Hex Appeal ed. by P. N. Elrod
Like most anthologies, a few great stories, some okay stories and a few stinkers. Stories rated individually below.
*****************"Retribution Clause" by Ilona Andrews (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁)
This story was super fun, even if you're not overly familiar with the Kate Daniels series. It's set in the same world, but in a different city, with a different set of characters who work for...an insurance company. Like, the most seriously bad-ass insurance company ever. You'll find plenty Andrews' trademark snark, action and character building to enjoy here.
*****************"Bigfoot on Campus" by Jim Butcher (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁)
Okay. If you like the Dresden series, you'll like this. Butcher one of the few authors that consistently writes good short stories, and BIGFOOT is no different. BUT! Can we pleeeease have one Dresden story where the female character isn't immediately evaluated as a potential sexual partner for Harry? Surely there's a female somewhere in the Dresden universe that won't go all cute-flirt and/or siren-seductress at the sight of him? I read this book while on jury duty, and got some concerned looks from my fellow jurors when I got to the part where Harry meets...whatever her name was...and started banging my head on the table in frustration.
*****************"Holly's Balm" by Rachel Caine (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁)
This was a pretty good story, though I think I may have enjoyed it more if I'd read whatever came before it. Holly was a great character, and I liked the world, but I couldn't really get invested in her relationship with the guy since I knew nothing really about him. Still, plenty to enjoy.
*****************"Snow Job" by Carole Nelson Douglas (Rating: 🍁)
I couldn't force myself to get more than a couple of pages into this one. General impression: wtf?!
*****************"Outside the Box" by P. N. Elrod (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁)
Another fun one - I liked the concept, the characters were well-developed, and the ending caught me by surprise. I'd love to explore this universe a bit more. Also, a vampire Blues Brother imitator? Yes please!
*****************"How Do You Feel?" by Simon R. Green (Rating: 🍁)
Another one I couldn't get through as I had no idea what was going on. Is this part of a series? Maybe it would make more sense with a little more background info.
*****************"There Will Be Demons" by Lori Handeland (Rating: 🍁🍁)
I honestly don't remember much about this story, other than a general sense of being slightly confused and slightly entertained.
*****************"Cherry Kisses" by Erica Hayes (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁)
I like what the author did with her main character in this story - a con artist tasked with retrieving an object from Hell, faced with the choice between redemption and damnation. A little gross, a little hectic, a lot interesting.
*****************"The Arcane Are of Misdirection" by Carrie Vaughn (Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁)
Apparently this story is set in the world of a larger series, but having never read it, I was still able to really enjoy this contribution. Odysseus Grant is a wonderful character, as is the blackjack dealer who helps him out (or is it the other way around?). Thoroughly enjoyable.
No comments:
Post a Comment