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As so often with anthologies, When Swords Fall Silent has some stories I loved, some I liked, and one that didn't really work for me.
Overall the quality was really high, and I enjoyed the read!
Here's a bit about each story:
May Luck Be with You by Michael J. Sullivan:
What a joy, especially if you are a fan of Royce (in this case minus Hadrian).
This is an origin story, and I loved to see where he came from and what brought him on his way to where we meet him in the main series.
War Powers by Jonathan French:
I'm not a fan of nazi stories, or alternate history blended with scifi.
I've had enough Nazis in German school curriculums, and sadly again when I watch the news these days… However the characters are good, and so I still enjoyed it, despite not being a favourite.
Mortopia by M.L. Wang:
This one also definitely lived through the characters. The story I found a bit weird, and I'm not sure the setting in the far future really managed to convince me. The morality question posed was intriguing though!
The Twists of Fate by Peter Flannery:
Another one that is fine, just not exactly my favourite flavour. I'm not really into Fae mostly, but I did like the bit of banter and dialogue enough to keep me happy.
Tabula Rasa: Training Day by Luke Chmilenko:
While I generally like LitRPG and progression fantasy, this one didn't do it for me at all. For a quick story the character creation was way too long winded. I'm fine with it for a good long book, when I want to know all.the other options, so I understand the world. Here it just felt slow. I also didn't really click with any of the characters.
Dead Run by RJ Barker:
One of my favourites! Weird, dark and unexpected, just like I came to expect from this author. I really enjoyed the setting, but the characters are what made this one stand out!
Pearl’s Price by Marie Brennan:
I was a bit neutral for most of this story, however the end really hit the nail on the head, and turned the story into something special I will think off for a while yet.
Sons of Nightfall by Philip C. Quaintrell:
Another one I really enjoyed! Ex assassin turned ranger now going up against other assassins? Count me in! I also really enjoyed the side characters and the banter. I hope this has a series that goes along with it, because I want to read more!
Why I’m Tired of Stones and Symphonies by Andrew Rowe:
I loved the unexpected direction this one went. Can't really say much without spoilers, but definitely a favourite!
Sword in the Shadows by Jay Boyce:
I have no real idea what this was about, but I liked the characters and the glimpse into the wider world. An assassin whose disguise is being a librarian? I'm intrigued!
The Ax of Lahareed by David Dalglish:
I liked the rebellion theme here, and the world was my main draw.
Ghost of the White Wood by JA Andrews:
I love the author's series, so having a little extra is a treat. It works well as a stand alone story, but you definitely get more out of it, if you know how it connects to the bigger picture.
A Simple Thing by Bryce O’Connor:
I adored the tone and voice here. The story itself was not that special, but the narration had me easily hooked! I'd happily read the whole “journal”, not just the little snippet.
Mission of Mercy by Terry Mancour:
While the twist was a bit predictable, I still really liked the set up and the questions about ethics and guilt.
Overall the quality was really high, and I enjoyed the read!
Here's a bit about each story:
May Luck Be with You by Michael J. Sullivan:
What a joy, especially if you are a fan of Royce (in this case minus Hadrian).
This is an origin story, and I loved to see where he came from and what brought him on his way to where we meet him in the main series.
War Powers by Jonathan French:
I'm not a fan of nazi stories, or alternate history blended with scifi.
I've had enough Nazis in German school curriculums, and sadly again when I watch the news these days… However the characters are good, and so I still enjoyed it, despite not being a favourite.
Mortopia by M.L. Wang:
This one also definitely lived through the characters. The story I found a bit weird, and I'm not sure the setting in the far future really managed to convince me. The morality question posed was intriguing though!
The Twists of Fate by Peter Flannery:
Another one that is fine, just not exactly my favourite flavour. I'm not really into Fae mostly, but I did like the bit of banter and dialogue enough to keep me happy.
Tabula Rasa: Training Day by Luke Chmilenko:
While I generally like LitRPG and progression fantasy, this one didn't do it for me at all. For a quick story the character creation was way too long winded. I'm fine with it for a good long book, when I want to know all.the other options, so I understand the world. Here it just felt slow. I also didn't really click with any of the characters.
Dead Run by RJ Barker:
One of my favourites! Weird, dark and unexpected, just like I came to expect from this author. I really enjoyed the setting, but the characters are what made this one stand out!
Pearl’s Price by Marie Brennan:
I was a bit neutral for most of this story, however the end really hit the nail on the head, and turned the story into something special I will think off for a while yet.
Sons of Nightfall by Philip C. Quaintrell:
Another one I really enjoyed! Ex assassin turned ranger now going up against other assassins? Count me in! I also really enjoyed the side characters and the banter. I hope this has a series that goes along with it, because I want to read more!
Why I’m Tired of Stones and Symphonies by Andrew Rowe:
I loved the unexpected direction this one went. Can't really say much without spoilers, but definitely a favourite!
Sword in the Shadows by Jay Boyce:
I have no real idea what this was about, but I liked the characters and the glimpse into the wider world. An assassin whose disguise is being a librarian? I'm intrigued!
The Ax of Lahareed by David Dalglish:
I liked the rebellion theme here, and the world was my main draw.
Ghost of the White Wood by JA Andrews:
I love the author's series, so having a little extra is a treat. It works well as a stand alone story, but you definitely get more out of it, if you know how it connects to the bigger picture.
A Simple Thing by Bryce O’Connor:
I adored the tone and voice here. The story itself was not that special, but the narration had me easily hooked! I'd happily read the whole “journal”, not just the little snippet.
Mission of Mercy by Terry Mancour:
While the twist was a bit predictable, I still really liked the set up and the questions about ethics and guilt.
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Most of them were really good and I enjoyed them. Some were ... Meh.
The Good:
May Luck Be with You - Micahel J. Sullivan: Just a fun, and fantastic look at this character. Made me want to read more about this character.
Tabula Rosa - Luke Chmilenk: Dude knows how to write LitRPG. By the end of it, I wanted a full-length of this particular character/world.
Sons of Nightfall - Phillip C Quaintrell: Ranger (assassin) who thwarts an assassination attempt on the son of the queen. Enjoyed the main character, and liked the idea of the mythical assassins guild. Will look more into this author and see if this world is expanded.
Why I'm tire of Stones and Symphonies - Andrew Rowe: This is the reason I bought the book. I love Rowe, and this world. The fact that it's a book about Wrynn? Hecks yes. It did not fail, I loved seeing this character (and some cameos from other beloved characters) in a timeframe we haven't seen before. Again, wish it were longer, and I had more.
The Ax of Lahareed - David Dalglish: "The Ax" murdered the regent, but then he mysteriously is still alive and well? Then the aftermath. Fun, great main character and her sister. Would love to get more.
A Simple Thing - Bryce O'Connor: The diary entry of a first kill. It was a very different read, but a good one. Much easier to follow (on the surface) than some of the others. But then you realize the narrator may be missing some pieces or making some of it up. Enjoyable.
Mission of Mercy - Terry Mancour: This one is a Trip. I won't put too much, but it was a mind game, and incredibly satisfying.
The other 5 stories were all fine, I don't think there was a bad one in the bunch, but also just kind of there. They didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
Overall, this is an anthology well worth reading.
The Good:
May Luck Be with You - Micahel J. Sullivan: Just a fun, and fantastic look at this character. Made me want to read more about this character.
Tabula Rosa - Luke Chmilenk: Dude knows how to write LitRPG. By the end of it, I wanted a full-length of this particular character/world.
Sons of Nightfall - Phillip C Quaintrell: Ranger (assassin) who thwarts an assassination attempt on the son of the queen. Enjoyed the main character, and liked the idea of the mythical assassins guild. Will look more into this author and see if this world is expanded.
Why I'm tire of Stones and Symphonies - Andrew Rowe: This is the reason I bought the book. I love Rowe, and this world. The fact that it's a book about Wrynn? Hecks yes. It did not fail, I loved seeing this character (and some cameos from other beloved characters) in a timeframe we haven't seen before. Again, wish it were longer, and I had more.
The Ax of Lahareed - David Dalglish: "The Ax" murdered the regent, but then he mysteriously is still alive and well? Then the aftermath. Fun, great main character and her sister. Would love to get more.
A Simple Thing - Bryce O'Connor: The diary entry of a first kill. It was a very different read, but a good one. Much easier to follow (on the surface) than some of the others. But then you realize the narrator may be missing some pieces or making some of it up. Enjoyable.
Mission of Mercy - Terry Mancour: This one is a Trip. I won't put too much, but it was a mind game, and incredibly satisfying.
The other 5 stories were all fine, I don't think there was a bad one in the bunch, but also just kind of there. They didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
Overall, this is an anthology well worth reading.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Favorite stories from this anthology were Sons of Nightfall, Ghost of the White Wood, and Mission of Mercy.
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No