Review: Urban Enemies (Collection Of Seventeen Short Stories)

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Urban Enemies Book Cover Urban Enemies
Joseph Nassies, Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Seanan McGuire, Kelley Armstrong, Jonathan Maberry, Jeff Somers, Steven Savile, Caitlin Kittredge, Sam Witt, Craig Schaefer, Jon F. Merz, Faith Hunter, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Lilith Saintcrow, Carrie Vaughn, & Domino Finn
Urban Fantasy - Short Stories
Gallery Books
August 1st 2017
eBook
448
Library

 

Villains have all the fun—everyone knows that—and this anthology takes you on a wild ride through the dark side! The top villains from seventeen urban fantasy series get their own stories—including the baddies of New York Times bestselling authors Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Kelley Armstrong, Seanan McGuire, and Jonathan Maberry.

For every hero trying to save the world, there’s a villain trying to tear it all down.

In this can’t-miss anthology edited by Joseph Nassise (The Templar Chronicles), you get to plot world domination with the best of the evildoers we love to hate! This outstanding collection brings you stories told from the villains' point of view, imparting a fresh and unique take on the evil masterminds, wicked witches, and infernal personalities that skulk in the pages of today’s most popular series.

The full anthology features stories by Jim Butcher (the Dresden Files), Kelley Armstrong (Cainsville), Seanan McGuire (October Daye), Kevin Hearne (The Iron Druid Chronicles), Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger), Lilith Saintcrow (Jill Kismet), Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville), Joseph Nassise (Templar Chronicles), Domino Finn (Black Magic Outlaw), Steven Savile (Glasstown), Caitlin Kittredge (Hellhound Chronicles), Jeffrey Somers (The Ustari Cycle), Sam Witt (Pitchfork County), Craig Schaefer (Daniel Faust), Jon F. Merz (Lawson Vampire), Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock), and Diana Pharaoh Francis (Horngate Witches).

 

Urban Enemies is a collection of seventeen short stories from Joseph Nassies, Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Seanan McGuire, Kelley Armstrong, Jonathan Maberry, Jeff Somers, Steven Savile, Caitlin Kittredge, Sam Witt, Craig Schaefer, Jon F. Merz, Faith Hunter, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Lilith Saintcrow, Carrie Vaughn, & Domino Finn.

This collection of short stories was an ok read. They are all a little dark and deal with the villains of many different series. I think this collection is great for libraries. It’s got a lot of author’s so, it might get you interested in trying them. 

I picked up this collection; because I wanted to read Jim Butcher’s short story, but I did end up reading all seventeen stories featured. I enjoyed some and others didn’t work out. 

Urban Enemies Collection Rated: 3.5 Stars

Even Hand by Jim Butcher

Even Hand features John Marcone the human criminal lord in Chicago in the Dresden Files. We get to see what he’s been working on in regards to negating magic. The author treats us to a little battle that tests out his defenses. We see that even as a criminal he has rules and one is no children ever.

I’m fan of the Dresden Files. It’s a great Urban Fantasy series to explore. I liked seeing Marcone.

Rated: 4 Stars

Hounded by Kelly Armstrong

Hounded is a dark tale. We learn about the Huntsman and that they hunt those that have killed the fae only. But, here we have one who has been cast out, an outcast; because he hunts humans who have killed. The way he traps these humans isn’t right and it’s what lead him to be outcasted. 

It’s interesting, but a little dark for my taste.

Rated: 3 Stars

Nigsu Ga Tesgu by Jeff Somers

Here we learn that Magicians aren’t nice people. It’s told in Mika’s POV and is very dark.

It was enjoyable, but a little dark for my taste.

Rated: 3 Stars

Sixty-Six Seconds by Craig Schaefer 

We are treated to two series that cross in the same world, Harmony Black and Daniel Faust. Faust is nobody’s hero. He’s a card-carrying villain by trade, a thief and sorcerer. We learn that Demons take over dead bodies and wreak havoc in the modern world. The Chainmen are the first and last line of defense against the enemies of Hell.

I enjoyed Sixty-Six Seconds. Our lead is trying to help someone he cares about out and is on a time crunch.

Rated: 4 Stars 

Kiss by Lilith Saintcro   

We get a character from the Jill Kismet series. 

I have not read the series, so this one was not easy to follow. We get made up languages and words; which don’t make sense. I was lost.

Rated: DNF   

The Naughties T Cherub By Kevin Hearne

Here we get Loki’s POV a character in the Iron Druid series. It takes place after Staked. Loki is working his way towards Ragnoroke. He visits Hades in Hell to gag if he will participate. 

I enjoyed this insight into Loki, the trip to Hell, and this little pop into the series. I’ve got plans to try out the Iron Druid series. 

Rated: 3.5 Stars 

The Resurrectionist by Caitlin Kittredge

This short is set in the Hellhound Chronicles during the 1930’s. It is the begging of Lee’s story. We get a missing girl, zombies, hellhounds, and warlocks. Lee once was a hunter, but has left that life, yet that life never left him. He’ll have to be that man again.  

I really liked this insight into Lee and little taste of the series. 

Rated: 4 Stars 

Down where the Darkness Dwells by Joseph Nassise

Here we visit the Templar Chronicles series and Necromancer Simon Logan a villain in the series. This is the start of when he gains his powers. He’s on a search for hidden treasures that will give power, but what he finds turned him into the most powerful leader and no longer an acolyte. 

I very much enjoyed this short story. I’m curious about the series now. 

Rated: 4 Stars 

Bellum Romanum by Carrie Vaughn

Here we meet Roman aka Gaius Albinus who is Kitty’s nemesis in the Kitty Norville series. 

I actually tried this series and stoped after book two. It wasn’t working for me. As for this short, Bellum Romanum, I liked Roman and seeing him at the start of his life and what he has in the works. 

Rated: 4 Stars 

Altar Boy by Jonathan Maberry

Here we visit the Joe Ledger world and it features Toy a villain and a recovering bad guy fighting for his soul and redemption. He’s trying to turn a new leaf, given a new chance to do good, but his past has caught up with him…. What will he do? 

This was an interesting short and I enjoyed it. Toy is a complex character. He knows he’s done bad and will probably do it again, but he’s also trying to help the good guys and atone for his sins. 

Rated: 4 Stars

Make It Snappy by Faith Hunter 

This one takes us into the Jane Yellowrock series featuring Leo and his vampire gang; before Jane comes into the picture. He takes on an old enemy that he thought was dead and learns that the Europe Vampires have set their sights on his land and will be come. 

I liked this short. It was fun to see Leo before Jane. I like the Yellowrock series. It’s a great Urban Fantasy to read. I actually was taking a break from the series, but after reading this I wanted to get back to the books. 

Rated: 4 Stars

Chase The Fire by Jon F. Merz  

Here we visit the Lawson Vampire series. Shiraz and Ava both have plans, but only one will live to complete them. It’s interesting that these vampires aren’t dead, but have evolved along side humans. We get deception, politics, and hidden plots inside the Vampire world. 

It was an enjoyable read. 

Rated 3.5 Stars

Unexpected Choices by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Here we visit the Horngate Witches series. Giselle, a Witch and Shoftiel, an Angel are not good and not evil. They both do what they feel is right to save people they care about, but those choices have a cost. Shoftiel was punished and sent to the Mistlands. He has a chance at freedom by making a deal with Giselle who needs his help in a snatch and grab. 

Unexpected was investing. We get a run down of the world and what happened to it and why theirs magic now. 

Rated: 4 Stars  

Reel Life by Steven Savile 

This is an odd read. We have Seth who is a criminal. He’s jealous and envious of his brother. He makes a deal with a magician who makes this alternate world called Glass Tower. In this world time moves differently, he doesn’t age, yet can step outside the world into a new time and will age unless he returns to the Glass Tower. 

It’s weird, violent, got abuse, rape, death, and destruction. I didn’t care for it. It’s got several trig points that I don’t like to read about and the weirdness of the story didn’t help.

Rated: 1 stars  

The Difference Between Deceit and Delusion by Domino Finn

This short story takes place before the Black Magic Outlaw series kicks off. We get a look at the backstory of the villain, Tunji Malu, who started all the trouble in that world. It stars off with torture then onto the kill. Once we move on we get a short battle, and making a deal with a Jinn who also has big plans. 

It was an ok read. 

Rated: 3 Stars 

Balance by Seanan McGuire

This one is in the InCryptid universe. It’s got manipulating minds and causing chaos. 

I couldn’t get into this short story. 

Rated: DNF

Everywhere by Sam Witt

Here we visit Pitchfork Country series. Joe Hark fights dark forces that plague the world when he discovers his mentor has; become one of these monsters it puts them against each other. 

I didn’t like it and couldn’t get into the short story. 

Rated: DNF

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I'm an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, animal & book lover. I'm the owner, reviewer & mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy & my favorite shifters are dragons.

10 comments on “Review: Urban Enemies (Collection Of Seventeen Short Stories)

  1. I read this and it is hard to review stories when you don’t read the series. And also to review when the stories are only about 20 pages without spoiling. I enjoyed the Jim butcher one more than you. It’s a good collection though.
    Anne – Books of My Heart recently posted…Audio: Criminal by Karin SlaughterMy Profile

    • Ya, sometimes you can find something new other times its like am I missing something. I liked Butcher’s short in this one. I can see how my set up on my post made it look like I didn’t.

  2. So many good authors in this collection and a few new ones for me too. I’d like to try this!
    Laura Thomas recently posted…Books From The Back Log #17 ~ MegalodonMy Profile

    • There were a lot of new to me authors in this collection. I liked some and others not so much. I hope you enjoy!

  3. I also picked this one up back when it came out for Dresden and Iron Druid stories. I liked both of those, and did read the others, but now I forget my thoughts on most. Haha! I hope you do get the ID series – try it in audiobook; Luke Daniels is amazing!
    Jen recently posted…Listen Up! #Audiobook Review: Motorhomes, Maps, & Murder by Tonya KappesMy Profile

    • Thank’s for your thoughts on the Iron Druid series and how I should try it out. I hear the audio is great for the ID series.

  4. i love that you reviewed each individually. i know that takes some time. glad you enjoyed them
    sherry fundin recently posted…A Freak Winter Storm – Whispered Pain by Ashley Fontainne @AshleyFontainneMy Profile

    • You are welcome! It’s helpful to have individual reviews even if it takes a little more time.

  5. Excellent breakdown and review Angela!!! Shared on my socials!!?????

    • Thank you!