjoying the story. :)
4 stars: The Three Lives of Lydia by [a:Delilah S. Dawson|5135449|Delilah S. Dawson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1350044135p2/5135449.jpg]:
I was loving this story until the ending. This is the second Blud story I've read (the first was [b:Wicked as They Come|19722834|Wicked as They Come (Blud)|Delilah S. Dawson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1387730586s/19722834.jpg|17362398]) and both have disappointed me with their final moments. I read most of this story thinking "this is great! I need to continue this series after all!" But then that ending...
Did Lydia make it back to Sang and Charlie? Why is she inked there but not in her world? Why didn't she know she wasn't really tattooed when she was in Sang? So many unanswered questions. :(
But overall I did really enjoy this story. However, I remain unsure as to whether or not I'll read book two in the series. I don't think I could bear it if that one has an enjoyable storyline but a disappointing ending, too.
5 stars: The Demon Barker of Wheat Street by [a:Kevin Hearne|4414255|Kevin Hearne|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1289238438p2/4414255.jpg]:
This story was, quite simply, amazing! It was prefaced by a note that said it is set six years after book four in the Iron Druid Chronicles, and I began it feeling somewhat nervous that I'd be lost since I've so far just read the first book. However, I worried for naught as I was soon so caught up in the action that it seemed as if no time had passed. This was primarily due to Kevin Hearne's fantastic storytelling, but also was thanks to my remembering the three main characters (Atticus, Oberon, and Granuaile; I adore Oberon!) from [b:Hounded|9533378|Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #1)|Kevin Hearne|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327883998s/9533378.jpg|14419515]. :)
This story made me chuckle at the humor, smile hugely at (and with!) Oberon, tense up over the events on the Hell side of the carnival tent, and shudder when theNeedle Gate exploded and killed all the innocent humans. Feeling such emotions is always a five-star experience for me. :)
4.5 stars: The Sweeter the Juice by [a:Mark Henry|848968|Mark Henry|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1380690618p2/848968.jpg]:
This story was great, in an "I cringed practically from the get-go" way. :) I liked that the main character was a transsexual. Mark Henry wrote her story well. I strongly suspect, however, that poor Jade is now theone trapped in the Geek's box, with Neuter licking her for his own forced transformation. I do wonder at Gretta's fate, though. Did she survive the "death" of her "baby"? Was she forced to transform, too, or did she get put into a box like Jade? So, gross and disgusting? Definitely! Enjoyable despite (or because of) it? Also definitely. :)
4.5 stars: The Werewife by [a:Jaye Wells|1938234|Jaye Wells|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1363818424p2/1938234.jpg]:
This is a great story! I really liked the carnival in this one: the evil ringmistress was a fabulous (and fabulously creepy) character. I especially liked the ending to this story:I cheered when Brad found his backbone, stood up to Annie, and then joined the carnival and left her. She's a bully and he's well rid of her. :)
4 stars: The Cold Girl by [a:Rachel Caine|15292|Rachel Caine|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1373144795p2/15292.jpg]:
This story was dark and gritty; I liked it. I also liked that despite what was otherwise a depressing tale, Rachel Caine gave it a happy ending that worked. Her protagonist, Kiley,was blind, but I have hope that she'll have clear sight throughout her second chance at life. And I'm very glad she was able to vanquish the evil Jamie.
The Cold Girl was a vampire of a different sort than any I can recall reading of before, and her carnival of immortals seeking out other victims for invitations to join them were all very intriguing. All in all, I really liked this story. :)
3.5 stars: A Duet with Darkness by [a:Allison Pang|3965895|Allison Pang|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1292699868p2/3965895.jpg]:
This was a good story. I think I would have liked it more had it been prefaced differently. It said it was "an Abby Sinclair Short Story, " so when Mel gave her name and said that she rarely gives it out, I thought she must be Abby. (I should probably note here that I haven't yet read any of the Abby books.) Instead, Mel is Abby's former roommate. That was the whole of Abby's presence in this story. So the preface was very misleading and ultimately opened me to disappointment in what was otherwise a very enjoyable story.
4.5 stars: Recession of the Divine by [a:Hillary Jacques|6568888|Hillary Jacques|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1374967473p2/6568888.jpg]:
I really enjoyed this story; it was great! The characters of Olivia and Thalia were such fun that I hope they're in a series so I can read more of them. I really liked the humor. My one complaint is that the story was sort of hard to follow, but by the end, and in retrospect, it all made perfect sense. :)
4.5 stars: Parlor Tricks by [a:Jennifer Estep|580315|Jennifer Estep|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1264385515p2/580315.jpg]:
This fun story featured a different type of evil ringmistress (anAir elemental using her powers to rob innocents of their beauty ), but she was no match for my favorite assassin and her sister: they're a great team! And this was a great story. I really need to restart this series. :)
4 stars: Freak House by [a:Kelly Meding|2846074|Kelly Meding|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1234728067p2/2846074.jpg]:
I really enjoyed the mix of paranormal creatures in this story: djinn, werewolves, a shifter/skin-walker, a leprechaun, a harpy, pixies...a fun mix! The defeat of the evil warlock seemed too simple by contrast. But I'm now very curious about the series that's set in this world. :)
4 stars: The Inside Man by [a:Nicole Peeler|2895111|Nicole Peeler|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1239307690p2/2895111.jpg]:
This great story is sadly downgraded a half star due to its misleading preface. It said this was/is "a Jane True Short Story," but Jane True was not even mentioned in it. As with the other story in this collection with a misleading preface, I have not yet read any books in the referenced series. Perhaps I'll find Capitola Jones, Shar and Moo in those books when I get around to reading them. I hope so, as their detective agency definitely warrants further exploration, as does their world: any world with a manticore crime boss is one I want to read more of!
4.5 stars: A Chance in Hell by [a:Jackie Kessler|213510|Jackie Kessler|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1264553971p2/213510.jpg]:
I really liked this story! It was great! Jezebel is one former demon I must read more about: How did she become human? Why is she the one who has to challenge the King of Hell for the throne? Who and what all are her housemates and how are they all training her? How did she get her Fury sword? I have lots of questions, so I hope Jez is a series character so I can have chances to get answers.
Plus, it'd be nice to learn if there are any consequences for killing a Duke of Hell. Not to mention: Is Amaymon really dead? Or did Jez just forcibly end his possession of the barker? :)
4 stars: Hell's Menagerie by [a:Kelly Gay|2869203|Kelly Gay|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1251298513p2/2869203.jpg]:
I really liked this story, too! (I know, I know... I've said that about most all the stories in this anthology. But it's the truth!) This one said it was a Charlie Madigan short story, and it was, sort of: her daughter, Emma, and Rex, the former jinn now inhabiting Emma's dad's body (I have got to read this series to find out how that happened) were the primary characters; Charlie was out of town on a rescue mission.
Emma has some neat powers that need further exploration: she can talk to and influence hellhounds and trolls and presumably others, and she was able tosomehow blow guards away from her hellhound. How? Like I said, I need to read this series and hopefully I'll find out how. Besides, the three worlds (Heaven, Hell and Earth) living more or less harmoniously should definitely make for fun stories. :)
4.5 stars: Daughter of the Midway, the Mermaid, and the Open, Lonely Sea by [a:Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg]:
This story was very poignant. I think it may also have been the only story where theevil was found in town, rather than at the carnival.
I was quite saddened at the end when Ada lost her memories after jumping in the lake to save herself. She remembered some stuff, though, so maybe she spent enough time dry that she'll get all her memories back. That's what I'm hoping, at least. In any event, this was a great story. :)
Overall rating for this anthology: 4.5 stars - great!
It took five days but I finally finished this great collection of stories. I wish my life could take a hint and leave me alone to read, but sadly other things do intrude all too often. But I really, really enjoyed this anthology. And it was kind of nice to read it over five days: that gave me more time to savor the stories. :)
I really liked this collection, and I really liked doing my review story-by-story. When I read them all again - and I will, since this book is going on my must-buy shelf :) - I'll be able to just update the stories I want to record new thoughts for. I have several new series to read, and several series to get back to, so I imagine I will have new thoughts - and possibly new ratings, too - when I reread this book. But that's part of the fun in reading anything: there's always something new to find and or feel with each read of any book. :)
My first-read thoughts on each story are below. I enjoyed them all! :)
4 stars: Painted Love by [a:Rob Thurman|121825|Rob Thurman|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1310421838p2/121825.jpg]:
I really liked this story, although I found it sort of confusing. I suspected Doodle
4 stars: The Three Lives of Lydia by [a:Delilah S. Dawson|5135449|Delilah S. Dawson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1350044135p2/5135449.jpg]:
I was loving this story until the ending. This is the second Blud story I've read (the first was [b:Wicked as They Come|19722834|Wicked as They Come (Blud)|Delilah S. Dawson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1387730586s/19722834.jpg|17362398]) and both have disappointed me with their final moments. I read most of this story thinking "this is great! I need to continue this series after all!" But then that ending...
But overall I did really enjoy this story. However, I remain unsure as to whether or not I'll read book two in the series. I don't think I could bear it if that one has an enjoyable storyline but a disappointing ending, too.
5 stars: The Demon Barker of Wheat Street by [a:Kevin Hearne|4414255|Kevin Hearne|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1289238438p2/4414255.jpg]:
This story was, quite simply, amazing! It was prefaced by a note that said it is set six years after book four in the Iron Druid Chronicles, and I began it feeling somewhat nervous that I'd be lost since I've so far just read the first book. However, I worried for naught as I was soon so caught up in the action that it seemed as if no time had passed. This was primarily due to Kevin Hearne's fantastic storytelling, but also was thanks to my remembering the three main characters (Atticus, Oberon, and Granuaile; I adore Oberon!) from [b:Hounded|9533378|Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #1)|Kevin Hearne|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327883998s/9533378.jpg|14419515]. :)
This story made me chuckle at the humor, smile hugely at (and with!) Oberon, tense up over the events on the Hell side of the carnival tent, and shudder when the
4.5 stars: The Sweeter the Juice by [a:Mark Henry|848968|Mark Henry|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1380690618p2/848968.jpg]:
This story was great, in an "I cringed practically from the get-go" way. :) I liked that the main character was a transsexual. Mark Henry wrote her story well. I strongly suspect, however, that poor Jade is now the
4.5 stars: The Werewife by [a:Jaye Wells|1938234|Jaye Wells|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1363818424p2/1938234.jpg]:
This is a great story! I really liked the carnival in this one: the evil ringmistress was a fabulous (and fabulously creepy) character. I especially liked the ending to this story:
4 stars: The Cold Girl by [a:Rachel Caine|15292|Rachel Caine|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1373144795p2/15292.jpg]:
This story was dark and gritty; I liked it. I also liked that despite what was otherwise a depressing tale, Rachel Caine gave it a happy ending that worked. Her protagonist, Kiley,
The Cold Girl was a vampire of a different sort than any I can recall reading of before, and her carnival of immortals seeking out other victims for invitations to join them were all very intriguing.
3.5 stars: A Duet with Darkness by [a:Allison Pang|3965895|Allison Pang|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1292699868p2/3965895.jpg]:
This was a good story. I think I would have liked it more had it been prefaced differently. It said it was "an Abby Sinclair Short Story, " so when Mel gave her name and said that she rarely gives it out, I thought she must be Abby. (I should probably note here that I haven't yet read any of the Abby books.) Instead, Mel is Abby's former roommate. That was the whole of Abby's presence in this story. So the preface was very misleading and ultimately opened me to disappointment in what was otherwise a very enjoyable story.
4.5 stars: Recession of the Divine by [a:Hillary Jacques|6568888|Hillary Jacques|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1374967473p2/6568888.jpg]:
I really enjoyed this story; it was great! The characters of Olivia and Thalia were such fun that I hope they're in a series so I can read more of them. I really liked the humor. My one complaint is that the story was sort of hard to follow, but by the end, and in retrospect, it all made perfect sense. :)
4.5 stars: Parlor Tricks by [a:Jennifer Estep|580315|Jennifer Estep|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1264385515p2/580315.jpg]:
This fun story featured a different type of evil ringmistress (an
4 stars: Freak House by [a:Kelly Meding|2846074|Kelly Meding|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1234728067p2/2846074.jpg]:
I really enjoyed the mix of paranormal creatures in this story: djinn, werewolves, a shifter/skin-walker, a leprechaun, a harpy, pixies...a fun mix! The defeat of the evil warlock seemed too simple by contrast. But I'm now very curious about the series that's set in this world. :)
4 stars: The Inside Man by [a:Nicole Peeler|2895111|Nicole Peeler|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1239307690p2/2895111.jpg]:
This great story is sadly downgraded a half star due to its misleading preface. It said this was/is "a Jane True Short Story," but Jane True was not even mentioned in it. As with the other story in this collection with a misleading preface, I have not yet read any books in the referenced series. Perhaps I'll find Capitola Jones, Shar and Moo in those books when I get around to reading them. I hope so, as their detective agency definitely warrants further exploration, as does their world: any world with a manticore crime boss is one I want to read more of!
4.5 stars: A Chance in Hell by [a:Jackie Kessler|213510|Jackie Kessler|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1264553971p2/213510.jpg]:
I really liked this story! It was great! Jezebel is one former demon I must read more about: How did she become human? Why is she the one who has to challenge the King of Hell for the throne? Who and what all are her housemates and how are they all training her? How did she get her Fury sword? I have lots of questions, so I hope Jez is a series character so I can have chances to get answers.
4 stars: Hell's Menagerie by [a:Kelly Gay|2869203|Kelly Gay|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1251298513p2/2869203.jpg]:
I really liked this story, too! (I know, I know... I've said that about most all the stories in this anthology. But it's the truth!) This one said it was a Charlie Madigan short story, and it was, sort of: her daughter, Emma, and Rex, the former jinn now inhabiting Emma's dad's body (I have got to read this series to find out how that happened) were the primary characters; Charlie was out of town on a rescue mission.
Emma has some neat powers that need further exploration: she can talk to and influence hellhounds and trolls and presumably others, and she was able to
4.5 stars: Daughter of the Midway, the Mermaid, and the Open, Lonely Sea by [a:Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg]:
This story was very poignant. I think it may also have been the only story where the
I was quite saddened at the end when Ada lost her memories after jumping in the lake to save herself. She remembered some stuff, though, so maybe she spent enough time dry that she'll get all her memories back.
angielisle's review
5.0
A collection of Urban Fantasy short stories that reminded me of the anthologies edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois. This collection has been dubbed Paranormal Romance and the title technically fits but there's a strong Horror element here that shouldn't be overlooked.
I enjoyed how this book approached the concept of love, showing it in a diverse manner. There's one or two stories with a lovey-dovey feature, but many display the love among family or friends close enough to be family. Erotica appears in only a couple of the stories.
And, speaking of diverse, Mark Henry's story, The Sweeter the Juice, has a transgendered main character. It's one of my favorite stories from this collection.
So, yeah, love appears in this book but every story is augmented by something not so nice. Horror. Despair. Strange characters with sociopathic tendencies. The opening story, Painted Love by Rob Thurman, displayed a bad guy that creeped me out and Nicole Peeler's back story in The Inside Man, an incestuous father, gave me the willies (I added Peeler to my reading list just so I can find out WTF is up with that plot line).
I took my time reading this book, like I do most short story collections (one story a night). I mourned when this book was over - it introduced me to several authors I added to my to-read list.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
I enjoyed how this book approached the concept of love, showing it in a diverse manner. There's one or two stories with a lovey-dovey feature, but many display the love among family or friends close enough to be family. Erotica appears in only a couple of the stories.
And, speaking of diverse, Mark Henry's story, The Sweeter the Juice, has a transgendered main character. It's one of my favorite stories from this collection.
So, yeah, love appears in this book but every story is augmented by something not so nice. Horror. Despair. Strange characters with sociopathic tendencies. The opening story, Painted Love by Rob Thurman, displayed a bad guy that creeped me out and Nicole Peeler's back story in The Inside Man, an incestuous father, gave me the willies (I added Peeler to my reading list just so I can find out WTF is up with that plot line).
I took my time reading this book, like I do most short story collections (one story a night). I mourned when this book was over - it introduced me to several authors I added to my to-read list.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
lunakay's review
5.0
I loved it. Just that simple. And it introduced me to authors and series that I know I'll be looking into.
saparson's review
2.0
Not as impressed as I'd hoped to be. Enjoyed and drawn in by "The Daughter of the Midway: the Mermaid" and "The Cold Girl". Would like to see other examples of Urban Fantasy by other authors.
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