Three Slices

I only bought this because if the Kevin Hearne story "prelude to war". This could have been the opening chapter in his next book instead of adding this to an anthology. Was I happy with the story? Sure. But not happy that it was buy this or potentially feel lost when the next book comes out. But four stars because it was fun and well-written.

Be sure you can read all three stories in one sitting. I made a late drive to Austin for business. Got in about midnight and saw the email from the store my preorder was available for D/L. I thought, "why not". It'll help me get wound down for sleep. Nope. I ended up reading all three straight through and yawning my way through my meetings today. Totally worth it.

As soon as I saw A Prelude to war was in my Kindle library I downloaded that sucker and got to reading. It was great to revisit the series and I've been stoked about it since Kevin announced it was coming out. Now that I've read it....I wish I hadn't.
In my opinion, A Prelude to War did nothing to advance the series and actually discredits a good bit of what we've read so far. I don't really have a problem with something silly like divination through cheese making. It sounds ridiculous, but magic can sound ridiculous. No big deal there. However, what is this crap about some lady lives out in the middle of Africa with no other humans around and every major badass comes out to ask her how to find the Druid or screw over the Druid or make the vampires squirm? Hearne just made every major character in the series dependent on cheese curds rather than their own intelligence.
Then Granuaile who is barely a graduate of the Druid Academy can somehow beat the snot out of Loki which no one (to include Atticus) has been able to do. She damn near killed him! How does this happen and the story continue as it is? I have no problem with Granuaile being a badass. I think she's amazing. But Hearne didn't use Granuaile's strengths that he's been telling us about. She went to Asgard, had a conference with Odin, kicked the crap out of the 1a bad guy, and then strolls back to Asgard like a boss.
Am I the only one who is disappointed with this?

This story is NOT necessary reading before reading Staked, no matter what Kevin Hearne says in the intro. This basically reads as the first two chapters of Staked, and it is borderline criminal that this is marketed as "must read". I'm a fan of Hearne's Iron Druid novels, and enjoy reading the stand alone short stories. But that's when they're considered the icing on the cake. When we're told we have to read one to enjoy the novels, that's something else all together, and I feel tricked.

Having said that, the story itself isn't bad, giving us a bit on both Atticus and Granuaile. Granuaile's section might be a bit more connected to the subsequent events in her first chapter in Staked, but Atticus' story has no real bearing whatsoever.

So, consider this an extra story to read if you so choose, but don't feel like it is necessary reading.

Leave it to Kevin Hearne to not only write a story about tyromancy, but to find two other partners in crime for the most enjoyable collection around! I'd never heard of divining the future using cheese before, but it sounds weirdly fascinating! Messy, but fascinating! Wish I could come up with a clever quip about cutting the cheese, but drawing a blank. Bummer.
A Prelude to War by Kevin Hearne

After an old friend is murdered in retaliation for his mercenary strikes against the oldest vampires in the world, Atticus O'Sullivan must solicit the aid of another old friend in Ethiopia if he's going to have a chance of finishing a war he never wanted. Meanwhile, Granuaile MacTiernan starts a private war of her own against Loki, the lord of lies, and if it brings Ragnarok early--so be it.

There are really two stories in this one, one with Atticus and one with Granuaile. I prefer them to have adventures together, but understand that they'll probably go off on their own every now and again.

Atticus and Oberon travel to Ethiopia to visit an old acquaintance so that she can read his future. My first introduction to reading the future using cheese instead of entrails or tea leaves. Weird! Meanwhile, Granuaile has a run-in with the crazy god Loki. Luckily, our girl can hold her own!

A nice short story to hold us over until the next Iron Druid adventure, but I agree with the author that this wouldn't be a good introduction to the series.

Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys by Delilah S. Dawson

The number one rule of the circus? Don't kill your volunteers, even accidentally. That's how young magician Criminy Stain ends up on the run in a forest, where he meets a beautiful woman holding a bucket of blood. But is Merissa the answer to his prayers-- or the orchestrator of his ruin?

I haven't read the Blud series by Delilah, but really enjoyed this story of how Criminy Stain not only met both Barnum and Bailey, but how he got a circus of his very own!

Criminy is on the run when he stumbles onto a small, worn travelling carnival. Instantly smitten with Merissa after a chance meeting, he decides he wants the carnival for himself so sets about joining them. Of course there's the little matter of the carnival's resident magician not wanting to leave, but what's a little duel to the death between friends?

A fun glimpse into the universe Delilah has created!

Interlude: Swallow by Chuck Wendig

Miriam Black is back. Miriam is tired of her curse and finally believes she knows how to be rid of her ability to see when and how other people die. She follows a lead to the mountains of Colorado, where she believes she sees signs of a serial killer she thought she already killed. (Set between THE CORMORANT and THUNDERBIRD.)

This was my least favorite of the three stories, but I think that's because I haven't read any of the Miriam Black books and felt a little lost at times.

Miriam has the power to see when and how other people will die just by touching them. Probably because I don't know her whole backstory, I wasn't 100% sure if this was her only "gift" or if she had other powers as well. And who or what is the Trespasser?

Didn't really care for Miriam so it was hard for me to sympathize with her predicament. I don't mind a little cussing here or there if that's how the character talks, but boy does that girl have a mouth on her! Maybe another reason Miriam and I didn't hit it off?

Overall

All in all, I think the whole idea of foretelling the future using cheese is an incredibly original theme for a short story collection! Probably best for readers already familiar with the authors so you won't feel lost, but I still enjoyed the read. The Iron Druid story made it worthwhile for me on it's own, as I love that series!