Most anthologies I've read are a series of hits and misses. You read one story and think Wow, that was really great; I very much enjoyed that one, then you turn the page to the next tale which leaves you thinking That was incredibly disappointing, not like the last one, and you hope the next one is better. Usually it balances out to about half and half, where half the stories are really good and make me glad I got the book, while the other half are really bad and make me feel like I was cheated out of half my money.
I've never read an anthology as overburdened with bad stories as Here Be Dragons. The majority of these short stories are terrible. They start from just plain boring and dull, and go all the way to downright insulting to the fans of DragonCon. The best of the worst get by on just being confusing and littered with unlikeable characters while the bottom of the pile feels the need to comment of the weight and unattractive looks of a con-attendee stereotype. Why would any of these writers think it okay for several of their stories to talk about DragonCon badge-holders being fat and ugly? And its not just one tale that does that; several of the authors wrote that in there!
The only one thats actually interesting is the last story, Pat the Magic Dragon by Jody Lynn Nye. Well written, interesting characters, wonderful set up, engaging story; I loved it enough that I wish a whole novel had been devoted to it, not just a short story. The one star Im giving this book belongs completely and totally to this story. None of these other stories are worthy to touch that star!
For the last story alone, I want to recommend the book because the tale was that good. But it is the only good thing this anthology brought about because the others are downright insulting. This 259 page book of short stories took me weeks to get through because I had to throw the book away in disgust after each story I read. I've never had such trouble with an anthology before but, when all but one of the DragonCon tales is awful, it makes this one a real chore to get through.
I've never read an anthology as overburdened with bad stories as Here Be Dragons. The majority of these short stories are terrible. They start from just plain boring and dull, and go all the way to downright insulting to the fans of DragonCon. The best of the worst get by on just being confusing and littered with unlikeable characters while the bottom of the pile feels the need to comment of the weight and unattractive looks of a con-attendee stereotype. Why would any of these writers think it okay for several of their stories to talk about DragonCon badge-holders being fat and ugly? And its not just one tale that does that; several of the authors wrote that in there!
The only one thats actually interesting is the last story, Pat the Magic Dragon by Jody Lynn Nye. Well written, interesting characters, wonderful set up, engaging story; I loved it enough that I wish a whole novel had been devoted to it, not just a short story. The one star Im giving this book belongs completely and totally to this story. None of these other stories are worthy to touch that star!
For the last story alone, I want to recommend the book because the tale was that good. But it is the only good thing this anthology brought about because the others are downright insulting. This 259 page book of short stories took me weeks to get through because I had to throw the book away in disgust after each story I read. I've never had such trouble with an anthology before but, when all but one of the DragonCon tales is awful, it makes this one a real chore to get through.
