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Unbound II: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy
A magical collection of seventeen original stories by an amazing list of contributors—including a Dune story by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson! Like Unbound and Unfettered before it, Unbound II boasts a collection of SF&F writers allowed to submit the tales they've been wanting to write for a long time—without the constraints of theme. The result? A new anthology as powerful as the first. The stories gathered here are only bound by how enchanting and enthralling they are.
Enter an underworld of history and dark creatures with Kristen Britain. Return to the aftermath of Dune 's Butlerian Jihad with Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson. Revisit the Broken Empire trilogy with Jorg Ancrath and Mark Lawrence. Go on the most enchanting and dangerous of knight quests with Anna Smith Spark. Discover how Gladys got her name in a new Ink & Sigil story by Kevin Hearne. Uncover the magical truths of the Frasier family with Tamora Pierce. These tales and the others that comprise Unbound II will leave you reading long into the night and early morning hours.
Featuring all-new stories
And an introduction by Shawn Speakman! Following the award-winning success of the Unfettered anthology series, Unbound II offers the best manner to discover great new writers while reading authors you've followed for years—all of them master storytellers of the highest caliber.
Praise for Unfettered III : "This powerhouse addition to the Unfettered series... boasts an incredible lineup of stories by pillars of the fantasy genre, many of whom contributed works set in the fictional worlds for which they are best known." - Publishers Weekly
Enter an underworld of history and dark creatures with Kristen Britain. Return to the aftermath of Dune 's Butlerian Jihad with Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson. Revisit the Broken Empire trilogy with Jorg Ancrath and Mark Lawrence. Go on the most enchanting and dangerous of knight quests with Anna Smith Spark. Discover how Gladys got her name in a new Ink & Sigil story by Kevin Hearne. Uncover the magical truths of the Frasier family with Tamora Pierce. These tales and the others that comprise Unbound II will leave you reading long into the night and early morning hours.
Featuring all-new stories
And an introduction by Shawn Speakman! Following the award-winning success of the Unfettered anthology series, Unbound II offers the best manner to discover great new writers while reading authors you've followed for years—all of them master storytellers of the highest caliber.
Praise for Unfettered III : "This powerhouse addition to the Unfettered series... boasts an incredible lineup of stories by pillars of the fantasy genre, many of whom contributed works set in the fictional worlds for which they are best known." - Publishers Weekly
496 pages, Hardcover
First published December 6, 2022
49 people are currently reading
3296 people want to read
About the author
Shawn Speakman
33 books728 followersShawn Speakman grew up in the beautiful wilds of Washington State near a volcano and surrounded by old-growth forests filled with magic. After moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, he befriended New York Times best-selling fantasy author Terry Brooks and became his webmaster, leading to an enchanted life surrounded by words.
He was a manager at one of the largest Barnes & Noble Booksellers in the country for many years and now owns the online bookstore The Signed Page, manages the websites for several authors, and is a freelance writer for Random House.
He also contributed the annotations for The Annotated Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks, published in 2012.
Shawn is a cancer survivor, knows angel fire east, and lives in Seattle, Washington.
He was a manager at one of the largest Barnes & Noble Booksellers in the country for many years and now owns the online bookstore The Signed Page, manages the websites for several authors, and is a freelance writer for Random House.
He also contributed the annotations for The Annotated Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks, published in 2012.
Shawn is a cancer survivor, knows angel fire east, and lives in Seattle, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 9, 2024
My complete review is published at Grimdark Magazine.
Unbound II is Shawn Speakman’s collection of seventeen all-original short stories from eighteen of the most exciting authors in contemporary fantasy and speculative fiction. Speakman plays several roles here, serving as the editor and publisher, as well as the author of the final story in the collection.
Unbound II is clearly a labor of love for Shawn Speakman, who created this book as a tribute to his late father, Richard Speakman, after his untimely passing in 2018 at the age of 72. That’s an image of Richard Speakman on the beautifully illustrated cover by Todd Lockwood. Unbound II serves as a companion volume to Shawn Speakman’s previous anthology, Unfettered II, which is dedicated to his late mother, Kathy Speakman, likewise featuring her on the cover.
I thoroughly enjoyed the entire Unbound II anthology. For the purposes of this review, I’d like to highlight several of my favorite stories to give you a taste for what’s inside this collection.
Let us begin at the end, with Shawn Speakman’s own contribution, “The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman.” Speakman wrote this story to commemorate his father, who suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving in the Vietnam War. One of the protagonists of this haunting story, Ryk Oldten, shares this same dark affliction, unable to shake away terrible memories from his past. Speakman provides an authentic representation of PTSD and its impact on family members, who are trying to do their best to understand this affliction and help their loved one. “The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman” is a magnificently heartfelt story that will linger with me for years to come.
The reigning queen of grimdark, Anna Smith Spark, has contributed “A Knight was Once Sent on a Quest by her Master” to Unbound II. Anna Smith Spark has crafted a touching fantasy about a knight, Erenan, with a physical disability that limits the use of her legs. I especially appreciated the loving relationship between Erenan and her horse: as she mounts the horse, they come together to make one unified being. Anna Smith Spark writes with a melancholic beauty and ends on a hopeful note that left me craving more.
As someone who has thoroughly enjoyed watching Mark Lawrence’s new video series on YouTube, “Perfecting the First Page,” it is a joy to see the master at work with his new story, “Solomon.” This is only the fourth short story that Mark Lawrence has published from the point of view of Jorg Ancrath from his Broken Empire series. “Solomon” takes place between the events of Prince of Thorns and King of Thorns . Jorg’s dark humor is in peak form as he is presented with a baby purported to be his own illegitimate child. As usual for Mark Lawrence, “Solomon” is a perfectly crafted story, poetic in its style with a balance between levity and darkness. It is always a thrill to return to the Broken Empire, and I hope Mark Lawrence will follow up with more Jorg stories in the future.
Another standout story is “Shadow’s Daughter” by Jon Sprunk. “Shadow’s Daughter” is set in the same world as his Shadow Saga trilogy and tells the story of Cassie, the daughter of Caim and the Empress Josephine. Cassie loves to sneak out at night to run across the rooftops of the city. As a reader, it is a lot of fun to follow her nighttime adventures. Jon Sprunk has created a great character with Cassie, and I feel like this could be the start of a new series building upon his Shadow Saga trilogy.
Relationships take center stage in “Sandra and Me,” a delightfully weird story by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky considers the personal and social impact of relationships if they became more inclusive rather than exclusive. “Sandra and Me” is a charmingly quirky and thought-provoking story.
Anna Stephens teaches us a lesson in moral relativism with “Heart-Eater.” I love the world that Anna Stephens has created here in such a small space. But her character work truly stands out, particularly in the relationship between the two main characters, Chen and K’un. “Heart-Eater” is a unique and masterfully crafted short story that will keep you guessing until the end.
On a lighter note, Dyrk Ashton’s contribution, “The True Adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu,” is a comedic retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Ashton’s story is fast-paced with many laugh-out-loud moments. My favorite part was his introduction of the Tuckerization Brothers. You’ll need to read the story to find out who has been tuckerized in this fractured version of the ancient Mesopotamian epic.
To my delight, the first story of Unbound II, “Imperial Court” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, takes place in the world of Dune, a favorite series of Richard Speakman. It is especially touching that this story is cowritten by Brian Herbert, the son of Frank Herbert, who carries on his father’s legacy the same way that Shawn Speakman carries on his own father’s legacy with Unbound II. “Imperial Court” focuses on the age-old feud between House Atreides and House Harkonnen, here represented by Willem Atreides and Danvis Harkonnen. The story takes place well before the events of Frank Herbert’s original Dune novel, shortly after the forming of the Spacing Guild as humanity attempts to establish a stable government. There is much to love for Dune fans with the publication of this new short story.
All of the stories in Unbound II are excellent. The other contributors include Saara El-Arifi (“The Shadhavar”), Ken Scholes (“Business in Great Waters”), Jordan Ross (“Moonflower Alchemy”), Peter Orullian (“A Poor Reflection”), Kristen Britain (“Samantha vs. the Shadows in the Basement of the Captain Riddle House”), Kevin Hearne (“Gladys and the Whale”), Django Wexler (“Last of the Red Riders”), Patrick Swenson (“Homecoming”), and Tamora Pierce (“The Sheriff’s Daughter”). Every story here is a winner.
Taken as a whole, Unbound II is both a heartfelt tribute to Shawn Speakman’s father and a showcase for some of the finest talent working in fantasy and speculative fiction today.
Unbound II is Shawn Speakman’s collection of seventeen all-original short stories from eighteen of the most exciting authors in contemporary fantasy and speculative fiction. Speakman plays several roles here, serving as the editor and publisher, as well as the author of the final story in the collection.
Unbound II is clearly a labor of love for Shawn Speakman, who created this book as a tribute to his late father, Richard Speakman, after his untimely passing in 2018 at the age of 72. That’s an image of Richard Speakman on the beautifully illustrated cover by Todd Lockwood. Unbound II serves as a companion volume to Shawn Speakman’s previous anthology, Unfettered II, which is dedicated to his late mother, Kathy Speakman, likewise featuring her on the cover.
I thoroughly enjoyed the entire Unbound II anthology. For the purposes of this review, I’d like to highlight several of my favorite stories to give you a taste for what’s inside this collection.
Let us begin at the end, with Shawn Speakman’s own contribution, “The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman.” Speakman wrote this story to commemorate his father, who suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving in the Vietnam War. One of the protagonists of this haunting story, Ryk Oldten, shares this same dark affliction, unable to shake away terrible memories from his past. Speakman provides an authentic representation of PTSD and its impact on family members, who are trying to do their best to understand this affliction and help their loved one. “The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman” is a magnificently heartfelt story that will linger with me for years to come.
The reigning queen of grimdark, Anna Smith Spark, has contributed “A Knight was Once Sent on a Quest by her Master” to Unbound II. Anna Smith Spark has crafted a touching fantasy about a knight, Erenan, with a physical disability that limits the use of her legs. I especially appreciated the loving relationship between Erenan and her horse: as she mounts the horse, they come together to make one unified being. Anna Smith Spark writes with a melancholic beauty and ends on a hopeful note that left me craving more.
As someone who has thoroughly enjoyed watching Mark Lawrence’s new video series on YouTube, “Perfecting the First Page,” it is a joy to see the master at work with his new story, “Solomon.” This is only the fourth short story that Mark Lawrence has published from the point of view of Jorg Ancrath from his Broken Empire series. “Solomon” takes place between the events of Prince of Thorns and King of Thorns . Jorg’s dark humor is in peak form as he is presented with a baby purported to be his own illegitimate child. As usual for Mark Lawrence, “Solomon” is a perfectly crafted story, poetic in its style with a balance between levity and darkness. It is always a thrill to return to the Broken Empire, and I hope Mark Lawrence will follow up with more Jorg stories in the future.
Another standout story is “Shadow’s Daughter” by Jon Sprunk. “Shadow’s Daughter” is set in the same world as his Shadow Saga trilogy and tells the story of Cassie, the daughter of Caim and the Empress Josephine. Cassie loves to sneak out at night to run across the rooftops of the city. As a reader, it is a lot of fun to follow her nighttime adventures. Jon Sprunk has created a great character with Cassie, and I feel like this could be the start of a new series building upon his Shadow Saga trilogy.
Relationships take center stage in “Sandra and Me,” a delightfully weird story by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky considers the personal and social impact of relationships if they became more inclusive rather than exclusive. “Sandra and Me” is a charmingly quirky and thought-provoking story.
Anna Stephens teaches us a lesson in moral relativism with “Heart-Eater.” I love the world that Anna Stephens has created here in such a small space. But her character work truly stands out, particularly in the relationship between the two main characters, Chen and K’un. “Heart-Eater” is a unique and masterfully crafted short story that will keep you guessing until the end.
On a lighter note, Dyrk Ashton’s contribution, “The True Adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu,” is a comedic retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Ashton’s story is fast-paced with many laugh-out-loud moments. My favorite part was his introduction of the Tuckerization Brothers. You’ll need to read the story to find out who has been tuckerized in this fractured version of the ancient Mesopotamian epic.
To my delight, the first story of Unbound II, “Imperial Court” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, takes place in the world of Dune, a favorite series of Richard Speakman. It is especially touching that this story is cowritten by Brian Herbert, the son of Frank Herbert, who carries on his father’s legacy the same way that Shawn Speakman carries on his own father’s legacy with Unbound II. “Imperial Court” focuses on the age-old feud between House Atreides and House Harkonnen, here represented by Willem Atreides and Danvis Harkonnen. The story takes place well before the events of Frank Herbert’s original Dune novel, shortly after the forming of the Spacing Guild as humanity attempts to establish a stable government. There is much to love for Dune fans with the publication of this new short story.
All of the stories in Unbound II are excellent. The other contributors include Saara El-Arifi (“The Shadhavar”), Ken Scholes (“Business in Great Waters”), Jordan Ross (“Moonflower Alchemy”), Peter Orullian (“A Poor Reflection”), Kristen Britain (“Samantha vs. the Shadows in the Basement of the Captain Riddle House”), Kevin Hearne (“Gladys and the Whale”), Django Wexler (“Last of the Red Riders”), Patrick Swenson (“Homecoming”), and Tamora Pierce (“The Sheriff’s Daughter”). Every story here is a winner.
Taken as a whole, Unbound II is both a heartfelt tribute to Shawn Speakman’s father and a showcase for some of the finest talent working in fantasy and speculative fiction today.
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August 25, 2024 Out now!
I have, in this, only the 4th Jorg Ancrath short story I've ever written.
And I think it's a really good one.
It opens thusly.
"Details matter. Most people would say that there’s never a good reason to cut a baby in half. I maintain that you should never cut a baby in half without a good reason. See the difference?
They say that the devil conceals himself in the details, and some think that’s quite a trick, but in my experience the whole of hell can hide behind a single comma with room to spare."
These are the author sheets for the signed and numbered limited edition. I'm the first author to make my mark on them (pun intended). They have a long journey ahead of them.
The story is also now available with a bunch of my other stuff on my patreon (tier 3+).
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
.
I have, in this, only the 4th Jorg Ancrath short story I've ever written.
And I think it's a really good one.
It opens thusly.
"Details matter. Most people would say that there’s never a good reason to cut a baby in half. I maintain that you should never cut a baby in half without a good reason. See the difference?
They say that the devil conceals himself in the details, and some think that’s quite a trick, but in my experience the whole of hell can hide behind a single comma with room to spare."
These are the author sheets for the signed and numbered limited edition. I'm the first author to make my mark on them (pun intended). They have a long journey ahead of them.
The story is also now available with a bunch of my other stuff on my patreon (tier 3+).
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
.
September 27, 2022
The title Unbound embraces the authors' freedom in this fantasy anthology to write the short story they truly want to, regardless of theme or subject, so we get Ken Scholes' warm, thoughtful tale of family and mermaids, "Business in Great Waters" up alongside Saara El-Arifi's unsettling African/Arabian-inspired "The Shadhavar." And it works. The variety of stories keeps the flow of the book moving, as the reader wonders what kind of adventure they will be pulled into next.
It's hard to review short stories in an anthology when they take place in an author's pre-existing universe and the reader isn't well-versed in their work -- such was the case with Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson's "Imperial Court," which no doubt would have had a greater impact on me if I was more familiar with Dune. That said, I have been a fan of Kevin Hearne's work for years, with his distinctive, tongue-in-cheek 'voice', so his "Gladys and the Whale," which tells the origin story of side-character Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, was an absolute treat.
In some cases, I wasn't very familiar with an author's work and the short story made me want to read MORE: for example, Mark Lawrence's dip into his Broken Empire universe, which I look forward to revisiting at some point.
The highlights of the anthology though, for me, were the longer pieces, by authors that were completely unknown to me: Moonflower Academy" by Jordan Ross was the real gem, here. In his introduction to the story, Ross says that he wrote it "to honor the magic that happens when we dare to love," and the result is the gorgeous and compelling tale of of a young alchemist seeking redemption for past mistakes, hunting a 'monster' to save her life -- and saving his soul in the bargain.
Honestly, it's a great, varied, group of short stories here. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for a review copy of this anthology.
It's hard to review short stories in an anthology when they take place in an author's pre-existing universe and the reader isn't well-versed in their work -- such was the case with Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson's "Imperial Court," which no doubt would have had a greater impact on me if I was more familiar with Dune. That said, I have been a fan of Kevin Hearne's work for years, with his distinctive, tongue-in-cheek 'voice', so his "Gladys and the Whale," which tells the origin story of side-character Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, was an absolute treat.
In some cases, I wasn't very familiar with an author's work and the short story made me want to read MORE: for example, Mark Lawrence's dip into his Broken Empire universe, which I look forward to revisiting at some point.
The highlights of the anthology though, for me, were the longer pieces, by authors that were completely unknown to me: Moonflower Academy" by Jordan Ross was the real gem, here. In his introduction to the story, Ross says that he wrote it "to honor the magic that happens when we dare to love," and the result is the gorgeous and compelling tale of of a young alchemist seeking redemption for past mistakes, hunting a 'monster' to save her life -- and saving his soul in the bargain.
Honestly, it's a great, varied, group of short stories here. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for a review copy of this anthology.
January 10, 2024
I received an ecopy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley.
There's a little of something for everyone here, I think. As with most collections, it's a bit of a mixed bag, but the quality of the writing is top notch throughout this one.
Favorites by far include stories by Tamora Pierce, Django Wexler, and Shawn Speakman. These three easily gained the overall experience a star rating bump by their inclusion.
There's a little of something for everyone here, I think. As with most collections, it's a bit of a mixed bag, but the quality of the writing is top notch throughout this one.
Favorites by far include stories by Tamora Pierce, Django Wexler, and Shawn Speakman. These three easily gained the overall experience a star rating bump by their inclusion.
December 12, 2022
TL;DR
Shawn Speakman’s Unbound II contains 17 new stories by a variety of authors. Some choose to explore worlds they’re currently working in; some wrote in areas different than their current works. All wrote brand new stories for this can’t miss anthology. If you’re an SFF fan, Shawn Speakman’s Unbound II is for you.
Disclaimer: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions that follow are mine alone.
Review: Unbound II by Shawn Speakman
I’m not as well versed in science fiction and fantasy (SFF) short fiction as I’d like to be. It’s a field full of innovative young – in career terms – writers who are honing their craft in real time. As I’ve said before, we are living in a golden age of SFF. Novels, TV shows, movies, podcasts, and, yes, short fiction, all have offerings of such high quality and such interesting stories that one cannot keep up. Well, maybe just me, I don’t know. There is one series of short fiction anthologies with which I try to stay current. Shawn Speakman’s anthologies are automatic additions to the ‘to be read’ pile. I first heard of Speakman when SFF authors came together to help him pay off some insurance bills by donating stories to his anthology Unfettered. It was, of course, a good cause; so, I bought the book. (And which sadly I can’t find anymore. This is why eBooks are better for me.) Since then, Speakman has released Unfettered 2, Unfettered 3, and Unbound. When I saw the chance to review the latest addition Unbound 2, I jumped at the opportunity. As always, this was a solid anthology with excellent stories.
Caution: Anthologies are difficult to review because with so many stories by different authors, the level of subjectivity increases geometrically. In a novel, there is one writing style with one major plotline, and thus the reviewer is subjective about one author. Even in collections of short stories from one author, the subjectivity is more than a novel yet less than an anthology because authors don’t vary wildly in style. So, as you read my review, please, remember that my personal stance on reviewing is to highlight what I enjoy and irks me. Your mileage will, of course, vary. With anthologies, there’s an added layer in that my review is of the anthology as a whole – not individual stories. I may highlight individual stories; I may not. If I don’t mention a story, it doesn’t mean I didn’t like it. I’m just trying to capture the overall effect of the project more than to evaluate the pieces of it.
Let’s dispense with the suspense. I loved this anthology. Of course, not all the stories worked for me, but overall I was entertained and enjoyed the time I spent reading this. At the end of the day, that’s all we can ask for, right?
Speakman’s anthologies are fun because authors will set short stories in the worlds in which they’re writing novels. I use these as an opportunity to test drive new series out. For example, because of Speakman’s anthologies, I want to read Mark Lawrence’s The Broken Empire Trilogy, and Unbound II features a new Jorg story that I loved. It’s brutal; it’s borderline cringey; yet it’s also got a lovely and unexpected ending. Kevin Hearne, whose Iron Druid Chronicles entertained me for years, has a story set in his Ink & Sigil series, which is set in the world of the Iron Druid Chronicles. This story, “Gladys and the Whale,” was what I’ve come to expect from Hearne. It’s a solid story that’s not pushing boundaries yet is very entertaining.
I hate to rank individuals stories because that rank is meaningless to any reader who isn’t me. It’s subjective and really only truly reflective of me in this moment and my knowledge, or in this case lock of it, that makes this rank work. That said, the best story in the collection was “The Shadhavar” by Saara El-Arifi. El-Arifi is the author of The Ending Fire trilogy. I had never heard of her or her work until this, and that’s a true shame. “The Shadhavar” was surprising, complex, and fresh. She does excellent character work with three people in such a short time. Purchasing Unbound II just for this story would be worth it to me.The Ending Fire trilogy is now on my TBR pile.
Formatting
One of the things I enjoyed about Unbound II is the introduction paragraphs prior to each story. Speakman lets the author talk about the story however they see fit, and for me, it adds to each story. While author intent shouldn’t affect a story, it does for me. It adds something a little extra that makes the story enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong, each story has to stand on its own, but that little bit in the beginning is a nice addition.
This is an anthology without a theme; so, there’s no connection between the stories. That’s one of the strengths of Speakman’s anthologies because it means there’s something here for everyone. If you like Dune, there’s a story for that. If you like historical fantasy, Peter Orullian has you covered. Want a story that you’re unsure how to interpret yet still enjoy, Adrian Tchaikovsky’s “Sandra and Me” won’t disappoint. (Also, if you read it, send me an email what you think about it. Because I have questions.)
Conclusion
Shawn Speakman’s Unbound II is yet another excellent addition to the string of anthologies he’s already curated it. There’s a story in it for each and every science fiction/fantasy fan. Unbound II contains some of SFF’s best authors demonstrating why the genre is in a golden age. Highly recommended.
February 15, 2023
2.5 stars
This review is based on an ARC ebook received for free from NetGalley. I am not being paid to review this book and what I write here is my own opinion. My rating scale is below.
I actually just received a copy of Unbound I purchased from Worldbuilders this week and have not had time to read it since I’ve been catching up on owed NetGalley reviews and checked out library books. I really hope that there’s no pre-reading required for the Unbound II, because I’m jumping right in here. With names like Adrian Tchaikovsky and Tamora Pierce, how can I not?
“Imperial Court” (Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson) - This is set in the Dune universe, nine years after the novel Navigators of Dune, in which the Spacing Guild was formed. Now Willem Atreides must interview for the position of Chamberlain for the new Emperor, proving his worth against that of all the other candidates, including one from House Harkonnen. It turns out none of the hopefuls are really up to snuff. As much as I love getting glimpses into this universe, I think it’s really a shame that Harkonnens are apparently genetically predisposed to treachery and villainy even over the course of millennia.
“A Poor Reflection” (Peter Orullian) - An unsuccessful chemistry lecturer is accosted by a fellow scientist who wants his assistance in constructing a very special telescope that can not only view the heavens, but Heaven - if such exists. Or at least that’s what he’s led to believe. It’s not really an engaging piece, but I rarely find Orullian’s writing particularly so.
“The Shadhavar” (Saara El-Arifi) - Bursha is hunting a Shadhavar as part of a royal competition. The Shadhavar’s perspective is interspersed with Bursha’s narrative. Majeed and Ayman also hunt the unicorn-like beast. I did not see the finale coming at all.
“Gladys and the Whale” (Kevin Hearne) - This story exists to work out the origins of a supporting character in Hearne’s Ink & Sigil series, which I have not read. She seems tremendously overpowered for the job she currently holds. It doesn’t really go anywhere or do anything, but it’s not supposed to; what it’s supposed to do, it does: it explains the origin of Gladys’s moniker.
“Business in Great Waters” (Ken Scholes) - A mother-daughter post-graduation road trip reveals some unexpected family secrets. It’s a cozy story, I suppose, and ends on a hopeful note, but it also doesn’t really feel like it goes anywhere or does anything.
“Moonflower Alchemy” (Jordan Ross) - This is really, really long. In my epub version it takes up 60 pages. It is a novella, not a short story. In it a struggling alchemist endures a pair of visits, one from his debtor and another from a dead alchemist who was, in life, the daughter of the protagonist’s captain and now needs his help to avoid becoming what amounts to a zombie. This is a solid fantasy adventure made perhaps to seem like a better piece than it really is because it comes on the heels of two much tamer tales.
“The True Adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu” (Dyrk Ashton) - This is an episode in the epic of Gilgamesh that bounces along the timeline and I think is supposed to be funny, though the humor didn’t quite land correctly with me. It’s also written in the third-person present, which is a weird narrative voice.
“Samantha vs. the Shadows in the Basement of the Captain Riddle House” (Kristen Britain) - Samantha is house sitting and it seems like a cushy job, even the Captain Riddle House is a property sensible servicemen won’t service. When one of the non-sensible ones goes missing in the middle of a repair, Samantha and the repairman’s son have to rescue him. In the basement, it’s not so much the things in the dark they have to worry about, as the dark itself. There are some Lovecraftian echoes in here.
“Last of the Red Riders” (Django Wexler) - Nellie’s part of a military “irregulars” unit on the losing side of a war. The unit may be disbanding soon, much to her dismay, but first there’s a confrontation with their captain’s nemesis and everyone’s plans are thrown awry.
“Heart-Eater” (Anna Stephens) - Chen wants to become the governor’s envoy but he does not have enough truth in his heart, so he seeks out an unsavory contact for assistance. His are a winged people with snakes in their hearts that they can release when they choose to and their chests gape open when they have sex, apparently? I had a harder time following this story than I care to admit.
“Sandra and Me” (Adrian Tchaikovsky) - This is a very short piece that reads like a couple seeking a third for a threesome, but it’s actually about a different kind of commitment and relationship that takes a bit for the reader to parse, but is fascinating. I would happily read a whole book set in this world. Easily my favorite story in the anthology so far.
“Shadow’s Daughter” (Jon Sprunk) - This is a short “what came next” story set in the aftermath of Sprunk’s Shadow Saga trilogy about the child of Empress Josephine and a character named Caim. I’ve not read his trilogy, so I don’t really know much about that. This story is about a young woman figuring out her place in the world by experimenting with vigilantism. It’s nothing new, but it’s not badly written.
“Homecoming” (Patrick Swenson) - Okay, I did not expect a marching band story in this anthology. The band instructor has a special stone that makes the band better in the weeks leading up to Homecoming, but then everything begins to go catastrophically wrong and an alien arrives and it all ends abruptly. I was disappointed by this one.
“The Sheriff’s Daughter” (Tamora Pierce) - This story is not from any of Pierce’s famous fantasy worlds, sadly. Instead it is set in Appalachia, whence comes her family. In it, a young man named Duane comes from a family of gifted people. He and his dog, Sarge, come across a badly beaten young woman he knows from school and together with Sarge and his reluctant older brother he works on figuring out who’s responsible for the crime. It’s a well-told story, and just as long as it needs to be.
“Solomon” (Mark Lawrence) - A Jorg Ancrath story! Hurray! He’s pragmatic and violent and clever and I have missed reading about him as he was before all the beforetime adventures. There’s a baby, so if you combine that with the title, you should have some idea of what happens here.
“A Knight Was Once Sent on a Quest by Her Master” (Anna Smith Spark) - This is the start of a new world Smith is creating. It has deliberate inclusion of a main character with a disability who has a very well-trained horse that allows her to be a knight despite the weakness in her legs. Her legs are not the trouble, though, when it comes to completing her quest. I don’t think I’d bother seeking out any more stories in this world, but this one wasn’t bad.
“The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman” (Shawn Speakman) - I feel bad saying this, considering all the loss he’s experienced and the beautiful idea of writing commemorative stories, but Speakman’s stories are usually not the high point of his anthologies and this one is no exception. It’s not a bad story, but it’s not really strong enough to be the anthology’s closing story, either.
The printed table of contents lists the stories out of order. Just so no one is surprised, as I was, to read “A Poor Reflection” directly after “Imperial Court” and “Gladys and the Whale” after “The Shadhavar.” I like the chapter art done, I believe, by Todd Lockwood (who also did the more fantastic cover art as well). It is minimalist, but does well at representing the stories that follow.
Ultimately, the authors I expected to have good stories (Pierce, Tchaikovsky, Lawrence, and Herbert/Anderson) did, and the rest weren’t bad stories at all (though, in keeping with the idea behind the anthology, the tend toward authorial self-indulgence rather than reader enjoyment). I’m not sure whether I liked “Sandra and Me” and “Solomon” well enough to want to purchase a copy of the book at Subterranean Press prices, but I think folks who enjoy short story anthologies and fantasy will not come away disappointed.
rating scale
1 star - I was barely able to finish it. I didn't like it.
2 stars - It was okay. I didn't dislike it.
3 stars - It was interesting. I liked it.
4 stars - It was excellent. I really liked it.
5 stars - It was extraordinary. I really hope the author wrote more things.
This review is based on an ARC ebook received for free from NetGalley. I am not being paid to review this book and what I write here is my own opinion. My rating scale is below.
I actually just received a copy of Unbound I purchased from Worldbuilders this week and have not had time to read it since I’ve been catching up on owed NetGalley reviews and checked out library books. I really hope that there’s no pre-reading required for the Unbound II, because I’m jumping right in here. With names like Adrian Tchaikovsky and Tamora Pierce, how can I not?
“Imperial Court” (Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson) - This is set in the Dune universe, nine years after the novel Navigators of Dune, in which the Spacing Guild was formed. Now Willem Atreides must interview for the position of Chamberlain for the new Emperor, proving his worth against that of all the other candidates, including one from House Harkonnen. It turns out none of the hopefuls are really up to snuff. As much as I love getting glimpses into this universe, I think it’s really a shame that Harkonnens are apparently genetically predisposed to treachery and villainy even over the course of millennia.
“A Poor Reflection” (Peter Orullian) - An unsuccessful chemistry lecturer is accosted by a fellow scientist who wants his assistance in constructing a very special telescope that can not only view the heavens, but Heaven - if such exists. Or at least that’s what he’s led to believe. It’s not really an engaging piece, but I rarely find Orullian’s writing particularly so.
“The Shadhavar” (Saara El-Arifi) - Bursha is hunting a Shadhavar as part of a royal competition. The Shadhavar’s perspective is interspersed with Bursha’s narrative. Majeed and Ayman also hunt the unicorn-like beast. I did not see the finale coming at all.
“Gladys and the Whale” (Kevin Hearne) - This story exists to work out the origins of a supporting character in Hearne’s Ink & Sigil series, which I have not read. She seems tremendously overpowered for the job she currently holds. It doesn’t really go anywhere or do anything, but it’s not supposed to; what it’s supposed to do, it does: it explains the origin of Gladys’s moniker.
“Business in Great Waters” (Ken Scholes) - A mother-daughter post-graduation road trip reveals some unexpected family secrets. It’s a cozy story, I suppose, and ends on a hopeful note, but it also doesn’t really feel like it goes anywhere or does anything.
“Moonflower Alchemy” (Jordan Ross) - This is really, really long. In my epub version it takes up 60 pages. It is a novella, not a short story. In it a struggling alchemist endures a pair of visits, one from his debtor and another from a dead alchemist who was, in life, the daughter of the protagonist’s captain and now needs his help to avoid becoming what amounts to a zombie. This is a solid fantasy adventure made perhaps to seem like a better piece than it really is because it comes on the heels of two much tamer tales.
“The True Adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu” (Dyrk Ashton) - This is an episode in the epic of Gilgamesh that bounces along the timeline and I think is supposed to be funny, though the humor didn’t quite land correctly with me. It’s also written in the third-person present, which is a weird narrative voice.
“Samantha vs. the Shadows in the Basement of the Captain Riddle House” (Kristen Britain) - Samantha is house sitting and it seems like a cushy job, even the Captain Riddle House is a property sensible servicemen won’t service. When one of the non-sensible ones goes missing in the middle of a repair, Samantha and the repairman’s son have to rescue him. In the basement, it’s not so much the things in the dark they have to worry about, as the dark itself. There are some Lovecraftian echoes in here.
“Last of the Red Riders” (Django Wexler) - Nellie’s part of a military “irregulars” unit on the losing side of a war. The unit may be disbanding soon, much to her dismay, but first there’s a confrontation with their captain’s nemesis and everyone’s plans are thrown awry.
“Heart-Eater” (Anna Stephens) - Chen wants to become the governor’s envoy but he does not have enough truth in his heart, so he seeks out an unsavory contact for assistance. His are a winged people with snakes in their hearts that they can release when they choose to and their chests gape open when they have sex, apparently? I had a harder time following this story than I care to admit.
“Sandra and Me” (Adrian Tchaikovsky) - This is a very short piece that reads like a couple seeking a third for a threesome, but it’s actually about a different kind of commitment and relationship that takes a bit for the reader to parse, but is fascinating. I would happily read a whole book set in this world. Easily my favorite story in the anthology so far.
“Shadow’s Daughter” (Jon Sprunk) - This is a short “what came next” story set in the aftermath of Sprunk’s Shadow Saga trilogy about the child of Empress Josephine and a character named Caim. I’ve not read his trilogy, so I don’t really know much about that. This story is about a young woman figuring out her place in the world by experimenting with vigilantism. It’s nothing new, but it’s not badly written.
“Homecoming” (Patrick Swenson) - Okay, I did not expect a marching band story in this anthology. The band instructor has a special stone that makes the band better in the weeks leading up to Homecoming, but then everything begins to go catastrophically wrong and an alien arrives and it all ends abruptly. I was disappointed by this one.
“The Sheriff’s Daughter” (Tamora Pierce) - This story is not from any of Pierce’s famous fantasy worlds, sadly. Instead it is set in Appalachia, whence comes her family. In it, a young man named Duane comes from a family of gifted people. He and his dog, Sarge, come across a badly beaten young woman he knows from school and together with Sarge and his reluctant older brother he works on figuring out who’s responsible for the crime. It’s a well-told story, and just as long as it needs to be.
“Solomon” (Mark Lawrence) - A Jorg Ancrath story! Hurray! He’s pragmatic and violent and clever and I have missed reading about him as he was before all the beforetime adventures. There’s a baby, so if you combine that with the title, you should have some idea of what happens here.
“A Knight Was Once Sent on a Quest by Her Master” (Anna Smith Spark) - This is the start of a new world Smith is creating. It has deliberate inclusion of a main character with a disability who has a very well-trained horse that allows her to be a knight despite the weakness in her legs. Her legs are not the trouble, though, when it comes to completing her quest. I don’t think I’d bother seeking out any more stories in this world, but this one wasn’t bad.
“The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman” (Shawn Speakman) - I feel bad saying this, considering all the loss he’s experienced and the beautiful idea of writing commemorative stories, but Speakman’s stories are usually not the high point of his anthologies and this one is no exception. It’s not a bad story, but it’s not really strong enough to be the anthology’s closing story, either.
The printed table of contents lists the stories out of order. Just so no one is surprised, as I was, to read “A Poor Reflection” directly after “Imperial Court” and “Gladys and the Whale” after “The Shadhavar.” I like the chapter art done, I believe, by Todd Lockwood (who also did the more fantastic cover art as well). It is minimalist, but does well at representing the stories that follow.
Ultimately, the authors I expected to have good stories (Pierce, Tchaikovsky, Lawrence, and Herbert/Anderson) did, and the rest weren’t bad stories at all (though, in keeping with the idea behind the anthology, the tend toward authorial self-indulgence rather than reader enjoyment). I’m not sure whether I liked “Sandra and Me” and “Solomon” well enough to want to purchase a copy of the book at Subterranean Press prices, but I think folks who enjoy short story anthologies and fantasy will not come away disappointed.
rating scale
1 star - I was barely able to finish it. I didn't like it.
2 stars - It was okay. I didn't dislike it.
3 stars - It was interesting. I liked it.
4 stars - It was excellent. I really liked it.
5 stars - It was extraordinary. I really hope the author wrote more things.
March 22, 2023
*copy from Netgalley in exchange for a review*
Unbound II is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the second fantasy anthology in Shawn Speakman's Unbound series. The first was filled with innovative, impressive work from writers more-and-less familair, so I had some high hopes for this one. And I tell you what, it delivers. There's an impressive breadth of talent on display here. And that talent is put in across a variety of stories, united, somewhat in their theme of freedom, authorial and character. I'm going to avoid delving in on a story by story basis, simply because there were so many stories, and so much content, and frankly, it would be easy to get lost in the weeds.
But for me, looking at an anthology, the first question is going to be, is there anything here I know I'm going to like? And you know what, in this case, there is. Shawn writes a story from his own universe. Mark Lawrence gives us a Jorg Ancrath story of all things. There's Jon Sprunk, running a tale in the same universe as his Shadow Son series. And there's a new Dune story from Herbert and Anderson. Thats a wealth of heavy hitters, in different spaces, and they'll probably delight with a new variant on their greatest hits.
As an aside, I thought Lawrence's story, Solomon, which included a sharply edged Ancrath, a baby, and a chest full of gold, was wonderful. Twined through with fraught emotional beats, hard choices, and more than a little of the old ultraviolence. Worth the price of admission on its own/ But I digress.
There's also stories from some fantastic writers trying out something new, rather than revisiting what they're known for. I particularly enjoyed Anna Smith-Spark's exploration of a knight who was reliant on her horse to get around, who lived the reality of the honourable knight-errant of the mind, while refusing to conform to the expectation of what a knight should look like. It was heartfelt, emotional, and, again, rather lethal. The same could be said of Anna Stephen's Heart-Eater, which packs so much depth of setting and emotional content into such a small space; both stories were an absolute joy, and cement the anthology as one which has some serious chops.
It also steps away from the sprawling epics common in SF&F to look at the personal; part of that comes across in the stories above. Even the Dune one is, at heart, character-driven. Adrian Tchaikovsky gives us Sandra, a story which is about relationships and technology and the way in which the future slowly builds out, though whether to a crescendo or a whimper is for you to decide. In any case it, and indeed the other stories in this collection, have a feeling of intimacy. Of looking at the constraints of a short story, and trying to bring an honesty to their stories within that space. Of saying, look here, there's power in emotion, there's pwoer in how we think of ourselves and why and in the way we let ourselves be or refuse to be defined. So lets talk about that. And lets do it with fae and lets do it with Harkonnen and lets do it with mermaids, of sorts, and lets do it with high tech and lets do it with magic, and you know what, lets wrap that bundle of stories up and say this is important.
Because you know what, there's a lot of stories here, and I mentioned a handful. There were some that didn't really hit for me, and some that were, you know, fine. But they were all trying to be free, to show us people and who they are and why and do it with the quiet stiletto of narrative truth. The stories feel real because they are true, and vice versa - even the ones I wasn't sold on.
So anyway. There's a lot here. Some of it will work for you. Some won't. But all of it will be trying to reach you, to make you understand, to make you feel, and feel free. And that's worth a lot.
Unbound II is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the second fantasy anthology in Shawn Speakman's Unbound series. The first was filled with innovative, impressive work from writers more-and-less familair, so I had some high hopes for this one. And I tell you what, it delivers. There's an impressive breadth of talent on display here. And that talent is put in across a variety of stories, united, somewhat in their theme of freedom, authorial and character. I'm going to avoid delving in on a story by story basis, simply because there were so many stories, and so much content, and frankly, it would be easy to get lost in the weeds.
But for me, looking at an anthology, the first question is going to be, is there anything here I know I'm going to like? And you know what, in this case, there is. Shawn writes a story from his own universe. Mark Lawrence gives us a Jorg Ancrath story of all things. There's Jon Sprunk, running a tale in the same universe as his Shadow Son series. And there's a new Dune story from Herbert and Anderson. Thats a wealth of heavy hitters, in different spaces, and they'll probably delight with a new variant on their greatest hits.
As an aside, I thought Lawrence's story, Solomon, which included a sharply edged Ancrath, a baby, and a chest full of gold, was wonderful. Twined through with fraught emotional beats, hard choices, and more than a little of the old ultraviolence. Worth the price of admission on its own/ But I digress.
There's also stories from some fantastic writers trying out something new, rather than revisiting what they're known for. I particularly enjoyed Anna Smith-Spark's exploration of a knight who was reliant on her horse to get around, who lived the reality of the honourable knight-errant of the mind, while refusing to conform to the expectation of what a knight should look like. It was heartfelt, emotional, and, again, rather lethal. The same could be said of Anna Stephen's Heart-Eater, which packs so much depth of setting and emotional content into such a small space; both stories were an absolute joy, and cement the anthology as one which has some serious chops.
It also steps away from the sprawling epics common in SF&F to look at the personal; part of that comes across in the stories above. Even the Dune one is, at heart, character-driven. Adrian Tchaikovsky gives us Sandra, a story which is about relationships and technology and the way in which the future slowly builds out, though whether to a crescendo or a whimper is for you to decide. In any case it, and indeed the other stories in this collection, have a feeling of intimacy. Of looking at the constraints of a short story, and trying to bring an honesty to their stories within that space. Of saying, look here, there's power in emotion, there's pwoer in how we think of ourselves and why and in the way we let ourselves be or refuse to be defined. So lets talk about that. And lets do it with fae and lets do it with Harkonnen and lets do it with mermaids, of sorts, and lets do it with high tech and lets do it with magic, and you know what, lets wrap that bundle of stories up and say this is important.
Because you know what, there's a lot of stories here, and I mentioned a handful. There were some that didn't really hit for me, and some that were, you know, fine. But they were all trying to be free, to show us people and who they are and why and do it with the quiet stiletto of narrative truth. The stories feel real because they are true, and vice versa - even the ones I wasn't sold on.
So anyway. There's a lot here. Some of it will work for you. Some won't. But all of it will be trying to reach you, to make you understand, to make you feel, and feel free. And that's worth a lot.
January 18, 2023
Received arc from Grim Oak Press and Netgalley for honest read and review,this review is my own.
I liked the look of this book as it had some of my favourite author's in it, Shawn Speakman;Mark Lawrence and Kevin Hearne.
These are all short stories and the ones I read were brilliant. Especially Kevin's story about Gladys.One of the best characters ever.And Marks one with Jorg, the best anti hero ever.
Worth a read.
I liked the look of this book as it had some of my favourite author's in it, Shawn Speakman;Mark Lawrence and Kevin Hearne.
These are all short stories and the ones I read were brilliant. Especially Kevin's story about Gladys.One of the best characters ever.And Marks one with Jorg, the best anti hero ever.
Worth a read.
May 2, 2023
Unbound 2
3.32 without “0” ratings
2.73 with them actual rating
Having 3 stories out of 17 that I didn’t read isn’t good. Still the stories I liked made up for those I didn’t.
Imperial Court-A Tale of Dune
Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
2.5 stars
I haven't read "Dune", and I know nothing about it except for another short story. If what I say here contradicts the books my apologies. This is not a genre I normally read. After Javicco’s father died he is made emperor. What follows is court intrigue with two men, Willem Atreides and Danvis Harkonnen, vying for the role of chamberlain. The men hate each other. Willem has reason to hate Danvis’ family since they have murdered members of his family. This seemed more like a soap opera than anything else. Still I would have rated it higher if not for the ending.
A Poor Reflection
Peter Orullian
2 stars
When I start skimming after only a few pages I know it is bad. The story uses two real scientists, Justus von Liebig and Carl August von Steinheil, to explore science and faith. I skipped to end and saw what I figured I would. I won’t spoil it, but it was a slog to get there. The actual men had some extraordinary accomplishments.
The Shadhavar
Saara El-Arifi
3 stars
The story is about a creature, the shadhavar, and the hunters who are trying to kill it. Every ten years the “Queen of the Parched Lands” coaxes hunters with the promise that whoever brings back the shadhavar’s horn will be rich and never have to hunt again.
Gladys and the Whale: A Tale of the Ink & Sigil Series
Kevin Hearne
4 stars
I haven’t read the “Ink & Sigil” series, so I don’t know anything about it. Indeed I hadn’t even heard of it. This story was sweet. Gladys aka “Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite” is the receptionist for the business in the series. In this she tells a hobgoblin how she got her name.
Business in Great Waters
Ken Scholes
3.5 stars
Noreen Southland, daughter of Tom and Valdana, has graduated high school and her way to Stanford. Noreen has never met her mother’s family. Valdana uncharacteristically decides to accompany her daughter to the university with a stop along the way to the shores of Oregon to finally introduce Noreen to her extended family. Even though it is never explicitly stated Valdana’s family are obviously merfolk. The author’s note is a sweet message to his own daughters to never stop dreaming.
Moonflower Alchemy
Jordan Ross
4 stars
“Nihil” (not his real name) has only a few days left before what is left of his soul is going to belong to Mistress Reximina, an evil magic user. She controls “sages” (which is this world are not wise people, but are basically wraiths). A ghost, Solana visits him asks for help in finding her body and who murdered her before she becomes evil as well. He was going to turn her down since he has so little time to fix the mess he’s in, but then he finds out she was the daughter of his late commander Jeremin Trueshot. Jeremin is a man the Nihil both loved and admired. Solana was spoken about often with Jeremin seemly trying to play matchmaker. Nihil agrees to help. We are then taken through some adventures. My favorite characters are Tooloo, his ride. No one knows what Tooloo is. What we do know is he is intelligent, larger than a horse (which he likes to eat), fiercely loyal, and a brat. Nihil also has a sweet little dragon named Athanor that he created and endowed a piece of his soul to. Overall it was a delightful read.
The True Adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu Episode 4 Humbaba’s Seven Terrors
Dyrk Ashton
3.5 stars
Gil is an idiot, as is friend Enki. At least his sisters have brains. I pity that poor kingdom. I have never read any of Gilgamesh, and would have thought it was your typical heroic quest. From what the author states I guess that isn’t the case. This was funny. I especially enjoyed Myrddin Wyllt (I believe this was supposed to be taking place of the Greek Isles, but that sure sounds like a Welsh name).
Samantha vs. the Shadows in the Basement of the Captain Riddle House
Kristen Britain
4 stars
Samantha Wilder is grieving the death of her husband. She decides to take a summer job in Maine house-sitting The Captain Riddle House. Even though the area is gorgeous and Sam had hoped to paint some landscapes she soon realizes there is something very wrong with the house. I don’t know if this is going to be a new series, but I hope we get some more even if it is just other short stories in other anthologies. There was so much left unanswered.
Last of the Red Riders
Django Wexler
3 stars
This is a western wherein a unit in the middle of a civil war is under siege by the opposite side. It had some neat things, but I dislike it when authors decide to change the meaning of things. I realize there is no such thing as a “Nephilim”, but the mythology states they are an angel/human hybrid; and not whatever weird thing the story had them being (which was really convoluted). “Nellie” that narrator of the story couldn’t wrap her head around the poppycock either. Said Nellie is the newest member of the “Red Riders”. She joined them after her parents were killed and her home burned to the ground. She has grit and is actually a natural leader despite her age.
Heart-Eater
Anna Stephens
0 stars-didn’t read
I tried to read this last night and again this morning. As a survivor of abuse I dislike sexual situations. Normally I just scroll past them. I cannot do that with this book. There have only been two interactions and both of those were weird sex ones involving hearts, and snakes, and angel-like creatures, and suicide, and it is messy. The author’s note made the story sound intriguing, but I am just not someone whose frame of mind can handle certain things. It wasn’t even that it was explicit. There was such angst for the main characters that I know it will have me shredded. I read to escape life. Anything that has me having flashbacks means I won’t be reading it.
Sandra and Me
Adrian Tchaikovsky
2 stars
Wherever you think this is going to go you are probably wrong. I really cannot say too much because even a little explanation might spoil what is happening.
Shadow’s Daughter
Jon Sprunk
3.5 stars
I had never heard of the “Shadow Saga” trilogy. Cassie is the daughter of characters from that. She is eighteen, but to me she acted much younger. She has decided that she will protect her kingdom by sneaking out at night and patrolling. She has been doing this for two years. I guess in those years she never encountered any nefarious activity because the first time she does she fails. I wish the story hadn’t stated how long she had been up to this. Her thought processes really seemed like a thirteen year old. I understand that she has been sheltered in the palace her whole life, but she seems so naïve for someone who again has been up to this for two years. I liked the shadow she encounters. I am going to guess that people who have read the trilogy know what it is. Since the title is “Shadow’s Daughter” I am going to guess it is a remnant of her father. Still it was a fun read. Truly my only quibble is her age.
Homecoming
Patrick Swenson
0 stars-didn’t read
I was looking forward to this book since I loved the author’s short story “Hawkeye” from another of Shawn’s anthologies. I am sad to say I had to skip this one. I was in choir in school. There wasn’t a rivalry between the band and choir in the school I went to, but I was rarely in one place long enough to experience it if there was. Because I was in choir and not band I have never encountered all of the jargon that started the story. It gave me a headache and the synopsis just sounded silly. I can see people who are musically inclined enjoying this though. From what I gathered the band teacher needs a special stone in order to get his band to do what they are supposed to do. I didn’t read far enough to see the ages of the kids, but it seemed like a junior high band would have been better. Also it was weird that the main character was named after director and former actor Peter Berg. Having watched him in "Chicago Hope" years ago it was odd. Maybe the author is a fan and this was a Tuckerization?
The Sheriff’s Daughter
Tamora Pierce
4.5 stars
This was interesting. In the Appalachian Mountains the folks are divided into mountain-folk and town-folk. The Frasier family is mountain and some of them have powers. We don’t get much about the others, but Duane can communicate with animals. His brother Rayburn can find lost things. He spends his time getting high to block out the things he has found such as a dead baby. For a kid who is still in high school that is heavy stuff. After Duane’s dog Sarge leads him to an injured girl (the daughter from the title) he is determined to find out who attacked her. I would like to read more about this family. The parents seemed coldish (aside from a hug the mother gave the sheriff which Duane thought was odd), so I hope any stories soften them somewhat. Yes, the mountain life is hard, and this takes place in 1970 so “tough” love was the only kind of love.
Solomon
Mark Lawrence
3 stars
This has a character I met in an earlier anthology. Jorg Ancrath was a child when I met him in “Select Mode”. He is still a kid even if he is now king. After some bandits claim to have a baby that is his from one of his many sexual escapades he is torn about whether just to kill the baby and be done with it, or pay the ransom they want. The fact that we are not sure what he will do shows the hardness he had as a child has never softened.
A Knight Was Once Sent on a Quest
Anna Smith Spark
0 stars-didn’t read
I gave up after only a few pages. The imagery was lovely, but the story itself seemed to be an afterthought. Erenan is a knight who doesn’t allow her disability to stop her from succeeding. I wish I could have gotten into it.
The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman
Shawn Speakman
4 stars
Shawn is an amazing writer who does loving tributes. “The Last Flowers of the Spring Witch” was a heart-felt tribute to his mother. That one had me tearing up years later. This time Shawn tells us about his father-the “Autumn Huntsman” of the story. The main theme was that the hidden wounds that war leaves upon soldiers stay with them for the rest of their lives. Like the story about Shawn’s mom this one also takes place within the Annwn universe. Richard McAllister and his guide Snedeker are brought in to shepherd the Huntsman on his journey. Kleenexes were used again.
I truly wish Shawn would start writing the Annwn books again. I like Richard, but I love Charles and I would love to have more of both of them. Shawn is the reason I began collecting anthologies. When I see his name I automatically buy the book. Years ago the book “The Dark Thorn” said there were forth-coming books. Since there were titles listed I figured that he at least had an outline for what he wanted to write. It has been seven years. I’m guessing all of the pain that Shawn has had to endure over the years means that there won’t be another full book. I am thankful that I found Shawn, and will still take any story I can get.
3.32 without “0” ratings
2.73 with them actual rating
Having 3 stories out of 17 that I didn’t read isn’t good. Still the stories I liked made up for those I didn’t.
Imperial Court-A Tale of Dune
Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
2.5 stars
I haven't read "Dune", and I know nothing about it except for another short story. If what I say here contradicts the books my apologies. This is not a genre I normally read. After Javicco’s father died he is made emperor. What follows is court intrigue with two men, Willem Atreides and Danvis Harkonnen, vying for the role of chamberlain. The men hate each other. Willem has reason to hate Danvis’ family since they have murdered members of his family. This seemed more like a soap opera than anything else. Still I would have rated it higher if not for the ending.
A Poor Reflection
Peter Orullian
2 stars
When I start skimming after only a few pages I know it is bad. The story uses two real scientists, Justus von Liebig and Carl August von Steinheil, to explore science and faith. I skipped to end and saw what I figured I would. I won’t spoil it, but it was a slog to get there. The actual men had some extraordinary accomplishments.
The Shadhavar
Saara El-Arifi
3 stars
The story is about a creature, the shadhavar, and the hunters who are trying to kill it. Every ten years the “Queen of the Parched Lands” coaxes hunters with the promise that whoever brings back the shadhavar’s horn will be rich and never have to hunt again.
Gladys and the Whale: A Tale of the Ink & Sigil Series
Kevin Hearne
4 stars
I haven’t read the “Ink & Sigil” series, so I don’t know anything about it. Indeed I hadn’t even heard of it. This story was sweet. Gladys aka “Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite” is the receptionist for the business in the series. In this she tells a hobgoblin how she got her name.
Business in Great Waters
Ken Scholes
3.5 stars
Noreen Southland, daughter of Tom and Valdana, has graduated high school and her way to Stanford. Noreen has never met her mother’s family. Valdana uncharacteristically decides to accompany her daughter to the university with a stop along the way to the shores of Oregon to finally introduce Noreen to her extended family. Even though it is never explicitly stated Valdana’s family are obviously merfolk. The author’s note is a sweet message to his own daughters to never stop dreaming.
Moonflower Alchemy
Jordan Ross
4 stars
“Nihil” (not his real name) has only a few days left before what is left of his soul is going to belong to Mistress Reximina, an evil magic user. She controls “sages” (which is this world are not wise people, but are basically wraiths). A ghost, Solana visits him asks for help in finding her body and who murdered her before she becomes evil as well. He was going to turn her down since he has so little time to fix the mess he’s in, but then he finds out she was the daughter of his late commander Jeremin Trueshot. Jeremin is a man the Nihil both loved and admired. Solana was spoken about often with Jeremin seemly trying to play matchmaker. Nihil agrees to help. We are then taken through some adventures. My favorite characters are Tooloo, his ride. No one knows what Tooloo is. What we do know is he is intelligent, larger than a horse (which he likes to eat), fiercely loyal, and a brat. Nihil also has a sweet little dragon named Athanor that he created and endowed a piece of his soul to. Overall it was a delightful read.
The True Adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu Episode 4 Humbaba’s Seven Terrors
Dyrk Ashton
3.5 stars
Gil is an idiot, as is friend Enki. At least his sisters have brains. I pity that poor kingdom. I have never read any of Gilgamesh, and would have thought it was your typical heroic quest. From what the author states I guess that isn’t the case. This was funny. I especially enjoyed Myrddin Wyllt (I believe this was supposed to be taking place of the Greek Isles, but that sure sounds like a Welsh name).
Samantha vs. the Shadows in the Basement of the Captain Riddle House
Kristen Britain
4 stars
Samantha Wilder is grieving the death of her husband. She decides to take a summer job in Maine house-sitting The Captain Riddle House. Even though the area is gorgeous and Sam had hoped to paint some landscapes she soon realizes there is something very wrong with the house. I don’t know if this is going to be a new series, but I hope we get some more even if it is just other short stories in other anthologies. There was so much left unanswered.
Last of the Red Riders
Django Wexler
3 stars
This is a western wherein a unit in the middle of a civil war is under siege by the opposite side. It had some neat things, but I dislike it when authors decide to change the meaning of things. I realize there is no such thing as a “Nephilim”, but the mythology states they are an angel/human hybrid; and not whatever weird thing the story had them being (which was really convoluted). “Nellie” that narrator of the story couldn’t wrap her head around the poppycock either. Said Nellie is the newest member of the “Red Riders”. She joined them after her parents were killed and her home burned to the ground. She has grit and is actually a natural leader despite her age.
Heart-Eater
Anna Stephens
0 stars-didn’t read
I tried to read this last night and again this morning. As a survivor of abuse I dislike sexual situations. Normally I just scroll past them. I cannot do that with this book. There have only been two interactions and both of those were weird sex ones involving hearts, and snakes, and angel-like creatures, and suicide, and it is messy. The author’s note made the story sound intriguing, but I am just not someone whose frame of mind can handle certain things. It wasn’t even that it was explicit. There was such angst for the main characters that I know it will have me shredded. I read to escape life. Anything that has me having flashbacks means I won’t be reading it.
Sandra and Me
Adrian Tchaikovsky
2 stars
Wherever you think this is going to go you are probably wrong. I really cannot say too much because even a little explanation might spoil what is happening.
Shadow’s Daughter
Jon Sprunk
3.5 stars
I had never heard of the “Shadow Saga” trilogy. Cassie is the daughter of characters from that. She is eighteen, but to me she acted much younger. She has decided that she will protect her kingdom by sneaking out at night and patrolling. She has been doing this for two years. I guess in those years she never encountered any nefarious activity because the first time she does she fails. I wish the story hadn’t stated how long she had been up to this. Her thought processes really seemed like a thirteen year old. I understand that she has been sheltered in the palace her whole life, but she seems so naïve for someone who again has been up to this for two years. I liked the shadow she encounters. I am going to guess that people who have read the trilogy know what it is. Since the title is “Shadow’s Daughter” I am going to guess it is a remnant of her father. Still it was a fun read. Truly my only quibble is her age.
Homecoming
Patrick Swenson
0 stars-didn’t read
I was looking forward to this book since I loved the author’s short story “Hawkeye” from another of Shawn’s anthologies. I am sad to say I had to skip this one. I was in choir in school. There wasn’t a rivalry between the band and choir in the school I went to, but I was rarely in one place long enough to experience it if there was. Because I was in choir and not band I have never encountered all of the jargon that started the story. It gave me a headache and the synopsis just sounded silly. I can see people who are musically inclined enjoying this though. From what I gathered the band teacher needs a special stone in order to get his band to do what they are supposed to do. I didn’t read far enough to see the ages of the kids, but it seemed like a junior high band would have been better. Also it was weird that the main character was named after director and former actor Peter Berg. Having watched him in "Chicago Hope" years ago it was odd. Maybe the author is a fan and this was a Tuckerization?
The Sheriff’s Daughter
Tamora Pierce
4.5 stars
This was interesting. In the Appalachian Mountains the folks are divided into mountain-folk and town-folk. The Frasier family is mountain and some of them have powers. We don’t get much about the others, but Duane can communicate with animals. His brother Rayburn can find lost things. He spends his time getting high to block out the things he has found such as a dead baby. For a kid who is still in high school that is heavy stuff. After Duane’s dog Sarge leads him to an injured girl (the daughter from the title) he is determined to find out who attacked her. I would like to read more about this family. The parents seemed coldish (aside from a hug the mother gave the sheriff which Duane thought was odd), so I hope any stories soften them somewhat. Yes, the mountain life is hard, and this takes place in 1970 so “tough” love was the only kind of love.
Solomon
Mark Lawrence
3 stars
This has a character I met in an earlier anthology. Jorg Ancrath was a child when I met him in “Select Mode”. He is still a kid even if he is now king. After some bandits claim to have a baby that is his from one of his many sexual escapades he is torn about whether just to kill the baby and be done with it, or pay the ransom they want. The fact that we are not sure what he will do shows the hardness he had as a child has never softened.
A Knight Was Once Sent on a Quest
Anna Smith Spark
0 stars-didn’t read
I gave up after only a few pages. The imagery was lovely, but the story itself seemed to be an afterthought. Erenan is a knight who doesn’t allow her disability to stop her from succeeding. I wish I could have gotten into it.
The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman
Shawn Speakman
4 stars
Shawn is an amazing writer who does loving tributes. “The Last Flowers of the Spring Witch” was a heart-felt tribute to his mother. That one had me tearing up years later. This time Shawn tells us about his father-the “Autumn Huntsman” of the story. The main theme was that the hidden wounds that war leaves upon soldiers stay with them for the rest of their lives. Like the story about Shawn’s mom this one also takes place within the Annwn universe. Richard McAllister and his guide Snedeker are brought in to shepherd the Huntsman on his journey. Kleenexes were used again.
I truly wish Shawn would start writing the Annwn books again. I like Richard, but I love Charles and I would love to have more of both of them. Shawn is the reason I began collecting anthologies. When I see his name I automatically buy the book. Years ago the book “The Dark Thorn” said there were forth-coming books. Since there were titles listed I figured that he at least had an outline for what he wanted to write. It has been seven years. I’m guessing all of the pain that Shawn has had to endure over the years means that there won’t be another full book. I am thankful that I found Shawn, and will still take any story I can get.
November 5, 2022
A huge thanks to Grim Oak Press and NetGalley, for the arc of Unbound II compiled by Shawn Speakman in honour of his father, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
I discovered Grim Oak Press in 2020 and to my regret did not purchase Unbound, an anthology of short stories that Shawn Speakman compiled in honour of his mother, who died in 2016. When I gained an opportunity to view the advanced copy of Unbound II, nothing and no one was going to prevent me from putting in my request, hopes and prayers to read it.
What a collection of stories from a wide range of authors, established and debut. Each story is new and original and each has its place in this collection. Obviously, I have my own favourite authors and some stories held greater appeal than others but, that is the beauty of this collection and should not be denied.
Having read The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi, I was eager to read The Shadhavar and I was not disappointed, I can definitely say the same for Mark Lawrence’s Solomon. I eagerly anticipated another Jorg outing and he truly delivered, with true Jorg style!
I have always been hesitant about reading Adrian Tchaikovsky but, Sandra and Me had me totally engrossed and I will be stepping further into his work very soon. Other authors I had not previously read, including Kevin Hearne, Anna Stephens, and of course Shawn Speakman’s own heartfelt story will definitely be increasing my book collection.
An impressive collection of talented writers deliver an engaging, thought provoking, imaginative and wondrous collection of short stories, and Shawn Speakman should be proud for putting this brilliant collection together.
I discovered Grim Oak Press in 2020 and to my regret did not purchase Unbound, an anthology of short stories that Shawn Speakman compiled in honour of his mother, who died in 2016. When I gained an opportunity to view the advanced copy of Unbound II, nothing and no one was going to prevent me from putting in my request, hopes and prayers to read it.
What a collection of stories from a wide range of authors, established and debut. Each story is new and original and each has its place in this collection. Obviously, I have my own favourite authors and some stories held greater appeal than others but, that is the beauty of this collection and should not be denied.
Having read The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi, I was eager to read The Shadhavar and I was not disappointed, I can definitely say the same for Mark Lawrence’s Solomon. I eagerly anticipated another Jorg outing and he truly delivered, with true Jorg style!
I have always been hesitant about reading Adrian Tchaikovsky but, Sandra and Me had me totally engrossed and I will be stepping further into his work very soon. Other authors I had not previously read, including Kevin Hearne, Anna Stephens, and of course Shawn Speakman’s own heartfelt story will definitely be increasing my book collection.
An impressive collection of talented writers deliver an engaging, thought provoking, imaginative and wondrous collection of short stories, and Shawn Speakman should be proud for putting this brilliant collection together.
Read
December 28, 2022I received this free ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest, unbiased review.
I love anthology books, and I've read all previous Unfettered and Unbound, and have added a few new authors to my shelves after reading these. As with all anthologies, there are great stories, good stories and not-so-good stories, but I guess this just depends on the reader and their opinions (as with everything I suppose). Overall, this was a lovely set of stories, and there were none that I DNF'd. I've given each a score out of 5, and have put a few notes for some of them that piqued my interest more than others:
Imperial Court by Brian Herbert & Kevin J Anderson (3/5) - Pre-Dune politics (not really my thing, but interesting to see where some of the power-play came from)
A Poor Reflection by Peter Orullian (3/5) - More science than science fiction, but I've added Orullian to my TBR shelf
The Shadhavar by Saara El-Arifi (4/5)
Gladys and the Whale by Kevin Hearne (4/5) - Love Gladys WHSSS. More please!
Business in Great Waters by Ken Scholes (3/5) - Not bad, if a little predictable
Moonflower Academy by Jordan Ross (4/5)
The True Adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu by Dirk Ashton (2/5) - Sorry, it just seemed like Ashton was trying a little too hard with this one
Samantha vs. the Shadows in the Basement of the Captain Riddle House by Kristen Britain (4/5) - Deliciously dark and creepy with a humerous edge that makes me hope this becomes part of a larger series
Last of the Red Riders by Django Wexler (3/5)
Heart-Eater by Anna Stephens (4/5) - Not usually my cup of tea, but I really liked the sinister undertones (and overtones) of this story
Sandra and Me by Adrian Tchaikovsky (4/5)
Shadow's Daughter by Jon Sprunk (4/5) - Another author added to my TBR shelf; will be reading his Shadow Saga trilogy shortly as I really liked this tale of Sprunk's
Homecoming by Patrick Swenson (3/5)
The Sheriff's Daughter by Tamora Pierce (4/5)
Solomon by Mark Lawrence (3/5)
A Knight Was Once Sent on a Quest by Her Master by Anna Smith Spark (2/5) - This was a little too gory for my taste, although if you're into that then give it a try
The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman by Shawn Speakman (3/5)
Overall, 3.4/5
I love anthology books, and I've read all previous Unfettered and Unbound, and have added a few new authors to my shelves after reading these. As with all anthologies, there are great stories, good stories and not-so-good stories, but I guess this just depends on the reader and their opinions (as with everything I suppose). Overall, this was a lovely set of stories, and there were none that I DNF'd. I've given each a score out of 5, and have put a few notes for some of them that piqued my interest more than others:
Imperial Court by Brian Herbert & Kevin J Anderson (3/5) - Pre-Dune politics (not really my thing, but interesting to see where some of the power-play came from)
A Poor Reflection by Peter Orullian (3/5) - More science than science fiction, but I've added Orullian to my TBR shelf
The Shadhavar by Saara El-Arifi (4/5)
Gladys and the Whale by Kevin Hearne (4/5) - Love Gladys WHSSS. More please!
Business in Great Waters by Ken Scholes (3/5) - Not bad, if a little predictable
Moonflower Academy by Jordan Ross (4/5)
The True Adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu by Dirk Ashton (2/5) - Sorry, it just seemed like Ashton was trying a little too hard with this one
Samantha vs. the Shadows in the Basement of the Captain Riddle House by Kristen Britain (4/5) - Deliciously dark and creepy with a humerous edge that makes me hope this becomes part of a larger series
Last of the Red Riders by Django Wexler (3/5)
Heart-Eater by Anna Stephens (4/5) - Not usually my cup of tea, but I really liked the sinister undertones (and overtones) of this story
Sandra and Me by Adrian Tchaikovsky (4/5)
Shadow's Daughter by Jon Sprunk (4/5) - Another author added to my TBR shelf; will be reading his Shadow Saga trilogy shortly as I really liked this tale of Sprunk's
Homecoming by Patrick Swenson (3/5)
The Sheriff's Daughter by Tamora Pierce (4/5)
Solomon by Mark Lawrence (3/5)
A Knight Was Once Sent on a Quest by Her Master by Anna Smith Spark (2/5) - This was a little too gory for my taste, although if you're into that then give it a try
The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman by Shawn Speakman (3/5)
Overall, 3.4/5
November 26, 2023
Originally posted on Just Geeking by.
Content warnings:
With stories from a wonderful selection of SFF writers, Unbound II: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy also offers a short story by editor Shawn Speakman in memory of his father. Out of the seventeen authors, I had only previously read work from five of them, although I was familiar with quite a few of them by name. This anthology was a great chance for me to finally read some of their work.
Despite featuring so many well known SFF authors, Unbound II: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy was only a three-star read for me. That isn’t to say that the stories were not good quality, just that this anthology includes such a wide variety of genres, content and styles. While some of them were interesting, others just did not catch my attention at all.
The ones that stood out above the rest for me are:
The second story, ‘A Poor Reflection’ by Peter Orullian, is a dense read due to the scientific jargon, but it is one that is worth sticking with for the clever conclusion. I tipped my hat to Orullian when I finished this one, very well done. It’s followed by an equally clever tale by Saara El-Arifi, an author whose name I’m familiar, although I’ve yet to read any of her books yet. If ‘The Shadhavar’ is anything to go by, I need to remedy that pronto. El-Arifi’s story is a slick, enticing tale of hunters trying to find a legendary beast.
Kevin Hearne’s story was one of my most anticipated, as it promised to tell the origin story of the mysterious Gladys, a character from his Ink and Sigil series. While this story can be read alone, it is one that readers of that series will enjoy infinitely more. The story did not disappoint, and is Hearne at his absolute best. It’s a must-read for anyone who is reading the Ink and Sigil series.
‘Moonflower Alchemy’ by Jordan Ross is a gorgeously gothic fantasy story filled with dark magic. I loved everything about this and would love to see this world explored further in a book. Anna Stephens also delivers an incredible and heart-warming story in ‘Heart-Eater’. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by Tamora Pierce that I’ve never loved, and the ‘The Sheriff’s Daughter’ is no different. It was particularly interesting to see her write urban fantasy instead of fantasy, and I hope she writes more in the future!
The final story of the anthology is ‘The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman’ by editor Shawn Speakman and is a beautiful tribute to his father that reflects his father’s struggle with PTSD. It’s linked to a previous story Speakman wrote in Unfettered II to commemorate his mother. I loved that he wrote the first story for his son to learn about his grandmother through his eyes, and reading this story with that in mind just makes it even more beautiful. It is also a brilliant fantasy short story in its own right, and I’m very excited to read Speakman’s upcoming novel, The King-Killing Queen.
The full list of stories in Unbound II: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy is:
‘Imperial Court’ by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
‘A Poor Reflection’ by Peter Orullian
‘The Shadhavar’ by Saara El-Arifi
‘Gladys and the Whale’ by Kevin Hearne
‘Business in Great Waters’ by Ken Scholes
‘Moonflower Alchemy’ by Jordan Ross
‘The True Adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu’ by Dyrk Ashton
‘Samantha vs. the Shadows in the Basement of the Captain Riddle House’ by Kristen Britain
‘Last of the Red Riders’ by Django Wexler
‘Heart-Eater’ by Anna Stephens
‘Sandra and Me’ by Adrian Tchaikovsky
‘Shadow’s Daughter’ by Jon Sprunk
‘Homecoming’ by Patrick Swenson
‘The Sheriff’s Daughter’ by Tamora Pierce
‘Solomon’ by Mark Lawrence
‘A Knight Was Once Sent on a Quest by Her Master’ by Anna Smith Spark
‘The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman’ by Shawn Speakman
BLOG | REVIEWS | REVIEW SCHEDULE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST |
Content warnings:
With stories from a wonderful selection of SFF writers, Unbound II: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy also offers a short story by editor Shawn Speakman in memory of his father. Out of the seventeen authors, I had only previously read work from five of them, although I was familiar with quite a few of them by name. This anthology was a great chance for me to finally read some of their work.
Despite featuring so many well known SFF authors, Unbound II: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy was only a three-star read for me. That isn’t to say that the stories were not good quality, just that this anthology includes such a wide variety of genres, content and styles. While some of them were interesting, others just did not catch my attention at all.
The ones that stood out above the rest for me are:
The second story, ‘A Poor Reflection’ by Peter Orullian, is a dense read due to the scientific jargon, but it is one that is worth sticking with for the clever conclusion. I tipped my hat to Orullian when I finished this one, very well done. It’s followed by an equally clever tale by Saara El-Arifi, an author whose name I’m familiar, although I’ve yet to read any of her books yet. If ‘The Shadhavar’ is anything to go by, I need to remedy that pronto. El-Arifi’s story is a slick, enticing tale of hunters trying to find a legendary beast.
Kevin Hearne’s story was one of my most anticipated, as it promised to tell the origin story of the mysterious Gladys, a character from his Ink and Sigil series. While this story can be read alone, it is one that readers of that series will enjoy infinitely more. The story did not disappoint, and is Hearne at his absolute best. It’s a must-read for anyone who is reading the Ink and Sigil series.
‘Moonflower Alchemy’ by Jordan Ross is a gorgeously gothic fantasy story filled with dark magic. I loved everything about this and would love to see this world explored further in a book. Anna Stephens also delivers an incredible and heart-warming story in ‘Heart-Eater’. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by Tamora Pierce that I’ve never loved, and the ‘The Sheriff’s Daughter’ is no different. It was particularly interesting to see her write urban fantasy instead of fantasy, and I hope she writes more in the future!
The final story of the anthology is ‘The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman’ by editor Shawn Speakman and is a beautiful tribute to his father that reflects his father’s struggle with PTSD. It’s linked to a previous story Speakman wrote in Unfettered II to commemorate his mother. I loved that he wrote the first story for his son to learn about his grandmother through his eyes, and reading this story with that in mind just makes it even more beautiful. It is also a brilliant fantasy short story in its own right, and I’m very excited to read Speakman’s upcoming novel, The King-Killing Queen.
The full list of stories in Unbound II: New Tales By Masters of Fantasy is:
‘Imperial Court’ by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
‘A Poor Reflection’ by Peter Orullian
‘The Shadhavar’ by Saara El-Arifi
‘Gladys and the Whale’ by Kevin Hearne
‘Business in Great Waters’ by Ken Scholes
‘Moonflower Alchemy’ by Jordan Ross
‘The True Adventures of Gilgamesh and Enkidu’ by Dyrk Ashton
‘Samantha vs. the Shadows in the Basement of the Captain Riddle House’ by Kristen Britain
‘Last of the Red Riders’ by Django Wexler
‘Heart-Eater’ by Anna Stephens
‘Sandra and Me’ by Adrian Tchaikovsky
‘Shadow’s Daughter’ by Jon Sprunk
‘Homecoming’ by Patrick Swenson
‘The Sheriff’s Daughter’ by Tamora Pierce
‘Solomon’ by Mark Lawrence
‘A Knight Was Once Sent on a Quest by Her Master’ by Anna Smith Spark
‘The Last Arrow of the Autumn Huntsman’ by Shawn Speakman
BLOG | REVIEWS | REVIEW SCHEDULE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST |
October 28, 2023
Unbound II: Tales by Masters of Fantasy is a new anthology by award-winning author and editor Shawn Speakman. This anthology of seventeen tales contains fantastical stories that are genuinely unbound. Speakman, for a number of reasons, intended this collection to be themeless. Pure magic happens when that much freedom is given to the accomplished authors featured in this book. Most of the writers who contributed to this collection are no strangers to fans of sci-fi and fantasy. Works form unknown writers have the chance to pleasantly surprised many readers.
A few authors used the opportunity to expand and explain characters readers have already learned. At the same time, other authors came up with brand-new stories for this anthology. Many tales are fun and lively jaunts. Some stories are much darker and more suited for the terrors that haunt our sleep. The range of short fantasies are as diverse as the contributors. Speakman’s own short story is in honor of his father. Whether the tales occur on distant worlds, quiet bay towns, rugged woods, or the shadows in creepy basements, there is a story for every fan of fantasy fiction.
This review was originally published at https://sanfranciscobookreview.com/pr...
A few authors used the opportunity to expand and explain characters readers have already learned. At the same time, other authors came up with brand-new stories for this anthology. Many tales are fun and lively jaunts. Some stories are much darker and more suited for the terrors that haunt our sleep. The range of short fantasies are as diverse as the contributors. Speakman’s own short story is in honor of his father. Whether the tales occur on distant worlds, quiet bay towns, rugged woods, or the shadows in creepy basements, there is a story for every fan of fantasy fiction.
This review was originally published at https://sanfranciscobookreview.com/pr...
August 28, 2022
I received this ARC from NetGalley.com at no cost and am providing an unbiased review.
Thisis the second book of short stories contributed by several authors in this series, following the success of the Unfettered series Shawn Speakman put out previously. I have been able to read each one Speakman has put out, as the collection of authors are usually some of my favorite writers, versus just some random anthology put out there.
I won't waste a lot of time by writing about each short story, just know that most were entertaining for me. As usual there is one or two that I just couldn't 'get into' but most were well written. I did enjoy Kevin Hearne's 'Ink & Sigil' short, and Django Wexler's addition as well. Overall content is pretty safe - not much in the way of bad language, or other adult situations.
Thisis the second book of short stories contributed by several authors in this series, following the success of the Unfettered series Shawn Speakman put out previously. I have been able to read each one Speakman has put out, as the collection of authors are usually some of my favorite writers, versus just some random anthology put out there.
I won't waste a lot of time by writing about each short story, just know that most were entertaining for me. As usual there is one or two that I just couldn't 'get into' but most were well written. I did enjoy Kevin Hearne's 'Ink & Sigil' short, and Django Wexler's addition as well. Overall content is pretty safe - not much in the way of bad language, or other adult situations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2023
This is a neat anthology with a pleasantly wide range of subjects and writing styles, which I enjoyed. I particularly liked knowing that the editor (and contributor), Shawn Speakman, placed no thematic restrictions on the authors and let them contribute whatever they wanted to write. As with any anthology, there were hits as well as stories that landed as so-so for this particular reader. Adrian Tchaikovsky's sneaky, unsettling weird fiction contribution, Sandra and Me, was a standout story for me, as were Tamora Pierce's The Sheriff's Daughter and Gladys and the Whale by Kevin Hearne. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review; my opinions are my own. Thanks to Grim Oak Press and Netgalley for the opportunity.
August 30, 2022
If Shawn Speakman's new anthology, Unbound II, is anything close to Unbound, and Unfettered I, II, and III, it will be a smashing success. Speakman has been putting these editions together to benefit writers who have medical needs. The stories included have always been outstanding with many introductions to new fantasy and additions to beloved tales already shared. I am ready to be drawn into many worlds by the vast talents he has once again assembled for our reading pleasure. An added bonus is the tribute cover artwork by Todd Lockwood, which features a likeness of Shawn's very own father. Trust me when I say this anthology is one you have to have in your collection.
October 31, 2022
I wanted to like this book -- I mean, what a lineup of great writers! What a great origin story! And it just didn't work for me -- I felt like the writers I didn't know used this as an opportunity for a deep dive with their characters/settings, and I found it difficult to follow that without context. The writers I did know either didn't take that chance and wrote instead about something totally unrelated to their usual work, or delivered a profoundly mediocre tale. It seems like the other reviewers are not having this difficulty, so I think I'll chalk it up as a me-problem. I must not have been in the mood for an anthology.
Advanced Readers' Copy provided by Edelweiss.
Advanced Readers' Copy provided by Edelweiss.
December 4, 2022
I love antholgies! They not only give me access to short stories by some of my favorite authors, they allow me small glimpses of the work of authors I have not read before. I have discovered many new favorites and added many more books to my TBR stack from reading antologies. This set of stories has no particular theme, hence unbound. And, as any lover of anthologies will tell you, you'll find some stories that you love and some you won't.
If SciFi/ Fantasy is not your usual genre, this book has stories that represent a wide range of styles and skills that will keep you coming back for more. Another truly great book by editor Shawn Speakman.
If SciFi/ Fantasy is not your usual genre, this book has stories that represent a wide range of styles and skills that will keep you coming back for more. Another truly great book by editor Shawn Speakman.
October 10, 2022
When I saw NetGalley had this anthology available and Kevin Hearne had a story about Gladys Who Has Seen Some Shite, I signed up hoped I'd get the Book to review, as you can see I did, and was not disappointed, only to find more authors I will be following up on. I read it slowly to really take in all the various stories and it was an enjoyable experience. Were all fantastic, no, but all were enjoyable and left me something to think about. Well written, quick world building, and good stories. Completely enjoyable.
January 16, 2023
This is a series of short stories and novellas from various fantasy authors. I especially enjoyed the short story by Kevin Hearne, which revolves around one of the characters from his Iron Druid series. I also enjoyed the short stories by Jordan Ross, Ken Scholes and some of the other writers. After reading the book in its entirety, there are a few authors who I was unfamiliar with previously whose books I will probably check out as it appeared that the characters in their short stories were part of a storyline in a larger series.
April 27, 2024
This review is for 'Solomon' by Mark Lawrence only!
What a fantastic return to the Broken Empire and the dark ingenuity of Jorg of Ancrath. This short story allows us an early (chronologically speaking) peek at Jorg's personal development during the Broken Empire trilogy, while staying true to the character. Maintaining the integrity of the character so well after so many years is astonishing, and I feel certain I could recognize Jorg anywhere. Being my literal favorite literary character, I hope for many more Jorg-related stories!
What a fantastic return to the Broken Empire and the dark ingenuity of Jorg of Ancrath. This short story allows us an early (chronologically speaking) peek at Jorg's personal development during the Broken Empire trilogy, while staying true to the character. Maintaining the integrity of the character so well after so many years is astonishing, and I feel certain I could recognize Jorg anywhere. Being my literal favorite literary character, I hope for many more Jorg-related stories!
December 12, 2022
Anthologies are the perfect way to explore some new authors and read some new works of the favourite authors too. This set of stories has no particular theme, hence unbound. And, as any lover of anthologies will tell you, you'll find some stories that you love and some you won't. However, all the stories had something to say and I enjoyed reading through them.
February 28, 2023
Purchased for the short by Tamora Pierce and was not disappointed. Her usual way of catching me off guard and challenging me whilst making sure I felt supported and fascinated was here again!
Will go back and read some of the other stories but stopped in just to say thank you to Tammy for another 5* beautiful and thrilling adventure!
Will go back and read some of the other stories but stopped in just to say thank you to Tammy for another 5* beautiful and thrilling adventure!
August 11, 2023
Every collection that Shawn Speakman has put out has been full of awesome tales and this is no exception. Both the Unfettered and the Unbound collections are full of stories that grip you and leave you wanting more. If there are authors in here that you aren't sure about diving into their larger works this is a great opportunity to get a taste of their writing styles.
December 10, 2022
Every collection gets better
A brilliant choice of tales with in my opinion only one disappointment. But that's the beauty of anthologies and choice. You will enjoy this book if fantasy is your reading drug of choice.
A brilliant choice of tales with in my opinion only one disappointment. But that's the beauty of anthologies and choice. You will enjoy this book if fantasy is your reading drug of choice.
December 7, 2022
As always, some stories are better than others, but the Kevin Hearne is worth the price of admission. There are some other great ones. Definitely worth picking up.
December 8, 2022
A bit of a cheat here, as I only read the Kevin Hearne story, which I liked very much
December 11, 2022
I bought this book to read the Kevin Hearne short story about Gladys. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the other short stories as well.
February 6, 2023
I feel bad giving this a bit of a 'meh' overall, given that it comes from a deeply personal and poignant place, with the added great intentions of raising money for charity. What kind of monster am I?
Alas, a brutally honest one, and more here didn't work for me than did.
There are a few gems. I liked Adrian Tchaikovsky's dark little 'what if' that leads you by the hand to the 'reveal'. I'm sure I would have gotten more from Mark Lawrence's Jorg tale, or Kevin Hearne's revelation of how "Gladys Who Has Seen Some Sh*te" got that unique moniker, if I'd read the series these draw from.
But, others varied from vaguely interesting ideas that just didn't hit the mark for me, to outright dislike. The Dune prequel story needed a chunk cut out of it, frankly, to turn it into just gleefully nasty fun. Anna Smith Spark's tale was well-crafted, but I couldn't enjoy her writing style somehow. And with all due apologies, I really disliked the editor's own tale that rounds off the piece, finding it mawkish and clunky. Yeah, I'm horrible.
I wrote a longer review for my blog, LittleFrogScribbles, if anyone is interested and thank you for the clicks.
Alas, a brutally honest one, and more here didn't work for me than did.
There are a few gems. I liked Adrian Tchaikovsky's dark little 'what if' that leads you by the hand to the 'reveal'. I'm sure I would have gotten more from Mark Lawrence's Jorg tale, or Kevin Hearne's revelation of how "Gladys Who Has Seen Some Sh*te" got that unique moniker, if I'd read the series these draw from.
But, others varied from vaguely interesting ideas that just didn't hit the mark for me, to outright dislike. The Dune prequel story needed a chunk cut out of it, frankly, to turn it into just gleefully nasty fun. Anna Smith Spark's tale was well-crafted, but I couldn't enjoy her writing style somehow. And with all due apologies, I really disliked the editor's own tale that rounds off the piece, finding it mawkish and clunky. Yeah, I'm horrible.
I wrote a longer review for my blog, LittleFrogScribbles, if anyone is interested and thank you for the clicks.
February 21, 2023
Bought this for, and only read, Gladys and the Whale because it's related to the Ink and Sigil series.
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