Anthologies are always a gamble. Will I find wonderful new adventures with my favorite authors and meet some new favorites along the way? Or will I slog through some stories that aren’t quite my taste just to get to the stories I want to read? Happily, I can say that HEROIC HEARTS earns a place among my favorite anthologies as it’s full of some of my most beloved authors, as well as introducing me to some new authors who are now on my kindle and waiting to be read!

Heroes are a favorite theme of mine in anthologies, and Jim Butcher is one of my long-time favorites with Harry Dresden. In HEROIC HEARTS, we get a different take on events in Harry’s world as we see things from Major General Toot-Toot Minimus’ world. Even better, we get an appearance from Bob that has me laughing even now as I type this. “Little Things” is a must-read for Harry Dresden fans!

“The Dark Ship” by Anne Bishop is another stunning story in HEROIC HEARTS. We visit a different location from the ones we’ve visited in the Others series, as we get a glimpse into how the devastating events from the Humans First and Last movement affected a small fishing village. Out of fear of what the Others would do to them, the village of Pyetra accepts the “protection” of the vicious Captain Starr. Things are about to change when Enzo’s daughter risks her life to save a pony. Anne Bishop’s world is one I never want to leave, even as the risk of the terra indigene and the Others is lurking at every moment. We see the beauty of kindness and how it can cross all sorts of barriers, even as hatred creates barriers. If you haven’t read an Anne Bishop novel, you’re missing out!

One new-to-me author in HEROIC HEARTS is R.R. Virdi whose story, “Grave Gambles”, is about a detective who solves mysteries by occupying the body of the victim. It’s a fascinating concept and I can’t believe I’ve previously missed out on the series written by R.R. Virdi! One of the best things about anthologies is discovering gems like this to add to my reading list.

HEROIC HEARTS is a spectacular anthology full of great authors and fantastic stories! I’ve only mentioned a few but there are stories by other favorites, such as Charlaine Harris, Chloe Neill, Patricia Briggs, and Kelley Armstrong. HEROIC HEARTS is a must-read for all urban fantasy lovers!

Book Summary