Tag Archives: Short Story Collections

We Sa and the Lumber King by Faith Hunter

Book Review, , , , , , , , ,

Overview

Blood in Her Veins

Title: We Sa and the Lumber King
Author: Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #0.1
In: Blood in Her Veins by Faith Hunter & Have Stakes, Will Travel by Faith Hunter
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Dark fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc & Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: After long time, shadows began to stretch upon the ground.

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Synopsis

Beast, with Jane Yellowrock in the background of her mind, observes the lumber camp of white men who are destroying her hunting grounds. She decides to take revenge on the leader of the lumberjacks.

Thoughts

It was incredibly interesting to read a little more about some of Jane’s first years. Not only is it a great way to gain insight into her first transformations, but it also gave me a glimpse into the desecration of the land by white man when they first arrived in the Americas.

This short story was beautifully written – it was structured from the Bobcat / We Sa’s point of view, and the difference in language was both startling and enjoyable. Where Beast is strong and always willing for a hunt and fight, We Sa is aware of her limitations and fearful of the consequences of her actions.

Throughout the other Jane Yellowrock stories, Jane’s connectivity with nature is alluded to, but never highlighted. This short story beautifully ties this intricate relationship into her story and illustrates that although her victims may have changed, Jane is still sassy and uses slightly obscure tactics to get the job done.

<- More Faith Hunter The Early Years ->

Image source: Goodreads

Stolen Goods by Shannon K. Butcher

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Overview

Kicking It

Title: Stolen Goods
Author: Shannon K. Butcher
In: Kicking It (Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: She had no idea what the Fractogasts wanted with those stolen pieces, but the second machine she was in broke down, everything had snapped back into place, restoring her.

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Synopsis

Blacksmith Matthew Brighton wants to hire mercenary Simone Solange to help him retrieve a special hammer the Fractogasts are using to construct a portal. Once complete, the portal will allow more of these destructive creatures entry and it will be the beginning of the end for humanity. Simone is all business with her leathers and magical red boots. Matthew has his own skills as she learns when she accompanies him on the assignment.

Thoughts

I have an obsession with boots, so reading about a pair of hand-tooled, red, knee-high boots that make the wearer invisible was enough to draw me into this short story. The vividness of descriptions and characters bought this micro-world to life beautifully. I was so impressed with the way in which Butcher was able to bring an entire world to life in mere paragraphs.

Butcher crammed a lot of character information into few words – I have read very few pieces of writing that are able to divulge so much in such a short period. I think that this may be one of the reasons why I so thoroughly enjoyed this story. Although, as much as I want to read it again, I’m not entirely sure what drew me in so succinctly.

<- Forked Tongues Review The Girl With No Name Review ->
Image source: Penguin

Kicking It Edited by Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Overview

Kicking It

Title: Kicking It
Authors: Faith Hunter, Kalayna Price, Rachel Caine, Chloe Neill, Rob Thurman, Shannon K. Butcher, Lucienne Diver, Chris Marie Green & Christina Henry
In: Kicking It (Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Short story collections, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: The dirt on the floor was too scuffed and smeared for her to make out any on distinct set of prints.

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Synopsis

Featuring stories by FAITH HUNTER * KALAYNA PRICE * RACHEL CAINE * CHLOE NEILL * ROB THURMAN * SHANNON K. BUTCHER * LUCIENNE DIVER * CHRIS MARIE GREEN * CHRISTINA HENRY

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine has modern-day potions witches Holly and Andrew facing off against a firebrand politician who wears literally killer boots in a Texas-sized rodeo of trouble.

Boot-loving Cadogan vampire Lindsey must team up with off-again, on-again vampire partner Luc when a woman from her past is targeted by supernaturals in New York Times bestselling author Chloe Neill’s all-new adventure.

And New York Times bestselling author Rob Thurman features Trixa Iktomi from her Trickster series dealing with magical vengeance and magical footwear.

Taking kick-ass urban fantasy literally, USA Today bestselling authors Kalayna Price and Faith Hunter bring together the best of the genre to once again prove when you’re fighting supernatural forces, it helps to keep your feet on the ground.

Thoughts

This is one of the most brilliant collections of short stories that I have ever read. I mean, you can’t really go wrong with fantasy stories about strong women kicking butt in amazing shoes… nine stories from nine amazing authors, all featuring strong, independent women who are able to hold their own throughout the story.

Reading this collection of short stories was not only one of the most enjoyable ways I could think of to spend a Sunday afternoon, but also a fantastic way to discover some great new authors. I must admit that I went on a spending spree after reading this book, finding all new stories from the great authors that I had fallen in love with.

<- Ruby Red Review Forked Tongues Review ->
Image source: Penguin