Helpful Score: 1
This is a collection of 14 short stories from some of the hottest names in urban fantasy and paranormal fiction, all who were new to me, some whose stories I loved and...well some not so much. I don't review a lot of it here, but I've always been a fan of the genre and have to say that this story collection was nothing if not interesting and super creepy to say the least! I used to love going to the local carnival when I was a kid but now I feel like I'll have to leave town the next time one comes through. :-P Thanks to author Jennifer Estep for instilling in me a genuine fear of clowns that I went through the first almost three decades of my life without. Shivers. This is one collection not for the faint of heart. There's definitely something for everyone -- mermaids, werewolves, vampires, druids, and of course, messed up clowns. As with all novellas, the ones with characters whom I enjoyed were too short while some of the stories just fell flat, however I can still recommend it for urban fantasy readers looking for a good scare and some spine-tingling suspense!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
This is a collection of urban fantasy stories; they all have some sort of a carnival theme to them. Most of the collection was pretty good. Like with all of these anthology collections there were a few stories that were amazing and a few that I intensely disliked.
My favorites were âThe Three Lives of Lydiaâ by Dawson (this is set in the world of Sang which I adore), âThe Cold Girlâ by Rachel Caine (just an amazing story), âHell's Menagerieâ by Kelly Gay (this was set in the Charlie Madigan world which I love and was a great story), and âDaughter of the Midway, the Mermaid, and the Open, Lonely Seaâ by Seanan McGuire (I am a huge McGuire fan and loved this story).
Overall this is a decent collection of urban fantasy stories from some of the most popular UF authors out there. I enjoyed the dark carnival theme throughout. You can see below for ratings and brief descriptions of each story.
âPainted Loveâ by Rob Thurman (4/5 stars)
This was an interesting story about an entity that likes to experience humanity. When he accidentally gets involved with a sociopath he takes matters into his own hands. I enjoyed this; it was creative and creepy.
âThe Three Lives of Lydiaâ by Delilah S. Dawson (5/5 stars)
I always love revisiting the world of Sang...Dawson writes amazing short stories (I like them better than her full length novels). This was beautifully written and very dark. It follows Lydia and Charlie's story. I absolutely loved it.
âThe Demon Barker of Wheat Street by Kevin Hearne (4/5 stars)
A great short story featuring Atticus and Granuaile going to a carnival that is not what it seems. Very fun and well written. This was a great addition to the Iron Druid Chronicles
âThe Sweeter the Juiceâ by Mark Henry (2/5 stars)
I didn't really like this one. It was set in a post-apocalyptic zombie world and features drug addicted trannies tracking down a new drug that is supposed to truly transform them. It was weird and hard to read and not enjoyable.
âThe Werewifeâ by Jaye Wells (4/5 stars)
I liked the irony of this story; it was darkly humorous and interesting. It's about a guy who is exasperated with his wife-turned-werewolf.
âThe Cold Girlâ by Rachel Caine (5/5 stars)
This was a really good story about a girl stuck in a relationship with an abusive boyfriend. When she finds out about some very dark secrets of his, her life is in danger. However, the boyfriend gets exactly what he deserves in the end. This was a very good story and I really loved it.
âA Duet with Darknessâ by Allison Pang (4/5 stars)
This was a decent urban fantasy story about a woman who has magic powers related to hearing music. She is apparently bound to a demon already but is tempted with a magical violin by another demon. This was beautifully written and a well done story.
âRecession of the Divineâ by Hillary Jacques (2/5 stars)
This is about a woman named Olivia who is trying to eke out a living as an insurance adjuster. However it ends up Olivia isn't exactly mortal. I didn't really like this story much it was boring and I almost stopped reading it a couple times.
âParlor Tricksâ by Jennifer Estep (3/5 stars)
This is a quick story about Gin and Bria going to a carnival to find a missing teen. What they find is an expert Air Elemental. This was okay; this set in the Elemental Assassin world.
âFreak Houseâ by Kelly Meding (4/5 stars)
This is about a half djinn heroine who goes to a super expensive freak show to find her djinn father. I assume this is some background around how the heroine got into Para law enforcement but I am not sure. This would have probably been better with some more background on the heroine. It was a well done and entertaining story though.
âThe Inside Manâ by Nicole Peeler (4/5 stars)
This was a super creepy clown story that I enjoyed. It features some of the side characters from the Jane True series as they go to investigate a case for a manticore who hires them.
âA Chance in Hellâ by Jackie Kessler (3/5 stars)
This story was okay but definitely not my favorite. It's about an ex-succubus who has to save her friend from a demon at a carnival who is trying to steal her friend's soul. Lots of sex in this one and not all that easy to read. I was a fan of Kessler's Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse series but this story wasn't great.
âHell's Menagerieâ by Kelly Gay (5/5 stars)
I love the Charlie Madigan series and it was wonderful to revisit this world. This story features Emma (Charlie's daughter) and Emma's âfatherâ Rex. They venture into Charbydon to rescue some Hellhound puppies. This was a bittersweet story that I really enjoyed. It was great to watch Emma coming in to her own powers.
âDaughter of the Midway, the Mermaid, and the Open, Lonely Seaâ by Seanan McGuire (5/5 stars)
I also loved this story. I am a huge fan of McGuire and really enjoy her writing style. This was an excellent story about a teen who is fighting against becoming a mermaid. Her mother is part of a traveling carnival and has already succumbed to mermaidism. This was beautifully written.
My favorites were âThe Three Lives of Lydiaâ by Dawson (this is set in the world of Sang which I adore), âThe Cold Girlâ by Rachel Caine (just an amazing story), âHell's Menagerieâ by Kelly Gay (this was set in the Charlie Madigan world which I love and was a great story), and âDaughter of the Midway, the Mermaid, and the Open, Lonely Seaâ by Seanan McGuire (I am a huge McGuire fan and loved this story).
Overall this is a decent collection of urban fantasy stories from some of the most popular UF authors out there. I enjoyed the dark carnival theme throughout. You can see below for ratings and brief descriptions of each story.
âPainted Loveâ by Rob Thurman (4/5 stars)
This was an interesting story about an entity that likes to experience humanity. When he accidentally gets involved with a sociopath he takes matters into his own hands. I enjoyed this; it was creative and creepy.
âThe Three Lives of Lydiaâ by Delilah S. Dawson (5/5 stars)
I always love revisiting the world of Sang...Dawson writes amazing short stories (I like them better than her full length novels). This was beautifully written and very dark. It follows Lydia and Charlie's story. I absolutely loved it.
âThe Demon Barker of Wheat Street by Kevin Hearne (4/5 stars)
A great short story featuring Atticus and Granuaile going to a carnival that is not what it seems. Very fun and well written. This was a great addition to the Iron Druid Chronicles
âThe Sweeter the Juiceâ by Mark Henry (2/5 stars)
I didn't really like this one. It was set in a post-apocalyptic zombie world and features drug addicted trannies tracking down a new drug that is supposed to truly transform them. It was weird and hard to read and not enjoyable.
âThe Werewifeâ by Jaye Wells (4/5 stars)
I liked the irony of this story; it was darkly humorous and interesting. It's about a guy who is exasperated with his wife-turned-werewolf.
âThe Cold Girlâ by Rachel Caine (5/5 stars)
This was a really good story about a girl stuck in a relationship with an abusive boyfriend. When she finds out about some very dark secrets of his, her life is in danger. However, the boyfriend gets exactly what he deserves in the end. This was a very good story and I really loved it.
âA Duet with Darknessâ by Allison Pang (4/5 stars)
This was a decent urban fantasy story about a woman who has magic powers related to hearing music. She is apparently bound to a demon already but is tempted with a magical violin by another demon. This was beautifully written and a well done story.
âRecession of the Divineâ by Hillary Jacques (2/5 stars)
This is about a woman named Olivia who is trying to eke out a living as an insurance adjuster. However it ends up Olivia isn't exactly mortal. I didn't really like this story much it was boring and I almost stopped reading it a couple times.
âParlor Tricksâ by Jennifer Estep (3/5 stars)
This is a quick story about Gin and Bria going to a carnival to find a missing teen. What they find is an expert Air Elemental. This was okay; this set in the Elemental Assassin world.
âFreak Houseâ by Kelly Meding (4/5 stars)
This is about a half djinn heroine who goes to a super expensive freak show to find her djinn father. I assume this is some background around how the heroine got into Para law enforcement but I am not sure. This would have probably been better with some more background on the heroine. It was a well done and entertaining story though.
âThe Inside Manâ by Nicole Peeler (4/5 stars)
This was a super creepy clown story that I enjoyed. It features some of the side characters from the Jane True series as they go to investigate a case for a manticore who hires them.
âA Chance in Hellâ by Jackie Kessler (3/5 stars)
This story was okay but definitely not my favorite. It's about an ex-succubus who has to save her friend from a demon at a carnival who is trying to steal her friend's soul. Lots of sex in this one and not all that easy to read. I was a fan of Kessler's Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse series but this story wasn't great.
âHell's Menagerieâ by Kelly Gay (5/5 stars)
I love the Charlie Madigan series and it was wonderful to revisit this world. This story features Emma (Charlie's daughter) and Emma's âfatherâ Rex. They venture into Charbydon to rescue some Hellhound puppies. This was a bittersweet story that I really enjoyed. It was great to watch Emma coming in to her own powers.
âDaughter of the Midway, the Mermaid, and the Open, Lonely Seaâ by Seanan McGuire (5/5 stars)
I also loved this story. I am a huge fan of McGuire and really enjoy her writing style. This was an excellent story about a teen who is fighting against becoming a mermaid. Her mother is part of a traveling carnival and has already succumbed to mermaidism. This was beautifully written.
