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Mercy Thompson World #16.5 - A Memory of Witches
Instinct: An Animal Rescuers Anthology
Danger. Evil. Death. Heroes can face it all, but they cannot do it alone.
Throughout history, creatures both big and small have stood alongside heroes and helped them through trying times, whether on the battlefield or in their laps. In these brand-new stories, sixteen bestselling authors regale us with adventures of animal companions and how they often are the ones rescuing the rescuer.
The Gold Standard by A.J. Hartley, short story from The Hawthorne Saga
Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson, from the world of Furever Pets
Dog by D.J. Butler featuring John Abbott from Abbott in Darkness
Safe Place by Eliza Eveland from the series Talons and Tethers
George and KitKit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter, short story set within the Jane Yellowrock universe
Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards, short story set within the The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy series
Helpful by Jennifer Blackstream, a story in the universe of Blood Trails
Fugitive by Jim Butcher, story in the world of The Dresden Files
The Unlikeliest Places by John G. Hartness, Quincy Harker short story
Forever and A Day by Kelley Armstrong, short story from the Cainsville series
The Unexpected Dachshund by L.E. Modesitt, Jr., short story within the Archform: Beauty universe
The Kitcoon by L.J. Hachmeister, prequel in the Triorion universe
A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver (from The Latter-Day Olympians)
The Kindness of Cats by R.R. Virdi, from the series Tales of Tremaine
Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight, upcoming series The Abandoned Lands
Nine by Seanan McGuire, standalone short story
A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs, scene takes place during Storm Cursed from the Mercy Thompson universe.
Purchasing this book saves a puppy’s life! Portions of the book sale profits are donated to Lifeline Puppy Rescue.
Throughout history, creatures both big and small have stood alongside heroes and helped them through trying times, whether on the battlefield or in their laps. In these brand-new stories, sixteen bestselling authors regale us with adventures of animal companions and how they often are the ones rescuing the rescuer.
The Gold Standard by A.J. Hartley, short story from The Hawthorne Saga
Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson, from the world of Furever Pets
Dog by D.J. Butler featuring John Abbott from Abbott in Darkness
Safe Place by Eliza Eveland from the series Talons and Tethers
George and KitKit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter, short story set within the Jane Yellowrock universe
Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards, short story set within the The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy series
Helpful by Jennifer Blackstream, a story in the universe of Blood Trails
Fugitive by Jim Butcher, story in the world of The Dresden Files
The Unlikeliest Places by John G. Hartness, Quincy Harker short story
Forever and A Day by Kelley Armstrong, short story from the Cainsville series
The Unexpected Dachshund by L.E. Modesitt, Jr., short story within the Archform: Beauty universe
The Kitcoon by L.J. Hachmeister, prequel in the Triorion universe
A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver (from The Latter-Day Olympians)
The Kindness of Cats by R.R. Virdi, from the series Tales of Tremaine
Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight, upcoming series The Abandoned Lands
Nine by Seanan McGuire, standalone short story
A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs, scene takes place during Storm Cursed from the Mercy Thompson universe.
Purchasing this book saves a puppy’s life! Portions of the book sale profits are donated to Lifeline Puppy Rescue.
442 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2023
937 people are currently reading
1231 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Hachmeister
19 books32 followersAmazon bestselling author L.J. Hachmeister writes and fights -- although she tries not to do them at the same time. L. J. is a world champion stick-fighter, a black belt in Doce Pares Eskrima and Taekwondo, and is a brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, but maintains that no opponent is as daunting as the last 30% of a manuscript.
L. J. is a cross-genre author under the umbrella of science fiction/fantasy. Her Cuban roots and LGBTQA+ ties greatly impact her writing, as well as her career as a registered nurse. However, her love for rescuing puppies and working with other animal charity organizations drives her passion to succeed as an author so she can continue to give to animals in need. L. J. is an avid sponsor for "Lifeline Puppy Rescue."
Connect with L.J. at: www.triorion.com
L. J. is a cross-genre author under the umbrella of science fiction/fantasy. Her Cuban roots and LGBTQA+ ties greatly impact her writing, as well as her career as a registered nurse. However, her love for rescuing puppies and working with other animal charity organizations drives her passion to succeed as an author so she can continue to give to animals in need. L. J. is an avid sponsor for "Lifeline Puppy Rescue."
Connect with L.J. at: www.triorion.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
February 9, 2024
Baited with a clever double hook, I bought this collection. Not only are some of the stories side tales from pillars of urban fantasy, but part of the profits go to a rescue in Colorado. The real treat was finding an unexpectedly good story, Junkyard Rex. However, let's note that as with many purportedly 'animal-centric' books, the stories are mostly about humans. Man, we're a bunch of navel-gazers, aren't we?
The Gold Standard by A.J. Hartley: 3 ◆ I didn't recognize this author, but it was a mildly entertaining story. Interestingly, I felt like the dog was largely a peripheral character and it was more about the human narrator's relationship to his team. Quality snark: "His eyes were fishy too, not bulbous but blank, unfeeling and impossible to read. He would have made a good card player, assuming they played cards under the sea."
Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson: 3 ◆ Unfamiliar. A decently written supernatural ghost story, but again, it felt like the dog was peripheral.
Dog by D.J. Butler: 2.5 ◆ Unfamiliar. Dog more central, theme obvious, but nicely done, sci-fi world setting iffy.
Safe Place by Eliza Eveland: 3 ◆ Unfamiliar. Narrated first person from the dog's POV, a little more poignant as expected. Sweet and does well with the frame.
George and Kitkit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter: 2.5 ◆ I had read a number of the Jane Yellowrock books so am familiar with the family, Jane's godchildren. I thought this rambled quite a bit and was as much about the children as the animals.
Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards: 4 ◆ Also familiar with this universe, this one shows off the delightful zombie parakeet, Keet, on an outing to the aquarium, but is also about a not-date between a gwyllgi (werewolf) and a vampire. Not unpredictable but fun. Keet is hilarious.
Helpful by Jennifer Blackstream: 2.5 ◆ Unfamiliar. First person from a cat point of view. A witch's familiar and a dog mummy on the loose. Great premise but the storytelling needs some work.
Fugitive by Jim Butcher: 3.5 ◆ Familiar. Told from the POV of Mouse, Harry Dresden's pet temple dog. Cerberus comes to him for some help. Simple language.
The Unlikeliest Places by John G. Hartness: 3.5 ◆ familiar author but forgettable for me. A 'part-vampire magic-wielding smartass' acquires a kitten.
Forever and a Day by Kelley Armstrong: 3◆ Familiar author, unfamiliar universe. A woman and her cat head out into the world to rescue her husband Gabriel from the fae. The cat is definitely a side character and plot device.
The Kitcoon by L.J. Hachmeister 2.5 stars. Unfamiliar. Awkward sci-fi world that has a lot of time devoted to backstory and world building, and yet contains the phrase, "Humans spread across the galaxy centuries ago and interbred with countless alien species." (pause for musing on biology). The kitcoon, a lab rescue, stands in for self-compassion in this running-from-the-government story. Book editor.
The Unexpected Dachshund by L.E. Modesitt Jr.: 3 ◆ Familiar author. Underwhelming sci-fi story about scraping by on a colony planet. However, it is about the dachshund. Felt like a tribute story.
A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver: 4 ◆ The owner and residents at a wolf rescue fight off an unusual predator. Magical realism. Good at building that atmosphere of isolation and fear. Although it at times read like a infomercial for a wolf rescue, it was well done. I'd read more in this world.
The Kindness of Cats by R.R. Virdi: 2.5 ◆Unfamiliar. A cat's first person POV. An isolated master somehow segues into helping a sick child. However, one of the few stories entirely about the animal. I liked the sweetness of it but was puzzled by the plotting. Cats: we always knew they were judgey: "There is a special place in the bottom of the world for men like that, but it is not for me to judge. Well, mostly not for me. I happen to be a marvelous arbiter of character."
Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight: 4.5 ◆ Unfamiliar. I finished this story and immediately looked up the author, who has a 'forthcoming book.' I hope it makes it to publication, because I will read the heck out of it. Interesting story about a loner living in a post-apocalyptic setting with dinosaurs. "The footprints all around the area reminded him of turkey prints--if the turkey had fat, size two-thousand feet."
Nine by Seanan McGuire: 1 ◆ Just awful. A 1st person POV meandering about cat's nine lives and their relationship to humans but completely nonsensical. I would expect better from McGuire.
A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs 3.5 ◆ Familiar with the universe, and I must say, I enjoy it when it isn't about l-u-v and pair bonds. The werewolf Sherwood and Mercy investigate a witches' house and discover a cat, who is once again a completely peripheral character, but since the main is a werewolf, I suppose it counts? Not really a mystery, it's a half-hearted investigation, a fragment that likely couldn't make it into a larger story. I want to read the book this leads into, unless its about Mercy and Adam.
Overall, a not unexpected mixed bag of stories. I usually count myself lucky if I find one new author worth further investigation, and I came up with two (Knight, Diver) so a success.
The Gold Standard by A.J. Hartley: 3 ◆ I didn't recognize this author, but it was a mildly entertaining story. Interestingly, I felt like the dog was largely a peripheral character and it was more about the human narrator's relationship to his team. Quality snark: "His eyes were fishy too, not bulbous but blank, unfeeling and impossible to read. He would have made a good card player, assuming they played cards under the sea."
Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson: 3 ◆ Unfamiliar. A decently written supernatural ghost story, but again, it felt like the dog was peripheral.
Dog by D.J. Butler: 2.5 ◆ Unfamiliar. Dog more central, theme obvious, but nicely done, sci-fi world setting iffy.
Safe Place by Eliza Eveland: 3 ◆ Unfamiliar. Narrated first person from the dog's POV, a little more poignant as expected. Sweet and does well with the frame.
George and Kitkit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter: 2.5 ◆ I had read a number of the Jane Yellowrock books so am familiar with the family, Jane's godchildren. I thought this rambled quite a bit and was as much about the children as the animals.
Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards: 4 ◆ Also familiar with this universe, this one shows off the delightful zombie parakeet, Keet, on an outing to the aquarium, but is also about a not-date between a gwyllgi (werewolf) and a vampire. Not unpredictable but fun. Keet is hilarious.
Helpful by Jennifer Blackstream: 2.5 ◆ Unfamiliar. First person from a cat point of view. A witch's familiar and a dog mummy on the loose. Great premise but the storytelling needs some work.
Fugitive by Jim Butcher: 3.5 ◆ Familiar. Told from the POV of Mouse, Harry Dresden's pet temple dog. Cerberus comes to him for some help. Simple language.
The Unlikeliest Places by John G. Hartness: 3.5 ◆ familiar author but forgettable for me. A 'part-vampire magic-wielding smartass' acquires a kitten.
Forever and a Day by Kelley Armstrong: 3◆ Familiar author, unfamiliar universe. A woman and her cat head out into the world to rescue her husband Gabriel from the fae. The cat is definitely a side character and plot device.
The Kitcoon by L.J. Hachmeister 2.5 stars. Unfamiliar. Awkward sci-fi world that has a lot of time devoted to backstory and world building, and yet contains the phrase, "Humans spread across the galaxy centuries ago and interbred with countless alien species." (pause for musing on biology). The kitcoon, a lab rescue, stands in for self-compassion in this running-from-the-government story. Book editor.
The Unexpected Dachshund by L.E. Modesitt Jr.: 3 ◆ Familiar author. Underwhelming sci-fi story about scraping by on a colony planet. However, it is about the dachshund. Felt like a tribute story.
A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver: 4 ◆ The owner and residents at a wolf rescue fight off an unusual predator. Magical realism. Good at building that atmosphere of isolation and fear. Although it at times read like a infomercial for a wolf rescue, it was well done. I'd read more in this world.
The Kindness of Cats by R.R. Virdi: 2.5 ◆Unfamiliar. A cat's first person POV. An isolated master somehow segues into helping a sick child. However, one of the few stories entirely about the animal. I liked the sweetness of it but was puzzled by the plotting. Cats: we always knew they were judgey: "There is a special place in the bottom of the world for men like that, but it is not for me to judge. Well, mostly not for me. I happen to be a marvelous arbiter of character."
Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight: 4.5 ◆ Unfamiliar. I finished this story and immediately looked up the author, who has a 'forthcoming book.' I hope it makes it to publication, because I will read the heck out of it. Interesting story about a loner living in a post-apocalyptic setting with dinosaurs. "The footprints all around the area reminded him of turkey prints--if the turkey had fat, size two-thousand feet."
Nine by Seanan McGuire: 1 ◆ Just awful. A 1st person POV meandering about cat's nine lives and their relationship to humans but completely nonsensical. I would expect better from McGuire.
A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs 3.5 ◆ Familiar with the universe, and I must say, I enjoy it when it isn't about l-u-v and pair bonds. The werewolf Sherwood and Mercy investigate a witches' house and discover a cat, who is once again a completely peripheral character, but since the main is a werewolf, I suppose it counts? Not really a mystery, it's a half-hearted investigation, a fragment that likely couldn't make it into a larger story. I want to read the book this leads into, unless its about Mercy and Adam.
Overall, a not unexpected mixed bag of stories. I usually count myself lucky if I find one new author worth further investigation, and I came up with two (Knight, Diver) so a success.
June 25, 2024
Book 13 of the
2024 Read Your Hoard Challenge
I couldn't interest my library in ordering this anthology and I eventually knuckled under and paid for my own copy. It is typical of the urban fantasy genre, with some of the stories being well told and intriguing while others seemed to merely be filler. It felt severely overpriced for what I got. I realize that part of the price was a donation to an animal rescue charity which makes me seem like a nasty bitch, but I would prefer my money to go to charities in my own country and I would appreciate being able to donate directly, choose the recipient, and receive a tax receipt. It's like being asked at the cash register if you want to donate to some worthy cause. I never do and I'm impervious to guilt, as I know that the store will get the tax benefits, not me. Bah, humbug!
As per usual, I enjoyed the stories written by authors whose work I am familiar with more than the ones unknown to me. The exception to this was Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight. I loved that he ignored the obvious cats and dogs as fictional subjects and chose dinosaurs instead. How smart were dinosaurs? Knight has some ideas about that!
Seanan McGuire wrote a interesting very short piece on the relationship between cats and people, plus the reason cats have nine lives. A bit sentimental, but cat lovers will appreciate it.
The final story is by Patricia Briggs and concerns the tortured kitten rescued from Elizaveta's house during Storm Cursed. This one gives us Sherwood Post's view of that event and it is the origin story of Sherwood's cat, Pirate. It fits into this anthology perfectly. Of course I am greedy for more Mercy Thompson material, so I would have loved it to be longer, but I have to admit that Briggs achieved her purpose here—giving us some insight into Sherwood's amnesia and the opportunity to witness his feelings about his condition. I will never turn down another story in the Mercyverse, especially one dealing with one of my favourite characters, namely Sherwood.
My advice to you: borrow this if you have the chance to. If you, like me, decide that you must pay for it, gird your loins for the dent in your book budget.
I couldn't interest my library in ordering this anthology and I eventually knuckled under and paid for my own copy. It is typical of the urban fantasy genre, with some of the stories being well told and intriguing while others seemed to merely be filler. It felt severely overpriced for what I got. I realize that part of the price was a donation to an animal rescue charity which makes me seem like a nasty bitch, but I would prefer my money to go to charities in my own country and I would appreciate being able to donate directly, choose the recipient, and receive a tax receipt. It's like being asked at the cash register if you want to donate to some worthy cause. I never do and I'm impervious to guilt, as I know that the store will get the tax benefits, not me. Bah, humbug!
As per usual, I enjoyed the stories written by authors whose work I am familiar with more than the ones unknown to me. The exception to this was Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight. I loved that he ignored the obvious cats and dogs as fictional subjects and chose dinosaurs instead. How smart were dinosaurs? Knight has some ideas about that!
Seanan McGuire wrote a interesting very short piece on the relationship between cats and people, plus the reason cats have nine lives. A bit sentimental, but cat lovers will appreciate it.
The final story is by Patricia Briggs and concerns the tortured kitten rescued from Elizaveta's house during Storm Cursed. This one gives us Sherwood Post's view of that event and it is the origin story of Sherwood's cat, Pirate. It fits into this anthology perfectly. Of course I am greedy for more Mercy Thompson material, so I would have loved it to be longer, but I have to admit that Briggs achieved her purpose here—giving us some insight into Sherwood's amnesia and the opportunity to witness his feelings about his condition. I will never turn down another story in the Mercyverse, especially one dealing with one of my favourite characters, namely Sherwood.
My advice to you: borrow this if you have the chance to. If you, like me, decide that you must pay for it, gird your loins for the dent in your book budget.
June 23, 2023
I read this one for the Jim Butcher story which was outstanding as always.
March 16, 2023
This review is based only on the following stories.
George and KitKit Save the Day - Faith Hunter
I love stories with Angie Baby at the center. This time around Angie is up to her tricks and the dog and cat are there trying their best to keep her safe. It was fun to see how these animals see all the people and the big and little things they did to keep their people safe.
Keeting It Real by Hailey Edwards
I think what made this one so much fun was that Keet was the unexpected hero, helping kick ass and saving the good guy. Not really what you expect from a dead paraket.
Fugitive by Jim Butcher
I love Mouse so much, so realizing that this story was from his point of view was great, especially at the start when he was with Maggie. He was so proud of her!! I also liked how Mouse wanted to do what he could to protect Mister and made Cerberus play nice at the end.
Nine by Seanan McGuire
This one was a bit odd, a bit abstract, a different take on cats and their 9 lives.
A Memory of Witches - Patricia Briggs
The great thing about this one was seeing things from Sherwood's point of view. Seeing him decide, yes I think it's time I remember, that yes I can trust these people that are around me and that yes, this creature does indeed need me.
George and KitKit Save the Day - Faith Hunter
I love stories with Angie Baby at the center. This time around Angie is up to her tricks and the dog and cat are there trying their best to keep her safe. It was fun to see how these animals see all the people and the big and little things they did to keep their people safe.
Keeting It Real by Hailey Edwards
I think what made this one so much fun was that Keet was the unexpected hero, helping kick ass and saving the good guy. Not really what you expect from a dead paraket.
Fugitive by Jim Butcher
I love Mouse so much, so realizing that this story was from his point of view was great, especially at the start when he was with Maggie. He was so proud of her!! I also liked how Mouse wanted to do what he could to protect Mister and made Cerberus play nice at the end.
Nine by Seanan McGuire
This one was a bit odd, a bit abstract, a different take on cats and their 9 lives.
A Memory of Witches - Patricia Briggs
The great thing about this one was seeing things from Sherwood's point of view. Seeing him decide, yes I think it's time I remember, that yes I can trust these people that are around me and that yes, this creature does indeed need me.
partly-read-anthologies
March 8, 2023Bought this mainly for the Cainsville story, but the Mercy Thompson story probably also would've been reason enough for me to buy it. And since I already own it, I'm also going to read the Beginner's Guide to Necromancy one... and maybe a few others, too.
Forever and a Day (Kelley Armstrong) - 5 stars
This is a Cainsville story set at an unspecified time (no more than 5 years) after the end of the series. It's not one I'd recommend to read if you haven't finished the series because it spoils part of the ending and a few of the surprises that come along the way. But if you're a Cainsville fan, you don't want to miss this. It shows all you could want for Olivia and Gabriel's post-series life to look like. It includes Patrick, which is always a bonus. And it has Liv solving one of the few pieces of mystery left.
A Memory of Witches (Patricia Briggs) - 4 stars
Really liked this one too. It re-tells the scene when Mercy and Sherwood find the kitten in Elizaveta's basement from Sherwood's POV, and even though it's a scene we already know, Sherwood's POV still reveals some interesting new information.
Forever and a Day (Kelley Armstrong) - 5 stars
This is a Cainsville story set at an unspecified time (no more than 5 years) after the end of the series. It's not one I'd recommend to read if you haven't finished the series because it spoils part of the ending and a few of the surprises that come along the way. But if you're a Cainsville fan, you don't want to miss this. It shows all you could want for Olivia and Gabriel's post-series life to look like. It includes Patrick, which is always a bonus. And it has Liv solving one of the few pieces of mystery left.
A Memory of Witches (Patricia Briggs) - 4 stars
Really liked this one too. It re-tells the scene when Mercy and Sherwood find the kitten in Elizaveta's basement from Sherwood's POV, and even though it's a scene we already know, Sherwood's POV still reveals some interesting new information.
July 25, 2025
Which universe is this, now?
Instinct: An Animal Rescuers Anthology is a collection of stories sold to benefit animal rescuers. From the Acknowledgements, "70% of book sale profits are donated to Lifeline Puppy Rescue, a no-kill shelter for puppies in Brighton, Colorado." Naturally most of the stories are about animals. In this context, "animals" should be understood to mean dogs and cats, the occasional dog-or-cat-like Fantasy or Science Fiction creature, and some dinosaurs. Although I didn't read all the stories, I'm pretty sure invertebrates get short shrift, or no shrift at all. BOO! Worms and bugs and mollusks deserve some interest, too! (See, for instance, Adrian Tchaikovsky's work.)
Confession time: I read only five of the seventeen stories in this anthology. I read the first few lines of each story and the authors' biographies with which they end, and then decided if I wanted to take the time to read the story. (Sorry folks -- there are a lot of books out there I want to read.) The five were:
"George and KitKit Save the Witches", Faith Hunter
"Fugitive", Jim Butcher
"The Unexpected Dachshund", LE Modesitt, Jr
"Nine", Seanan McGuire
"A Memory of Witches", Patricia Briggs
The problem with this collection immediately became evident on reading the Faith Hunter story "George and KitKit Save the Witches". Hunter introduces it as follows: 'Author’s Note: Based on “My Dark Knight”, a short story set in the Jane Yellowrock world, but from the critters’ point of view.' I have not previously read anything by Hunter and am not familiar with the Jane Yellowrock world. The story makes essentially no sense unless you know the characters beforehand, and I did not. The Jim Butcher story "Fugitive" had the same problem. Patricia Briggs' "A Memory of Witches" would have, too, except that I am thoroughly up to speed on Briggs' Mercyverse and have even recently reread Storm Cursed, the novel from which "A Memory of Witches" comes. (If you're up to speed -- it's a good story -- it presents events we saw in Storm Cursed from the point of view of the mysteriously powerful werewolf Sherwood Post and partially dissipates the mystery that surrounds him. But if you're not familiar with the Mercyverse, you will mostly be lost.) This problem was not confined to these three stories, I could see from the introductions to many of the stories I skipped that they were also specific to Verses created by their authors.
Among the five I read the honorable exceptions were the contributions from Modesitt and McGuire. I say "contributions" because only one of these was actually a story, Modesitt's "The Unexpected Dachshund" is a straightforward science fiction story about a dachshund (or is it?) adopted by a couple at a space colony. McGuire's "Nine", in contrast, is an essay, a poem, a metaphysical speculation into the nine lives of cats, and a love letter from cats to humans. If you love cats, or are loved by any particular cats, you will, I hope, be charmed by this.
The ones I skipped were:
"The Gold Standard", A. J. Hartley
"Howl-O-Ween", Alex Erickson
"Dog", D. J. Butler
"Safe Place", Eliza Eveland
"Keeting it Real", Hailey Edwards
"Helpful", Jennifer Blackstream
"The Unlikeliest Places", John G. Hartness
"Forever and A Day", Kelley Armstrong
"The Kitcoon", L. J. Hachmeister
"A Cry in the Night", Lucienne Diver
"The Kindness of Cats", R.R. Virdi
"Junkyard Rex", Sam Knight
I read the book mainly for the McGuire and Briggs contributions, and for those it was worth my time. I also got some negative value from the Hunter and Butcher stories, in the sense that I now feel no overwhelming eagerness to dive into their longer works. Since, as I said, there are a lot of books out there I want to read, that is useful information.
Blog review.
Instinct: An Animal Rescuers Anthology is a collection of stories sold to benefit animal rescuers. From the Acknowledgements, "70% of book sale profits are donated to Lifeline Puppy Rescue, a no-kill shelter for puppies in Brighton, Colorado." Naturally most of the stories are about animals. In this context, "animals" should be understood to mean dogs and cats, the occasional dog-or-cat-like Fantasy or Science Fiction creature, and some dinosaurs. Although I didn't read all the stories, I'm pretty sure invertebrates get short shrift, or no shrift at all. BOO! Worms and bugs and mollusks deserve some interest, too! (See, for instance, Adrian Tchaikovsky's work.)
Confession time: I read only five of the seventeen stories in this anthology. I read the first few lines of each story and the authors' biographies with which they end, and then decided if I wanted to take the time to read the story. (Sorry folks -- there are a lot of books out there I want to read.) The five were:
"George and KitKit Save the Witches", Faith Hunter
"Fugitive", Jim Butcher
"The Unexpected Dachshund", LE Modesitt, Jr
"Nine", Seanan McGuire
"A Memory of Witches", Patricia Briggs
The problem with this collection immediately became evident on reading the Faith Hunter story "George and KitKit Save the Witches". Hunter introduces it as follows: 'Author’s Note: Based on “My Dark Knight”, a short story set in the Jane Yellowrock world, but from the critters’ point of view.' I have not previously read anything by Hunter and am not familiar with the Jane Yellowrock world. The story makes essentially no sense unless you know the characters beforehand, and I did not. The Jim Butcher story "Fugitive" had the same problem. Patricia Briggs' "A Memory of Witches" would have, too, except that I am thoroughly up to speed on Briggs' Mercyverse and have even recently reread Storm Cursed, the novel from which "A Memory of Witches" comes. (If you're up to speed -- it's a good story -- it presents events we saw in Storm Cursed from the point of view of the mysteriously powerful werewolf Sherwood Post and partially dissipates the mystery that surrounds him. But if you're not familiar with the Mercyverse, you will mostly be lost.) This problem was not confined to these three stories, I could see from the introductions to many of the stories I skipped that they were also specific to Verses created by their authors.
Among the five I read the honorable exceptions were the contributions from Modesitt and McGuire. I say "contributions" because only one of these was actually a story, Modesitt's "The Unexpected Dachshund" is a straightforward science fiction story about a dachshund (or is it?) adopted by a couple at a space colony. McGuire's "Nine", in contrast, is an essay, a poem, a metaphysical speculation into the nine lives of cats, and a love letter from cats to humans. If you love cats, or are loved by any particular cats, you will, I hope, be charmed by this.
The ones I skipped were:
"The Gold Standard", A. J. Hartley
"Howl-O-Ween", Alex Erickson
"Dog", D. J. Butler
"Safe Place", Eliza Eveland
"Keeting it Real", Hailey Edwards
"Helpful", Jennifer Blackstream
"The Unlikeliest Places", John G. Hartness
"Forever and A Day", Kelley Armstrong
"The Kitcoon", L. J. Hachmeister
"A Cry in the Night", Lucienne Diver
"The Kindness of Cats", R.R. Virdi
"Junkyard Rex", Sam Knight
I read the book mainly for the McGuire and Briggs contributions, and for those it was worth my time. I also got some negative value from the Hunter and Butcher stories, in the sense that I now feel no overwhelming eagerness to dive into their longer works. Since, as I said, there are a lot of books out there I want to read, that is useful information.
Blog review.
March 30, 2023
This is an anthology from which part of the profits go towards animal rescues, so I couldn't resist, being a huge dog lover!
This review is for the listed stories only.
The Gold Standard by AJ Hartley. I just could not get into this one at all, so DNF.
Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson. From this author's Furever Pets world. I had no previous experience with this author or this series so I had no preconceived notions going in. I didn't much care for the MC Liz. She seemed like a karen to me. The writing was fine, just not the story. 3 stars
Dog by DJ Butler. I really really liked this one! There's not much I can say without giving away the plot, so just know it's one you want to check out. 4.5 stars
George and KitKit save the Witches by Faith Hunter. This was a fun one to read, even though I'm not reading (or planning to read) the series. George saves the day with a little help from KitKit and a young girl against some nasty and mean baddies. I loved it. 5 stars
Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards. Part of her Beginners Guide to Necromancy series. This one features Eva Kinase and Keet and I LOVED IT! 5 stars
Fugitive by Jim Butcher. Another fun one starring Mouse, who is a very good boy! 5 stars
Forever and a Day by Kelley Armstrong. I really liked this short story and I'm going to look for this series. It features a couple who are Fae or have some kind of memory of once being Fae, it was odd but intriguing. Oh and their "cat" who helped to catch the baddie!
A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver. Creepy scary but also heartwarming. Hard to explain this one but I liked it.
A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs. This one takes place during the timeline from Storm Cursed and features Sherwood and Coyote. If you're a fan of this series, you cannot miss this one! 5 stars
This review is for the listed stories only.
The Gold Standard by AJ Hartley. I just could not get into this one at all, so DNF.
Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson. From this author's Furever Pets world. I had no previous experience with this author or this series so I had no preconceived notions going in. I didn't much care for the MC Liz. She seemed like a karen to me. The writing was fine, just not the story. 3 stars
Dog by DJ Butler. I really really liked this one! There's not much I can say without giving away the plot, so just know it's one you want to check out. 4.5 stars
George and KitKit save the Witches by Faith Hunter. This was a fun one to read, even though I'm not reading (or planning to read) the series. George saves the day with a little help from KitKit and a young girl against some nasty and mean baddies. I loved it. 5 stars
Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards. Part of her Beginners Guide to Necromancy series. This one features Eva Kinase and Keet and I LOVED IT! 5 stars
Fugitive by Jim Butcher. Another fun one starring Mouse, who is a very good boy! 5 stars
Forever and a Day by Kelley Armstrong. I really liked this short story and I'm going to look for this series. It features a couple who are Fae or have some kind of memory of once being Fae, it was odd but intriguing. Oh and their "cat" who helped to catch the baddie!
A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver. Creepy scary but also heartwarming. Hard to explain this one but I liked it.
A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs. This one takes place during the timeline from Storm Cursed and features Sherwood and Coyote. If you're a fan of this series, you cannot miss this one! 5 stars
March 8, 2023
good cause
And ANY anthology that has Patricia Briggs in it is worth buying. No offense to any of the others, but I read hers first and enjoyed it the most. I did pick up one new author which is always a plus (and a series! Thank you John Hartness, recommended by Whoopi Goldberg no less, but I was hooked on the first page.). I am reading more short stories as there is so much going on in life these days. Good fit.
And ANY anthology that has Patricia Briggs in it is worth buying. No offense to any of the others, but I read hers first and enjoyed it the most. I did pick up one new author which is always a plus (and a series! Thank you John Hartness, recommended by Whoopi Goldberg no less, but I was hooked on the first page.). I am reading more short stories as there is so much going on in life these days. Good fit.
July 14, 2023
3.5 stars
I loved the idea of this collection, and I enjoyed many of the stories. I think I found out about it from a Patricia Briggs fan page on Facebook, and knowing she wrote a story for it, along with the animal rescue theme, was enough reason for me to buy it. There's a good sampling of authors here, and I liked the intros and author bios that went with each story. After reading so many authors who are new to me, I'm interested in reading more Hailey Edwards, Faith Hunter, Lucienne Diver, Sam Knight, and trying a Kelley Armstrong series I haven't read yet. I loved that Jim Butcher contributed a story from Mouse's point of view. Mouse is such a good boy! The Briggs story was good, but not quite what I expected.
Here's the rundown:
The Gold Standard--A.J. Hartley 3.5 stars
Howl-O-Ween--Alex Erickson 3 stars
Dog--D.J. Butler 2.5 stars
Safe Place--Eliza Eveland 3 stars
George and Kitkit Save the Witches--Faith Hunter 3.5 stars
Keeting it Real--Hailey Edwards 4 stars
Helpful--Jennifer Blackstream 3 stars
Fugitive--Jim Butcher 5 stars
The Unlikeliest Places--John G. Hartness 4 stars
Forever and a Day--Kelley Armstrong 4 stars
The Kitcoon--L.J. Hachmeister 3.5 stars
The Unexpected Dachshund--L.E. Modesitt, junior 2.5 stars
A Cry in the Night--Lucienne Diver 4.5 stars
The Kindness of Cats--R.R. Virdi 2.5 stars
Junkyard Rex--Sam Knight 5 stars
Nine--Seanan McGuire 5 stars
A Memory of Witches--Patricia Briggs 4 stars
I loved the idea of this collection, and I enjoyed many of the stories. I think I found out about it from a Patricia Briggs fan page on Facebook, and knowing she wrote a story for it, along with the animal rescue theme, was enough reason for me to buy it. There's a good sampling of authors here, and I liked the intros and author bios that went with each story. After reading so many authors who are new to me, I'm interested in reading more Hailey Edwards, Faith Hunter, Lucienne Diver, Sam Knight, and trying a Kelley Armstrong series I haven't read yet. I loved that Jim Butcher contributed a story from Mouse's point of view. Mouse is such a good boy! The Briggs story was good, but not quite what I expected.
Here's the rundown:
The Gold Standard--A.J. Hartley 3.5 stars
Howl-O-Ween--Alex Erickson 3 stars
Dog--D.J. Butler 2.5 stars
Safe Place--Eliza Eveland 3 stars
George and Kitkit Save the Witches--Faith Hunter 3.5 stars
Keeting it Real--Hailey Edwards 4 stars
Helpful--Jennifer Blackstream 3 stars
Fugitive--Jim Butcher 5 stars
The Unlikeliest Places--John G. Hartness 4 stars
Forever and a Day--Kelley Armstrong 4 stars
The Kitcoon--L.J. Hachmeister 3.5 stars
The Unexpected Dachshund--L.E. Modesitt, junior 2.5 stars
A Cry in the Night--Lucienne Diver 4.5 stars
The Kindness of Cats--R.R. Virdi 2.5 stars
Junkyard Rex--Sam Knight 5 stars
Nine--Seanan McGuire 5 stars
A Memory of Witches--Patricia Briggs 4 stars
August 17, 2024
I only read this so far:
A Memory of Witches (Mercy Thompson #11.5) by Patricia Briggs - 2 stars
I usually love the short stories in the Mercy Thompson universe and although this story wasn't bad, it didn't add anything to the overall story in the series. And it didn't really give that much insight into Sherwood either.
A Memory of Witches (Mercy Thompson #11.5) by Patricia Briggs - 2 stars
I usually love the short stories in the Mercy Thompson universe and although this story wasn't bad, it didn't add anything to the overall story in the series. And it didn't really give that much insight into Sherwood either.
June 19, 2024
An anthology of seventeen stories of fantasy and science fiction revolving around animals.
The Series
AJ Hartley’s “The Gold Standard” (Hawthorne Saga)
Alex Erickson’s “Howl-O-Ween“ (Furever Pets)
DJ Butler’s “Dog” (Abbott in Darkness, 1.5??)
Eliza Eveland’s “Safe Place” (Talons and Tethers)
Faith Hunter’s "George and KitKit Save the Witches” (Jane Yellowrock)
Haley Edwards’ "Keeting It Real” (The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy, 8.5??)
Jennifer Blackstream’s “Helpful” (Blood Trails)
Jim Butcher’s “Fugitive" (The Dresden Files, 17.5)
John G Hartness’ “The Unlikeliest Places” (Quincy Harker, Demon
Hunter, 8.75)
Kelley Armstrong’s "Forever and a Day” (Cainsville, 5.5)
LE Modesitt, Jr’s "The Unexpected Dachshund” (Archform: Beauty and Flash)
LJ Hachmeister’s “The Kitcoon” (Triorion universe, 0.5)
Lucienne Diver’s “A Cry in the Night” (The Latter Day Olympians,)
RR Virdi’s “The Kindness of Cats” (Tales of Tremaine, 1.5)
Sam Knight’s “Junkyard Rex” (The Abandoned Lands, 9.5)
Patricia Briggs’ “A Memory of Witches” (during Mercy Thompson 11)
The Stories
AJ Hartley’s “The Gold Standard"
It’s their fifth job for Raines . . . but their first dog, Durnok. And it’s Durnok who gets the gang thinking and making their own plans.
This was too funny. Hartley did a great job of keeping me wondering as Will kept despising the dog and the rest of them — Renthrette, Lisah, Mithos, Garnet, and Orgos — put all their faith in Durnok.
Alex Erickson’s “Howl-O-Ween“
Liz Denton is hoping to up her profile for her rescue organization and intends to talk to the arrogant Jon Luckett at his annual Howl-O-Ween party on his farm. Only, everything goes wrong.
A complicated plot for revenge that goes amazingly wrong but ends up right with one dog doing plenty of rescuing.
DJ Butler’s “Dog”
A very ill daughter is making the Abbots hurt and worry, yet it doesn’t keep John Abbott from rescuing an injured dog.
Cute with LOTS of detail with an ending that pays it forward.
Eliza Eveland’s “Safe Place”
A royal’s life is never easy, especially when you’re gay and have magic.
A sad tale about a boy with a secret and an old Molossus war hound companion, Brick. Told from Brick’s perspective who doesn’t understand why he no longer has as much attention from his Boy.
There’’s a threat out back of the Everheart-Truebloods’ house but the alphas aren’t paying any attention to KitKit's warnings.
You know things are really bad when KitKit warns George that the danger witch wants all the tuna!
It’s a different kind of animal rescue, as it’s the animals who do the rescuing. Hunter says this short story is based on “My Dark Knight” from KitKit’s and George’s third person point-of-view. And it’s too funny as George thinks all about the smells he’s encountering, including those lies. As for poor EJ and his need to pee, oh, I do sympathize, lol. It’s a nasty attack focused on witches.
The Characters
KitKit was given to the Truebloods via Jane from Aggie One Feather’s mother in Black Arts , 7, to be Molly’s familiar.
Angelina, a.k.a. Angie or “Sissy”, is the human-witch-kitten, the daughter of the pride alphas, Mama and Daddy, i.e., Molly Meagan Everheart Trueblood and Big Evan, both of whom are witches. EJ is the smaller-male-human-witch-kit, i.e., Angie’s brother. The pet dog is George the Stupid-Dog, a bassett hound gifted to Angie by Shaddock, who refers to Mama and Daddy as the biggers. Cia and Liz Everheart, twins, and Elizabeth are sisters to Molly.
Uncle RickyBo used to date Jane Yellowrock. Now he’s with PsyLED.
Edmund is Angelina’s Dark Knight. Lincoln Shaddock is the Master of the City of Asheville. Melodie Joy Custer-Luckett, a paramedic, is from the Custer witch clan. Ant Jane is a Cherokee skinwalker and friends with Molly. Death to Paranormals (DTP) is a hate group.
Haley Edwards’ "Keeting It Real”
It’s a babysitting job for Eva with Keet and Oscar to the Clarice Lawson Oceanic Research Institute (named for Uncle Linus’ mother). A stupid choice for a challenge ambush.
And it’s Eva’s cockiness that leaves it too late to realize Bastian’s strategy. But not to worry as Keet comes to the rescue . . . just keeting it real.
This was too funny, and i want to read it all over again. I just love Keet! In fact, I think I must go check out Edwards’ The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy series.
The Characters
Keet Richards, a.k.a. Pumba, is a banana yellow parakeet and familiar who loves The Lion King. Woolly is short for Woolworth House where Aunt Grier, a necromancer who created the psychopomp, and Uncle Linus live. Oscar is their six-year-old poltergeist.
Eva “Eva-Diva” Kinase is a babysitter as well as the eldest daughter of the alpha pair of the gwyllgi pack as well as its gamma, a.k.a. third. Rollo and Marly are pack enforcers. Bastian, Mathieu, Ormand, and Thaddeus Crowley are brothers and fellow gwyllgi.
Corbin Theroux, Eva’s childhood crush, is a sentinel and a Deathless vampire. Last Seeds are made vampires. Paula is a warg from the Iglesias pack in Florida. Miss Lacy, a vampire, works at the aquarium.
Jennifer Blackstream’s “Helpful"
Oh, the trials and tribulations of being a cat. All those children who want to pick you up. The distrustful pixies. Still, it must be borne if Majesty is to help the witch with her magic to find the missing amulet. There are attacks and supports from various helpers.
It’s from Majesty’s point-of-view with interjections from Bas, the dog mummy. I had to laugh at how the cat interpreted human facial expressions and tones. It was so very cat. Rayaan is a powerful djinn.
Jim Butcher’s “Fugitive”
A monster has escaped Hades and is threatening Maggie. Cerberus is tasked with its retrieval. It’s but one reason that Cerberus asks Mouse for help.
But when Mouse learns he’ll have to attack the used Mister, oh no. It is essential to remain a Good Boy.
I love the Dresden Files, but I gotta confess this story was written too simply and its premise is too convoluted.
The Characters
Mouse, Dresden’s monster of a dog ( Blood Rites , 6) and is Harry’s little girl’s, Maggie’s, bodyguard. My Friend is Harry Dresden. Mister is Harry’s monster of a cat. Will Borden is a werewolf. Michael Carpenter is was a Knight of the Sword until events in Small Favor , 10.
Cerberus is the three-headed dog. Hades is the god of the Underworld. The Castle is the building Harry took from Marcone. My Shadow, a.k.a. Ash, is a Bad Dog. Cowl is one of Harry’s enemies. The Nemean Lion has escaped Hades.
John G Hartness’ “The Unlikeliest Places”
It’s an assignment. There’s a vampire flouting the king of the vampires’ rules, and making a right mess of it, so law enforcement sends in Quincy who gets a very little help from a cat.
Cute with some funny bits.
The Characters
Quincy “the Reaper” Harker is a part-vampire, magic-using demon hunter — his parents are Jonathan Harker and Mina Murray Harker. Lucas Card, a.k.a. Mr Alucard, is his grief-stricken, legendary uncle, who also happens to be king of the vampires.
Graybeard the Furry Nutjob is a cat who decided he’s going to help Quincy.
Deputy Director Rebecca “Becks” Gail Flynn heads up the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Department of Homeland Security’s Paranormal Division — and she’s Quincy’s fiancée.
Lugosi Light reckons he’s a Master vampire.
Kelley Armstrong’s "Forever and a Day”
Something’s wrong, especially with that earlier omen and then the doppelgänger. A set-up. A betrayal revealed even as TC redeems himself.
A sad tale of redemption.
The Characters
Olivia is part Fae and Wild Hunt who sees omens. She’s also Gabriel’s investigator and the reincarnation of Matilda. Gabriel Walsh is a defense lawyer and a reincarnated half-fae. Gwynn ap Nudd, a Welsh king of the fae. Patrick, a bàcan, is Gabriel’s father. TC, a.k.a. The Cat, is a matagot, a magical cat of French legend.
Matilda of the Hunt was betrayed by Arawn, the prince of the Cŵn Annwn. Ricky, a biker with an MBA, is the reincarnation of Arawn. Enid was a maid back in the day; Derog was her cat. Cainsville is a Tylwyth Teg town in Illinois. Thiten is a very old fae who tricked humans.
LE Modesitt, Jr’s "The Unexpected Dachshund”
Per their contract, they’d never be able to have children, but maybe this dachshund can fill that gap, as they build the domes on Nieuwhuis.
An interesting dip into a restricted life in this science fiction tale
The Characters
Keryleyn, a meteorologist, and Dom are on Nieuwhuis and can’t afford much. Rudolfo is a miniature dachshund puppy zygote. Arlena and Pietro are friends.
LJ Hachmeister’s "The Kitcoon”
Trying to escape the Dominion soldiers who are intent on capturing any telepaths, the smuggler’s ship is forced down. And the Dominion is hot on her heels . . . or are they after the kitcoon?
It’s an interesting story of a prejudiced universe and a cute animal that helps change Rex’s ways.
The Characters
Rex is a telepathic refugee and a data-hustler on an illegal transport. Kio is a kitcoon, a pest, traveling with an old woman. Chezzie had been Rex’s sponsor. Remy is a traumatized USC specialist. The United Starways Coalition is the enemy of the Dominion.
Lucienne Diver’s “A Cry in the Night”
It was Spirit’s trials that led to the origin of the Wolf Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. A gift and a rescue for him and his mate. And a gift that pays Lacey and Thompson back when they’re attacked by a mythical beast.
Interesting. I did enjoy Diver’s setting with an animal rescue center.
The Characters
Luke is Lacey Guerrera’s son. Spirit is a wolf-dog. Frost is his mate. Thompson is a biologist. Beau is their German shepherd. Jenny is a volunteer. Sarah is Lacey’s best friend. Joe is her deceased husband.
Gavin had been Spirit’s vicious owner. The krokotta comes from Ethiopia, an apex predator. Sergeant Cami Martinez. Tori Karacis is a PI and Apollo Demas is an actor.
RR Virdi’s “The Kindness of Cats”
A starving girl and an ill mother catch the attention of Shola.
Virdi captures the arrogance of a cat well even as he promotes kindness.
The Characters
Shola is a cat, also a nuisance and a thief. Ari appears to be Shola’s boy, his charge. Nitham. Aram, Radi. Clanks is either a person or the kitchen. Sarika is a starving girl caring for her ill mother. Ali is a server where Maanvi is the cook at the soup-shop. Mender Katar seems to be a doctor and Sneha, an inkeeper’s daughter, are customers.
I think Brahm is a god. The Rookery is an ashram?? in the city of Ghal.
Sam Knight’s “Junkyard Rex”
There’s no hope of help and the United States is no more. Now monsters roam the Abandoned Lands with bounties on tyrannosaurs and press gangs conscripting men.
This was so ghastly, depressing, and so sweet with Hugh caring more for the beast than the money.
The Characters
Hugh Sanchez runs a junkyard in the Abandoned Lands. Junker had been his dog. Papi had been his father. Mr Williams provides livestock. Roger is his son. The guards include Ty-man and Sunflower, a.k.a. Mr Happy.
Seanan McGuire’s “Nine”
This one was an interesting philosophy of why cats have nine lives. The relationships they seek from Humans and the hearts and years of life.
Patricia Briggs’ “A Memory of Witches”
It’s a crime scene at Elizaveta’s house, and someone must go in to assess it.
Whew, Sherwood’s memory loss is getting weaker with Sherwood realizing that even though his wolf didn’t want to go in, his human self knew he had to go, to protect Mercy. It’s a creepy tale of an arrogant Sherwood determined on rescue who screwed up, fears that he remembers now.
It’s quite the interesting perspective since Coyote shows up with some home truths for Sherwood.
The Characters
Sherwood Post is a one-legged/three-legged werewolf. Zack is their submissive wolf. Carlos works for Adam Hauptman, the alpha, in his security business. Darryl is Adam’s second. Mercy is Adam’s coyote shapeshifter mate. The Marrok is the alpha for all of North America.
Elizaveta Arkadyevna Vyshnevetskya is the witch to whom Adam and his pack pay a monthly retainer. Coyote is an avatar of the First People. The Lord of Night is the ruing vampire in Europe. The Singer is evil.
The Cover and Title
The cover is stark with a soft blue and pink sky overshadowed by a giant black wolf standing on a gray to black ground. In front of him and to the left is a fuchsia-haired woman crouching in a black tank top and blue jeans with, I’m guessing, a fuchsia flame rising up from her left hand. At the top is the title in a orange-tinged yellow with an info blurb about it in white directly below the title. Starting at the woman’s upper thigh is two columns of author's names in white.
The title refers to that Instinct held by animals everywhere.
The Series
AJ Hartley’s “The Gold Standard” (Hawthorne Saga)
Alex Erickson’s “Howl-O-Ween“ (Furever Pets)
DJ Butler’s “Dog” (Abbott in Darkness, 1.5??)
Eliza Eveland’s “Safe Place” (Talons and Tethers)
Faith Hunter’s "George and KitKit Save the Witches” (Jane Yellowrock)
Haley Edwards’ "Keeting It Real” (The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy, 8.5??)
Jennifer Blackstream’s “Helpful” (Blood Trails)
Jim Butcher’s “Fugitive" (The Dresden Files, 17.5)
John G Hartness’ “The Unlikeliest Places” (Quincy Harker, Demon
Hunter, 8.75)
Kelley Armstrong’s "Forever and a Day” (Cainsville, 5.5)
LE Modesitt, Jr’s "The Unexpected Dachshund” (Archform: Beauty and Flash)
LJ Hachmeister’s “The Kitcoon” (Triorion universe, 0.5)
Lucienne Diver’s “A Cry in the Night” (The Latter Day Olympians,)
RR Virdi’s “The Kindness of Cats” (Tales of Tremaine, 1.5)
Sam Knight’s “Junkyard Rex” (The Abandoned Lands, 9.5)
Patricia Briggs’ “A Memory of Witches” (during Mercy Thompson 11)
The Stories
AJ Hartley’s “The Gold Standard"
It’s their fifth job for Raines . . . but their first dog, Durnok. And it’s Durnok who gets the gang thinking and making their own plans.
This was too funny. Hartley did a great job of keeping me wondering as Will kept despising the dog and the rest of them — Renthrette, Lisah, Mithos, Garnet, and Orgos — put all their faith in Durnok.
Alex Erickson’s “Howl-O-Ween“
Liz Denton is hoping to up her profile for her rescue organization and intends to talk to the arrogant Jon Luckett at his annual Howl-O-Ween party on his farm. Only, everything goes wrong.
A complicated plot for revenge that goes amazingly wrong but ends up right with one dog doing plenty of rescuing.
DJ Butler’s “Dog”
A very ill daughter is making the Abbots hurt and worry, yet it doesn’t keep John Abbott from rescuing an injured dog.
Cute with LOTS of detail with an ending that pays it forward.
Eliza Eveland’s “Safe Place”
A royal’s life is never easy, especially when you’re gay and have magic.
A sad tale about a boy with a secret and an old Molossus war hound companion, Brick. Told from Brick’s perspective who doesn’t understand why he no longer has as much attention from his Boy.
”It’s like a hunger in my chest, and it hurts.”Faith Hunter’s "George and KitKit Save the Witches”
There’’s a threat out back of the Everheart-Truebloods’ house but the alphas aren’t paying any attention to KitKit's warnings.
You know things are really bad when KitKit warns George that the danger witch wants all the tuna!
It’s a different kind of animal rescue, as it’s the animals who do the rescuing. Hunter says this short story is based on “My Dark Knight” from KitKit’s and George’s third person point-of-view. And it’s too funny as George thinks all about the smells he’s encountering, including those lies. As for poor EJ and his need to pee, oh, I do sympathize, lol. It’s a nasty attack focused on witches.
The Characters
KitKit was given to the Truebloods via Jane from Aggie One Feather’s mother in Black Arts , 7, to be Molly’s familiar.
Angelina, a.k.a. Angie or “Sissy”, is the human-witch-kitten, the daughter of the pride alphas, Mama and Daddy, i.e., Molly Meagan Everheart Trueblood and Big Evan, both of whom are witches. EJ is the smaller-male-human-witch-kit, i.e., Angie’s brother. The pet dog is George the Stupid-Dog, a bassett hound gifted to Angie by Shaddock, who refers to Mama and Daddy as the biggers. Cia and Liz Everheart, twins, and Elizabeth are sisters to Molly.
Uncle RickyBo used to date Jane Yellowrock. Now he’s with PsyLED.
Edmund is Angelina’s Dark Knight. Lincoln Shaddock is the Master of the City of Asheville. Melodie Joy Custer-Luckett, a paramedic, is from the Custer witch clan. Ant Jane is a Cherokee skinwalker and friends with Molly. Death to Paranormals (DTP) is a hate group.
Haley Edwards’ "Keeting It Real”
It’s a babysitting job for Eva with Keet and Oscar to the Clarice Lawson Oceanic Research Institute (named for Uncle Linus’ mother). A stupid choice for a challenge ambush.
And it’s Eva’s cockiness that leaves it too late to realize Bastian’s strategy. But not to worry as Keet comes to the rescue . . . just keeting it real.
This was too funny, and i want to read it all over again. I just love Keet! In fact, I think I must go check out Edwards’ The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy series.
The Characters
Keet Richards, a.k.a. Pumba, is a banana yellow parakeet and familiar who loves The Lion King. Woolly is short for Woolworth House where Aunt Grier, a necromancer who created the psychopomp, and Uncle Linus live. Oscar is their six-year-old poltergeist.
Eva “Eva-Diva” Kinase is a babysitter as well as the eldest daughter of the alpha pair of the gwyllgi pack as well as its gamma, a.k.a. third. Rollo and Marly are pack enforcers. Bastian, Mathieu, Ormand, and Thaddeus Crowley are brothers and fellow gwyllgi.
Corbin Theroux, Eva’s childhood crush, is a sentinel and a Deathless vampire. Last Seeds are made vampires. Paula is a warg from the Iglesias pack in Florida. Miss Lacy, a vampire, works at the aquarium.
Jennifer Blackstream’s “Helpful"
Oh, the trials and tribulations of being a cat. All those children who want to pick you up. The distrustful pixies. Still, it must be borne if Majesty is to help the witch with her magic to find the missing amulet. There are attacks and supports from various helpers.
It’s from Majesty’s point-of-view with interjections from Bas, the dog mummy. I had to laugh at how the cat interpreted human facial expressions and tones. It was so very cat. Rayaan is a powerful djinn.
Jim Butcher’s “Fugitive”
A monster has escaped Hades and is threatening Maggie. Cerberus is tasked with its retrieval. It’s but one reason that Cerberus asks Mouse for help.
But when Mouse learns he’ll have to attack the used Mister, oh no. It is essential to remain a Good Boy.
I love the Dresden Files, but I gotta confess this story was written too simply and its premise is too convoluted.
The Characters
Mouse, Dresden’s monster of a dog ( Blood Rites , 6) and is Harry’s little girl’s, Maggie’s, bodyguard. My Friend is Harry Dresden. Mister is Harry’s monster of a cat. Will Borden is a werewolf. Michael Carpenter is was a Knight of the Sword until events in Small Favor , 10.
Cerberus is the three-headed dog. Hades is the god of the Underworld. The Castle is the building Harry took from Marcone. My Shadow, a.k.a. Ash, is a Bad Dog. Cowl is one of Harry’s enemies. The Nemean Lion has escaped Hades.
John G Hartness’ “The Unlikeliest Places”
It’s an assignment. There’s a vampire flouting the king of the vampires’ rules, and making a right mess of it, so law enforcement sends in Quincy who gets a very little help from a cat.
Cute with some funny bits.
The Characters
Quincy “the Reaper” Harker is a part-vampire, magic-using demon hunter — his parents are Jonathan Harker and Mina Murray Harker. Lucas Card, a.k.a. Mr Alucard, is his grief-stricken, legendary uncle, who also happens to be king of the vampires.
Graybeard the Furry Nutjob is a cat who decided he’s going to help Quincy.
Deputy Director Rebecca “Becks” Gail Flynn heads up the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Department of Homeland Security’s Paranormal Division — and she’s Quincy’s fiancée.
Lugosi Light reckons he’s a Master vampire.
Kelley Armstrong’s "Forever and a Day”
Something’s wrong, especially with that earlier omen and then the doppelgänger. A set-up. A betrayal revealed even as TC redeems himself.
A sad tale of redemption.
The Characters
Olivia is part Fae and Wild Hunt who sees omens. She’s also Gabriel’s investigator and the reincarnation of Matilda. Gabriel Walsh is a defense lawyer and a reincarnated half-fae. Gwynn ap Nudd, a Welsh king of the fae. Patrick, a bàcan, is Gabriel’s father. TC, a.k.a. The Cat, is a matagot, a magical cat of French legend.
Matilda of the Hunt was betrayed by Arawn, the prince of the Cŵn Annwn. Ricky, a biker with an MBA, is the reincarnation of Arawn. Enid was a maid back in the day; Derog was her cat. Cainsville is a Tylwyth Teg town in Illinois. Thiten is a very old fae who tricked humans.
LE Modesitt, Jr’s "The Unexpected Dachshund”
Per their contract, they’d never be able to have children, but maybe this dachshund can fill that gap, as they build the domes on Nieuwhuis.
An interesting dip into a restricted life in this science fiction tale
The Characters
Keryleyn, a meteorologist, and Dom are on Nieuwhuis and can’t afford much. Rudolfo is a miniature dachshund puppy zygote. Arlena and Pietro are friends.
LJ Hachmeister’s "The Kitcoon”
Trying to escape the Dominion soldiers who are intent on capturing any telepaths, the smuggler’s ship is forced down. And the Dominion is hot on her heels . . . or are they after the kitcoon?
It’s an interesting story of a prejudiced universe and a cute animal that helps change Rex’s ways.
The Characters
Rex is a telepathic refugee and a data-hustler on an illegal transport. Kio is a kitcoon, a pest, traveling with an old woman. Chezzie had been Rex’s sponsor. Remy is a traumatized USC specialist. The United Starways Coalition is the enemy of the Dominion.
Lucienne Diver’s “A Cry in the Night”
It was Spirit’s trials that led to the origin of the Wolf Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. A gift and a rescue for him and his mate. And a gift that pays Lacey and Thompson back when they’re attacked by a mythical beast.
Interesting. I did enjoy Diver’s setting with an animal rescue center.
The Characters
Luke is Lacey Guerrera’s son. Spirit is a wolf-dog. Frost is his mate. Thompson is a biologist. Beau is their German shepherd. Jenny is a volunteer. Sarah is Lacey’s best friend. Joe is her deceased husband.
Gavin had been Spirit’s vicious owner. The krokotta comes from Ethiopia, an apex predator. Sergeant Cami Martinez. Tori Karacis is a PI and Apollo Demas is an actor.
RR Virdi’s “The Kindness of Cats”
A starving girl and an ill mother catch the attention of Shola.
Virdi captures the arrogance of a cat well even as he promotes kindness.
The Characters
Shola is a cat, also a nuisance and a thief. Ari appears to be Shola’s boy, his charge. Nitham. Aram, Radi. Clanks is either a person or the kitchen. Sarika is a starving girl caring for her ill mother. Ali is a server where Maanvi is the cook at the soup-shop. Mender Katar seems to be a doctor and Sneha, an inkeeper’s daughter, are customers.
I think Brahm is a god. The Rookery is an ashram?? in the city of Ghal.
Sam Knight’s “Junkyard Rex”
There’s no hope of help and the United States is no more. Now monsters roam the Abandoned Lands with bounties on tyrannosaurs and press gangs conscripting men.
This was so ghastly, depressing, and so sweet with Hugh caring more for the beast than the money.
The Characters
Hugh Sanchez runs a junkyard in the Abandoned Lands. Junker had been his dog. Papi had been his father. Mr Williams provides livestock. Roger is his son. The guards include Ty-man and Sunflower, a.k.a. Mr Happy.
Seanan McGuire’s “Nine”
This one was an interesting philosophy of why cats have nine lives. The relationships they seek from Humans and the hearts and years of life.
Patricia Briggs’ “A Memory of Witches”
It’s a crime scene at Elizaveta’s house, and someone must go in to assess it.
Whew, Sherwood’s memory loss is getting weaker with Sherwood realizing that even though his wolf didn’t want to go in, his human self knew he had to go, to protect Mercy. It’s a creepy tale of an arrogant Sherwood determined on rescue who screwed up, fears that he remembers now.
It’s quite the interesting perspective since Coyote shows up with some home truths for Sherwood.
The Characters
Sherwood Post is a one-legged/three-legged werewolf. Zack is their submissive wolf. Carlos works for Adam Hauptman, the alpha, in his security business. Darryl is Adam’s second. Mercy is Adam’s coyote shapeshifter mate. The Marrok is the alpha for all of North America.
Elizaveta Arkadyevna Vyshnevetskya is the witch to whom Adam and his pack pay a monthly retainer. Coyote is an avatar of the First People. The Lord of Night is the ruing vampire in Europe. The Singer is evil.
The Cover and Title
The cover is stark with a soft blue and pink sky overshadowed by a giant black wolf standing on a gray to black ground. In front of him and to the left is a fuchsia-haired woman crouching in a black tank top and blue jeans with, I’m guessing, a fuchsia flame rising up from her left hand. At the top is the title in a orange-tinged yellow with an info blurb about it in white directly below the title. Starting at the woman’s upper thigh is two columns of author's names in white.
The title refers to that Instinct held by animals everywhere.
May 14, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
I really enjoy an anthology like Instinct Anthology. It provides stories from known authors with more depth on supporting characters or further development of characters or the world. I also get to try authors / series I haven't before. While some shorts feel underdeveloped or unfinished, a well-written short story is a delight.
On the other hand, it took me a loooooong time to read this because each story was grasping a different world and characters. Luckily, I am familiar with some already. But since I read before bedtime, some nights I just didn't have the energy to put into a new world.
I'm going to provide a rating and a few sentences on each story, in the order they appear in the book. I love how all of these feature animals. I will note where I have read the author or series previously.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - The Gold Standard by A. J. Hartley – from The Hawthorne Saga
This story is set in what feels like a fantasy world, perhaps historical or future, with a group of sort of street thieves. An accountant with the Empire has been stealing gold from them for years. Now he is ready to take a big load and set up a clerk for the thefts. He wants the group to handle removing the big haul for a small cut. The whole thing is very clever and with the help of a dog, the group comes out well. I'd like to read this series now.
2.5 ♥♥+ - Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson – from Furever Pets
Liz who runs a rescue shelter along with her family goes to a Halloween event put on by a wealthy donor at his farm. The event raises money for the shelters and also promotes those most needing furever homes. Liz wants to talk to Jon about becoming more involved in the event so she looks for him and then follows him into the corn maze. There's ghosts and a murder mystery which I didn't find engaging other than the dog.
3.5 ♥♥♥+ - Dog by D. J. Butler – from Abbott in Darkness
I really enjoyed this futuristic story. John is working to become an accountant with some Traders out of the Sol system. As he and a school friend are headed home they find an injured dog, who runs to John. His friend helps get some supplies for John to take it home. He has two daughters and one is very ill. He takes the dog home, along with medicine for his daughter. John washes the dog while his wife give the daughter the medicine. He plans to take the dog to the shelter in the morning. John has a restless, dream-filled night with visions of his daughter.
3 ♥♥♥ - Safe Place by Eliza Eveland – from Talons and Tethers series
A story about a boy and his dog, from the dog's point of view. The dog is getting old and so is the boy. The boy is a prince and set to marry, but he has a male love. The boy is supposed to have guards all the time, but he sneaks away often to see his love.
3.5 ♥♥♥+ - George and KitKit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter – from Jane Yellowrock series
I've read everything in the Jane Yellowrock series, now including this short. There is everything I love here but it was weird. The story is told from the point of view of George the dog, and KitKit the familiar. It's an Angie baby story where she puts her parents to sleep, and then there is trouble and she calls Edmund. Edmund brings in more Everhart sisters. I love this world and especially Angie baby stories but somehow not this viewpoint.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards – from The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy series
I love this series and its characters, especially Greer and Linus. The focus of this story is some supporting characters who I didn't know well before. Eva is the daughter of the gwilgi pack leaders. Keet is Greer's first project. Eva does pet sitting and today is taking Keet to the aquarium. I loved learning more about them. The story is set out at the end of the series so I liked that a lot also.
2.5 ♥♥+ - Helpful by Jennifer Blackstrom - in the universe of Blood Trails
We get the point of view of a cat with some paranormal elements. There is also a dog. The cat is connected to a witch and tries to help the witch. Now it tries to help the dog. I think I might have appreciated this one more if I knew the world.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - Fugitive by Jim Butcher – from The Dresden Files
I enjoyed this a lot because I do read this whole series including novellas. I've read all the shorts which follow Battle Ground including Little Things (in Heoric Hearts anthology), Christmas Eve, Good People, The Law and now Fugitive. I continue to appreciate these shorts until the next main novel.
Something bad comes for Harry but he's having a rough time. Mouse is usually busy protecting Maggie but joins Cerebus to try to save Mister for Harry. It's interesting to get a Mouse point of view. Michael and Will are trying to figure out what is happening, not believing Mister would cause trouble. I am not sure how the story would work for anyone who doesn't know all the characters and the world. It's a treat if one does.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - The Unlikeliest Places by John Hartness – from Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter
I have not read the main books from this author but I want to read them! I read another short story from the anthology Fantastic Hope from this same series and really liked it also.
Quincy Harker is a vampire hunter. This is a hunt with a tag-along helper, a cat. I really enjoyed this one and how the cat helps him. I really must read this series.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - Forever and a Day by Kelley Armstrong – from Cainsville
I love this author and I decided awhile ago I wanted to read the Cainsville series. I've collected some of them on audio. Forever and a Day is related to the series. There's a married couple, Gabriel and Olivia, who also have a cat. The world is full of fae and they are part fae with memories from being previous people. I enjoyed this and look forward to reading the series.
3.5 ♥♥♥+ - The Unexpected Dachshund by L. E. Modesitt, Junior – from Archform: Beauty and Flash
I've read another short by this author but it was too religious for me. The Unexpected Dachshund is about a dystopian world where people from Earth escape to have clean air. They can't have children and have limited options in return for getting to live on a new planet. However, with careful saving they manage a dog. I liked this one. The dog, Rudy, is more than entertainment for them in the end.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - The Kitcoon by L. J. Hachmeister – from the Triorion Universe/Laws of Attraction
I haven't read this author before and I really enjoyed this dystopian / scifi story with people who have various modifications or natural psychic abilities. One of the psychics is trying to escape because the Dominion military enslaves them to learn about their abilities and use them. She meets some others on the run, including a kitcoon which is a rodent of sorts. The kitcoon helps her learn more about other aspects of her ability and they make a new friend. I'd love to read more in this world.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver – from The Latter-Day Olympians
I have not read anything by this author previously. This story is about a women who runs a wolf, coyote and a few other animals rescue. There's some history about how that started. There's a character from the series who makes a brief appearance. I really liked it, the characters and the animals.
3.5 ♥♥♥+ -The Kindness of Cats by R.R. Virdi – from Tales of Tremaine
I've only read another short from this author from another series which was in Heroic Hearts anthology. I want to read that series. Here we have the point of view of a cat. I really enjoyed this story of compassion and community.
3 ♥♥♥ - Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight – from The Abandoned Lands
I liked this with it's dystopian feel and the rough odds of survival. There are dinosaurs here and bounty hunters out to get some of them. We have a man, born and raised here in a junkyard, with his father. Everyone else is gone now. He gets into trouble and nearly dies. Help comes in a surprising way.
2 ♥♥ -Nine by Seanan McGuire – standalone
A story of the cats nine lives and the difference in those lives. There's also a change in how they relate to humans. It felt like an older cat, sharing thoughts and information with a kitten. I don't know. This one was just okay - it really just didn't work for me. Someone else may love it.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs – from Mercy Thompson
We are just after Storm Cursed. Adam brings Mercy and Sherwood to Elizaveta's house to check what he suspects - that she is a black witch. Sherwood is along to protect Mercy since he seems to have some skill with it. He doesn't quite know how but his wolf does. Sherwood gives us his point of view here and it's weird. He doesn't have his memories. And I'm used to Mercy's thoughts. It's a great peek into his character though.
If I average these up, it's 3.5 hearts but I am rounding up to 4 hearts because there are such a great collection of authors and stories. There are also several series new to me that I want to read, so that's a success.
I really enjoy an anthology like Instinct Anthology. It provides stories from known authors with more depth on supporting characters or further development of characters or the world. I also get to try authors / series I haven't before. While some shorts feel underdeveloped or unfinished, a well-written short story is a delight.
On the other hand, it took me a loooooong time to read this because each story was grasping a different world and characters. Luckily, I am familiar with some already. But since I read before bedtime, some nights I just didn't have the energy to put into a new world.
I'm going to provide a rating and a few sentences on each story, in the order they appear in the book. I love how all of these feature animals. I will note where I have read the author or series previously.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - The Gold Standard by A. J. Hartley – from The Hawthorne Saga
This story is set in what feels like a fantasy world, perhaps historical or future, with a group of sort of street thieves. An accountant with the Empire has been stealing gold from them for years. Now he is ready to take a big load and set up a clerk for the thefts. He wants the group to handle removing the big haul for a small cut. The whole thing is very clever and with the help of a dog, the group comes out well. I'd like to read this series now.
2.5 ♥♥+ - Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson – from Furever Pets
Liz who runs a rescue shelter along with her family goes to a Halloween event put on by a wealthy donor at his farm. The event raises money for the shelters and also promotes those most needing furever homes. Liz wants to talk to Jon about becoming more involved in the event so she looks for him and then follows him into the corn maze. There's ghosts and a murder mystery which I didn't find engaging other than the dog.
3.5 ♥♥♥+ - Dog by D. J. Butler – from Abbott in Darkness
I really enjoyed this futuristic story. John is working to become an accountant with some Traders out of the Sol system. As he and a school friend are headed home they find an injured dog, who runs to John. His friend helps get some supplies for John to take it home. He has two daughters and one is very ill. He takes the dog home, along with medicine for his daughter. John washes the dog while his wife give the daughter the medicine. He plans to take the dog to the shelter in the morning. John has a restless, dream-filled night with visions of his daughter.
3 ♥♥♥ - Safe Place by Eliza Eveland – from Talons and Tethers series
A story about a boy and his dog, from the dog's point of view. The dog is getting old and so is the boy. The boy is a prince and set to marry, but he has a male love. The boy is supposed to have guards all the time, but he sneaks away often to see his love.
3.5 ♥♥♥+ - George and KitKit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter – from Jane Yellowrock series
I've read everything in the Jane Yellowrock series, now including this short. There is everything I love here but it was weird. The story is told from the point of view of George the dog, and KitKit the familiar. It's an Angie baby story where she puts her parents to sleep, and then there is trouble and she calls Edmund. Edmund brings in more Everhart sisters. I love this world and especially Angie baby stories but somehow not this viewpoint.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards – from The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy series
I love this series and its characters, especially Greer and Linus. The focus of this story is some supporting characters who I didn't know well before. Eva is the daughter of the gwilgi pack leaders. Keet is Greer's first project. Eva does pet sitting and today is taking Keet to the aquarium. I loved learning more about them. The story is set out at the end of the series so I liked that a lot also.
2.5 ♥♥+ - Helpful by Jennifer Blackstrom - in the universe of Blood Trails
We get the point of view of a cat with some paranormal elements. There is also a dog. The cat is connected to a witch and tries to help the witch. Now it tries to help the dog. I think I might have appreciated this one more if I knew the world.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - Fugitive by Jim Butcher – from The Dresden Files
I enjoyed this a lot because I do read this whole series including novellas. I've read all the shorts which follow Battle Ground including Little Things (in Heoric Hearts anthology), Christmas Eve, Good People, The Law and now Fugitive. I continue to appreciate these shorts until the next main novel.
Something bad comes for Harry but he's having a rough time. Mouse is usually busy protecting Maggie but joins Cerebus to try to save Mister for Harry. It's interesting to get a Mouse point of view. Michael and Will are trying to figure out what is happening, not believing Mister would cause trouble. I am not sure how the story would work for anyone who doesn't know all the characters and the world. It's a treat if one does.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - The Unlikeliest Places by John Hartness – from Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter
I have not read the main books from this author but I want to read them! I read another short story from the anthology Fantastic Hope from this same series and really liked it also.
Quincy Harker is a vampire hunter. This is a hunt with a tag-along helper, a cat. I really enjoyed this one and how the cat helps him. I really must read this series.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - Forever and a Day by Kelley Armstrong – from Cainsville
I love this author and I decided awhile ago I wanted to read the Cainsville series. I've collected some of them on audio. Forever and a Day is related to the series. There's a married couple, Gabriel and Olivia, who also have a cat. The world is full of fae and they are part fae with memories from being previous people. I enjoyed this and look forward to reading the series.
3.5 ♥♥♥+ - The Unexpected Dachshund by L. E. Modesitt, Junior – from Archform: Beauty and Flash
I've read another short by this author but it was too religious for me. The Unexpected Dachshund is about a dystopian world where people from Earth escape to have clean air. They can't have children and have limited options in return for getting to live on a new planet. However, with careful saving they manage a dog. I liked this one. The dog, Rudy, is more than entertainment for them in the end.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - The Kitcoon by L. J. Hachmeister – from the Triorion Universe/Laws of Attraction
I haven't read this author before and I really enjoyed this dystopian / scifi story with people who have various modifications or natural psychic abilities. One of the psychics is trying to escape because the Dominion military enslaves them to learn about their abilities and use them. She meets some others on the run, including a kitcoon which is a rodent of sorts. The kitcoon helps her learn more about other aspects of her ability and they make a new friend. I'd love to read more in this world.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver – from The Latter-Day Olympians
I have not read anything by this author previously. This story is about a women who runs a wolf, coyote and a few other animals rescue. There's some history about how that started. There's a character from the series who makes a brief appearance. I really liked it, the characters and the animals.
3.5 ♥♥♥+ -The Kindness of Cats by R.R. Virdi – from Tales of Tremaine
I've only read another short from this author from another series which was in Heroic Hearts anthology. I want to read that series. Here we have the point of view of a cat. I really enjoyed this story of compassion and community.
3 ♥♥♥ - Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight – from The Abandoned Lands
I liked this with it's dystopian feel and the rough odds of survival. There are dinosaurs here and bounty hunters out to get some of them. We have a man, born and raised here in a junkyard, with his father. Everyone else is gone now. He gets into trouble and nearly dies. Help comes in a surprising way.
2 ♥♥ -Nine by Seanan McGuire – standalone
A story of the cats nine lives and the difference in those lives. There's also a change in how they relate to humans. It felt like an older cat, sharing thoughts and information with a kitten. I don't know. This one was just okay - it really just didn't work for me. Someone else may love it.
4 ♥♥♥♥ - A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs – from Mercy Thompson
We are just after Storm Cursed. Adam brings Mercy and Sherwood to Elizaveta's house to check what he suspects - that she is a black witch. Sherwood is along to protect Mercy since he seems to have some skill with it. He doesn't quite know how but his wolf does. Sherwood gives us his point of view here and it's weird. He doesn't have his memories. And I'm used to Mercy's thoughts. It's a great peek into his character though.
If I average these up, it's 3.5 hearts but I am rounding up to 4 hearts because there are such a great collection of authors and stories. There are also several series new to me that I want to read, so that's a success.
April 14, 2023
Anthology - 3.21 average stars
1. The Gold Standard by A.J. Harley. I'm assuming this takes place in 1600s. A group of mercenaries figure out someone is trying to set them up. Cute story. 3-1/2 stars3
2. Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson. A Halloween party goes bad, but does have a happy ending. 3 stars
3. Dog by D. J. Butler. I'm not sure how the dog helped, but it did. 3 stars
4. Safe Place by Eliza Eveland. An older dog still tries to keep his boy safe. 2-1/2 stars
5. George and KitKit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter. I like the Yellowrock series but this story was a little repetitive and irritating. I think the author was thinking that EJ saying he had to go pee was hysterical. It wasn't. 2-1/2 stars
6. Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards. I liked that the shapeshifter was different. It seemed that the fights were going to be just for dominance but then toward the end it changed. And what's up with the vampire? 3 stars
7. Helpful by Jennifer Blackstream. Ancient dogs and modern cats to the rescue. 2-1/2 stars
8. Fugitive by Jim Butcher. Am I the only one who doesn't like Jim Butcher very much? 2 stars
9. The Unlikeliest Places by John G. Hartness. A vampire hunter gets a sidekick (or is it the other way around). A good story. 3-1/2 stars
10. Forever and a Day by Kelly Armstrong. TC saves the day. I'm a little confused about all of the fae characters I guess because I haven't read the series. 3 stars
11. The Unexpected Dachshund by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. Rudy saves the day. A little slow for a short story but enjoyable. 3 stars
12. The Kitcoon by L. J. Hachmeister. This was a really good story. It grabbed me at the beginning and was bite your nails good until the end. I'm planning on reading more by this author. 5 stars
13. A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver. Another good story. A supposedly mythological creature tries to take out some friends and must be stopped. 4 stars
14. The Kindness of Cats by R.R. Virdi. Sweet story. I had a cat like that, he rarely liked to be petted. 3-1/2 stars
15. Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight. Did I miss what happened to the prisoners in the truck? Interesting story. I know this is just a short story but I wonder how the dinosaurs came about. 3-1/2 stars
16. Nine by Seanan McGuire. Okay, that was a weird story. 2 stars
17. A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs. Sherwood's POV when he got his memory back. 5 stars
1. The Gold Standard by A.J. Harley. I'm assuming this takes place in 1600s. A group of mercenaries figure out someone is trying to set them up. Cute story. 3-1/2 stars3
2. Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson. A Halloween party goes bad, but does have a happy ending. 3 stars
3. Dog by D. J. Butler. I'm not sure how the dog helped, but it did. 3 stars
4. Safe Place by Eliza Eveland. An older dog still tries to keep his boy safe. 2-1/2 stars
5. George and KitKit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter. I like the Yellowrock series but this story was a little repetitive and irritating. I think the author was thinking that EJ saying he had to go pee was hysterical. It wasn't. 2-1/2 stars
6. Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards. I liked that the shapeshifter was different. It seemed that the fights were going to be just for dominance but then toward the end it changed. And what's up with the vampire? 3 stars
7. Helpful by Jennifer Blackstream. Ancient dogs and modern cats to the rescue. 2-1/2 stars
8. Fugitive by Jim Butcher. Am I the only one who doesn't like Jim Butcher very much? 2 stars
9. The Unlikeliest Places by John G. Hartness. A vampire hunter gets a sidekick (or is it the other way around). A good story. 3-1/2 stars
10. Forever and a Day by Kelly Armstrong. TC saves the day. I'm a little confused about all of the fae characters I guess because I haven't read the series. 3 stars
11. The Unexpected Dachshund by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. Rudy saves the day. A little slow for a short story but enjoyable. 3 stars
12. The Kitcoon by L. J. Hachmeister. This was a really good story. It grabbed me at the beginning and was bite your nails good until the end. I'm planning on reading more by this author. 5 stars
13. A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver. Another good story. A supposedly mythological creature tries to take out some friends and must be stopped. 4 stars
14. The Kindness of Cats by R.R. Virdi. Sweet story. I had a cat like that, he rarely liked to be petted. 3-1/2 stars
15. Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight. Did I miss what happened to the prisoners in the truck? Interesting story. I know this is just a short story but I wonder how the dinosaurs came about. 3-1/2 stars
16. Nine by Seanan McGuire. Okay, that was a weird story. 2 stars
17. A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs. Sherwood's POV when he got his memory back. 5 stars
Read
March 7, 2023Only read the story by Faith Hunter. No rating
January 22, 2024
The stories by authors I like were mostly great. The other stories did not inspire me to try a new author....
October 23, 2024
Instinct: An Animal Rescuers Anthology
Actual rating was 3.68
I knew I would enjoy this anthology even though I was unfamiliar with most of the authors. The whole reason why I like anthologies is discovering new authors. If only there was enough time to read every one of the series that caught my eye.
The Gold Standard
A.J. Hartley
4 stars
Will Hawthorne and his cohorts a hired to do a gold heist. The dog wasn’t supposed to be part of the crew, but Will got outvoted. There is a mutual dislike going on between them. This series, The Hawthorne Saga , was new to me, so I don’t know if the dog is a regular character or not, but I hope so.
Howl-O-Ween
Alex Erickson
4 stars
Howl-O-Ween has the characters from Furever Pets . Liz and her family are attending a Halloween fundraiser when things turn odd.
Dog
D.J. Butler
3 stars
John Abbott is walking home with his friend, Billy Redbird, when they find an injured puppy. John’s daughter is sick. Billy was going to help the puppy, but Dog had other plans. Characters are from the book Abbott in Darkness.
Safe Place
Eliza Eveland
3.5 stars
The story is set in the Talons and Tethers series. Prince Faelyn and his dog, Brick, leave the castle for a bit.
George and KitKit Save the Witches
Faith Hunter
3.5 stars
Short story with characters from the Jane Yellowrock series. Angie and her family are attacked. George, the basset hound, and KitKit, the familiar, try no help the witches. Some of the air-headedness of George was irksome. I am of the belief that animals are usually smarter than humans. Having said that, there will be goofballs in any species. I wish we had gotten more KitKit. The author’s notes say that the story is based on another short called, My Dark Knight, which appeared in the anthology Temporally Deactivated. Because Jane Yellowrock isn’t on unlimited I have never been able to read the series. I read another short story in a different anthology and loved it. One day perhaps I will be able to read them.
Keeting it Real
Hailey Edwards
4 stars
Another new series for me. I’m not sure, but I believe Keet is the only character that is actually from the The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy series. It sounds like a hoot. I mean an undead parakeet who loves The Lion King!? What’s not to love. While her Aunt Grier is out of town Eva Kinase, gamma of the local gwyllgi pack comes to the manor (which is a living entity) to pet sit. She wasn’t expecting Corbin an undead vampire (just roll with it) to be there. I dislike romance novels, and was worried when it appeared this was going to turn into an Eva/Corbin love-fest. Thankfully there was enough action that that wasn’t the case. This was fun. I already downloaded the first book of the series to give it a try. Granted Eva shouldn’t be in it, but Keet was neat.
Helpful
Jennifer Blackstream
4 stars
This says it is a short story from the world of Blood Trails . The kitty, Majesty, never uses the witch’s name. I do not know if that was supposed to be Shade Renard in the beginning or not. The pixie Peasblossom was being rather rude. It makes no difference since Majesty quickly leaves to help a mummified dog on its mission to find a missing amulet. The dog, upon hearing “Majesty”, mistakes it for a title and not the kitten’s name. He is somewhat disgusted to find that humans are still worshipping cats.
Fugitive
Jim Butcher
4 stars
Mouse aids Cerberus in a mission involving Mister. I haven’t gotten around to reading the last two The Dresden Files books since I know what is going to happen. I figure I will dislike them as much as I did Changes. There was nothing wrong with that book, but the “changes” that happened irrevocably changed the series. Losing the car was bad. The events of that book made us lose Mouse as a regular character since he was always off guarding Maggie. There was a new character (to me) that was obviously introduced within those last two books. We also got a character from the earliest books, one that I thought was gone. It has been too many years since I read those.
The Unlikeliest Places
John G. Hartness
4.5 stars
Quincy Harker kills some vamps with the help of a new friend. That friend is in the next book, Lost. I thought I was losing my mind since I had no recollection of it. I had bought this anthology as soon as it dropped, but hadn’t read it yet. Once I realized why I didn’t know about the cat I went ahead and read this story months before the rest of the book. Pure Hartness i.e. greatness. Harker is always a fun character to check in on. We needed this lightness after the events of the crossover with Bubba.
Forever and a Day
Kelley Armstrong
4.5 stars
Olivia from the Cainsville series finds herself having to save Gabriel with the help of T.C. (short for The Cat). This was my second favorite story (after Harker) in the book. Considering there is a Dresden adjacent story in here as well that speaks volumes about how much fun this was. I wish the author was on Unlimited. I have her works is several anthologies, but most didn’t appeal to me as much as this story did. Cats (even matagots) make everything better.
The Unexpected Dachshund
L.E. Modesitt Jr.
3.5 stars
On the planet Nieuwhuis a couple, Dom and Keryleyn, adopt a Dachshund. Short story within the Archform: Beauty universe.
The Kitcoon
L.J. Hachmeister
3.5 stars
While trying to escape the Dominion soldiers who want to experiment on her Rex winds up having to save Kio, a kitcoon. Prequel in the Triorion universe.
A Cry in the Night
Lucienne Diver
3.5 stars
Lacey Guerrera runs a wolf rescue. After the animals become agitated, she realizes a new predator has moved into the area. This is a stand-alone story that is tangentially related to the Latter-Day Olympians series.
The Kindness of Cats
R.R. Virdi
3.5 stars
Shola has been sent by Brahm to help make the human world a better place. The notes say this is from the series Tales of Tremaine
Junkyard Rex
Sam Knight (2 spaces)
3 stars
The United States has fractured. Hugh Sanchez lost his wife and daughters in the upheaval. Now prehistoric creatures roam the plains. This the first story in what will be The Abandoned Lands series. I don’t care for post-apocalyptic stories. However, there was actually some hope at the end.
Nine
Seanan McGuire
3 stars
A philosophical explanation of the love between cats and their humans.
A Memory of Witches
Patricia Briggs
3.5 stars
The story is from the Mercy Thompson universe. According to the author’s notes this takes place during Storm Cursed. Sherwood Post has been tasked by Adam to safeguard Mercy while she checks out a house. I am only vaguely familiar with this series. I have read three short stories from the Alpha & Omega and enjoyed those immensely.
Actual rating was 3.68
I knew I would enjoy this anthology even though I was unfamiliar with most of the authors. The whole reason why I like anthologies is discovering new authors. If only there was enough time to read every one of the series that caught my eye.
The Gold Standard
A.J. Hartley
4 stars
Will Hawthorne and his cohorts a hired to do a gold heist. The dog wasn’t supposed to be part of the crew, but Will got outvoted. There is a mutual dislike going on between them. This series, The Hawthorne Saga , was new to me, so I don’t know if the dog is a regular character or not, but I hope so.
Howl-O-Ween
Alex Erickson
4 stars
Howl-O-Ween has the characters from Furever Pets . Liz and her family are attending a Halloween fundraiser when things turn odd.
Dog
D.J. Butler
3 stars
John Abbott is walking home with his friend, Billy Redbird, when they find an injured puppy. John’s daughter is sick. Billy was going to help the puppy, but Dog had other plans. Characters are from the book Abbott in Darkness.
Safe Place
Eliza Eveland
3.5 stars
The story is set in the Talons and Tethers series. Prince Faelyn and his dog, Brick, leave the castle for a bit.
George and KitKit Save the Witches
Faith Hunter
3.5 stars
Short story with characters from the Jane Yellowrock series. Angie and her family are attacked. George, the basset hound, and KitKit, the familiar, try no help the witches. Some of the air-headedness of George was irksome. I am of the belief that animals are usually smarter than humans. Having said that, there will be goofballs in any species. I wish we had gotten more KitKit. The author’s notes say that the story is based on another short called, My Dark Knight, which appeared in the anthology Temporally Deactivated. Because Jane Yellowrock isn’t on unlimited I have never been able to read the series. I read another short story in a different anthology and loved it. One day perhaps I will be able to read them.
Keeting it Real
Hailey Edwards
4 stars
Another new series for me. I’m not sure, but I believe Keet is the only character that is actually from the The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy series. It sounds like a hoot. I mean an undead parakeet who loves The Lion King!? What’s not to love. While her Aunt Grier is out of town Eva Kinase, gamma of the local gwyllgi pack comes to the manor (which is a living entity) to pet sit. She wasn’t expecting Corbin an undead vampire (just roll with it) to be there. I dislike romance novels, and was worried when it appeared this was going to turn into an Eva/Corbin love-fest. Thankfully there was enough action that that wasn’t the case. This was fun. I already downloaded the first book of the series to give it a try. Granted Eva shouldn’t be in it, but Keet was neat.
Helpful
Jennifer Blackstream
4 stars
This says it is a short story from the world of Blood Trails . The kitty, Majesty, never uses the witch’s name. I do not know if that was supposed to be Shade Renard in the beginning or not. The pixie Peasblossom was being rather rude. It makes no difference since Majesty quickly leaves to help a mummified dog on its mission to find a missing amulet. The dog, upon hearing “Majesty”, mistakes it for a title and not the kitten’s name. He is somewhat disgusted to find that humans are still worshipping cats.
Fugitive
Jim Butcher
4 stars
Mouse aids Cerberus in a mission involving Mister. I haven’t gotten around to reading the last two The Dresden Files books since I know what is going to happen. I figure I will dislike them as much as I did Changes. There was nothing wrong with that book, but the “changes” that happened irrevocably changed the series. Losing the car was bad. The events of that book made us lose Mouse as a regular character since he was always off guarding Maggie. There was a new character (to me) that was obviously introduced within those last two books. We also got a character from the earliest books, one that I thought was gone. It has been too many years since I read those.
The Unlikeliest Places
John G. Hartness
4.5 stars
Quincy Harker kills some vamps with the help of a new friend. That friend is in the next book, Lost. I thought I was losing my mind since I had no recollection of it. I had bought this anthology as soon as it dropped, but hadn’t read it yet. Once I realized why I didn’t know about the cat I went ahead and read this story months before the rest of the book. Pure Hartness i.e. greatness. Harker is always a fun character to check in on. We needed this lightness after the events of the crossover with Bubba.
Forever and a Day
Kelley Armstrong
4.5 stars
Olivia from the Cainsville series finds herself having to save Gabriel with the help of T.C. (short for The Cat). This was my second favorite story (after Harker) in the book. Considering there is a Dresden adjacent story in here as well that speaks volumes about how much fun this was. I wish the author was on Unlimited. I have her works is several anthologies, but most didn’t appeal to me as much as this story did. Cats (even matagots) make everything better.
The Unexpected Dachshund
L.E. Modesitt Jr.
3.5 stars
On the planet Nieuwhuis a couple, Dom and Keryleyn, adopt a Dachshund. Short story within the Archform: Beauty universe.
The Kitcoon
L.J. Hachmeister
3.5 stars
While trying to escape the Dominion soldiers who want to experiment on her Rex winds up having to save Kio, a kitcoon. Prequel in the Triorion universe.
A Cry in the Night
Lucienne Diver
3.5 stars
Lacey Guerrera runs a wolf rescue. After the animals become agitated, she realizes a new predator has moved into the area. This is a stand-alone story that is tangentially related to the Latter-Day Olympians series.
The Kindness of Cats
R.R. Virdi
3.5 stars
Shola has been sent by Brahm to help make the human world a better place. The notes say this is from the series Tales of Tremaine
Junkyard Rex
Sam Knight (2 spaces)
3 stars
The United States has fractured. Hugh Sanchez lost his wife and daughters in the upheaval. Now prehistoric creatures roam the plains. This the first story in what will be The Abandoned Lands series. I don’t care for post-apocalyptic stories. However, there was actually some hope at the end.
Nine
Seanan McGuire
3 stars
A philosophical explanation of the love between cats and their humans.
A Memory of Witches
Patricia Briggs
3.5 stars
The story is from the Mercy Thompson universe. According to the author’s notes this takes place during Storm Cursed. Sherwood Post has been tasked by Adam to safeguard Mercy while she checks out a house. I am only vaguely familiar with this series. I have read three short stories from the Alpha & Omega and enjoyed those immensely.
July 7, 2023
I only read the story from Jim Butcher. And since Mouse is my fave character in Dresden Files and I’ve loved Cerberus since I could read…..this is a solid 4 for the pure fact I couldn’t stop smiling.
November 30, 2023
Read: November 2023
George and KitKit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter - 4/5 stars
Fugitive by Jim Butcher - 4/5 stars
Forever and A Day by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5 stars
Nine by Seanan McGuire - 3/5 stars
A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs - 4/5 stars
George and KitKit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter - 4/5 stars
Fugitive by Jim Butcher - 4/5 stars
Forever and A Day by Kelley Armstrong - 4/5 stars
Nine by Seanan McGuire - 3/5 stars
A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs - 4/5 stars
January 17, 2024
The whole thing seems to need some proofreading still. Quite a few typos as well as not too few misplaced commas.
The Gold Standard by A. J. Hartley – from The Hawthorne Saga
A fun little caper with a bunch of rogues who prefer to act smart rather than daring, a dog is just there to help out a bit.
Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson – from Furever Pets
Ghosts in a corn maze?
I don't quite get the whole family thing around Furever Pets and it ends up more f a mystery than urban fantasy, which is fine.
Dog by D. J. Butler – from Abbott in Darkness
I really like Butler's prose, I like his humor, I don't really like the ending here, it is too touchy-feely.
Safe Place by Eliza Eveland – from Talons and Tethers series
Pronouns in bio and of course it's pushing an agenda.
George and KitKit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter – from Jane Yellowrock series
Too much dog perspective and WAY too much different magic - without knowing the other books, it's not making a lot of sense.
Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards – from The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy series
Okay, so this was fun. Real fun. Murder, mayhem... and a zombie parakeet.
Helpful by Jennifer Blackstrom – in the universe of Blood Trails
From the viewpoint of a cat. Very nice. And very fun.
Fugitive by Jim Butcher – from The Dresden Files
featuring Mouse, the huge temple dog. And Mister, kinda. And an old enemy, it seems a bit too much for a dog, but it won't influence the overall arc (too much).
The Unlikeliest Places by John Hartness – from Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter
I love the pacing, the momentum, also the snarky humor. I definitely don't like the over-the-top personas used for the story. But I will definitely check out other series by Hartness.
Forever and a Day by Kelley Armb – from Cainsville
A fae story. Short and to the point. Very well done.
The Unexpected Dachshund by L. E. Modesitt, Junior – from Archform: Beauty and Flash
Dogs and sci-fi. Bit too doggy for me, but the worldbuilding works, you get a good feel for the overall storyline setting.
The Kitcoon by L. J. Hachmeister – from the Triorion Universe/Laws of Attraction
Another sci-fi setting, with a lot of weird tech and powers. Luckily the stuff just works and not too much space is wasted on explaining the intricacies of everything. That keeps this to a fun and short read.
A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver – from The Latter-Day Olympians
Urban fantasy with wolf-dogs and dogs playing a role. Good pacing, not totally my style though. The main series characters only play a small role, maybe they kept the humor to themselves.
The Kindness of Cats by R.R. Virdi – from Tales of Tremaine
From the viewpoint of a cat - a very snarky one. I really like it. It is really really fun even though not much actually happens.
Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight – from The Abandoned Lands
The longest story in the book, and the nicely weirdest one. Dionsaurs roam the lands...
Nine by Seanan McGuire – standalone
Very short, very... emotional. Didn't like it very much.
A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs – from Mercy Thompson
Packed with a whole lot of anxiety. Little humor, little actual action, but still good pacing.
The Gold Standard by A. J. Hartley – from The Hawthorne Saga
A fun little caper with a bunch of rogues who prefer to act smart rather than daring, a dog is just there to help out a bit.
Howl-O-Ween by Alex Erickson – from Furever Pets
Ghosts in a corn maze?
I don't quite get the whole family thing around Furever Pets and it ends up more f a mystery than urban fantasy, which is fine.
Dog by D. J. Butler – from Abbott in Darkness
I really like Butler's prose, I like his humor, I don't really like the ending here, it is too touchy-feely.
Safe Place by Eliza Eveland – from Talons and Tethers series
Pronouns in bio and of course it's pushing an agenda.
George and KitKit Save the Witches by Faith Hunter – from Jane Yellowrock series
Too much dog perspective and WAY too much different magic - without knowing the other books, it's not making a lot of sense.
Keeting it Real by Hailey Edwards – from The Beginner’s Guide to Necromancy series
Okay, so this was fun. Real fun. Murder, mayhem... and a zombie parakeet.
Helpful by Jennifer Blackstrom – in the universe of Blood Trails
From the viewpoint of a cat. Very nice. And very fun.
Fugitive by Jim Butcher – from The Dresden Files
featuring Mouse, the huge temple dog. And Mister, kinda. And an old enemy, it seems a bit too much for a dog, but it won't influence the overall arc (too much).
The Unlikeliest Places by John Hartness – from Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter
I love the pacing, the momentum, also the snarky humor. I definitely don't like the over-the-top personas used for the story. But I will definitely check out other series by Hartness.
Forever and a Day by Kelley Armb – from Cainsville
A fae story. Short and to the point. Very well done.
The Unexpected Dachshund by L. E. Modesitt, Junior – from Archform: Beauty and Flash
Dogs and sci-fi. Bit too doggy for me, but the worldbuilding works, you get a good feel for the overall storyline setting.
The Kitcoon by L. J. Hachmeister – from the Triorion Universe/Laws of Attraction
Another sci-fi setting, with a lot of weird tech and powers. Luckily the stuff just works and not too much space is wasted on explaining the intricacies of everything. That keeps this to a fun and short read.
A Cry in the Night by Lucienne Diver – from The Latter-Day Olympians
Urban fantasy with wolf-dogs and dogs playing a role. Good pacing, not totally my style though. The main series characters only play a small role, maybe they kept the humor to themselves.
The Kindness of Cats by R.R. Virdi – from Tales of Tremaine
From the viewpoint of a cat - a very snarky one. I really like it. It is really really fun even though not much actually happens.
Junkyard Rex by Sam Knight – from The Abandoned Lands
The longest story in the book, and the nicely weirdest one. Dionsaurs roam the lands...
Nine by Seanan McGuire – standalone
Very short, very... emotional. Didn't like it very much.
A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs – from Mercy Thompson
Packed with a whole lot of anxiety. Little humor, little actual action, but still good pacing.
March 16, 2023
If you buy this book, you're probably addicted to at least one of the authors.
Patricia Briggs, Faith Hunter, Jim Butcher consistently deliver well-crafted short stories that lend further depth to beloved series while still ensuring that mainstream readers won't miss out if they rely solely on novels to understand the overarching story lines. Mad respect.
Yet built-out worlds mean it can be hard to sample new-to-you authors, or authors who've chosen a story set in a less-familiar series. Kelley Armstrong for example ranks as a current favorite for her Rockton novels... but her contribution doesn't feature Storm, opting instead to keep with the urban fantasy / sci-fi theme and losing me in assuming I know a fairly young series I've yet to explore. Those Rockton books aren't cheap.
In other cases, I remembered why I lost interest in their series. But I loved the dachshund story despite this being my first encounter with the world in which it is set.
Overall, readers need more than instinct to appreciate stories that assume an established rapport with human-centric narrative arcs by the featured authors. Even there, I was a little disappointed that Hunter and Briggs retell existing scenes rather than offering up entirely new content.
So, your mileage may vary, much as you'd expect in an anthology.
Patricia Briggs, Faith Hunter, Jim Butcher consistently deliver well-crafted short stories that lend further depth to beloved series while still ensuring that mainstream readers won't miss out if they rely solely on novels to understand the overarching story lines. Mad respect.
Yet built-out worlds mean it can be hard to sample new-to-you authors, or authors who've chosen a story set in a less-familiar series. Kelley Armstrong for example ranks as a current favorite for her Rockton novels... but her contribution doesn't feature Storm, opting instead to keep with the urban fantasy / sci-fi theme and losing me in assuming I know a fairly young series I've yet to explore. Those Rockton books aren't cheap.
In other cases, I remembered why I lost interest in their series. But I loved the dachshund story despite this being my first encounter with the world in which it is set.
Overall, readers need more than instinct to appreciate stories that assume an established rapport with human-centric narrative arcs by the featured authors. Even there, I was a little disappointed that Hunter and Briggs retell existing scenes rather than offering up entirely new content.
So, your mileage may vary, much as you'd expect in an anthology.
April 8, 2023
I came for Jim, but stayed for Sam.
If you love animals and a selection of good stories from varied authors, look no further! This cute anthology will certainly make the puppy in you wag the tail. Fortunately for the rest of us who are more into other animals, it's not all about dogs.
Dogs can be predictable so those stories that are in the dogs’ PoV were not as enticing to me, except Jim Butcher’s, just because he’s Jim, but still has the “Good Boy” way too engraved. it was cute, but I was looking for a different animal.
And found it. Boy did I find it!
Sam Knight’s Junkyard Rex delivered it. He brought an unlikely rescue animal whose attitude was unpredictable and I loved that, made me sit on the edge. It was unexpected and, despite the lack of dialogue for most of the story, quite entertaining. The narrative took you exactly where Sam wanted you to go. It was a jewel and the star of the show just for that.
Kudos to A.J. Hartley’s The Gold Standard. I loved the MC and the story, and was glad that the dog was not your usual Good Boy type. There is certainly more to this tale and it would be interesting to find out more! Those two stories were my favorites, even over Butcher’s, and that’s a huge thing. Oh there are cats’ stories too, thank the Whiskers! Have I mentioned you can save a puppy by buying this anthology?
If you love animals and a selection of good stories from varied authors, look no further! This cute anthology will certainly make the puppy in you wag the tail. Fortunately for the rest of us who are more into other animals, it's not all about dogs.
Dogs can be predictable so those stories that are in the dogs’ PoV were not as enticing to me, except Jim Butcher’s, just because he’s Jim, but still has the “Good Boy” way too engraved. it was cute, but I was looking for a different animal.
And found it. Boy did I find it!
Sam Knight’s Junkyard Rex delivered it. He brought an unlikely rescue animal whose attitude was unpredictable and I loved that, made me sit on the edge. It was unexpected and, despite the lack of dialogue for most of the story, quite entertaining. The narrative took you exactly where Sam wanted you to go. It was a jewel and the star of the show just for that.
Kudos to A.J. Hartley’s The Gold Standard. I loved the MC and the story, and was glad that the dog was not your usual Good Boy type. There is certainly more to this tale and it would be interesting to find out more! Those two stories were my favorites, even over Butcher’s, and that’s a huge thing. Oh there are cats’ stories too, thank the Whiskers! Have I mentioned you can save a puppy by buying this anthology?
March 7, 2023
I bought this anthology just to read Patricia Briggs entry in her Mercy Thompson series about Sherwood Post.
The story about Sherwood Post and how he meets his kitten Pirate (because the kitten was tortured by black witches and only has one eye) was short at around 30 pages.
This short story does not read well as a stand alone. If you've never read the Mercy Thompson series, you will be lost.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
I spoil the entire story.
This short story overlaps with Storm Cursed. Sherwood Post goes into the house of the black witch Elizaveta. Her entire family was murdered by other black witches.
Coyote saved the kitten so he could show Mercy what happened and so that "miracle" would be there to help Sherwood Post get his memories back. He remembers now. He fought the "Singer" and lost. Coyote says to make the cat his familiar and since the familiar was touched by Coyote and Coyote is divine, Sherwood will be protected from the evil witches.
Sherwood is upset because making a familiar is a witch spell and he doesn't want to be a bad witch.
We know from later books that they eventually defeat the Singer.
Honestly I was sad that this story was so short.
The story about Sherwood Post and how he meets his kitten Pirate (because the kitten was tortured by black witches and only has one eye) was short at around 30 pages.
This short story does not read well as a stand alone. If you've never read the Mercy Thompson series, you will be lost.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
I spoil the entire story.
This short story overlaps with Storm Cursed. Sherwood Post goes into the house of the black witch Elizaveta. Her entire family was murdered by other black witches.
Coyote saved the kitten so he could show Mercy what happened and so that "miracle" would be there to help Sherwood Post get his memories back. He remembers now. He fought the "Singer" and lost. Coyote says to make the cat his familiar and since the familiar was touched by Coyote and Coyote is divine, Sherwood will be protected from the evil witches.
Sherwood is upset because making a familiar is a witch spell and he doesn't want to be a bad witch.
We know from later books that they eventually defeat the Singer.
Honestly I was sad that this story was so short.
March 10, 2023
The rating is only for the story The Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs.
This story takes place during Chapter 3 of Storm Cursed (Mercy Thompson #11).
I am so happy we finally got a short story from Sherwood Post’s POV. He has been a very interesting character in this series and I loved seeing him grapple with his memory loss and magic. This scene takes place during the events of Storm Cursed and is Sherwood following Mercy around Elizaveta’s house to look at the black magic that had been done.
We see Sherwood grappling with his lost memories and talking with his wolf about the situation. He is afraid to let the magic binding his memories go but when he sees Mercy in danger from black magic he instinctively breaks the barrier on his memories. I liked finally getting to learn a little about Sherwood and why he finally gained all his memories. I also found it interesting that this is technically the first mention of the Singer, who appears in Wild Sign (Alpha & Omega #6).
Overall, this was a great additional POV for the events in Storm Cursed. I loved getting to learn a little more about Sherwood and see him bond with his rescued kitten.
Trigger Warnings: torture (animal and human); death (animal and human); memory loss;
This story takes place during Chapter 3 of Storm Cursed (Mercy Thompson #11).
I am so happy we finally got a short story from Sherwood Post’s POV. He has been a very interesting character in this series and I loved seeing him grapple with his memory loss and magic. This scene takes place during the events of Storm Cursed and is Sherwood following Mercy around Elizaveta’s house to look at the black magic that had been done.
We see Sherwood grappling with his lost memories and talking with his wolf about the situation. He is afraid to let the magic binding his memories go but when he sees Mercy in danger from black magic he instinctively breaks the barrier on his memories. I liked finally getting to learn a little about Sherwood and why he finally gained all his memories. I also found it interesting that this is technically the first mention of the Singer, who appears in Wild Sign (Alpha & Omega #6).
Overall, this was a great additional POV for the events in Storm Cursed. I loved getting to learn a little more about Sherwood and see him bond with his rescued kitten.
Trigger Warnings: torture (animal and human); death (animal and human); memory loss;
March 19, 2023
French & English reviews
Seulement pour A Memory of Witches de Patricia Briggs
(Attention à lire seulement si vous avez déjà lu les Mercy Thompson, au moins jusqu'à Storm Cursed ! Et c'est bien aussi si vous avez lu les Alpha et Omega =))
Une petite nouvelle BEAUCOUP TROP courte mais que j'ai quand même lu avec beaucoup de plaisir parce qu'on a un aperçu d'une scène de Storm Cursed mais cette fois-ci du point de vue de Sherwood Post ... Hyper intéressant !
Bref, un plaisir pour les fans de Mercy Thompson =)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Only for A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs
(Be careful, to read only if you have already read Mercy Thompson series, at least until Storm Cursed ! And it's also good if you have read Alpha and Omega series =))
A short story MUCH TOO short but which I still read with great pleasure because we have a glimpse of a scene from Storm Cursed but this time from the point of view from Sherwood Post ... Very interesting !
In short, a pleasure for Mercy Thompson fans =)
Seulement pour A Memory of Witches de Patricia Briggs
(Attention à lire seulement si vous avez déjà lu les Mercy Thompson, au moins jusqu'à Storm Cursed ! Et c'est bien aussi si vous avez lu les Alpha et Omega =))
Une petite nouvelle BEAUCOUP TROP courte mais que j'ai quand même lu avec beaucoup de plaisir parce qu'on a un aperçu d'une scène de Storm Cursed mais cette fois-ci du point de vue de Sherwood Post ... Hyper intéressant !
Bref, un plaisir pour les fans de Mercy Thompson =)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Only for A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs
(Be careful, to read only if you have already read Mercy Thompson series, at least until Storm Cursed ! And it's also good if you have read Alpha and Omega series =))
A short story MUCH TOO short but which I still read with great pleasure because we have a glimpse of a scene from Storm Cursed but this time from the point of view from Sherwood Post ... Very interesting !
In short, a pleasure for Mercy Thompson fans =)
March 16, 2023
Sweet Anthology
This series of short stories from a variety of authors has its ups and downs. There is a wide range of tales and genres nestled between the bindings, and, as expected, some authors speak more loudly to an individual than another might. I purchased this mainly for the Patricia Briggs story (the final entry the book offers), but I now find myself with a curiosity to dive deeper into some of these other authors' works.
I highly recommend buying this one. A high percentage of its revenue goes to a dog rescue sanctuary, though, amusingly enough, many of the entries include cats in varying (and charming) degrees and one very unexpected T-Rex, whose inclusion may very well be my favorite amongst them all.
None of these collected pieces will bore you, and some will definitely entice you to delve deeper into the authors' worlds, several of which I was not aware of before picking this up. So, yay! New authors and characters that I now get to explore in the year to come and beyond.
Well worth its price and beyond.
This series of short stories from a variety of authors has its ups and downs. There is a wide range of tales and genres nestled between the bindings, and, as expected, some authors speak more loudly to an individual than another might. I purchased this mainly for the Patricia Briggs story (the final entry the book offers), but I now find myself with a curiosity to dive deeper into some of these other authors' works.
I highly recommend buying this one. A high percentage of its revenue goes to a dog rescue sanctuary, though, amusingly enough, many of the entries include cats in varying (and charming) degrees and one very unexpected T-Rex, whose inclusion may very well be my favorite amongst them all.
None of these collected pieces will bore you, and some will definitely entice you to delve deeper into the authors' worlds, several of which I was not aware of before picking this up. So, yay! New authors and characters that I now get to explore in the year to come and beyond.
Well worth its price and beyond.
May 11, 2023
I remain glad that I purchased this because the proceeds were going to a no kill shelter (we have two rescues ourselves). The Jim Butcher Mouse/Mister/Cerberus story was definitely the best one in this collection.
Overall this was a letdown. I enjoy Urban Fantasy, and some the authors (Faith Hunter, Patricia Briggs) are well know and high selling in the field. But, even their stories felt like a reader coming in cold, not having read the series the stories were based upon, might very much go meh. Butcher's I honestly feel held up a little better for that type of reader.
Many of the writers are new, or frankly from when I looked them up, self-published/indie published. Frankly they have some ways to go to hone their craft. I slogged through many of these tales, and it brought back memories of the wading through mud I did in completing Frankenstein.
Somehow, I bet I'll get in trouble for this post.
Overall this was a letdown. I enjoy Urban Fantasy, and some the authors (Faith Hunter, Patricia Briggs) are well know and high selling in the field. But, even their stories felt like a reader coming in cold, not having read the series the stories were based upon, might very much go meh. Butcher's I honestly feel held up a little better for that type of reader.
Many of the writers are new, or frankly from when I looked them up, self-published/indie published. Frankly they have some ways to go to hone their craft. I slogged through many of these tales, and it brought back memories of the wading through mud I did in completing Frankenstein.
Somehow, I bet I'll get in trouble for this post.
February 24, 2024
I’m not usually a big anthology reader, but for to fill in some short story gaps for Butcher and Briggs’s worlds, I added this one to my list.
This is definitely a mixed bag. Some stories are very short, some very sad, some based in weird future worlds I’d never check out, and some that introduced me to a world I want to know more about. As long as I exit an anthology with at least one new author in my to-read list, I’m happy. This anthology did just that for me with Hailey Edwards. The short stories from my usual authors were satisfying and worth the price of purchase, but I guess it depends how you feel about all the others. I sometimes found it very difficult to get through an installment, particularly when they involve animals in various states of injury or hurt. Fair warning to all those who are not OK with that - this might not be the book for you. That being said, I’m sure you could also hop around, but my own sense of completion will allow me to do no such thing.
This is definitely a mixed bag. Some stories are very short, some very sad, some based in weird future worlds I’d never check out, and some that introduced me to a world I want to know more about. As long as I exit an anthology with at least one new author in my to-read list, I’m happy. This anthology did just that for me with Hailey Edwards. The short stories from my usual authors were satisfying and worth the price of purchase, but I guess it depends how you feel about all the others. I sometimes found it very difficult to get through an installment, particularly when they involve animals in various states of injury or hurt. Fair warning to all those who are not OK with that - this might not be the book for you. That being said, I’m sure you could also hop around, but my own sense of completion will allow me to do no such thing.
December 2, 2024
3.5 Stars Overall
As with other short-story collections, with multiple contributing authors, that I've read (or listened to) in recent years, this one follows the same basic pattern of my interest:
- I got the collection to read because at least one novella is part of a larger main series I'm currently reading/listening to; which is usually one of the more enjoyable ones.
- About 60-70% of the stories are interesting enough to read to the end thoroughly; with 15-20% perhaps raising enough interest to look up their related main series (so 3-4 in this case).
- Which, unfortunately, leaves about 30-40% that are either not immersive enough or interesting enough subject/genre for me to do more than "skip-skim" to the end. (usually, the style of writing is off-putting somehow).
In this case, I lost interest once I completed the story I was interested in for its main series, I will not be finishing this collection.
Enjoy at your own investment.
As with other short-story collections, with multiple contributing authors, that I've read (or listened to) in recent years, this one follows the same basic pattern of my interest:
- I got the collection to read because at least one novella is part of a larger main series I'm currently reading/listening to; which is usually one of the more enjoyable ones.
- About 60-70% of the stories are interesting enough to read to the end thoroughly; with 15-20% perhaps raising enough interest to look up their related main series (so 3-4 in this case).
- Which, unfortunately, leaves about 30-40% that are either not immersive enough or interesting enough subject/genre for me to do more than "skip-skim" to the end. (usually, the style of writing is off-putting somehow).
In this case, I lost interest once I completed the story I was interested in for its main series, I will not be finishing this collection.
Enjoy at your own investment.
October 26, 2025
I only read two of the short stories in this anthology:
5 stars: From Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. Fugitive is told from the POV of Mouse. This short story tells how Cerberus seeks Mouse Dresden's help in apprehending a fugitive that has escaped from Lord Hades' custody. The Nemean Lion has been tasked with harming Harry Dresden and his daughter, Maggie. The Lion has taken over and is using the body of Dresden's cat, Mister to carry out his dastardly assignment. Mouse and Cerberus must work together to stop him and rescue Mister. Very creative.
5 stars: From Kelley Armstrong's Cainsville series: In Forever and a Day, someone is impersonating Gabriel in order to harm Olivia and Gabriel. TC, the matagot cat, plays a key role in helping to thwart Thiten's plans and Patrick takes Thiten away. It's a variation on Gwynn, Matilda, and Arawn's story. I was glad to explore anew Gabriel and Olivia's world via this newest tale of Cainsville.
5 stars: From Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. Fugitive is told from the POV of Mouse. This short story tells how Cerberus seeks Mouse Dresden's help in apprehending a fugitive that has escaped from Lord Hades' custody. The Nemean Lion has been tasked with harming Harry Dresden and his daughter, Maggie. The Lion has taken over and is using the body of Dresden's cat, Mister to carry out his dastardly assignment. Mouse and Cerberus must work together to stop him and rescue Mister. Very creative.
5 stars: From Kelley Armstrong's Cainsville series: In Forever and a Day, someone is impersonating Gabriel in order to harm Olivia and Gabriel. TC, the matagot cat, plays a key role in helping to thwart Thiten's plans and Patrick takes Thiten away. It's a variation on Gwynn, Matilda, and Arawn's story. I was glad to explore anew Gabriel and Olivia's world via this newest tale of Cainsville.
March 8, 2023
A Memory of Witches by Patricia Briggs
The story Patricia is donating takes place in the Mercy world during Storm Curse. Sherwood is still having issues with remembering his past; a long, long past. They are at the witches house after they were killed; all except Elizaveta. Mercy has agreed to go in and see if she can sniff out anything out of turn. Sherwood is elected to go in and protect her. While in there, he discovers who is his enemy, who is taking his memories, and his wolf discovers one divine piece to help protect him for a little longer. Coyote will put in an appearance to Sherwood. There is a black kitten who is dying that also survived the mass death toll; but who is important to Sherwood’s survival. Another fantastic short by Patricia Briggs.
The story Patricia is donating takes place in the Mercy world during Storm Curse. Sherwood is still having issues with remembering his past; a long, long past. They are at the witches house after they were killed; all except Elizaveta. Mercy has agreed to go in and see if she can sniff out anything out of turn. Sherwood is elected to go in and protect her. While in there, he discovers who is his enemy, who is taking his memories, and his wolf discovers one divine piece to help protect him for a little longer. Coyote will put in an appearance to Sherwood. There is a black kitten who is dying that also survived the mass death toll; but who is important to Sherwood’s survival. Another fantastic short by Patricia Briggs.
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