Customer Reviews

Under Cover of Darkness: 14 All-Original Tales of the True Powers That Work Behind the Scenes- the Covert Masters of Time, Space and Destiny

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not that impressive an example of one of these anthologies, averaging only 3.19.

A fairly good mixing of science fiction and fantasy, though, and certainly a good number of the stories fall exactly in the purview of the title theme.

Anything with a 'WorldFleet' in it, though, probably does not. :)

Just an average anthology, with some fun stuff from Friesner's joke cult, to Pollotta's completely over the top demon war.

Under Cover Of Darkness : The Scoria - Doranna Durgin
Under Cover Of Darkness : The Gatherer's Guild - Larry Niven
Under Cover Of Darkness : Kyri's Gauntlet - Darwin A. Garrison
Under Cover Of Darkness : Falling Like the Gentle Rain - Nick Pollotta
Under Cover Of Darkness : The Things Everyone Knows - Tanya Huff
Under Cover Of Darkness : The Invisible order - Paul Crilley
Under Cover Of Darkness : Shadow of the Scimitar - Janet Deaver-Pack
Under Cover Of Darkness : The Good Samaritan - Amanda Bloss Maloney
Under Cover Of Darkness : Seeking the Master - Esther M. Friesner
Under Cover Of Darkness : When I Look to the Sky - Russell Davis
Under Cover Of Darkness : The Sundering Star - Janny Wurts
Under Cover Of Darkness : The Exile's Path - Jihane Noskateb
Under Cover Of Darkness : The Dancer At the Red Door - Douglas Smith


Hunter girl help.

3 out of 5


Tax conspiracy.

3.5 out of 5


Hamster space pirate.

3 out of 5


Freemason demon slayer retirement.

3.5 out of 5


Thieving dead justice.

3 out of 5


Time to take.

3 out of 5


Rosicrucians Of Arabia.

3.5 out of 5


Seelie secret defense squad surprise.

4 out of 5


Secret handshake.

3.5 out of 5


Weaving wife kill self-control cull.

3 out of 5


WorldFleet magic research.

3 out of 5


Colony murder.

2.5 out of 5


Immortal song monster slayer Society stay.

3 out of 5




3 out of 5

I like reading these collection of themed-short stories but only a few were any good. It's a good theme but the stories just didn't pan out. Skip this one.

Having only read the poems so far, I have to say I was amazed by the first one, Danse Macabre, by Tatiana Morand. I generally read those first as they are shorter and so easier to get out of the way before I read the meatier stories. I loved the vivid imagery and the choice of language and hope to see more of this quality in the next anthology. The second poem, Aftermath, by Brian Rosenburger, also deserves mention for the crispness of his storytelling in just a few short lines. An interesting contrast to the first with its elaborate language. I look forward to reading the stories and finding the same level of excellence.

Tanya Huff has a Terizon short in this book!!!
I love Terizon, Tanya Huff's Arabian-esque thief. This short does not disappoint! Terizon is once again blackmailed by her morals, and the Thieves' Council Three, into a job that no thief should be forced to undertake. Chasing an anti-government conspiracy into the city graveyard, will ghosts spook our brave thief?
Terizon, as all Tanya Huff characters/stories, is smart, funny and completely readable.
Go out of your way to find these hidden Tanya Huff jewels~ They are worth it!

The premise of this enjoyable anthology is that covert groups working behind the scenes influence and even cause major events to happen. The fourteen tales run the gamut from suspense thriller to science fiction and even fantasy as the contributors develop secret societies that also range from total controlling to stand-by chronicler/watcher. The entries are interesting though the short story format does not allow for major background development especially of the clandestine societies (this reviewer would not mind several expanded into novellas). Still these are exciting tales whether they have the Freemasons pulling strings, the Scoria changing their existence, the Dancer in Toronto or elves warring in London. Suspense readers especially conspiracy fans especially will appreciate this fine compilation of new stories of covert factions working behind the scenes.

Harriet Klausner