Baen Books

A wide assortment of stories. Leaving aside the Liaden story I was reading for, most of the stories that interested me seem not to come attached to books, unfortunately. The ones they did have books, or series, attached...were mostly ideas and characters that I didn't want to see any more of. Not all - there's a few near the end that were better - but the two stories I liked best (again, aside from Steve and Sharon's) were contest winners, and I think neither author had (yet) written anything else. And then there's the last one, Preferred Seating by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - there's not much to the story, I had some difficulty figuring out when it is (clearly not after Plan B, but Korval seems to be in much the same sort of trouble), it's mostly introducing a few new characters and setting up their connections - but it's lovely, as I expected. Some very interesting wizardry/psionics, characters I want to know more of, and the usual beautifully written descriptions evoking this world very clearly. And I read this book because a reviewer was kind enough to mention that this story is a prequel to their latest chapbook, which I also have and hadn't gotten to reading yet. So I know I'm going to get to see more of these people, yay. Also it's set in Trader's Leap time - I don't (yet) know how that relates to the generation of Korval I know best. More good reading ahead of me.… (more)

This collection of short stories runs the gamut from the absolutely awesome to the unbearably dull.

Most of these stories appear to take place in each of the authors' own universe. So if you are not familiar with that universe, you're going to feel like an interloper at a party.

Honestly though, the worst I can say is that some of these stories were just boring.

And the good stuff really makes up for it. I liked the following stories.

Zahn's story took place in his Cobra War trilogy. It was a typical Zahn. I wasn't blown away, but I did enjoy it and I enjoyed the extra boost" to the overall trilogy that this story added.

Second was a story called "Intelligent Design" that dealt with a young boy who discovers some sort of sentient computer. I really liked the idea.

Third, last and Best, was Larry C's short MHI story "Tanya: Princess of the Elves". Edward the urk is just awesome. And it was pretty amusing to see a little more into the elve's world, of ho-ho's and ranch dressing :)

I got this for free from Baen [Baenebooks.com]. Not sure I would have paid for this."… (more)