Tynga's Reviews: P.N. Elrod

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Hex Appeal by P. N. Elrod

Hex Appeal

by P. N. Elrod

368 pages

Released: 2012

It is no secret that I love a good anthology. After all, there is no better way to get introduced to a new (or new to you) book series or author. Most often there is good variety in these gems of literature and most of those times the good out ways the bad significantly. In the book Hex Appeal by P. N. Elrod, it is pretty much an even split between the good and the so-so stories.

This collection of stories centers around the use of hexes and spells. For the most part, the stories are of witches, wizards and other practitioners of magic. P. N. Elrod does an excellent job of taking all these disparate works and blending them into an overall cohesive collection. The reader is always aware that each is a new story but, the style of each allows them to flow together. The net effect is almost a narrative of it's own.

This is not to say that I enjoyed all the stories. A few of the stories were the type of pulp stories I can't really get into. It is really nothing I can put my finger on except to say maybe I've seen these tropes done elsewhere in a way more appealing to me. It really is a personal preference but, quite often that is what art and literature is all about.

One of my favorite stories was a Dresden Files short story I had no idea existed. This one gives a new twist to very old legends of the native Americans. I don't want to spoil but, you might get a fresh perspective on parenting and acceptance of those that are different.

Hex Appeal by P. N. Elrod is an interesting collection of stories that is sure to have something to grab the attention of most readers of speculative fiction. There is a variety of violent scenes and scenes of a more mature nature. This book gets an R rating from me.

— Reviewed by Robert

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Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Strange Brew Edited by P.N. Elrod

Sometime back, I had caught up George R. R. Martin in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. It was a moment of ultimate triumph and subsequent withdrawal. After months of knights, dragons and damsels in distress (and dat dress and sometimes no dress at all)  I was left wanting more but, GRRM was going at his usual pace in releasing the next book. It was then that I discovered that he also edited anthologies with Gardner Dozois and so began my appreciation of that type of publication. I can get stories from familiar writers and even familiar worlds and characters. I can also be exposed to different writers and worlds without having to commit to the whole book. All of this is what led me to check out Strange Brew.

I first heard of this book when I read Side Jobs by Jim Butcher. I loved the story he had submitted for it (containing one of the sexiest scenes containing Karin Murphy to date) and had high hopes for the rest of the book. There was a slight disappointment in the fact that Mr. Butcher's was the most creative on the use of the theme. Most of the stories we well written but, there seemed to be a lack of separating from the obvious path. Now, that may have been intentional on the part of P.N. Elrod. If it was, well, I think it was a missed opportunity. Many of the other anthologies I have read contain a central theme though the tropes as well as genres may be mixed.

Uses of the theme aside, many of the stories were well written. With names like Faith Hunter, Patricia Briggs and Charlaine Harris, finding at least one story to love Any readers who are unfamiliar with these authors , get a good sample of those worlds they have created.   For those worlds you are already acquainted with, these can be some interesting side stories or even gap fillers for the regular series.

All in all, this anthology has what I want most from anthologies: introduction to different authors and characters and visiting with familiar characters outside of the regular series. There are many adult situations, violence and language so, it earns a firm PG13 bordering on R rating from me.

Spin the wheel, take a chance and read this anthology.  You may find another author to add to your favorites list.