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Four Horsemen Tales #4
Tales from the Lyon's Den
Do you have what it takes to enter the Lyon's Den?
From the outside, The Lyon’s Den doesn’t look like much; there isn’t even a sign. But mercs of all species know that if you head to southwest Houston, near the Starport, there’s a particular run-down strip mall that looks like it’s been abandoned for years. The glass door second from the south end of the strip is plastered over on the inside with blue paper, and the faint golden outline of a rampant lion is the only clue.
The door is locked, of course, and beyond the door is nothing but a darkened hallway with a downward slope and a slight curve to it. Once you follow this curve far enough, you are greeted by two very large, very well-armed Lumar. “Welcome to the Lyon’s Den,” the larger of the two says without a translator, and without a trace of an alien accent. “You know the rules?”
Welcome back to the Four Horsemen universe, where only a willingness to fight and die for money separates Humans from the majority of the other races. Edited by bestselling authors and universe creators Mark Wandrey and Chris Kennedy, “Tales from the Lyon’s Den” includes eighteen all-new stories in the Four Horsemen universe by a variety of bestselling authors—and some you may not have heard of…yet. Want to know what it’s like to do search and rescue while a battle is going on or what to do with that new manufactory you just won in a card game? Better learn the rules to the Lyon’s Den…and then step inside!
Inside, you’ll find:
Preface by Chris Kennedy
“The Devil in the Pit” by Mark Wandrey
“A Job to Do” by Quincy J. Allen
“For the Honor of the Flag” by Doug Dandridge
“Lucky” by James P. Chandler
“Shit Day” by Marisa Wolf
“The Charge of the Heavy Brigade” by Chris Kennedy
“The Bottom Line” by Michael J. Allen
“Midnight Diplomacy” by Tim C. Taylor
“Desperta Ferro” by Eric S. Brown & N.X. Sharps
“The Deadly Dutchman” by Kevin McLaughlin
“The Felix” by RJ Ladon
“The Heart of a Lion” by Terry Mixon
“What Really Matters” by Chris Winder
“Headspace and Timing” by Robert E. Hampson
“Return to Sender” by Benjamin Tyler Smith
“Grunwald” by David Alan Jones
“The Quiet Was Fine” by Jake Bible
“A Mother’s Favor” by Kacey Ezell
From the outside, The Lyon’s Den doesn’t look like much; there isn’t even a sign. But mercs of all species know that if you head to southwest Houston, near the Starport, there’s a particular run-down strip mall that looks like it’s been abandoned for years. The glass door second from the south end of the strip is plastered over on the inside with blue paper, and the faint golden outline of a rampant lion is the only clue.
The door is locked, of course, and beyond the door is nothing but a darkened hallway with a downward slope and a slight curve to it. Once you follow this curve far enough, you are greeted by two very large, very well-armed Lumar. “Welcome to the Lyon’s Den,” the larger of the two says without a translator, and without a trace of an alien accent. “You know the rules?”
Welcome back to the Four Horsemen universe, where only a willingness to fight and die for money separates Humans from the majority of the other races. Edited by bestselling authors and universe creators Mark Wandrey and Chris Kennedy, “Tales from the Lyon’s Den” includes eighteen all-new stories in the Four Horsemen universe by a variety of bestselling authors—and some you may not have heard of…yet. Want to know what it’s like to do search and rescue while a battle is going on or what to do with that new manufactory you just won in a card game? Better learn the rules to the Lyon’s Den…and then step inside!
Inside, you’ll find:
Preface by Chris Kennedy
“The Devil in the Pit” by Mark Wandrey
“A Job to Do” by Quincy J. Allen
“For the Honor of the Flag” by Doug Dandridge
“Lucky” by James P. Chandler
“Shit Day” by Marisa Wolf
“The Charge of the Heavy Brigade” by Chris Kennedy
“The Bottom Line” by Michael J. Allen
“Midnight Diplomacy” by Tim C. Taylor
“Desperta Ferro” by Eric S. Brown & N.X. Sharps
“The Deadly Dutchman” by Kevin McLaughlin
“The Felix” by RJ Ladon
“The Heart of a Lion” by Terry Mixon
“What Really Matters” by Chris Winder
“Headspace and Timing” by Robert E. Hampson
“Return to Sender” by Benjamin Tyler Smith
“Grunwald” by David Alan Jones
“The Quiet Was Fine” by Jake Bible
“A Mother’s Favor” by Kacey Ezell
- GenresScience Fiction
593 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2018
229 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Chris Kennedy
138 books163 followersA Webster Award winner and three-time Dragon Award finalist, Chris Kennedy is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author, speaker, and small-press publisher who has written over 50 books and published more than 400 others. Get his free book, “Shattered Crucible,” at his website, https://chriskennedypublishing.com.
Called “fantastic” and “a great speaker,” he has coached hundreds of beginning authors and budding novelists on how to self-publish their stories at a variety of conferences, conventions, and writing guild presentations. He is the author of the award-winning #1 bestseller, “Self-Publishing for Profit: How to Get Your Book Out of Your Head and Into the Stores.”
Chris lives in Coinjock, North Carolina, with his wife. Follow Chris on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ckpublishing/.
Called “fantastic” and “a great speaker,” he has coached hundreds of beginning authors and budding novelists on how to self-publish their stories at a variety of conferences, conventions, and writing guild presentations. He is the author of the award-winning #1 bestseller, “Self-Publishing for Profit: How to Get Your Book Out of Your Head and Into the Stores.”
Chris lives in Coinjock, North Carolina, with his wife. Follow Chris on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ckpublishing/.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 23, 2019
I obtained this book through the Kindle Unlimited program.
Preface by Chris Kennedy. Read this to find out where the stories came from. I'm not going to tell you, which illustrates BEAUTIFULLY the problem I have, as a reviewer, with anthologies. Frequently the point of the story turns on One Thing. And, I can't reveal that One Thing without it being a spoiler.
Now, I don't hate spoilers as bad as some people do. In fact, when I was a lad, I can remember turning to the last page of the story and reading that first, because I WANTED to know how it was going to come about.
Here are two points: It's not the One Thing that makes a good short story; it's the craft of the author. That's the first point. The SECOND point is that it takes me just about as long to communicate the craft of the author of a short story, as it does to communicate the craft of the author of a novel. So, while I LOVE short stories, and they were really what got me hooked early on, I HATE REVIEWING THEM. No, that's not true. I don't HATE them. But I do sigh, knowing they are going to be hard work. How much work? Well, I've just passed 200 words on the PREFACE. And avoided the One Thing!
The Devil in the Pit by Mark Wandrey. A merc walks into a bar... Jim Cartwright, the Original Cavalier, is visiting a new merc pit, when a chaotic fight breaks out. It appears the fight is everybody against everybody else. Survival is not a certainty; make a profit? RIDICULOUS!
A Job to Do by Quincy J. Allen. FOUR mercs walk into a bar...They are POSSIBLY the new Fireteam Cooper for the merc unit Hu's Hawks. Although they all have the raw material, they have to pass another test before they are accepted. It involves taking a drink.
For the Honor of the Flag by Doug Dandridge. A burnout has walked into too many bars. That was his choice, after a bad thing happened, a bad, bad thing. To return from Burnout World, he has to walk in to a different kind of bar, and then walk in to a death trap.
Lucky by James P. Chandler. I don't know who walks into a bar. Some people may enjoy stories that are told in disjointed reveals, with continuity something you have to assemble after the entire thing is over. Me? I hate them. I hated this story. And a PART of that emotion is because it's got what LOOKS to be a fairly interesting plot. I don't really know, however, because I gave up about half-way through. YMMV. (But you are wrong if it does.) (insert defenestration gif here (not really, I don't have a gif))
Shit Day by Marisa Wolf. ( who walks into the bar is a secret!) The best of these days are those that happen to other people. Keep that in mind. Also, keep in mind that help can come from unexpected places, and that sometimes, as when you are hanging upside down in a cave waiting to be eaten, you had better count on that. Because there is no other way you are getting out of this...
The Charge of the Heavy Brigade by Chris Kennedy. A merc ALMOST walks into a bar, but a T-rex stops him. Yeah, that IS a strange start, but it DID happen, really. Peace-loving, cabbage-eating T-rexes need help, because wicked, wicked MinSha have threatened to do a Bad Thing.
The Bottom Line by Michael J. Allen. An IRS agent walks into a bar. See, that's ALREADY a bad move. Why go into the bar? Why not make them come to you, and sit down in your air-conditioned office in the Official Building building? Hmmmm. Wonder if the agent has OTHER reasons?
Midnight Diplomacy by Tim C. Taylor. Captain Blue, of the Midnight Sun Free Company, longs for a bar to walk into. Instead, there are these WORTHLESS, STUPID diplomats who must be protected. Despite the fact that they HAVE to be the worst treaty-makers EVER.
Desperta Ferro by Eric S. Brown & N.X. Sharps Lt. Mazzey walked into a bar. A long, long time ago. And has been busy pickling brain cells since. It's rather pathetic, since at one point, he was a pretty good merc. Now he's the kind of merc only a loser would hire. Or, somebody who was LOOKING for a loser.
The Deadly Dutchman by Kevin McLaughlin. Corporal Wilson SLAMS into a bar. With his head. Fortunately, his suit protects him from most of it. But he's confused: Where is all this wreckage coming from? He was on a drop, when everything went away. Now, he is adrift in space. Where are his comrades? Where are his enemies? Does he have a future?
The Felix by RJ Ladon. Why in the world would anyone PLAN to make an Oogar mad? And what would you do if your sister told you to do just that? Well, I'll tell you this: you had BETTER have a LOT of trust in your sister if you comply with those directions. NOTE: this story wins the award for finding an actual use for the .500 S&W. It DOES take space opera to make that come true.
The Heart of a Lion by Terry Mixon. When you need rescue, Rick Betancourt is the man you want. This mission is a bit different, though. Wicked, treacherous aliens are waiting to swarm an expedition to retrieve the fallen. For every sucessful mission, a price gets paid.
What Really Matters by Chris Winder. Ummm...sorry. I don't know what this story is about. I can tell you that it has GREAT action sequences, but I must have missed something, because the ending went over my head. Look, I was probably asleep, okay? Donj't let it bother you.
Headspace and Timing by Robert E. Hampson. A whole bunch of mercs walked into a bar a while ago. Theyu are playing a very ancient game, call “mess with the newby,” and are telling lies. This PARTICULAR assortment of lies involves having your brain enhanced.
Return to Sender by Benjamin Tyler Smith. Well, the merchants have done it to the grunts again. The delivery of arms and ammo that will save them from being wiped out will suffer a slight delay, slight being a VERY flexible term. In this case, it means the mercs will die. They have ONE chance: a just in time delivery, by the service called “Justin Time;” captained by none other than Candy the Gun Bunny.
Grunwald by David Alan Jones. With the massive firepower called upon by some merc companies, it seems unlikely that a niche would exist for a one-CASPer unit. However, that is the case. It's only a guard posting, though, a guard of nothing valuable. Yeah. Right.
The Quiet Was Fine by Jake Bible. The ship exploded, and he was alone in space. And then he wasn't. As long as there is a hope, you strive. Eventually, striving is over.
A Mother’s Favor by Kacey Ezell. A Depik walks into a bar. Unseen, of course. I believe you need to read THIS, then “Gilded Cage” in “A Fistful of Credits” and then this again, then “Gilded Cage” again, then this again. Why? Well, BESIDES the fact that they are both just excellent, creepy, engaging stories, regardless of content, they both deal with a Depik walking into a bar, and the consequences. Ezell is one of those writers who has the gift to use just a few words, and utterly rip your heart out of your chest. “I suppose I can’t stop you,” Lyon said. “No,” Del said, slowly blinking. “I suppose you cannot.”
Brrrr! To my way of thinking, that soft-spoken phrase carries more menace than paragraphs of raging threats and weapons waving in the air.
With one exception, these are well-told. They aren't predictable; in the 4HU, we start off with the fact that 96 of 100 missions ended in failure. And they are well worth your time. Heck, you might even like the one I threw out the window!
Preface by Chris Kennedy. Read this to find out where the stories came from. I'm not going to tell you, which illustrates BEAUTIFULLY the problem I have, as a reviewer, with anthologies. Frequently the point of the story turns on One Thing. And, I can't reveal that One Thing without it being a spoiler.
Now, I don't hate spoilers as bad as some people do. In fact, when I was a lad, I can remember turning to the last page of the story and reading that first, because I WANTED to know how it was going to come about.
Here are two points: It's not the One Thing that makes a good short story; it's the craft of the author. That's the first point. The SECOND point is that it takes me just about as long to communicate the craft of the author of a short story, as it does to communicate the craft of the author of a novel. So, while I LOVE short stories, and they were really what got me hooked early on, I HATE REVIEWING THEM. No, that's not true. I don't HATE them. But I do sigh, knowing they are going to be hard work. How much work? Well, I've just passed 200 words on the PREFACE. And avoided the One Thing!
The Devil in the Pit by Mark Wandrey. A merc walks into a bar... Jim Cartwright, the Original Cavalier, is visiting a new merc pit, when a chaotic fight breaks out. It appears the fight is everybody against everybody else. Survival is not a certainty; make a profit? RIDICULOUS!
A Job to Do by Quincy J. Allen. FOUR mercs walk into a bar...They are POSSIBLY the new Fireteam Cooper for the merc unit Hu's Hawks. Although they all have the raw material, they have to pass another test before they are accepted. It involves taking a drink.
For the Honor of the Flag by Doug Dandridge. A burnout has walked into too many bars. That was his choice, after a bad thing happened, a bad, bad thing. To return from Burnout World, he has to walk in to a different kind of bar, and then walk in to a death trap.
Lucky by James P. Chandler. I don't know who walks into a bar. Some people may enjoy stories that are told in disjointed reveals, with continuity something you have to assemble after the entire thing is over. Me? I hate them. I hated this story. And a PART of that emotion is because it's got what LOOKS to be a fairly interesting plot. I don't really know, however, because I gave up about half-way through. YMMV. (But you are wrong if it does.) (insert defenestration gif here (not really, I don't have a gif))
Shit Day by Marisa Wolf. ( who walks into the bar is a secret!) The best of these days are those that happen to other people. Keep that in mind. Also, keep in mind that help can come from unexpected places, and that sometimes, as when you are hanging upside down in a cave waiting to be eaten, you had better count on that. Because there is no other way you are getting out of this...
The Charge of the Heavy Brigade by Chris Kennedy. A merc ALMOST walks into a bar, but a T-rex stops him. Yeah, that IS a strange start, but it DID happen, really. Peace-loving, cabbage-eating T-rexes need help, because wicked, wicked MinSha have threatened to do a Bad Thing.
The Bottom Line by Michael J. Allen. An IRS agent walks into a bar. See, that's ALREADY a bad move. Why go into the bar? Why not make them come to you, and sit down in your air-conditioned office in the Official Building building? Hmmmm. Wonder if the agent has OTHER reasons?
Midnight Diplomacy by Tim C. Taylor. Captain Blue, of the Midnight Sun Free Company, longs for a bar to walk into. Instead, there are these WORTHLESS, STUPID diplomats who must be protected. Despite the fact that they HAVE to be the worst treaty-makers EVER.
Desperta Ferro by Eric S. Brown & N.X. Sharps Lt. Mazzey walked into a bar. A long, long time ago. And has been busy pickling brain cells since. It's rather pathetic, since at one point, he was a pretty good merc. Now he's the kind of merc only a loser would hire. Or, somebody who was LOOKING for a loser.
The Deadly Dutchman by Kevin McLaughlin. Corporal Wilson SLAMS into a bar. With his head. Fortunately, his suit protects him from most of it. But he's confused: Where is all this wreckage coming from? He was on a drop, when everything went away. Now, he is adrift in space. Where are his comrades? Where are his enemies? Does he have a future?
The Felix by RJ Ladon. Why in the world would anyone PLAN to make an Oogar mad? And what would you do if your sister told you to do just that? Well, I'll tell you this: you had BETTER have a LOT of trust in your sister if you comply with those directions. NOTE: this story wins the award for finding an actual use for the .500 S&W. It DOES take space opera to make that come true.
The Heart of a Lion by Terry Mixon. When you need rescue, Rick Betancourt is the man you want. This mission is a bit different, though. Wicked, treacherous aliens are waiting to swarm an expedition to retrieve the fallen. For every sucessful mission, a price gets paid.
What Really Matters by Chris Winder. Ummm...sorry. I don't know what this story is about. I can tell you that it has GREAT action sequences, but I must have missed something, because the ending went over my head. Look, I was probably asleep, okay? Donj't let it bother you.
Headspace and Timing by Robert E. Hampson. A whole bunch of mercs walked into a bar a while ago. Theyu are playing a very ancient game, call “mess with the newby,” and are telling lies. This PARTICULAR assortment of lies involves having your brain enhanced.
Return to Sender by Benjamin Tyler Smith. Well, the merchants have done it to the grunts again. The delivery of arms and ammo that will save them from being wiped out will suffer a slight delay, slight being a VERY flexible term. In this case, it means the mercs will die. They have ONE chance: a just in time delivery, by the service called “Justin Time;” captained by none other than Candy the Gun Bunny.
Grunwald by David Alan Jones. With the massive firepower called upon by some merc companies, it seems unlikely that a niche would exist for a one-CASPer unit. However, that is the case. It's only a guard posting, though, a guard of nothing valuable. Yeah. Right.
The Quiet Was Fine by Jake Bible. The ship exploded, and he was alone in space. And then he wasn't. As long as there is a hope, you strive. Eventually, striving is over.
A Mother’s Favor by Kacey Ezell. A Depik walks into a bar. Unseen, of course. I believe you need to read THIS, then “Gilded Cage” in “A Fistful of Credits” and then this again, then “Gilded Cage” again, then this again. Why? Well, BESIDES the fact that they are both just excellent, creepy, engaging stories, regardless of content, they both deal with a Depik walking into a bar, and the consequences. Ezell is one of those writers who has the gift to use just a few words, and utterly rip your heart out of your chest. “I suppose I can’t stop you,” Lyon said. “No,” Del said, slowly blinking. “I suppose you cannot.”
Brrrr! To my way of thinking, that soft-spoken phrase carries more menace than paragraphs of raging threats and weapons waving in the air.
With one exception, these are well-told. They aren't predictable; in the 4HU, we start off with the fact that 96 of 100 missions ended in failure. And they are well worth your time. Heck, you might even like the one I threw out the window!
October 9, 2018
All killer no filler!
A welcome return to the anthology series of the four horseman universe
I love this universe and this book shows how expansive it is with its diversity of stories. Some of these contain known charachters and others have new ones that are bound to reoccur in future tales.
These are my favourites Lucky, Charge of the Heavy Brigade(the last line is a cracker), Grunwald, Heart of a Lion, Quiet Was Fine(death isnt alwsys quick) and last of all is A Mothers Favour by Kacey Ezeil who always brings a smile to my face when she writes about the Depik. The ones i havn't mentioned are still good reads though so i urge you to check this anthology out.
A welcome return to the anthology series of the four horseman universe
I love this universe and this book shows how expansive it is with its diversity of stories. Some of these contain known charachters and others have new ones that are bound to reoccur in future tales.
These are my favourites Lucky, Charge of the Heavy Brigade(the last line is a cracker), Grunwald, Heart of a Lion, Quiet Was Fine(death isnt alwsys quick) and last of all is A Mothers Favour by Kacey Ezeil who always brings a smile to my face when she writes about the Depik. The ones i havn't mentioned are still good reads though so i urge you to check this anthology out.
September 29, 2018
They just keep getting better!
The authors of the 4HU bring us 18 excellent new stories. Some introduce us to new characters, mercenaries, aliens, and heroes. Others tell us gives us more dimension to characters who have been introduced to us one (or more) of the many books in this outstanding series.
A great book to pick up if you're just starting or if you've been picking them up as fast as they're putting them down!
The authors of the 4HU bring us 18 excellent new stories. Some introduce us to new characters, mercenaries, aliens, and heroes. Others tell us gives us more dimension to characters who have been introduced to us one (or more) of the many books in this outstanding series.
A great book to pick up if you're just starting or if you've been picking them up as fast as they're putting them down!
September 28, 2018
A perfect anthology
With good editing and a great group of authors, I found Tales from the Lyon's Den to be a captivating read. This book had a great mix of action, adventure, and drama. It left me feeling as though I honestly cared about the various characters and events portrayed. It meshed well with the greater 4HU, and will keep you satiated until you can get your next fix.
With good editing and a great group of authors, I found Tales from the Lyon's Den to be a captivating read. This book had a great mix of action, adventure, and drama. It left me feeling as though I honestly cared about the various characters and events portrayed. It meshed well with the greater 4HU, and will keep you satiated until you can get your next fix.
December 19, 2018
Even mercs have tales
Some very good authors writing very good stories. Each p.o.v. Is from a merc. Or associated with the trade encompassing a number of merc alien races. Being a fun read and giving incite into a few alien mercs and their interactions with others mercs and a large universe,I give it 4 of 5 stars and will recommend it highly to all.
Some very good authors writing very good stories. Each p.o.v. Is from a merc. Or associated with the trade encompassing a number of merc alien races. Being a fun read and giving incite into a few alien mercs and their interactions with others mercs and a large universe,I give it 4 of 5 stars and will recommend it highly to all.
October 1, 2018
A+ Collection!
There have been two previous collections in the 4 Horseman Universe, and this is an excellent addition. The previous two collections caused 4 related books to be written, due to stories fans wanted more of. I’m sure more books will come out of this collection.
There have been two previous collections in the 4 Horseman Universe, and this is an excellent addition. The previous two collections caused 4 related books to be written, due to stories fans wanted more of. I’m sure more books will come out of this collection.
October 8, 2018
Great Addition to the Four Horseman Universe
These writers did a great job adding more legends and takes to a rapidly growing universe. From top lines units to back alley meetings you get it all.
These writers did a great job adding more legends and takes to a rapidly growing universe. From top lines units to back alley meetings you get it all.
October 14, 2018
You did it again folks
Made me laugh, made me cry and saved a kitty. I Read new authors(to me), and old familiar authors and by old, I don't mean age, but welcomed from previous readings.
Made me laugh, made me cry and saved a kitty. I Read new authors(to me), and old familiar authors and by old, I don't mean age, but welcomed from previous readings.
July 18, 2019
Another fantastic anthology set in the 4HU. While most are not actually set in the Lyon's Den, the bar in the title, they are all excellent tales, and some are even better than that. I've loved this series since it started, and it really does just keep getting better.
February 4, 2022
Not the best, but some of the stories were worth the effort.
This anthology is a mixed bag. There are some good tales here but the majority aren’t and a couple are cringeworthy. Still, its a great way to kill a few evenings.
This anthology is a mixed bag. There are some good tales here but the majority aren’t and a couple are cringeworthy. Still, its a great way to kill a few evenings.
January 31, 2024
Most of the short stories are excellent; a few are just good...and a very few are okay. It was good to have some more of the 4HU filled in, but there were also some bits that were well out of the time sequence with the recommended reading order.
October 19, 2018
Great, as always. Never a bad 4HU book yet.
When are we getting our movie? :)
When are we getting our movie? :)
March 30, 2019
A fun anthology with some great authors I have never read before.
April 29, 2019
The 4HU anthologies are as good as the novels; thanks one and all.
September 18, 2019
Good collection
A couple brought tears to my eyes,one I couldn't get thru because of bad. Most were readable. Three more words.
A couple brought tears to my eyes,one I couldn't get thru because of bad. Most were readable. Three more words.
September 13, 2020
An anthology of stories set in the 4HU.
Good stuff.
Good stuff.
December 25, 2023
Great stories in the FH universe. Well worth a read
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews