*Fiasco* by Constance Fay is an engaging and dramatic exploration of personal turmoil and the consequences of poor decisions. The story centers around characters whose lives spiral out of control, each facing the fallout of their actions. Fay's writing is sharp and raw, capturing the emotional depth and complexity of her characters. The plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers hooked as they witness the characters' unraveling. Themes of redemption, failure, and self-realization are thoughtfully explored. *Fiasco* is a compelling read for those who enjoy character-driven stories that delve into human flaws and the messy realities of life.

<strong>DNF /NetGalley ARC</strong>

As much as I love Novik’s work, I just couldn’t get into this one. I’m not good with anthologies/compilations. They’re either stories which have since been expanded upon, or they’re so short and lacking in much depth, or detail, and I always feel disappointed. I guess that’s why they never turn into full on stories and fleshed out. Not enough material provided to expand upon.

I need to pass on future works written in this style, regardless who the author is.

I enjoyed this short story collection. I've mainly read Naomi's Scholomance series, which is why I picked this up because I will take every crumb of that world I can get (only one of these is connected, and I don't think it would make any sense really if you haven't read the series first). A few other stories seem to have been the seeds of her other books, or related to them - but I don't think any would really be spoilers or not make sense if you haven't read her other books. I did feel the stories in the first half were stronger. I do think also you can tell Naomi got her start in fanfiction because there's a few retellings (but I think they're generally done well): Ariadne, Sherlock, Pride & Prejudice. The story set in the Temeraire world, but during the Roman empire was really funny.

If you're familiar with Naomi's work you'll probably get even more out of this!


Content Warnings; Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Minor: War and Classism

So I will admit I'm incredibly confused. i thought this was supposed to just be a story collection from Naomi Novik, not necessarily from her other books. (I've only read Uprooted so far). I will still try it out but already not loving the way this collection was described to me.

I loved these stories. I especially loved visiting the Scholomance again. I would really love to see a novel length Pride, Prejudice and Dragons.

Thank you Random House Publishing and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first time I’ve read and reviewed an anthology and to be honest, I’m not sure the format is for me. The stories in Buried Deep require a little bit of background knowledge to fully appreciate and I will admit some of them probably went over my head. The ones I did like, I just wanted MORE, I love getting information and details and the structure of an anthology means you lose some of that depth you would get in a full-length novel.

That being said, I really liked the following stories:

After Hours - I love the Scholomance books and I liked getting a peek at what happened after the trilogy was over. Also, we got to see Orion again!!!
Vici - this was just short and funny, the banter between Antony and his sassy dragon Vici genuinely made me laugh.
Dragons & Decorum - Pride and Prejudice but Elizabeth Bennet is a captain in a division of the military that flies DRAGONS. Also, her and Darcy still serve longing and angst and wholesome love.
The Long Way Round - I wanted MORE, I need ANSWERS. Characters really shined in this one and the world was interesting.

I also think I liked Seven Years From Home, but that one left me with an uncomfortable feeling, which I think was the intention.

The others were fine, but didn’t really stand out to me among the other stories I highlighted.

If anthologies are your thing, I would recommend this, it was pretty good.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book. I think this book solidified in my mind that Naomi Novik is one of the best fantasy authors out there. She included so many excellent stories that she's written over the years that spanned multiple worlds, time periods, and settings. My favorites were the regency era ones, but so many of the stories were compelling and well crafted. I loved revisiting some of the worlds of her previous books and I absolutely need to read the Temeraire series now. I loved that she shared her thoughts around a lot of the stories too and explained the context in which they were written and her inspiration. I think I had a hard time getting through this book and short stories may not be my thing because I couldn't get a good rhythm and I generally like more development. While I probably wouldn't request a set of short stories on NetGalley again because it took me forever to get through and the pressure was real. I would definitely buy this book for myself or as a gift for a friend though, and it would be a great addition to any fantasy collection.

Steeped in magic and wildly gorgeous in its prose, Naomi Novik delivers a stunning group of stories that had me hooked from page one. I can’t believe this is my first of her books I’m reading but it definitely won’t be my last!

Thank to NetGalley and Del Rey for an eArc.

As a longtime fan of Naomi Novik's work, I really enjoyed this collection. I especially enjoyed the Pride & Prejudice story (longtime JAFF reader here) and the Scholomance story, but some of the others really shined as well. "Seven Years from Home" was especially impactful to me. It reminded me of Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles in some ways. Just really made me reexamine my own worldview. I also really enjoyed "Vici." It was absolutely ridiculous in the best way possible.

However, the title story was a miss for me. I it very confusing, but perhaps that was intentional given the labyrinthine theme of it.

An anthology can be real fun or a real snooze. I would say that this hit in the middle for me. I liked some of the stories, especially for her books that I have already read. The others were fine but I didn't have a connection towards those characters. Novik is such a great writer and everything is always beautifully written. It's hard to write a review for an anthology because there isn't much to go off of. I am looking forward to her next book though!

As always, Naomi Novik delivers! I enjoy her short stories as much as I love her more lengthy novels. She has the ability to create and intriguing and captivating world like none other.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I usually quite like Novik’s writing, but I also sometimes have the issue where her words slip and slide around my brain and really struggle to stick. A lot of that stays true for this anthology, the bulk of which I really liked and some of which simply did not work for me.

I do really love Novik’s writing, it’s just dense in a way that I don’t seem to focus on very well unless I’m in a particular mood. Still, many of these stories worked well for me, especially After Hours, Buried Deep, Seven, Castle Coeurlieu, and The Long Way Round. The ones that didn’t either felt like earlier, rougher work, or contained something I was otherwise uninterested in. For Araminta, Regency isn’t an era I get on well with in general, and I have historically struggled with pirate stories outside of One Piece and Amina. Commonplace, which is Sherlock Holmes fanfiction, and Dragons & Decorum, which is Pride and Prejudice fanfiction, are series that are outside my purview and interests, and so while very few people are doing fanfic like Naomi Novik is doing fanfic, I just couldn’t bring myself to get into it (or—I’m not opposed to Sherlock. I have enjoyed Elementary and Moriarty the Patriot, but it’s not something I seek out). Regardless, this was a good time, and I can see myself revisiting these stories.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Naomi Novik is back!

Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik is a set of short stories set in the world of Scholomance trilogy. From the dragon-filled Temeraire series and the gothic magical halls of the Scholomance trilogy, through the realms next door to Spinning Silver and Uprooted, this stunning collection takes us from fairy tale to fantasy, myth to history, and mystery to science fiction as we travel through Naomi Novik’s most beloved stories. Here, among many others, we encounter:
• A mushroom witch who learns that sometimes the worst thing in the Scholomance can be your roommate.
• The start of the Dragon Corps in ancient Rome, after Mark Antony hatches a dragon’s egg and bonds with the hatchling.
• A young bride in the Middle Ages who finds herself gambling with Death for the highest of stakes.
• A delightful reimagining of Pride & Prejudice, in which Elizabeth Bennet captains a Longwing dragon.
• The first glimpse of the world of Abandon, the setting of Novik’s upcoming epic fantasy series—a deserted continent populated only by silent and enigmatic architectural mysteries.
Though the stories are vastly different, there is a unifying theme: wrestling with destiny, and the lengths some will go to find their own and fulfill its promise.

Yes. Just yes. I will gladly take more Scholomance.

Naomi Novik's "Buried Deep and Other Stories" is an enchanting anthology that showcases her storytelling prowess across various genres. Featuring thirteen unique short stories, this collection takes readers on a journey through fantastical realms, historical settings, and intriguing mythologies.

In "Buried Deep," Novik reinterprets well-known historical figures like Mark Antony, Sherlock Holmes, and Elizabeth Bennet, placing them in unexpected scenarios that breathe new life into their narratives. Each tale explores the theme of seizing one's destiny, whether it involves embarking on daring adventures or navigating personal transformations.

Additionally, the collection includes two original stories that provide a fresh look at the aftermath of events in the Scholomance series and offer a sneak peek into Novik's upcoming work. With her imaginative flair and engaging prose, this anthology is a delightful read for fans of fantasy and those seeking to discover the depth of Novik's storytelling.

A wonderful mix of short stories with ties to all the wonderful worlds that Novik has created in her impressive career. There's a little bit of something for everyone, but I'm honestly elated to spend more time in the world of Temeraire. I am all in for an expanded universe in which dragons make up a part of the army in different wars throughout history. The Pride and Prejudice reimagining where Elizabeth Bennet is a dragon captain is brilliant and I would love to get a full novel out of that one.
The only complaint I could possibly have here is that the stories are too short and I want more of this author's fantastic writing.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Del Rey for the wonderfully fun read!

I was really excited to have this request approved. I love Naomi Novik's writing and found this book of short stories to be absolutely enthralling. Novik has an amazing way of describing scenes and situations that is sometimes hard to find.

I remain obsessed with Novik's storytelling. Because I am obsessed, this collection really worked for me, building on to worlds I already loved. However, I do think that if readers weren't already well familiar with Temeraire or Schoolmance, those stories would likely fall pretty flat.

I really enjoyed this anthology. Naomi Novik is a master of her craft, and it shows here! It was neat to go back into some of her previous worlds, but also really cool to see a set up for future longer-form works.

Highly recommend to anyone who wants to dip their toe into Novik's writing or maybe is having a hard time with the mood reader gremlins—short stories will calm them.

I’m a huge Scholomance fan and while some of these were set in that world not all of them were and I only really got drawn into a few of the 13 short stories. I’m realizing I’m not a short story kinda reader.

I would not recommend this to anyone who doesn’t already have a vested interest in Naomi Novik and her books. However, since I am that person, I had a blast. It was especially interesting to read the short story that eventually became spinning silver.