James Barclay

[Malop]

I know quite a few forum members bought this short story collection to read Demon Touch by James but I was wondering if anyone else has read the other stories.

Firstly from what I can tell James is the only none american/canadian to get a story in, which must be a huge honour. It will hopefully open up the american market for James.

Of the other stories my favourites were Wildest Dreams, Blood in the water and teeth in the sand. I liked Blood in the Water because of the concept of the shapechangers, plus I seem to like Tanya Huffs writing.

I was suprised by how many of the stories didn't have any fighting. I'd say only Demon Touch and Wildest Dreams had decent combat scenes in them. There also seemed to be a theme of non-magical devices saving a magical world.

I enjoyed all the stories and felt the book was definitely worth the purchase.
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Member and President of the Will Begman Appreciation Society.
Fantasycon 2005 Walsall Attendee
Fantasycon 2006-2009 Nottingham Attendee
Fantasycon 2010 Nottingham (stopped over for lunch)
Fantasycon 2011 Brighton (Is that in France?)

[Mantyluoto]

well ok i bought this to support James and yet i haven't read his story. the Tai for me are not Raven, even though they are part of the story.

I've read Focke-Drache, Over the top, The Twain shall meet, Dispatches from the front and wildest dreams.

Focke-Drache was ace, Over the Top Naff, The Twain was a good insight into American Incompetence, Dispatches was good and Wildest Dreams awesome.

[Mark D]

so far ive read

Demons Touch - Awesome :p
Blood of the people - I really enjoyed this. the characters remind me of the Tai a little actually, in their movements i mean. good storyline too.
brothers in arms - currently reading. very interesting story, quite original in my opinion

wont spoil for people yet to read though
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[sir robin]

i liked this.........well except for blood of the people. Really couldn't get into that one at all andwas really glad i finished it so i could move onto the next short.
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I phoned a psyhic hotline and they told me they see a large phonebill in my future

[Max Power]

I read them all and I thought the quality varied quite a lit throughout the book. Blood in the water was good, and I did like the idea of a dragon fighting for the Nazis in one of the other stories.

For a series called "Army of the Fantastic" there wasn't perhaps as much fighting as I would have expected. I did like the one with the golems, though.
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If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.

[sir robin]

yeah the golems one was really well put together. Would like to read more of that.
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I phoned a psyhic hotline and they told me they see a large phonebill in my future