Anthology - Bite
Overview:
Genre: Erotic Fantasy/Horror
Stars: 3 out of 5
Contains: graphic sex
Contributors: Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Angela Knight, Vickie Taylor
Authors' Websites: Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Angela Knight, Vickie Taylor
Published: 2005
My thoughts: "Bite" is a collection of five erotic vampire stories, by several well-known authors. It gives you an idea of what sort of stories each author writes.
I didn't mind the Hamilton one, though thought it more indicative of the later Blake novels than the original ones - she doesn't do much work, it's mostly being tempted by Jean-Claude.
The Harris story was alright, though I didn't think it gave a particularly good introduction to the world, though my misgivings may have more to do with my lack of enthusiasm about the entire series.
I can't stand Betsy. Davidson tries, and the story isn't bad, but as soon as Betsy (the main character in her main novels) joined the story, I was gritting my teeth.
I'm not sure if I like Knight's story or not. It is, perhaps, a little too far from the usual legend, but it is original and inventive. I haven't been tempted to buy any more of her books based on this one, but the future possibility of doing so is there.
Taylor's story was an interesting premise - a man invents synthetic blood, and it's stolen by the vampires (as was his fiancée) so he finds another vampire to turn him into a vampire, so he can get his revenge. I found that story quite interesting.
All five stories are good to get a general idea about if you're going to like an author or not, but as a whole, I didn't think that the book was all that good.
The Stories:
"The Girl Who Was Infatuated with Death" - Laurell K. Hamilton
Set in between "Blue Moon" and "Obsidian Butterfly", Anita is on the case of finding an under-age teenager with bone cancer who wants to become a vampire before the third bite is given - which would sentence the vampire who turned her to death. However in order to find the girl and her vampiric boyfriend, she needs the help of Jean-Claude...
"One Word Answer" - Charlaine Harris
Sookie Stackhouse, cocktail waitress from Bon Temps, Louisiana, learns that her only cousin has been murdered by one of the undead, and the vampire Queen of Louisiana has sent her condolences in the form of an unusual gift.
"Biting in Plain Sight" - MaryJanice Davidson
"Biting in Plain Sight" revisits her Undead universe with a love story about a benevolent vampire and her human suitor and the tragedy that brings them together.
"Galahad" - Angela Knight
"Galahad" looks at Arthurian legend with a decided twist - the knights of the Round Table are actually warrior vampires, and they need to feed off witches. A brand new witch teams up with the legendary Galahad, and it just might be that they're made for each other.
"Blood Lust" - Vickie Taylor
A researcher whose groundbreaking formula for synthetic blood was stolen by a maniacal vampire takes vengeance by becoming one of the undead, and hunting the thief down for revenge.
Anthology - Dates from Hell
Overview:
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Stars: 3 out of 5
Contains: sex
Contributors: Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Kelley Armstrong, Lori Handeland
Authors' Websites: Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Kelley Armstrong, Lori Handeland
Published: 2006
My thoughts: "Dates from Hell" is a collection of four "supernatural" romance stories.
The first story is a prequel to the Hollows stories by Kim Harrison, and revolves around Ivy, before she met Rachel. I found it alright, but not as good as the series. The second story was amusing, but not especially brain-taxing - though really, it's not that sort of novel anyway! The third story was my favourite, though of course I love Kelley Armstrong anyway :) It was nice to see someone putting Karl Masterson in his place! It's this story that pushed it up from a 2 to a 3. The final story was interesting, though didn't really grab me. All up, it's an entertaining enough read, but I wouldn't rush out to buy it.
The Stories:
"Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil" - Kim Harrison
Ivy is trying to climb the corporate ladder in her office, but must do so on her boss's terms - which means offering her neck to him, or she'll stay where she is. When she discover's Art is covering up a serious crime, she takes measures to put a stop to his interference in her job.
"The Claire Switch Project" - Lynsay Sands
Claire Beckett and Kyle Lockhart are scientists experimenting with and perfecting a molecular destabiliser. A rogue employee, impatient to test the device on humans, exposes Claire to the device. Kyle, who is also the brother of Claire's best friend, takes her home to keep an eye on her, and When the effects of the destabiliser are revealed, it's bound to be a interesting night - especially as they're all going to their high school reunion.
"Chaotic" - Kelley Armstrong
Hope is half demon, her ability to see and feel chaos both a help and a hindrance at times. When her mother sets her up on a blind date, chaos jumps up and runs amock in the form of jewel thief and werewolf, Marsten. An enigmatic man, to say the least, her boss wants something from Marsten and she's to make sure he stays put till the boss arrives. When she realizes she's being used, she and Marsten throw in together to ensure their survival.
"Dead Man Dating" - Lori Handeland
Kit Morelli, plain jane and bored literary agent, has a hot date, which she knows is fishy since she's not hot. What she doesn't realize is that her date is dead. He's seeking something from her that only she can give. Fortunately for Kit, demon hunter Chavez comes to the rescue. He's hunted every kind of monster and demon there is, but he doesn't know what is hunting Kit. He's determined to find out though, at any cost!
Anthology - Cravings
Overview:
Genre: Erotic Fantasy/Horror
Stars: 3 out of 5
Contains: graphic sex
Contributors: Laurell K. Hamilton, Mary Janice Davidson, Rebecca York, Eileen Wilks
Authors' Websites: Laurell K. Hamilton, MaryJanice Davidson, Rebecca York, Eileen Wilks
Published: 2004
My thoughts: "Cravings" is a collection of four erotic stories, by several well-known authors. I thought the Hamilton story was disappointing, mainly because I had read the first chapter of Incubus Dreams in a "preview", and thus already knew what was going to happen.
The Davidson story was amusing. I can't stand Davidson's main character, Betsy - she makes my teeth hurt! - so a story where she wasn't really a feature was good. I enjoyed it.
The Wilks story was fantastic. I'm going to look into some more of her works.
The York story was quite nice, though I won't be rushing out to buy any more of her works - unless I'm out of things to read and they're not expensive ;)
All in all, a good collection worth reading, with the exception of the not-really-a-short-story by Hamilton.
The Stories:
"Blood upon my Lips" - Laurell K. Hamilton
Merely an excerpt from "Incubus Dreams" - starts at a wedding, and ends up in bed - or on the kitchen floor - with Damian and Nathaniel.
"Dead Girls Don't Dance" - MaryJanice Davidson
Andrea Mercer is a relatively young bloodsucker trying to find a way to Minneapolis to pay homage to the new vampire queen. When she hitches a ride with a former love interest, Daniel Harris - a hulking stud muffin with the IQ of a head of lettuce -she realizes being dead isn't necessarily the end of the world.
"Originally Human" - Eileen Wilks
A three centuries-old succubi who must decide what to do with an extremely handsome - and extremely naked - man with amnesia.
"Burning Moon" - Rebecca York
A bittersweet tale about a blind tarot reader and a werewolf hunting down his wife's killer - and the revelation he finds at his quest's end.
Anthology - Legends
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 5 out of 5
Editor: Robert Silverberg
Contributors: Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, Terry Goodkind, Orson Scott Card, Robert Silverberg, Ursula K. LeGuin, Tad Williams, George R.R. Martin, Anne McCaffrey, Raymond E. Feist, Robert Jordan
Author's Websites: Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, Terry Goodkind, Orson Scott Card, Robert Silverberg, Ursula K. LeGuin, Tad Williams, George R.R. Martin, Anne McCaffrey, Raymond E. Feist, Robert Jordan
Published: 1998
My thoughts: "Legends" is a collection of stories by several of the leading authors in the fantasy genre. This is a fantastic collection. I will admit that I had read others in the series for most of the authors, but with Silverberg's introductions to each piece, I don't feel that it's necessary for you to have read any other novels in the series to enjoy these stories. Highly recommended.
The Stories:
"The Little Sisters of Eluria" - Stephen King
Based in King's "Dark Tower" world and set while Roland is still searching for the trail of the man in black, the story tells of the gunslinger's encounter with some ladies who aren't what they seem.
"The Sea and Little Fishes" - Terry Pratchett
A coalition of witches, led by self-appointed organiser Lettice Earwig, ask Granny Weatherwax not to participate in the annual Lancre Witch Trials, on account of her always winning. When Granny agrees, the problems begin.
"Debt of Bones" - Terry Goodkind
A prequel to his Sword of Truth series that involves series character First Wizard Zedd in the time before the Boundaries were drawn. As the armies of Panis Rahl spread across the land, Abby, a young woman from a beleaguered town begs a boon from First Wizard Zedd, ignorant of the consequences of her request.
"Grinning Man" - Orson Scott Card
Set after Heartfire, Alvin and Arthur Stuart are travelling through Kennituck when they come across a man who is grinning down a bear. Letting the grinning man get ahead of him, the travelers come to a small village where they meet up with some inhospitable villagers who had heard about Alvin from the grinning man.
"The Seventh Shrine" - Robert Silverberg
This short novel revisits Valentine on Majipoor after the events in Valentine Pontifex. The ruler emerges from the Labyrinth to visit the ancient Piurivar city of Velalisier, but finds it mysteriously changed.
"Dragonfly" - Ursula LeGuin
The story of Dragonfly, also called Irian of Way, a girl with an unknown gift of power who travels to the School for Wizards on Roke to learn.
"The Burning Man" - Tad Williams
Set in the world of Osten Ard, a story about certain pivotal events in a young woman's life - her first love and her stepfather's obsessive quest for the answer to a question that haunts him and nearly drives him to madness.
"The Hedge Knight" - George R. R. Martin
A hundred years before the events in the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, a burly and somewhat oafish commoner named Dunk, pretends to be an ill-born hedge knight,determined to earn fame and fortune on the jousting field. Along the way he meets Egg, who becomes his squire, but isn't what he seems at all.
"Runner of Pern" - Anne McCaffrey
A girl named Tenna, who follows family tradition by delivering messages, finds her destiny on the mossy traces that runners have used for centuries under dragon-filled skies.
"The Wood Boy" - Raymond E. Fiest
Tells the story of a noble house on Midkemia which is captured by the Tsurani and has slavery imposed upon them, told through the eyes of Dirk, a young woodgatherer who hopes to escape his servitude and live his own life once again.
"New Spring" - Robert Jordan
A prequel to the Wheel of Time series, Moiraine Damodred, a young Accepted soon to be raised to Aes Sedai, and Lan Mandragoran, a young soldier fighting in the battle, are set on paths that will bind their lives together.
Anthology - Legends 2
Overview:
Genre: Fantasy
Stars: 5 out of 5
Editor: Robert Silverberg
Contributors: Robin Hobb, George R.R. Martin, Orson Scott Card, Diana Gabaldon, Robert Silverberg, Tad Williams, Anne McCaffrey, Raymond E. Feist, Elizabeth Haydon, Neil Gaiman, Terry Brooks
Author's Websites: Robin Hobb, George R.R. Martin, Orson Scott Card, Diana Gabaldon, Robert Silverberg, Tad Williams, Anne McCaffrey, Raymond E. Feist, Elizabeth Haydon, Neil Gaiman, Terry Brooks
Published: 2003
My thoughts: "Legends 2" is another wonderful collection of short stories by masters of fantasy. I didn't enjoy Diana Gabaldon's story much, and I felt that Tad Williams' tale was a little too Sci-fi for me, but otherwise, a fabulous book and well worth reading. Also highly recommended.
The Stories:
"Homecoming" - Robin Hobb
Returning to the Realm of the Elderlings, "Homecoming" is a powerful tale in which exiles sent to colonize the Cursed Shores find themselves sinking into an intoxicating but deadly dream... or is it a memory?
"The Sword Sworn" - George R. R. Martin
Further tales of the adventures of Dunk, a young hedge knight, and his unusual squire, Egg, set a generation before the events in A Song of Ice and Fire.
"The Yazoo Queen" - Orson Scott Card
A tale of Alvin Maker and the mighty Mississippi, featuring a couple of ne'er-do-wells named Jim Bowie and Abe Lincoln, in "The Yazoo Queen."
"Lord John & the Succubus" - Diana Gabaldon
A story of an important character from her Outlander saga - Lord John Grey. A supernatural thriller set in the early days of the Seven Years War.
"The Book of Changes" - Robert Silverberg
An enthralling tale of Majipoor's early history - and remote future - as seen through the eyes of a dilettantish poet who discovers an unexpected destiny in "The Book of Changes."
"The Happiest Dead Boy in the World" - Tad Williams
This tale explores the strange afterlife of Orlando Gardiner, from the Otherland saga.
"Beyond Between" - Anne McCaffrey
Anne McCaffrey shines a light into the most mysterious and wondrous of all places on Pern in the heartwarming "Beyond Between."
"The Messenger" - Raymond E. Fiest
Turning away from the great battles of the Riftwar, this is the story of one soldier, a young man about to embark on the ride of his life.
"Threshold" - Elizabeth Haydon
A tale of the destruction of Serendair and the fate of its last defenders, set at the end of the Third Age in the Symphony of Ages series.
"The Monarch of the Glen" - Neil Gaiman
A glimpse into what befalls the man called Shadow after the events of American Gods.
"Indomitable" - Terry Brooks
An epilogue to The Wishsong of Shannara, the tale of Jair Ohmsford's desperate quest to complete the destruction of the evil Ildatch... armed only with the magic of illusion.