Review: Songs of Love & Death Anthology (Blog Tour)

Title: Songs of Love & Death
Available: Now
Reading Level: Adult
# of pages: 480


4 out of 5 Stars












Authors: Neil Gaiman, Diana Gabaldon, Jim Butcher, Marjorie M. Liu, Jacqueline Carey, Carrie Vaughn, Jo Beverly, M. L. N. Hanover, Cecelia Holland, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Robin Hobb, Lisa Tuttle, Linnea Sinclair, Mary Jo Putney, Tanith Lee, Peter S. Beagle, & Yasmine Galenorn


Description from Goodreads:


IN this star-studded cross-genre anthology, seventeen of the greatest modern authors of fantasy, science fiction, and romance explore the borderlands of their genres with brand-new tales of ill-fated love. From zombie-infested woods in a postapocalyptic America to faery-haunted rural fields in eighteenth- century England, from the kingdoms of high fantasy to the alien world of a galaxy-spanning empire, these are stories of lovers who must struggle against the forces of magic and fate.

Award-winning, bestselling author Neil Gaiman demonstrates why he’s one of the hottest stars in literature today with “The Thing About Cassandra,” a subtle but chilling story of a man who meets an old girlfriend he had never expected to see.

International blockbuster bestselling author Diana Gabaldon sends a World War II RAF pilot through a stone circle to the time of her Outlander series in “A Leaf on the Winds of All Hallows.” Torn from all he knows, Jerry MacKenzie determinedly survives hardship and danger, intent on his goal of returning home to his wife and baby—no matter the cost.

New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher presents “Love Hurts,” in which Harry Dresden takes on one of his deadliest adversaries and in the process is forced to confront the secret desires of his own heart.

Just the smallest sampling promises unearthly delights, but look also for stories by New York Times bestselling romance authors Jo Beverley and Mary Jo Putney, and by such legends of the fantasy genre as Peter S. Beagle and Tanith Lee, as well as many other popular and beloved writers, including Marjorie M. Liu, Jacqueline Carey, Carrie Vaughn, and Robin Hobb. This exquisite anthology, crafted by the peerless editing team of George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, is sure to leave you under its spell.

My thoughts:

This was a nice variety of stories, from many well known authors. Stories starring everything from superheroes to faeries to wizards to haunted houses, and even a zombiefied post-apocalyptic setting. A little something for everyone! 

My favorites include Neil Gaiman’s The Thing About Cassandra, Jo Beverley’s The Marrying Maid, and Marjorie M. Liu’s After the Blood. All of the authors were new to me with the exception of Neil Gaiman. Gaiman’s story is reason enough to pick this one up, and the reason this made it onto my to be read pile in the first place. He is such an amazing writer. Jim Butcher’s story was also very good. Fans of Harry Dresden will love it. I can’t believe I haven’t started that series yet, but maybe this story will be the push I need.


A few were a little dark and twisty. M. L. N. Hanover’s Hurt Me gave me chills. Super creepy and super awesome! A couple were a little bit too sci-fi for me, and I wasn’t as into them as I would have liked. Still a nice variety of solid short stories. I’d definitely recommend it especially if you’re a fan of the authors featured.

Source: Publisher