This collection of short stories is exactly what the subtitle says: tales of star-crossed love. Crossing a gamut of sub-genres within the realms of science fiction and fantasy, there should be something here for almost everyone.As with almost any anthology, there were stories that I loved and some that just didn't do anything for me. I was a little afraid that it would start to get depressing (star-crossed love just doesn't sound happy, now does it?) but there was a good balance of happy and sad...

This anthology is jam-packed with major authors who explore themes of star-crossed love, some of them within the worlds of existing series, such as Jim Butcher's Dresden Files and Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. Most are along the lines of fantasy, but there were some science fiction tales mixed in as well. One of my favorites ("Hurt Me" by M.L.N. Hanover) tilted toward horror, not a genre I usually like, but the twist here was especially delicious.

I only read selected stories from Songs of Love and Death, because some of the authors or the first pages didn't appeal. (For example, me and Jim Butcher don't get on very well. Everyone else says the misogyny is just Harry Dresden and is part of his character and it doesn't come from Jim Butcher: it still makes me feel profoundly uncomfortable.)So, of the ones I read, the first was Jo Beverley's 'The Marrying Maid'. I liked the idea, especially the link to the Robin Hood legend. It could've bee...

I picked up "Songs of Love and Death" specifically to read the new story by Diana Gabaldon ("A Leaf on the Wind of All Saint's"), and it was certainly worth it! "Leaf" is a fantastic addition to Gabaldon's works in the Outlander series. Focusing on a character we've previously heard about but never met, this story explores a plot point introduced in the 7th book in the series, Echo in the Bone. Without going into detail, in order to avoid spoilers, all I can say is that Gabaldon's fans MUST read...

This little story was amazing. I didn't know what to make of Cassandra. This was a twist ending. I was not ready for it. I mean this was fantastic. Stewart made up an imaginary girlfriend when he was a teenager. All the sudden, when he is successful as an artist, all his friends keep telling him Cassandra is looking for him. He knows the girl is imaginary and yet he meets her in the flesh. They meet face to face and he can't figure it out. Then the TWIST at the end. FANTASTIC!

I want to savor these stories little by little because they are so darn good but I find myself rushing through them needing to know what happened next!! I find this anthology so far to be quite fascinating and I am enjoying myself immensely reading through the creative and varied voices within these 'songs'.JACQUELINE CAREY: this was the first story that I chose - and quite purposefully, at that. It was of Anafiel Delunay, who was once known as Anafiel de Montreve, a poet that was good enough to...

Love the preface:Q:In real life, even without the influence of the stars or the dread hand of Fate, there are any number of things that can doom a relationship—differences in temperament, race, religion, social status, political affiliations, being on different sides of a bitter war, philosophical dogma, degrees of affluence (or lack of it). Even simple distance can work to keep people apart, and over the centuries there must have been many lovers who stood on the dock and watched their loved on...

As with any anthology, this is a mixed bag.The high points were Carrie Vaughn's "Rooftops" (a nicely-paced story about a playwright whose life changes after she's saved by a superhero) and Neil Gaiman's "The Thing About Cassandra" (an imaginative story about a man coming across a lie from his past). I also enjoyed Robin Hobb's return to the Six Duchies in "Blue Boots" and the gritty-but-satisfying "Hurt Me" by M.L.N. Hanover.Some of the other stories were well-written or had interesting moments,...

Wow talk about your sucker punch to the stomach. I thought Martin and Dozois were just being irritating by holding Diana Gabaldon's story until last in the collection; like promising you cheesecake, but not until after you eat your whole dinner. But now I see why they did it. Nobody could have followed Gabaldon's story "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows." Not Peter Beagle or Neil Gaiman. Not anyone. I'll review the whole book and then we can get back to "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows." Toute...

Review courtesy of All Things Urban FantasyThe moment I heard the words ‘Outlander spinoff’, I was sold. Diana Gabaldon’s epic Outlander series is probably my all time favorite series ever in any genre. The other authors who I love in this anthology like Jim Butcher, Carrie Vaughn, and Yasmine Galenorn are just icing on the cake.“Love Hurts” by Jim Butcher (a Harry Dresden story)In addition to the main series, I have now read several short stories starring the Wizard P.I. Harry Dresden and I thi...

This new cross-genre anthology purports to be an "all original" collection of tales of star-crossed lovers written by fantasy, romance, horror and crime authors. The all-original tag doesn't hold up with the first story, Jim Butcher's "Love Hurts", in which Dresden and a friend fall victim to a spell. It's the same setup seen in hundreds of TV shows in which characters flirt with, or are tricked into thinking, they are in love and go back to their old ways by story's end.The introduction is odd

The 4 star rating is based solely upon the short story “A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows” written by Diana Gabaldon!When I read on Diana's website that not only did she have a short story published in "Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love" but that it was a story about Roger! In "An Echo in the Bone" Diana Gabaldon generated yet another mystery that had to do with Roger's parents. I really enjoyed this even though it only made me want more... it did answer the questi...

I really enjoyed this anthology and am going to post some of the specifics about a few of the stories, but not all of them, that would make for an incredibly long review. I enjoyed the theme of this anthology (being star-crossed lovers) and I enjoyed meeting new characters and learning things about some of my favorite characters I did not know. I hope you enjoy it as well....Love Hurts by: Jim ButcherThis was a cute, short, pretty easy and flowing story. I found it a tad bit shocking because of

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois have collected a nice batch of all-new stories from an all-star cast in Songs of Love and Death. The theme is "star-crossed lovers," and as you might guess from the title, each tale is a love story, and many are death stories, too. Some are sad, some are sexy, and one or two are slightly sappy. Overall, I enjoyed the collection. Here's what you'll find in Songs of Love and Death:-- "Love Hurts" by Jim Butcher may be th...

This is an sff/romance anthology, with a contributor list definitely a cut above the average. (Editor Martin has the connections!) My favorites were the entries from Tanith Lee, Robin Hobb, Jacqueline Carey, Peter S. Beagle and Neil Gaiman (who contributes an actual story, rather than the short poem he usually gives anthologies!) - but many of the others were very good as well. Recommended.Contents:1. "Love Hurts" by Jim Butcher [a Harry Dresden story]2. "The Marrying Maid" by Jo Beverly3. "Roof...

Songs of Love and Death is the perfect anthology for every reader. It has a little bit of everything for everyone from paranormal, zombies, and favorite characters from series… as well as new stories from best selling authors. This anthology brings out the heavy hitters. Mr. Jim Butcher brings his tough as nails Harry Dresden, a puzzling string of love pact murder cases in Love Hurts. Meet some magical sea creatures in Melinda M. Snodgrass’s The Wayfarer’s Advice. There are so many good stories

I think the hardest part of anthologies is that it seems so long (because there are so many stories) and I feel as if I have to invest much more than I actually have to. Plus, there is nothing to keep me hooked between stories - vs a novel of this length, there is the driving desire to find out what happened.I did enjoy most of the short stories and a few really stayed with me. (Some were a bit too creepy for me, though.) The standouts for me were: Hurt Me by MLN HanoverAfter the Blood by Marjor...

So many fantastic authors! I especially loved (and bought it just for) the Jacqueline Cary story. Utter brilliance. Being a Harry Dresden fan, I loved Jim Butcher's contribution as well, and Neil Gaiman's story was typical Neil brilliance. Highly recommended!

Extremely odd. I both hate and love the ending. Also very interesting look into the art industry within only a few pages.

Overall An anthology filled with 17 stories about star-crossed lovers. I enjoyed almost all stories and was introduced to a lot of new writers (I only knew maybe half of these authors before reading). There is a good mixture of different genres which I consider a pro, but I can understand why someone might consider it a con, in case they only end up liking only one or two stories/genres. But if you like (a touch of) fantasy and love stories, then I think you are good with the majority of the sto...