Helpful Score: 3
One of the best anthologies I've read in some time. Jim Butcher's Dresden short and Richardson's Greywalker contribution are outstanding and will thrill fans of either series. I haven't yet read any of Sniegoski's Remy Chandler series, but this was a great introduction and it is now on my list of must reads. The only disappointment in the bunch is the Nightside story, it starts like "A zombie, a PI and a dame walk into a bar..." and never gets to a punch line, emotionally flat and a little bit pretentious.
Helpful Score: 2
This included four novellas by wonderful authors. I was very excited to read both Butcher's and Green's stories since I love those series. I also was interested in reading Richardson's and Sniegoski's series since I really want to read those series. Overall I found the stories I expected to like were nothing special; the best of the bunch was Sniegoski's "Noah's Orphans." I think I was a bit disappointed with this book because I expected it to be really awesome.
- The Warrior by Jim Butcher
This story was about Michael and Harry trying to keep Michael's family safe from someone who wants to steal the two Holy Swords that Harry has been keeping hidden. Overall the story was okay, but seemed a bit tired to me. It was interesting to hear a bit more about why Harry has the holy swords. As a huge Dresden fan, I didn't think this was the best Dresden story I've read but it was kind of interesting. (4/5 stars)
- The Difference a Day Makes by Simon Green
This novella was set in the Nightside. John Taylor and Dead Boy were the main characters and are approached by a woman who wants Taylor to find a days worth of memories that she's lost. I realize that not everyone reads the Nightside series so a lot of the back story stuff was necessary. Still, a lot of the general description of the Nightside was taken word for word from other books. John Taylor spent a lot of the story ranting about how dangerous the Nightside is. I also didn't think that the characters were very engaging. Even Dead Boy was kind of disengaged for most of the story. An okay Nightside story but nothing awesome here. (3/5 stars)
- The Third Death of the Little Clay Dog by Kat Richardson
I have been interested in starting to read Richardson's Greywalker series. I was hoping this novella would give me some insight on how I would like her as a writer. This was another okay story but was nothing spectacular. Harper gets a black dog statue from an old woman's will; the old woman wants her to put the statue on a grave in Mexico and Harper doesn't know why. Of course there is more involved than Harper originally thinks. I thought Harper's ability to see into the Grey was kind of interesting, but not all that creative (reminded me of many other character abilities). The plot of the mystery got a bit confusing with a whole bunch of names involved where the reader never meets the people. Definitely not an action heavy series. Again an okay story, but didn't sell me on the Greywalker series as something I will love (3/5 stars)
- Noah's Orphans by Thomas E. Sniegoski
I have also been interested in reading Sniegoski's first Remy Chandler book "A Kiss Before the Apocalypse". This story was a Remy Chandler story and gave me a great feeling for Sniegoski's writing style. In this story Remy is approached by a dark angel who tells him Noah (yes, the arc guy) has been murdered. There is more to the story though Noah was trying to save the race that existed before humans, the race that God sent flooding to wipe out. It looked like God may have not succeeded though. Remy has to embrace his angelic nature against his will to solve Noah's mystery and possibly save humanity.
This was a great story. I couldn't believe how complex and interesting all of the characters were. The plot line was mysterious, interesting, and intricate. Remy was a character that I wanted to know more about. In my opinion this was the best story in the book and saved this anthology from being mearly blah. Great story, may offend the zealously religious though. (4/5 stars)
- The Warrior by Jim Butcher
This story was about Michael and Harry trying to keep Michael's family safe from someone who wants to steal the two Holy Swords that Harry has been keeping hidden. Overall the story was okay, but seemed a bit tired to me. It was interesting to hear a bit more about why Harry has the holy swords. As a huge Dresden fan, I didn't think this was the best Dresden story I've read but it was kind of interesting. (4/5 stars)
- The Difference a Day Makes by Simon Green
This novella was set in the Nightside. John Taylor and Dead Boy were the main characters and are approached by a woman who wants Taylor to find a days worth of memories that she's lost. I realize that not everyone reads the Nightside series so a lot of the back story stuff was necessary. Still, a lot of the general description of the Nightside was taken word for word from other books. John Taylor spent a lot of the story ranting about how dangerous the Nightside is. I also didn't think that the characters were very engaging. Even Dead Boy was kind of disengaged for most of the story. An okay Nightside story but nothing awesome here. (3/5 stars)
- The Third Death of the Little Clay Dog by Kat Richardson
I have been interested in starting to read Richardson's Greywalker series. I was hoping this novella would give me some insight on how I would like her as a writer. This was another okay story but was nothing spectacular. Harper gets a black dog statue from an old woman's will; the old woman wants her to put the statue on a grave in Mexico and Harper doesn't know why. Of course there is more involved than Harper originally thinks. I thought Harper's ability to see into the Grey was kind of interesting, but not all that creative (reminded me of many other character abilities). The plot of the mystery got a bit confusing with a whole bunch of names involved where the reader never meets the people. Definitely not an action heavy series. Again an okay story, but didn't sell me on the Greywalker series as something I will love (3/5 stars)
- Noah's Orphans by Thomas E. Sniegoski
I have also been interested in reading Sniegoski's first Remy Chandler book "A Kiss Before the Apocalypse". This story was a Remy Chandler story and gave me a great feeling for Sniegoski's writing style. In this story Remy is approached by a dark angel who tells him Noah (yes, the arc guy) has been murdered. There is more to the story though Noah was trying to save the race that existed before humans, the race that God sent flooding to wipe out. It looked like God may have not succeeded though. Remy has to embrace his angelic nature against his will to solve Noah's mystery and possibly save humanity.
This was a great story. I couldn't believe how complex and interesting all of the characters were. The plot line was mysterious, interesting, and intricate. Remy was a character that I wanted to know more about. In my opinion this was the best story in the book and saved this anthology from being mearly blah. Great story, may offend the zealously religious though. (4/5 stars)
I bought this book for the Dresden Files story which was great. Harry Dresden decides to become Michael's shadow in order to protect him. After receiving threatening photos of Michael in the mail, Harry knows that someone wants the swords that belong to the Knights of the Cross, or they will hurt his friend. Good story. My rating: 4 Stars.
I read this book for the Dresden story, but also read the others since they were there. I enjoyed the trip through the hidden London underworld, learning some local Mexican Day of the Dead family rituals, and an angel's view of the Flood's consequences that come to a head 5 millennium later. I'm intrigued enough to chase down more works by the other 3 authors.
This book is a very goo composite of 4 great writers. I have read2 of the four now and love what they write. If you're wanting to try something new, this can help with making some of that decision. Excellent sample of each of the four.
Excellent. Jim Butcher is one of my favorite authors and I really enjoyed this!
All four stories were fantastic.Not normally a fan of Simon Green
I'm a short story lover from way back. This book included an excellent Jim Butcher story and was a good introduction to the other authors in my opinion.
I didn't enjoy this book, and only bought it to read the short story that Jim Butcher contributed.
(A sort of "selective" review...)
I love the Dresden Files! This book contains four short stories from well-known authors, using their popular main character. I hadn't even heard of the the other three authors.
Harry Dresden is the only wizard listed in the phone book. Just don't ask him to make a love potion. In a previous book, Harry' friend and "co-worker" wields a Sword of the Cross but is critically injured during one of Harry's plans gone awry. Butcher doesn't tell you what happened to Michael, only alludes to him in a later book as "retired." This short story shows what Michael's life is like now, without the sword or full use of his body. Good enough tale, although not as intriguing as some of Butcher's longer plots.
Of the three other stories, I've decided that one author is definitely not worth my time, another is only so-so, but the third is interesting enough that I picked up the first book in her series earlier today.
I love the Dresden Files! This book contains four short stories from well-known authors, using their popular main character. I hadn't even heard of the the other three authors.
Harry Dresden is the only wizard listed in the phone book. Just don't ask him to make a love potion. In a previous book, Harry' friend and "co-worker" wields a Sword of the Cross but is critically injured during one of Harry's plans gone awry. Butcher doesn't tell you what happened to Michael, only alludes to him in a later book as "retired." This short story shows what Michael's life is like now, without the sword or full use of his body. Good enough tale, although not as intriguing as some of Butcher's longer plots.
Of the three other stories, I've decided that one author is definitely not worth my time, another is only so-so, but the third is interesting enough that I picked up the first book in her series earlier today.
