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Bad-Ass Faeries #2
Just Plain Bad
Do you like to Dance with Danger? Well now's your chance! Don't worry about things that go bump in the night; count yourself lucky if these fae give you that much warning. In the finest tradition of the original Bad-Ass Faeries, the twenty tales in this collection delve into the darkest corners, exploring every tough and terrifying aspect the legends of faeries ever claimed...and then some. Lose yourself in twisted tales of homicidal faerie clowns, one man's gladiatorial stand against Earth's overlords, and a desperate mother's confrontation with the fiercest pirates above the Seven Seas...not to mention dry land. Read on in fascinated horror as a faerwolf is born, and unwise parties-of-the-second-part come to rue deals made with a different kind of devil. Here is where you discover just how many faerie tales never even get a glimpse of Happily Ever After... Forget about misunderstood; these faeries are Just Plain Bad!
296 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2008
4 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Ackley-McPhail
116 books206 followersAward-winning author, editor, and publisher Danielle Ackley-McPhail has worked both sides of the publishing industry for longer than she cares to admit. In 2014 she joined forces with husband Mike McPhail and friend Greg Schauer to form her own publishing house, eSpec Books (www.especbooks.com).
Her published works include eight novels, Yesterday's Dreams, Tomorrow's Memories, Today’s Promise, The Halfling’s Court, The Redcaps’ Queen, Daire’s Devils, The Play of Light, and Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn, written with Day Al-Mohamed. She is also the author of the solo collections Eternal Wanderings, A Legacy of Stars, Consigned to the Sea, Flash in the Can, Transcendence, Between Darkness and Light, The Fox’s Fire, The Kindly One, and the non-fiction writers’ guides The Literary Handyman, More Tips from the Handyman, and LH: Build-A-Book Workshop. She is the senior editor of the Bad-Ass Faeries anthology series, Gaslight & Grimm, Side of Good/Side of Evil, After Punk, and Footprints in the Stars. Her short stories are included in numerous other anthologies and collections.
In addition to her literary acclaim, she crafts and sells original costume horns under the moniker The Hornie Lady Custom Costume Horns, and homemade flavor-infused candied ginger under the brand of Ginger KICK! at literary conventions, on commission, and wholesale.
Danielle lives in New Jersey with her husband and fellow writer, Mike McPhail and four extremely spoiled cats.
Her published works include eight novels, Yesterday's Dreams, Tomorrow's Memories, Today’s Promise, The Halfling’s Court, The Redcaps’ Queen, Daire’s Devils, The Play of Light, and Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn, written with Day Al-Mohamed. She is also the author of the solo collections Eternal Wanderings, A Legacy of Stars, Consigned to the Sea, Flash in the Can, Transcendence, Between Darkness and Light, The Fox’s Fire, The Kindly One, and the non-fiction writers’ guides The Literary Handyman, More Tips from the Handyman, and LH: Build-A-Book Workshop. She is the senior editor of the Bad-Ass Faeries anthology series, Gaslight & Grimm, Side of Good/Side of Evil, After Punk, and Footprints in the Stars. Her short stories are included in numerous other anthologies and collections.
In addition to her literary acclaim, she crafts and sells original costume horns under the moniker The Hornie Lady Custom Costume Horns, and homemade flavor-infused candied ginger under the brand of Ginger KICK! at literary conventions, on commission, and wholesale.
Danielle lives in New Jersey with her husband and fellow writer, Mike McPhail and four extremely spoiled cats.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 27, 2014
Normally I review each story in an anthology individually to give you a feel of what's in the book and what to look forward to. This one is hard to do that with as there are so many stories here. AND what makes it even harder, is I found I enjoyed just about all of them!
These tales gave me a feel of the dark faery tales of old, some set in more recent time frame, that have not been sugar coated for children. They are wonderful!
The book has four sections: Rebel Fae, Rogue Fae, Shadow Fae, and Enforcer Fae.
I liked the Rebel Fae section, but found I really enjoyed one story particularly.
Party Crashers by Trisha Wooldridge & Christy Tohara
A crew are working as a special unit going in for a Sidhe bank robber, one who has the ability to control minds and does so in his game with humans to make the transfer money to his accounts along with collecting artifacts from museums.
I enjoyed the Seelie/Unseelie feel and the surprise in the end about Cameron. I wondered in the end of this story if there are more short stories with this cast of characters, or at least with Cameron and Monica and their secrets.
I found Rogue Fae was the section to really catch my eye, with several of the stories. These stories where darker, mysterious, and more fighting.
A Clear-Cut Case by Elaine Corvidae
Adaira visits detective Sorcha Barrow and Dr. Elizabeth DaTarn (both fae) curious about the strange circumstances of her husbands murder, the why he was murdered and some innards where missing.
I really liked how the world was drawn through the words of action in the story. And there is a mystery! Unseelie style. :)
Whisky Sour by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Juliette smells him, the one regret, coming but ignores her instincts. The one voice she'll never forget orders a Whiskey Sour and repeatedly asks to talk to her in private. Finally Juliette agrees to talk to Toby, to get rid of him. Toby needs her help to retrieve something.
Okay, so I'll admit, this story is the reason for me picking up this anthology, along with a few other new authors I wanted to sample. But I found I loved Jules! Her character grew into her powers in this short story. She's a smart woman, and knows how to take charge. Jules is fae, with a little extra something else now mixed in, no thanks to the history with Toby. I enjoyed the quick action and hope to meet Jules again in the future.
Zwischenzug by Lorne Dixon
Vassili plays chess with a little fairy friend, Penni, in his funeral home, when his nephew shows up with Vassilli's deceased brother and a rather large man responsible in the trunk. When things go bad for Vassilli, Penni goes to ask Zwischenzug for help.
This story created a whole new creature for me, Zwischenzug. This story has a mafia feel to it. There is also lots of fighting and blood but in the end I found it touching and sad. I have to say this story was very well written to draw me in like this.
Pixie Dust by Steven Earl Yoder
Aysa goes to a voodoo master for help. Here in Louisiana she is tormented and now harmed by the mean local rogue fae, she is looking for protection and Bosun helps her.
Aaaa, now this one. This one has a feel of the dark old fairy tales. One that has a moral and a tale that could become one to pass on to your children, when they are older. See this one does not have the shiny endings we have grown accustom to in our fairy tales. Wonderful!
Shadow Fae
Do You Believe? by C.J. Henderson
men of supernatural dealings meet at Narkane, a neutral place for all demensional beings to met and do business, to chat it up of happenings and tell each other stories.
In this one, one of the men tells a story of how there is a faery cockroach. Yes, sounds gross, but I loved this tale. The story teller weaves it so good, the man believes it, and I could see why. I could have believed the whole creation too. lol.
Within the Guardian Bell by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Lance had to leave Suzanne's side to do club business and now speeding home on his motorcycle. The close call from a passing car jingles the magic bell Suzanna gave him for protection. Smear a road gremlin doesn't like Lance, or his little bell, and decides to go after the two, to crush them.
Oh, I know I'm not suppose to like Smear, but I just love the little single minded gremlin. lol. And he tries his best. I also found I wanted more of Lance and Suzanne. I really liked the feel around them. Another story I will have to see if I can find more stories about.
The Seelie Seven by Lee C. Hillman
Robin and Spike are thieving fey who have been caught and only chance to live freely is to become part of a military special mission, in retrieving a stolen item from the Unseelie.
I want to see the Seelie Seven again! Where this story ended it could be possible to have another story out there as well. I loved the mix of the guilty party with their last chance to make good for a free life again. The mission is dangerous and they might not make it. This story was full of action, and deceiving. I liked it!
Enforcer Fae
Shadowcutting by Steven Mangold & Jason Franks
After getting cut, literally, on his latest job Theo wakes in the hospital with a new card from DB Armory in his wallet. going to check this 'person' out, with his broken Glaive, he finds he likes the Shadowcutter sword.
I liked the story with this sword. It's a special fae sword that cuts to kill your enemies through their shadow. But something is going on with Theo, every time he uses this sword. Theo is growing to like the power he has with the sword, but not realizes what it's doing to him in the process. Interesting tale. Again one not with an ending we are so accustom to, but I loved it.
Twilight Crossing by John Passarella
Ray, a talented bouncer at a local tavern, senses trouble when a new young visitor arrives, sitting at his own table peacefully. Shortly after the young mans arrival three trouble makers come in and they begin a fight. Ray ends up learns more about himself that he had forgotten about.
Oh I like the mystery behind the unknown, forgotten past. The way Ray 'knows' things about the knife used and slowly remembers a life he didn't know he had. I enjoyed the tavern atmosphere, fighting, and the writing style of the author in this one.
~~~~
All in all I really enjoyed these stories. There were 20 stories in total here, and all are very good reads. I tried to not to over do it, but I ended up mentioning 10 of the 20 stories. And there where others I wanted to tell you about as well.
These tales gave me a feel of the dark faery tales of old, some set in more recent time frame, that have not been sugar coated for children. They are wonderful!
The book has four sections: Rebel Fae, Rogue Fae, Shadow Fae, and Enforcer Fae.
I liked the Rebel Fae section, but found I really enjoyed one story particularly.
Party Crashers by Trisha Wooldridge & Christy Tohara
A crew are working as a special unit going in for a Sidhe bank robber, one who has the ability to control minds and does so in his game with humans to make the transfer money to his accounts along with collecting artifacts from museums.
I enjoyed the Seelie/Unseelie feel and the surprise in the end about Cameron. I wondered in the end of this story if there are more short stories with this cast of characters, or at least with Cameron and Monica and their secrets.
I found Rogue Fae was the section to really catch my eye, with several of the stories. These stories where darker, mysterious, and more fighting.
A Clear-Cut Case by Elaine Corvidae
Adaira visits detective Sorcha Barrow and Dr. Elizabeth DaTarn (both fae) curious about the strange circumstances of her husbands murder, the why he was murdered and some innards where missing.
I really liked how the world was drawn through the words of action in the story. And there is a mystery! Unseelie style. :)
Whisky Sour by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Juliette smells him, the one regret, coming but ignores her instincts. The one voice she'll never forget orders a Whiskey Sour and repeatedly asks to talk to her in private. Finally Juliette agrees to talk to Toby, to get rid of him. Toby needs her help to retrieve something.
Okay, so I'll admit, this story is the reason for me picking up this anthology, along with a few other new authors I wanted to sample. But I found I loved Jules! Her character grew into her powers in this short story. She's a smart woman, and knows how to take charge. Jules is fae, with a little extra something else now mixed in, no thanks to the history with Toby. I enjoyed the quick action and hope to meet Jules again in the future.
Zwischenzug by Lorne Dixon
Vassili plays chess with a little fairy friend, Penni, in his funeral home, when his nephew shows up with Vassilli's deceased brother and a rather large man responsible in the trunk. When things go bad for Vassilli, Penni goes to ask Zwischenzug for help.
This story created a whole new creature for me, Zwischenzug. This story has a mafia feel to it. There is also lots of fighting and blood but in the end I found it touching and sad. I have to say this story was very well written to draw me in like this.
Pixie Dust by Steven Earl Yoder
Aysa goes to a voodoo master for help. Here in Louisiana she is tormented and now harmed by the mean local rogue fae, she is looking for protection and Bosun helps her.
Aaaa, now this one. This one has a feel of the dark old fairy tales. One that has a moral and a tale that could become one to pass on to your children, when they are older. See this one does not have the shiny endings we have grown accustom to in our fairy tales. Wonderful!
Shadow Fae
Do You Believe? by C.J. Henderson
men of supernatural dealings meet at Narkane, a neutral place for all demensional beings to met and do business, to chat it up of happenings and tell each other stories.
In this one, one of the men tells a story of how there is a faery cockroach. Yes, sounds gross, but I loved this tale. The story teller weaves it so good, the man believes it, and I could see why. I could have believed the whole creation too. lol.
Within the Guardian Bell by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Lance had to leave Suzanne's side to do club business and now speeding home on his motorcycle. The close call from a passing car jingles the magic bell Suzanna gave him for protection. Smear a road gremlin doesn't like Lance, or his little bell, and decides to go after the two, to crush them.
Oh, I know I'm not suppose to like Smear, but I just love the little single minded gremlin. lol. And he tries his best. I also found I wanted more of Lance and Suzanne. I really liked the feel around them. Another story I will have to see if I can find more stories about.
The Seelie Seven by Lee C. Hillman
Robin and Spike are thieving fey who have been caught and only chance to live freely is to become part of a military special mission, in retrieving a stolen item from the Unseelie.
I want to see the Seelie Seven again! Where this story ended it could be possible to have another story out there as well. I loved the mix of the guilty party with their last chance to make good for a free life again. The mission is dangerous and they might not make it. This story was full of action, and deceiving. I liked it!
Enforcer Fae
Shadowcutting by Steven Mangold & Jason Franks
After getting cut, literally, on his latest job Theo wakes in the hospital with a new card from DB Armory in his wallet. going to check this 'person' out, with his broken Glaive, he finds he likes the Shadowcutter sword.
I liked the story with this sword. It's a special fae sword that cuts to kill your enemies through their shadow. But something is going on with Theo, every time he uses this sword. Theo is growing to like the power he has with the sword, but not realizes what it's doing to him in the process. Interesting tale. Again one not with an ending we are so accustom to, but I loved it.
Twilight Crossing by John Passarella
Ray, a talented bouncer at a local tavern, senses trouble when a new young visitor arrives, sitting at his own table peacefully. Shortly after the young mans arrival three trouble makers come in and they begin a fight. Ray ends up learns more about himself that he had forgotten about.
Oh I like the mystery behind the unknown, forgotten past. The way Ray 'knows' things about the knife used and slowly remembers a life he didn't know he had. I enjoyed the tavern atmosphere, fighting, and the writing style of the author in this one.
~~~~
All in all I really enjoyed these stories. There were 20 stories in total here, and all are very good reads. I tried to not to over do it, but I ended up mentioning 10 of the 20 stories. And there where others I wanted to tell you about as well.
February 4, 2012
Normally I review each story in an anthology individually to give you a feel of what's in the book and what to look forward to. This one is hard to do that with as there are so many stories here. AND what makes it even harder, is I found I enjoyed just about all of them!
These tales gave me a feel of the dark faery tales of old, some set in more recent time frame, that have not been sugar coated for children. They are wonderful!
The book has four sections: Rebel Fae, Rogue Fae, Shadow Fae, and Enforcer Fae.
I liked the Rebel Fae section, but found I really enjoyed one story particularly.
Party Crashers by Trisha Wooldridge & Christy Tohara
A crew are working as a special unit going in for a Sidhe bank robber, one who has the ability to control minds and does so in his game with humans to make the transfer money to his accounts along with collecting artifacts from museums.
I enjoyed the Seelie/Unseelie feel and the surprise in the end about Cameron. I wondered in the end of this story if there are more short stories with this cast of characters, or at least with Cameron and Monica and their secrets.
I found Rogue Fae was the section to really catch my eye, with several of the stories. These stories where darker, mysterious, and more fighting.
A Clear-Cut Case by Elaine Corvidae
Adaira visits detective Sorcha Barrow and Dr. Elizabeth DaTarn (both fae) curious about the strange circumstances of her husbands murder, the why he was murdered and some innards where missing.
I really liked how the world was drawn through the words of action in the story. And there is a mystery! Unseelie style. :)
Whisky Sour by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Juliette smells him, the one regret, coming but ignores her instincts. The one voice she'll never forget orders a Whiskey Sour and repeatedly asks to talk to her in private. Finally Juliette agrees to talk to Toby, to get rid of him. Toby needs her help to retrieve something.
Okay, so I'll admit, this story is the reason for me picking up this anthology, along with a few other new authors I wanted to sample. But I found I loved Jules! Her character grew into her powers in this short story. She's a smart woman, and knows how to take charge. Jules is fae, with a little extra something else now mixed in, no thanks to the history with Toby. I enjoyed the quick action and hope to meet Jules again in the future.
Zwischenzug by Lorne Dixon
Vassili plays chess with a little fairy friend, Penni, in his funeral home, when his nephew shows up with Vassilli's deceased brother and a rather large man responsible in the trunk. When things go bad for Vassilli, Penni goes to ask Zwischenzug for help.
This story created a whole new creature for me, Zwischenzug. This story has a mafia feel to it. There is also lots of fighting and blood but in the end I found it touching and sad. I have to say this story was very well written to draw me in like this.
Pixie Dust by Steven Earl Yoder
Aysa goes to a voodoo master for help. Here in Louisiana she is tormented and now harmed by the mean local rogue fae, she is looking for protection and Bosun helps her.
Aaaa, now this one. This one has a feel of the dark old fairy tales. One that has a moral and a tale that could become one to pass on to your children, when they are older. See this one does not have the shiny endings we have grown accustom to in our fairy tales. Wonderful!
Shadow Fae
Do You Believe? by C.J. Henderson
men of supernatural dealings meet at Narkane, a neutral place for all demensional beings to met and do business, to chat it up of happenings and tell each other stories.
In this one, one of the men tells a story of how there is a faery cockroach. Yes, sounds gross, but I loved this tale. The story teller weaves it so good, the man believes it, and I could see why. I could have believed the whole creation too. lol.
Within the Guardian Bell by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Lance had to leave Suzanne's side to do club business and now speeding home on his motorcycle. The close call from a passing car jingles the magic bell Suzanna gave him for protection. Smear a road gremlin doesn't like Lance, or his little bell, and decides to go after the two, to crush them.
Oh, I know I'm not suppose to like Smear, but I just love the little single minded gremlin. lol. And he tries his best. I also found I wanted more of Lance and Suzanne. I really liked the feel around them. Another story I will have to see if I can find more stories about.
The Seelie Seven by Lee C. Hillman
Robin and Spike are thieving fey who have been caught and only chance to live freely is to become part of a military special mission, in retrieving a stolen item from the Unseelie.
I want to see the Seelie Seven again! Where this story ended it could be possible to have another story out there as well. I loved the mix of the guilty party with their last chance to make good for a free life again. The mission is dangerous and they might not make it. This story was full of action, and deceiving. I liked it!
Enforcer Fae
Shadowcutting by Steven Mangold & Jason Franks
After getting cut, literally, on his latest job Theo wakes in the hospital with a new card from DB Armory in his wallet. going to check this 'person' out, with his broken Glaive, he finds he likes the Shadowcutter sword.
I liked the story with this sword. It's a special fae sword that cuts to kill your enemies through their shadow. But something is going on with Theo, every time he uses this sword. Theo is growing to like the power he has with the sword, but not realizes what it's doing to him in the process. Interesting tale. Again one not with an ending we are so accustom to, but I loved it.
Twilight Crossing by John Passarella
Ray, a talented bouncer at a local tavern, senses trouble when a new young visitor arrives, sitting at his own table peacefully. Shortly after the young mans arrival three trouble makers come in and they begin a fight. Ray ends up learns more about himself that he had forgotten about.
Oh I like the mystery behind the unknown, forgotten past. The way Ray 'knows' things about the knife used and slowly remembers a life he didn't know he had. I enjoyed the tavern atmosphere, fighting, and the writing style of the author in this one.
~~~~
All in all I really enjoyed these stories. There were 20 stories in total here, and all are very good reads. I tried to not to over do it, but I ended up mentioning 10 of the 20 stories. And there where others I wanted to tell you about as well.
These tales gave me a feel of the dark faery tales of old, some set in more recent time frame, that have not been sugar coated for children. They are wonderful!
The book has four sections: Rebel Fae, Rogue Fae, Shadow Fae, and Enforcer Fae.
I liked the Rebel Fae section, but found I really enjoyed one story particularly.
Party Crashers by Trisha Wooldridge & Christy Tohara
A crew are working as a special unit going in for a Sidhe bank robber, one who has the ability to control minds and does so in his game with humans to make the transfer money to his accounts along with collecting artifacts from museums.
I enjoyed the Seelie/Unseelie feel and the surprise in the end about Cameron. I wondered in the end of this story if there are more short stories with this cast of characters, or at least with Cameron and Monica and their secrets.
I found Rogue Fae was the section to really catch my eye, with several of the stories. These stories where darker, mysterious, and more fighting.
A Clear-Cut Case by Elaine Corvidae
Adaira visits detective Sorcha Barrow and Dr. Elizabeth DaTarn (both fae) curious about the strange circumstances of her husbands murder, the why he was murdered and some innards where missing.
I really liked how the world was drawn through the words of action in the story. And there is a mystery! Unseelie style. :)
Whisky Sour by Skyla Dawn Cameron
Juliette smells him, the one regret, coming but ignores her instincts. The one voice she'll never forget orders a Whiskey Sour and repeatedly asks to talk to her in private. Finally Juliette agrees to talk to Toby, to get rid of him. Toby needs her help to retrieve something.
Okay, so I'll admit, this story is the reason for me picking up this anthology, along with a few other new authors I wanted to sample. But I found I loved Jules! Her character grew into her powers in this short story. She's a smart woman, and knows how to take charge. Jules is fae, with a little extra something else now mixed in, no thanks to the history with Toby. I enjoyed the quick action and hope to meet Jules again in the future.
Zwischenzug by Lorne Dixon
Vassili plays chess with a little fairy friend, Penni, in his funeral home, when his nephew shows up with Vassilli's deceased brother and a rather large man responsible in the trunk. When things go bad for Vassilli, Penni goes to ask Zwischenzug for help.
This story created a whole new creature for me, Zwischenzug. This story has a mafia feel to it. There is also lots of fighting and blood but in the end I found it touching and sad. I have to say this story was very well written to draw me in like this.
Pixie Dust by Steven Earl Yoder
Aysa goes to a voodoo master for help. Here in Louisiana she is tormented and now harmed by the mean local rogue fae, she is looking for protection and Bosun helps her.
Aaaa, now this one. This one has a feel of the dark old fairy tales. One that has a moral and a tale that could become one to pass on to your children, when they are older. See this one does not have the shiny endings we have grown accustom to in our fairy tales. Wonderful!
Shadow Fae
Do You Believe? by C.J. Henderson
men of supernatural dealings meet at Narkane, a neutral place for all demensional beings to met and do business, to chat it up of happenings and tell each other stories.
In this one, one of the men tells a story of how there is a faery cockroach. Yes, sounds gross, but I loved this tale. The story teller weaves it so good, the man believes it, and I could see why. I could have believed the whole creation too. lol.
Within the Guardian Bell by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Lance had to leave Suzanne's side to do club business and now speeding home on his motorcycle. The close call from a passing car jingles the magic bell Suzanna gave him for protection. Smear a road gremlin doesn't like Lance, or his little bell, and decides to go after the two, to crush them.
Oh, I know I'm not suppose to like Smear, but I just love the little single minded gremlin. lol. And he tries his best. I also found I wanted more of Lance and Suzanne. I really liked the feel around them. Another story I will have to see if I can find more stories about.
The Seelie Seven by Lee C. Hillman
Robin and Spike are thieving fey who have been caught and only chance to live freely is to become part of a military special mission, in retrieving a stolen item from the Unseelie.
I want to see the Seelie Seven again! Where this story ended it could be possible to have another story out there as well. I loved the mix of the guilty party with their last chance to make good for a free life again. The mission is dangerous and they might not make it. This story was full of action, and deceiving. I liked it!
Enforcer Fae
Shadowcutting by Steven Mangold & Jason Franks
After getting cut, literally, on his latest job Theo wakes in the hospital with a new card from DB Armory in his wallet. going to check this 'person' out, with his broken Glaive, he finds he likes the Shadowcutter sword.
I liked the story with this sword. It's a special fae sword that cuts to kill your enemies through their shadow. But something is going on with Theo, every time he uses this sword. Theo is growing to like the power he has with the sword, but not realizes what it's doing to him in the process. Interesting tale. Again one not with an ending we are so accustom to, but I loved it.
Twilight Crossing by John Passarella
Ray, a talented bouncer at a local tavern, senses trouble when a new young visitor arrives, sitting at his own table peacefully. Shortly after the young mans arrival three trouble makers come in and they begin a fight. Ray ends up learns more about himself that he had forgotten about.
Oh I like the mystery behind the unknown, forgotten past. The way Ray 'knows' things about the knife used and slowly remembers a life he didn't know he had. I enjoyed the tavern atmosphere, fighting, and the writing style of the author in this one.
~~~~
All in all I really enjoyed these stories. There were 20 stories in total here, and all are very good reads. I tried to not to over do it, but I ended up mentioning 10 of the 20 stories. And there where others I wanted to tell you about as well.
September 2, 2017
Just Plain Bad is the second book in the Bad-Ass Faeries series and it contains twenty-four unique stories by various authors, none of whom I was previously familiar with. As with most story collections, some of the stories were better than others, and a couple of them I skipped altogether, but I actually ended up really enjoying the majority of them.
While there are too many stories for me to summarize each one, I will describe a few of my favorite from the anthology.
Moonshine by Bernie Mojzed: A young woman comes into a bar with a sample of a special liquor that her family personally prepares. She offers the bartender a taste with the promise of providing him as much stock as he wants, if he likes it. While at first the bartender is skeptical, after tasting the liquor he quickly agrees to stock his bar with the drink and soon it becomes the most popular drink in the city. And as the popularity of the drink increases so do the violence and crime. Only Tom realizes who it is that is providing the liquor and what their dark purpose is in doing so, and only he may be able to stop them.
Whiskey Sour by Skyla Dawn Cameron: Juliette is a young woman with faerie blood who contracts lycanthropy after a one-night stand. Juliette is burning for revenge against the man who infected her and when he comes to her for help she just might have her chance to pay him back.
Do You Believe by C.J Henderson: A newsman looking for a juicy story stops by a bar where the supernatural are known to gather. After a round of drinks and some pleading he manages to wheedle out of Darby, the story-telling king, the story of the cockroach faeries. Though, as in all dealing with the fae, he will likely come to regret it.
Repostiltskin by James Daniel Ross: This modern retelling of Rumpelstiltskin was definitely my favorite of the stories. Samuel, a nerdy and unpopular boy, is celebrating his birthday at home alone when an unpleasantly smelly and very short man barges into his house and demands from his mother the sixteen red diamonds owed him. When Samuel's mother is unable to provide them, the man carries Samuel away. On the way to the Faery Queen's Court, where Samuel will be forever enslaved, the two of them make a few stops at other houses whose occupants have also signed contracts with the dwarf. And like Samuel's mother, those who can't fulfill their contracts will have to pay dearly.
And since I received the book from Ackley-McPhail I paid particular attention to her contribution to the book, Within The Guardian Bell. This story features Lance, a Halfling faery and the leader of a biker gang made up of rejects from the Faery Court. On the way home, Lance is attacked by a gremlin who has been sent by the Faery King to eliminate him. I liked the idea of biker faeries and was left wanting to know more about the story. But unlike most of the other stories in the book this one didn't feel fully-formed but more like it was part of a larger story, which it is. Luckily I was also sent the Ackley-McPhail's novella, The Halfling's Court, which has the full story about Lance and his gang and I look forward to reading that next.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading Just Plain Bad and I now have a new appreciation for short stories. I liked being able to complete a whole story in the time that it took me to eat breakfast, or just during a short break from work. I liked knowing that within just a few pages I would receive a resolution to the plot, something I don't always have the patience for with regular books. I was particularly impressed, though, with how the authors managed to get me to care for their characters within the space of those few pages. That takes some real writing skill and almost all of the stories very much succeeded in this. And even though each of the stories dealt with faeries, in one form or another, I didn't feel that the stories were similar or repetitive, at all. Though, for some reason, quite a few of them did take place in bars.
If you enjoy reading about faeries and have a taste for tales that are a bit dark and twisted, then this would be a great book for you. As long as you remember that not all faery tales have a happy ending.
While there are too many stories for me to summarize each one, I will describe a few of my favorite from the anthology.
Moonshine by Bernie Mojzed: A young woman comes into a bar with a sample of a special liquor that her family personally prepares. She offers the bartender a taste with the promise of providing him as much stock as he wants, if he likes it. While at first the bartender is skeptical, after tasting the liquor he quickly agrees to stock his bar with the drink and soon it becomes the most popular drink in the city. And as the popularity of the drink increases so do the violence and crime. Only Tom realizes who it is that is providing the liquor and what their dark purpose is in doing so, and only he may be able to stop them.
Whiskey Sour by Skyla Dawn Cameron: Juliette is a young woman with faerie blood who contracts lycanthropy after a one-night stand. Juliette is burning for revenge against the man who infected her and when he comes to her for help she just might have her chance to pay him back.
Do You Believe by C.J Henderson: A newsman looking for a juicy story stops by a bar where the supernatural are known to gather. After a round of drinks and some pleading he manages to wheedle out of Darby, the story-telling king, the story of the cockroach faeries. Though, as in all dealing with the fae, he will likely come to regret it.
Repostiltskin by James Daniel Ross: This modern retelling of Rumpelstiltskin was definitely my favorite of the stories. Samuel, a nerdy and unpopular boy, is celebrating his birthday at home alone when an unpleasantly smelly and very short man barges into his house and demands from his mother the sixteen red diamonds owed him. When Samuel's mother is unable to provide them, the man carries Samuel away. On the way to the Faery Queen's Court, where Samuel will be forever enslaved, the two of them make a few stops at other houses whose occupants have also signed contracts with the dwarf. And like Samuel's mother, those who can't fulfill their contracts will have to pay dearly.
And since I received the book from Ackley-McPhail I paid particular attention to her contribution to the book, Within The Guardian Bell. This story features Lance, a Halfling faery and the leader of a biker gang made up of rejects from the Faery Court. On the way home, Lance is attacked by a gremlin who has been sent by the Faery King to eliminate him. I liked the idea of biker faeries and was left wanting to know more about the story. But unlike most of the other stories in the book this one didn't feel fully-formed but more like it was part of a larger story, which it is. Luckily I was also sent the Ackley-McPhail's novella, The Halfling's Court, which has the full story about Lance and his gang and I look forward to reading that next.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading Just Plain Bad and I now have a new appreciation for short stories. I liked being able to complete a whole story in the time that it took me to eat breakfast, or just during a short break from work. I liked knowing that within just a few pages I would receive a resolution to the plot, something I don't always have the patience for with regular books. I was particularly impressed, though, with how the authors managed to get me to care for their characters within the space of those few pages. That takes some real writing skill and almost all of the stories very much succeeded in this. And even though each of the stories dealt with faeries, in one form or another, I didn't feel that the stories were similar or repetitive, at all. Though, for some reason, quite a few of them did take place in bars.
If you enjoy reading about faeries and have a taste for tales that are a bit dark and twisted, then this would be a great book for you. As long as you remember that not all faery tales have a happy ending.
February 13, 2013
“Bad-Ass Faeries 2: Just Plain Bad” is a collection of short stories which fall under the categories of either ‘Rebel Fae’, ‘Rogue Fae’, ‘Shadow Fae’, and ‘Enforcer Fae’. I enjoyed all of the stories and I think it’s a good idea to read them in order, even though they have no continuing thread. The stories are written in a style which is reminiscent of the original Grimm’s Fairy Tales – dark and dangerous! I couldn’t pick out a favorite from the stories; they’re all deliciously bad-ass in different ways. Check out “Bad-Ass Faeries 2: Just Plain Bad” and while you’re at it, pick up the first collection, “Bad-Ass Faeries”!
Bad-Ass Faeries Series: Bad-Ass Faeries (1), Just Plain Bad (2), In All Their Glory (3)
Bad-Ass Faeries Series: Bad-Ass Faeries (1), Just Plain Bad (2), In All Their Glory (3)
July 3, 2008
This is an amalgamation of stories that show you that not all faeries are full of light and goodness. :) An excellent read. I zipped through this pretty quickly. Two of the stories are done by people that are in my writing group.
February 25, 2014
The first story didn't grab my attention - people are different. The second story was one I could not put down. Moonshine by Bernie Mojzes held me captive and made me want to continue reading the rest of the book.
December 18, 2008
The second Bad-Ass Faeries anthology, Just Plain Bad has an additional twenty faerie stories ready to rip all of your preconceived notions of faeries apart. As in the original Bad-Ass Faerie, this one is also broken down into different categories of Fae and also has continuations of a couple of stories featured in the first anthology...
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of Bad-Ass Faeries 2: Just Plain Bad in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
For the entire review please go to the Best Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Review site on the web, Bitten By Books for the review of Bad-Ass Faeries 2: Just Plain Bad in it's entirety. You won't be sorry.
January 1, 2014
Wasn't really sure what to expect with this one, since it looked pretty dark and I'm not really into horror. And I had a hard time getting into the first story (I'm not really into excessive angst either!) But after the first story, it really got rolling and the stories were fun re-imaginings of ancient creatures. I wish I could remember the names of the stories I liked, but it was a few weeks ago, and the book is off in someone else's hands now. (This is getting to be a habit; have to get better at reviewing stories right away!) At any rate, now looking forward to the others in the series!
March 14, 2009
Who Hoo! We Won an EPPIE award!
June 6, 2008
Better than Bad-Ass!
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