In his introduction to this anthology, Martin assures us what to expect: a doorstopper of a book filled with stories by authors from wildly different genres. I appreciate the idea and the motivation behind it, to encourage readers to broaden their horizons, but it did make Warriors a marmite book for me.

Even though this anthology as a whole has a middling score, some of the best and most unlikely short stories I’ve read were included in this volume and I am glad to have read them. In this I feel Martin and Dozois succeeded. My horizon was broadened, for better or for worse.

The King of Norway — Cecilia Holland. 1.75 ⭐️

Could not get into this story. Seemed well-researched, but the characters bored me and the plot moved far too fast in the beginnning.

Forever Bound — Joe Haldeman: 4.5 ⭐️

An interesting story set against impressive worldbuilding. Sympathetic characters. The ending felt rushed and some concepts introduced felt unexplored.

The Triumph — Robin Hobb: 3 ⭐️ 

This was just fine. The story suffered from the dual POV, and the ending was a little too predictable. Interesting ideas surrounding the futility of war, though.

Clean Slate — Lawrence Block: 4 ⭐️
 
Incredibly disturbing story filled with a central mystery that, once figured out, leaves a reader wishing she might be wrong.

And Ministers of Grace —Tad Williams: 2.5 ⭐️ 

Just fine, an unsympathetic main character who didn’t deserve the ending they got. I didn’t connect with this story in any way.

Soldierin’ —Joe R. Lansdale: 1 ⭐️ 

Did not like this story at all. Not a fan of lazy apostrophe style dialectin’, seemed stereotypical and parodic. Too much forced humour and an abrupt, nonsensical ending.

Dirae — Peter S. Beagle — 5 ⭐️ 

A favourite of mine. Absolutely fantastic interpretation of what makes a warrior earn their title. Very odd beginning that pays off in a big way. The perfect length.

The Custom of the Army — Diana Gabaldon: 1.25 ⭐️ 

Relies on the reader being familiar with this author’s previous work. Absolutely nothing done to introduce characters. Not a good Lord John story, and far too long.

Seven Years From Home — Naomi Novik: 3.75 ⭐️ 

A good short story, brilliantly written, fantastic worldbuilding, great side characters. Main character was a bit naff and the ending was a letdown.

The Eagle and the Rabbit — Steven Saylor — 5 ⭐️ 

Fantastic story, well-researched, interesting characters. Might have been great if the editors had put this story right after or before Robin Hobb’s Triumph. Fantastic ending, does not overstay its welcome.

The Pit — James Rollins — 5 ⭐️ 

The most heartbreaking story in the anthology, this is a complete reimagining of the anthology’s concept. Not for the faint-hearted, the author pulls zero punches as we are ruthlessly taken through the brutal life of a true warrior. I cried more than once reading this one.

Out of the Dark — David Weber: 2.25 ⭐️ 

This could’ve been amazing, but it was half as long as it should’ve been, there were too many characters, and the ending was not foreshadowed nearly enough. The worldbuilding was interesting, however.

The Girls From Avenger — Carrie Vaughn — 5 ⭐️

I loved this story. A quietly determined warrior will not allow herself to be put down or pushed away as she tries to discover an important truth. Fantastically written, very poignant, and a great ending.

Ancient Ways — S.M. Stirling: 2 ⭐️ 

Too long, worldbuilding was not explained at all. Couldn’t find my way into this story at all. The twist at the end, and two of the three MCs were very cool, though.

Ninieslando — Howard Waldrop: 1.75 ⭐️ 

Again, I just could not get into this one. It was a very interesting premise that grew flimsy very fast. The ending was not great, the characters bled together.

       
Recidivist — Gardner Dozois: 3.75 ⭐️

Very cool short story about a warrior who doesn’t know when to quit. Amazing worldbuilding, cool ending, but Dozois tends to overexplain a little in his writing.

My Name is Legion — David Morrell — 1.25 ⭐️

Too long, boring characters, a meandering plot that ends no where.

Defenders of the Frontier — Robert Silverberg: 4 ⭐️

A well-written story about the last soldiers of a forgotten regiment. Very well-written with cool worldbuilding expertly weaved in. Great ending. I didn’t connect with the characters as well as I felt I should’ve, however.

The Scroll — David Ball 4.5 ⭐️

Excellent short story but a very tough read. Themes surrounding hope, religion, and the rules of war. Perfect ending and I connected with the main character so well. It was incredibly bleak, even for me, and could’ve been a little shorter.

The Mystery Knight — George R.R. Martin 3.5 ⭐️

As usual, Martin’s writing is excellent but this story is long, to the point of overindulgence, and throughout I felt I needed to have a history of Westeros open to fill the gaping worldbuilding holes I was just expected to know.

I love the characters of Dunk and Egg, and in this instalment they did not disappoint, but the side characters were many and lacking, which caused the plot to lack the usual punch I’ve come to expect from a Martin story. 

Overall I enjoyed it, but I’ve come to expect a lot better from this author.