Author(s): Kevin Hearne, Jim Butcher, Kelley Armstrong, Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire, Joseph Nassise, Steven Savile, And Jeff Somers
Series: Anthology
Published By: Gallery Books (August 1, 2017)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Book Description:
Villains have all the fun—everyone knows that—and this anthology takes you on a wild ride through the dark side! The top villains from sixteen urban fantasy series get their own stories—including the baddies of New York Times bestselling authors Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Kelley Armstrong, Seanan McGuire, and Jonathan Maberry.
For every hero trying to save the world, there’s a villain trying to tear it all down.
In this can’t-miss anthology edited by Joseph Nassise (The Templar Chronicles), you get to plot world domination with the best of the evildoers we love to hate! This outstanding collection brings you stories told from the villains’ point of view, imparting a fresh and unique take on the evil masterminds, wicked witches, and infernal personalities that skulk in the pages of today’s most popular series.
The full anthology features stories by Jim Butcher (the Dresden Files), Kelley Armstrong (the Cainsville and Otherworld series), Seanan McGuire (October Daye), Kevin Hearne (The Iron Druid Chronicles), Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger), Lilith Saintcrow (Jill Kismet), Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville), Joseph Nassise (Templar Chronicles), C.E. Murphy (Walker Papers), Steven Savile (Glasstown), Caitlin Kittredge (the Hellhound Chronicles and the Black London series), Jeffrey Somers (The Ustari Cycle), Sam Witt (Pitchfork County), Craig Schaefer (Daniel Faust), Jon F. Merz (Lawson Vampire), Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock), and Diana Pharaoh Francis (Horngate Witches).
Who doesn't love a good villain? I mean come on, we all love to hate them and even sometimes, hate to love them. When I found out some of the top authors in the urban fantasy genre were going to be writing not only short stories set in some of the best series out there, but also in the point of view of their villains, I was so all over it. And even though some of these series I have yet to try, it didn't stop me from diving right in and seeing what their writing and bad guys were all about.
While all of these stories were good, like most anthologies, some stuck out to me more than others.
I loved Even Hand by Jim Butcher. In fact I liked it so much so that I plan on starting the Harry Dresden Files because of it. I mean who doesn't love witches and all things that go bump in the night?
Kelley Armstrong's Hounded from her Cainville Series was every bit as I expected it to be and I loved getting inside the Huntsman's head and seeing what makes him tick. It was a great bonus addition to the series and I'm so glad I read it.
Kiss by Saintcrow made me also want to start her series. Her villain was creepy and like the author has mentioned before, being inside his head makes you want to take a shower and scrub yourself clean afterward.
I already knew I liked the Iron Druid series by Kearne and seeing Loki and Lucifer featured in his short The Naughtiest Cherub, was just so much fun. It reminded me all over again, why I love his books. The humor is like no other and it's super hard to resist and UF series all set from the male POV.
Truly I could go on, all of these stories were great and while I liked some more than others, there weren't any that I hated, which was a nice change for me. Usually with these type of books you always get that odd ball story that doesn't seem to fit and you would rather have not wasted time on. Overall this was a fun filled, villainous read that I'm glad I took a chance on.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
oh some great names there!
ReplyDeleteYep lots of fun names for sure!
DeleteOoh that's an impressive list of authors, Ali! I don't normally read anthologies, but this does have an interesting concept. I especially like the sound of the Kelley Armstrong!
ReplyDeleteI usually don't read them very often either unless it is part of a series I can't get enough of but this really was fun and a great way to get a feel for authors I hadn't tried yet.
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed it. I am curious about the series mentioned. Never got the chance to read them. I wil be looking into some these books. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMe neither which is why it made this so much fun to try and some of them I definitely want to read now. ;)
DeleteOh Wow what a fantastic idea for an anthology. I see you haven't read all of these series Kindlemom. Did not knowing the series plot take away from the experience?
ReplyDeleteI don't think so, in fact it just made me want to pick them up and read more. ;)
DeleteI saw this book, but I haven't tried it yet. *Off to see if the library as the audio or if I need to request they buy it.* Thanks for sharing. :-)
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
You'll like it I think. ;)
DeleteI was considering requesting this but wasn't sure if I ships since I haven't read a bunch of these series. I think I might get a copy now. I LOVE The Iron Druid Chronicles, too so I'm definitely looking forward to that short story!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun so hopefully you will like it as well.
DeleteI love this premise and the line up is impressive!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great set of authors, but omg, I need to read the story by Hearne!
ReplyDeleteYes you do. ;)
DeleteOh I do like Armstrong. Nice to see hers was a good one.
ReplyDeleteI can always count on her to deliver a good story. ;)
DeleteAfter reading the villain and his followers, I definitely do. In all honesty though he didn't seem that bad villain wise but I liked him.
ReplyDelete