The Repentant

The Repentant (2003) edited by Brian M. Thomsen and Martin H. Greenberg

I love short stories, so I tend to pick up anthologies when I come across them–assuming they look even remotely interesting. The Repentant looked particularly interesting, since it had several authors I particularly like: Tanya Huff, P.N. Elrod, and especially Nina Kiriki Hoffman. And the theme was also one that interested me: supernatural creatures.

As expected, I loved the Nina Kiriki Hoffman story. Here’s the first paragraph.

When Dominic Cross was nine, he watched a monster his father summoned from the netherworld escape its ensorcelled circle, kill both his parents, and devour them.

The demon then decided to adopt the boy and see to his magical training. However, the boy has to survive on his own, and learns to navigate the world. The idea behind the story was fascinating, and as always I loved Nina Kiriki Hoffman’s writing. She always goes places I don’t expect, and resolves her stories in ways I wouldn’t have guessed. The anthology was worth buying for this story alone.

The P.N. Elrod Jack Flemming was also good. Jack and Gordy come across a new vampire who is muscling in on Gordy’s territory, and Jack has to stop him. It wasn’t

There were several also other pleasant surprises.

Jeff Grubb’s story Lycanthrope Summer was an interesting twist on the werewolf tale. Even though I saw where part of the story was going, I didn’t see everything, and the writing was good enough that it didn’t matter.

I also enjoyed Edo von Belkom’s story The Den Mother. It was a werewolf/abused wife story, that went in an unexpected direction.

The Tanya Huff story, Sceleratus, had Henry Fitzroy telling Tony a story of his past, and of one of his past loves, and of the Inquisition.

Snarling, Henry stepped over the bodies, the blood scent wrapping around him. Prisoner of the Inquisition or not, the (man) would learn fear. He caught (the man)’s gaze with his, but to his astonishment, couldn’t hold it. When he tried to look away, he could not.

After a moment, the old (man) sighed, and released him. “Not evil, although you have done evil. Not anger, or joy in slaughter. I never knew your kind could feel such pain.”

That’s actually a good summary for the anthology. The monsters are not necessarily what you would expect, and don’t behave or believe in the manner you would expect.

Although there were a couple of stories I didn’t like, overall, it was a strong anthology with a variety of interesting and well written stories. Although I have to admit that when I see them name Martin H. Greenburg on an anthology, I’m pretty certain of liking the majority of stories.
Rating: 8/10

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