Thursday, August 21, 2014

Beyond the Pale- anthology review


Available for purchase now:  http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Pale-A-Fantasy-Anthology/dp/0989448738/
Add it on Goodreads! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22701387-beyond-the-pale
To learn more about Beyond the Pale- www.birchtreepub.com

Here's a new collection of short stories; many of you will recognize at least a handful of the authors. The stories vary quite a lot, so I think there's something in it for every kind of reader.

My overall rating is three out of five stars!

This is an added update. After posting this review, I was told by the editor to please not share my rating anywhere like Amazon or Goodreads because it was only 3/5 stars. Well, you see, that's not how reviewing works. In my review I haven't said anywhere to not buy it, or it sucks, anything like that, I just put my honest opinions in it like I always do. As an author you're going to have to deal with that sort of thing. So I'm going to share this review far and wide.

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Hooves  and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela by Saladin Ahmed:

Not my cup of tea. I tried a few pages but couldn't get into it.


Children of the Shark God by Peter S. Beagle:

I'm not sure how to categorize this one. I haven't read any of his books before, but I've definitely heard about them. This story brings the classic moral-fairytale-esque idea and twists it all around for a completely original tale. There's something about the way he writes, like a true ancient storyteller with a vivid imagination. It's impressively creative, and now I really should get to reading The Last Unicorn...


Misery by Heather Brewer:

I've only read Heather's work in other anthologies, not her actual books, so I know I like her writing style. She's also an incredibly nice person. Misery, one of her two stories in here, is probably my favorite. It reads like a true black-and-white Twilight Zone episode, with almost a touch of The Giver. This story had me in goosebumps from the first sentence, and ended differently than I expected.
(Also I realized I'd read this one in another anthology before, no wonder I liked it! Again!)

Shadow Children by Heather Brewer:

It's okay, but nothing original and sort of predictable…also too short to succeed in grabbing me.

Red Run by Kami Garcia

Supernatural fan? It's like a condensed version of an episode. Twisty turny creepy.

Pale Rider by Nancy Holder

Halfway through I realized I'd read this one before too. Its difference stands out--unique paranormal/dystopian combination.


Frost Child by Gillian Philip

Not a fan. Read a few pages but couldn't get into it, but it also had to do with one of her stories, like a prequel. So maybe that's why I just didn't understand.

South by Gillian Philip

One of the shortest stories, but in my top three favorite. Reads like an old tale of the north, but all I could gather was it's at an icy island in the middle of nowhere. Similar to Peter Beagle's story from near the beginning. Both have that older-story feel.

A Knot of Toads by Jane Yolen

Second favorite! If I remember correctly, it took place in Scotland in the early 1900s. Witches and curses and despite it's grossness, I totally enjoyed it. Don't miss this one!

The Adventures of Lightning Merriemouse-Jones by Nancy and Belle Holder

This is a retelling of Dracula….with mice as characters.

I think I'll leave you with that.


-Jane

___________



Thank you to the editor for sending me a copy of this book to review; receiving a free copy has in no way influenced my opinions of the book. This is a review without bias.

8 comments:

  1. Rossi Berharap Yamaha Bisa Tampil Sempurna di Sepang

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    Agen Bola Terpercaya indo11.com melaporkan, Valentino Rossi masih terkenang dengan kemenangan yang nyaris sempurna buat Yamaha di GP Australia lalu. The Doctor berharap prestasi serupa di seri Sepang akhir pekan ini.

    Terkecuali Pol Espargaró yang terjatuh di Phillip Island lalu, dua tim Yamaha, Movistar Yamaha dan Tech3, sukses sapu bersih podium 1-2-3 yang diklaimRossi, Jorge Lorenzo dan Bradley Smith.

    “Kemenangan terakhir di Australia luar biasa, kami sangat bahagia, terutama soal kepastian hasil bagus dari kerja keras kami terhadap motor selama ini,” ujar Rossi.

    “Motor kami berkembang pesat dan itu ditunjukkan dengan tiga pembalap Yamaha yang menguasai podium Australia,” lanjutnya.

    Demi bisa kembali menguasai podium Malaysia sekaligus bikin tim rival, Honda gigit jari lagi, pencarian set-up yang tepat akan jadi suatu keharusan. Terlebih karakter Phillip Island dan Sepang, jauh berbeda.

    Belum lagi, Rossi punya ambisi pribadi untuk juga saling sikut dengan Lorenzo dan Dani Pedrosa, guna merebut posisi runner-up klasemen musim ini.

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  2. Pertahanan Juventus Mulai Mengendur

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    Agen Bola Terpercaya indo11.com melaporkan, Musim ini, lini pertahanan Juventus begitu impresif, baik di Serie A maupun Liga Champions. Namun, kemunduran cukup signifikan mewarnai kiprah La Vecchia Signora belakangan ini.

    Setelah rentetan clean sheet mereka di semua ajang musim 2014/15 terhenti ketika takluk 0-1 dari tuan rumah Atletico Madrid dan kembali kebobolan saat mengalahkan AS Roma 3-2 di Serie A, Juventus imbang 1-1 di kandang Sassuolo. lemahnya ketangguhan pasukan Massimiliano Allegri lagi-lagi mengemuka usai ditekukOlympiakos 0-1 di Karaiskakis Stadium, Kamis (23/11).

    Melawan Olympiakos, akibat gol Pajtim Kasami pada menit 35, Juventus pun untuk pertama kalinya musim ini berada dalam kondisi tertinggal saat jeda. Sialnya, Juventus tak sanggup membalas dan dipaksa pulang dengan tangan hampa.

    Jika Allegri tak segera membenahi lini belakangnya, bukan tak mungkin sang juara bertahan tergusur dari puncak klasemen sementara Serie A. Perbaikan serupa pun diperlukan di pentas Liga Champions kalau mereka masih ingin lolos ke babak 16 besar.

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  3. Jurgen Klopp reiterated he would not leave until there is a concrete parties request it




    Agen Bola Terpercaya Cityholidaybet Reported - Borussia Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp manager admitted he was not going to move closer to the English Premier League club if he has not received a concrete job offer there.
    The latter tactic interpreter was widely attributed to the door Arsenal and Liverpool, along with the EPL this duo who appeared erratic throughout this 2014/15 season.
    "I understand if the reporters have thought so, but it's just a hot issue. I see myself with responsibility," open Klopp told reporters.
    "If only by luck and change the coach can bring it, you just need to call me and I'll step aside."
    "But this is not as easy as that. As long as neither party came and told me 'we need someone to do better again', then I will not go."
    "I do not want to like it, but I could not leave before the best solution. The responsibility was incredible, and I can take it," said Klopp.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Roberto Martinez would block efforts to tempt Arsenal James McCarthy



    Agen Bola Terpercaya Cityholidaybet Reported - Everton boss Roberto Martinez is ready to great lengths to keep James McCarthy of the possibility to leave by giving him a new contract offer.
    According to The Mirror, Martinez will seek all means that it remained his favorite player as well as stop the movement of the current Arsenal continue to approach the players for the sake of transport in January.
    The Toffees are well aware of so much interest in Arsenal, being the owner of the club was eager to continue to cooperate with McCarthy.
    Everton do not want to miss this star players and getting rejected offers from Arsenal. However, some sources say if Everton could soften their hearts when filed a dowry worth £ 20 million.

    ReplyDelete


  5. Dutchman Feels No Need to Answer Questions Related To the News That He Will Train Liverpool



    Agen Bola Terpercaya Cityholidaybet Reported - Bad start this season Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers made a shaky position. Several names were already scattered Rodgers replacement if at any time the manager kicked out of Anfield.
    One name that appears is Frank de Boer who successfully led Ajax Amsterdam Netherlands Eredvisie dominates in the last four seasons. However, De Boer, who last season was associated with Tottenham Hotspur, chose silence coached Liverpool related potentials.
    "I also respect for Rodgers, who last year underwent a fantastic season and is currently fighting. As long as there has been no contact, I do not want to think about it. I was busy with affairs at Ajax. I am not interested to train foreign club, "he added.

    ReplyDelete

  6. After Scoring His First Goal for Barcelona, 18-Year-Old Striker Is Hoping His Career Could Continue Racing



    Agen Bola Terpercaya Cityholidaybet Reported - Barcelona attacker young Adama Traore expressed his ambition to follow in the footsteps of team-mate who is also the club icon, Lionel Messi.
    Traore, who last November signed a professional contract at the Camp Nou, has just scored his first goal for Barca through individual action in a 8-1 victory over Huesca in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday (16/12). He also believes he can continue to grow rapidly in the future.
    Adama, 18 years old, played for Spain U-16 and U-19, but finally took the option to defend Mali in February.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Handanovic Akui Inter Milan Belum Bisa Samai Madrid
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    Agen Bola Terpercaya indo11.com melaporkan, Samir Handanovic mengakui bahwa Real Madrid merupakan tim yang lebih hebat dari Inter Milan, usai timnya menelan kekalahan 0-3 dalam laga uji coba yang berlangsung di Tiongkok belum lama ini.
    Kiper Slovenia tersebut sebenarnya tampil cukup baik kala menghalau serangan berulangkali dari tim asuhan Rafael Benitez. Namun apa daya, pada akhirnya Nerazurri masih harus menelan kekalahan ketiga mereka secara beruntun di negeri Tirai Bambu.
    "Tugas saya adalah mencegah gol terjadi dan saya kira saya sudah melakukan yang terbaik. Namun kami harus lebih fokus lagi. Real Madrid memang merupakan tim yang lebih baik. Kami sempat mendapat peluang dan di tur seperti ini Anda memang harus terbiasa menghadapi tim kuat," tutur Handanovic.
    "Dengan demikian, Anda tahu di mana kekurangan Anda dan apa yang harus Anda tingkatkan," pungkas sang kiper yang tahun ini memutuskan bertahan di Inter.

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  8. Kedatangan Ibrahimovic Di Liga Inggris Disambut Hangat Oleh Eden Hazard


    Agen Bola Melaporkan Berita Olahraga Terkini dan terbaru Indo11.com - Kedatangan sosok Ibrahimovic di Liga Primer Inggris, terutama di Manchester United mendapat berbagai sambutan dari berbagai kalangan. Salah satunya dari seorang Eden Hazard. Dia menyambut kedatangan Ibrahimovic sebagai “Kelas Dunia”.
    Hazard menyambut kedatangan Ibrahimovic dan menganggap Ibrahimovic akan memperkaya Liga Primer Inggris. Hazard mengaku tak sabar untuk memulai laga pertarungan di Liga Primer Inggris nantinya. “Makin sulit meraih kemenangan, tetapi justru hal itu yang membuat tim makin hebat,” ujar Hazard.
    Pemain berdarah Bosnia-Kroasia tersebut sangat erat dihubungkan dengan MU setelah pelatih berkebangsaan Portugal Jose Mourinho digosipkan dan sekarang benar-benar terealisasi melatih klub yang dijuluki Setan Merah tersebut. Ibrahimovic akhirnya memilih MU dan bekerja sama lagi dengan Mourinho.
    Selama perjalanan karir profesional Ibrahimovic, dia selalu bermain untuk klub-klub yang besar yaitu Ajax Amsterdam, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, dan selama 4 musim belakangan, memberi kemenangan kepada Paris Saint-Germain secara beruntun juara Ligue1.

    ReplyDelete