Enjoy!
Heroic Hearts edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L Hughes
Urban Fantasy
Publisher: ACE
Published: 5.3.22
Pages: 365
Rating: 4.5 stars
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Sellers: Amazon
ADD TO: GoodReads
GoodReads Blurb:
An all-star urban fantasy collection featuring short
stories from #1 New York Times bestselling authors Jim Butcher, Patricia
Briggs, Charlaine Harris, Kelley Armstrong, and more . . .
In this short story collection of courage, adventure, and magic,
heroes—ordinary people who do the right thing—bravely step forward.
But running toward danger might cost them everything. . . .
In #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher’s “Little Things,”
the pixie Toot-Toot discovers an invader unbeknownst to the wizard Harry
Dresden . . . and in order to defeat it, he’ll have to team up with the dread
cat Mister.
In #1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs’s “Dating
Terrors,” the werewolf Asil finds an online date might just turn into something
more—if she can escape the dark magic binding her.
In #1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris’s “The Return
of the Mage,” the Britlingen mercenaries will discover more than they’ve
bargained for when they answer the call of a distress beacon on a strange and
remote world.
And in #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong’s “Comfort
Zone,” the necromancer Chloe Saunders and the werewolf Derek Souza are just
trying to get through college. But they can’t refuse a ghost pleading for help.
ALSO INCLUDES STORIES BY Annie Bellet * Anne Bishop * Jennifer Brozek * Kevin
Hearne * Nancy Holder * Kerrie L. Hughes * Chloe Neill * R.R. Virdi
Sophia Rose's Review:
An irresistible anthology loaded with urban fantasy from so
many favorite and new to me authors compelled me to pick it up and dive into
the riches within.
“Little Things” by Jim Butcher
Dresden Files story
Tiny, but brave pixie hero discovers their castle is infiltrated and sets out to save the day when Harry is sad and trying to keep up with new responsibilities. Whimsical and fun-action!
“The Dark Ship” by Anne Bishop
The Others story
An intuit and Terre Indigene sea tale on the Cel-Romano
coast. Loved the tone to the intuit girl's
story. She can't help saving others even
when her circumstances are dire. Very
satisfying!
“Comfort Zone” by Kelley Armstrong
A Darkest Powers story
A necromancer and her werewolf boyfriend are trying to find
a balance between hiding from the danger to them and stepping in to help others
in desperate circumstances. Exciting and
heartwarming!
“Train to Last Hope” by Annie Bellet
Oh the ache of a parent who lost her child. A hearth witch and her Reaper wife go on one
last search to find their missing daughter.
Bittersweet, beautiful story.
“Fire Hazard” by Kevin Hearne
Iron Druid story
Atticus takes Oberon and Starbuck to fight the fires in
Australia. He is worried there might be
a supernatural influence. Oberon learns
the difference between sausage and courage.
Funny and whimsical adventure.
“Grave Gambles” by RR Virdi
A Grave Report story
Vincent hops dead bodies to solve their murders by monsters
and I was intrigued by my first encounter with the series.
“Silverspell” by Chloe Neill
Heir of Chicagoland story
Alisa and Connor work a case of a werewolf murdered and dark
magic in the air. I enjoyed my first dip
into the Chicagoland Vampire world and spin off Heirs of Chicagoland.
“Troll Life” by Kerrie L Hughes
The coolest of worldbuilding- a troll minding a train
station for supernaturals, his pet barghest, sentient trains, and a missing
gargoyle child adventure. Favorite new
to me author story of the book!
“The Return of the Mage” by Charlaine Harris
A world of Sookie Stackhouse story
An adventure for a pair of familiar Britlingen mercs. I liked encountering Batanya and Clovache
once again. Sent on a rescue op that
goes wrong. Abrupt ending leaving some
loose ends.
“The Vampires Karamazov” by Nancy Holder
Alexei, his brothers, and his father are a family of Russian
vampires in NYC. Alexei does not embrace
vampirism and is very religious. His
father is the opposite and no good. A
tortured hero story.
“The Necessity of Pragmatic Magic” by Jennifer Brosek
A Karen Wilson Chronicles story
A mysterious artifact arrives at the museum where Maureen
works and it takes all of her and Felicia's pragmatic magic skills to deal with
the trouble that is unleashed. I was
left with a few question, but I want more of the series.
“Dating Terrors” by Patricia Briggs
An Alpha and Omega story
Asil's latest blind date takes him to Seattle for a ghost
hunting date where he encounters a fae witch with a big monster problem. Something about Ruby has his wolf feeling
whole and like he did before losing his mate.
I need more Asil and the whole Alpha and Omega world.
Alas, the stories are through and I reveled in several, was
entertained by all, and left with satisfaction at favorite authors' stories and
discovery of a few new to me authors' books I need to pursue further. Most of these could be read as standalones
and enjoyed as samplings to the authors, but I also appreciated the added
pleasure of already being familiar with worlds and characters in the ones I
knew. Urban Fantasy fans should consider
this a treat to read.
Author’s Bio:
Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new
steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of
skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite
badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of
video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim
currently resides mostly inside his own head, but his head can generally be
found in the mountains outside Denver, Colorado.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by
this name in the early 1990’s when he decided he would become a published
author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to
become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living.
The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long
odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/longshotauthor
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though
curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged
and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian
transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball,
Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
Sophia’s Social Media
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose
What a great way to get a little piece of a favorite author and meet some new ones. Great review Sophia Rose
ReplyDeleteSure was, Debbie!
DeleteI loved this anthology so much. I thought there wasn't a bad story in it.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
I agree. They were all really good in their own way and I was thrilled that the ones I most wanted were fabulous.
DeleteThis is on my TBR. Hope to get to it soon.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a treat, Nadene. :)
DeleteI was really impressed by this anthology. Such a great group of authors!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, this was a treasure trove, Carole!
DeleteNice review. I really enjoyed this one - both for the stories in series I already love, and for finding new authors to enjoy. I loved the Hughes story as well. This reminds me, I need to look her up. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen! I agree and need to get to Hughes backlist, too.
DeleteI want it just for the others story
ReplyDelete