I've enjoyed many of Greenberg's anthologies, and was delighted to find this new-to-me paperback at Savers. This one's themed on the villains winning, which... might be fun?

Later: Enjoyable mix of tales here, some very dark indeed and others more whimsical. Among my favorites:

Tanya Huff's "All Things Being Relative" features a wicked queen who's dictating her biography, while juggling the requirements of ruling an empire. She's clearly read the "If I were an evil overlord" list!

Ed Gorman's "A New Man" is a low-key, noir-ish story of a cuckolded lawman's figurative deal with the devil.

"Horror Show" by Tim Waggoner features an over-the-hill horror-movie star confronting the truth behind the imagery.

"Death Mage" by Fiona Patton is perhaps my favorite here, and is another in her series of stories about an alternate-history renaissance-era culture in which a cadre of necromancers wield considerable power - though they're also often at risk of persecution by the Church. Here, the young but very talented necromancer Sepori goes after whoever's responsible for the arrest, torture, and execution of a number of his fellow mages.

R. Davis' "King of Thorns" deals with the deadly final training-tests of a group of skilled assassins.

Peter Crowther's "Heroes and Villains" does a nice job of illustrating the balance between the good guys and the bad guys.

Josepha Sherman's "The Usurper Memos" features the increasingly annoyed evil-overlord who has to cope with miscommunications on all sides.

Other tales touch on the origins of one Captain Hook, a lost Sherlock Holmes adventure, the truth behind Santa Claus, a soul-stealing spirit allying with an abortion doctor, and more.

I'm adding this to the A-to-Z bookbox, which will be on its way to its next stop soon.

Letter: V

Came home with the Alphabet book box - representing V

I have so many books right now, I am even trying to weed out the ones languishing on Mt TBR, so I am endeavoring not to add -- unless I just can't help myself :-) - I Can't Help Myself....adding to Mt TBR

Introduction by John Helfers

All Things Being Relative by Tanya Huff
This was an okay story that tied in many a fairytale

The Mould of Form by Rosemary Edghill
An excellent prequel to the “villain” Captain Hook

The Specter of Tullyfane Abbey by Peter Tremayne Oh how I loved this Sherlock Holmes tale…and it benefited in having us already familiar with the characters…one of the things that can bog down a short story

Doubting Thomas by Kristine Kathryn Rusch I shan’t ruin this gem of a tale, but the villain is not one you expect

The Whiteviper Scrolls by David Bischoff This started out as not one of my faves…but by the end I was looking for more of the Whiteviper scrolls

A New Man by Ed Gorman Big fun..a quick little tale with a nod to a real life villain

Souls to Take by Gary A. Braunbeck and Lucy Snyder Disturbing as this tale takes place in a world where a woman’s choice has been taken away..sound familiar?

Nina by Pauline E. Dungate This was a great story about a woman taking control. Villain? Perhaps.

Horror Show by Tim Waggoner I have watched enough horror movies to appreciate this for all it is.

Death Mage by Fiona Patton Not one of my favorites

King of Thorns by R. Davis Had me wanting to read The Hunger Games again, an enjoyable but hostile and devious game to win the King of Thorns

The Usurper Memos by Josepha Sherman I liked the style, told in memos.

To Speak with Angels by Michelle West A entertaining trip to Hell.

Heroes and Villains by Peter Crowther This is the perfect ending to this anthology. Reminds me of the movie Mr.Frost

Left in the surgery waiting room
////////////
Congratulations!! You have found a rare and unique gift, a travelling book!!


While it is possible I have read and given my thoughts on this book, it is more likely it is a book I found/purchased specifically to send out into the world! In either case, please read what has been said before, where has this book been, who enjoyed it, who didn't -- and perhaps, if you care to, you can add your two cents!


You do not have to join bookcrossing to pick up, enjoy, and journal a book -- however, if you do decide to join us, please consider using me (innae) as your recommending friend, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to drop me a personal message (for more info, check out the FAQ).


And again, thank you for saving this book from a life of boredom!

**************************************************************************