Working my way through the TPR pile, I came across this book. It's an anthology when "I am woman, hear me roar" was going on. Probably around the time that era ended. This collection of short stories kicks off with the talented Ms. Rachel Caine. Her foreword in the book made me want to read this book more.
Shiny started out bad for me. I was so annoyed and thought I made a mistake picking up this book. It is a purposefully provocative twist that I'm still not quite sure I like but it was well written. Many of the authors I've read before and when I found out that these little treasures are just a one-time deal for this specific book, I bemoaned the loss. Specifically Monsters by Lilith Saintcrow. I wish there was more in this world. I did find Vampires prefer Blondes title amusing as I just read another book called Demons prefer Blondes. I guess the supernatural males are no different than human mortal males. hah. Whilst the title of that story is amusing, the story itself is more serious and hard hitting. I liked it!
I am frequently mixed about large anthologies because the stories sometimes are so short they feel unresolved or left hanging. Or there are many authors with stories I don't like. Or the best case scenario, I find a bunch of new authors with new series to read. Then my TPR pile groans as I add a slew of new books on it.
This anthology is the latter. I ended up looking up several of the authors I haven't read much of to find more books they have written. I also found out that Nancy Holden which looked familiar to me also writes a few of her own books, not just Angel and Buffy books.
If you want to find some great female leads that brings you to new authors or remind you of authors you already love, this is the book for you.
