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Twenty Palaces
Bad Little Girls Die Horrible Deaths and Other Tales of Dark Fantasy
This short fiction collection from PW Best of the Year author Harry Connolly combines reprints from magazines and anthologies along with new, previously unpublished fiction, including the TWENTY PALACES novelette “The Hand Made Mask.”
Table of
The One Thing You Can Never Trust
Bad Little Girls Die Horrible Deaths
Lord Of Reavers
Beyond The Game
Don’t Chew Your Food
Hounds And Moonlight
Eating Venom
Cargo Johnny
The Yellow Mark
Preservation
The Home Made Mask
Table of
The One Thing You Can Never Trust
Bad Little Girls Die Horrible Deaths
Lord Of Reavers
Beyond The Game
Don’t Chew Your Food
Hounds And Moonlight
Eating Venom
Cargo Johnny
The Yellow Mark
Preservation
The Home Made Mask
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2011
17 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 4, 2014
By and large, I am not a fan of short stories. The length is typically frustrating for me -- even when they don't remind me of the various anthologies I had to use in Lit classes throughout my High School and College years. Still, I try every now and then to read some. Finding a good short story is as rewarding -- if not moreso -- than finding a good novel. This is a collection of ten short stories and one novelette -- six of the stories are reprints, the others have been published for the first time in these pages. The novelette belongs to Connolly's criminally under-appreciated Twenty Palaces series, and would be worth the purchase price for fans of that series. If you've never read that, but are interested in in trying out a variety of new fantasy worlds (including one that has some books to go with it), this is a great investment.
There was one story in the batch that I didn't like. But even as I read it, and wasn't enjoying it, I realized there was nothing poorly written/constructed about the story. It just wasn't my thing. I don't care who told the story, or how they did it, Don't Chew Your Food wasn't going to work for me. It's a pretty straight-forward horror kind of thing, and that just doesn't do it for me.
That out of the way, let's focus on the pluses. This was a nice little variety pack of stories -- the styles were all over the place, one (Hounds and the Moonlight) read like something the Brothers Grimm would've appreciated, another (Cargo Johnny) felt like it should've been introduced by Rod Serling, and another (Beyond The Game) demonstrated that Connolly can do funny -- which is nice to see (also nice to have a little palate cleanser after all the mayhem and destruction).
The One Thing You Can Never Trust is a great introductory story -- in just a few pages we have a political system (or two) unfolded for us, society's way of (not) dealing with a racial divide and a new magic system. All while telling a tidy little crime story. Bad Little Girls Die Horrible Deaths is similarly a great short burst of world building with a fresh magic system -- and some wonderful monsters, both human and not. Great opening paragraphs, grab you and make sure you're along for the ride.
The main reason people are going to be picking up this collection is for the Twenty Palaces story: The Home Made Mask. And they are right to do so. I cannot get enough of this series (sadly, I'm a member of a very exclusive club). The fact that Ray and Annalise aren't in the story much doesn't affect that -- this is the strange, creepy, capricious kind of magic at work that makes this series so compelling. Tempted to buy some Power-ball tickets just so I can commission some more of these.
I think my favorite story was Lord of Reavers, which is the closest thing to "traditional" fantasy. This tale of an almost super-human swordsman joining up with a band of raiders was great. I felt that I should've seen the conclusion coming sooner than I did, but it was so much fun I'm glad I didn't. I'd read a novel or more starring this character -- easy.
Most short story collections are uneven at best, full of ups and downs. Bad Little Girls . . . is an exception -- 1 down, and 10 ups. Can't ask for more than that. You'd do well to give it a try.
You can also read this, and other reviews, on my book blog: The Irresponsible Reader
There was one story in the batch that I didn't like. But even as I read it, and wasn't enjoying it, I realized there was nothing poorly written/constructed about the story. It just wasn't my thing. I don't care who told the story, or how they did it, Don't Chew Your Food wasn't going to work for me. It's a pretty straight-forward horror kind of thing, and that just doesn't do it for me.
That out of the way, let's focus on the pluses. This was a nice little variety pack of stories -- the styles were all over the place, one (Hounds and the Moonlight) read like something the Brothers Grimm would've appreciated, another (Cargo Johnny) felt like it should've been introduced by Rod Serling, and another (Beyond The Game) demonstrated that Connolly can do funny -- which is nice to see (also nice to have a little palate cleanser after all the mayhem and destruction).
The One Thing You Can Never Trust is a great introductory story -- in just a few pages we have a political system (or two) unfolded for us, society's way of (not) dealing with a racial divide and a new magic system. All while telling a tidy little crime story. Bad Little Girls Die Horrible Deaths is similarly a great short burst of world building with a fresh magic system -- and some wonderful monsters, both human and not. Great opening paragraphs, grab you and make sure you're along for the ride.
The main reason people are going to be picking up this collection is for the Twenty Palaces story: The Home Made Mask. And they are right to do so. I cannot get enough of this series (sadly, I'm a member of a very exclusive club). The fact that Ray and Annalise aren't in the story much doesn't affect that -- this is the strange, creepy, capricious kind of magic at work that makes this series so compelling. Tempted to buy some Power-ball tickets just so I can commission some more of these.
I think my favorite story was Lord of Reavers, which is the closest thing to "traditional" fantasy. This tale of an almost super-human swordsman joining up with a band of raiders was great. I felt that I should've seen the conclusion coming sooner than I did, but it was so much fun I'm glad I didn't. I'd read a novel or more starring this character -- easy.
Most short story collections are uneven at best, full of ups and downs. Bad Little Girls . . . is an exception -- 1 down, and 10 ups. Can't ask for more than that. You'd do well to give it a try.
You can also read this, and other reviews, on my book blog: The Irresponsible Reader
February 12, 2020
A nice variety of stories that lean into horror. Nothing really gory.
January 22, 2018
The title might fool you into thinking this might be all horror stories, but it really is dark fantasy.
If you like the Twenty Palaces series, you'll like this book of short stories. And not just the Twenty Palace story at the end. That one is very good. Very strong POV character who ends up in a bad situation.
All of the stories have interesting characters and strong world building. The weakest one would be the "swords and sorcery" one that dragged on too long. A mercenary joins a band of reavers who have been ravaging the countryside for years. As long as they stay within the rules, the authorities can't touch them.
One story was pretty gruesome even though it wasn't graphic. A famous chef finds himself in a dreamland setting where he searches for answers.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I like Harry Connolly's short stories.
If you like the Twenty Palaces series, you'll like this book of short stories. And not just the Twenty Palace story at the end. That one is very good. Very strong POV character who ends up in a bad situation.
All of the stories have interesting characters and strong world building. The weakest one would be the "swords and sorcery" one that dragged on too long. A mercenary joins a band of reavers who have been ravaging the countryside for years. As long as they stay within the rules, the authorities can't touch them.
One story was pretty gruesome even though it wasn't graphic. A famous chef finds himself in a dreamland setting where he searches for answers.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I like Harry Connolly's short stories.
January 2, 2024
Добре, така и така съм започнал. Макар причината да подхвана този сборник да беше обещаният разказ от света на Двадесетте двореца, самият разказ ми стана най-малко любим от книгата. Хари Конъли за пореден път доказва, че е цар на дарк фентазито и безмилостно погазва границата между него и зъбатото му братче – хоръра. Историите са разнородни по обем и съдържание, но всяка от тях е едно малко бижу.
The One Thing You Can Never Trust – История от споделена вселена, за която нищичко не знам, но не пречи по никакъв начин да се чете самостоятелно. Както е писано в предговора – разказ типичен за Хари. Престъпление с фетъзиен сетинг, изненадващи финални обрати и хитра развръзка без батални сцени.
Един майстор на любовни отвари получава доста нетипична поръчка, за нещастие на мислещият се за хитър клиент, нашето момче знае повече от колкото показва.
Bad Little Girls Die Horrible Deaths – Мрачен преразказ на приказката „Дванадесет танцуващи принцеси“ от Шарл Дьолен. Само че тук действието се развива в Америка от деветнадесети век и нашето момче определено не е обикновен кравар, а мъж с доста кървави мистични умения.
Lord of Reavers – Нетипична за автора фентази история с чист бъхтич, без магични умения, за антагонист. Въпреки излизането от зоната на комфорт за автора, историята се е получила все едно я е писал братчето ми Бранко Събев – брутална, поучителна и доволно завъртяна. Група крайпътни бандити с месеци се изхранват от опустошаването на полуробска колония земеделци. Един ден към тях се присъединява нов способен хлапак със смели идеи. Дали целта му е да оглави бандата?
Beyond the Game – Един опит в съвремието на епистоларния разказ, изцяло изграден от форумни публикации – хаплив и сатиричен. Колко и какво бихте дали на кикстартер за любовни отвари, все пак трудно се намира колония от пиксита, хиляда годишен дъб и василиск. Историята е отхвърлена от антология за кикстартъри, защото е безмилостна към самата есенция на този модерен феномен.
Don’t Chew Your Food – Не съм играл точно този сървайвъл хорър, но концепцията е доста ясна, а чист хорър разказ от Конъли е чудесен новогодишен подарък. Авторът те вкарва безмилостно в лудостта на обстановката и изгражда нещо средно между любимите ми „Сайлънт Хил“ и „Килър 7.“
Известен готвач попада в безкраен кошмар, където се опитва да разбере какво точно е сготвил в последната си гурме поръчка. Или по-точно кой.
Hounds and Moonlight – Брутална фентъзи история с лек върколашки привкус, но не съвсем. Авторът я презентира като нещо типично за прохождащ писател в жанра, но ако това е типичното качество, жанрът щеше да е светлинни години напред, вместо да е залъгалка за отегчени тийнейджъри.
Има един мъж, който обикаля с глутница кучета и избива паранормални създания, създаващи проблеми на човечеството. Каква е тайната му?
Да добавя, че ми подейства зверски вдъхновяващо, нещо случващо се все по-рядко.
Eating Venom – Това се получава когато прехвърлите Джийвс или друг типичен слуга по-умен от господаря си, в мрачен свят, изграден от Хари Конъли. Смъртоносна политическа интрига и шекспирова развръзка с пълна с трупове сцена.
Cargo Johnny – Брутална кратка история, сякаш излязла из под перото на другият ми любим съмишленик – Сиби Майналовски. По това ще познаете, че има и котка, която не е точно котка
The Yellow Mark – Фентъзийна история с централна фигура дъщерята на богат алхимик. Търсенето на подходящ съпруг е проблемно, но по-проблемно е това, което ще открие за себе си и семейството си по пътя.
Preservation – Изненадващ разказ с прото-двадесетте двореца сюжет. Както е писал и автора, тук още обикаля идеите за романите си. Интересен е по-скоро като наблюдение пост фактум как тези идеи са еволюирали в пълнокръвния свят на романите.
The Home Made Mask – Дългоочакваната история от света на Дървения човек, която се развива веднага след третата книга. Не разочарова, но след прекрасните светове в предишните разкази ми дойде малко постна, честно казано.
The One Thing You Can Never Trust – История от споделена вселена, за която нищичко не знам, но не пречи по никакъв начин да се чете самостоятелно. Както е писано в предговора – разказ типичен за Хари. Престъпление с фетъзиен сетинг, изненадващи финални обрати и хитра развръзка без батални сцени.
Един майстор на любовни отвари получава доста нетипична поръчка, за нещастие на мислещият се за хитър клиент, нашето момче знае повече от колкото показва.
Bad Little Girls Die Horrible Deaths – Мрачен преразказ на приказката „Дванадесет танцуващи принцеси“ от Шарл Дьолен. Само че тук действието се развива в Америка от деветнадесети век и нашето момче определено не е обикновен кравар, а мъж с доста кървави мистични умения.
Lord of Reavers – Нетипична за автора фентази история с чист бъхтич, без магични умения, за антагонист. Въпреки излизането от зоната на комфорт за автора, историята се е получила все едно я е писал братчето ми Бранко Събев – брутална, поучителна и доволно завъртяна. Група крайпътни бандити с месеци се изхранват от опустошаването на полуробска колония земеделци. Един ден към тях се присъединява нов способен хлапак със смели идеи. Дали целта му е да оглави бандата?
Beyond the Game – Един опит в съвремието на епистоларния разказ, изцяло изграден от форумни публикации – хаплив и сатиричен. Колко и какво бихте дали на кикстартер за любовни отвари, все пак трудно се намира колония от пиксита, хиляда годишен дъб и василиск. Историята е отхвърлена от антология за кикстартъри, защото е безмилостна към самата есенция на този модерен феномен.
Don’t Chew Your Food – Не съм играл точно този сървайвъл хорър, но концепцията е доста ясна, а чист хорър разказ от Конъли е чудесен новогодишен подарък. Авторът те вкарва безмилостно в лудостта на обстановката и изгражда нещо средно между любимите ми „Сайлънт Хил“ и „Килър 7.“
Известен готвач попада в безкраен кошмар, където се опитва да разбере какво точно е сготвил в последната си гурме поръчка. Или по-точно кой.
Hounds and Moonlight – Брутална фентъзи история с лек върколашки привкус, но не съвсем. Авторът я презентира като нещо типично за прохождащ писател в жанра, но ако това е типичното качество, жанрът щеше да е светлинни години напред, вместо да е залъгалка за отегчени тийнейджъри.
Има един мъж, който обикаля с глутница кучета и избива паранормални създания, създаващи проблеми на човечеството. Каква е тайната му?
Да добавя, че ми подейства зверски вдъхновяващо, нещо случващо се все по-рядко.
Eating Venom – Това се получава когато прехвърлите Джийвс или друг типичен слуга по-умен от господаря си, в мрачен свят, изграден от Хари Конъли. Смъртоносна политическа интрига и шекспирова развръзка с пълна с трупове сцена.
Cargo Johnny – Брутална кратка история, сякаш излязла из под перото на другият ми любим съмишленик – Сиби Майналовски. По това ще познаете, че има и котка, която не е точно котка
The Yellow Mark – Фентъзийна история с централна фигура дъщерята на богат алхимик. Търсенето на подходящ съпруг е проблемно, но по-проблемно е това, което ще открие за себе си и семейството си по пътя.
Preservation – Изненадващ разказ с прото-двадесетте двореца сюжет. Както е писал и автора, тук още обикаля идеите за романите си. Интересен е по-скоро като наблюдение пост фактум как тези идеи са еволюирали в пълнокръвния свят на романите.
The Home Made Mask – Дългоочакваната история от света на Дървения човек, която се развива веднага след третата книга. Не разочарова, но след прекрасните светове в предишните разкази ми дойде малко постна, честно казано.
July 7, 2020
Harry Connolly makes my day, yet again!
Only one critique...I wish it was on audible so I could listen to it all day long. Otherwise, spectacular per usual! Especially love the Twenty Palaces story, The Homemade Mask. I love being surprised and how unexpected it was to live in the head of a predator briefly. No trite black and white. Shades of grey shine like refracted starlight. Once again, to an author who deserves more praise than he could comfortably handle, thank you Harry Connolly for sharing your AMAZING brain with us all. In all dead seriousness, your name should be legally changed to Harry Five Stars Connolly.
Only one critique...I wish it was on audible so I could listen to it all day long. Otherwise, spectacular per usual! Especially love the Twenty Palaces story, The Homemade Mask. I love being surprised and how unexpected it was to live in the head of a predator briefly. No trite black and white. Shades of grey shine like refracted starlight. Once again, to an author who deserves more praise than he could comfortably handle, thank you Harry Connolly for sharing your AMAZING brain with us all. In all dead seriousness, your name should be legally changed to Harry Five Stars Connolly.
May 3, 2018
Frankly I read this because I found it had a 'Twenty Palaces' novella in it. I miss that series so much - genuinely original, dark toned urban fantasy that was well written from start to finish. I really wish that Connolly would publish more instalments.
Anyhow, this book is pretty much the norm for a short story collection - a mixed bag, including some unpublished early works and an introduction to each story from the author. A decent read. (Did I mention - more Twenty Palaces, please!)
Anyhow, this book is pretty much the norm for a short story collection - a mixed bag, including some unpublished early works and an introduction to each story from the author. A decent read. (Did I mention - more Twenty Palaces, please!)
January 26, 2018
Like all anthologies, a mixed bag but generally good read with a decidedly dark tone.
December 14, 2019
A favorite author
His twenty palace society books are wonderful and I loved these stories also, gritty stuff, will keep reading him always
His twenty palace society books are wonderful and I loved these stories also, gritty stuff, will keep reading him always
March 4, 2020
There are some really good dark fantasy stories in here. I haven't read the author's more popular works and he included a few novellas in this collection that tie to them somehow. I preferred the other stuff.
May 31, 2015
A collection of truly dark fantasy stories. True to the style of Harry Connolly with chills, suspense, and horrific twists.
My two favorite stories are: "Lord of Reavers" which was gritty epic fantasy featuring a sword-wielding monk and a band of bandits. I saw what was coming, but it didn't take away my enjoyment of it. "Bad Little Girls Die Horrible Deaths" hooked me right off and took me to a nightmare place I least expected.
"Hounds and Moonlight" was a wonderfully twisted folktale, and "Beyond the Game" was hilarious. Finally, "The Home Made Mask" made me want so much more. As a Twenty Palaces story, it features little of what we know from other Connolly novels, but it doesn't matter. This story stands on its own with its creepy strangeness that made my skin crawl. Spiders and scorpions keep me from wanting to hike in the desert, but now I've got something else to worry about!
My two favorite stories are: "Lord of Reavers" which was gritty epic fantasy featuring a sword-wielding monk and a band of bandits. I saw what was coming, but it didn't take away my enjoyment of it. "Bad Little Girls Die Horrible Deaths" hooked me right off and took me to a nightmare place I least expected.
"Hounds and Moonlight" was a wonderfully twisted folktale, and "Beyond the Game" was hilarious. Finally, "The Home Made Mask" made me want so much more. As a Twenty Palaces story, it features little of what we know from other Connolly novels, but it doesn't matter. This story stands on its own with its creepy strangeness that made my skin crawl. Spiders and scorpions keep me from wanting to hike in the desert, but now I've got something else to worry about!
July 10, 2014
Dark fantasy is fun, and this is more so because of Harry Connolly. I loved the Twenty Palaces novels, and am sad there weren't any more being written. Even though there is only one short in here that is part of Twenty Palaces, I bought the book just for that story. But the rest of the stories were great too. I read a lot of fantasy, and I enjoy it immensely. However reading dark fantasy as it exists in these stories is like a dark secret I keep to myself. People read vampire and werewolf stories for the "romantic" parts, but they are in denial. They like the dark parts too. I skip the romance by reading Harry Connolly's books and claim that part of my dark side. You should too. You'll really enjoy it.
July 7, 2014
Includes a 20 Palaces story with a cameo by Ray and Annalise, but after you flip to the back and read that, read the rest of the stories too, they're quite good.
The excellent writing in the fantasy stories is stoking my anticipation of the author's upcoming fantasy trilogy, The Great Way, whose working title was "Epic Fantasy With No Dull Bits".
The excellent writing in the fantasy stories is stoking my anticipation of the author's upcoming fantasy trilogy, The Great Way, whose working title was "Epic Fantasy With No Dull Bits".
February 3, 2015
There are a lot of great stories in this anthology.
Harry Connolly writes darker fantasy, not grimdark, but expect a little violence, or some creatures from beyond.
Harry's fans will enjoy a lot of the stories, not just the 20 Palaces story but truthfully several stories have stuck with me even days after I read them.
Harry Connolly writes darker fantasy, not grimdark, but expect a little violence, or some creatures from beyond.
Harry's fans will enjoy a lot of the stories, not just the 20 Palaces story but truthfully several stories have stuck with me even days after I read them.
July 5, 2015
Solid collection of stories, only one of them wasn't that great. A couple of Twenty Palaces stories too.
October 18, 2014
There aren't many fantasy writers working today with this sort of unpretentious yet moving style. Connolly crosses settings and tones without missing a step. A book dense with entertainments.
December 1, 2015
Algunos cuentos son buenos, otros no.
January 17, 2016
I really liked this collection, but "Hounds and Moonlight" is the one I really love.
May 13, 2017
Nice set of short creepy stories with fun characters. More Ray and Annalysse please!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews