Ian Whates

I went into this not having read ANY David Gemmel. I could still tell it was an homage. Undeniably has a particular flavor. I enjoyed this anthology but I have not run out to read any Gemmell in the years since. First read 2013, another in 2022.

The highlights for me were:
Or So Legend Has It- James Barclay, Not sure exactly what was going on here but have some thoughts.

Return to Arden Falls- Ian Whates, “May I buy you a drink?” There are many questions I might say no to. This isn’t one of them.- As first lines go, not bad. Add in the evocative title and I’m hooked.

A Tower of Arkrondurl-Tanith Lee, “Alas, poor ghost!” ‘He had been dead so long, the Sorcerer, here. Yet the tower, tall and iron-grim, was still deeply feared and scrupulously avoided.beautiful prose that feels like a tribute to the subject but also to Shakespeare. Hard to go wrong.

Skipping Town- Joe Abercrombie, I’m sure this is why I purchased this compilation and even though it is available elsewhere, worth it. Javre and Shev are always worth it.

All Hail to the Oak- Anne Nicholls, So I can’t find much more than nothing about Anne but noticed the last name so am now, low-key dying to find out if they’re linked by blood or marriage. In any case the anchor story League of Resolve by Stan is a good choice to finish off.

Swords and Circle-Adrian Tchaikovsky is in between the two. I really must get around to reading his longer form stuff.

All in all, worth a read. Keeping in mind that some of these might now be available elsewhere, here is the Full list:
1. Introduction – Stan Nicholls
2. Or So Legend has It – James Barclay
3. A Blade to the Heart – Gaie Sebold
4. Return to Arden Falls – Ian Whates
5. The Drake Lords of Kyla – Storm Constantine
6. A Tower of Arkrondurl – Tanith Lee
7. Who Walks With Death – Jonathan Green
8. Skipping Town – Joe Abercrombie
9. The Land of the Eagle – Juliet E. McKenna
10. All Hail to the Oak – Anne Nicholls
11. Swords and Circle – Adrian Tchaikovsky
12. Fairyland – Jan Siegel
13. Mountain Tea – Sandra Unerman
14. The League of Resolve – Stan Nicholls… (mehr)

I only got this anthology for Gaie Sebold's story, A Blade to the Heart, and that's all this review is about.

So far i've really enjoyed reading Gaie's books but, sadly, i just feel this short fell a little short.

While i do think the redemption thing can be good fodder to build a story around, i just think in this case it's all got a bit too rushed.   Probably would have been much better as a novella, at least.

But, ho hum, every favourite writer has to write at least one thing that just doesn't work for the fangirl/fanboy reader: does anyone remember The Girl in Red?… (mehr)