Anything With Nothing is a delightful collection of short stories set in the well established world of Valdemar. As a long time fan of basically every story set in this world I was thrilled to be granted early access to this wonderful title and after reading it can confidently say I will be adding a physical copy to my collection as soon as I can.
The stories present here are a particularly nice treat for long time fans but also would work well as a entry point to the world for new readers.

Anthology with something for everyone

Normally an anthology has a few stories I don’t warm to. This set of tales are all winners.
An equal smattering of derring do heralds, normal folk, guards and healers stories taking place both outside and inside Haven. The clue to the tales is in the title of the anthology. Many of the characters do win through using nothing but their own potential, or what’s available where they are at that moment. Making do brilliantly.
My particular favorite (although it was a hard call) was ‘Look to Your Houses’ by Fiona Pattern. Set in one of Haven’s least desirable areas. When a new lieutenant is to join the Guards down in the Iron Street district and everything including inventory reports were to be in order, well Sergeant Hektor Dann had to take action
This area was running more like a family with guards allowing for an old granny who needed some milk, or the missing guard house key (gone these last 20 odd years), or young lads spending the night in jail to sleep things off with no fine. So how to make the reports tally and everything ship shape ready for the new lieutenant who knows nothing about the families and traditions of this lowly area—the tanneries.
Just one of the often highly amusing stories in this collection. Although many are also times of testing and finding your destiny, settling into your own path.
Mercedes Lackey’s contribution is the icing on the cake!

A DAW ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)