Title: Fantastic Hope
Author: Various
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: April 7, 2020
Pages: 430
Book Source: NetGalley
“A collection of sixteen sci-fi and fantasy stories edited by #1 New York Times bestselling author Laurell K. Hamilton and author William McCaskey.
A child’s wish for her father comes true. The end of the world has never been so much fun. Conquering personal demons becomes all too real. It’s not always about winning; sometimes it’s about showing up for the fight. It’s about loving your life’s work, and jobs that make you question everything.
In this anthology, seventeen authors have woven together brand-new stories that speak to the darkness and despair that life brings while reminding us that good deeds, humor, love, sacrifice, dedication, and following our joy can ignite a light that burns so bright the darkness cannot last.
Laurell K. Hamilton and William McCaskey are joined by Kevin J. Anderson, Griffin Barber, Patricia Briggs, Larry Correia, Kacey Ezell, Monalisa Foster, Robert E. Hampson, John G. Hartness, Jonathan Maberry, L. E. Modesitt, Jr., Jessica Schlenker, Sharon Shinn, M. C. Sumner, Patrick M. Tracy, and Michael Z. Williamson in this collection.” – Amazon
Kim’s Review
I lean more towards fantasy than sci-fi in my reading preferences, and it showed in the stories that I seemed to enjoy more. I wanted to read this because of the short story by Patricia Briggs (love her series!) and I was not disappointed.
I also wanted to see what the characters in Laurell K. Hamilton’s world are up to, even though I stopped reading the Anita Blake series awhile back. Loved the series, but there didn’t seem to be much of a story advancement in the books with all the sex scenes (and I read erotica and romance, so it’s not like I don’t like reading about sex!!!) I enjoyed Zombie Dearest, and since there was no sex in it to keep it clean for the anthology, there was actually a story there.
Some of the other fantasy stories that I really enjoyed and want to read more from the authors because of their writing were; Not in this Lifetime by Sharon Shinn, Mr. Positive the Eternal Optimist by Larry Correia, Heart of Clay by Kevin J. Anderson, and Reprise by John G. Hartness. And the sci-fi stories that I really liked were Broken Son by Griffin Barber, Last Contact by M.C. Sumner, and Bonds of Love and Duty by Monalisa Foster.
All the other ones were enjoyable, except I really couldn’t get into Fallen by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
A very good short story collection that makes reading a story or two before bed an enjoyable thing to do, and perhaps you’ll find a new author… or five!
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