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brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I liked A Questionable Client, but that's no surprise since I love the Kate Daniels series. 4 stars
I didn't really love Even Hand. I felt a bit lost while reading it. That's most likely because I've never read this series by Jim Butcher. I do have Storm Front on my TBR list. I'm still planning to read it, but I'm not super looking forward to it, if this short story is any indication. 3 stars
The premise behind The Beacon was really original. I think this worked as a short story, but I can't see there being enough to this to make a whole book. And, looking on the author's goodreads page, it looks like it's not part of a series. I'll just say, I liked this short story, but didn't necessarily like the writing enough to read anything else by the author." 3 1/2 stars
I loved Even a Rabbit Will Bite, even though I saw the ending coming a mile away. Rachel Caine is kind of a hit or miss author for me, but this one was really good. Maybe I should just stick to her short stories, if she has any more. 5 stars
I've never read anything by P.N. Elrod. I enjoyed Dark Lady quite a bit. It was in a really easy to read, fun style. I'm going to look for more of this series. 4 stars
I got about 5 pages into Beknighted before I realized I didn't actually have to read every story in the collection. I hated it. I definitely will be avoiding anything by this author in the future; just not my thing at all. 1 star
Shifting Star was okay. It was an original concept, very different from most urban fantasy I've read. But it was almost too different. I felt like I was thrown into a world where I had no idea what was going on, or what the rules were or anything. 2 stars
Rookwood & Mrs. King was okay, but was ultimately forgettable, and I won't be looking for anything else by this author. 3 stars
God's Creatures--pretty much the same as the previous story. 3 stars
Overall this collection was interesting, and I'm glad I read it. In the past I haven't really loved short stories, but for the most part these were good, or at least entertaining enough to enjoy the story.
I didn't really love Even Hand. I felt a bit lost while reading it. That's most likely because I've never read this series by Jim Butcher. I do have Storm Front on my TBR list. I'm still planning to read it, but I'm not super looking forward to it, if this short story is any indication. 3 stars
The premise behind The Beacon was really original. I think this worked as a short story, but I can't see there being enough to this to make a whole book. And, looking on the author's goodreads page, it looks like it's not part of a series. I'll just say, I liked this short story, but didn't necessarily like the writing enough to read anything else by the author." 3 1/2 stars
I loved Even a Rabbit Will Bite, even though I saw the ending coming a mile away. Rachel Caine is kind of a hit or miss author for me, but this one was really good. Maybe I should just stick to her short stories, if she has any more. 5 stars
I've never read anything by P.N. Elrod. I enjoyed Dark Lady quite a bit. It was in a really easy to read, fun style. I'm going to look for more of this series. 4 stars
I got about 5 pages into Beknighted before I realized I didn't actually have to read every story in the collection. I hated it. I definitely will be avoiding anything by this author in the future; just not my thing at all. 1 star
Shifting Star was okay. It was an original concept, very different from most urban fantasy I've read. But it was almost too different. I felt like I was thrown into a world where I had no idea what was going on, or what the rules were or anything. 2 stars
Rookwood & Mrs. King was okay, but was ultimately forgettable, and I won't be looking for anything else by this author. 3 stars
God's Creatures--pretty much the same as the previous story. 3 stars
Overall this collection was interesting, and I'm glad I read it. In the past I haven't really loved short stories, but for the most part these were good, or at least entertaining enough to enjoy the story.
e_money_the_cat's review against another edition
2.0
Don’t get me wrong, some of the stories were pretty good! But overall I was kinda wanting to wrap things up already.
One of the stories had a vampire who owned a nightclub in 1930s Chicago that was haunted by a ghost. The ghost is cool though and she can only communicate by doing ghostly things, like flicking the lights. I enjoyed this one the most.
Another one had a lady dragonslayer who was commissioned by the pope to train up a new protege slayer to take on the last dragon. Good twist at the end. Fun stuff!
If the other ones were as equally good as those two I’d probably rate this one higher.
Anyways two n a half meows for this book overall.
One of the stories had a vampire who owned a nightclub in 1930s Chicago that was haunted by a ghost. The ghost is cool though and she can only communicate by doing ghostly things, like flicking the lights. I enjoyed this one the most.
Another one had a lady dragonslayer who was commissioned by the pope to train up a new protege slayer to take on the last dragon. Good twist at the end. Fun stuff!
If the other ones were as equally good as those two I’d probably rate this one higher.
Anyways two n a half meows for this book overall.
spikeanderson1's review against another edition
3.0
urban fantasy, all solid stories, with notable pieces by:Jim Butcher, Vicki Pettersson and Lilleth Saintcrow. I'm curious to check out some of other compilations put together by pn Elrod.
charitypink's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good short stories by authors I've read before. Still need to check out PN Elrod's Jack Fleming series.
indecisivesailorscout's review against another edition
3.0
Anthologies are always a bit of a hit-or-miss with me, but luckily this one had more hits than I expected. Definitely made better by my previous introduction to several of these authors before I read this, otherwise I don't think I would have liked their stories as much (Carrie and Vicki especially!) Jim Butcher and Ilona Andrews came out on top, unsurprisingly. A nice, fun romp of a collection.
mamap's review against another edition
4.0
I don't normally like short stories. This, however, was filled with authors and characters that I was already familiar with - probably why I liked them!
Vicki Petterssson "Experience is what happens when you don't get what you want in life."
Vicki Petterssson "Experience is what happens when you don't get what you want in life."
lectorliber04's review against another edition
5.0
Reading a group of short stories is the best way of getting a taste of which authors one might enjoy. I confirmed that Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher and Vicki Pettersson are authors I would love to explore some more. Three stories stood out for me. A Questionable Client by Ilona Andrews portrayed the kind of heroine I like. Kate is one strong, smart and very sassy girl. Shifting Star by Vicki Pettersson gifted me with another strong heroine in Skamar and Jim Butcher's Even Hand reminded me of those old movies from the forties and fifties, mostly it reminded me of Humphrey Bogart. P. N. Elrod's Dark Lady I also liked. Paranormal is becoming one of my favourite genres.
misterjay's review against another edition
4.0
A Questionable Client by Ilona Andrews
Interesting new take on the vampire hunter trope. Lots of fun. I hadn't heard (read) any stories featuring Kate Daniels but I'm very interested in checking a few out after hearing this one. 4/5
Even Hand by Jim Butcher
This is a look into one of my favorite baddies from the Dresden books, John Marcone. We find out just a little bit more about the Gentleman, and his particular code. And what he'll do to keep it. Fun and easy to listen to. 4/5
The Beacon by Shannon K. Butcher
Like all the best anti-heroes, Ryder Ward is both hard to like and hard to dislike. And like most anti-heroes, he often does the wrong thing for the right reasons, like failing to shoot a little girl no matter how many die as a consequence. 3/5
Even a Rabbit Will Bite by Rachel Caine
Although it took a bit longer than I felt was really necessary to get going, I liked where the story ended up. There have been a lot of stories about dragons and dragon slayers, but I've not read any like this. 4/5
Dark Lady by P.N. Elrod
It's been at least 20 years since I read a Jack Fleming novel; this story has made me want to go right back to the beginning and devour them all. This story has gangsters, money gone missing, nightclubs, and a helpful ghost. Fun. 5/5
Beknighted by Deidre Knight
I liked the idea here, about an artist who finds herself in the middle of a battle between a knight and the Devil all the while trying to use her talents to help, but the writing was a little too florid for me. 3/5
Shifting Star by Vicki Pettersson
This is one of those stories that I think I would have liked a lot more if it had been novel length, with enough time to go into who, exactly, everyone is and why their motivations are what they are. Interesting idea, but not enough for me to really get into. 2/5
Rookwood and Mrs. King by Lilith Saintcrow
The vampire detective thing has been done a bit by now, but this is a nice take on the idea all the same. Rookwood is a good character and I'd happily read more if he shows up in his own series sometime. 4/5
God's Creatures by Carrie Vaughn
I've got no idea who this Cormac guy is, but I want to start reading the books about him. I really enjoyed this wolf hunter story. 4/5
Interesting new take on the vampire hunter trope. Lots of fun. I hadn't heard (read) any stories featuring Kate Daniels but I'm very interested in checking a few out after hearing this one. 4/5
Even Hand by Jim Butcher
This is a look into one of my favorite baddies from the Dresden books, John Marcone. We find out just a little bit more about the Gentleman, and his particular code. And what he'll do to keep it. Fun and easy to listen to. 4/5
The Beacon by Shannon K. Butcher
Like all the best anti-heroes, Ryder Ward is both hard to like and hard to dislike. And like most anti-heroes, he often does the wrong thing for the right reasons, like failing to shoot a little girl no matter how many die as a consequence. 3/5
Even a Rabbit Will Bite by Rachel Caine
Although it took a bit longer than I felt was really necessary to get going, I liked where the story ended up. There have been a lot of stories about dragons and dragon slayers, but I've not read any like this. 4/5
Dark Lady by P.N. Elrod
It's been at least 20 years since I read a Jack Fleming novel; this story has made me want to go right back to the beginning and devour them all. This story has gangsters, money gone missing, nightclubs, and a helpful ghost. Fun. 5/5
Beknighted by Deidre Knight
I liked the idea here, about an artist who finds herself in the middle of a battle between a knight and the Devil all the while trying to use her talents to help, but the writing was a little too florid for me. 3/5
Shifting Star by Vicki Pettersson
This is one of those stories that I think I would have liked a lot more if it had been novel length, with enough time to go into who, exactly, everyone is and why their motivations are what they are. Interesting idea, but not enough for me to really get into. 2/5
Rookwood and Mrs. King by Lilith Saintcrow
The vampire detective thing has been done a bit by now, but this is a nice take on the idea all the same. Rookwood is a good character and I'd happily read more if he shows up in his own series sometime. 4/5
God's Creatures by Carrie Vaughn
I've got no idea who this Cormac guy is, but I want to start reading the books about him. I really enjoyed this wolf hunter story. 4/5
barbtrek's review against another edition
4.0
A nice variety of stories. No duds in the group, though I liked some more than others.