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A review by bookaneer
The Book of Swords by Gardner Dozois
2.0
Anthologies are tricky, they say. For me, it's a gamble that over the years I found myself more on the losing side. This particular anthology, despite having many well-known authors, just cemented that conviction. I really should stop buying this time-wasting stuff, and focus more on story collection by a single (familiar) author instead.
In terms of enjoyment, I absolutely loved GRMM's story (which I read last year and briefly reviewed below) as well as Scott Lynch's The Smoke of Gold is Glory (my favorite of the whole bunch) and Daniel Abraham's The Mocking Tower (which world building I'd like to see more of). Is it coincidence that all of them are my favorite authors? Of course not.
Another story I enjoyed was CJ Cherryh's Hrunting, which was my first Cheryyh's work as well. The others were ranging between 1 to 3. The 1s were just boring and/or the style do not suit me. Lavie Tidhar's story Waterfalling was a bit disappointing since it was so convoluted and tried to pack too much. Rich Larson's The Colgrid Conundrum was alright (thank goodness) but I still wonder why it was included in this collection (no sword). But then, some stories also have no swords. I just don't buy the editor's note on one particular story still having 'the spirit of sword and sorcery'. But, what do I know, right?
So....yeah. This is probably going to be my last anthology with mixed authors. I'll play it safe next time after so many disappointment. I wish the publishers also sell individual stories instead.
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The Sons of the Dragon - George R.R. Martin
I finally caved in to the very strong urge of reading this not-so-new material of fake history. It is indeed a rough draft. There are some typos still. We will definitely see a more polished version of it in the Fire and Blood book whenever it comes out (it might be before The Winds of Winter if you believe George's blog). There are many, many new names, but I just need to applaud George for creating small but memorable characters. Dick Bean and Poxy Jeyne Poore are among them, no less than the more active and exposed characters like Tyanna of the Tower, Queen Alyssa Velaryon, and the badass Rhaena Targaryen.
In terms of plot, there's nothing new or unexpected. Maegor lived up to his nickname, The Cruel, ruling the land with fire and blood and his brother Aenys...was still a bad king nonetheless. Martin, however, paints his monsters with more than just one color. Even with most hated characters like Cersei Lannister, Joffrey Baratheon (or Waters?), Ramsay Bolton, and Gregor Clegane, Martin's villains had depth and weren't always clear-cut once you know their history.
Anyway, there's anything disappointing in this novella, maybe the lack of dragon duels considering the contenders for the crown still had lots of dragons. Balerion still rocked, though.
In terms of enjoyment, I absolutely loved GRMM's story (which I read last year and briefly reviewed below) as well as Scott Lynch's The Smoke of Gold is Glory (my favorite of the whole bunch) and Daniel Abraham's The Mocking Tower (which world building I'd like to see more of). Is it coincidence that all of them are my favorite authors? Of course not.
Another story I enjoyed was CJ Cherryh's Hrunting, which was my first Cheryyh's work as well. The others were ranging between 1 to 3. The 1s were just boring and/or the style do not suit me. Lavie Tidhar's story Waterfalling was a bit disappointing since it was so convoluted and tried to pack too much. Rich Larson's The Colgrid Conundrum was alright (thank goodness) but I still wonder why it was included in this collection (no sword). But then, some stories also have no swords. I just don't buy the editor's note on one particular story still having 'the spirit of sword and sorcery'. But, what do I know, right?
So....yeah. This is probably going to be my last anthology with mixed authors. I'll play it safe next time after so many disappointment. I wish the publishers also sell individual stories instead.
----------------------------------------------------------
The Sons of the Dragon - George R.R. Martin
I finally caved in to the very strong urge of reading this not-so-new material of fake history. It is indeed a rough draft. There are some typos still. We will definitely see a more polished version of it in the Fire and Blood book whenever it comes out (it might be before The Winds of Winter if you believe George's blog). There are many, many new names, but I just need to applaud George for creating small but memorable characters. Dick Bean and Poxy Jeyne Poore are among them, no less than the more active and exposed characters like Tyanna of the Tower, Queen Alyssa Velaryon, and the badass Rhaena Targaryen.
In terms of plot, there's nothing new or unexpected. Maegor lived up to his nickname, The Cruel, ruling the land with fire and blood and his brother Aenys...was still a bad king nonetheless. Martin, however, paints his monsters with more than just one color. Even with most hated characters like Cersei Lannister, Joffrey Baratheon (or Waters?), Ramsay Bolton, and Gregor Clegane, Martin's villains had depth and weren't always clear-cut once you know their history.
Anyway, there's anything disappointing in this novella, maybe the lack of dragon duels considering the contenders for the crown still had lots of dragons. Balerion still rocked, though.