Scan barcode
A review by redbluemoon
Warriors by George R.R. Martin
4.0
This is a mixed bag for me: some short stories were excellent, others weren't made for me at all. I felt like there were holes in the book, with an accumulation of stories I didn't particularly like.
Just like [b:Dangerous Women|17279560|Dangerous Women|George R.R. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1370759802s/17279560.jpg|19236677] and [b:Rogues|20168816|Rogues|George R.R. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404616147s/20168816.jpg|27565413], this collection begins with an introduction by one of the editors, here, George R. R. Martin. It was quite like one of the others I already read, but still, I find them very enticing: the reader really wants to dive into the book after that!
Just a little remark before we begin: contrary to the two other anthologies, this one features many more male authors than female authors!
- "The King of Norway", Cecelia Holland | Historical fiction | 3 stars
I couldn't get attached to the characters, and I didn't understand all the maritime vocabulary used here. The ending kind of came out of nowhere. I wasn't into the story at all. And, for me, it was not really a good way to start the anthology.
- "Forever Bound", Joe Halderman | SF | 5 stars
I looooooooove this story!! The writing style is good, I grew attached to the characters (thanks to the pov). The system of bounding made me think of the coterie in the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. It was fascinating, but also quite frightening at the same time! I was shocked by the ending!!
It was so good that I would really like to read another book by the author!!!
- "The Triumph", Robin Hobb | Historical fiction | 5 stars
Still adore Robin Hobb's way of writing! Moreover, the action is set in the Roman Empire, and deals with a friendship between two men. It was beautiful to read, and so sad at the same time. Probably my favorite story! So, still in love with this author!
- "Clean Slate", Lawrence Block | Thriller | 5 stars
I was completely drawn into this short story! We follow this woman whom the reader can't really trust, and her counting of the men she slept with. It's the first story with a female character as the protagonist! I think we can put it in the psychological thriller genre: madness seems to creep into the story, and it was quite frightening! The character is clearly unreliable, and the reader don't know what to think until the very end! There are heavy topics mentioned, such as rape and incest.
- "And Ministers of Grace", Tad Williams | SF | 4.5-5 stars
This story deals with religious terrorism in the future; religion has been banished from Earth, and tries to conquer it anew thanks to attacks it seems. The main character is super interesting: it feels like he is semi-human, semi-robot, a kind of mutant. It was original, combined with the plot! I felt a strong social criticism through the theme of brain washing for terrorists, but also for rationalists! The ending was a little too abrupt - it's the only reason it's not a full 5-star-read!
- "Soldierin'", Joe R. Lansdale | Historical fiction | 3.5 stars
Clearly not my favorite, because this kind of story is not my type at all. We're in Texas, in the 1800s, and we follow former Black slaves - we know that because they mention their former owners. It was violent (but the other stories are too, so that's not the only reason why I didn't like it), and I didn't enjoy reading it. There were good parts, and good reflexions.
- "Dirae", Peter S. Beagle | SF | 4.5-5 stars
I'm so glad I finally discovered Beagle! This story was fascinating, even if it was quite hard to enter it, because it was quite confusing! The confusion is not there just to be there, but has a purpose: we are in the character's head, and it allows us to understand her. The reader sees through her eyes, lives what she lives. It was also really moving. I really can't wait to read novels by Beagle, mostly [b:The Last Unicorn|29127|The Last Unicorn (The Last Unicorn, #1)|Peter S. Beagle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1524764327s/29127.jpg|902304]!!
- "The Custom of the Army", Diana Gabaldon | Historical fiction | 3.5-4 stars
It's more of a 3.5 than a 4-star read I must admit. I like Diana Gabaldon's writing; the problem was that I couldn't help being distracted while I read the story. It was too long. Maybe I needed more context to appreciate the story more? The thing I liked was the battle scene, I was into it! But the rest was quite meh. (liked the mention of the Frasers!)
I still have [b:Outlander|10964|Outlander (Outlander, #1)|Diana Gabaldon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1529065012s/10964.jpg|2489796]to read!
- "Seven Years from Home", Naomi Novik | SF | 3.5-4 stars
I must admit I was quite disappointed here. I expected to love it! But it was strange, and quite confusing in the beginning. I didn't feel any attachment for the characters, but felt it for Melida itself. The writing was good, but I was not embarked in the story. And, I thought about Avatar from beginning to end!
I still want to read the Temeraire series (the first book being: [b:His Majesty's Dragon|28876|His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire, #1)|Naomi Novik|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1376392909s/28876.jpg|726205]), [b:Uprooted|22544764|Uprooted|Naomi Novik|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480121122s/22544764.jpg|41876730], [b:Spinning Silver|36896898|Spinning Silver|Naomi Novik|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513872748s/36896898.jpg|58657620].
- "The Eagle and the Rabbit", Steven Saylor | Historical fiction | 4.5-5 stars
First: Ancient World. So, for the setting, I was already in! It's very cruel, and very violent, as our characters are taken captive by a Roman mercenary who loves to play with his prisoners. The protagonists fall down one at a time, and it's quite painful to read. At the center of the story is the question of Freedom, what it is, and if we ever can be truly free. The ending was kind of frustrating:
I really can't wait to read novels by the author, like [b:Roma|75503|Roma (Roma, #1)|Steven Saylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388712965s/75503.jpg|73039] or [b:Roman Blood|102720|Roman Blood (Roma Sub Rosa, #1)|Steven Saylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388555429s/102720.jpg|2569207]!
- "The Pit", James Rollins | hard to categorise, I would say thrillerish | 4-4.5 stars
I didn't feel this story at all, from the beginning: it is about abused dogs. I just can't deal with that. But, I still read it. The pov is that of the dog himself, so it's even more painful to read. It's cruel, violent, heartbreaking. But, it's still very good! I predicted the ending; if it had been otherwise, I would have hated this story for sure! In a way
I really want to read novels by the author, and to reread the Banned and the Banished series, the first book being [b:Wit'ch Fire|872109|Wit'ch Fire (The Banned and the Banished, #1)|James Clemens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403170899s/872109.jpg|252443]!
- "Out of the Dark", David Weber | SF | 5 stars
I just could not not love this story!! It happens nowadays, so it's realistic SF, if I may say so. It was super easy for me to believe it, and to imagine it as something real! I now want a full novel about the Hegemony and these humans!
- "The Girls from Avenger", Carrie Vaughn | Historical fiction | 4.5 stars
This story was better for me than the one I read in Dangerous Women by the same author ("Raisa Stepanova"). It's still during WWII, and it's still about women during the war, how they were (mis)treated because they couldn't possibly participate in the war effort: here, flying. It deals with the forgotten women, the ones we don't speak about in school books! It was sad, and we can feel the characters' despair. It's so unfair! And it wouldn't surprise me if it were real! The revelation is just horrible, because it is so insignificant!
- "Ancient Ways", S. M. Stirling | SF | 3 stars
I wasn't into it at all, and there were better futuristic/SF short stories in this collection for me. It was still interesting, but nothing to match my favorites!
I made a break here, because I felt like the following short stories wouldn't be great (and, I must admit, I was a little sick to only read about war and warriors!)
- "Ninieslando", Howard Waldrop | Historical fiction | 3.5 stars
It was an original idea, and dealt with WWI, not WWII for a change. I loved the place the Esperanto takes here, as it is something quite forgotten by many people! But I was not captivated or really into it …
- "Recidivist", Gardner Dozois | SF | 4-4.5 stars
It was my first time reading Gardner Dozois, and I really liked it! It was original, not that far from us, and, at the same time, completely weird. It was quite hard to enter it at the beginning, and then I was into it, and wanted more - a novel about it all please! I loved the definition of robots, the difference between them and humans!
I'll try to read other works by Dozois!
- "My Name Is Legion", David Morrell | Historical fiction | 4 stars
It's about the French Foreign legion, and I think I never read anything about it before! It was really interesting and different - even if it's still warlike, of course. I thought it was honor at its worst, as the reader grows to understand that. It's during WWII, and is quite moving as the main character reveals his past and the reason why he entered the Legion.
- "Defenders of the Frontier", Robert Silverberg | Fantasy | 3.5-4 stars
People must defend a far away frontier for an Empire that seems to have forgotten them. The vision of women and other people was kind of borderline, and quite annoying - I don't attribute that to the author, but to the character, of course. It was quite harrowing at times: they are alone, completely and utterly. I would like to know the story of the Empire and all! The ending is a little frustrating and distressing, as we don't know what happens after that!
- "The Scroll", David Ball | Historical fiction | 4-4.5 stars
I liked the other stories I read by David Ball in the other anthologies; this one is no exception. Like the others in this book, it is quite violent and so cruel!! I was completely into it, and had goosebumps just thinking it could have been true. I hated the ending though. Really!!
- "The Mystery Knight", George R. R. Martin | Fantasy | 5 stars
It was the first time I picked up this kind of anthology, and didn't think it was exclusively for Martin's story!
I had a hard time in the beginning, as I didn't know Dunk and Egg at all - I have not read the other stories concerning them. So, it was also quite hard to understand the context. I have Dunk to thank for his explanations throughout the story! It felt good to be back in Westeros, even if it was with a character I didn't know and didn't care for in the beginning. I thought it was quite slow to pick up, but, after that, I was into it!
Can we please finally have The Winds of Winter?!!
So, overall, a good anthology, with really excellent stories, and others that really didn't suit me at all. I'm not quite the military type, but I was surprised to love some stories that had war and battle at their core!
Just like [b:Dangerous Women|17279560|Dangerous Women|George R.R. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1370759802s/17279560.jpg|19236677] and [b:Rogues|20168816|Rogues|George R.R. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1404616147s/20168816.jpg|27565413], this collection begins with an introduction by one of the editors, here, George R. R. Martin. It was quite like one of the others I already read, but still, I find them very enticing: the reader really wants to dive into the book after that!
Just a little remark before we begin: contrary to the two other anthologies, this one features many more male authors than female authors!
- "The King of Norway", Cecelia Holland | Historical fiction | 3 stars
I couldn't get attached to the characters, and I didn't understand all the maritime vocabulary used here. The ending kind of came out of nowhere. I wasn't into the story at all. And, for me, it was not really a good way to start the anthology.
- "Forever Bound", Joe Halderman | SF | 5 stars
I looooooooove this story!! The writing style is good, I grew attached to the characters (thanks to the pov). The system of bounding made me think of the coterie in the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. It was fascinating, but also quite frightening at the same time! I was shocked by the ending!!
It was so good that I would really like to read another book by the author!!!
- "The Triumph", Robin Hobb | Historical fiction | 5 stars
Still adore Robin Hobb's way of writing! Moreover, the action is set in the Roman Empire, and deals with a friendship between two men. It was beautiful to read, and so sad at the same time. Probably my favorite story! So, still in love with this author!
- "Clean Slate", Lawrence Block | Thriller | 5 stars
I was completely drawn into this short story! We follow this woman whom the reader can't really trust, and her counting of the men she slept with. It's the first story with a female character as the protagonist! I think we can put it in the psychological thriller genre: madness seems to creep into the story, and it was quite frightening! The character is clearly unreliable, and the reader don't know what to think until the very end! There are heavy topics mentioned, such as rape and incest.
- "And Ministers of Grace", Tad Williams | SF | 4.5-5 stars
This story deals with religious terrorism in the future; religion has been banished from Earth, and tries to conquer it anew thanks to attacks it seems. The main character is super interesting: it feels like he is semi-human, semi-robot, a kind of mutant. It was original, combined with the plot! I felt a strong social criticism through the theme of brain washing
Spoiler
embodied by this card placed in everybody's brain!- "Soldierin'", Joe R. Lansdale | Historical fiction | 3.5 stars
Clearly not my favorite, because this kind of story is not my type at all. We're in Texas, in the 1800s, and we follow former Black slaves - we know that because they mention their former owners. It was violent (but the other stories are too, so that's not the only reason why I didn't like it), and I didn't enjoy reading it. There were good parts, and good reflexions.
Spoiler
I felt like the death of the horse at the end was not necessary AT ALL, but it's just me- "Dirae", Peter S. Beagle | SF | 4.5-5 stars
I'm so glad I finally discovered Beagle! This story was fascinating, even if it was quite hard to enter it, because it was quite confusing!
Spoiler
The creation of a human being thanks to dreams, and this being is capable of acting: that's just awesome!- "The Custom of the Army", Diana Gabaldon | Historical fiction | 3.5-4 stars
It's more of a 3.5 than a 4-star read I must admit. I like Diana Gabaldon's writing; the problem was that I couldn't help being distracted while I read the story. It was too long. Maybe I needed more context to appreciate the story more? The thing I liked was the battle scene, I was into it! But the rest was quite meh. (liked the mention of the Frasers!)
I still have [b:Outlander|10964|Outlander (Outlander, #1)|Diana Gabaldon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1529065012s/10964.jpg|2489796]to read!
- "Seven Years from Home", Naomi Novik | SF | 3.5-4 stars
I must admit I was quite disappointed here. I expected to love it! But it was strange, and quite confusing in the beginning. I didn't feel any attachment for the characters, but felt it for Melida itself. The writing was good, but I was not embarked in the story. And, I thought about Avatar from beginning to end!
I still want to read the Temeraire series (the first book being: [b:His Majesty's Dragon|28876|His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire, #1)|Naomi Novik|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1376392909s/28876.jpg|726205]), [b:Uprooted|22544764|Uprooted|Naomi Novik|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480121122s/22544764.jpg|41876730], [b:Spinning Silver|36896898|Spinning Silver|Naomi Novik|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1513872748s/36896898.jpg|58657620].
- "The Eagle and the Rabbit", Steven Saylor | Historical fiction | 4.5-5 stars
First: Ancient World. So, for the setting, I was already in! It's very cruel, and very violent, as our characters are taken captive by a Roman mercenary who loves to play with his prisoners. The protagonists fall down one at a time, and it's quite painful to read. At the center of the story is the question of Freedom, what it is, and if we ever can be truly free. The ending was kind of frustrating:
Spoiler
did they succeed? did they die? were they taken back?!!I really can't wait to read novels by the author, like [b:Roma|75503|Roma (Roma, #1)|Steven Saylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388712965s/75503.jpg|73039] or [b:Roman Blood|102720|Roman Blood (Roma Sub Rosa, #1)|Steven Saylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388555429s/102720.jpg|2569207]!
- "The Pit", James Rollins | hard to categorise, I would say thrillerish | 4-4.5 stars
I didn't feel this story at all, from the beginning: it is about abused dogs. I just can't deal with that. But, I still read it. The pov is that of the dog himself, so it's even more painful to read. It's cruel, violent, heartbreaking. But, it's still very good! I predicted the ending; if it had been otherwise, I would have hated this story for sure! In a way
Spoiler
it shows that fighting dogs can still have a normal dog's life after some time, care, and love.I really want to read novels by the author, and to reread the Banned and the Banished series, the first book being [b:Wit'ch Fire|872109|Wit'ch Fire (The Banned and the Banished, #1)|James Clemens|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403170899s/872109.jpg|252443]!
- "Out of the Dark", David Weber | SF | 5 stars
I just could not not love this story!!
Spoiler
Man there's Dracula in it!!! How could I not love this?!! There were clues I couldn't miss, and I was so excited to understand, because I couldn't believe it!Spoiler
vampire- "The Girls from Avenger", Carrie Vaughn | Historical fiction | 4.5 stars
This story was better for me than the one I read in Dangerous Women by the same author ("Raisa Stepanova"). It's still during WWII, and it's still about women during the war, how they were (mis)treated because they couldn't possibly participate in the war effort: here, flying. It deals with the forgotten women, the ones we don't speak about in school books! It was sad, and we can feel the characters' despair. It's so unfair! And it wouldn't surprise me if it were real! The revelation is just horrible, because it is so insignificant!
- "Ancient Ways", S. M. Stirling | SF | 3 stars
I wasn't into it at all, and there were better futuristic/SF short stories in this collection for me. It was still interesting, but nothing to match my favorites!
I made a break here, because I felt like the following short stories wouldn't be great (and, I must admit, I was a little sick to only read about war and warriors!)
- "Ninieslando", Howard Waldrop | Historical fiction | 3.5 stars
It was an original idea, and dealt with WWI, not WWII for a change. I loved the place the Esperanto takes here, as it is something quite forgotten by many people! But I was not captivated or really into it …
- "Recidivist", Gardner Dozois | SF | 4-4.5 stars
It was my first time reading Gardner Dozois, and I really liked it! It was original, not that far from us, and, at the same time, completely weird. It was quite hard to enter it at the beginning, and then I was into it, and wanted more - a novel about it all please! I loved the definition of robots, the difference between them and humans!
I'll try to read other works by Dozois!
- "My Name Is Legion", David Morrell | Historical fiction | 4 stars
It's about the French Foreign legion, and I think I never read anything about it before! It was really interesting and different - even if it's still warlike, of course. I thought it was honor at its worst, as the reader grows to understand that
Spoiler
it is a fratricidal battle- "Defenders of the Frontier", Robert Silverberg | Fantasy | 3.5-4 stars
People must defend a far away frontier for an Empire that seems to have forgotten them. The vision of women and other people was kind of borderline, and quite annoying - I don't attribute that to the author, but to the character, of course. It was quite harrowing at times: they are alone, completely and utterly. I would like to know the story of the Empire and all! The ending is a little frustrating and distressing, as we don't know what happens after that!
- "The Scroll", David Ball | Historical fiction | 4-4.5 stars
I liked the other stories I read by David Ball in the other anthologies; this one is no exception. Like the others in this book, it is quite violent and so cruel!! I was completely into it, and had goosebumps just thinking it could have been true. I hated the ending though. Really!!
- "The Mystery Knight", George R. R. Martin | Fantasy | 5 stars
It was the first time I picked up this kind of anthology, and didn't think it was exclusively for Martin's story!
I had a hard time in the beginning, as I didn't know Dunk and Egg at all - I have not read the other stories concerning them. So, it was also quite hard to understand the context. I have Dunk to thank for his explanations throughout the story! It felt good to be back in Westeros, even if it was with a character I didn't know and didn't care for in the beginning. I thought it was quite slow to pick up, but, after that, I was into it!
Can we please finally have The Winds of Winter?!!
So, overall, a good anthology, with really excellent stories, and others that really didn't suit me at all. I'm not quite the military type, but I was surprised to love some stories that had war and battle at their core!