Reactions to this book are going to range from 'meh' to 'OMG' depending on how you like your fae. As someone who enjoys exploring new takes on the classic fae, this hit the spot. My fave is definitely "The Slaughtered Lamb" (yes, it's werewolf. Do you have idea how hard it is to find and ORIGINAL werewolf story these days????) but there were a number of other good stories as well. I especially liked seeing the creativity of the authors as they each explored a different take on how the creatures of Faerie might fit into the modern world.

As with all anthologies, some stories are strong than others and YMMV. ( )

A collection of stories centered on the idea of fey creatures dealing with the modern world. My favorite was by far Jim Hines's "Corrupted," followed by Kari Sperring's "Water-Called" and SC Butler's "Crash." I really wanted to like Elizabeth Bear's "Slaughtered Lamb" because there were so many character and world-building concepts there that I loved, but the execution itself didn't work for me. My immediate reactions to each short story can be found in the "status updates" section.

Overall, this was a much better collection than I'm used to reading. There wasn't a stinker in the bunch (which is horribly rare!), and a few were very good. ( )

Not done yet but am posting in this review comments and ratings on each story as I read. I am not a fan of short stories but so many favorite authors in this one...

★★★★★
"Water Called" by [a:Kari Sperring|1259835|Kari Sperring|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66-4df4c878d4149c45fac159e88cb784ad.jpg].
Finished the water story; a very good but creepy dark fae story fairly oozing the same shivery déjà vu Grimm gives. New to me author.

★★☆☆☆
"We Will Not Be Undersold" by [a:Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg].
Okay story with a concept of fairies entering retail for purpose of encouraging consumer plastics to discourage use of metal/iron. Not as funny to me as I think author intended (I have worked retail and have encountered the fellow employees who drank the koolaid so to speak but it failed to strike my funny bone). Good concept from a favorite author.

★★★☆☆
"Changeling" by [a:Susan Jett|6555304|Susan Jett|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66-4df4c878d4149c45fac159e88cb784ad.jpg].
Somewhat more traditional fairytale fare with plot as title states "Changeling" -- well written story arc (author can write a short story); too handy how heroine has friend who can supply all the knowledge and tools needed. Expected I would have stronger sympathies for the characters given the plot. First I read by this author; and, one thing anthologies are good for is introducing authors unfamiliar to readers.

★★★★☆
"The Roots of Aston Quercus" by [a:Juliet E. McKenna|215177|Juliet E. McKenna|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1294789118p2/215177.jpg].
Story right on target with anthology's theme. Believable world building with dryads trying to save their grove from road expansion plans. An author I always plan to but have not yet read; now have bought first in some of her series and waiting on the TBR pile.

Reading in progress
"To Scratch An Itch" by [a:Avery Shade|4427602|Avery Shade|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66-4df4c878d4149c45fac159e88cb784ad.jpg].

Reading in progress
“Continuing Education” by [a:Kristine Smith|572256|Kristine Smith|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-F-50x66-d699becf6b6f088e26f741df8c92d54e.jpg].

Reading in progress
“How To Be Human™” by [a:Barbara Ashford|4427603|Barbara Ashford|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1304598630p2/4427603.jpg].

Reading in progress
“How Much Salt” by [a:April Steenburgh|6555313|April Steenburgh|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66-4df4c878d4149c45fac159e88cb784ad.jpg].

Reading in progress
“Hooked” by [a:Anton Strout|833164|Anton Strout|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1297087363p2/833164.jpg].

Reading in progress
“Crash” by [a:S.C. Butler|556794|S.C. Butler|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-M-50x66-f6689175dd57c0b1f6246d198a230cae.jpg].

Reading in progress
“Fixed” by [a:Jean Marie Ward|901360|Jean Marie Ward|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1244025145p2/901360.jpg]

Reading in progress
“A People Who Always Know” by [a:Shannon Page|3038507|Shannon Page|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66-4df4c878d4149c45fac159e88cb784ad.jpg] & [a:Jay Lake|234088|Jay Lake|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1245101039p2/234088.jpg].

Reading in progress
“The Slaughtered Lamb” by [a:Elizabeth Bear|108173|Elizabeth Bear|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1219878171p2/108173.jpg].

Reading in progress
“Corrupted” by [a:Jim C. Hines|172490|Jim C. Hines|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1348840639p2/172490.jpg].

Does exactly what it says on the tin: fifteen short stories about various species of ‘fae’, if we must be twee about it, surviving in the modern world. Most of the stories are perfectly decent and workmanlike; one or two weaker offerings, nothing particularly outstanding. This actually belongs to Judy, who thought I might like it. I don’t know why. ( )

This collection of short stories has a wide variety of styles and different perspectives on the relationships fae have with humans. Some fae try to blend in, some use their powers to manipulate humans, and at least one has no regard for humans.

I first read about the project on Palmatier's blog and was looking for to it. It didn't disappoint. This was easily read within a week. ( )