An Apple for the Creature ed. by Charlaine Harris
Overall: A couple of real gems, a couple solid stories, and a lot of flotsam. Stories rated individually below.
*****************"Playing Possum" by Charlaine Harris (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁)
I'm not a huge fan of the Sookie-verse, but this was a pretty good stand-alone story. As long as you're aware of the basic premise of the series, you'll be fine.
*****************"Spellcaster 2.0" by Jonathan Maberry (Rating: 🍁🍁)
I liked the intro, and the story seemed to have a lot of potential despite that fact that all of the characters were basically asshats. Then during the big denouement at the end, the author uses one of the characters to preach at the reader, expounding on the nature of faith and reason. If I'd wanted to read an essay, I would have read an essay. Also, the ending was a bit of a head-scratcher.
*****************"Academy Field Trip" by Donald Harstad (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁)
This story was a little confusing to start, but definitely worth sticking with. The ending caught me off-guard.
*****************"Sympathy for the Bones" by Marjorie M Liu (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁)
Easily one of the best contributions to the anthology. Dark, poignant and gut-punching.
*****************"Low School" by Rhys Bowen (Rating: 🍁)
Skip this one - predictable, empty, flat.
*****************"Callie Meets Happy" by Amber Benson (Rating: 🍁🍁)
I spent most of this story thinking I was missing some vital piece of information that would help it all make sense. I like the premise, but it just didn't seem related in any way to the story if that makes sense. Like the adventure that took place could have happened independently of the supposed protagonist being there.
*****************"Iphigenia in Aulis" by Mike Carey (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁)
This was a hard, beautiful, heart-breaking read. So good.
*****************"Golden Delicious" by Faith Hunter (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁)
An action-packed adventure that makes me glad Ms. Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series is on my to-read list. A juicy tidbit of a fascinating world.
*****************"Magic Tests" by Ilona Andrews (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁)
It was written by Ilona Andrews. Enough said.
*****************"An Introduction to Jewish Myth & Mysticism" by Steve Hockensmith (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁)
A fun, entertaining read with a vague ending that needed just a little more explanation.
*****************"VSI" by Nancy Holder (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁)
Enjoyable, with a twist ending that I didn't see coming at all. The main character was a little flat, but otherwise a solid contribution.
*****************"The Bad Hour" by Thomas E Sniegoski (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁)
I'm going to have to add the Remy series to my to-read list now. I love the convos between Remy and his dog - very reminiscent of Kevin Hearne's Atticus & Oberon (Iron Druid series).
*****************"Pirate Dave and the Captain's Ghost" by Toni L. P. Kelner (Rating: 🍁)
The writing was such that I couldn't get past the 3rd page of dialogue.
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