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Vixen
The power and appeal of women is great, and there's nothing better than watching a woman do what she loves best. But what happens when what she loves best is another woman?
Cavatina, Cabaletta by Rachel White is a grand tale of the opera, and two women who loathe, despise, and detest each other—until the arrival of a greater enemy forces them to set aside their antagonism. The Huntress by T.T. Kove is the story of a princess who refuses to bow to the dictates of her family, and in setting out to forge her own path stumbles across a woman like no one she's ever seen. Slaying Dragons by Sasha L. Miller tells of a highly-skilled Combatant constantly saddled with subpar mages, until she meets a mage who seems far too good to be true. The Thicket by Liz Lambdin is the tale of an unusual princess who climbs a tower and meets a gloomy witch. Weather the Storm by Julia March is the story of a young woman who runs away from home to marry her true and go on a grand adventure … The Mermaid by Megan Derr is the story of a woman forced into marriage by scandal, who on journeying to her fiancé's island home soon learns there is more than a little truth to the local myths … Masquerade by Ashley Shaw is the story a woman who enters a palace to deceive a king but finds herself seduced by a queen.
Cavatina, Cabaletta by Rachel White is a grand tale of the opera, and two women who loathe, despise, and detest each other—until the arrival of a greater enemy forces them to set aside their antagonism. The Huntress by T.T. Kove is the story of a princess who refuses to bow to the dictates of her family, and in setting out to forge her own path stumbles across a woman like no one she's ever seen. Slaying Dragons by Sasha L. Miller tells of a highly-skilled Combatant constantly saddled with subpar mages, until she meets a mage who seems far too good to be true. The Thicket by Liz Lambdin is the tale of an unusual princess who climbs a tower and meets a gloomy witch. Weather the Storm by Julia March is the story of a young woman who runs away from home to marry her true and go on a grand adventure … The Mermaid by Megan Derr is the story of a woman forced into marriage by scandal, who on journeying to her fiancé's island home soon learns there is more than a little truth to the local myths … Masquerade by Ashley Shaw is the story a woman who enters a palace to deceive a king but finds herself seduced by a queen.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 24, 2012
This is my first foray into the world of f/f. Previously, I only ever came across titles such as Sorority Sister Sexcapades and I have little interest in PWP, no matter the genders involved. Then LT3 came out with Vixen. LT3 is an autobuy publisher for me and I can generally rely on them to give me good, plotty, non-porn-y stories. While I don't think I will ever be attracted to f/f stories as much as I am to m/m stories (I love me some manlove), this was a good introduction to stories about love between women. Some I loved, some I liked, one I was disappointed in. If you are curious and looking for somewhere to get your toes wet, this is a great anthology to start with. If you already know you love f/f stories then this will certainly offer you a variety of interesting stories. My one overall complaint is that all the stories are either historical or fantasy stories. I would have liked to have at least one of the stories be in a contemporary setting (I was intrigued by the suggestion of a cop story in the blurb). Having read this anthology, I will definitely be a little more open to f/f stories in the future.
Cavatina, Cabaletta - 2.5 stars
Two opera stars vie for the spotlight and each others' throats, until one learns of a secret that could bring down a royal house. They must work together to prevent the tragedy and perhaps find comfort where before there was only hatred. The characters in this story just felt flat and did not draw me in, despite an interesting plot premise.
The Huntress - 3 stars
Liv has a secret that she doesn't want anyone at the common inn she has found herself in to know, especially the beautiful huntress, Amala. However, as secrets always do, hers came out at the worst time. Can these two overcome secrets and family pressure to find happiness? I enjoyed this story but the romance between the two seemed out of nowhere and the end seemed too pat. Nevertheless, it did leave me with smile that they were able to find their HEA.
Slaying Dragons - 4 stars
Devi is ... difficult...to work with. As a combatant, she has had 4 complaints in the past 2 years. She expects her assignment to pair with Mage Lavoie to defeat a dragon in the borderlands will be her last. Except, Mage Lavoie is nothing like the mages she has paired with before. Perhaps they are just what the other needs. I enjoyed this story very much. The characters had depth and the plot remained interesting. While I expected the very end, the twist it took before the story got there was completely unexpected (to me at least) which is always refreshing.
The Thicket - 3.5 stars
What if the princess trapped in the tower were not trapped but were there voluntarily, as the lover of the witch? What happens when she decides to go off with the prince who came along to rescue her? Hilde has been locked her tower alone for far too long after her lover left her. Evelyn has never felt like she fit as a proper princess. These two clash and come together and perhaps become something more together than they ever were apart. This was a fun remake on a classic tale and while predictable it was also entertaining and left me with a smile on my face.
Weathering the Storm - 3.5 stars
Emily runs away from home expecting to sail with James to Jamaica as his wife but after the first true kiss she realizes that would be a huge mistake. James helps to get her a spot on a ship as cabin boy using the disguise she created to escape her family. She is shocked to learn the Quartermaster she has been drawn to since they met is also hiding a secret. This was shorter than the other stories so far but still entertaining. I would have liked to have a more fleshed out ending to answer some of the hanging questions. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Mermaid - 4 stars
Sophia fears her life is over when she is caught in a rather compromising position...with another woman, until a proposal comes from an unexpected corner. However, all is not what it seems and Sophia is dropped into a world of magic and mermaids. I really enjoyed this different take on the mermaid mythology. I was a bit skeptical through the beginning of the story as to how it would work out convincingly but, as always, Megan Derr brought it home admirably.
The Masquerade - 3 stars
Lilith has been a part of Isaac's clan for 12 years and she has never doubted his leadership. Until now. He asks her to kill for him but when she inserts herself undercover to accomplish her mission, she discovers his reasons are flawed and he is acting without correct information. The King who is supposedly a murderer lacks the expected cruelty and the Queen who supposedly stole him away from his one true love is anything but interested in the King. In fact, she seems interested only in Lilith. I enjoyed the plotting and machinations of this story but the romance seemed rushed and stilted. Lilith and Vanessa barely ever talk, they never really get to know each other and after barely a few kisses Lilith is ready to declare love. And the Queen who argued so fiercely for her people, just up and leaves at the end. It doesn't seem logical. However, it was a well written espionage short.
Cavatina, Cabaletta - 2.5 stars
Two opera stars vie for the spotlight and each others' throats, until one learns of a secret that could bring down a royal house. They must work together to prevent the tragedy and perhaps find comfort where before there was only hatred. The characters in this story just felt flat and did not draw me in, despite an interesting plot premise.
The Huntress - 3 stars
Liv has a secret that she doesn't want anyone at the common inn she has found herself in to know, especially the beautiful huntress, Amala. However, as secrets always do, hers came out at the worst time. Can these two overcome secrets and family pressure to find happiness? I enjoyed this story but the romance between the two seemed out of nowhere and the end seemed too pat. Nevertheless, it did leave me with smile that they were able to find their HEA.
Slaying Dragons - 4 stars
Devi is ... difficult...to work with. As a combatant, she has had 4 complaints in the past 2 years. She expects her assignment to pair with Mage Lavoie to defeat a dragon in the borderlands will be her last. Except, Mage Lavoie is nothing like the mages she has paired with before. Perhaps they are just what the other needs. I enjoyed this story very much. The characters had depth and the plot remained interesting. While I expected the very end, the twist it took before the story got there was completely unexpected (to me at least) which is always refreshing.
The Thicket - 3.5 stars
What if the princess trapped in the tower were not trapped but were there voluntarily, as the lover of the witch? What happens when she decides to go off with the prince who came along to rescue her? Hilde has been locked her tower alone for far too long after her lover left her. Evelyn has never felt like she fit as a proper princess. These two clash and come together and perhaps become something more together than they ever were apart. This was a fun remake on a classic tale and while predictable it was also entertaining and left me with a smile on my face.
Weathering the Storm - 3.5 stars
Emily runs away from home expecting to sail with James to Jamaica as his wife but after the first true kiss she realizes that would be a huge mistake. James helps to get her a spot on a ship as cabin boy using the disguise she created to escape her family. She is shocked to learn the Quartermaster she has been drawn to since they met is also hiding a secret. This was shorter than the other stories so far but still entertaining. I would have liked to have a more fleshed out ending to answer some of the hanging questions. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Mermaid - 4 stars
Sophia fears her life is over when she is caught in a rather compromising position...with another woman, until a proposal comes from an unexpected corner. However, all is not what it seems and Sophia is dropped into a world of magic and mermaids. I really enjoyed this different take on the mermaid mythology. I was a bit skeptical through the beginning of the story as to how it would work out convincingly but, as always, Megan Derr brought it home admirably.
The Masquerade - 3 stars
Lilith has been a part of Isaac's clan for 12 years and she has never doubted his leadership. Until now. He asks her to kill for him but when she inserts herself undercover to accomplish her mission, she discovers his reasons are flawed and he is acting without correct information. The King who is supposedly a murderer lacks the expected cruelty and the Queen who supposedly stole him away from his one true love is anything but interested in the King. In fact, she seems interested only in Lilith. I enjoyed the plotting and machinations of this story but the romance seemed rushed and stilted. Lilith and Vanessa barely ever talk, they never really get to know each other and after barely a few kisses Lilith is ready to declare love. And the Queen who argued so fiercely for her people, just up and leaves at the end. It doesn't seem logical. However, it was a well written espionage short.
October 27, 2013
I so enjoyed every moment of this book. Brief reviews of the stories:
Cavatina, Cabaletta by Rachel White: A great tale of adventure and opera. This one suffers a little from clunkiness in the beginning, but stick with it. Great fun and the heroines are fantastic characters I couldn't help but cheer for.
The Huntress by T.T. Kove: This is where the book takes on its fairy tale feel. In Liv, she takes the 'princess who wants to live a commoner's life' trope and does some really fun things with it. Love the monster-worms in this one.
Slaying Dragons by Sasha L. Miller: The second of the warrior/mage pairings, and definitely the stronger. This one is full of nuanced personality from both women, and I really love the little twist in the end, the final barrier to the HEA. A favorite.
The Thicket by Liz Lambdin: This is the one I would call beautiful, I think. There's a kind of slow burn to the relationship, and Lambdin handles it in a fascinating way, weaving several fairy tales together to create her world within a tower. A favorite.
Weather the Storm by Julia March: So. Much. Fun. I knew from the second we met Emily that I was going to love her. And I had a similar feeling about William. This is a great story and though it's not at all pirate-y, it has that perfect high seas feeling. Tense, but in a fun way, and so well executed.
The Mermaid by Megan Derr: So many criss-crossing world points, character points, and myths in one story, but woven seamlessly. I talk a lot about Derr's superior worlds and this is why. The characters all display that perfect balance of snark and heartfelt vulnerability that just makes me... guh. A favorite.
Masquerade by Ashley Shaw: Like the first story, this is a really fantastic adventure tale of a woman put in a life-or-death situation (for more than just her) and fighting her ass off for what she--quite unexpectedly--loves. Clunky in the beginning, but magic by the end. So good.
So yes, highly recommended collection here. Some sweet romance f/f adventure for all.
Cavatina, Cabaletta by Rachel White: A great tale of adventure and opera. This one suffers a little from clunkiness in the beginning, but stick with it. Great fun and the heroines are fantastic characters I couldn't help but cheer for.
The Huntress by T.T. Kove: This is where the book takes on its fairy tale feel. In Liv, she takes the 'princess who wants to live a commoner's life' trope and does some really fun things with it. Love the monster-worms in this one.
Slaying Dragons by Sasha L. Miller: The second of the warrior/mage pairings, and definitely the stronger. This one is full of nuanced personality from both women, and I really love the little twist in the end, the final barrier to the HEA. A favorite.
The Thicket by Liz Lambdin: This is the one I would call beautiful, I think. There's a kind of slow burn to the relationship, and Lambdin handles it in a fascinating way, weaving several fairy tales together to create her world within a tower. A favorite.
Weather the Storm by Julia March: So. Much. Fun. I knew from the second we met Emily that I was going to love her. And I had a similar feeling about William. This is a great story and though it's not at all pirate-y, it has that perfect high seas feeling. Tense, but in a fun way, and so well executed.
The Mermaid by Megan Derr: So many criss-crossing world points, character points, and myths in one story, but woven seamlessly. I talk a lot about Derr's superior worlds and this is why. The characters all display that perfect balance of snark and heartfelt vulnerability that just makes me... guh. A favorite.
Masquerade by Ashley Shaw: Like the first story, this is a really fantastic adventure tale of a woman put in a life-or-death situation (for more than just her) and fighting her ass off for what she--quite unexpectedly--loves. Clunky in the beginning, but magic by the end. So good.
So yes, highly recommended collection here. Some sweet romance f/f adventure for all.
July 21, 2021
This is definitely a very strong collection of fantasy short-stories, well written, well edited, and pleasantly free of the erotica which often seems obligatory in longer lesbian works.
While I would echo other reviewers in pointing to "Weathering the Storm" as being the overall weakest of the set, this is not really saying very much. The stories were all well paced, and all of roughly the 'right' length to carry the narrative through to a satisfying ending (- sometimes you are left wanting more in a short story, and sometimes catastrophically less). My personal favourite from the collection was "Slaying Dragons", which was quirky and amusing. "The Mermaid" has also stuck in my memory, mostly for its sweet tone.
This is definitely a fine collection of stories, and is worth checking out.
While I would echo other reviewers in pointing to "Weathering the Storm" as being the overall weakest of the set, this is not really saying very much. The stories were all well paced, and all of roughly the 'right' length to carry the narrative through to a satisfying ending (- sometimes you are left wanting more in a short story, and sometimes catastrophically less). My personal favourite from the collection was "Slaying Dragons", which was quirky and amusing. "The Mermaid" has also stuck in my memory, mostly for its sweet tone.
This is definitely a fine collection of stories, and is worth checking out.
October 31, 2012
While it's always hard to rate an anthology, this was a remarkably strong collection of stories with a lot of offer. Slaying Dragons, The Thicket, and The Mermaid were definite standouts here, enough so that they heavily weighted my overall feelings towards the anthology. Cavatina, Cabaletta was probably the biggest surprise, working much better than I expected, while Weathering the Storm was (for me) the weakest piece of the collection - it was okay, it just lacked an emotional hook for me.
December 14, 2014
An anthology is like a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you're gonna get. :P
I surprisingly enjoyed most of the shorts. Some are very nicely written. Nice reads for taking my mind off the office hustle and bustle.
My Top 3:
1. The Mermaid
2. The Thicket
3. Slaying Dragons
The "almost" story: Cavatina, Cabaletta
Weakest: Weather the Storm
I surprisingly enjoyed most of the shorts. Some are very nicely written. Nice reads for taking my mind off the office hustle and bustle.
My Top 3:
1. The Mermaid
2. The Thicket
3. Slaying Dragons
The "almost" story: Cavatina, Cabaletta
Weakest: Weather the Storm
July 15, 2015
As with any anthology, this one has gems and duds. It also has a couple that, while well-written in terms of mechanics, perpetuate some hateful stereotypes about women, in both fiction and real life. Which I found deeply disappointing.
May 12, 2012
Review forthcoming. Requires disclaimer: my sister is one of the authors in this collection.
January 21, 2015
I found it to be a good collection of different stories and fun characters.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews