Heroic Hearts

By: Jim Butcher, Kerrie Hughes

Narrated by: James Marsters, Alexandra Harris, Cassandra Morris, Maggi-Meg Reed, Luke Daniels, Travis Baldree, Suzanne Elise Freeman, Sean Patrick Hopkins, Johanna Parker, Daniel Henning, Nancy Linari, Holter Graham, Jim Butcher

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

An all-star urban fantasy collection featuring short stories from number one New York Times best-selling authors Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris, Kelley Armstrong, and more....

In this short story collection of courage, adventure, and magic, heroes—ordinary people who do the right thing - bravely step forward.

But running toward danger might cost them everything....

In number one New York Times best-selling author Jim Butcher’s “Little Things”, the pixie Toot-Toot discovers an invader unbeknownst to the wizard Harry Dresden...and in order to defeat it, he’ll have to team up with the dread cat Mister.

In number one New York Times best-selling author Patricia Briggs’ “Dating Terrors”, the werewolf Asil finds an online date might just turn into something more—if she can escape the dark magic binding her.

In number one New York Times best-selling author Charlaine Harris’ “The Return of the Mage”, the Britlingen mercenaries will discover more than they’ve bargained for when they answer the call of a distress beacon on a strange and remote world.

And in number one New York Times best-selling author Kelley Armstrong’s “Comfort Zone”, the necromancer Chloe Saunders and the werewolf Derek Souza are just trying to get through college. But they can’t refuse a ghost pleading for help.

Also includes stories by:

• Annie Bellet
• Anne Bishop
• Jennifer Brozek
• Kevin Hearne
• Nancy Holder
• Kerrie L. Hughes
• Chloe Neill
• R.R. Virdi

©2022 Jim Butcher and Kerrie Hughes (P)2022 Penguin Audio

only 2 stories heard

I only listen to the 2 authors that I knew of Jim butcher and Patricia Briggs both stories were outstanding

Needs more Dresden

Good short stories, I only wish there were more Dresden files content. Jim please write more things!

Well read stories by favorite authors

Most of these authors are favorite ones, and most of these stories add to the established fantasy worlds I already enjoy.

Most were great

One in particular was grating and hard to listen to. The narrator for The Return of the Mage was just sort of off with her narrations. it was hard to listen to.

James Marsters is brilliant.

haven't finished it yet but just got done with the first story, absolutely brilliant.

A short story collection, some great, others trash

I got this to listen to the Jim Butcher story, and found several others that I love as well as several that I skipped half way thru.

Little things by Jim Butcher was amazing, and I have listened to it more than once. The narration of Toot toot is awesome, and I love seeing life from his point of view.

Fire hazard by Kevin Hearne stood out to me, as I have gone thru all of his Iron Druid series, and it was neat so see what is going on with Atticus now that he has been permanently injured.

Troll life by Kerrie L. Hughes was really good. I have never listened to anything by Hughes before and don't know if this is an offshoot of a series, but the narration was good and the story was great. In under an hour, Hughes was able to get me emotionally involved in the trolls life, his problems, and his pet.

Grave Gambles by R. R. Virdi was pretty good. At its core, it is a version of the old quantum leap storyline, where the character is jumping between other people, but it was good. The narration matched well, and the world felt like there would be a lot to explore. This could be a great series as well.

Dating Terrors by Patricia Briggs was surprisingly neat. At its core, it was a romance story, which I feel usually in always a stretch to make happen in these kind of urban fantasy books, but this one worked well. The romance was something that was allowed to slowly build instead of being thrown in your face and making it feel force, and impressive thing in a sub two hour story.

Sadly, none of the rest stood out in a good way. Several were bad romance stories, horseshoed into a world of magic and werewolves, and they just didn't fit well. Several had horrible narration, either because it felt like this was the first time they had narrated a book, or they just really didn't fit the story. Almost all didn't give enough character or world development for me to care about the people, or they were in a boring world in a book that surround them with stories in much neater worlds.

Overall, if you are looking for stuff from any of the authors I listed above, they were good and know that there are at least several other stories worth your time. Recommended.

Most of these are well done…

No one (usually) falls in love with all of the authors or stories in a collection, but this is one of the better collections I’ve enjoyed. It includes many of our favorite urban fantasy writers and most of the stories are fun, entertaining, or both. You really cannot go wrong with this collection, but you likely won’t find all the stories to your taste. I loved the stories by Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Kevin Hearne and Kelley Armstrong the most, and I’m glad I was able to add these to my collections.

perfect opening perfect closing

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the stories in this anthology except one that I felt didn't quite stand up to the calibur of the rest. Perfect opening story and perfect closing story. so good! plus I have found a few authors that I will be looking into in addition to ones that I already know. happy listening!!

A really good collection.

I particularly enjoyed the first (Jim Butcher) and last story (Patricia Briggs) The old, powerful, and wise werewolf felt so real and vibrant. I'd gladly pay to hear what hit the digital cutting room floor when James Marsters had to perform several distinct squeaky voices for TootToot and his people. No task is too small, or we learn, too big in service of the Zaa Lord! It was particularly touching when Toot spoke of Harry and the great loss of 'his lady'. Tiny hearts can hold great Love, too.

Good anthology!

Some very good stories from authors I wasn't familiar with. Mainly listened for Jim Butcher.