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smadronia's review against another edition
4.0
I love Joe Ledger, both the books, and the character. This is like the best of the Fan fiction for Joe Ledger, and I really enjoyed it. There's something like 20 stories in this collection, including Atoll, which is the last story, and by Maberry himself.
Some of the stories are great, like Mira Grant's Red Dirt, which is set after book 2. Genome therapy set up to destroy a certain group slips the leash, and members of the DMS are called in to handle it. Also good is Psych Eval, which has Dr Rudy Sanchez (one of my favorite characters), called in to do a Psych Eval on the lone survivor of an assault. I also enjoyed No Guns at the Bar, which involves tech from some of the stories, and Echo Team, minus Joe, on a night out.
Some stories are not as good, like Black Water by Weston Ochse. Teenage Joe and his not great family life don't really match up to the view of Joe and his family I have. So that was a pass. Also, there's one I can't remember the name of, but it's subtitled A Ghost Story, and it's about Joe's big white shepherd, Ghost. Told from his point of view, I appreciated the story, and the potential backstory for Ghost (as we don't know it), but I didn't like the voice Ray Porter used for Ghost. It reminded me too much of the voice of Homer from Dennis E Taylor's Bobiverse stories.
Atoll, the final story, written by Maberry, was fantastic. I fully appreciated the care he put into the story, and the buildup. Even if he hadn't added a story to the anthology, this still would have been most enjoyable.
Some of the stories are great, like Mira Grant's Red Dirt, which is set after book 2. Genome therapy set up to destroy a certain group slips the leash, and members of the DMS are called in to handle it. Also good is Psych Eval, which has Dr Rudy Sanchez (one of my favorite characters), called in to do a Psych Eval on the lone survivor of an assault. I also enjoyed No Guns at the Bar, which involves tech from some of the stories, and Echo Team, minus Joe, on a night out.
Some stories are not as good, like Black Water by Weston Ochse. Teenage Joe and his not great family life don't really match up to the view of Joe and his family I have. So that was a pass. Also, there's one I can't remember the name of, but it's subtitled A Ghost Story, and it's about Joe's big white shepherd, Ghost. Told from his point of view, I appreciated the story, and the potential backstory for Ghost (as we don't know it), but I didn't like the voice Ray Porter used for Ghost. It reminded me too much of the voice of Homer from Dennis E Taylor's Bobiverse stories.
Atoll, the final story, written by Maberry, was fantastic. I fully appreciated the care he put into the story, and the buildup. Even if he hadn't added a story to the anthology, this still would have been most enjoyable.
hirvimaki's review against another edition
4.0
Great anthology for anyone who loves Maberry's Joe Ledger series.
badseedgirl's review against another edition
5.0
I love Joe Ledger so much. Why is there no TV series or movie based on these books?
aceofknaves88's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
This is by far one of the best anthologies I have read in a long time. It is packed full of great short stories. There were a lot of authors I was being introduced to the first time. My list of authors and books to check out has now grown after finishing this anthology. Which goes to saying that I am not that familiar with the world of Joe Ledger. Yet, after getting to know him some being featured in so many stories, I want to familiarize myself better with Ledger.
I am excited to see two of my favorite authors featured in this anthology...Mr. Scott Sigler and Mr. Jeremy Robinson. Both great and amazing authors. If you have never read either of their work, you have to check them out. I was not disappointed in their stories in this anthology. Although, some of my other favorite stories were and not in order: Honey Pot by Steve Alten, Confusion by Nicholas Steven, Target Acquired by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon, White Flame on Sunday by James Ray Tuck, Rookie by Joe McKinney, and Crash Course by Dana Fredsti to name a few others.
Hunting monsters is hard work but it can be humorous as well. Fans of Joe Ledger will by thrilled by this anthology. Skip the candy bars and costumes and treat yourself to a copy of this anthology!
I am excited to see two of my favorite authors featured in this anthology...Mr. Scott Sigler and Mr. Jeremy Robinson. Both great and amazing authors. If you have never read either of their work, you have to check them out. I was not disappointed in their stories in this anthology. Although, some of my other favorite stories were and not in order: Honey Pot by Steve Alten, Confusion by Nicholas Steven, Target Acquired by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon, White Flame on Sunday by James Ray Tuck, Rookie by Joe McKinney, and Crash Course by Dana Fredsti to name a few others.
Hunting monsters is hard work but it can be humorous as well. Fans of Joe Ledger will by thrilled by this anthology. Skip the candy bars and costumes and treat yourself to a copy of this anthology!
roksyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A great collection of stories - plenty of action and Joe's trademark humour. A few missed the mark in terms of characterisation, but overall they blended well with the existing Joe Ledger universe.
innae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Forward by Tony Eldridge
Introduction: The World of Joe Ledger by Jonathan Maberry It is kind of brave to give over your characters, your world, to others. I like that the audio book is read by the voice of Joe Ledger, Ray Porter, as it gives a nice continuity.
The Honey Pot by Steve Alten Meh. Not my favorite Ledger tale, but still okay. And it FELT like a Ledger tale.
Confusion by Nicholas Steven A nice addition to the Ledger, Top and Bunny saga. If I was writing a Ledger tale I would want to include Top and Bunny, so happiness with this tale. A continuation of the Deep, Dark story.
Target Acquired by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon I really like Christopher Golden, and this story from the view of someone other than Ledger solves any issues with it not having Ledger’s “voice”, but I’m not sure it needed the safety net. Felt very Joe to me and it’s a really good story too.
Vacation by Scott Sigler Ok..I had little doubt that I would love this story. Sigler is my FDO after all. A Ledger/Nocturnal crossover? Yes please!! This story did not disappoint.
Banshee by James A. Moore I liked the premise of this one..but it didn’t really get resolved…
Red Dirt by Mira Grant A bit of a departure from the other stories thus far. More artistic than most Joe stories
Black Water by Weston Ochse A look back into Joe’s past. Interesting
Instinct (A Ghost Story) by Bryan Thomas Schmidt and G.P. Charles I wasn’t sure I would like this one…but it grew on me.
No Guns at the Bar by Aaron Rosenberg an entertaining story that barely even features Joe.
Strange Harvest by Jon McGoran this one felt like it needed more time, I really liked where it was going, and then it was over
No Business at All by Javier Grillo-Marxuach an interesting look at what happens when Hollywood gets just enough right
Ganbatte by Keith R.A. DeCandido a very nice look at Lydia’s history and into her character. Liked this one a lot
White Flame on a Sunday by James R. Tuck I hope the followers of the Deacon Chalk series appreciated this as much as I did the Nocturnal cross-over. This may get me to check out some Deacon stories.
Wet Tuesday by David Farland one of the dark sides of self driving cars..told very much in the world of Ledger. Another good one
Prince of Peace by Jeremy Robinson I like the addition of a new thread to the Ledger mythos
Rookie by Joe McKinney what was Joe like before the DMS? This story takes a look and gives some ideas.
Three Times by Jennifer Campbell-Hicks this one had me crying..such a good tribute to Grace
Psych Eval by Larry Correia this one was creepy and ended without resolve…I would be interested to see where this one might go
Crash Course by Dana Fredsti a decent story, but Joe didn’t feel authentic in this one
Atoll by Jonathan Maberry a fine time travel tale
Introduction: The World of Joe Ledger by Jonathan Maberry It is kind of brave to give over your characters, your world, to others. I like that the audio book is read by the voice of Joe Ledger, Ray Porter, as it gives a nice continuity.
The Honey Pot by Steve Alten Meh. Not my favorite Ledger tale, but still okay. And it FELT like a Ledger tale.
Confusion by Nicholas Steven A nice addition to the Ledger, Top and Bunny saga. If I was writing a Ledger tale I would want to include Top and Bunny, so happiness with this tale. A continuation of the Deep, Dark story.
Target Acquired by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon I really like Christopher Golden, and this story from the view of someone other than Ledger solves any issues with it not having Ledger’s “voice”, but I’m not sure it needed the safety net. Felt very Joe to me and it’s a really good story too.
Vacation by Scott Sigler Ok..I had little doubt that I would love this story. Sigler is my FDO after all. A Ledger/Nocturnal crossover? Yes please!! This story did not disappoint.
Banshee by James A. Moore I liked the premise of this one..but it didn’t really get resolved…
Red Dirt by Mira Grant A bit of a departure from the other stories thus far. More artistic than most Joe stories
Black Water by Weston Ochse A look back into Joe’s past. Interesting
Instinct (A Ghost Story) by Bryan Thomas Schmidt and G.P. Charles I wasn’t sure I would like this one…but it grew on me.
No Guns at the Bar by Aaron Rosenberg an entertaining story that barely even features Joe.
Strange Harvest by Jon McGoran this one felt like it needed more time, I really liked where it was going, and then it was over
No Business at All by Javier Grillo-Marxuach an interesting look at what happens when Hollywood gets just enough right
Ganbatte by Keith R.A. DeCandido a very nice look at Lydia’s history and into her character. Liked this one a lot
White Flame on a Sunday by James R. Tuck I hope the followers of the Deacon Chalk series appreciated this as much as I did the Nocturnal cross-over. This may get me to check out some Deacon stories.
Wet Tuesday by David Farland one of the dark sides of self driving cars..told very much in the world of Ledger. Another good one
Prince of Peace by Jeremy Robinson I like the addition of a new thread to the Ledger mythos
Rookie by Joe McKinney what was Joe like before the DMS? This story takes a look and gives some ideas.
Three Times by Jennifer Campbell-Hicks this one had me crying..such a good tribute to Grace
Psych Eval by Larry Correia this one was creepy and ended without resolve…I would be interested to see where this one might go
Crash Course by Dana Fredsti a decent story, but Joe didn’t feel authentic in this one
Atoll by Jonathan Maberry a fine time travel tale