Clan Novel Anthology

At the end of "Nosferatu," the last of the thirteen clan novels, there is a promise of a further volume that would tie up some of the countless loose threads left dangling. "Anthology" is that volume. It contains 13 tales, one again for each clan, written primarily by the authors of the original volumes.The tales do indeed shed light on some of the mysteries of the original volumes, especially the end game and the strangeness below New Your City. About a third of the stories cover the aftermath of the capture of New York, and make a bit of sense of events. All of the other stories are set elsewhere. Several cover events before the clan novels but most are also post-capture. Don't, however, expect everything to be made clear. The are still enough mysteries and opportunities for many more additions to the series.I was surprised how much better these tales are written compared to the novels themselves. The shorter format seems more accessible for many of the writers. Don't expect true short stories, though, these are really little vignettes and pastiches and make little sense if read without the experience of the first thirteen volumes. I'm not a fan of short stories, but I found myself enjoying these. Readers of the clan novels with find that this volume brings the series into tighter focus.I particularly enjoyed Kathleen Ryan's efforts ("Embarkation" and "Selfless") and Eric Griffen's "Flesh of my Flesh." For most readers, the final four stories, by Gherbod Fleming, Justin Achilli, and Stewart Wieck will be the gems of the collection. These are all set in and below New York City and go the furthest to explain the events in the novels.If the original novels left you a bit unsatisfied, I think you will find the "Anthology" helps to close the gap. All Vampire: The Masquerade fans will find much to like.

With only one book out of this great series being less than perfect and highly injoyable, Anthology will hopefully contine this grand tradition. I highly recomend this series and all its books to any who eother enjoy vampires the game or the general vampires of myth. You will be pulled in and held till you finish the set.