What do you think?
Rate this book
Lost Continent #0.5 - Moonglow
Charmed Destinies
Three masters of the fantasy genre present a collection of enchanting stories, filled with adventure, magic, and everlasting love, that includes Mercedes Lackey's Counting Crows, in which Lady Gwynhefar must choose between duty and love when she aligns herself with Sir Elloran, a legendary warrior, as well as Catherine Asaro's Moonglow and Rachel Lee's Drusila's Dream
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 24, 2003
21 people are currently reading
1015 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
441 books9,541 followersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
July 27, 2009
Mercedes Lackey continues to charm me with her ability to weave fantasty tales. But in the case of her story in Charmed Destinies, I felt that I've read this plot type before. Perhaps it was a bit too predictable initially, similar to historical romance. But then she twists the ending enough to make me love and adore her again.
The second story was disappointing. I couldn't wait to pile through to the end so I could get to the third story. Could have been the dialogue. Perhaps. Something about the story set me off to a ride on the disappointment train.
Loved the third story. For a moment, I had thought how in the world can characters develop if the main one was deaf, blind and mute? And yet, communication and development happened in the most charming way.
In the end, read the first and third stories but skip the second.
The second story was disappointing. I couldn't wait to pile through to the end so I could get to the third story. Could have been the dialogue. Perhaps. Something about the story set me off to a ride on the disappointment train.
Loved the third story. For a moment, I had thought how in the world can characters develop if the main one was deaf, blind and mute? And yet, communication and development happened in the most charming way.
In the end, read the first and third stories but skip the second.
May 5, 2010
I was drawn to this book because of Mercedes Lackey, and she delivered a great short novella that I highly enjoyed, with a strong female character and a happy ending, which I have an addiction to. The other two stories in this collection were good in their own right, but the second one didn't enthrall me quite as much as the first did, or the last one, "Moonglow" by Catharine Asaro. "Moonglow" was beautiful and I was very much happy with how the story turned out, and the path the author took to get there.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this book.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this book.
September 11, 2018
I feel like it took me way to long to get through this book. Out of the three stories, I like the third one, Moonglow by Catherine Asaro, the best.
When reading this books I felt like I was dropped in the middle of a series. Like the mythology and characters were already established, but I missed the beginning.
Book one for #tomeinfinityandbeyond readathon
Ship C: a short jump to a neighboring planet, read a book of short stories.
When reading this books I felt like I was dropped in the middle of a series. Like the mythology and characters were already established, but I missed the beginning.
Book one for #tomeinfinityandbeyond readathon
Ship C: a short jump to a neighboring planet, read a book of short stories.
February 1, 2020
The first story was good, sad but good. I appreciated the potential in the second story but I wasn’t a fan of the execution. But the third story? 😍
November 7, 2025
Three stories: 1) This was the first Lackey that I've read. I was intrigued enough by the medieval household politics that the way the gently-introduced fantasy elements surprised me with their role in the conclusion. Mostly strong character development.
2) The Rachel Lee piece was playing way too cutesy with tropes to be entertaining. Not quite as bad as naming a character Wigamabob, but not that much better.
3) I have read Asaro before, but this was my first taste of her pure-fantasy stuff. It was pleasingly par for the course, and the development of secondary family characters went in a way I wasn't expecting.
2) The Rachel Lee piece was playing way too cutesy with tropes to be entertaining. Not quite as bad as naming a character Wigamabob, but not that much better.
3) I have read Asaro before, but this was my first taste of her pure-fantasy stuff. It was pleasingly par for the course, and the development of secondary family characters went in a way I wasn't expecting.
May 12, 2010
Lackey's Counting Crows was enjoyable, but not memorable. There is nothing special or original about the characters, the plot, the setting, etc. Fortunately, Lackey's writing isn't bad here; normally I feel like she "talks down" to the reader, and it's irritating. 2.5/5.
Lee's Drusilla's Dream was lame. The writing is awful and is something you'd find typical of a Harlequin novel. The plot is the worst part. Basically the main character and the man she likes at her workplace day dream into the same dream. Ugh. I didn't even bother to finish. 1/5.
Asaro's Moonglow is actually my favorite of the three. Though the romance was lame, the world Asaro created sounds interesting, and her characters are too. I liked Jarid as soon as he was introduced; though in real life, he'd only have the intelligence that of a feral child. 3/5.
Lee's Drusilla's Dream was lame. The writing is awful and is something you'd find typical of a Harlequin novel. The plot is the worst part. Basically the main character and the man she likes at her workplace day dream into the same dream. Ugh. I didn't even bother to finish. 1/5.
Asaro's Moonglow is actually my favorite of the three. Though the romance was lame, the world Asaro created sounds interesting, and her characters are too. I liked Jarid as soon as he was introduced; though in real life, he'd only have the intelligence that of a feral child. 3/5.
May 8, 2020
Three very different novellas with one similarity, fantasy-filled romance.
Counting Crows 131 pages by Mercedes Lackey
Very Good. To make an alliance Gwynn is married, sight unseen, to Lord Bretagne. The trip to his castle is cold and miserable and there is no fanfare for the arriving bride. There is a meal, but it is horrible. Bretagne is insensitive, brutal and self-centered. As for the castle the meal was just a symptom of how run down the place has been getting. Gwynn makes an impact on the servants. The ones that had served Bretagne's father take an immediate liking to her, but she still has to suffer marital rape and beatings. The way she survived is great and her loyalty to her duty was exemplary. I couldn't enjoy the beating and cruelty portion even though it's crucial to building the Bretagne character.
Drusilla's Dream 112 pages by Rachel Lee
Very Good. Drusilla would love to paint full time, but has to wrok the night shift doing data entry. While doing her job she is able to create an elaborate daydream in her head. Some real life events humorously creep into the dream, such as the finiky vending machine. Today she can't control all the characters and the real life Miles is kind of hunky, but does the sysop even know any of the data entry people?
Moonglow 122 pages by Catherine Asaro
Very Good+/Excellent. Highwaymen force a carriage to crash. Prince Aron and his wife are killed. Six year old Jarid survives, but possibly not for long. Murk wants no witnesses. Jarid uses his shape-mage power and is struck blind and deaf. The other highwayman returns to the boonies with Jarid and fosters him.
Fourteen years later, Iris and Chime are training to be a shape-mages. Chime as the most powerful is going to marry the new king, with Jarid being dead, that's his cousin Muller. Iris is humiliated at a training session and runs out to the fields. Her teacher follows and has her do a test where Iris feels most comfortable. In the test she sensed Jarid.
Deaf, blind, taken away from his foster father by strangers, Jarid is alone and confused. Iris is doing what she can to get through to him.
Counting Crows 131 pages by Mercedes Lackey
Very Good. To make an alliance Gwynn is married, sight unseen, to Lord Bretagne. The trip to his castle is cold and miserable and there is no fanfare for the arriving bride. There is a meal, but it is horrible. Bretagne is insensitive, brutal and self-centered. As for the castle the meal was just a symptom of how run down the place has been getting. Gwynn makes an impact on the servants. The ones that had served Bretagne's father take an immediate liking to her, but she still has to suffer marital rape and beatings. The way she survived is great and her loyalty to her duty was exemplary. I couldn't enjoy the beating and cruelty portion even though it's crucial to building the Bretagne character.
Drusilla's Dream 112 pages by Rachel Lee
Very Good. Drusilla would love to paint full time, but has to wrok the night shift doing data entry. While doing her job she is able to create an elaborate daydream in her head. Some real life events humorously creep into the dream, such as the finiky vending machine. Today she can't control all the characters and the real life Miles is kind of hunky, but does the sysop even know any of the data entry people?
Moonglow 122 pages by Catherine Asaro
Very Good+/Excellent. Highwaymen force a carriage to crash. Prince Aron and his wife are killed. Six year old Jarid survives, but possibly not for long. Murk wants no witnesses. Jarid uses his shape-mage power and is struck blind and deaf. The other highwayman returns to the boonies with Jarid and fosters him.
Fourteen years later, Iris and Chime are training to be a shape-mages. Chime as the most powerful is going to marry the new king, with Jarid being dead, that's his cousin Muller. Iris is humiliated at a training session and runs out to the fields. Her teacher follows and has her do a test where Iris feels most comfortable. In the test she sensed Jarid.
Deaf, blind, taken away from his foster father by strangers, Jarid is alone and confused. Iris is doing what she can to get through to him.
July 10, 2015
A collection of three short stories.
Counting Crows, by Mercedes Lackey: A young woman is sent to the castle belonging to her new husband (whom she's never met) and soon finds out the downside to arranged marriages with people you never meet. I thought this story was okay... I enjoyed the parts where Gwyn really came into her own and truly became the mistress of the castle. That was interesting, since most fantasies opt to get their characters out of the castle and such, so it was cool to see what the job entailed. However, I felt the ending was way, way too easy... a magical Deus ex machina and extremely good luck saved the day, and she got to live happily ever after with the man she loved. A little too easy, if you ask me. I give it 2.5/5/.
Drusilla's Dream, by Rachel Lee: This tells the story of modern day Drusilla, who works midnights at her number-crunching job so she'll be able to fulfill her real passion, painting, by daylight. To get through the night, she imagines a fantasy story, with herself as the protagonist, which mirrors her daily life. Somehow, though, it connects to the guy upstairs that she has a crush on... and Drusilla soon wonders if somehow the borders between her dream and the real world really exist.
This story was okay as well, probably my least favorite of three. I just really didn't find it interesting. Drusilla seemed pretty cranky, although over the course of the story you find out what's driving her, but still, I thought the crossover between real life and the storyworld were kind of silly, a little too fantastic. Probably 2/5.
Moonglow, by Catharine Asaro: And finally the reason I read the book at all. Moonglow is the predecessor to the "Charmed Sphere" series, which I've been meaning to read. This was probably the best of the bunch. Iris, the MC, had the power to heal and affect emotion, but can she heal the lost heir of the kingdom, who is blind, deaf, and dumb following a scarring and traumatic accident he witnessed when he was young? Really well organized and paced, and I really liked the characters and the idea as a whole. I found the "shape-magic" a little confusing, with its many different tiers of power (not just shape, but 2-d and 3-d shapes, and then COLOR as well). However, definitely a good story, and I look forward to reading the series. 4/5
Counting Crows, by Mercedes Lackey: A young woman is sent to the castle belonging to her new husband (whom she's never met) and soon finds out the downside to arranged marriages with people you never meet. I thought this story was okay... I enjoyed the parts where Gwyn really came into her own and truly became the mistress of the castle. That was interesting, since most fantasies opt to get their characters out of the castle and such, so it was cool to see what the job entailed. However, I felt the ending was way, way too easy... a magical Deus ex machina and extremely good luck saved the day, and she got to live happily ever after with the man she loved. A little too easy, if you ask me. I give it 2.5/5/.
Drusilla's Dream, by Rachel Lee: This tells the story of modern day Drusilla, who works midnights at her number-crunching job so she'll be able to fulfill her real passion, painting, by daylight. To get through the night, she imagines a fantasy story, with herself as the protagonist, which mirrors her daily life. Somehow, though, it connects to the guy upstairs that she has a crush on... and Drusilla soon wonders if somehow the borders between her dream and the real world really exist.
This story was okay as well, probably my least favorite of three. I just really didn't find it interesting. Drusilla seemed pretty cranky, although over the course of the story you find out what's driving her, but still, I thought the crossover between real life and the storyworld were kind of silly, a little too fantastic. Probably 2/5.
Moonglow, by Catharine Asaro: And finally the reason I read the book at all. Moonglow is the predecessor to the "Charmed Sphere" series, which I've been meaning to read. This was probably the best of the bunch. Iris, the MC, had the power to heal and affect emotion, but can she heal the lost heir of the kingdom, who is blind, deaf, and dumb following a scarring and traumatic accident he witnessed when he was young? Really well organized and paced, and I really liked the characters and the idea as a whole. I found the "shape-magic" a little confusing, with its many different tiers of power (not just shape, but 2-d and 3-d shapes, and then COLOR as well). However, definitely a good story, and I look forward to reading the series. 4/5
April 14, 2012
This book is well worth the money solely for the last story, which is BY FAR the best. It's so good that I had to go out and immediately try something else by Catherine Asaro. That book was okay, but still not the stunning and mesmerizing story that is "Moonglow." This is also the story that is pictured on the gorgeous cover, by the way.
"Counting Crows," by Mercedes Lackey, is a mostly good read. I really enjoyed it right up until the end, which - while a "happy" ending - was not totally satisfying for me. Normally, I love everything Mercedes Lackey does and this was a bit of a surprise for me. There are also a few somewhat graphic sexual scenes that might not be to everyone's taste. But the overall story here is still pretty good.
The middle story, "Drusilla's Dream" by Rachel Lee, was just not my cup of tea. It was trying to be a romantic comedy - but in my opinion - just tried way too hard and seemed VERY corny. It also takes place, at least partly, in the "real world" and that was an annoying distraction for me. When I'm in a fantasy world, I like to stay there for as long as possible, and this story just keeps jolting you out of it. But, it's possible that some may enjoy this kind of tongue-in-cheek humor more than I did. I’ve never read anything else by this author so I have nothing to judge it against.
Once again, though, most of the 4-star rating I gave Charmed Destinies was for the last story, "Moonglow" by Catherine Asaro: a most unforgettable, and very colorful, tale of love and healing.
"Counting Crows," by Mercedes Lackey, is a mostly good read. I really enjoyed it right up until the end, which - while a "happy" ending - was not totally satisfying for me. Normally, I love everything Mercedes Lackey does and this was a bit of a surprise for me. There are also a few somewhat graphic sexual scenes that might not be to everyone's taste. But the overall story here is still pretty good.
The middle story, "Drusilla's Dream" by Rachel Lee, was just not my cup of tea. It was trying to be a romantic comedy - but in my opinion - just tried way too hard and seemed VERY corny. It also takes place, at least partly, in the "real world" and that was an annoying distraction for me. When I'm in a fantasy world, I like to stay there for as long as possible, and this story just keeps jolting you out of it. But, it's possible that some may enjoy this kind of tongue-in-cheek humor more than I did. I’ve never read anything else by this author so I have nothing to judge it against.
Once again, though, most of the 4-star rating I gave Charmed Destinies was for the last story, "Moonglow" by Catherine Asaro: a most unforgettable, and very colorful, tale of love and healing.
November 11, 2009
This book is divided into 3 novellas by, in order, Mercedes Lackey, Rachel Lee and Catherine Asano. Ms Lackey starts off with "Counting Crows", a tale set in the Age of Chivalry, and does a really good job. My only problem with it is that, on the back cover blurb, it tells of a Sir Elloran, who never shows up in the actual novella. Typos like that irritate me, but the story itself is well-written and interesting.
I wish I could say the same for Ms Lee's contribution, "Drusilla's Dream." It has a clever premise, but the characterization is thin, the plot devices silly and the sex scene entirely gratuitous. It read very much like the worst romantic novels, and is the main reason I'm rating this book at 3 stars instead of higher.
The third novella, Ms Asano's "Moonglow" was alright, but I got the distinct feeling that it would have been better served by a longer format. The amount of information packed into the novella begged for exploration, but in such a way that I didn't really want to read more, I just felt like I hadn't been given what I deserved.
I wish I could say the same for Ms Lee's contribution, "Drusilla's Dream." It has a clever premise, but the characterization is thin, the plot devices silly and the sex scene entirely gratuitous. It read very much like the worst romantic novels, and is the main reason I'm rating this book at 3 stars instead of higher.
The third novella, Ms Asano's "Moonglow" was alright, but I got the distinct feeling that it would have been better served by a longer format. The amount of information packed into the novella begged for exploration, but in such a way that I didn't really want to read more, I just felt like I hadn't been given what I deserved.
May 18, 2012
I'd say three and a half stars, really. And someone else might rate them more, but I've never been one for short stories. I know this, so I don't know why I keep trying to read and enjoy them.
The Mercedes Lackey short was the best of the three - quite good. The middle story was definitely the weakling of the bunch; I didn't like the main character and the shifting perspectives were hard to follow. The third story should really have been a full book - it was pretty good, but felt really rushed.
Short stories in anthologies always just feel like CliffNotes to me.
The Mercedes Lackey short was the best of the three - quite good. The middle story was definitely the weakling of the bunch; I didn't like the main character and the shifting perspectives were hard to follow. The third story should really have been a full book - it was pretty good, but felt really rushed.
Short stories in anthologies always just feel like CliffNotes to me.
March 1, 2015
Lackey, of course, is the author that holds star-power here, and draws many readers to this collection of short fantasy stories. I actually found myself liking the work of Asaro better, however, for its novel premise of shapes and colors as orders of magical power. I can't count the number of times I checked this book out from my local library just to read Asaro's story over again. I would definitely recommend this short story collection not only for another Lackey story, but also as a premier on Asaro's work. You won't regret it.
April 16, 2013
I read this book for the Mercedes Lackey Story. I enjoyed that story Counting Crows. It was a little dark/weird though. But it had a cute/happy ending.
The middle story by Rachel Lee was actually really weird and I skimmed most of it.
But I enjoyed the final story by Catherine Asaro. It was interesting and kind of cute.
Overall this book was just kind of old 80s esque and somewhat cute but somewhat blah.
The middle story by Rachel Lee was actually really weird and I skimmed most of it.
But I enjoyed the final story by Catherine Asaro. It was interesting and kind of cute.
Overall this book was just kind of old 80s esque and somewhat cute but somewhat blah.
May 16, 2020
The best story was Catherine Asaro’s
July 25, 2021
There are 3 stories, 1st and last are about 3.5 stars, the middle one has to resort to speed read....so it's barely a 1 star!
October 17, 2016
This book contains three short stories (probably more novellas by the length but whatever) and I'm going to talk about them out of order because the last one in the book is one of my absolute favorite things.
So the third one in this book is by a Catherine Asaro who is one of my favorite science fiction writers, but this was her first little foray into fantasy. I adore it. The magic concept is (or was at the time) so unique and unusual and somehow simple that it fascinated me. Different types of magic are colored and different shapes focus it. It was fascinating and she wrote so visually that it was just wonderful. The story itself is a cute fantasy story of a lost prince gone deaf, blind and mute who is discovered again and because he's the last in the family line, crowned King. Iris is a country orphan who is training badly at magic and turns out to have the most powerful known magic in the land. So of course she has to marry the found prince and be Queen. Its such a sweet story and for its length a lot is going on. I adore both Iris and Jarid (the prince) and the whole world. Asaro wrote a series in this world after the story, but I remember little about it and I honestly think it followed characters I didn't like as well as Iris and Jarid. I might look it up again eventually.
Now the other two stories.
The first in the book is by Mercedes Lackey who is another favorite author but this story is very different. Its very detailed and historical about a woman getting married by glove and hopes that it'll turn out well. Its good, but definitely something you have to be in the mood for. There's a magical plot that comes out at the end and it ends well, but I don't want to spoil it. It's a good story and one I enjoy but not my favorite type of thing.
The second story is by Rachel Lee who I don't know if I've ever read anywhere else. Its a fun little romp of a magic tale about a woman at a night job entering data. She day dreams to get through her shift but it's much more real than she realizes. I always enjoy this story even if it is a simple little silly thing just because it's something I'm sure we've all imagined and can relate to.
This book is excellent simply for the Asaro story and the other two are good as well. I'd definitely recommend it if you want something to pass the time between other books (which I am. Stupid postal service.)
So the third one in this book is by a Catherine Asaro who is one of my favorite science fiction writers, but this was her first little foray into fantasy. I adore it. The magic concept is (or was at the time) so unique and unusual and somehow simple that it fascinated me. Different types of magic are colored and different shapes focus it. It was fascinating and she wrote so visually that it was just wonderful. The story itself is a cute fantasy story of a lost prince gone deaf, blind and mute who is discovered again and because he's the last in the family line, crowned King. Iris is a country orphan who is training badly at magic and turns out to have the most powerful known magic in the land. So of course she has to marry the found prince and be Queen. Its such a sweet story and for its length a lot is going on. I adore both Iris and Jarid (the prince) and the whole world. Asaro wrote a series in this world after the story, but I remember little about it and I honestly think it followed characters I didn't like as well as Iris and Jarid. I might look it up again eventually.
Now the other two stories.
The first in the book is by Mercedes Lackey who is another favorite author but this story is very different. Its very detailed and historical about a woman getting married by glove and hopes that it'll turn out well. Its good, but definitely something you have to be in the mood for. There's a magical plot that comes out at the end and it ends well, but I don't want to spoil it. It's a good story and one I enjoy but not my favorite type of thing.
The second story is by Rachel Lee who I don't know if I've ever read anywhere else. Its a fun little romp of a magic tale about a woman at a night job entering data. She day dreams to get through her shift but it's much more real than she realizes. I always enjoy this story even if it is a simple little silly thing just because it's something I'm sure we've all imagined and can relate to.
This book is excellent simply for the Asaro story and the other two are good as well. I'd definitely recommend it if you want something to pass the time between other books (which I am. Stupid postal service.)
February 28, 2022
Charms or Magic?
4.5 ⭐️
This trio of stories is interesting. Three very different approaches to finding a paired destiny, a destiny shaped by dreams and desires and will.
Mercedes Lackey brings Counting Crows, a tale of a political alignment arranged by the king. But the husband is a greedy boar of a man, glad of the dowry but brutish in his desire. Deeply selfish yet aware of his power of position and place. His cruelty sets his fate.
Catherine Asaro delivered a new magic system, one where the number of facets of a geometric shape is a measure of one’s focus ability and the color of one’s magic. Fascinating.
Rachel Lee chose a mishmash in Drusilla’s Dream. I guess I lack the imagination to understand her layering of the fantastic over the mundane. I did not finish her offering.
But the strength of the two carries the third. I do recommend this anthology.
4.5 ⭐️
This trio of stories is interesting. Three very different approaches to finding a paired destiny, a destiny shaped by dreams and desires and will.
Mercedes Lackey brings Counting Crows, a tale of a political alignment arranged by the king. But the husband is a greedy boar of a man, glad of the dowry but brutish in his desire. Deeply selfish yet aware of his power of position and place. His cruelty sets his fate.
Catherine Asaro delivered a new magic system, one where the number of facets of a geometric shape is a measure of one’s focus ability and the color of one’s magic. Fascinating.
Rachel Lee chose a mishmash in Drusilla’s Dream. I guess I lack the imagination to understand her layering of the fantastic over the mundane. I did not finish her offering.
But the strength of the two carries the third. I do recommend this anthology.
June 1, 2018
3 short love stories in a fantasy setting. 2 out of the 3 were amazingly well done, with awesome romance that made sense, one that actually made me tear up. I didn't like the last story much at all. A lot of telling at the end.
Read
July 17, 2022Only picked this up for the Lost Continents short story. I love that world and the magic system is unique, based on colors and shapes. The first story was okay, Lackey is hit or miss for me. No rating as I didn't read the second story, 4 stars for the 3rd story.
December 30, 2017
I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy each story in this collection.
January 2, 2018
Counting Crows **
Drusilla's Dream *
Moonglow *
Drusilla's Dream *
Moonglow *
July 11, 2019
I enjoyed the book, the different stories blended well with each other. I have found I have a thing for crows lately.
June 25, 2021
A somewhat dated collection - I'm thinking of the middle story in this collection as I type that.
I can describe it as a pleasant enough collection of stories.
I can describe it as a pleasant enough collection of stories.
July 12, 2021
Three wonderful short novellas
June 12, 2023
The Mercedes Lackey story was a little hard to read (domestic violence) but worth sticking through, the Catherine Asaro was interesting, pleasant
February 25, 2025
I found this book amazing and hopeful, with stories that expanded the display and understanding of love. I enjoyed the stories immensely!
April 26, 2016
An anthology of three short romantic stories, which end in a charmed life. Unfortunately, it's not so charming for the readers.
Series:
"Moonglow" (Lost Continent, 0.5)
The Stories
Mercedes Lackey's "Counting Crows" is the best of the bunch although it is a bit confusing at first. I kept thinking it was a Valdemar story. It's simply a peek into the life of an unfortunate young woman being used to protect her father's lands by allowing the king to use her as a bargaining chip to encourage a Border Lord to support and defend his royal realm. Naturally the Border Lord is a major asshole but Gwynn gets her own back beautifully!
Rachel Lee's "Drusilla's Dream" is so incredibly bad that for a bit I almost thought she was pulling a Xanth. Except, I then realized, Lee was so uneven in her bad writing that she wasn't really trying to be horrible. Which made it so much worse. On the whole, there are two stories occurring at the same time. In the Real World, Miles is a sysop for a corporation and refers to the computers under his care as Behemoths while Drusilla is a data entry clerk. In Drusilla's Fantasy World, she is a princess who meets Miles, the Behemoth Tamer. All of which leads to the one cute bit in the fantasy side where Drusilla and Miles find the Behemoth and must force it to give up the key by feeding it crackers that have a hole in it. Miles decides he must feed Behemoth the boot so he "tickles" the Behemoth until it sticks its tongue out to accept the boot cracker. Hey, I told you it was bad…!
Catherine Asaro's "Moonglow" is simply bad. I don't even know how the title relates to this story of magic determined by shapes and showing as colors. A young prince is orphaned and left blind, deaf, and dumb in an attack that kills his parents leaving a doubly grieving grandfather behind for the prince is taken away and raised by one of his parents' murderers. Years later, the King dies and a cousin will be king. A cousin who does not want it and is weirdly happy when Iris finds the supposedly-dead Prince Jarid through her mind. Yeah, it goes on with all these issues and, I'm sorry, but the issues just don't make sense. It's like Asaro was on a deadline and didn't get past the synopsis stage.
The Cover and Title
The cover is very charming with its gradation of color from oranges to pinks. There's a huge circular stained glass window at the top with an intricately-draped woman posing with a sphere and a rock. She must be standing on a pedestal for the swirling Deco-ish floor is far beneath where her feet should be.
The title, Charmed Destinies, is indeed accurate for each story ends charmingly. Actually I think the title, the cover, and Lackey's story are the best of this particular collection. It's certainly the only reason I gave it a whopping "3".
Series:
"Moonglow" (Lost Continent, 0.5)
The Stories
Mercedes Lackey's "Counting Crows" is the best of the bunch although it is a bit confusing at first. I kept thinking it was a Valdemar story. It's simply a peek into the life of an unfortunate young woman being used to protect her father's lands by allowing the king to use her as a bargaining chip to encourage a Border Lord to support and defend his royal realm. Naturally the Border Lord is a major asshole but Gwynn gets her own back beautifully!
Rachel Lee's "Drusilla's Dream" is so incredibly bad that for a bit I almost thought she was pulling a Xanth. Except, I then realized, Lee was so uneven in her bad writing that she wasn't really trying to be horrible. Which made it so much worse. On the whole, there are two stories occurring at the same time. In the Real World, Miles is a sysop for a corporation and refers to the computers under his care as Behemoths while Drusilla is a data entry clerk. In Drusilla's Fantasy World, she is a princess who meets Miles, the Behemoth Tamer. All of which leads to the one cute bit in the fantasy side where Drusilla and Miles find the Behemoth and must force it to give up the key by feeding it crackers that have a hole in it. Miles decides he must feed Behemoth the boot so he "tickles" the Behemoth until it sticks its tongue out to accept the boot cracker. Hey, I told you it was bad…!
Catherine Asaro's "Moonglow" is simply bad. I don't even know how the title relates to this story of magic determined by shapes and showing as colors. A young prince is orphaned and left blind, deaf, and dumb in an attack that kills his parents leaving a doubly grieving grandfather behind for the prince is taken away and raised by one of his parents' murderers. Years later, the King dies and a cousin will be king. A cousin who does not want it and is weirdly happy when Iris finds the supposedly-dead Prince Jarid through her mind. Yeah, it goes on with all these issues and, I'm sorry, but the issues just don't make sense. It's like Asaro was on a deadline and didn't get past the synopsis stage.
The Cover and Title
The cover is very charming with its gradation of color from oranges to pinks. There's a huge circular stained glass window at the top with an intricately-draped woman posing with a sphere and a rock. She must be standing on a pedestal for the swirling Deco-ish floor is far beneath where her feet should be.
The title, Charmed Destinies, is indeed accurate for each story ends charmingly. Actually I think the title, the cover, and Lackey's story are the best of this particular collection. It's certainly the only reason I gave it a whopping "3".
October 3, 2016
I borrowed this book from a friend because I needed a quick read before my Steven Erikson Tale of the Malazan book came in. On the cover it states that it contains "Three new tales of fantasy-filled romance" so I thought, what the hey. I love fantasy and am not opposed to romance. The three stories within the book are very different (which makes sense because they are written by three different authors). Thus, I will take each story in turn.
Counting Crows by Mercedes Lackey
As most fantasy readers know, Mercedes Lackey is a phenomenal story teller. Her attention to detail and ability to flesh out characters is remarkable. These are two skills that are hard to fulfill in short stories; however, Lackey did not disappoint. The story never felt rushed. Everything that happened made sense and the characters were fleshed out which is very impressive given the brevity of the story. This was definitely the strongest of the three stories.
Drusilla's Dream by Rachel Lee
I am not familiar with the work of Rachel Lee and she may be a great storyteller when given more room to write; however, I felt that this story was the weakest out of all three. To call it a fantasy story is a bit of a stretch with so much of it happening in modern day. The fantasy elements of the story felt like an afterthought rather than a central theme to the story. Also, the story was never really tied up nicely at the end. I am still somewhat confused as to whether the characters were sharing a dream or just happen to be having the same daydream. If this story was taken out, the entire collection of stories would have been much stronger.
Moonglow by Catherine Asaro
This is my second favorite story in the collection. One of the things that I enjoyed most about this story is that it had a compelling magical system. I am a sucker for authentic magical systems that are thoroughly explained and feel natural to the world. While I enjoyed this story, there was one big con; the story at times felt rushed and failed to explain a logical leap. For example, at one point the heroine finds the supposedly dead prince and automatically knows it is him, but they have never met before, and it is unclear how she knows it is him. Other than the rushed feel, the story is quite lovely and a good fit in this book.
Counting Crows by Mercedes Lackey
As most fantasy readers know, Mercedes Lackey is a phenomenal story teller. Her attention to detail and ability to flesh out characters is remarkable. These are two skills that are hard to fulfill in short stories; however, Lackey did not disappoint. The story never felt rushed. Everything that happened made sense and the characters were fleshed out which is very impressive given the brevity of the story. This was definitely the strongest of the three stories.
Drusilla's Dream by Rachel Lee
I am not familiar with the work of Rachel Lee and she may be a great storyteller when given more room to write; however, I felt that this story was the weakest out of all three. To call it a fantasy story is a bit of a stretch with so much of it happening in modern day. The fantasy elements of the story felt like an afterthought rather than a central theme to the story. Also, the story was never really tied up nicely at the end. I am still somewhat confused as to whether the characters were sharing a dream or just happen to be having the same daydream. If this story was taken out, the entire collection of stories would have been much stronger.
Moonglow by Catherine Asaro
This is my second favorite story in the collection. One of the things that I enjoyed most about this story is that it had a compelling magical system. I am a sucker for authentic magical systems that are thoroughly explained and feel natural to the world. While I enjoyed this story, there was one big con; the story at times felt rushed and failed to explain a logical leap. For example, at one point the heroine finds the supposedly dead prince and automatically knows it is him, but they have never met before, and it is unclear how she knows it is him. Other than the rushed feel, the story is quite lovely and a good fit in this book.
September 30, 2012
Gorgeous girl, handsome man, both magic, kiss, marry, etc. Lackey favorite, Lee fumbles, Asaro harsh.
1 Counting Crows by Mercedes Lackey
One cawing crow bodes ill, as Gwynnwhyfar and plain stick-straight maid half-sibling Robin enter abode of husband-knight, bound by ceremony with his glove. Bretagne is an abusive lout; her childhood sweetheart Atremus limps, injured protecting his lord. Gwynn, beaten and raped, refuses to retaliate until she overhears treason. Terrific surprise ending metes justice all-round.
2 Drusilla's Dream by Rachel Lee
Cubicle key click drone Drusie and supervisor Miles on night shift, by day artist and writer, dream together as warrior-princess Drusia and Behemoth-Tamer on a quest. Parallel lines, herbs and spells heal or first-aid kit. In both, her father ill, dying. Hokey hohum.
3 Moonglow by Catherine Asaro
Shape-mage country heirs in carriage murdered, but mother sacrifices her life for son's. Prince Jarid 6, lashes out against the killer, loses sight, speech, and hearing in guilt; other highwayman, he names "Stone", cares for him 14 years, till apprentice mage Iris senses his power, and sends search party.
Typos:
p215 half line missing after "angry;" and "made a perfect sphere"
p282 space inside word "stiff ly"
1 Counting Crows by Mercedes Lackey
One cawing crow bodes ill, as Gwynnwhyfar and plain stick-straight maid half-sibling Robin enter abode of husband-knight, bound by ceremony with his glove. Bretagne is an abusive lout; her childhood sweetheart Atremus limps, injured protecting his lord. Gwynn, beaten and raped, refuses to retaliate until she overhears treason. Terrific surprise ending metes justice all-round.
2 Drusilla's Dream by Rachel Lee
Cubicle key click drone Drusie and supervisor Miles on night shift, by day artist and writer, dream together as warrior-princess Drusia and Behemoth-Tamer on a quest. Parallel lines, herbs and spells heal or first-aid kit. In both, her father ill, dying. Hokey hohum.
3 Moonglow by Catherine Asaro
Shape-mage country heirs in carriage murdered, but mother sacrifices her life for son's. Prince Jarid 6, lashes out against the killer, loses sight, speech, and hearing in guilt; other highwayman, he names "Stone", cares for him 14 years, till apprentice mage Iris senses his power, and sends search party.
Typos:
p215 half line missing after "angry;" and "made a perfect sphere"
p282 space inside word "stiff ly"
December 21, 2022
Note: for anyone following my reviews in 2022, I had an exciting year, and struggled to read the number of books I had hoped. Writing a useful review was too much effort, so I just logged most of these without taking time to explain my rating. I hope to provide a better review of books I've read in 2023. Take care and best wishes!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews