Irresistible Forces

by Catherine Asaro, Jennifer Roberson, Lois McMaster Bujold, et al.

Book Overview

"New York Times" bestselling authors Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, and Lois McMaster Bujold join forces with award-winning authors Catherine Asaro, Jennifer Roberson, and Deb Stover in this all-new anthology of original stories proving that love can conquer all...even the boundaries of time and space. From sixteenth-century Britain to the farthest reaches of outer space, from medieval adventures to tales of inter-galactic love, here is a compilation...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451217241
• ISBN13: 9780451217240
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 348 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.3" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Irreristible Stories Indeed

Great read. If you enjoy romances with a slight twist you will love these stories. Very hard to put down.

A must-buy collection

The majority of these stories are romantic speculative fiction, so they don't necessarily have a boy-meets/loses/gets-girl plot line, even though the romantic aspect is extremely important. I'm a dedicated Lois McMaster Bujold fan, so found her contribution worth reading, but I don't think anyone new to her series would -- there are too many characters in too short a space for someone who's unfamiliar with them. Catherine Asaro's entry tells the story of the non-pov characters in her Luna novel, Charmed Sphere, and was intriguing enough that I went right out and bought that book, too. Most other stories were solid and enjoyable -- although I felt the story about the man who came back to reunite his wife with the man he'd stolen her from, while a good paranormal romance, did not belong in the anthology, since it was a standard paranormal element and added nothing to the understanding or discussion of reincarnation or the afterlife, as I would expect of speculative fiction. The surprise entry, as far as I was concerned, was the final story by Jo Beverly. This was a stunning tour de force, correlating the inspirational speeches of Winston Churchill and a far-future fantasyish world, and illustrating on a very personal level the sacrifices of war. Absolutely phenomenal, and well worth the price of the anthology for this story alone.

5 stars for Bujold, but....

Lois McMaster Bujold and Catherine Asaro are two of my favorite authors, so I have been awaiting this anthology in a veritable fever of impatience. The Bujold story was her usual magnificent work - there's a reason this gal has more Hugos etc. than she can fit on her fireplace mantle (assuming she has one). For fans of the Vorkosigan series, it's a great addition to the tale, though others may want to start with earlier books. The only complaint is that it was TOO SHORT. Something around, say, 500 pages would have been far preferable. The Asaro tale, though solid, was far less imaginative than her usual fare - perhaps she didn't want to frighten off the "romance" readership that this cross-over volume is designed to attract. Unfortunately, the other stories are far less interesting. I have nothing against romance per se (I still enjoy Heyer from time to time), but these are just uncompelling. Since the essence of romance is the reader's vicarious thrill in response to the protagonists' unfolding relationship, it may be that the story arc of a short story is just too short to make for effective romance (at least for those of us not into one-night stands). Although it feels to me as though Bujold pulled it off, my judgment is questionable as all the characters in her story are old friends to me as a reader of the series. It would not astonish me to hear that those without that background have trouble getting used to a female protagonist who is a 7-foot fanged mercenary whose favorite color is pink. On the other hand, I didn't have any problem when Taura and Miles first met down in that basement on Jackson's Whole(which happens years before the current story)... Bottom line: Bujold 5 stars, Asaro 3.5, rest get a raspberry.

A range of delights

This anthology turned out to be very good. The stories cover a range of topics and styles and are worth the read.Winterfair Gifts: Bujold. I haven't read a lot of Bujold, but this will inspire me to read more. It is a science fiction romp and good fun. It's clear a lot is going on with the world and universe Bujold has created and many more characters to get to know. The two romantic leads, Roic and Taura, are great. I really liked the author's style in telling a story.The Alchemical Marriage: Putney. This story is very different from the first. It is a historical fantasy with mages who fight the Spanish Armada with weather magic. Putney pulled me in right away, with the hero initially imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1588. I wanted to meet more of these two mages. I'm curious to know more about the weather magic, too.Stained Glass Heart: Asaro. This is probably my favorite, if I had to pick. It is science fiction, though with a little the feel of fantasy. It charms in its evocation of first love, which is complicated by an unexpected arranged marriage. The turn-about is well done, with the young groom betrothed to older powerful bride. I didn't want to story to end.Skin Deep: Stover. What fun! Another change of pace, a modern fantasy about a detective who goes undercover as a male stripper. Meanwhile, the former love of the heroine (a cad) has to earn his place in heaven by helping her straighten out her love life with the detective. To his dismay, the cad comes back as a woman. Many delightful hijinks follow.The Trouble With Heroes: Beverley. This is a powerful story and the most in depth. What happens after the war is won and the hero wants to come home, but his people fear him? The story gripped me from the start. Beverley's portrayal of the complex responses of the towspeople works. This is the first of her science fiction I have read, and I hope to read more.Shadows in the Woods: Roberson. Another change, like finding new delecacies in a box of Godiva chocolate. This is a fantasy about Robin Hood and Marian becoming entangled with Merlin the wizard. Roberson handles the juxtaposition of the two legends beautifully. I also liked her portrayal of the matured Robin and Marian. It is a lovely way to finish a wonderful anthology.I give this anthology a high recommendation. If you enjoy science fiction and fantasy with romantic overtones, it is unbeatable.

The long-awaited missing chapter in the Vorkosigan series!

This science fiction/romance anthology starts out with a bang, with the long-awaited tale of the wedding of Lord Miles Vorkosigan and Ekaterin Vorsoisson, "Winterfair Gifts", by Lois McMaster Bujold. Told from the perspective of loyal Armsman Roic, a wedding is prepared, a disaster is narrowly averted, and a delicate relationship unfolds, all in the space of a few winter days. Existing fans of the Vorkosigan series should not be disappointed, and new fans will still have surprises in store with the rest of the series. This book would be worth buying for this tale alone. The book features other stories, such as the passionate "The Alchemical Marriage", by Mary Jo Putney. That story is a delight, featuring the two unlikely magicians who can prevent the Spanish Armada's invasion -- if only they can join their powers. This, too, is a story that's worth the book. Not all the stories live up to the standards of the first two, but the book finishes on a strong note with Jennifer Roberson's "Shadows in the Wood," a Robin Hood tale with a twist.