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Never After (2009)

by Laurell K. Hamilton(Favorite Author)

3.81 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0515147281 (ISBN13: 9780515147285)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Jove

review 1: Tough ladies. Determined princesses. Prince Charmings who are not so charming but more like colossal jerks. All the trappings of classic and modern day fairy tales are here. The course of true love ne’er ran smooth and here the paths are convoluted indeed, leading the princesses into dark castles, spooky forests or down meandering roads. The premise of princesses taking their destinies into their own hands is one that has drawn me to many a story. Modern-day women want more from their storybook ladies than that they be passive, pampered pets, lying on biers in enchanted sleep while waiting for their prince to arrive. We know that women can be tough, too, especially when it comes to choosing the men who will stand by our sides and give us children. You’re going to be wi... moreth that guy for a long time, girls, so it’s best to choose wisely. The princesses in these stories do choose and the writers do their best to make each tale lively and absorbing. Where I think this anthology fall shorts is that there is little of genuine humor in it. One story skimped so much on humor, making its case about strong femininity a little too heavily, that I found myself wishing that the everybody in it would just stop talking and give the arrogant prince a good ass-kicking. Women can be strong AND funny. Maybe we can get more of that in our stories.
review 2: "Can He Bake a Cherry Pie?" by Laurell K. Hamilton was a cute yet dark story that had a very "fairy tale" feel to it. The protagonist Elinore has been promised to an old and lecherous earl by her father for political gain and she only sees one way out: save Prince True from the sorceress who trapped him fifty years ago or die trying. Overall, cute and interesting mixed with poetic justice for both Elinore and Prince True. Rating: 3 1/2 Stars"The Shadow of Mist" by Yasmine Galenorn was an emotional and fast - paced story set in the Otherworld universe. Siobhan, a Selkie with a secret past, is happy with her upcoming marriage and the birth of her first child when her past literally calls her and turns her world upside down. Now Siobhan must enlist the help of her friends the D'Artigo sisters if she wants to save herself, her child, and the man she loves. I enjoyed this story as I am a fan of the series and I liked this glimpse into the background of a secondary character. I recommend this story to fans of the series as it ties in with Camille, Menolly, ans Delilah. Rating: 4 Stars"The Tangleroot Palace" by Marjorie M. Liu was an interesting story reminiscent of age old fairy tales involving a rebellious, headstrong princess set to be married to a warlord said to be fierce and deadly by her aging father the king. As the time draws closer for Sally to meet her future husband, she begins dreaming of the forest beyond her home with a queen and children, and decides an expedition is in order that will not only introduce her to secrets long hidden by her deceased mother, but also to an interesting troupe of "actors" that will change everything in her life forever. This was a good story with a hint of the paranormal that had complex characters and a subtle yet profound love story that was satisfying although a little odd in the beginning. Another nice addition to this anthology! Rating: 4 Stars"The Wrong Bridegroom" by Sharon Shinn was a cautionary tale that reinvented the old adage, "Never judge a book by its cover." We find Olivia, princess and heir to the kingdom her father the king now holds, watching as would-be suitors battle against one another for her hand in marriage after she refuses to be wed to the man her father had chosen. She was dazzled by the magician who passed all the tests and thought him to be the prince of her dreams. Of course, the other victor of the tests was none other than her disgarded fiance and he has no intention of letting his princess toss him over without trying one last time to show her he would be the perfect husband for her.I found Olivia unbelievably shallow and selfish and also unduly cruel to both Harwin and her stepmother Gisele throughout the story. I almost hated the story until I realized this was the authors' intention all along: to make her lead character less desirable and flawed with the chance of redemption before the end of the story. It totally worked in this anthology and I really did enjoy the "twist" with the king in the end as well. Rating: 3 1/2 StarsOverall, a pretty nice ensemble of stories were written in this anthology. They all had the same "theme" of matrimony gone wrong tinged with the supernatural, but only Yasmine Galenorn's story really did not fit as its world was more reticent of present times and places as opposed to the old, 17th century, English countryside feel of the other three stories. I would recommend this anthology to fans of authors themselves or people who enjoy light romance with a bit of adventure! Rating Overall: 3 1/2 Stars less

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