Amid the Winter Snow by Grace Draven, Thea Harrison, Elizabeth Hunter, Jeffe Kennedy

Synopsis: As the snows fall and hearths burn, four stories of Midwinter beginnings prove that love can fight its way through the chillest night…

THE DARKEST MIDNIGHT, by Grace Draven
The mark Jahna Ulfrida was born with has made her a target of the cruel and idle all her life. During the long, crowded festivities of Deyalda, there’s nowhere to escape. Until a handsome stranger promises to teach her to save herself…

THE CHOSEN, by Thea Harrison
In her visions, Lily sees two men fighting for her tiny country’s allegiance: the wolf and the tiger, each deadly, each cunning. One will bring Ys chaos and death, one a gentler path—but she’s destined to love whichever she chooses. The midwinter Masque is upon them, and the wolf is at her door…

THE STORM, by Elizabeth Hunter
When her soul mate died in a massacre of the half-angelic Irin people, Renata thought she’d never feel happiness again. She’s retreated to the snowy Dolomites to remember her hurts—until determined, irrepressible Maxim arrives to insist on joy, too. And before she can throw him out, they discover a secret the Irin have to know…

THE SNOWS OF WINDROVEN, by Jeffe Kennedy
As a blizzard threatens their mountain keep, the new Queen Amelia of the Twelve Kingdoms and her unofficial consort Ash face their own storm. Ash knows a scarred, jumpy ex-convict isn’t the companion his queen needs. But when a surprise attack confines them together in their isolated sanctuary, the feast of midwinter might tempt even Ash into childlike hope…

Review:

THE DARKEST MIDNIGHT by Grace Draven
I do not think I’ve ever read any Grace Draven’s novels, but it’s true that I’ve heard about her more than once, and I was curious to get into one of her stories. I must say that I am conquered! We discover two teenagers who welcome a sword master into their family. But this man will do more than teach how to defend themselves, especially for this girl with a marked face that everyone is laughing about. I really liked it! 4/5

THE CHOSEN by Thea Harrison
I have two novels by Thea Harrison but it’s true that I have not read them yet. I was curious to discover her pen with this little story and I must say that I had a good time. We discover a part of the universe of the author with the highlight of a couple. A rather complicated meeting but I really liked the interactions between the two characters. An interesting world, complex characters and I’m curious to read more now! 4/5

THE STORM, by Elizabeth Hunter
I think it’s easier to understand this story if you read the original series, the novels that relate to the universe that we are presented here. The story is very nice to discover but I felt a little lost in relation to the characters and what they were. But that does not change the fact that I enjoyed discovering this novella and seeing that the author’s ideas are interesting and original. 3.5 / 5

THE SNOWS OF WINDROVEN by Jeff Kennedy
I have never read an entire novel of the author but it was a real pleasure to find her with this novella. I find that Jeffe Kennedy has an undeniable talent and that her style is fluid and really very pleasant to read. I liked the innovative ideas found in this short fantasy story although some details at the level of the universe are missing. In any case, this story really makes me want to discover the series from which it is derived and which seems to propose many pretty ideas! 4/5

Amid the Winter Snow de Grace Draven, Thea Harrison, Elizabeth Hunter, Jeffe Kennedy (VO)

Résumé (traduction personnelle) : Alors que les neiges tombent et que les foyers brûlent, quatre histoires de début d’hiver prouvent que l’amour peut se frayer un chemin à travers la nuit la plus froide …

THE DARKEST MIDNIGHT, by Grace Draven

Jahna Ulfrida est née avec une marque qui a fait d’elle une cible toute sa vie. Pendant les longues festivités bondées de Deyalda, il n’y a nulle part où s’échapper. Jusqu’à ce qu’un bel inconnu promette de lui apprendre à se protéger …

THE CHOSEN, par Thea Harrison
Dans ses visions, Lily voit deux hommes se battre pour l’allégeance de son petit pays: le loup et le tigre, chacun meurtrier, chacun rusé. Un apportera le chaos et la mort de Ys, l’autre un chemin plus doux – mais elle est destinée à aimer celui qu’elle choisira. Le Masque de l’hiver est sur eux, et le loup est à sa porte …

THE STORM, par Elizabeth Hunter
Quand son âme sœur est morte dans un massacre du peuple demi-angélique Irin, Renata pensait qu’elle ne ressentirait plus jamais le bonheur. Elle s’est retirée dans les Dolomites enneigées pour se souvenir de ses blessures – jusqu’à ce que Maxim, irrépressible et déterminé, arrive pour lui insuffler de la joie. Et avant qu’elle ne puisse le jeter dehors, ils découvrent un secret que les Irin doivent savoir …

THE SNOWS OF WINDROVEN, par Jeffe Kennedy
Alors qu’un blizzard menace leur donjon dans les montagnes, la nouvelle reine Amélie des Douze Royaumes et son époux non officiel Ash affrontent leur propre tempête. Ash sait qu’un ex-forçat nerveux aux cicatrices n’est pas le compagnon dont sa reine a besoin. Mais lorsqu’une attaque surprise les enferme dans leur sanctuaire isolé, la fête du milieu de l’hiver pourrait tenter même Ash d’un espoir enfantin …

Avis :

THE DARKEST MIDNIGHT, by Grace Draven

Je ne pense pas avoir déjà lu de romans de Grace Draven mais c’est vrai que j’en ai entendu parler plus d’une fois et j’étais curieuse de me lancer dans une de ses histoires. Je dois dire que je suis conquise ! Nous découvrons deux adolescents qui accueillent dans leur famille un maître d’arme. Mais voilà cet homme va faire bien plus que leur apprendre à défendre, notamment pour cette jeune fille au visage marqué et dont tout le monde se moque. J’ai vraiment beaucoup aimé ! 4/5

THE CHOSEN, by Thea Harrison
J’ai deux romans de Thea Harrison mais c’est vrai que je ne les ai pas encore lus. J’étais pourtant curieuse de découvrir sa plume avec cette petite histoire et je dois dire que j’ai passé un bon moment. On découvre une partie de l’univers de l’auteur avec la mise en avant d’un couple. Une rencontre assez compliquée mais j’ai beaucoup aimé les interactions entre les deux personnages. Un monde intéressant, des personnages complexes et je suis curieuse d’en lire plus maintenant ! 4/5

THE STORM, by Elizabeth Hunter
Je pense qu’il est plus simple de comprendre cette histoire si on a lu l’histoire de départ, les romans qui se rapportent à l’univers que l’on nous présente ici. Le récit est très sympa à découvrir mais je me suis sentie un peu perdue par rapport aux personnages et à ce qu’ils étaient. Mais cela ne change rien au fait que j’ai pris plaisir à découvrir cette nouvelle et de voir que les idées de l’auteure sont intéressantes et originales. 3.5/5

THE SNOWS OF WINDROVEN, by Jeffe Kennedy

Je n’ai jamais lu de roman entier de l’auteur mais c’était un réel plaisir de la retrouver dans cette nouvelle. Je trouve que Jeffe Kennedy a un talent indéniable et que son style est vraiment très agréable à lire et fluide. J’ai aimé les idées innovantes que l’on retrouve dans cette histoire courte de fantasy bien qu’il me manque quelques détails au niveau de l’univers. Dans tous les cas, cette histoire m’a vraiment envie de découvrir la série dont elle est dérivée et qui semble proposer pleins de jolies idées ! 4/5

Mad Hatters and March Hares

Synopsis: From master anthologist Ellen Datlow comes an all-original of weird tales inspired by the strangeness of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There.

Between the hallucinogenic, weird, imaginative wordplay and the brilliant mathematical puzzles and social satire, Alice has been read, enjoyed, and savored by every generation since its publication. Datlow asked eighteen of the most brilliant and acclaimed writers working today to dream up stories inspired by all the strange events and surreal characters found in Wonderland.

Featuring stories and poems from Seanan McGuire, Catherynne M. Valente, Delia Sherman, Genevieve Valentine, Priya Sharma, Stephen Graham Jones, Richard Bowes, Jeffrey Ford, Angela Slatter, Andy Duncan, C.S.E. Cooney, Matthew Kressel, Kris Dikeman, Jane Yolen, Kaaron Warren, Ysbeau Wilce, and Katherine Vaz.

Review: This anthology gathers poems and short stories related to the theme of Alice in Wonderland. I find the idea really great and I was really curious to get started! When I read anthologies, I usually offer a really short review by story but given the mixture of writings with this large number of authors, I prefer to give you a little recap on my feelings.

This novel offers us different stories, different times, some very far from the original and others a little closer, some putting Alice as the main character and others some secondary characters in the story. I found it very interesting to see what each author would propose but it is true that if I expected a lot, especially given the theme, I was a little disappointed by some of the novellas. I was also sometimes a little confused and I was not sure that it was due to the universe. One thing is for sure, the ideas are all very original and different from what we would expect and I’m glad I was able to put a foot in this interesting and different world.

 

 

Mad Hatters and March Hares (VO)

Résumé : De l’anthologue Ellen Datlow vient un ensemble original des contes étranges inspirés par l’étrangeté des aventures d’Alice au pays des merveilles de Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass, What Alice Found There.

Entre le jeu de mots hallucinogène, bizarre, imaginatif et les brillantes énigmes mathématiques et la satire sociale, Alice a été lue, appréciée et savourée par chaque génération depuis sa publication. Datlow a demandé à dix-huit des écrivains les plus brillants et les plus acclamés de travailler aujourd’hui pour imaginer des histoires inspirées par tous les événements étranges et les personnages surréalistes trouvés au pays des merveilles.

Nous trouvons donc non des histoires et des poèmes de Seanan McGuire, de Catherynne M. Valente, de Delia Sherman, de Genevieve Valentine, de Priya Sharma, de Stephen Graham Jones, de Richard Bowes, de Jeffrey Ford, d’Angela Slatter, d’Andy Duncan, C.S.E. Cooney, Matthew Kressel, Kris Dikeman, Jane Yolen, Warren Kaaron, Ysbeau Wilce et Katherine Vaz.

Avis : Cette anthologie rassemble des poèmes et des nouvelles se rapportant au thème d’Alice au pays des Merveilles. Je trouve l’idée vraiment géniale et j’étais vraiment curieuse de me lancer ! Dans mes chroniques d’anthologies, je propose souvent un petit avis par histoire mais vu le mélange poèmes et histoire avec ce nombre important d’auteurs, je préfère vous faire un petit récapitulatif sur mon ressenti.

Ce roman nous propose différentes histoires, différentes reprises, certaines très loin de l’originales et d’autres un peu plus proches, certaines mettant Alice en tant que personnage principal et d’autres des personnages secondaires de l’histoire. J’ai trouvé très intéressant de voir ce que chaque auteur allait proposer mais c’est vrai que si j’en attendais énormément, notamment au vu du thème, j’ai été un peu déçue par quelques-unes des nouvelles. J’étais aussi parfois un peu confuse et je n’étais pas sûre que cela soit dû à l’univers. Une chose est sûre, les idées sont toutes très originales et différentes de ce à quoi on pourrait s’attendre et je suis contente d’avoir pu remettre un pied dans cet univers si intéressant et différent.

 

Dark Secrets: A Paranormal Noir Anthology by Rachel Caine, Cynthia Eden, Megan Hart, Suzanne Johnson, Jeffe Kennedy, Mina Khan

Synopsis: Six award-winning authors bring you this spellbinding collection of stories about dark desires, mysterious worlds, and danger that lurks in the shadows of the night. Where nothing is black and white; where things might not be as they seem; where magic and mayhem rule.

MARION, MISSING by Rachel Caine

Valentine is a detective with two major problems: he’s been offered a kidnapping case that will probably get him killed, and his partner won’t let him turn it down. He owes her that much … since his partner’s a ghost, and he blames himself for her death. A dark, haunting noir mystery of love, hate and loss.

FEMME FATALE by Cynthia Eden

PI Mick Swayne has seen it all—his clients have included liars, thieves, and even killers. He thinks he can handle anything and anyone. Then she walks into his office. Savannah Moreau is beautiful, seductive, and…a vampire? The gorgeous vamp hires Mick to help her track down a killer who is hunting in Chicago, but as Mick slips deeper into Savannah’s paranormal world, he wonders if he can really trust his new client…

DANCE WITH THE DEVIL by Megan Hart

When the devil starts the music, you’d better get ready to dance.
Kathleen Murphy has sold her soul to the devil. Fame, fortune, success…everything she’s ever dreamed of is hers, and all she has to do is the devil’s bidding. When love comes knocking, the last thing in the world she wants to do is involve Jake in her twisted world, but the devil’s started up the jukebox and Kathleen has no choice but to learn the steps

THE CONSORT by Suzanne Johnson

Faulkner Hearne, the captain of the ruthless Fae Hunters, finds his duty at odds with his heart when he’s ordered to capture the consort of Faerie’s cruel Prince of Summer when she flees across the veil into modern New Orleans. Can Faulk turn Liandra over to a certain death at the hands of the prince, or will he risk a war with Faerie in order to save her?
An all-new novella set in the Sentinels of New Orleans multiverse.

HEART’S BLOOD by Jeffe Kennedy, a Twelve Kingdoms novella

A dark fairytale retelling of a princess robbed of rank, husband and even her name.
Nix is nothing. The Princess Natilde—her former waiting woman—attacked her on the journey to wed Prince Cavan, stripping her of everything and taking her place. With no serving skills, Nix becomes a goose girl. Perhaps if Nix keeps her promise never to reveal who she really is, Natilde won’t carry out her vile threats. Prince Cavan entered his arranged marriage determined to have a congenial, if not loving relationship with his future queen—for the sake of both their kingdoms. But, his wife repels him more each day and he finds himself absurdly drawn to the lovely Nix.

THE DJINN IN THE MIRROR by Mina Khan, a Djinn World novella

A paranormal Cinderella story with a young witch as the heroine and a wicked, sexy djinn instead of a fairy godmother.
Dahlia, the step-daughter of a power hungry wizard, promises to free a djinn trapped in a mirror if he rescues her from impending death. But Ashmael the djinn has his own agenda: to trick & seduce his way to freedom. The only problem is he ends up falling for Dahlia. Can he win his freedom and save the girl?

Review:

« Marion, Missing » – Rachel Caine

I’ve read some books by Rachel Caine I really enjoyed but it is true that it was interesting to find her with something a bit different. Here, we find Valentine, a detective wearied of his work after the death of his assistant. And even if the latter is always present in her spectral form to help him, that does not change his guilt. However he will be obliged to accept a case when the niece of the young woman disappears and that the family comes to see him to have his assistance. It was a rather interesting story and I always appreciate the presence of ghosts. However, I found that it drew a little bit in length towards the end.

Femme Fatale – Cynthia Eden

I heard a lot about the writer without reading one of her books but this novella was a good occasion to get into in her universe. Once more, we find ourselves with private detectives whereas it enters in collision with the supernatural world. Indeed, a vampire comes to our dear detective to require his assistance in order to find the person in charge of two murders downtown by another vampire which she hopes to catch. However, Savannah also wishes other things, a companion and it is true that the two stories mix perfectly. I did not expect either to doubt about the culprit, but Cynthia Eden manages nevertheless to make us balance between the two characters and it is true that I found that it was very well done. A story making us want to discover more from the writer!

Dance with the Devil – Megan Hart

I do not remember if I have read a book by Megan Hart and yet her name rings in my head, perhaps another novella? In all the cases we find a very good little story here and I confess that I spent an excellent moment. No private detectives this time but rather a young woman who signs an agreement with the devil and who must accept all that he asks her for fear of lose her soul or to die. It is a difficult task with always many consequences. However it is rather complicated to understand Satan, to see how he plays with our heroine for finally giving her an end which we would not expect. Yes, I still have many questions but it was a very good novel and I would love to learn more! I also appreciated at the end, the small part which introduces Jake in another story

The Consort – Suzanne Johnson

I think that everyone knows that I really appreciate the books by Suzanne Johnson, thus it was a pleasure to find a story in her universe, even more when the faes have the place of honor. Yes, because besides that, I have a big weakness for all that has connection with these creatures. We find a young girl finds become the consort against her will of a fae prince. To avoid that, she will try to flee but will be quickly caught by those who search for her and yet there could be a loop-hole. It was a very good story once more and it is a pleasure to return to the universe of the writer.

Heat’s Blood – Jeffe Kennedy

I had never read a book by Jeffe Kennedy but it is true that I always heard a lot of good things about her and my friend Carien always does many praises. I was therferefore impatient to start my reading! We find ourselves launched in a tale, a story which is not easy and I was very sad for the young Nix and all that she must go through whereas she really does not deserve it. It was a good story, a nice discovery and it is true that now, after a small outline, I am very curious to try something of more complete from the writer!

The Djinn in the Mirror – Mina Khan

Here is another writer that I do not think of having tried before but I acknowledge that her story really gave me desire to learn more! It should be said that, like the faes, the Djinn always really intrigue me and it was a pleasure to learn a little more about them and about their world. For that, we follow the story of a young girl who tries to release herself from the influence of her stepfather although that is really very difficult. However, she will be helped by her very particular cat and perhaps this new djinn if she is able to get him to understand that she is not her mistress but rather her equal. A pretty small discovery and I am curious again to read more!

mellianefini

Dark Secrets: A Paranormal Noir Anthology de Rachel Caine, Cynthia Eden, Megan Hart, Suzanne Johnson, Jeffe Kennedy, Mina Khan (VO)

Résumé : Six award-winning authors bring you this spellbinding collection of stories about dark desires, mysterious worlds, and danger that lurks in the shadows of the night. Where nothing is black and white; where things might not be as they seem; where magic and mayhem rule.

MARION, MISSING by Rachel Caine

Valentine is a detective with two major problems: he’s been offered a kidnapping case that will probably get him killed, and his partner won’t let him turn it down. He owes her that much … since his partner’s a ghost, and he blames himself for her death. A dark, haunting noir mystery of love, hate and loss.

FEMME FATALE by Cynthia Eden

PI Mick Swayne has seen it all—his clients have included liars, thieves, and even killers. He thinks he can handle anything and anyone. Then she walks into his office. Savannah Moreau is beautiful, seductive, and…a vampire? The gorgeous vamp hires Mick to help her track down a killer who is hunting in Chicago, but as Mick slips deeper into Savannah’s paranormal world, he wonders if he can really trust his new client…

DANCE WITH THE DEVIL by Megan Hart

When the devil starts the music, you’d better get ready to dance.
Kathleen Murphy has sold her soul to the devil. Fame, fortune, success…everything she’s ever dreamed of is hers, and all she has to do is the devil’s bidding. When love comes knocking, the last thing in the world she wants to do is involve Jake in her twisted world, but the devil’s started up the jukebox and Kathleen has no choice but to learn the steps

THE CONSORT by Suzanne Johnson

Faulkner Hearne, the captain of the ruthless Fae Hunters, finds his duty at odds with his heart when he’s ordered to capture the consort of Faerie’s cruel Prince of Summer when she flees across the veil into modern New Orleans. Can Faulk turn Liandra over to a certain death at the hands of the prince, or will he risk a war with Faerie in order to save her?
An all-new novella set in the Sentinels of New Orleans multiverse.

HEART’S BLOOD by Jeffe Kennedy, a Twelve Kingdoms novella

A dark fairytale retelling of a princess robbed of rank, husband and even her name.
Nix is nothing. The Princess Natilde—her former waiting woman—attacked her on the journey to wed Prince Cavan, stripping her of everything and taking her place. With no serving skills, Nix becomes a goose girl. Perhaps if Nix keeps her promise never to reveal who she really is, Natilde won’t carry out her vile threats. Prince Cavan entered his arranged marriage determined to have a congenial, if not loving relationship with his future queen—for the sake of both their kingdoms. But, his wife repels him more each day and he finds himself absurdly drawn to the lovely Nix.

THE DJINN IN THE MIRROR by Mina Khan, a Djinn World novella

A paranormal Cinderella story with a young witch as the heroine and a wicked, sexy djinn instead of a fairy godmother.
Dahlia, the step-daughter of a power hungry wizard, promises to free a djinn trapped in a mirror if he rescues her from impending death. But Ashmael the djinn has his own agenda: to trick & seduce his way to freedom. The only problem is he ends up falling for Dahlia. Can he win his freedom and save the girl?

Avis :
« Marion, Missing » – Rachel Caine

J’ai lu quelques livres de Rachel Caine que j’avais beaucoup appréciés mais c’est vrai que c’était intéressant de la retrouver avec quelque chose de différent. Ici, nous retrouvons Valentine, un détective lassé de son travail après la mort de son acolyte. Et même si cette dernière est toujours présente dans sa forme spectrale pour l’aider, cela ne change pas son sentiment de culpabilité. Pourtant il va être obligé d’accepter une affaire quand la nièce de la jeune femme disparait et que la famille vient vers lui pour avoir de l’aide. C’était une histoire assez intéressante et j’apprécie toujours la présence de fantômes. Cependant, j’ai trouvé qu’elle tirait un petit peu en longueur vers la fin. 3.5/5

Femme Fatale – Cynthia Eden
J’avais beaucoup entendu parler de l’auteure sans jamais lire un seul de ses livres, alors cette nouvelle était une bonne occasion pour me plonger dans son univers. Une fois de plus, nous nous retrouvons dans le monde des détectives privés alors qu’il entre en collision avec le monde surnaturel. En effet, une vampire se présente chez notre chère détective pour lui demander de l’aide afin de retrouver le responsable de deux meurtres en ville, un autre vampire qu’elle espère bien attraper. Pourtant, Savannah désire aussi d’autres choses, un compagnon et c’est vrai que les deux histoires se mêlent parfaitement. Je ne m’attendais pas non plus à douter du coupable, mais Cynthia Eden parvient tout de même à nous faire balancer entre les deux personnages et c’est vrai que j’ai trouvé ça très bien fait. Une histoire qui nous donne envie d’en découvrir plus de l’auteure ! 4/5

Dance with the Devil – Megan Hart
Je ne me rappelle pas avoir lu un livre de Megan Hart et pourtant son nom résonne dans ma tête, peut-être une autre nouvelle quelque part ? Dans tous les cas on retrouve une très bonne petite histoire ici et j’avoue que j’ai passé un excellent moment. Pas de détectives privés cette fois ci mais plutôt une jeune femme qui a passé un accord avec le diable et qui doit accepter tout ce qu’il lui demande de faire de peur de perdre son âme ou de mourir. C’est une tâche bien difficile qui a toujours de nombreuses conséquences. Pourtant c’est assez compliqué de comprendre Satan, de voir comment il joue avec notre héroïne pour finalement lui donner une fin à laquelle on ne s’attendrait pas. Oui, je me pose encore beaucoup de questions mais c’était une très bonne novella qui donne envie d’en apprendre plus ! J’ai aussi apprécié à la fin, la petite partie qui nous présente finalement Jake dans une autre histoire. 4.5/5

The Consort – Suzanne Johnson
Je pense que tout le monde sait que j’apprécie énormément les livres de Suzanne Johnson donc c’était un plaisir de retrouver une histoire dans son univers, encore plus quand les faes y sont à l’honneur. Oui, parce qu’en plus de cela, j’ai une grosse faiblesse pour tout ce qui est en rapport avec ces créatures. On se retrouve donc dans une nouvelle où une jeune fille se retrouve contre son gré, le consort d’un prince fae. Pour éviter cela, elle va essayer de fuir mais va vite être rattrapée par ceux qui la recherchent et pourtant il pourrait bien y avoir une échappatoire. C’était très bonne histoire une fois de plus et c’est un plaisir de se replonger dans l’univers de l’auteure ! 4/5

Heat’s Blood – Jeffe Kennedy
Je n’avais jamais lu de livres de Jeffe Kennedy mais c’est vrai que j’en ai toujours entendu beaucoup de bien et mon amie Carien m’en fait toujours beaucoup d’éloges, aussi, j’étais impatiente de me lancer dans ma lecture ! On se retrouve lancé dans un conte, une histoire qui n’est pas forcément facile et j’ai été très triste pour la jeune Nix et tout ce qu’elle doit traverser alors qu’elle ne le méritait vraiment pas. C’était une bonne histoire, une jolie découverte et c’est vrai que maintenant, après un petit aperçu, je suis très curieuse de tenter quelque chose de plus complet de l’auteure ! 4/5

The Djinn in the Mirror – Mina Khan
Voilà une autre auteure que je ne pense pas avoir tentée auparavant mais j’avoue que son histoire m’a vraiment donné envie d’en savoir plus ! Il faut dire que tout comme les faes, les Djinn m’ont toujours vraiment intriguée et c’était un plaisir d’en apprendre un peu plus sur eux et sur leur monde. Pour cela, on suit l’histoire d’une jeune fille qui essaie de se libérer de l’emprise de son beau-père bien que cela soit vraiment très difficile, pourtant elle sera aidée par son chat très particulier et peut-être ce nouveau djinn si elle arrive à lui faire comprendre qu’elle n’est pas sa maitresse mais plutôt son égale. Une jolie petite découverte et je suis là aussi curieuse d’en lire plus ! 4/5

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The Doll Collection by Ellen Datlow

Synopsis: The Doll Collection is exactly what it sounds like: a treasured toy box of all-original dark stories about dolls of all types, including everything from puppets and poppets to mannequins and baby dolls. Featuring everything from life-sized clockwork dolls to all-too-human Betsy Wetsy-type baby dolls, these stories play into the true creepiness of the doll trope, but avoid the clichés that often show up in stories of this type.Master anthologist Ellen Datlow has assembled a list of beautiful and terrifying stories from bestselling and critically acclaimed authors such as Joyce Carol Oates, Seanan McGuire, Carrie Vaughn, Pat Cadigan, Tim Lebbon, Richard Kadrey, Genevieve Valentine, and Jeffrey Ford. The collection is illustrated with photographs of dolls taken by Datlow and other devoted doll collectors from the science fiction and fantasy field. The result is a star-studded collection exploring one of the most primal fears of readers of dark fiction everywhere, and one that every reader will want to add to their own collection.

Review: How not to be attracted to this anthology? I think it is impossible. The dolls can represent so many things, especially when the subject matter remains horror. I was so eager to get into the book to read and discover how each author was able to stage these very intriguing objects. Moreover, each image in the beginning of the stories allows us to have a little insight and to put us in the mood for the next writer.

Skin and bone – Tim Lebbon
I did not know the author but I admit that I was curious to discover his history. From the beginning, placing the characters in the desolate world of ice immediately put us in the mood and shows us dolls as we never have seen them. Without knowing if everything is real or not. A good story. 4/5

Heroes and Villains – Stephen Gallagher
Here we have a much sinister atmosphere, much less horror but yet a different doll, a puppet that is more than she seems to appear and a ventriloquist who is not really one. 3/5

The Doll Master – Joyce Carol Oates
Here is another strange story, starring a young sick boy and who does not realize the harm he does around him. The author plays on two perfect psychological tables, leaving us with many questions. 3.5 / 5

Gaze – Gemma Files
Gemma Files presents dolls in a different form. The glass eyes used, old eyes now have much value. But while our heroine is interested in all this, she will dive back into the past and discover more than what she thought. 3.5 / 5

In Case of Zebras – Pat Cadigan
This time we follow a story about effigies and more specifically about a woman who discovers the existence of voodoo dolls in a hospital. It was interesting to see exactly the interest of the young woman for these objects. 4/5

There is no place for sorrow in the kingdom of the cold – Seanan McGuire
I love Seanan McGuire. Her stories are always a real treat to follow so I was curious to discover this little novella. I admit that I loved her idea, a person who can create dolls so she can put her emotions into the hosts she creates. It was a truly original story and I was easily carried away by all. 4.5 / 5

Goodness and Kindness – Carrie Vaughn
Here is another author that I like and another story that I enjoyed. Something dark, a man, a reporter who will understand that his actions are not always the best to follow. And with dolls, he will realize that he needs to change something. 4.5 / 5

Daniel’s Theory about Dolls – Stephen Graham Jones
Here is a dark and sad story of two brothers, dolls and death. The author has managed to create a really strange atmosphere throughout history while we try to understand what is happening. 4/5

After Before and Back – Miranda Siemienowicz
I had a little trouble to get into the story and to really understand what was happening so I admit I wasn’t really interested this time … 2/5

Doctor Faustus – Mary Robinette Kowal
I think that we find here the shortest story in the anthology. Everything is pretty fast and suddenly it’s true that I had trouble placing the universe, but it was pretty cool to read it. 3/5

Doll Court – Richard Bowes
What would happen if we were judged for the actions that we had in relation to dolls realized in the past? If a court were assembled to choose what we would deserve? And if all this was happening in our dreams with repercussions in real life? A very interesting story. 4/5

Lovely Visit Cornwall on the Western Railway Line – Genevieve Valentine
Here we follow a young girl with her doll … a person making a train journey with her puppet and all those with whom she interacts. 3/5

Ambitious boys like you – Richard Kadrey
Here’s a pretty dark story involving two people who decide to rob a supposed old haunted house and which contains hundreds of dolls … Unfortunately they do not expect to find someone stronger than them. 3.5 / 5

Miss Sybil Cassandra – Lucy Sussex
The novel is presented in a very different form. I think this is the first time that I find a novella in the form of emails and letters. It is quite rare and not very used and so an interesting format. 3/5

The permanent collection – Veronica Schanoes
We discover a different hospital, yes because it contains dolls and here we follow a particular doll that finally presents a bit of her life. 3/5

Homemade Monsters – John Langan
We follow a young boy with an undeniable talent for creating things, including his favorite Godzilla monster. But it is also a story of boys, friendship and revenge. 3.5 / 5

Word Doll – Jeffrey Ford
And that’s the last story, a very nice indeed. A former museum of dolls, a man who visits after 20 years of inattention and interesting myths that we discover the words of the owner. 4/5

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