Comments on: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

By: Rebecca Baumann

Rebecca Baumann — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:34:47 +0000

I should come clean and admit now that I don't like anthologies. However, several of the big name authors on the cover caught my eye, and I figured it was time to rethink my whole "I hate anthologies" philosophy. I thought reading this book would be like going to Baskin-Robbins, and I'd get to try over 25 different flavors of vampire romance in small bites. My plan was to read a few stories each night just before bed, and it worked beautifully as a cure for insomnia. I wish I was kidding, but most of the stories contained herein were not strong enough to capture my attention.

Here's my criticism with anthologies... only a truly top shelf writer can carve out a satisfying story within a scanty amount of space, and since this book isn't packed exclusively with superstar writers, I knew there'd be a lot of so-so to so-sucky stories. I think anthologies work best when 1) they include novella length stories, and 2) the author is writing their story based on a well-loved series.

Overall I was disappointed with this book, but that's not to say that all the entries are crap. There are definitely a few that stand out in my mind for their quality, but if you read all the stories in order (like I did), then it feels like an interminable wait between goodies. It reminded me of trick-or-treating as a kid, and how frustrating it'd be to encounter a long stretch of dark, empty houses. I should have just skipped around the book, but the reviewer in me said I had to read it all or nothing.

Anyway, I did enjoy both of Lilith Saintcrow's entries in particular, and the stories by Shiloh Walker, Delilah Devlin, Barbara Emrys, and Jenna Maclaine all deserve special mention. Rating: 2 / 5

By: vampgoddess

vampgoddess — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:50:50 +0000

Um…well… it wasnt what i was looking for the stories all seem incomplete I was hoping to get a taste of the authors I dont know but I was disappointed in even the authors I did know the stories are all at max about 10 pages and the stories feel like they could be good but because you didnt get a good enough bite you wont be looking for the true complete version your money could be spent better else where or if you find it on a really good sale go for it… other wise…
Rating: 2 / 5

By: Jacqueline Chavez

Jacqueline Chavez — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:30:46 +0000

I HAVEN’T FINISHED THE BOOK IM HALF WAY THROUGH BUT I CAN SAY SOME OF THESE STORY ARE REALLY GOOD IM FINDING MYSELF LOOKING UP THE AUTHORS TO SEE IF ITS SOME TYPE OF POINT OF VIEW FROM ANOTHER VAMP OR AN ON GOING STORY!!!! THE REASON I BOUGHT THIS BOOK IS BECAUSE OF QUINN’S SHORT STORY BY KERI ARTHUR AND IM GLAD I DID NOW IM LOOKING UP SO MANY NEW AUTHORS.
Rating: 4 / 5

By: aunt charlotte

aunt charlotte — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:55:14 +0000

I bought this book at Barnes and Nobles a week ago and readit, and now I wish I hadnt. I spent .01 too much on it, in fact I put it in the trash.

It was like there really wasnt a complete story it it, it made no sence it would start then in and making you ask yourself “what happend to the rest of the story?”I have never wrote a review ( I guess you can tell) but when something is bad it is just plain bad.
Rating: 1 / 5

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:52:28 +0000

Title is misleading………and from what I read of the book, the writing was average at best……some of the stories would have been better if the characters had been more developed…..but then, these ARE short stories.
Rating: 2 / 5