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Hard-hitting Stories from the Creator of Monster Hunter International. The first short story collection from nationally best-selling author Larry Correia.
Larry Correia, the New York Times best-selling author of the wildly popular Monster Hunter International and Grimnoir Chronicles series of no-holds-barred urban fantasy and the Dead Six trilogy of military adventure novels, now sets his sights on the short story form.
Together for the first time, fourteen action-packed tales of demons, monster, vampires, and cosmic horrors too terrible to name—and the men and women who take them all down. Oh, and toss in an interdimensional insurance salesman for good measure.
You’ll also find: An elven princess from the pages of Monster Hunter International on a mission to redeem her people. A samurai pirate with a blood vendetta against an extremely large sea beast. And a magic-wielding P.I. who walks the mean streets of Detroit.
Journey back to the origins of Monster Hunter International in “Bubba Shackleford’s Professional Monster Hunters.” Uncover the origin of one of Dead Six’s central characters in “Sweothi City.” And celebrate the holidays with the Grimnoir Chronicle’s own Jake Sullivan in “Detroit Christmas.”
Discover why it always pays to hire the very best when it comes to fighting a war when Correia takes on David Drake’s genre-defining Hammer’s Slammers series. And find out just how much damage a vampire can do when he was a Green Beret before he became one of the undead as Correia tackles Jonathan Maberry’s V Wars universe.
Includes three stories never before in print! “Murder on the Orient Elite” and “The Adventures of Tom Strange, Interdimensional Insurance Salesman” have previously only been available in audio format (narrated by Adam Baldwin of Firefly fame). And “Blood on the Water” makes its first appearance.
About Larry Correia and the Monster Hunter International series:
“[E]verything I like in fantasy: intense action scenes, evil in horrifying array, good struggling against the darkness, and most of all people—gorgeously flawed human beings faced with horrible moral choices that force them to question and change and grow.”—Jim Butcher on Son of the Black Sword
“[A] no-holds-barred all-out page turner that is part science fiction, part horror, and an absolute blast to read.”—Bookreporter.com
“If you love monsters and action, you’ll love this book. If you love guns, you’ll love this book. If you love fantasy, and especially horror fantasy, you’ll love this book.”—Knotclan.com
“A gun person who likes science fiction—or, heck, anyone who likes science fiction—will enjoy [these books] . . . The plotting is excellent, and Correia makes you care about the characters . . . I read both books without putting them down except for work . . . so whaddaya waitin’ for? Go and buy some . . . for yourself and for stocking stuffers.”—Massad Ayoob
“This lighthearted, testosterone-soaked sequel to 2009's Monster Hunter International will delight fans of action horror with elaborate weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, disgusting monsters, and an endless stream of blood and body parts.”—Publishers Weekly on Monster Hunter Vendetta
Larry Correia, the New York Times best-selling author of the wildly popular Monster Hunter International and Grimnoir Chronicles series of no-holds-barred urban fantasy and the Dead Six trilogy of military adventure novels, now sets his sights on the short story form.
Together for the first time, fourteen action-packed tales of demons, monster, vampires, and cosmic horrors too terrible to name—and the men and women who take them all down. Oh, and toss in an interdimensional insurance salesman for good measure.
You’ll also find: An elven princess from the pages of Monster Hunter International on a mission to redeem her people. A samurai pirate with a blood vendetta against an extremely large sea beast. And a magic-wielding P.I. who walks the mean streets of Detroit.
Journey back to the origins of Monster Hunter International in “Bubba Shackleford’s Professional Monster Hunters.” Uncover the origin of one of Dead Six’s central characters in “Sweothi City.” And celebrate the holidays with the Grimnoir Chronicle’s own Jake Sullivan in “Detroit Christmas.”
Discover why it always pays to hire the very best when it comes to fighting a war when Correia takes on David Drake’s genre-defining Hammer’s Slammers series. And find out just how much damage a vampire can do when he was a Green Beret before he became one of the undead as Correia tackles Jonathan Maberry’s V Wars universe.
Includes three stories never before in print! “Murder on the Orient Elite” and “The Adventures of Tom Strange, Interdimensional Insurance Salesman” have previously only been available in audio format (narrated by Adam Baldwin of Firefly fame). And “Blood on the Water” makes its first appearance.
About Larry Correia and the Monster Hunter International series:
“[E]verything I like in fantasy: intense action scenes, evil in horrifying array, good struggling against the darkness, and most of all people—gorgeously flawed human beings faced with horrible moral choices that force them to question and change and grow.”—Jim Butcher on Son of the Black Sword
“[A] no-holds-barred all-out page turner that is part science fiction, part horror, and an absolute blast to read.”—Bookreporter.com
“If you love monsters and action, you’ll love this book. If you love guns, you’ll love this book. If you love fantasy, and especially horror fantasy, you’ll love this book.”—Knotclan.com
“A gun person who likes science fiction—or, heck, anyone who likes science fiction—will enjoy [these books] . . . The plotting is excellent, and Correia makes you care about the characters . . . I read both books without putting them down except for work . . . so whaddaya waitin’ for? Go and buy some . . . for yourself and for stocking stuffers.”—Massad Ayoob
“This lighthearted, testosterone-soaked sequel to 2009's Monster Hunter International will delight fans of action horror with elaborate weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, disgusting monsters, and an endless stream of blood and body parts.”—Publishers Weekly on Monster Hunter Vendetta
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 4, 2018
230 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
About the author
Larry Correia
121 books4,396 followersLarry Correia (born 1977) is the New York Times bestselling author of the Monster Hunter International series, the Grimnoir Chronicles, and the thriller Dead Six.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
September 10, 2023
Each scene was just a lovely piece of candy. Until total satisfaction of a well grilled meat and veg. Was served with a badass of an insurance agent.
August 23, 2024
3.25/5
This was a wildly inconsistent collection of short stories, but even at its worst it was a entertaining and completely readable book.
This was a wildly inconsistent collection of short stories, but even at its worst it was a entertaining and completely readable book.
August 24, 2023
A series of stories from the author of monsters, westerns etc. for the most part they were fun to listen to and some enough so to further interest in the series.
September 12, 2018
4.25 Stars
November 6, 2020
Good collection of short stories. I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't all MHI stories but that was my own fault. Didn't read the description, just bought it because it was Larry Correia
December 1, 2018
There were a lot of super fun stories in this book.
May 18, 2023
Lovecká sezona je sborníkem povídek, přičemž je milé, že každá má svůj úvod, tedy proč byla napsaná, a závěr. Některé z povídek byly již publikovány, jiné jsou publikovány poprvé. Povídky jsem si v poslední době poměrně oblíbil. Jejich půvab spatřuji především v jejich rozsahu, mnohdy se jedná o pár stran, které jsou ovšem intenzivním sérem potěchy čtenářovy duše.
Nebudu zde rozepisovat veškeré povídky, ale prozradím, že se třikrát vydáme do světa profesionálních lovců monster (Jednu z těchto povídek napsal společně s dcerou, no není to rozkošné?), rovněž dvakrát navštívíme Jakea Sullivana, podíváme se do oblasti partyzánských bojů, vydáme se do hloubky depresivního vesmíru v Lovecraftovském stylu, v zemi vycházející se utkáme s obrovským mořským kaiju, pokusíme se přejít most, ponoříme se do snů, staneme se posádkou obrněného vozidla s mizerným kanónem, budeme bojovat s nepříjemnou rýmičkou, poznáme, jaké je to být odstřelovačem a pojistíme pár klientů.
Povídky jsou to věru různorodé, že? Rád bych vám napsal o každé z nich alespoň pár vět, ale místo toho jsem vybral tři, které mne oslovily více než ostatní. Právě nyní je třeba zmínit kvalitu jednotlivých povídek, neb je každá na vysoké úrovni.
Larryho styl mi prostě sedí. Je to přesně ona tvorba, která vás pobaví, uvolníte se a zrelaxujete. Je to vlastně takový wellness, tedy až na to, že místo vody se budete koupat v krvi a místo sauny navštívíte ohnivé jezero, ale chápete, že? A nyní vám konečně představím své favority. Jejich pořadí je čistě náhodné, první vybraná nemusí být nutně nejoblíbenější.
Začneme s povídkou Osud kulky, pánové vaše varlata mohou zůstat v naprostém klidu, jedině pokud byste měli jejich rakovinu, to upřímnou soustrast. Hlavním hrdinou je nejlepší nájemný střelec Kell Bailoch. Je trpělivým nebojácným lovcem, jenž si hravě poradí s jakýmkoliv počasím a jakýmkoliv cílem. Jeho puška je speciální, neb je očarovaná kouzlem tichosti, takže nevydává žádný hluk, tedy až na aerodynamický třesk, který stejně cíl už neuslyší. Proto byl najat mladou klientkou mající neutuchající pomstychtivou touhu…Ehm…Ehm… A tak se Kell vydává do zasněžených luhů a mrazivých hájů číhat na svůj cíl.
Sweothi city nás zavede do Afriky a jak to tak bývá, ocitneme se ve středu partyzánských bojů. Musím říci, že tato povídka je krásná svojí nostalgií, díky zvolenému tématu. Je jako koktejl oblíbených akčních filmů. A v hlavní Postava jménem Lorenzo? Hned se mi vybavil vlasáč na motorce, lovec lidí, odpadlík.
Poslední povídka, Dobrodružství Toma Strangera, je vším, co jste rozhodně nečekali. Hlavní hrdinou je pojišťovací agent, který pojistí cokoliv, kdykoliv, kdekoliv. Je snad jediným pojišťovacím agentem, který dbá na prvotřídní servis klientovi. Vše se snaží vyřešit ihned, na místě, bez zbytečných průtahů. Někdy je ovšem potřeba povolat arbitra, který spor rozhodne a… O to vás nepřipravím.
S potěšením mohu říci, že Lovecká sezona je fantastickou sbírkou úžasných povídek. V některých případech se těžko věří, že se jedná o počátky autorovy tvorby. Ani na okamžik jsem se nenudil.
Knihu jednoznačně mohu doporučit všem čtenářům fantasy, milovníkům akce, napětí, humoru, absurdního humoru a hlavně zbraní. Larry je totiž pošuk do zbraní.
Nebudu zde rozepisovat veškeré povídky, ale prozradím, že se třikrát vydáme do světa profesionálních lovců monster (Jednu z těchto povídek napsal společně s dcerou, no není to rozkošné?), rovněž dvakrát navštívíme Jakea Sullivana, podíváme se do oblasti partyzánských bojů, vydáme se do hloubky depresivního vesmíru v Lovecraftovském stylu, v zemi vycházející se utkáme s obrovským mořským kaiju, pokusíme se přejít most, ponoříme se do snů, staneme se posádkou obrněného vozidla s mizerným kanónem, budeme bojovat s nepříjemnou rýmičkou, poznáme, jaké je to být odstřelovačem a pojistíme pár klientů.
Povídky jsou to věru různorodé, že? Rád bych vám napsal o každé z nich alespoň pár vět, ale místo toho jsem vybral tři, které mne oslovily více než ostatní. Právě nyní je třeba zmínit kvalitu jednotlivých povídek, neb je každá na vysoké úrovni.
Larryho styl mi prostě sedí. Je to přesně ona tvorba, která vás pobaví, uvolníte se a zrelaxujete. Je to vlastně takový wellness, tedy až na to, že místo vody se budete koupat v krvi a místo sauny navštívíte ohnivé jezero, ale chápete, že? A nyní vám konečně představím své favority. Jejich pořadí je čistě náhodné, první vybraná nemusí být nutně nejoblíbenější.
Začneme s povídkou Osud kulky, pánové vaše varlata mohou zůstat v naprostém klidu, jedině pokud byste měli jejich rakovinu, to upřímnou soustrast. Hlavním hrdinou je nejlepší nájemný střelec Kell Bailoch. Je trpělivým nebojácným lovcem, jenž si hravě poradí s jakýmkoliv počasím a jakýmkoliv cílem. Jeho puška je speciální, neb je očarovaná kouzlem tichosti, takže nevydává žádný hluk, tedy až na aerodynamický třesk, který stejně cíl už neuslyší. Proto byl najat mladou klientkou mající neutuchající pomstychtivou touhu…Ehm…Ehm… A tak se Kell vydává do zasněžených luhů a mrazivých hájů číhat na svůj cíl.
Sweothi city nás zavede do Afriky a jak to tak bývá, ocitneme se ve středu partyzánských bojů. Musím říci, že tato povídka je krásná svojí nostalgií, díky zvolenému tématu. Je jako koktejl oblíbených akčních filmů. A v hlavní Postava jménem Lorenzo? Hned se mi vybavil vlasáč na motorce, lovec lidí, odpadlík.
Poslední povídka, Dobrodružství Toma Strangera, je vším, co jste rozhodně nečekali. Hlavní hrdinou je pojišťovací agent, který pojistí cokoliv, kdykoliv, kdekoliv. Je snad jediným pojišťovacím agentem, který dbá na prvotřídní servis klientovi. Vše se snaží vyřešit ihned, na místě, bez zbytečných průtahů. Někdy je ovšem potřeba povolat arbitra, který spor rozhodne a… O to vás nepřipravím.
S potěšením mohu říci, že Lovecká sezona je fantastickou sbírkou úžasných povídek. V některých případech se těžko věří, že se jedná o počátky autorovy tvorby. Ani na okamžik jsem se nenudil.
Knihu jednoznačně mohu doporučit všem čtenářům fantasy, milovníkům akce, napětí, humoru, absurdního humoru a hlavně zbraní. Larry je totiž pošuk do zbraní.
January 7, 2023
Povídkový sborník složený z příběhů napsaných do různých jiných sborníků. Poměrně solidní, ale ukazující jeden ze základních problémů takových sborníků, zvláště u autorů, kteří nejsou experti na povídky – většina povídek si je hodně podobná. Larry Correia je autor akčních mlátiček, což absolutně funguje v románech, ale u povídek máte pocit, že čtete pořád znovu to samé, jen s jinými hrdiny a monstry. Máte tu nadupaného mačo hrdinu, pátrání po něčem nebezpečném, střetnutí s něčím nebezpečným a likvidace něčeho nebezpečného. Ale jo, pořád se to fajn čte. Correia není žádný velký spisovatel, ale umí psát zábavně a s velký citem pro zbraně – ale delší příběhy jsou lepší, tam tolik nevadí jednoduchost a absence překvápka.
Objeví se tu příběhy jak z Lovců monster, tak z Grimnoirské série, ale musím přiznat, že v té mase mě asi nejvíc zaujaly dva příběhy, které se trochu vymykají. První vyšla i v Pevnosti – Tanya: Princezna elfů. Jak čtenáři série vědí, elfové v Correiově světě žijí v přívěsech a žijí z podvodů a podpory, prostě ta nejhorší bílá lůza. Ale jedna z elfek se rozhodne, že se chce stát Lovcem monster. Příběh klasický, ale postavy zajímavější. A pak je tu finální povídka, komediální jízda Dobrodružství Toma Strangera, interdimenzionálního pojišťovacího agenta. Jasně, humor není zrovna sofistikovaný, ale je to něco jiného. A navíc tam vystupuje Chuck Norris a sám autor Larry Correia (který je v jiné realitě tak bohatý, že si koupil obě Koreje, protože ho štvalo, že se jmenovaly podobně jako on a přejmenoval je na Komoušov a Gangnamie), tak se to dá akceptovat. Plus i jinak jsou tam dobré věty.
„Násilí nikdy nic nevyřešilo“, odpověděla Jacobitka s přesvědčením hippíka, který nikdy nečetl historickou knihu.
Je fakt, že příznivci série Lovci monster (mezi které taky patřím) dostanou to, co chtějí. Zbraně, hlášky, drsňáky, spoustu krve a výbuchy. A co taky chtít od života víc.
Objeví se tu příběhy jak z Lovců monster, tak z Grimnoirské série, ale musím přiznat, že v té mase mě asi nejvíc zaujaly dva příběhy, které se trochu vymykají. První vyšla i v Pevnosti – Tanya: Princezna elfů. Jak čtenáři série vědí, elfové v Correiově světě žijí v přívěsech a žijí z podvodů a podpory, prostě ta nejhorší bílá lůza. Ale jedna z elfek se rozhodne, že se chce stát Lovcem monster. Příběh klasický, ale postavy zajímavější. A pak je tu finální povídka, komediální jízda Dobrodružství Toma Strangera, interdimenzionálního pojišťovacího agenta. Jasně, humor není zrovna sofistikovaný, ale je to něco jiného. A navíc tam vystupuje Chuck Norris a sám autor Larry Correia (který je v jiné realitě tak bohatý, že si koupil obě Koreje, protože ho štvalo, že se jmenovaly podobně jako on a přejmenoval je na Komoušov a Gangnamie), tak se to dá akceptovat. Plus i jinak jsou tam dobré věty.
„Násilí nikdy nic nevyřešilo“, odpověděla Jacobitka s přesvědčením hippíka, který nikdy nečetl historickou knihu.
Je fakt, že příznivci série Lovci monster (mezi které taky patřím) dostanou to, co chtějí. Zbraně, hlášky, drsňáky, spoustu krve a výbuchy. A co taky chtít od života víc.
September 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this set of short stories, even though I had read half of them previously in other anthologies (or in the case of Tom Stranger, as an Audible Original). If you're a Correia fan you'll enjoy it.
My two favorite stories were The Bridge and The Great Sea Beast, both of which I had never read before. The former was in another author's world, the latter I believe completely new, but MHI-esque.
Grim Noir was covered by two Jake Sullivan stories - and who doesn't love the Heavy?
Dead Six was covered by a Lorenzo origin story. Super cool.
Iron Kingdoms had one excellent story called Destiny of a Bullet.
MHI had three stories including two Bubba Shackleford stories, including one co-authored with his 16-year-old daughter! As a father to a daughter, I can only imagine how happy that would have made Larry. I was smiling nearly the whole time I read it.
Related, there was a chilling but somehow very touching story called Father's Day that was new to me.
Another fun book was The Losing Side, again in someone else's universe.
Force Multiplier was a random vampire war epic that was fast-paced. It could easily be expanded to a full novel and be excellent.
Aside: Correia does an excellent job writing fan fiction.
And finally there was Tom Stranger. I was worried I wouldn't enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy Adam Baldwin narrating it, but I was wrong. It's still excellent...because the voice in my head when reading it is now Adam Baldwin's :)
My two favorite stories were The Bridge and The Great Sea Beast, both of which I had never read before. The former was in another author's world, the latter I believe completely new, but MHI-esque.
Grim Noir was covered by two Jake Sullivan stories - and who doesn't love the Heavy?
Dead Six was covered by a Lorenzo origin story. Super cool.
Iron Kingdoms had one excellent story called Destiny of a Bullet.
MHI had three stories including two Bubba Shackleford stories, including one co-authored with his 16-year-old daughter! As a father to a daughter, I can only imagine how happy that would have made Larry. I was smiling nearly the whole time I read it.
Related, there was a chilling but somehow very touching story called Father's Day that was new to me.
Another fun book was The Losing Side, again in someone else's universe.
Force Multiplier was a random vampire war epic that was fast-paced. It could easily be expanded to a full novel and be excellent.
Aside: Correia does an excellent job writing fan fiction.
And finally there was Tom Stranger. I was worried I wouldn't enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy Adam Baldwin narrating it, but I was wrong. It's still excellent...because the voice in my head when reading it is now Adam Baldwin's :)
August 11, 2019
Enjoyed all the stories but really liked Force Multiplier and Bubba Shackleford's Professional Monster Killers. 5 of stories included in the collection have been released on audio or as online reads and are noted in the intros to those stories. I had read them earlier so this was a quick read for me.
Also just finished The Monster Hunter Files, Monster Hunter Siege and just picked up Monster Hunter Guardian. This completes the released MHI stuff for me so suspect I am done with MHI for a few years.
Enjoyed the series and other books by Larry Correia so also picked up his Dead Six series for reading later.
Also just finished The Monster Hunter Files, Monster Hunter Siege and just picked up Monster Hunter Guardian. This completes the released MHI stuff for me so suspect I am done with MHI for a few years.
Enjoyed the series and other books by Larry Correia so also picked up his Dead Six series for reading later.
September 18, 2019
What is not to like about Larry Correia? He is an author famous for his romance, his kind, gentle prose and his love of fluffy little animals... Not! He is a ball busting, gun-toting, funny and exciting author who writes action better than just about anyone and this compilation would serve as an excellent primer for someone just getting into any of his numerous worlds. I devoured this book and although had read and heard a few of the stories before, this did not lessen my enjoyment one little bit. This collection of short fiction, including some co-authored by his daughter, is sure to please.
My biggest treat came in the form of the Grim Noir stories that were included. I started my love affair with Larry through these stories and any mention of Jake Sullivan gets my adrenaline surging. In addition, he has some characters from his Monster Hunter Series, a Kaiju, Tom Stranger, , some Dead Six fun, a vampire hunter (A vampire who is the hunter!) and so on. The writing, as always, is tight and the stories all move along at a quick clip. I really could find nothing in this book I did not like. In fact, I have even reached out to a game developer based on one of the stories in this book.
Seriously, if you are a fan you will not be disappointed, but if you have not tried Larry yet, this really is an excellent starting point. The brief asides that accompany many of the stories are appreciated and personalize the experience. I can't wait for volume II!
My biggest treat came in the form of the Grim Noir stories that were included. I started my love affair with Larry through these stories and any mention of Jake Sullivan gets my adrenaline surging. In addition, he has some characters from his Monster Hunter Series, a Kaiju, Tom Stranger, , some Dead Six fun, a vampire hunter (A vampire who is the hunter!) and so on. The writing, as always, is tight and the stories all move along at a quick clip. I really could find nothing in this book I did not like. In fact, I have even reached out to a game developer based on one of the stories in this book.
Seriously, if you are a fan you will not be disappointed, but if you have not tried Larry yet, this really is an excellent starting point. The brief asides that accompany many of the stories are appreciated and personalize the experience. I can't wait for volume II!
May 13, 2021
My father once told me that the difference between an armature and a professional is that a Professional never shows you their mistakes. In Target Rick Environment we see that sometimes sharing your less mature efforts, has an upside.
I gave this three stars, though I'm not sure I would do so if I had not read so much of Larry's excellent novels. Due to this effort we are allowed to see how under developed characters and story lines can turn into exceptional ideas when fleshed out. That gives other writers hope, which is good, because other than a little smile at seeing familiar characters, many of these stories are kind of lame.
From the Michael Bay, fire fight that reads as a teaser, to the old "Warrior and a Monk on Bridge" routine I got the idea that most of these stories were side projects to pick up a little extra cash, or build connections. They were not, however, exceptional on their own.
My father was right, don't show your mistakes if you want to be taken seriously, at least until you're famous enough to get away with it. Hiowever, If you want to keep loving and admiring Larry Correia's writing, read this with the knowledge that it is more akin to his university creative writing course assignments, than his polished, well crafted books like Dead Six and Monster Hunters International.
I gave this three stars, though I'm not sure I would do so if I had not read so much of Larry's excellent novels. Due to this effort we are allowed to see how under developed characters and story lines can turn into exceptional ideas when fleshed out. That gives other writers hope, which is good, because other than a little smile at seeing familiar characters, many of these stories are kind of lame.
From the Michael Bay, fire fight that reads as a teaser, to the old "Warrior and a Monk on Bridge" routine I got the idea that most of these stories were side projects to pick up a little extra cash, or build connections. They were not, however, exceptional on their own.
My father was right, don't show your mistakes if you want to be taken seriously, at least until you're famous enough to get away with it. Hiowever, If you want to keep loving and admiring Larry Correia's writing, read this with the knowledge that it is more akin to his university creative writing course assignments, than his polished, well crafted books like Dead Six and Monster Hunters International.
September 25, 2018
All right, Correia ... now you've done it! I mean, here I am, minding my own business, drowning in a six foot pile of technical books that I really need to read, without anything like the time to read fiction for fun. When Sarah Hoyt mentions you, I pick up the first MHI book, and the next thing you know, I'm caught up on the whole series, and Black Sword, as well. But then you have to publish THIS thing, and just because of the awesome cover illustration and because I love MHI and Black Sword, I pick it up. And you have had the GALL to fill it with little shorts set in universes I didn't even know about. I'm already thinking now I somehow have to find time to read the REST of this stuff. And then you finish it up with TOM FRELLING STRANGER, which is the most awesomely laugh-out-loud over the top thing I've read in SFF since Randall Garrett's "Backstage Lensman". Well played, sir ... well played.
September 30, 2018
Given a choice, for the most part, I prefer to read full novels, instead of collections of short stories. In this book, there are several stories, and they cover the gambit from Hammer's Slammers, to new original fiction such as Tom Stranger interdimensional insurance salesman, and pieces that take place in other universes as well. Most of these other universes are ones I've already read books located in their bounds, so I didn't get as much out of this collection as others might who haven't read as much from the other universes. In any case, it is a good collection, and especially for folks who haven't had the opportunity to read stories placed in some of these universes, this will be an excellent chance to do so. If you're a scifi fan, and you're looking for new material to read, or if you just enjoy good old fashioned military scifi or laugh out loud stories, then you're likely to enjoy this collection.
September 9, 2018
The Monster Hunter International books are a guilty pleasure read for me--chase the monsters, kill the monsters, use big guns and blow things up. This is a collection of short stories by Larry Correia and it includes some of the monster hunter stories but also other stories from other series/blogs/etc that he has done. This author tells excellent stories and has mad writing skills. Some of the stories are dark and sad--which is usually not my cup of tea--but this is a well balanced collection. I truly enjoyed this collection and am happy that I got to read the Tom Stranger story. Well done, Mr. Correia.
October 12, 2018
Larry Correia might divide fans with his campaigns relating to certain sci-fi awards (for what it's worth, I think he may have a point, in that award winning science fiction has almost become a sub-genre of actual books that sell). On the other hand I'm not keen on his politics, but he is relatively subtle with any tendency to be didactic, what his books boil down to is some very entertaining stuff.
This is his first collection of short stories, some of which I'd read elsewhere, others not. Overall the standard is high and if you want a bit of fun while you're reading you could do a lot worse. If you're already a fan of his various 'universes' then this is a valuable addition.
This is his first collection of short stories, some of which I'd read elsewhere, others not. Overall the standard is high and if you want a bit of fun while you're reading you could do a lot worse. If you're already a fan of his various 'universes' then this is a valuable addition.
September 11, 2018
Larry Correia proves with this collection that he is just a great writer. Every story is a page-turner and makes you keep reading. Whether it is one of his Grimnoir or MHI stories or the Lovecraftian horror story included. The stories in this book feature something for fans of fun, exciting stories. Also, available for the first time anywhere is the first Tom Stranger story, which was just as funny in prose as audio format. If you are a fan of Larry, you will not be disappointed. This is also a great place to start reading Larry and get introduced to his style of story-telling.
September 16, 2018
This is an anthology of short stories by Larry Correia. While some are set in the Monster Hunters universe several are not. I was quite happy to see that two were set in his Grimnoir Chronicles series which I like just as well as I do the Monster Hunter series. He also noted that he would be writing more books in the Grimnoir Chronicles series at a later date. All of the stories were entertaining in their own ways. I won't attempt to review each story but I do recommend this book to fans of Larry Correia.
September 18, 2018
Correia is a writer that I'm on the fence about. Some of his stuff I just don't like, specifically the Monster Hunter novels. I read the first one and it did nothing for me. But, I think Son of the Black Sword is a 5/5 fantasy novel and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel as soon as it comes out. So this collection is hit and miss for me, mostly miss. The humor and setting of some of the stories just aren't for me. I prefer my fantasy a bit more serious, but I understand why people like this. This collection once again proves to me that I like Correia's writing, just not his Monster Hunter stuff because the standout story here was the one in the Dead Six world.
September 10, 2019
Larry Correia and Baen has gathered together a collection of short stories that cover the gamut of Larry's universes. There are Monster Hunter International stories, Hard Magic stories, the origin story of a major character in Dead Six, and the piece de resistance is the first printing of "The Adventures of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent. I need to hunt down the Audibal version of this story, it should be crazy. If you like any of Larry Correa's universes, you are likely to find something of interest here.
September 4, 2020
This is a fun collection of Correia stories ranging from his Monster Hunters International series, the Grimnoir Chronicles, Dead Six, Tom Stranger, and more. They’re flat out good short stories, but the thing I really enjoy the most out of the collection were the little notes about why a story got written or some experience that inspired it. If you’ve been thinking about reading Correia, this is a nice way of getting a feel for the breadth of his work.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
April 22, 2021
I enjoy short stories that are well written and I enjoy the writing style of this author. He does a good job of creating a world that is coherent and that you can understand. It was nice to see a couple of stories that were extensions of his Monster Hunter, International series as well as the Grimnoir Chronicles series (the latter of which is my favorite of his books). It is also nice to read the snippets about how the stories came to be or where they were first published. It gives a cool look into the arc of what it takes to become a successful author.
February 13, 2023
Americký spisovateľ Larry Correia sa predstavil čitateľom v niekoľkých sériách. Či už išlo o humorných Lovcov monster, noirové Grimnoirské kroniky alebo epickú Ságu zapomenutého válečníka, dokazoval jedno – že mu sedí akcia. Najlepšie v podobe prestreliek, ale cudzie mu nie sú ani šermiarske súboje. Jeho knihy tak majú nielen šmrnc, ale aj švih. V prípade poviedkovej tvorby tiež ukazuje, že vie umne prezliekať kabáty. Navyše v štrnástich príbehoch má na to viac ako dosť priestoru.
Zbierka je zostavená väčšinou z už vydaných kúskov. Tie boli publikované v iných poviedkových výberoch alebo online. Tri z nich vychádzajú v tlačenej podobe prvýkrát. Okrem toho autor v knihe ponúka tematickú i žánrovú rozmanitosť. Na čas sa pristaví pri svete lovcov monštier. Prezentuje ich šialene akčnú tvár, ale aj dávne začiatky. Vtedy, keď sa pravidlo „skrátka do toho páľte“ ešte len začínalo formovať.
Correia tiež zablúdi do noirovej alternatívnej histórie a zaklope na dvere detektívovi Jakeovi Sullivanovi. Predstaví vojenské operácie zo svojho ďalšieho sveta, doteraz nášmu čitateľovi neznámemu. Takisto ale rozširuje rôzne herné univerzá. Od urban fantasy prechádza k noirovej detektívke, aby sa cez military fantasy dostal až k lovecraftovskému sci-fi hororu. Často a rád tiež mení aj atmosféru a emóciu, ktorú prenáša na čitateľa. Najčastejšie šteklí bránicu, no cudzie mu nie sú ani filozofické úvahy, morálne presahy alebo posolstvá.
Z krátkych epík ťaží maximum. Či už ide o tie najkratšie texty, alebo rozsahovo dlhšie, má všetko pevne v rukách. Dokáže si udržať pozornosť. Navyše pridáva aj úvody. V tých vysvetľuje, za akých okolností dané príbehy vznikli. Niekde uvedie len poznámku o pôvodnom vydaní textu. Inde pripojí aj zábavnú historku. Dokonca upozorňuje aj na prípadné spoilery. Toto všetko prispieva k prehĺbeniu čitateľského zážitku.
V poviedkovej zbierke Lovecká sezona Larry Correia ukazuje svoju žánrovú všestrannosť. Plynulo prechádza cez fantastiku a sci-fi. Vystavuje na obdiv svoje silné stránky a javí sa ako niekto, kto sa nezľakne žiadnej výzvy. Fanúšikovia jeho tvorby budú knihu vnímať ako dezert. Tí, ktorí sa ešte len rozhodujú, či mu dajú šancu, v nej môžu nájsť ochutnávku.
viac v recenzii: https://www.fandom.sk/clanok/recenzia...
Zbierka je zostavená väčšinou z už vydaných kúskov. Tie boli publikované v iných poviedkových výberoch alebo online. Tri z nich vychádzajú v tlačenej podobe prvýkrát. Okrem toho autor v knihe ponúka tematickú i žánrovú rozmanitosť. Na čas sa pristaví pri svete lovcov monštier. Prezentuje ich šialene akčnú tvár, ale aj dávne začiatky. Vtedy, keď sa pravidlo „skrátka do toho páľte“ ešte len začínalo formovať.
Correia tiež zablúdi do noirovej alternatívnej histórie a zaklope na dvere detektívovi Jakeovi Sullivanovi. Predstaví vojenské operácie zo svojho ďalšieho sveta, doteraz nášmu čitateľovi neznámemu. Takisto ale rozširuje rôzne herné univerzá. Od urban fantasy prechádza k noirovej detektívke, aby sa cez military fantasy dostal až k lovecraftovskému sci-fi hororu. Často a rád tiež mení aj atmosféru a emóciu, ktorú prenáša na čitateľa. Najčastejšie šteklí bránicu, no cudzie mu nie sú ani filozofické úvahy, morálne presahy alebo posolstvá.
Z krátkych epík ťaží maximum. Či už ide o tie najkratšie texty, alebo rozsahovo dlhšie, má všetko pevne v rukách. Dokáže si udržať pozornosť. Navyše pridáva aj úvody. V tých vysvetľuje, za akých okolností dané príbehy vznikli. Niekde uvedie len poznámku o pôvodnom vydaní textu. Inde pripojí aj zábavnú historku. Dokonca upozorňuje aj na prípadné spoilery. Toto všetko prispieva k prehĺbeniu čitateľského zážitku.
V poviedkovej zbierke Lovecká sezona Larry Correia ukazuje svoju žánrovú všestrannosť. Plynulo prechádza cez fantastiku a sci-fi. Vystavuje na obdiv svoje silné stránky a javí sa ako niekto, kto sa nezľakne žiadnej výzvy. Fanúšikovia jeho tvorby budú knihu vnímať ako dezert. Tí, ktorí sa ešte len rozhodujú, či mu dajú šancu, v nej môžu nájsť ochutnávku.
viac v recenzii: https://www.fandom.sk/clanok/recenzia...
February 8, 2023
Recenziu pre Fandom.sk napísala Martina Urbanová:
Zbierka je zostavená väčšinou z už vydaných kúskov. Tie boli publikované v iných poviedkových výberoch alebo online. Tri z nich vychádzajú v tlačenej podobe prvýkrát. Okrem toho autor v knihe ponúka tematickú i žánrovú rozmanitosť. Na čas sa pristaví pri svete lovcov monštier. Prezentuje ich šialene akčnú tvár, ale aj dávne začiatky. Vtedy, keď sa pravidlo „skrátka do toho páľte“ ešte len začínalo formovať...
Celú recenziu nájdete na Fandom.sk https://www.fandom.sk/clanok/recenzia...
Zbierka je zostavená väčšinou z už vydaných kúskov. Tie boli publikované v iných poviedkových výberoch alebo online. Tri z nich vychádzajú v tlačenej podobe prvýkrát. Okrem toho autor v knihe ponúka tematickú i žánrovú rozmanitosť. Na čas sa pristaví pri svete lovcov monštier. Prezentuje ich šialene akčnú tvár, ale aj dávne začiatky. Vtedy, keď sa pravidlo „skrátka do toho páľte“ ešte len začínalo formovať...
Celú recenziu nájdete na Fandom.sk https://www.fandom.sk/clanok/recenzia...
April 8, 2023
It's a book that has been printed and it is a book that I have read. (Not everyone can say that, who's reviewing a Larry Correia book.)
It was great. Everything from comedy -- the Queen of the Elves lives in a trailer park and her daughter, the Princess, is not happy with her life -- to a story or two that would give H.P. Lovecraft nightmares.
But mostly, the sort of monster-hunting story we've come to expect from Larry Correia.
I recommend it to anyone even vaguely interested in fantasy and action.
Even people who read and review books before they come out, or even exist.
It was great. Everything from comedy -- the Queen of the Elves lives in a trailer park and her daughter, the Princess, is not happy with her life -- to a story or two that would give H.P. Lovecraft nightmares.
But mostly, the sort of monster-hunting story we've come to expect from Larry Correia.
I recommend it to anyone even vaguely interested in fantasy and action.
Even people who read and review books before they come out, or even exist.
September 15, 2018
I've always enjoyed Correia's writing. High-energy, fast-paced and action oriented. While not the most subtle of themes and literature elements, his works are consistently entertaining with great snark, interesting situations and lots of "bad things" getting blown up.
This collection of short works contains a number of MHI content, but also a host of new (to me) material.
Very quick, very enjoyable read.
This collection of short works contains a number of MHI content, but also a host of new (to me) material.
Very quick, very enjoyable read.
November 13, 2018
Extremely good short story collection. If you like Larry's work, of course.
Given that I don't read every Baen book, I did miss some of the handful of stories that came in the other collections. But it is a very good overall set of short stories, even if I probably didn't enjoy as much the Tom Stranger last story. Too much silliness at one point, maybe.
But that's not enough to warrant downgrading the rating to 4, so 5 it is.
Given that I don't read every Baen book, I did miss some of the handful of stories that came in the other collections. But it is a very good overall set of short stories, even if I probably didn't enjoy as much the Tom Stranger last story. Too much silliness at one point, maybe.
But that's not enough to warrant downgrading the rating to 4, so 5 it is.
May 28, 2019
This book is a collection of short stories Larry has written over the years. There's horror, MHI, Grimnoire, fantasy and sci fi stories in there, including a new story written especially for this book by Larry and his 16 year old daughter, Hinkley. (the story is pretty damn good too)
If you like any of Larry's books, you'll find at least one thing in here to like as well! There is a volume two coming later this year.. I can't wait!
If you like any of Larry's books, you'll find at least one thing in here to like as well! There is a volume two coming later this year.. I can't wait!
June 2, 2019
I enjoy reading Mr. Corriea's work. There were a couple of stories in here that I'd read before, but reading them again was not necessarily bad. It was fast, light and generally what I was looking for.
I enjoyed the concept of the insurance story that was the last in the collection, but putting in so many personal jabs at particular political stances detracted from the story.
Decent. Looking forward to more monster hunter stuff should it come out in the future.
I enjoyed the concept of the insurance story that was the last in the collection, but putting in so many personal jabs at particular political stances detracted from the story.
Decent. Looking forward to more monster hunter stuff should it come out in the future.
April 20, 2024
A fun anthology that gives a sense of Corriea's fiction. It's fun and accessible - a cheeseburger of stories, but nothing wrong with a really well crafted cheeseburger. Correia does a great job moving between genres and is able to maintain a consistent narrative voice appropriate for the setting he is working in. This anthology is a sampling of a variety of his work and I'll be checking out the ones the resonated with me.
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