Stephen King: His works are rather disappointing. Among them, only the second one truly deserves to be read.
- The Reploids: This story gets a score of 2/5. It fails to fully engage the reader and lacks the depth and excitement that one would expect from a Stephen King piece.
- Sneakers: With a score of 3/5, it is a bit better. The plot has some interesting elements, but it still doesn't reach the level of his best works.
- Dedication: Sadly, this one only gets 1/5. It seems to be a rather lackluster effort and doesn't leave a lasting impression.

Dan Simmons: He is an author I had never read before. His short stories are not bad, but they are also nothing mind blowing.
- Metastasis: Scoring 3½/5, it has some good moments and interesting ideas. However, it doesn't quite manage to take the reader's breath away.
- Vanni Fucci is Alive and Well and Living in Hell: This story gets a score of 2¼/5. It has its merits, but it also feels a bit average and doesn't stand out from the crowd.
- Iverson's Pits: With a score of 2/5, it is a bit on the dull side. The plot doesn't really go anywhere and fails to hold the reader's attention.

George R.R. Martin: His novella is a must read for all horror and werewolves aficionados.
- The Skin Trade: This story gets a perfect score of 5/5. It is a masterful piece of work that combines elements of horror and mystery to create a truly captivating read. The characters are well-developed, the plot is engaging, and the atmosphere is palpable. It is a must-read for anyone who loves this genre.

This is a compilation of short stories, and among them, the one that truly catches my attention is The Skin Trade by George R.R. Martin.

Just picture a light-hearted private detective narrative with elements of werewolf (yet not all are wolves) mythology incorporated. That gives you the general concept. I firmly believe this served as the inspiration for Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series. However, Hamilton adopted a darker, more police procedural approach and also integrated necromancy and vampirism.

The other shorts in this book are decent. Stephen King has contributed (Sneakers and Dedication), but the Dan Simmons stories didn't strike me as particularly memorable.

Nevertheless, I have a penchant for collections of horror stories, and I think this one is worthy of being read. It offers a diverse range of tales that can engage and thrill readers with their unique combinations of genres and themes. Whether you're a fan of detective stories, mythology, or horror, there's something in this collection to pique your interest. So, give it a try and see if it lives up to your expectations.

Große Namen - aber die Geschichten konnten mich alle leider nicht so wirklich überzeugen...

Renowned names - yet unfortunately, none of the stories could truly convince me...

These are names that carry a certain weight and reputation. However, when it comes to the tales associated with them, they somehow fall short of leaving a lasting impression on me.

Perhaps it's because my expectations were set too high, or maybe the stories lacked the depth and authenticity that I was seeking.

Nonetheless, I remain open to the possibility that there are hidden gems within these narratives that I may have overlooked.

Maybe with a closer examination or a different perspective, I will be able to discover the true essence and魅力 of these so-called great names and their stories.

Vanni Fucci is Alive and Well...wild

This statement immediately grabs our attention and piques our curiosity. Who is Vanni Fucci? What does it mean for him to be alive and well in a wild context?

Perhaps Vanni Fucci is a character from a thrilling adventure story. Maybe he has survived in the wild through his wits and skills, facing numerous challenges and obstacles along the way. Or perhaps he is a wild animal, defying the odds and thriving in its natural habitat.

The idea of someone or something being alive and well in the wild evokes a sense of excitement and mystery. It makes us wonder about the untamed forces of nature and the resilience of living beings. We can imagine Vanni Fucci exploring dense forests, crossing raging rivers, and encountering dangerous predators.

As we delve deeper into this concept, we are left with many questions. How did Vanni Fucci come to be in the wild? What are his goals and motivations? Will he continue to survive and thrive, or will the wild eventually claim him? Only time will tell as we follow the adventures of Vanni Fucci, Alive and Well...wild.

I think that in this small compilation of stories, King fell short :( The stories by Dan Simmons and George R. R. Martin were very good.

However, King's contribution seemed a bit lackluster in comparison. His story didn't have the same impact or depth as those of Simmons and Martin.

Perhaps King was having an off day or was simply not in his best form when writing this particular story.

Nonetheless, it's important to note that even a less-than-stellar effort from a master like King is still better than the work of many other writers.

Overall, this compilation is still worth reading for the excellent stories by Simmons and Martin, but King's story is definitely the weakest link.

Weak Wolf lol

Once upon a time, there was a wolf that was not as strong as the others. It was often teased and bullied by the stronger wolves in the pack.

The weak wolf felt very sad and lonely. It tried hard to become stronger, but no matter how much it trained, it still couldn't catch up with the others.

One day, the pack went on a hunt. The weak wolf followed them, hoping to prove itself. But during the hunt, it made a mistake and scared away the prey.

The other wolves were very angry and blamed the weak wolf. The weak wolf felt even more miserable.

However, the weak wolf did not give up. It continued to train and learn from its mistakes.渐渐地, it became stronger and more skilled.

Finally, one day, the pack was in danger. A group of hunters were approaching. The weak wolf came up with a plan and led the pack to safety.

The other wolves were very grateful and respected the weak wolf.从此, the weak wolf lol became an important member of the pack.

A very nice selection of stories has been presented here.

Each story seems to have its own unique charm and吸引力.

The GRRMartin story, in particular, is truly exceptional.

It stands out from the rest with its captivating plot, well-developed characters, and vivid descriptions.

The way Martin weaves the story together is masterful, keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end.

His ability to create a rich and immersive world is truly remarkable.

Whether you are a fan of Martin's work or simply enjoy a good story, this selection is sure to please.

It offers a diverse range of tales that will appeal to a wide variety of readers.

So, take your time, explore these stories, and get lost in the wonderful worlds that have been created.

You are sure to have an enjoyable and memorable reading experience.

This anthology is a bit of a mixed bag.

If it weren't for George R.R. Martin's story "The Skin Trade", which is actually quite good and manages to salvage the collection from an extremely low rating, it would deserve only 1 - 2 stars at most.

Unfortunately, all of the Stephen King stories in here are truly terrible. They lack the usual depth and creativity that King is known for.

The Dan Simmons stories are, at best, just okay. They don't really stand out or offer anything particularly new or exciting.

So, if you're thinking of reading this anthology, your best bet is probably just to skip to "The Skin Trade". Or, to be completely honest, you might as well skip this entire thing altogether. There are far better anthologies out there that offer more engaging and high-quality stories.

It's a shame that this one doesn't live up to its potential, especially with such big names attached to it. But sometimes, even the best writers can have off days.

Hopefully, future anthologies will do a better job of showcasing the talents of these authors and provide readers with a more enjoyable reading experience.

Okay King,

“Dedication” is truly fascinating and yet oh so gross. It has this unique charm that draws you in while also making you cringe at times.

Really solid Simmons, his work always manages to leave an impression. The way he weaves his stories and develops his characters is remarkable.

And then there's absolutely banging George RR Martin. His story in this collection is captivating, but I do wish it had more set up for the thing that shows up at the end of it. It felt a bit sudden and could have benefited from a bit more build-up.

I gotta see if Mike the Pike still has the film rights. If he does, I can only imagine what kind of movie could be made from these stories. It would be interesting to see how they translate to the big screen.

Overall, this collection of works from these talented authors is definitely worth checking out. Each story has its own strengths and weaknesses, but together they make for an engaging read.

Stephen King's stories are always a treat. I was a bit disappointed as I had already read two of the three. However, "Reploids" was a pleasant surprise. It takes us into a world where there's been a strange mix-up that leads to Johnny Carson going missing. Published in 1988, the premise was interesting, and I would have loved to read more. "Sneakers" is a modern haunting story with well-developed characters and a great build-up. "Dedication" combines voodoo with an abusive, alcoholic writer, perhaps inspired by someone like Grahame Greene or Norman Mailer. It has its uncomfortable moments but is still entertaining.

Dan Simmons' three stories are also quite engaging. "Metastasis" is about a man who survives a car crash and discovers a terrifying truth about cancer. "Vanni Pucci is alive and well and living in hell" is bordering on hilarious, with a character from Dante's Inferno coming to earth. "Iverson's pits" is the scariest, set on a Civil War battlefield soaked in hate and blood.
George R.R. Martin's "The skin trade" is a solid werewolf story that combines a supernatural thriller with a noir detective story. It's much better than a lot of the werewolf schlock out there. This Martin guy seems to be a great writer, and I might check out some of his other works.

Overall, these stories offer a diverse range of themes and styles, from the strange and humorous to the terrifying and thrilling.

I read this 32 years ago and this autistic author still remembers these tales.

It is truly remarkable how the human mind can retain memories for such a long time, especially in the case of an autistic individual.

Autism often presents unique challenges and abilities, and the fact that this author can recall these stories with such clarity is a testament to the power of memory.

Perhaps these tales hold a special significance for the author, serving as a source of comfort, inspiration, or simply a way to make sense of the world.

It makes one wonder what other memories lie within the author's mind, waiting to be discovered and shared.

Maybe there are more stories like these that can offer insights into the autistic experience and help us to better understand and appreciate the diversity of human thought and perception.

As we continue to explore the mysteries of the human mind, it is important to remember the valuable contributions that individuals with autism can make, and to listen to their voices and stories.

Who knows what other hidden gems of wisdom and understanding we might uncover?

This gets five stars just for George R.R. Martin's werewolf novella.

It is truly a remarkable piece of work that grabs the reader's attention from the very beginning. The story is filled with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Martin's writing is as masterful as ever, bringing the characters and the world they inhabit to life in vivid detail. You can almost feel the cold wind blowing through the forest as the werewolf prowls, and sense the fear and excitement of the characters as they face this supernatural threat.

And while the werewolf novella is the main attraction, everything else in this collection is just tasty frosting on the cake. The other stories are also well-written and engaging, each with its own unique charm and style.

Overall, this is a must-read for any fan of George R.R. Martin or anyone who enjoys a good supernatural thriller. Five stars all the way!