Rogues

Rogues is a cross-genre anthology edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, featuring 21 original stories from notable authors. Each tale centers on a rogue, trickster, or morally ambiguous character who operates outside societal norms. The collection includes works from Neil Gaiman, Patrick Rothfuss, Gillian Flynn and other acclaimed writers across multiple genres including fantasy, science fiction, mystery and historical fiction. Stories range from traditional sword-and-sorcery adventures to contemporary crime tales. The anthology demonstrates how the concept of the "rogue" character transcends genre boundaries and time periods. Through these varied narratives, the collection explores themes of morality, survival, and the sometimes blurry line between hero and anti-hero.

Readers note this anthology delivers uneven quality across its 21 stories. Many cite Neil Gaiman's "How the Marquis Got His Coat Back" and Patrick Rothfuss's "The Lightning Tree" as standouts. The George R.R. Martin story satisfied fans seeking more Game of Thrones content. Likes: - Diverse interpretations of the "rogue" theme - Strong entries from established authors - Mix of fantasy, sci-fi and historical fiction Dislikes: - Length variations feel jarring (20 to 80+ pages) - Several stories described as "forgettable" - Some readers felt misled by marketing focused on Martin/GoT - Multiple complaints about slow pacing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (1,100+ ratings) Common review quote: "Like most anthologies, it's hit-or-miss. Worth reading for the 5-6 excellent stories, but you'll likely skip some others." Frequent criticism: "Too many stories feel like excerpts rather than complete tales."

Warriors by George R.R. Martin, Gardner Dozois. This collection features stories about warfare and warriors across multiple genres, including contributions from many of the same authors who appear in Rogues.

Dangerous Women by George R.R. Martin, Gardner Dozois. The anthology presents tales of powerful female characters from established fantasy and science fiction writers who contributed to Rogues.

Thieves' World by Robert Lynn Asprin. This shared-world anthology series follows criminals, rogues, and outsiders in a fantasy setting with interconnected stories from different authors.

Low Town by Daniel Polansky. The story follows a former intelligence agent turned drug dealer who navigates criminal underworld politics while solving murders.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. The novel chronicles the exploits of an orphaned thief leading a gang of con artists in a fantasy Venice-like city.

🗡️ This anthology features 21 original tales of "rogues," bringing together iconic authors like Neil Gaiman, Patrick Rothfuss, and Gillian Flynn alongside Martin himself. 🏆 The collection won the 2015 Locus Award for Best Anthology, highlighting its impact in the speculative fiction community. 📚 Martin's contribution, "The Rogue Prince," serves as a prequel to his novella "The Princess and the Queen" and provides crucial background for "House of the Dragon." ✍️ Co-editor Gardner Dozois edited Asimov's Science Fiction magazine for 20 years and won 15 Hugo Awards for his editorial work before his death in 2018. 🌟 Joe Abercrombie's story "Tough Times All Over" takes place in the same world as his First Law trilogy but can be enjoyed independently, showcasing the anthology's accessibility to new readers.