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Book Review of Charmed Destinies: Counting Crows / Drusilla's Dream / Moonglow

Charmed Destinies: Counting Crows / Drusilla's Dream / Moonglow
reviewed on + 71 more book reviews


Three stories, three reviews
M. Lackey "Counting Crows" - As another poster mentioned brutal rape scene. If you have read Arrow's Fall (Valdemar) you have an idea of what Lackey is capable of at times (not in all her books, but I now know of at least 3). You know it is coming, skip over the details (in my copy halfway down p48-halfway down p50). The story is good. You are set up to loathe her husband. There is only one quick theory as to why he is the monster he is. You are never given to sympathize with him. Short stories being what they are the characters can lack depth - all bad, all good, nothing in between. If you have read and enjoyed Valdemar stories, you will most likely like this one. By the way, if you find Elloran in the story let me know. I only saw the name on the back of the book write up and never again.

R. Lee "Drusilla's dream" The person summarizing the story for the back of the book did lousy. "Every night Dursilla Morgan dreamed..." - well technically true, but she was working nights so it was more "daydreaming" or "fantasizing" would have been a better word. If you have daydreamed and been pulled out, but wanted to go back in to finish it, you will understand. Or if you are the type of person who is slow to wake, so the alarm clock is some annoying bird in your dream until you finally truly wake. That overlap is what I believe turned some people off. Geek is the point. Artistic la-la land is the point. And what would you do if someone could jump in AND out with you? I liked this one. I know I have read Lee before, but nothing of hers has compelled me to put her on an author watch list. Still, it was a nice read.

C. Asaro "Moonglow" - This one was compelling. Some bits had to resolve quicker than I thought they should, but hey, short story by definition. She ties up the loose ends for you for all the characters. At least enough to be satisfied that you don't have to run out and get the book that this is related to. Still I may do just that. The "world" she created is interesting. The main characters that will be in "The Charmed Sphere" are complex enough in this story to make you curious.