Scan barcode
A review by evalynex
Sword and Sorceress I by Phyllis Ann Karr, Robin Wayne Bailey, Anodea Judith, Deborah Wheeler, Dorothy J. Heydt, Stephen L. Burns, Janet Fox, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Diana L. Paxson, Charles de Lint, Jennifer Roberson, Michael Ward, Charles R. Saunders, Pat Murphy, Glen Cook, Emma Bull
2.0
Overall, I found the book as a whole underwhelming. There are some really good gems in there, but for the most part, I would have only kept on story and maybe another if it was ever expanded on. It really shouldn't have taken me so long to read this book but I kept getting bored with certain stories that I ended up reading two different books and finishing them while slowly making my way through these.
-The Garnet and The Glory: Thorn's complete disrespect for animals was a real negative force on this story. Other than that, it was just okay. I liked that one person's magic would change depending on the world and magic developed differently, often shaping the culture.
-Severed Heads: I almost didn't read this one when I skimmed the forward by MZB and she said it contained rape. But I gave it a try anyway and it was okay. Narrimam was interesting and I appreciated that she and her father did not hate the child that was resulted from rape. I also appreciated that Narrimam was headstrong and stubborn before the rape happened - that her strong will wasn't a result of the rape.
-Taking Heart: This one was pure fun - Clea outsmarting Raalt, proving to be the better thief, despite her small frame. I would read a full-length book on Clea....as long as not all her witty plots where her seducing and running out on her target.
-The Rending Dark: I actually really enjoyed this one - Kit and Marya make an odd but funny pair that I totally ship together. The plot was interesting and came full circle - it didn't feel like an excerpt of a book and could stand alone, though I would also have loved a full length novel about these two women.
-Gimmile's Songs: It was okay. I appreciate the variety of cultures found in the collection of short stories, but this yet another "magic induced consent" and it's just not a good story element.
-The Valley of the Troll: Eh. Boring in my opinion.
-Imperatrix: Eh. It was okay but the whole thing felt rushed and I felt that if the author had left it at Charalldana leaving the service of the lord, it would have been a much stronger ending, rather than rushing it into her confronting her brother and claiming the thrown right outside the gate.
-Blood of Sorcery: I really enjoyed that one - enough action to keep you interested and enough history to give you good handle on the setting with a plotline that fit the length of the story.
-With Four Lean Hounds: Love the writing style - I felt almost like I was physically wrapped up in this story. I am half tempted to keep the book just for this one story. I won't but this was just THAT good of a story.
-House in the Forest: Very interesting! Enjoyed reading this....even if I was hoping for a haunted house story at first! Still, I enjoyed it.
-Sword of Yraine: It was okay. I like that Shaana found purpose in protecting the girls and the temple.
-Daton and the Dead Things: It was a fun style of story telling, but ultimately left me going "eh".
-Gate of the Damned: I honestly didn't like a single thing about this story. None at all.
-Child of Orcus: I was really enjoying it - right up till the end where Diana starts to barter with Orcus to save that murdering jackass, Decius. I hate when people are shown mercy just because they once did and created beautiful things - once a murdering jackass, always a murdering jackass.
-Things Come in Threes: That was weird. Very weird. I can't say that I didn't like it....but I can't say I liked it.
-The Garnet and The Glory: Thorn's complete disrespect for animals was a real negative force on this story. Other than that, it was just okay. I liked that one person's magic would change depending on the world and magic developed differently, often shaping the culture.
-Severed Heads: I almost didn't read this one when I skimmed the forward by MZB and she said it contained rape. But I gave it a try anyway and it was okay. Narrimam was interesting and I appreciated that she and her father did not hate the child that was resulted from rape. I also appreciated that Narrimam was headstrong and stubborn before the rape happened - that her strong will wasn't a result of the rape.
-Taking Heart: This one was pure fun - Clea outsmarting Raalt, proving to be the better thief, despite her small frame. I would read a full-length book on Clea....as long as not all her witty plots where her seducing and running out on her target.
-The Rending Dark: I actually really enjoyed this one - Kit and Marya make an odd but funny pair that I totally ship together. The plot was interesting and came full circle - it didn't feel like an excerpt of a book and could stand alone, though I would also have loved a full length novel about these two women.
-Gimmile's Songs: It was okay. I appreciate the variety of cultures found in the collection of short stories, but this yet another "magic induced consent" and it's just not a good story element.
-The Valley of the Troll: Eh. Boring in my opinion.
-Imperatrix: Eh. It was okay but the whole thing felt rushed and I felt that if the author had left it at Charalldana leaving the service of the lord, it would have been a much stronger ending, rather than rushing it into her confronting her brother and claiming the thrown right outside the gate.
-Blood of Sorcery: I really enjoyed that one - enough action to keep you interested and enough history to give you good handle on the setting with a plotline that fit the length of the story.
-With Four Lean Hounds: Love the writing style - I felt almost like I was physically wrapped up in this story. I am half tempted to keep the book just for this one story. I won't but this was just THAT good of a story.
-House in the Forest: Very interesting! Enjoyed reading this....even if I was hoping for a haunted house story at first! Still, I enjoyed it.
-Sword of Yraine: It was okay. I like that Shaana found purpose in protecting the girls and the temple.
-Daton and the Dead Things: It was a fun style of story telling, but ultimately left me going "eh".
-Gate of the Damned: I honestly didn't like a single thing about this story. None at all.
-Child of Orcus: I was really enjoying it - right up till the end where Diana starts to barter with Orcus to save that murdering jackass, Decius. I hate when people are shown mercy just because they once did and created beautiful things - once a murdering jackass, always a murdering jackass.
-Things Come in Threes: That was weird. Very weird. I can't say that I didn't like it....but I can't say I liked it.