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Songs of Love Lost and Found
Featuring five deliciously romantic stories set in historical and high fantasy worlds, this exclusive eBook set is the perfect gift for any romance reader.Featuring stories by Jo Beverley, Cecelia Holland, Robin Hobb, Jacqueline Carey, and Tanith Lee, this collection of five wonderful romantic stories from five wickedly creative authors includes beautiful maids and clever minstrels, orphans destined for greatness and spies thirsting for revenge, and a pair of lovers who must struggle against the forces of magic and fate. Originally published in the anthology Songs of Love and Death (edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois), these compelling stories are specially packaged in one eBook set at a great price.
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2012
45 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Jo Beverley
141 books1,129 followersMary Josephine Dunn was born 22 September 1947 in Lancashire, England, UK. At the age of eleven she went to an all-girls boarding school, Layton Hill Convent, Blackpool. At sixteen, she wrote her first romance, with a medieval setting, completed in installments in an exercise book. From 1966 to 1970, she obtained a degree in English history from Keele University in Staffordshire, where she met her future husband, Ken Beverley. After graduation, they married on June 24, 1971. She quickly attained a position as a youth employment officer until 1976, working first in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and then in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.
Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.
Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 3, 2018
First, the disclaimer: This is essentially a romance anthology, and I’m not a fan of romance novels. I’m also not that crazy for the short story format, although sometimes they make a nice change of pace in small doses. So why on Earth did I read this? I read it for the Robin Hobb story which is set in the series I’m currently reading. Since there are only five stories in the anthology, I’m just going to write a brief review for each of them.
The Marrying Maid by Jo Beverley
This one was… bizarre. For reasons explained (eventually) in the story, Rob must marry and have sex with a pre-determined woman before his 25th birthday or he and his entire family will die. At the beginning of the story, he finally finds the correct woman, Martha, when his time is almost out. Even if I was a fan of romance stories, I don’t think I would have enjoyed this one. The desperation of Rob and the reluctance of Martha made the story uncomfortable, and not at all romantic. 2 stars.
Blue Boots by Robin Hobb
This was the story that I read the anthology for. It’s set in the Six Duchies from her Elderlings series, but familiarity with the series isn’t needed to understand the story. Somebody unfamiliar with it probably wouldn’t even realize it was set in a larger series. It’s a fairly straight-forward romance, with some of what I would consider to be typical romance tropes. The romance took place between characters who barely knew each other, so I never really bought into it. It’s written well enough, so I might have enjoyed this more if I was a romance reader. I think Hobb is great at writing characters, and that showed in this story. However, it really didn’t add any new depth to the Six Duchies setting for me. 3 stars.
You, and You Alone by Jacqueline Carey
This was the story that made me sit and stare at my Kindle for a minute after I finished it. I think I liked it, but it was tragic. The reader knows it’s going to be tragic from the very beginning, so that wasn’t surprising, but I actually got a little invested in the relationship in this one. I think what really helped this one feel more real was that the story takes place over several years and we see their ups and downs. There’s also a little more to this story than just romance; there’s a tiny hint of political intrigue as well. I haven’t yet read Carey’s Kushiel series, but it’s been on my to-read list for a while so I enjoyed getting a taste of her writing. I’m pretty sure this was set in that series, because I recognized some proper names from the book titles. I occasionally had the feeling that this story had a lot more meaning and relevance to a bigger picture than what I was grasping due to being unfamiliar with the setting. I’ll have to re-read this once I do finally read the series. Oh, and my read of The Iliad earlier this year paid off because there were a few references to it. :) 3.5 stars.
Under/Above the Water by Tanith Lee
This story didn’t do anything for me at all. I’m not entirely sure why, but I didn’t buy into the story and I didn’t feel any connection to the characters. I can’t even think of more to say than that, which in itself probably speaks best for the lack of impression this made on me. 2 stars.
Demon Lover by Cecelia Holland
In the first paragraph of this story, a demon is essentially trying to rape the main character. So my initial reaction was, “Oooookay…” But actually, once it got started, the story captured my interest. The romance didn’t have a lot of substance nor did it have much appeal but, by this point in the anthology, I wasn’t really expecting it to. I think short stories are probably not the best vehicle for believable romances. Not for what I as a reader would consider believable, anyway. I might have been interested in a longer version of this story with more focus on the other aspects of the setting aside from the romance. 3 stars.
So those star ratings average out to 2.7, which mathematically-speaking should be rounded down to 2.5. However, I’m going to round it up to 3 based on two things: 1) the strength of the Carey story which I did debate giving 4 stars and 2) an acknowledgement that I really wasn’t the right audience for this anthology, and I knew that going in but chose to read it anyway.
The Marrying Maid by Jo Beverley
This one was… bizarre. For reasons explained (eventually) in the story, Rob must marry and have sex with a pre-determined woman before his 25th birthday or he and his entire family will die. At the beginning of the story, he finally finds the correct woman, Martha, when his time is almost out. Even if I was a fan of romance stories, I don’t think I would have enjoyed this one. The desperation of Rob and the reluctance of Martha made the story uncomfortable, and not at all romantic. 2 stars.
Blue Boots by Robin Hobb
This was the story that I read the anthology for. It’s set in the Six Duchies from her Elderlings series, but familiarity with the series isn’t needed to understand the story. Somebody unfamiliar with it probably wouldn’t even realize it was set in a larger series. It’s a fairly straight-forward romance, with some of what I would consider to be typical romance tropes. The romance took place between characters who barely knew each other, so I never really bought into it. It’s written well enough, so I might have enjoyed this more if I was a romance reader. I think Hobb is great at writing characters, and that showed in this story. However, it really didn’t add any new depth to the Six Duchies setting for me. 3 stars.
You, and You Alone by Jacqueline Carey
This was the story that made me sit and stare at my Kindle for a minute after I finished it. I think I liked it, but it was tragic. The reader knows it’s going to be tragic from the very beginning, so that wasn’t surprising, but I actually got a little invested in the relationship in this one. I think what really helped this one feel more real was that the story takes place over several years and we see their ups and downs. There’s also a little more to this story than just romance; there’s a tiny hint of political intrigue as well. I haven’t yet read Carey’s Kushiel series, but it’s been on my to-read list for a while so I enjoyed getting a taste of her writing. I’m pretty sure this was set in that series, because I recognized some proper names from the book titles. I occasionally had the feeling that this story had a lot more meaning and relevance to a bigger picture than what I was grasping due to being unfamiliar with the setting. I’ll have to re-read this once I do finally read the series. Oh, and my read of The Iliad earlier this year paid off because there were a few references to it. :) 3.5 stars.
Under/Above the Water by Tanith Lee
This story didn’t do anything for me at all. I’m not entirely sure why, but I didn’t buy into the story and I didn’t feel any connection to the characters. I can’t even think of more to say than that, which in itself probably speaks best for the lack of impression this made on me. 2 stars.
Demon Lover by Cecelia Holland
In the first paragraph of this story, a demon is essentially trying to rape the main character. So my initial reaction was, “Oooookay…” But actually, once it got started, the story captured my interest. The romance didn’t have a lot of substance nor did it have much appeal but, by this point in the anthology, I wasn’t really expecting it to. I think short stories are probably not the best vehicle for believable romances. Not for what I as a reader would consider believable, anyway. I might have been interested in a longer version of this story with more focus on the other aspects of the setting aside from the romance. 3 stars.
So those star ratings average out to 2.7, which mathematically-speaking should be rounded down to 2.5. However, I’m going to round it up to 3 based on two things: 1) the strength of the Carey story which I did debate giving 4 stars and 2) an acknowledgement that I really wasn’t the right audience for this anthology, and I knew that going in but chose to read it anyway.
May 27, 2022
Dovrei mettere 5 stelle solo per il racconto di Jacqueline Carey su Delauny, ma siccome gli altri racconti non mi hanno colpito nello stesso modo, sarò onesta.
5 racconti Fantasy sul tema dell'amore e della perdita, alcuni tragici, altri felici, tutti romantici.
Ho scoperto di adorare queste raccolte a tema e vorrei scoprire di più alcune di queste autrici😍
5 racconti Fantasy sul tema dell'amore e della perdita, alcuni tragici, altri felici, tutti romantici.
Ho scoperto di adorare queste raccolte a tema e vorrei scoprire di più alcune di queste autrici😍
November 6, 2012
Jaqueline Carey's tale by itself merits the 5 stars, the additional 4 are icing on the cake.
April 9, 2014
I didn't read the original anthology this is part of (Songs of Love and Death) though given the fact the original collection has almost a dozen authors I like from various genres, I really should have. And maybe I will at some point (that is not right now). This collection however took 5 of the stories--how they were chosen I know not--and released them together as an ebook special.
I'll review each story separately and then my overall impression.
"The Marrying Maid" by Jo Beverly
Here she tells the story of a man wooing a very reluctant maid--with his life and the lives of all his relatives in the balance, all doomed to die if he can't overcome her resistance. Which is not going to be easy.
I typically like Jo Beverly's romances. Most have some sort of magical hint--overtly like this story with Oberon and Titania inferring left, right and center or more subtly, like a 'magic' locket. That said this one felt...off to me. The short format, plus the sudden urgency to the male's plight when a sudden realization hits upon him, made the genuineness of their 'love' feel artificial and as false as can be. This dampened the mood for me and left me feeling a bit uncomfortable.
"Blue Boots" by Robin Hobb
In this poignant story, Hobb shows us that although love can build bridges across the widest of chasms, those bridges can be swept away by a flood of troubles--but that sometimes, with luck and persistence, they can be built again.
The amount of love I feel for this story is manifold. Seriously. It feels a bit long-ish, as long chunks are reflective as Timbal tries to feel out her feelings and reason with her hormones, but it has a...I'm not sure what you would call it. It feels right. The length and narrative structure is like one the ballads Azen (the minstrel) sings about. I rooted for Timbal to find her happiness and despaired when it seemed like Azen was a lout. It had me engaged from beginning to end (though I do wish it could have been longer.
"You and You Alone" by Jacqueline Carey
A compelling and intricate tale that follows the consequences of a promise between star crossed lovers down through the generations--one with quite a high price in blood.
I'll be honest--most of my friends rave about Carey's novels in some fashion. I myself am not so taken with her writing. This story I believe is set in the same world as her Kushiel books (mainly because there's a lot of talk of Naamah and Kushiel's Chosen, but I can't say for sure where it falls in the chronology). And unlike does not end quite as...happily. Depending on what you consider to be happily I suppose. Its quite a romantic tale of tragedy, of losing love and regaining it and losing it again.
I suspect if I knew who Anafiel was, or what this plot he speaks of was really about I may have enjoyed this story better. As is I enjoyed it a lot for what it was (memories of a long gone past filled with regrets, selfish needs and selfless deeds) and wonder a bit at the rest.
"Under/Above the Water" by Tanith Lee
Its said that each of us has one special person in the world that we are destined to love, and that to miss meeting that special person, to go through life without them, is perhaps the worst tragedy that can befall you. Lee shows us that if you miss your destined lover in one lifetime, it may just be possible to find them in another...
I....have no idea what happened in this story. Um reincarnation? Maybe? Kind of? I enjoyed Lee quite a bit when I was younger (her Claidi Journals were boon companions of mine), but I can honestly say I don't remember the novels being this confusing (well the whole truth about who 'Claidi' kind of got confusing). Zaeli is on a trip to maybe feel something other then despair of her lost lover, Zehrendir is doing his best to find a reason to live on after losing the two people he trusted most--two different times, two different people but united. Somehow.
Yeah that's all I really understood.
"Demon Lover" by Cecelia Holland
There's a cost for everything, but here we learn that sometimes the cost can be must too high, no matter how glittering and wonderful the prize is--or seems to be.
I kind of liked this one. I didn't buy into the romance at the end. That is, I could have if Palo's introduction wasn't as bad it was and if it didn't feel like Fioretta settled for him because she felt she could do no better. The author mitigated it a little bit, but it still didn't excuse the abominable way Palo treated Fioretta originally and I found it hard to get over that. Also creepy castle is creepy.
Over all this was a nice sampling of what the anthology has to offer. I'll definitely be checking out the entire collection, there's a few other authors included I would enjoy I think, and this is definitely worth the price its at.
I'll review each story separately and then my overall impression.
"The Marrying Maid" by Jo Beverly
Here she tells the story of a man wooing a very reluctant maid--with his life and the lives of all his relatives in the balance, all doomed to die if he can't overcome her resistance. Which is not going to be easy.
I typically like Jo Beverly's romances. Most have some sort of magical hint--overtly like this story with Oberon and Titania inferring left, right and center or more subtly, like a 'magic' locket. That said this one felt...off to me. The short format, plus the sudden urgency to the male's plight when a sudden realization hits upon him, made the genuineness of their 'love' feel artificial and as false as can be. This dampened the mood for me and left me feeling a bit uncomfortable.
"Blue Boots" by Robin Hobb
In this poignant story, Hobb shows us that although love can build bridges across the widest of chasms, those bridges can be swept away by a flood of troubles--but that sometimes, with luck and persistence, they can be built again.
The amount of love I feel for this story is manifold. Seriously. It feels a bit long-ish, as long chunks are reflective as Timbal tries to feel out her feelings and reason with her hormones, but it has a...I'm not sure what you would call it. It feels right. The length and narrative structure is like one the ballads Azen (the minstrel) sings about. I rooted for Timbal to find her happiness and despaired when it seemed like Azen was a lout. It had me engaged from beginning to end (though I do wish it could have been longer.
"You and You Alone" by Jacqueline Carey
A compelling and intricate tale that follows the consequences of a promise between star crossed lovers down through the generations--one with quite a high price in blood.
I'll be honest--most of my friends rave about Carey's novels in some fashion. I myself am not so taken with her writing. This story I believe is set in the same world as her Kushiel books (mainly because there's a lot of talk of Naamah and Kushiel's Chosen, but I can't say for sure where it falls in the chronology). And unlike does not end quite as...happily. Depending on what you consider to be happily I suppose. Its quite a romantic tale of tragedy, of losing love and regaining it and losing it again.
I suspect if I knew who Anafiel was, or what this plot he speaks of was really about I may have enjoyed this story better. As is I enjoyed it a lot for what it was (memories of a long gone past filled with regrets, selfish needs and selfless deeds) and wonder a bit at the rest.
"Under/Above the Water" by Tanith Lee
Its said that each of us has one special person in the world that we are destined to love, and that to miss meeting that special person, to go through life without them, is perhaps the worst tragedy that can befall you. Lee shows us that if you miss your destined lover in one lifetime, it may just be possible to find them in another...
I....have no idea what happened in this story. Um reincarnation? Maybe? Kind of? I enjoyed Lee quite a bit when I was younger (her Claidi Journals were boon companions of mine), but I can honestly say I don't remember the novels being this confusing (well the whole truth about who 'Claidi' kind of got confusing). Zaeli is on a trip to maybe feel something other then despair of her lost lover, Zehrendir is doing his best to find a reason to live on after losing the two people he trusted most--two different times, two different people but united. Somehow.
Yeah that's all I really understood.
"Demon Lover" by Cecelia Holland
There's a cost for everything, but here we learn that sometimes the cost can be must too high, no matter how glittering and wonderful the prize is--or seems to be.
I kind of liked this one. I didn't buy into the romance at the end. That is, I could have if Palo's introduction wasn't as bad it was and if it didn't feel like Fioretta settled for him because she felt she could do no better. The author mitigated it a little bit, but it still didn't excuse the abominable way Palo treated Fioretta originally and I found it hard to get over that. Also creepy castle is creepy.
Over all this was a nice sampling of what the anthology has to offer. I'll definitely be checking out the entire collection, there's a few other authors included I would enjoy I think, and this is definitely worth the price its at.
September 10, 2017
Okaaay, este libro es, en realidad, una selección de cuatro cuentos de una antología más grande editada por George R.R. Martin y Gardner R. Dozois (Songs of Love and Death). He de admitir que sólo compré este libro porque costaba $50 y tenía una historia de Robin Hobb ♥; hubiera comprado solamente el cuento de Hobb por $50, la nets, pero también me daban curiosidad las otras historias. Lástima que no me gustaron tanto como hubiera querido. Ahora, mis pensamientos acerca de cada una:
The Marrying Maid de Jo Beverley: 3/5
El planteamiento del relato me pareció muy interesante, y también disfruté mucho la narración; ahora bien, el desarrollo y desenlace tanto del romance como de la historia me pareció muy precipitado dada su brevedad. Me parece que habría sido una gran historia si se hubiera trabajado más y si hubiera tenido una extensión de novela.
Blue Boots de Robin Hobb: 4/5
Me gustó mucho mucho ♥ Me encantó Timbal y Azen, y ver un aspecto de los Seis Ducados mucho más... hogareño y pacífico. En The Farseer Trilogy no podemos disfrutar tanto de la vida cotidiana bc, bueno, Traspié vive en la corte, es el nieto bastardo del Rey y, además, lo entrenan como asesino, así que fue muy bonito ver cómo se desarrollaba la vida y el romance de una persona común y corriente en los Seis Ducados ♥ La antología valió la pena (y la compra) nomás por este cuento.
You, And You Alone de Jacqueline Carey: 2.5/5
Okay, lo que más me gustó de esta historia es que fue un amor entre dos hombres ♥ Fue muy agradable encontrarme con una historia de amor no heterosexual, punto para eso; peeero, a pesar de que el mundo en el que está ambientado me pareció muy padre, como forma parte de una serie de novelas, no entendí qué pasaba, quiénes eran los demás personajes de los que se hablaba, ni entendí por qué el protagonista es asesinado. Seguramente me habría gustado más esta historia si hubiera leído los libros de los que forma parte :c Also, me pareció que el inicio de la relación fue un poco apresurado.
Under/Above the Water de Tanith Lee: 2/5
A este relato le pasa más o menos lo mismo que al primero: DEMASIADA BREVEDAD PARA DESARROLLAR BIEN LA IDEA. Porque el planteamiento era interesante, sin duda, pero la pobre ejecución de ésta, aunado a los saltos temporales impiden que se disfrute. Además, jamás entendí cómo se dio esta... unión entre dos seres de diferentes épocas. ¿Zaeli muere al final o qué...? No entendí. Besides, el deal con Angelo me pareció muy mal trabajado, además de un tanto innecesario. La idea era muy bonita, lástima que no llegó a buen puerto.
Demon Lover de Cecelia Holland: 1.5/5
Okay, ésta fue la que menos me gustó de todas. El título y el inicio sonaban muy prometedores, pero nunca entendí muy bien qué sucedía, quién era el demonio (mago malvado más bien), ni qué hacía, ni por qué escogió o quería a Fiorette. Además, el interés amoroso y su relación me pareció muy out of character. Primero, este interés es presentado como alguien sumamente grosero con la protagonista, y luego resulta ser todo un caballero... whut? Also, tenían más potencial para convertirse en amigos que para convertirse en ~novios~. En fin :c
The Marrying Maid de Jo Beverley: 3/5
El planteamiento del relato me pareció muy interesante, y también disfruté mucho la narración; ahora bien, el desarrollo y desenlace tanto del romance como de la historia me pareció muy precipitado dada su brevedad. Me parece que habría sido una gran historia si se hubiera trabajado más y si hubiera tenido una extensión de novela.
Blue Boots de Robin Hobb: 4/5
Me gustó mucho mucho ♥ Me encantó Timbal y Azen, y ver un aspecto de los Seis Ducados mucho más... hogareño y pacífico. En The Farseer Trilogy no podemos disfrutar tanto de la vida cotidiana bc, bueno, Traspié vive en la corte, es el nieto bastardo del Rey y, además, lo entrenan como asesino, así que fue muy bonito ver cómo se desarrollaba la vida y el romance de una persona común y corriente en los Seis Ducados ♥ La antología valió la pena (y la compra) nomás por este cuento.
You, And You Alone de Jacqueline Carey: 2.5/5
Okay, lo que más me gustó de esta historia es que fue un amor entre dos hombres ♥ Fue muy agradable encontrarme con una historia de amor no heterosexual, punto para eso; peeero, a pesar de que el mundo en el que está ambientado me pareció muy padre, como forma parte de una serie de novelas, no entendí qué pasaba, quiénes eran los demás personajes de los que se hablaba, ni entendí por qué el protagonista es asesinado. Seguramente me habría gustado más esta historia si hubiera leído los libros de los que forma parte :c Also, me pareció que el inicio de la relación fue un poco apresurado.
Under/Above the Water de Tanith Lee: 2/5
A este relato le pasa más o menos lo mismo que al primero: DEMASIADA BREVEDAD PARA DESARROLLAR BIEN LA IDEA. Porque el planteamiento era interesante, sin duda, pero la pobre ejecución de ésta, aunado a los saltos temporales impiden que se disfrute. Además, jamás entendí cómo se dio esta... unión entre dos seres de diferentes épocas. ¿Zaeli muere al final o qué...? No entendí. Besides, el deal con Angelo me pareció muy mal trabajado, además de un tanto innecesario. La idea era muy bonita, lástima que no llegó a buen puerto.
Demon Lover de Cecelia Holland: 1.5/5
Okay, ésta fue la que menos me gustó de todas. El título y el inicio sonaban muy prometedores, pero nunca entendí muy bien qué sucedía, quién era el demonio (mago malvado más bien), ni qué hacía, ni por qué escogió o quería a Fiorette. Además, el interés amoroso y su relación me pareció muy out of character. Primero, este interés es presentado como alguien sumamente grosero con la protagonista, y luego resulta ser todo un caballero... whut? Also, tenían más potencial para convertirse en amigos que para convertirse en ~novios~. En fin :c
January 4, 2026
"The Marrying Maid" -- It's a seduction story where the seduction is just "aw, come on." Feels like it wants to have something to say about the nature of feminine sexuality and masculine power, but it doesn't. Two stars for some evocative language if nothing else.
"Blue Boots" -- It's fine. Enjoyed reading it and forgot everything about it as soon as it ended. Three stars.
"You, and You Alone" -- Love Jacqueline Carey but this is a bit of a miss. The writing is lovely but I can't tell if it's for KUSHIEL'S fans or intended to stand alone. For people familiar with the events of KUSHIEL'S DART and SCION, it's mostly a rehash of things we already know. For people who haven't read Carey before, I don't think there's enough context for this to have heft or really even make sense. The framing device for the story is also an unusual and I think unsuccessful choice. Two stars.
"Under/Above the Water" -- Brilliant concept, brilliant construction. Ultimately falls short because the chemistry is entirely about fate, and if you don't buy that the two characters are fated to be with each other there's no there there. Four stars.
"Demon Lover" -- Great concept, but the resolution was too pat. Felt like it needed a bit more meat on the bones. Love a dark fairy tale though. Thinking about it more later, I don't think the work is true to its stated theme: everything has a cost, yet Fioretta and Palo are able to walk away from the bargain they willingly struck having lost nothing and gained something valuable. Two stars, but maybe just one...?
"Blue Boots" -- It's fine. Enjoyed reading it and forgot everything about it as soon as it ended. Three stars.
"You, and You Alone" -- Love Jacqueline Carey but this is a bit of a miss. The writing is lovely but I can't tell if it's for KUSHIEL'S fans or intended to stand alone. For people familiar with the events of KUSHIEL'S DART and SCION, it's mostly a rehash of things we already know. For people who haven't read Carey before, I don't think there's enough context for this to have heft or really even make sense. The framing device for the story is also an unusual and I think unsuccessful choice. Two stars.
"Under/Above the Water" -- Brilliant concept, brilliant construction. Ultimately falls short because the chemistry is entirely about fate, and if you don't buy that the two characters are fated to be with each other there's no there there. Four stars.
"Demon Lover" -- Great concept, but the resolution was too pat. Felt like it needed a bit more meat on the bones. Love a dark fairy tale though. Thinking about it more later, I don't think the work is true to its stated theme: everything has a cost, yet Fioretta and Palo are able to walk away from the bargain they willingly struck having lost nothing and gained something valuable. Two stars, but maybe just one...?
October 8, 2024
I bought this for Carey's story only, I may come back some day and read the others but for now I got what I wanted.
This is a short story about Anafiel and Rolande's romance seen through Anafiel's eyes as his life slowly bleeds away. I didn't know how much I needed this story till I read it because it was amazing!!
This is a short story about Anafiel and Rolande's romance seen through Anafiel's eyes as his life slowly bleeds away. I didn't know how much I needed this story till I read it because it was amazing!!
April 14, 2025
Mainly picked up for the Jo Beverly and Tanith Lee stories.
I'm overcoming a horrific sinus infection so short stories was all I could handle.
I'm overcoming a horrific sinus infection so short stories was all I could handle.
February 6, 2015
I only purchased this book because it had a Jacqueline Carey story in it, and because it was cheap ($1.99 on both Nook and Kindle). I'm still not sure if I'm happy about the purchase.
Story 1 - The Marrying Maid by Jo Beverly - ★
I really hated this story. A lord suddenly discovers the woman he's supposed to marry (by chance, of course) and he chases this woman around begging her to marry him. She runs screaming (as she should), but can't seem to get away from this creep. He charms her mother and aunt, and tells a story about how every man in his family must find his true love by 25, or he and his whole family dies. She spends the entire book running away from this guy, hating his guts, and right when he's practically raping her already, she agrees to sleep with him. And... everyone is happy. I love stories with the supernatural, like the faeries in the story, but WTF?
Story 2 - Blue Boots by Robin Hobb - ★★★
This was okay. It was a bit ridiculous, anyway, this girl talking about how 17 is about being naive and totally allowed to blunder around and be stupid just because she is young. And it's sweet how the story ended, with the guy who sang about his long-lost love and pined after her. But the story is still a bit overdone, and just... eh.
Story 3 - You, and You Alone by Jacqueline Carey - ★★★★★
I bought this story collection just for this story, and I was very excited to read it. It was a great look into Delauney's love affair with Rolande and revealed some beautiful secrets about how Delauney ticks and why he does the things he does in Kushiel's Dart. I really did enjoy looking into his secret life that he never reveals to Alcuin and Phedre.
Story 4 - Under/Above the Water by Tanith Lee - ★★
Frankly, this story did nothing but confuse me. Lee is a wonderful writer and she has beautiful prose, but the mix of the old and new stories didn't quite work. It's a good premise, but I couldn't help but think of that Lake House movie, and considering that movie was very "eh," it's not a compliment to it's story. I didn't really see the point of the destroyed city or the souls changing bodies. The only part I did "get" was were the two lovers finally coming together over time and space, but it was an awful way to get there.
Story 5 - Demon Lover by Cecelia Holland - ★
Blah. A guy demanding to marry a girl because he's as good as she'll ever be offered, because she's scarred and lame. Okay, the kid took a chance, because he didn't think he was good enough before and thought she'd be more forgiving, since she is now flawed as well. I don't think the insults had a place, and even if he was really her knight in shining armor, his heart really wasn't in the right place. And the "demon" that only was one in her dreams, didn't really fit. You only know he's a demon because of the story's title, the rest of the tale, he's an evil wizard. It could have been a good story... it just never got there. Eh.
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So, the average rating of all the stories is 2.4. I'll be generous and rate it a 3. I can't really recommend the $1.99 to purchase this. I'd borrow it from the library if you're curious about the stories. I really only bought it for 1 out of the 5 stories, the rest I could have done without.
Story 1 - The Marrying Maid by Jo Beverly - ★
I really hated this story. A lord suddenly discovers the woman he's supposed to marry (by chance, of course) and he chases this woman around begging her to marry him. She runs screaming (as she should), but can't seem to get away from this creep. He charms her mother and aunt, and tells a story about how every man in his family must find his true love by 25, or he and his whole family dies. She spends the entire book running away from this guy, hating his guts, and right when he's practically raping her already, she agrees to sleep with him. And... everyone is happy. I love stories with the supernatural, like the faeries in the story, but WTF?
Story 2 - Blue Boots by Robin Hobb - ★★★
This was okay. It was a bit ridiculous, anyway, this girl talking about how 17 is about being naive and totally allowed to blunder around and be stupid just because she is young. And it's sweet how the story ended, with the guy who sang about his long-lost love and pined after her. But the story is still a bit overdone, and just... eh.
Story 3 - You, and You Alone by Jacqueline Carey - ★★★★★
I bought this story collection just for this story, and I was very excited to read it. It was a great look into Delauney's love affair with Rolande and revealed some beautiful secrets about how Delauney ticks and why he does the things he does in Kushiel's Dart. I really did enjoy looking into his secret life that he never reveals to Alcuin and Phedre.
Story 4 - Under/Above the Water by Tanith Lee - ★★
Frankly, this story did nothing but confuse me. Lee is a wonderful writer and she has beautiful prose, but the mix of the old and new stories didn't quite work. It's a good premise, but I couldn't help but think of that Lake House movie, and considering that movie was very "eh," it's not a compliment to it's story. I didn't really see the point of the destroyed city or the souls changing bodies. The only part I did "get" was were the two lovers finally coming together over time and space, but it was an awful way to get there.
Story 5 - Demon Lover by Cecelia Holland - ★
Blah. A guy demanding to marry a girl because he's as good as she'll ever be offered, because she's scarred and lame. Okay, the kid took a chance, because he didn't think he was good enough before and thought she'd be more forgiving, since she is now flawed as well. I don't think the insults had a place, and even if he was really her knight in shining armor, his heart really wasn't in the right place. And the "demon" that only was one in her dreams, didn't really fit. You only know he's a demon because of the story's title, the rest of the tale, he's an evil wizard. It could have been a good story... it just never got there. Eh.
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So, the average rating of all the stories is 2.4. I'll be generous and rate it a 3. I can't really recommend the $1.99 to purchase this. I'd borrow it from the library if you're curious about the stories. I really only bought it for 1 out of the 5 stories, the rest I could have done without.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2013
Novelliantologia, jossa nimi jo kertoo mistä on kyse. Mukana on viisi romantillista spefinovellia ihan etabloituneilta kirjailijoilta.
Luin antologian varsin nopeasti läpi, alun jälkeen hieman sekalaisin tuntein. Ihan niin paljolti tämä ei vakuuttanut kuin olisin toivonut. Romantiikan ja spefin yhdistelmä takerteli useissa tarinoissa. Kuin se romantiikka olisi ollut hieman päälleliimattu elementti. Pisteet kuitenkin yleisestä positiivisuudesta. Olen tylsä, en pidä rakkaustarinoista joissa on pakko lopussa tappaa jompikumpi päähenkilöistä (jollei molempia).
Mutta, pari sanaa kustakin. Sisältää lievää juonispoilausta, joten jos olet sellaiselle allerginen, jätä väliin:
Jep, sellainen paketti tällä kertaa. Tulipahan luettua. Mutta ei tämä tosiaan kallis ollut, joten hintansa arvoiseksi voisi sanoa. Ja lukeminenhan kannattaa aina.
Luin antologian varsin nopeasti läpi, alun jälkeen hieman sekalaisin tuntein. Ihan niin paljolti tämä ei vakuuttanut kuin olisin toivonut. Romantiikan ja spefin yhdistelmä takerteli useissa tarinoissa. Kuin se romantiikka olisi ollut hieman päälleliimattu elementti. Pisteet kuitenkin yleisestä positiivisuudesta. Olen tylsä, en pidä rakkaustarinoista joissa on pakko lopussa tappaa jompikumpi päähenkilöistä (jollei molempia).
Mutta, pari sanaa kustakin. Sisältää lievää juonispoilausta, joten jos olet sellaiselle allerginen, jätä väliin:
Jep, sellainen paketti tällä kertaa. Tulipahan luettua. Mutta ei tämä tosiaan kallis ollut, joten hintansa arvoiseksi voisi sanoa. Ja lukeminenhan kannattaa aina.
December 3, 2012
I very much appreciate adding this book to my collection, having avidly read the previous books edited by George R R martin.
The marrying Maid, Jo Beverley another story of fairy, similar to Tam Lin where a human is trapped in fairy and has to create an impossible situation to find relief from the magic and spells of fairy, a young girl is taken from her home by a stranger that more frightens her then intrigues her, she is well met by the lady and lord of the fairies’ and is the object of their personal completion, it is a great story.
Blue Boots, Robin Hobb, I have read other stories by this author but found this one to be very appealing, maybe the reference to blue boots just has an emotional tug on my heart, or just the fact that a minstrel can find true love, and despite rumor and intrigue find nobility in a young orphan girl. In the end a very moving story.
You, and you alone, Jacqueline Carey, i am amazed by this story, lost in its world and fiction. Wow, what a story to draw you into this world created by this otherwise unknown author to me. I have found transcendent her love and devotion that she gives her main character, at first I was surprised it was a male character, but to see a Greek novelty in the story, and a love story that transcends gender and station in a world of kings and queens. Told at the moment of his death as he remembers his one and only love, and how they came apart and rejoined over periods of time, and place is truly inspiring.
Under/Above the water, Tanith Lee, an odd story, with and ever ending loop similar to an infinity mark that rolls back over itself. Creating a fluid but confusing sequence of events that are drawn over themselves. the characters are opposites of each other, in one sequence named at the beginning and end of the alphabit, to be switched in placement. It results in a number of confusions about which character is which in the story.
Demon Lover Cecelia Holland,begins very erotically similar in nature to a Peirs anthony Relationship book, with guilty pleasures making the character upset. But retells from the beginning how the character found herself faced with a lusty demon. Now its up to her and her friend to find a solution, and free themselves from the green tower.
The marrying Maid, Jo Beverley another story of fairy, similar to Tam Lin where a human is trapped in fairy and has to create an impossible situation to find relief from the magic and spells of fairy, a young girl is taken from her home by a stranger that more frightens her then intrigues her, she is well met by the lady and lord of the fairies’ and is the object of their personal completion, it is a great story.
Blue Boots, Robin Hobb, I have read other stories by this author but found this one to be very appealing, maybe the reference to blue boots just has an emotional tug on my heart, or just the fact that a minstrel can find true love, and despite rumor and intrigue find nobility in a young orphan girl. In the end a very moving story.
You, and you alone, Jacqueline Carey, i am amazed by this story, lost in its world and fiction. Wow, what a story to draw you into this world created by this otherwise unknown author to me. I have found transcendent her love and devotion that she gives her main character, at first I was surprised it was a male character, but to see a Greek novelty in the story, and a love story that transcends gender and station in a world of kings and queens. Told at the moment of his death as he remembers his one and only love, and how they came apart and rejoined over periods of time, and place is truly inspiring.
Under/Above the water, Tanith Lee, an odd story, with and ever ending loop similar to an infinity mark that rolls back over itself. Creating a fluid but confusing sequence of events that are drawn over themselves. the characters are opposites of each other, in one sequence named at the beginning and end of the alphabit, to be switched in placement. It results in a number of confusions about which character is which in the story.
Demon Lover Cecelia Holland,begins very erotically similar in nature to a Peirs anthony Relationship book, with guilty pleasures making the character upset. But retells from the beginning how the character found herself faced with a lusty demon. Now its up to her and her friend to find a solution, and free themselves from the green tower.
March 11, 2016
Jo Beverly's "The Marrying Maid" - No vibe between the leads, and the woman's sudden reversal of decision felt rushed with little explanation, leaving me feeling icky about the power dynamics there. Good mythology, though. 3 stars.
Robin Hobb's "Blue Boots" was a sweet retelling of Cinderella. It's got well developed subtly for such a short story and a satisfying, happy ending (shocking for Hobb, I know!). It's also set in the Realms of the Elderlings world but no prior knowledge of that universe is necessary to enjoy this story. 4 stars.
Jacqueline Carey's "You, and You Alone" was excellent. Good as a standalone but better if you've read the Kushiel trilogy, as it gives a personal view to events that we had only a glimpse of previously. 5 stars & now I want to reread that richly detailed series.
Tanith Lee's "Under/Above the Water" felt more science fiction than fantasy, even with no tech/science involved. And while I love science fiction, the story was... confusing. How many times were they in different bodies? Were their previous loves them or not? What actually happened to the planet? 2 stars for a clever but only moderately executed idea.
Cecelia Holland's "Demon Lover" - Had a great fairy tale-esque creepy atmosphere, with one of my favorite fairy tale themes ("everything comes at a cost", aka TANSTAAFL). I liked the protagonist but didn't buy her relationship at all... maybe if her love interest hadn't been introduced as something of a bully, I'd have rooted for them when he fought back. 3 stars.
Overall, I wish I had realized that this was part of the collection Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love. I thought it was the whole collection, which I would still like to read. The editors/publishers should have done more to distinguish the two titles. I would recommend this collection for Hobb and Carey fans; the other stories were only okay but didn't dissuade me from keeping the longer collection on my TBR list.
Robin Hobb's "Blue Boots" was a sweet retelling of Cinderella. It's got well developed subtly for such a short story and a satisfying, happy ending (shocking for Hobb, I know!). It's also set in the Realms of the Elderlings world but no prior knowledge of that universe is necessary to enjoy this story. 4 stars.
Jacqueline Carey's "You, and You Alone" was excellent. Good as a standalone but better if you've read the Kushiel trilogy, as it gives a personal view to events that we had only a glimpse of previously. 5 stars & now I want to reread that richly detailed series.
Tanith Lee's "Under/Above the Water" felt more science fiction than fantasy, even with no tech/science involved. And while I love science fiction, the story was... confusing. How many times were they in different bodies? Were their previous loves them or not? What actually happened to the planet? 2 stars for a clever but only moderately executed idea.
Cecelia Holland's "Demon Lover" - Had a great fairy tale-esque creepy atmosphere, with one of my favorite fairy tale themes ("everything comes at a cost", aka TANSTAAFL). I liked the protagonist but didn't buy her relationship at all... maybe if her love interest hadn't been introduced as something of a bully, I'd have rooted for them when he fought back. 3 stars.
Overall, I wish I had realized that this was part of the collection Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love. I thought it was the whole collection, which I would still like to read. The editors/publishers should have done more to distinguish the two titles. I would recommend this collection for Hobb and Carey fans; the other stories were only okay but didn't dissuade me from keeping the longer collection on my TBR list.
July 22, 2023
I don't know what I was expecting from this book. I guess something better than just "okay"? I am a big fan of some of the contributing authors of this book...such as Jacqueline Carey and Robin Hobb, for instance. I was very interested in Tanith Lee. Unfortunately her story was the one I skipped after about 15 pages or so, I just couldn't get into the writing style.
It's sad because I really was excited to read this book, but it fell seriously short for me. George R. R. Martin edited it, and I love him, but...yeah, meh. I'm not a romance genre reader and I often times roll my eyes at anything romancey as far as books go. Still, gave it a shot. I think a large part of the problem is that none of the love interests in the books had any redeeming qualities. Most of them were strange/horrible/etc. and many of them forced themselves on the protagonists.
The love interest from the first novel stalks a woman and gives her some story about how he needs to have sex with her -that- night or else he'll die because of a family curse. Ugggggh. And then she agrees, even though throughout the entire story she was complaining about how much she didn't like him! But then all of a sudden she had a change of tune? What the crap?
In another story, the woman is so distraught she foolishly slept with a guy she knew she shouldn't have slept with (but I'm only seventeen, teehee! I'm so foolish!) and then was so upset over the fact that he didn't want to be her boyfriend she tossed herself into the river. They end up together in the end. I have no idea why.
In another story the woman encounters a fat man who demanded she marry him and how he'd be doing her a favor if she did because she was too ugly for anyone else (what a nice guy!) He turns into a handsome man later in the story through magical means and then it's like, oh wow! He's fantastic! Let's have babies!
I think the only story I actually really enjoyed was the one from Jacqueline Carey because it gave a decent amount of back story for Anafiel in Kushiel's Dart. If you're a fan of that book, you might like this short story...but it's not worth getting the book just for that one story.
It's sad because I really was excited to read this book, but it fell seriously short for me. George R. R. Martin edited it, and I love him, but...yeah, meh. I'm not a romance genre reader and I often times roll my eyes at anything romancey as far as books go. Still, gave it a shot. I think a large part of the problem is that none of the love interests in the books had any redeeming qualities. Most of them were strange/horrible/etc. and many of them forced themselves on the protagonists.
The love interest from the first novel stalks a woman and gives her some story about how he needs to have sex with her -that- night or else he'll die because of a family curse. Ugggggh. And then she agrees, even though throughout the entire story she was complaining about how much she didn't like him! But then all of a sudden she had a change of tune? What the crap?
In another story, the woman is so distraught she foolishly slept with a guy she knew she shouldn't have slept with (but I'm only seventeen, teehee! I'm so foolish!) and then was so upset over the fact that he didn't want to be her boyfriend she tossed herself into the river. They end up together in the end. I have no idea why.
In another story the woman encounters a fat man who demanded she marry him and how he'd be doing her a favor if she did because she was too ugly for anyone else (what a nice guy!) He turns into a handsome man later in the story through magical means and then it's like, oh wow! He's fantastic! Let's have babies!
I think the only story I actually really enjoyed was the one from Jacqueline Carey because it gave a decent amount of back story for Anafiel in Kushiel's Dart. If you're a fan of that book, you might like this short story...but it's not worth getting the book just for that one story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2013
Originally Reviewed At: Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: Publisher
Reviewer: AimeeKay
I was soooo excited I got to read this anthology. I am sooo glad I wasn’t disappointed. I have to admit the only reason I jumped at the chance to read and review Songs of Love Lost and Found was because it has a story by Tanith Lee in it. She is one of my all time favorite writers. Fortunately, all the stories were good, not just Lee’s, and before I knew it I found myself already finished!
There are only five stories in the book and they are all about love in one way or another. Not all the stories had happy endings, but each was well-written and drew me in, from the first page to the last.
The Marrying Maid – sweet and funny.
The Blue Boots - I so thought would end differently than it did!
You, And You Alone - so mysterious and moving at the same time.
Under/Above the Water – definitely had to pay attention during this one.
Demon Lover – wasn’t sure how this one was going to end either.
I think if I have any complaint about the anthology or any of the stories it contains, it would be that I wish there could have been more stories or that I wish some of them were longer. I’m definitely giving this one 5 out of 5 controllers! The ones with the little crowns this one was that good!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: Publisher
Reviewer: AimeeKay
I was soooo excited I got to read this anthology. I am sooo glad I wasn’t disappointed. I have to admit the only reason I jumped at the chance to read and review Songs of Love Lost and Found was because it has a story by Tanith Lee in it. She is one of my all time favorite writers. Fortunately, all the stories were good, not just Lee’s, and before I knew it I found myself already finished!
There are only five stories in the book and they are all about love in one way or another. Not all the stories had happy endings, but each was well-written and drew me in, from the first page to the last.
The Marrying Maid – sweet and funny.
The Blue Boots - I so thought would end differently than it did!
You, And You Alone - so mysterious and moving at the same time.
Under/Above the Water – definitely had to pay attention during this one.
Demon Lover – wasn’t sure how this one was going to end either.
I think if I have any complaint about the anthology or any of the stories it contains, it would be that I wish there could have been more stories or that I wish some of them were longer. I’m definitely giving this one 5 out of 5 controllers! The ones with the little crowns this one was that good!
September 6, 2016
stories felt clipped and archaic...i expected some twist to make a point, to give meaning beyond 'love, yay', to show a confident intelligent person fighting for something they want? Mostly got 'it was fated' and mostly not in a unique form or interesting voice... ok might be a little hard on these authors... they weren't horrible stories, maybe i've just outgrown the love fairytale.
February 8, 2017
I liked the first story and the last story. The second was okay. The third and fourth I couldn't even finish. Sorry Jacqueline Carey and Tanith Lee, both of whom are in my TBR pile for their series...maybe not anymore.
December 12, 2013
Some great short stories from some big names in fantasy, including some personal favorites like George RR Martin and Jacqueline Carey. Picked this up to read Anafiel Delauney's story of his love with Roland de la Courcel, but actually had my heart won by the other selections.
January 19, 2013
The Jaqueline Carey was fantastic. The others I could take or leave.
May 20, 2013
Loved all of the stories in this book except one - the Lee one. Was looking forward to this because I like both Carey and Hobb, and their stories definitely didn't disappoint.
July 14, 2013
I read You and You Alone by J Carey! I really liked it! :D
July 18, 2013
Read You and You Alone by Jacqueline Carey for my book club, but haven't read the others.
July 27, 2016
I bought this book for Anafiel Delauney's backstory, which was a fun read, but the other stories didn't do much for me.
Read
January 19, 2020I only read Blue Boots so my rating is based on that.
February 2, 2024
Wanted to read this for the Jacqueline Carey story - which was heartbreaking and fantastic - and ended up liking many of the other stories too. Great collection of stories!
August 14, 2014
Voto parziale, solo per il racconto della Carey.
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