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25 reviews for:
Heroes Wanted: A Fantasy Anthology
Dyrk Ashton, Joe Jackson, Mike Shel, David Benem, Ben Galley, Will Wight, J.C. Kang, Daniel Potter, Laura M. Hughes, Jeramy Goble, M.D. Presley, Jeffrey Hall, Phil Tucker, Matt Moss, Michael J. Sullivan, K.S. Villoso
3.5 AVERAGE
25 reviews for:
Heroes Wanted: A Fantasy Anthology
Dyrk Ashton, Joe Jackson, Mike Shel, David Benem, Ben Galley, Will Wight, J.C. Kang, Daniel Potter, Laura M. Hughes, Jeramy Goble, M.D. Presley, Jeffrey Hall, Phil Tucker, Matt Moss, Michael J. Sullivan, K.S. Villoso
3.5 AVERAGE
The danger with all anthologies is statistically, there are just going to be some stories better than others. With such a broad and interesting prompt as "What does it take to be a hero?" many of the stories were very same-y. I also feel like this might have been conflated as the vast majority of the authors are white men. Not that the stories were bad mind you, but I feel there was a loss of perspective and a lack of different types of characters that I think I was looking forward to when I first opened this anthology.
However the story I got the anthology for (The Ashmoore Affair) I did end up enjoying so I suppose you could say the others I liked were bonuses. I especially liked Half-Breed and The Custodian (despite it's stupid ending).
However the story I got the anthology for (The Ashmoore Affair) I did end up enjoying so I suppose you could say the others I liked were bonuses. I especially liked Half-Breed and The Custodian (despite it's stupid ending).
This is an anthology of good and of mediocre, but I wouldn't say that anything I read was outright bad. It's a fun series of short, non-connected reads that delve in to what it means to be the hero of your own story and within the stories of others.
If you're a fan of fantasy of all sorts, go ahead and throw yourself in to these. Though it can be a little frustrating when you want more of the story when it's over and on to the next, it's still worth the read.
If you're a fan of fantasy of all sorts, go ahead and throw yourself in to these. Though it can be a little frustrating when you want more of the story when it's over and on to the next, it's still worth the read.
1. I don't like anthologies of different authors. I learned that reading this book. 2. None of the stories were great some were ok.
I have been reading a lot of fantasy short stories recently. There is definitely an art to condensing everything needed into a short form. They are also great for introducing you to new authors. Most anthologies have a theme running through - this one is themed on what it means to be a hero. The heroic super character is an oft used fantasy trope, but the stories contained here take a much more nuanced look at the idea of heroics. They focus on the small things, the beginnings and the ideals. I have read a few of Laura M. Hughes short stories before, and have been thoroughly impressed. She takes that deft grasp of what makes a good short story and has managed to curate a fantastic collection of good up and coming authors works in this collection. Her own contribution 'Ratman' doesn't disappoint either, a great story about redemption and turning weakness into strength. 'Half-breed' and 'Fresh off the boat' were two others that I found particularly memorable, but there were no especially weak stories in this collection.
These are all young, new authors and if this is the future of fantasy we have a lot to look forward to! This collection is also a steal, being free on amazon. Definitely check it out!
These are all young, new authors and if this is the future of fantasy we have a lot to look forward to! This collection is also a steal, being free on amazon. Definitely check it out!
Not very good
I have read better compilations than this has to offer. Skipped most of these, and the ones that I did read were disappointing.
I have read better compilations than this has to offer. Skipped most of these, and the ones that I did read were disappointing.
Like many others, I picked this book for for a specific author and found several others that I really enjoyed. Michael Sullivan is one of my favorite Fantasy authors so of course I loved his short story. After reading this Anthology, I went on to read all of Will Wight's Cradle books and loved them too. I am also looking forward to checking out a few other authors that are new to me like Joe Jackson and Laura M. Hughes. Overall I really enjoyed this read, some of the stories were not quite for me but that is to be expected in this type of publication. Well done!
Not very good
I have read better compilations than this has to offer. Skipped most of these, and the ones that I did read were disappointing.
I have read better compilations than this has to offer. Skipped most of these, and the ones that I did read were disappointing.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Some of this collection is interesting, unique and nuanced and some is earnest, under-characterized and on the nose. This collection is very uneven in terms of quality.
Half-Breed - 3
Interesting world building but stereotypical story.
The Dwarven Dragon - 5
Cool, unique and I always love a fantasy Dwarven portrayal.
F.O.B. - 3
10% romance, 90% real world parallels.
Paternus - 1
Mythology is dry, under-characterized, boring and not fantasy genre.
Small Teachers - 3
Weird representation - He learns that he needs to fight just like everyone else, not in his own way.
Is Dumb - 2
Short, forgettable filler about fake adventures.
Final Word - 5
Alchemy, magic and the military. Surprising depth characterization.
What Needs to be Done - 5
A grim, hard-hitting, well characterized demon slaying story.
Hardgrave - 5
Hard-luck people. Bleak. Sad.
Holding Out - 4
A good excerpt from a larger story but a bit incomplete in and of itself.
The Custodian - 1
Clichéd, hokey, insipid, pathetic, motivational poster of a story.
The Altar - 5
Riveting repudiation of real gods.
All Ends - 3
Average whorehouse murder mystery.
The Savior of Garden's Gate - 2
Not having seen this guy be mighty, his fall does not resonate.
Indomitable - 1
Simple, lacks nuance. Why is he fighting for his oppressor? Unearned romance means nothing.
The Ashmoore Affair - 5
Hadrian and Royce FTW as ever.
False Heirs - 3
Asian, magical assassins. Not interesting enough to make me want to read further.
Ulroc's Redemption - 3
Average heist, insufficient characterization.
Ratman - 5
Great characters and gross necromancy works quite well.
Half-Breed - 3
Interesting world building but stereotypical story.
The Dwarven Dragon - 5
Cool, unique and I always love a fantasy Dwarven portrayal.
F.O.B. - 3
10% romance, 90% real world parallels.
Paternus - 1
Mythology is dry, under-characterized, boring and not fantasy genre.
Small Teachers - 3
Weird representation - He learns that he needs to fight just like everyone else, not in his own way.
Is Dumb - 2
Short, forgettable filler about fake adventures.
Final Word - 5
Alchemy, magic and the military. Surprising depth characterization.
What Needs to be Done - 5
A grim, hard-hitting, well characterized demon slaying story.
Hardgrave - 5
Hard-luck people. Bleak. Sad.
Holding Out - 4
A good excerpt from a larger story but a bit incomplete in and of itself.
The Custodian - 1
Clichéd, hokey, insipid, pathetic, motivational poster of a story.
The Altar - 5
Riveting repudiation of real gods.
All Ends - 3
Average whorehouse murder mystery.
The Savior of Garden's Gate - 2
Not having seen this guy be mighty, his fall does not resonate.
Indomitable - 1
Simple, lacks nuance. Why is he fighting for his oppressor? Unearned romance means nothing.
The Ashmoore Affair - 5
Hadrian and Royce FTW as ever.
False Heirs - 3
Asian, magical assassins. Not interesting enough to make me want to read further.
Ulroc's Redemption - 3
Average heist, insufficient characterization.
Ratman - 5
Great characters and gross necromancy works quite well.
I haven't read short stories in such a long time. And now that I have again, I don't know why. This book has a nice selection of hero-themed stories by good authors, most of which I know from long-form novels. The nicest surprise, as I didn't check the list of authors beforehand, was a story from Mike Shel. Happening upon the Syraeic League was a lovely surprise. But of course there were more good stories here. In fact, the one thing I hated was the fact that many stories were teasing more without the authors delivering on that. That was a bit frustrating, although I think you can also read it as praise of the stories themselves.
I really only read the Michael J. Sullivan short story - The Ashmoor Affair but couldn't find just that on Goodreads. The story was great, characters were great - so much fun spending time with Royce and Hadrian.