Three Quarters: A Quarters Collection

Quarters #5

by Tanya Huff

The Seven Armies' deadliest blades are at their best in Three Quarters, a collection of three exciting short stories set in Tanya Huff's Quarters universe. In "Death Rites" sibling assassins Bannon and Vree must eliminate a dangerous traitor who's already thwarted several other professionals. In "Exactly," Vree and Bannon slip surveillance shifts in between body rubs and drinks when they take a holiday, assassin-style. And in the novelette, "Quartered," on Kovar's orders, the young bard Evicka risks her life to spy on Vree and Gyhard in Bicaz. Featuring an all-new foreword and new story introductions from the author, Three Quarters is sure to delight fans of The Quarters Series with Tanya Huff's pitch-perfect harmony of adventure, intrigue, and wit.

Genres: Fantasy

111 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 4, 2016

About the author

Tanya Sue Huff is a Canadian fantasy author. Her stories have been published since the late 1980s, including five fantasy series and one science fiction series. One of these, her Blood Books series, featuring detective Vicki Nelson, was adapted for television under the title Blood Ties.

Reviews

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love the Quarters series and I'm a sucker for tie-in stories so I picked this up recently. It's three stories: Vree and Bannon on a serious mission, Vree and Bannon on a silly one, and then a story that takes place after No Quarter that features Vree and Gyhard.

I thought I would enjoy the last one the most, since I'm dying for more about those two after the conclusion of No Quarter. Unfortunately, "Quartered" felt the most like the kind of short story I don't like, one that teases my interest and then abruptly ends. I don't remember much of The Quartered Sea, so maybe that's why I didn't realize this was more of a set-up story for Evicka in that book, as opposed to being about Vree and Gyhard. We do get to see those characters, but they're manipulated into a trope I don't like and then they're gone. SPOILERS: Evicka overhears a conversation, assumes the worst about them for no good reason, and then runs off into danger to "warn" everyone. As it turns out, the conversation she overheard was harmless.

The first two were entertaining, although I was a little surprised that the author seemed to double down on Bannon's attraction to his sister. I think it was teased somewhat in The Fifth Quarter but it felt a lot more in these stories.

[Juushika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three short stories set in the Quarters universe. Two are about Bannon and Vree prior to their appearance in the books; the first is the best of the collection, an unambitious but enjoyable assassination story that engages the aspects of their dynamic I love, but the other leans towards humor and is less successful on account. The last is about a younger, able-bodied Evicka, and relies on a miscommunication trope which I find particularly tiresome. I usually avoid tie-in short stories, even for series I like, especially when the stories are written for themed anthologies, because they aren't as fulfilling as a novel. I should have followed that instinct here. These are fine, but only that.

[Taarna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the ridiculous amount of spelling and grammatical errors that really should have been caught in editing because they were so obvious, the content was still good. I enjoyed this short story collection which gave me just a bit more insight into the characters I already enjoyed from the Quartered Series.

[grosbeak · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first story was solid, the second terrible, and the third ended on a surprisingly downer note, as the main character embarks on what is pretty clearly signalled will be a long and tiring road of trying to convince her colleagues not to treat her as though her career is over just because she’s now an amputee.

[Kristin Herke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, but needs proofing.

The book itself was wonderful. But the publishers REALLY need to hire a good proofreader. Having to frequently figure what a word was SUPPOSED to be, or what word was missing, interrupts the narrative flow.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been a long time since I read this series but I still enjoyed the connected short stories.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Excellent series. Highly recommended.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. This is my second time through and it was just as enjoyable as I remembered.

[Kathryn Baron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Desperatly in needs of a proofreader. OK stories.

[Debrac2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these short stories set in the world of the Quarters!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read the Quarters Books when I was in high school and I've re-read them quite a few times since, but these short stories were new to me so I was very excited to return to this world. Huff did not disappoint with these short stories. I found them entertaining and brought back a sense of nostalgia but without compromising or diminishing my memories of the originals, which sometimes happens when you revisit something you loved so long ago. I'm sure they could stand on their own, but honestly, I wouldn't want them too because I think they have more depth within the context of the originals.

Vree is my favorite character from the original books, so I was very pleased to read the two shorts featuring her and appreciated the little peek at her post-HEA life in the third story. I also really enjoyed Evicka's story as she had a minor appearance in the original series, but even so many years later, I remembered exactly who she was and it was nice to see her character develop in this short.

Two thumbs up - I'm sure I'll read them again but would do so within the chronology of the original books the next time I decide to re-read those. :)

[Kristy Halseth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read some really short books over the last three days. This one was okay.

The first story is about Vree and her brother being on Target. I didn't like it at all. I found it confusing and couldn't figure out the point of it.

The second story is about them being 'sort of' on target. They are sent out on 'leave' in order to check the target out and determine if he needs to be assassinated or not. In the process they spend a lot of money, cause a lot of problems, and this is why assassins don't get leave. It is funny and worth the read.

The Novelette at the end actually makes you wish she would write more novels in this universe. It is sadly lacking and it was such a great world she created. I seems like could be a lot to explore still.

On the whole, this was not as great as I was hoping.

[Neeuqdrazil]

Three more Vree stories, and all delightful.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three short stories featuring Vree and Bannon from Fifth Quarter, the longest one tells how Evicka from The Quartered Sea lost her legs.