Who doesn’t know someone who deserves some payback? Add in some good authors, and this anthology had promise.

What to Expect

Short stories, all about someone getting their just deserts – and with a paranormal angle. This may be the perpetrator, the victim, or the one delivering retribution. Scope varies from nuisance to murder to racial injustice. Most are set within the authors’ existing worlds, though not necessarily with the main protagonists and arcs; this allows us to explore a bit more of those worlds, or just enjoy some unrelated piece of writing from authors you enjoy.

All stories can be classified as contemporary urban fantasy, though there’s a lot of breadth in there (just not the romance type).

What I liked

The stories are mostly engaging. Naturally, common to such anthologies, not everything is to taste, but a surprising number are good. And, in almost all cases, there is the satisfaction of seeing someone get their just comeuppance.

What to be aware of

As above, not everything may resonate. Some stories are dark, while others are just not particularly interesting (which ones will have course depend on your tastes – but invariably there will be a mix). And while it’s emotionally satisfying to see someone nasty get what they deserve, the very nature of seeking revenge is a deep subject in itself.

Felix’s and Jack’s Reviews

Felix had a case that would have fit right in this anthology. In Shade’s Shadow he’s been hired by a ghost to deliver retribution upon the man who murdered her. Considering what he found, he had no qualms in being the instrument of the Fates. He very much believes in balancing of the scales, the spirit of justice over legal technicalities.

Jack, on the other hand, being a police officer, recognises that while the justice system isn’t perfect leaving retribution to the hands of the wrong party is seldom a recipe for successful societies. He’s seen his fair share of paranormal nasties that deserved to be handled and served, he’s just done it in accordance with the laws that govern man and spirits.

I’ve never seen the two of them take such polar opposite views on a book before, which was illuminating.

Summary

It’s a fun, satisfying read. There are plenty of good stories (both well written and emotionally satisfying), and it’s nice to explore worlds you are familiar with or new ones.

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Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck are those Felix and Jack fellows? Glad you asked! Felix is the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome, and Jack is the police detective running the Unusual Crimes Squad, dealing in occult crimes in modern-day Australia.

Come meet Felix and Jack on the free short stories and novels! Especially Shade’s Shadow – if you liked it, you will likely like this anthology.