Apple For The Creature, An (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
There's a wide range of stories here, and a chance to meet some writers who may be new to you. There are some strong stories here, especially Mike Carey's Iphigenia in Aulis, and I don't recall any weak ones - although Sookie Stackhouse stories are by definition the Twinkies of SF and this one's no exception. Several of the authors draw you in quite deeply for short stories. I think the combination of teaching and, er, creaching allows for some interesting ideas. Quite a few of the stories aren't set in a school. Worth the time. I'd borrow it rather than buying it, though. I really REALLY need to stop reading Charlaine Harris's anthologies. Each one I read, the more convinced I am that she comes up with these by deciding she wants to write a new Sookie story, writes some crappy drivel, and then calls friends to write on the vague theme she can draw from the story she wrote.And this wasn't different. Sookie's short story was, well, crap. It felt like some extraneous chapter she had to throw out from a Sookie novel (actually, that would explain so much...) where the author spends, what, almost two whole pages describing how Sookie bakes cupcakes, gets dressed and ready to go celebrate her nephew's birthday party. I wish I was kidding...Most of the stories ranged from the boring and "OMG character X is Sooooo awesome!!! She's not doing anything in this short story other than being referenced but OZMG she's so special and spetacular and you should totally go read that series! Oh, by the way, there is a huge setting I need to introduce now because you need it to make sense..." (especially those that are based in pre-set stories like Illona Andrews' and Jane Yellowrock series) to the forgettable. Believe it or not, I finished reading the book 2 hours ago and I forgot most of the stories already. Don't get me wrong, I believe some of these series are awesome, but the writers clearly don't know how to write a proper, engaging, _short story_. Not a novel. Short stories aren't novels, and you need specific knowledge and training to know how to write good short stories.The only reason (two reasons) that this book doesn't get a 1 star is two short stories: "Iphigenia in Aulis" and "Sympathy for the Bones". They are not only better than the others, but they are VERY good. Especially Iphigenia. It's short, poignant, slightly sweet, and very well written. I am considering ripping that short story out because it's just that damn good, and then toss the book. These two stories bring the book up by one star. Admittedly, I might be a bit harsh, since I came out of reading a good and proper anthology of Urban Fantasy, and having to read something so sub-par makes me grumpy.
What do You think about Apple For The Creature, An (2012)?
I only read the first two short stories, but I enjoyed them.
—mekky
