The Sword & Sorcery Anthology (Book Review)

“Blood will flow, heads will roll, dragons will soar, and the dead shall rise. Journey to ancient cities ruled by sinister mages, storm-tossed seas where monsters dwell, mysterious towers full of ancient secrets, and dark dungeons with untold treasures. From Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian to George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire, join the legendary heroes—and villains—of sword and sorcery in nineteen epic adventures that are sure to bring out the barbarian in you.

David G. Hartwell is one of the science fiction and fantasy genre’s most experienced editors. He has been a senior editor at Tor books since 1995, and his many anthologies include the Year’s Best SF and Year’s Best Fantasy series. He has received the Hugo and World Fantasy awards and administrates the Philip K. Dick Award.

Jacob Weisman is the World Fantasy Award-nominated editor and publisher of Tachyon Publications. His writing has appeared in The Nation, Realms of Fantasy, and the Seattle Weekly. He is the series editor for anthologies including The Secret History of Fantasy, Steampunk I and II, and The Treasury of the Fantastic.

Introduction: Storytellers: A Guided Ramble into Sword and Sorcery Fiction by David Drake.

The Tower of the Elephant by Robert E. Howard

For my first experience of Robert E. Howard’s words, despite seeing the Conan movies, this was a marvelous romp into a fantastic adventure. Each step Conan took his goal was set with perils more deadly than the previous. Despite being a thief, Conan’s compassion is revealed in an unexpected moment.

Black God’s Kiss by C. L. Moore

A sword wielding woman, Jiral of Joirey, is taken in combat, only to escape to seek a weapon in a tunnel beneath the dungeon. A creepy and compelling story to remind you to be careful what you ask for.

The Unholy Grail by Fritz Leiber

A wizard’s apprentice uses his magical lore to seek revenge.

The Tale of Hauk by Poul Anderson

An excellent norse tale of a father saddened by his son’s refusal to go pillaging is finally laid to rest.

The Caravan of Forgotten Dreams by Michael Moorcock

A well told tale of an anti-hero enlisting old acquaintances to fight an evil magician

The Adventuress by Joanna Russ

A pick pocket is hired by a spoiled teenage woman to assist in her escape of matrimony.

Gimmile’s Songs by Charles R. Saunders

Dossouye, an ex-soldier, with her war bull encounters mercenaries carrying an unusual mystic object.

Undertow by Karl Edward Wagner

Desslyn vows to escape the torments of a necromancer. There are several creepy minions combined with excellent swordplay.

The Stages of the God by Ramsey Campbell (writing as Montgomery Comfort)

Topops, forced from the city he ruled, locates an ancient shrine in the desert where he takes a stand against mercenaries.

The Barrow Troll by David Drake

Johann, a priest kidnapped from his bed, is manipulated to assist a wild northerner in taking a troll’s hoard.

Soldier of an Empire Unacquainted with Defeat by Glen Cook

A skilled swordsman and worker of elemental energy assists sheepherders against bullies. There are several well done episodes of magic, swordplay and inter-personal relationships.

Epistle from Lebanoi by Michael Shea

A Shakespearian foray into a swamp.

Become a Warrior by Jane Yolen

An excellent tale of survival by a resilient young girl; her father, the King, is cut down in battle.

The Red Guild by Rachel Pollack

An assassin is hired to subdue a dragon.

Six from Atlantis by Gene Wolfe

Thane enters the mysterious realm where stones change to gems, and beautiful women wield swords.

The Sea Troll’s Daughter by Caitlin R. Kiernan

Malmury is determined to collect the bounty for killing the sea troll.

The Coral Heart by Jeffrey Ford

An intriguing story of a man with a magical sword capable of turning victims into coral.

Path of the Dragon by George R. R. Martin

Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of Dragonstone, with her three dragons has sailed to Westeros to bargain for slaves.

The Year of the Three Monarchs by Michael Swanwick

This story might interest another.


The review copy was provided by Charlene Brusso.

Book format: trade paperback, 480 pages / 6 x 9

Publisher: Tachyon Publications

Available: ISBN 978-1-61696-069-8 Also in ebook

Amazon.com


Chapters Indigo

Kafkaesque Anthology- Book Review

“THE TOURIST SHOPS OF PRAGUE SELL DOZENS OF ITEMS COMMEMORATING FRANZ KAFKA. You can drink a latte in the Café Kafka, add sugar to it from a packet with Kafka’s face on it, and then light your cigarette from a box of Kafka matches.


“Franz Kafka died in obscurity in 1936, publishing only a handful of bizarre stories in little known literary magazines. Yet today he persists in our collective imaginations. Even those who have never read any of Kafka’s fiction describe their tribulations with the Department of Motor Vehicles as “Kafkaesque” How did this happen?

“Kafkaesque explores the fiction of generations of authors inspired by Kafka’s work. These dystopic, comedic, and ironic tales include T.C. Boyle’s roadside garage that is a never ending trial, Philip Roth’s alternate history in which Kafka immigrates to America to date his aunt, Jorge Luis Borges’ labyrinthine public lottery that redefines reality, Carol Ernshwiller’s testimony by the first female to earn the right to call herself a “man,” and Paul Di Filippo’s unfamiliar Kafka—journalist by day, costumed crime fighter by night.

“Also included is Kafka’s classic story “The Hunger Artist,” appearing both in a brand-new translation and in an illustrated version by legendary cartoonist R. Crumb (Fritz the Cat). Additionally, each author discusses Kafka’s writing, its relevance, its personal influence, and Kafka’s enduring legacy.”



The stories listed below were some of the most bizarre but ingenious I have ever read. They work on repetitive themes Franz Kafka incorporated in his own work.



A Hunger Artist by Franz Kafka

The title introduces the topic of the unfolding story of a man on exhibition, fasting. Initially I wondered where it was going, and soon was mesmerized by the words and the story.


The Drowned Giant by J.G. Ballard

A rendition of Gulliver’s Travels with macabre twists.


The Cockroach Hat by Terry Bisson

Love, death and misdirection as told in an alternate reality by a cockroach.


Hymenophera by Michael Blumlein

A clothes designer discovers an eight-foot wasp in his salon.


The Lottery in Babylon by Jorge Luis Borges

As was in Babylon of old with wanton and unusual tastes, the lottery fulfilled most of the buyers’ dreams with its prizes.

The Big Garage by T. Coraghessan Boyle

An Audi owner joins three bedraggled car owners living in a garage while waiting for repairs that may never come.

The Jackdaw's Last Case by Paul Di Filippo

A journalist turns crime fighter by night in Kafaesque style.

Report to the Men’s Club by Carol Emshwiller

A feminine take on living in a patriarchal society.

Bright Morning by Jeffrey Ford

An escape story with a twist, of a fantasy/science fiction writer implementing Kafka elements.

The Rapid Advance of Sorrow by Theodora Goss

A surreal look at communism in eastern Europe.

Stable Strategies for Middle Management by Eileen Gunn

Bioengineering has its disadvantages when applying insect genes to facilitate organizational abilities.

The Handler by Damon Knight

A story difficult to interpret except to stay it has the aspect of a Trojan horse.

Receding Horizon by Jonathan Lethem & Carter Scholz

A parody on “It’s A Wonderful Life”.

A Hunger Artist by David Mairowitz and Robert Crumb

A pictorial version of the story by Franz Kafka.

“I Always Wanted You to Admire My Fasting” or, Looking at Kafka by Philip Roth

Humourous reminiscences of a boy’s Hebrew-school teacher being invited to dinner.

The 57th Franz Kafka by Rudy Rucker

Not my type of story. Someone else may find it entertaining.

The Amount to Carry by Carter Scholz

An insurance broker composes music meets Mr. Kafka of Workman’s Accident Insurance Institute.

Kafka in Bronteland by Tamar Yellin

In reflection of her Jewish upbringing, a Yorkshire woman encounters Kafka on the moors.


JOHN KESSEL and JAMES PATRICK KELLY are the award winning co-editors of canon-defining anthologies, including Feeling Very Strange, The Slipstream Anthology, Rewired: The Post-Cyberpunk Anthology, and The Secret History of Science Fiction.


The review copy was provided by Charlene Brusso, with many thanks.

Book format: paperback, 288 pages
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Available:
amazon.com
chapters.indigo.ca

The Urban Fantasy Anthology (Book Review)

 From the back cover:

"Welcome to the unpredictable world of urban fantasy. In these twenty complex and highly entertaining tales, you'll encounter unforgettable characters in thrilling scenarios: the overwhelmed innkeeper in the haunted house of her dreams, the unicorn miraculously freed from imprisonment in a tapestry, a misfit who gives the class bullies the ride of a lifetime..."


Edited by Peter S. Beagle and Joe R. Lansdale


This anthology contains three sections of urban fantasy covering distinct subgenres. Each of the stories delves into relationships between well rounded characters. My favourtie stories were: A Bird That Whistles, Julie’s Unicorn, Companions to the Moon, Gestella and Talking Back to the Moon. The Introduction by Peter S. Beagle provides an eloquent and delightful explanation of how urban fantasy began and how it has evolved.


MYTHIC FICTION

Introduction: A Personal Journey into Mythic Fiction
By Charles de Lint

Mr. de Lint provides background and insight on the development of mythic fiction—myths and folklore.

A Bird That Whistles
By Emma Bull

This engrossing tale set in 1970 features a young musician who encounters love, magic and an elf.

Make a Joyful Noise
By Charles de Lint

Maida, a shape-shifting crow, plays detective to help a ghost pass over.

The Goldfish Pond and Other Stories
By Neil Gaiman

An English writer finds Hollywood an illusion. Pious Dundas, a remarkable elderly man, steals the story.

On the Road to New Egypt
By Jeffrey Ford

A man driving home from work picks up two hitchhikers: Christ and the Devil.

Julie’s Unicorn
 By Peter S. Beagle

Mr. Beagle’s stories are pure enchantment for me, leading immediately into the story and keeping the reader there. A delightful, magical tale of freeing a unicorn from a tapestry.

PARANORMAL ROMANCE

Introduction: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Urban Fantasy
By Paula Guran

An in-depth look at the evolution of urban fantasy and its subgenres—how writers work influences public demand.

Companions to the Moon
By Charles de Lint

Suspicions arouse, a woman follows her partner to a meeting of the Fayre Court.

A Haunted House of Her Own
By Kelley Armstrong

Be careful of what you ask for. Tanya has the Victorian house of her dreams, complete with a history.

She’s My Witch
By Norman Partridge

Raising the dead isn’t for the faint of heart.

Kitty’s Zombie New Year
By Carrie Vaughn

A brilliant piece on the evils of binding a person to you out of love.

Seeing Eye
By Patricia Briggs

Entertaining story of a werewolf locating his missing brother—and love.

Hit
By Bruce McAllister

This story of an angel hiring a hitman didn’t work for me.

Boobs
By Suzy McKee Charnas

Puberty has its problems: body changes, hormones and teasing. Kelsey, however, has an ace when the moon turns full.

Farewell, My Zombie
By Francesca Lia Block

Grief overcomes a woman whose child has died.

NOIR FANTASY

Introduction: We Are Not a Club, but We Sometimes Share a Room
By Joe R. Lansdale

Two sentences in his introduction paraphrase the wonder of this anthology:

“These stories are all trips into a world of strange magic, places where you have not been. Once you come back from your journey, you’re unlikely to forget this voyage any time soon.”

The White Man
By Thomas M. Disch

An enterprising young woman learns about vampires and how to dispatch them.

Gestella
By Susan Palwick

A werewolf’s lot isn’t easy--. This is a story you won’t forget.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
By Holly Black

Vampirism is an infection sweeping throughout America. Matilda’s got 31 days left from 88 to kick the vampire habit, providing she doesn’t drink any blood.

Talking Back to the Moon
By Steven R. Boyett

Imagine Southern California deserted, houses abandoned years before, animals at large. A werewolf and a centaur join forces, working their way through the devastated San Fernando Valley. Mr. Boyett provides fascinating descriptions of suburbia gone wild.

On the Far Side of the Cadillac Desert with Dead Folks
By Joe R. Lansdale

A weird zombie-bounty hunter story that others may find to be their cup of tea.

The Bible Repairman By Tim Powers

Before Torrez began editing bibles for sinners, he assisted families with ransom requests for stolen ash urns and the safe return of the ghost of their departed love ones.

Father Dear By Al Sarrantonio

Raised in a disillusioned upbringing, a man sets out to correct it.


Review copy provided by Charlene Brusso with many thanks.

Book format: trade paperback, 432 pages
ISBN 978-1-61696-018-6

Publisher: Tachyon Publications

Available at:

Chapters.Indigo.ca

Amazon.ca

Amazon.com

The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson (Book Review)

From the back cover:


“The fate of an empire rests in the hands of a thief


“When Shai is caught replacing the Moon Scepter with her nearly flawless forgery, she must bargain for her life. An assassin has left the Emperor Ashravan without consciousness, a circumstance concealed only by the death of his wife. If the emperor does not emerge after his hundred-day mourning period, the rule of theHeritage Faction will be forfeit and the empire will fall into chaos.

“Shai is given an impossible task: to create—to Forge—a new soul for the emperor in fewer than one hundred days. Buther soul-Forgery is considered an abomination by her captors. She is confined to a tiny, dirty chamber, guarded by a man who hates her, spied upon by politicians, and trapped behind a door sealed in her own blood. Shai’s only possible ally is the emperor’s most loyal councilor, Gaotona, who struggles to understand her true talent.

“Time is running out for Shai. Forging, while deducing the motivations of her captors, she needs a perfect plan to escape…”


This fantasy novella is my first foray into Brandon Sanderson’s work, and I’m pleased to say the read was a total pleasure. The story immersed me into well detailed Chinese lore set in a fantasy world containing magic. Woven throughout are fantastic descriptions of background, characters with their inter-personal relationships and motivations, culminating into an intriguing story with a perfect ending.

This is a not to be missed book, and with its convenient size the perfect stocking stuffer for the upcoming festive season.


Brandon Sanderson is the bestselling author of Elantris, the Mistborn Trilogy, and The Way of Kings. In 2007, he was chosen to finish Robert Jordan’s epic Wheel of Time series, The Gathering Storm and Towers of Midnight were #1 New York Times bestsellers; the final volume, A Memory of Light, is a highly anticipated January 2013 release. Sanderson received his Master’s degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University, where he currently teaches. He is a co-host of the Hugo Award-nominated weekly podcast Writing Excuses. Sanderson lives in Utah.


This book is now a 2013 Hugo Winner.


The review copy was provided by Charlene Brusso, with many thanks.


Book format: trade paperback, 176 pages

Publisher: Tachyon Publications

Author website: Brandon Sanderson

Available:

amazon.com

chapters.indigo.ca

Sleight of Hand by Peter S. Beagle (Book Review)

Peter S. Beagle returns with an inspired collection of new fantasy that showcases his incomparable mastery and range. In these tales—with settings as different as an impossible reconstruction of the Berlin Wall and the kitchen of Mrs. Eunice Giant (72 Fairweather Lane, East-of-the-Bean, Sussex Overhead) – warriors, monsters, and utterly ordinary people struggle with possession and forgiveness, life and love, hate and death—and the choices that come after everything else has been stripped away by Fate.

This is a collection of short stories from the master of fantasy, Peter S. Beagle. As always his stories ring true to wonderful characters set in vivid backgrounds where the reader can immerse themselves right into the story. Prior to each story is an introduction of each short story.

The Woman who Married the Man in the Moon

A wonderful engaging tale of Schmendrick the Magician (prior to his adventure in The Last Unicorn), who seemingly rescues two lost children.

Sleight of Hand

A poignant story of a woman in grief looking for escape and finding it with a magician.

Children of the Shark God

The daughter of the Shark God seeks him out, determined to learn why he was absent during her childhood. This story has touching moments between daughter and father.

The Best Worst Monster

A monster learns he has a soul despite everything he does for his master.

What Tune the Enchantress Plays

Breya Drom’s enchantress abilities are inherited through the female line within her village. Taught by her mother to use power through song, Breya overcomes betrayal in love.

La Lune T’Attend

A pair of aging loups-garous with a score to settle. Well done with a perfect ending.

Up the Down Beanstalk: A Wife Remembers

A wonderful fairy tale seen in the view of the giant’s wife with a rather nice twist.

The Rock in the Park

Revisting those tender teenage years of encountering magic when least expected. An enticing tale of centaurs.

The Rabbi’s Hobby

A Rabbi and his Bar Mitzvah student, Joseph, undertake to solve the mystery of a woman on the cover of a collectible magazine.

Oakland Dragon Blues

A cop coming on duty discovers a dragon sprawled in an Oakland intersection.

The Bridge Partner

A wonderful noir of a bridge player being stalked.

Diare

Rescuing victims, a woman appears suddenly in the nick of time to the consternation of onlookers.

Vanishing

After taking his daughter to a pre-natal clinic, a man finds himself suddenly in West Berlin, 1963, or so it seems. For those who remember the Wall being in existence this story clearly covers the era. An excellent story ending a collection of fantastic stories.

Review copy provided by Charlene Brusso.

Book format: Trade Paperback   326 pages

Publisher:  Tachycon Publications

Author Website: www.peterbeagle.com

Available at:             

Amazon.ca   

Chapters.Indigo.ca  

Promises to Keep by Charles de Lint

From the back cover:

“The year is 1972. Jilly Coppercorn is happy, mostly. Her past was anything but. Abuse, addiction, and living on the street brought her to the brink of self-destruction. Now she’s struggling to stay clean and make ends meet. Jilly’s present life in Newford revolves around studying art at Butler University while surrounded by her supportive new family-of-choice: her caseworker, the Grasso Street Angel; best friend, Geordie the fiddler; and fellow artist, Sophie Etoile.

“Rising from the ashes to take on new responsibilities is hard, and nothing comes easily. As Jilly strives to create a life she can be proud of, she recives a tempting opportunity roaring in from the past on an oversized motorcycle. Donna Birch, the only close friend from Jilly’s old juvie days, has blossomed into a confident, tattooed bass-player who offers Jilly a one-in-a-lifetime chance to leave Newford—and start afresh in a beautiful, mysterious city where dreams are almost too easily realized.

“The problem is, Jilly still has unfinished business in Newford.”


This YA urban fantasy caught me by surprise. The entire story was compelling with subtle hints of lurking fantasy. Mr. De Lint placed great emphasis on attention to detail of locations and characters while weaving Jilly’s current experiences with her past.

Jilly meets her old friend, Donna Birch, quite by accident and is invited to hear her play at the biker club “Cool Hand Juke”. Despite, Jilly’s best friend, Geordie, not believing the place exists, Jilly goes. After attending the gig, JIlly accompanies Donna to her place where she learns she has entered into another reality where unfulfilled dreams can be realized. It seems too good to be true and easy as well. Finances materialize in a bank account, an apartment is set up in no time and Jilly goes for walks, meeting other residents with flavourful backgrounds. Soon Jilly discovers the mysterious city is filled with dead people: all who had unexpected deaths before their time. Jilly questions why Donna brought her to such a place without telling her more of the details.

Things get interesting when Jilly learns the doorway in closes and she needs to find another one going out.

The story contained elements of fairy tales where one inadvertently makes a bargain and tries to get out of it. Another aspect covered was of the sociological effects of people needing to be transformed through hope for a better future. That by providing any small kindness you do for others goes a long way to improving their lives. Best of all, the novel has a satisfactory ending.


Promises to Keep is companion to the bestselling novels The Onion Girl and Widdershins.


Charles de Lint is the bestselling author of over seventy adult, YA, and children’s books, including Moonheart, The Blue Girl, Medicine Road, and Forests of the Heart. He is the recipient of the World Fantasy, YALSA, Crawford, and Aurora awards. De Lint is a poet, songwriter, performer, and folklorist, and he has a regular book review column for Fantasy & Science Fiction. He lives in Ottawa, Canada, with his creative co-conspirator, MaryAnn Harris.

The review copy was provided by Chalene Brusso of Tachyon, with thanks.

Book format: paperback, 192 pages
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Author website: Charles de Lint

Available at:

Amazon.ca

Amazon.com

Chapters.Indigo.ca

The Uncertain Places by Lisa Goldstein (Book Review)

From the back cover:

“When Berkeley student Will Taylor is introduced by his best friend Ben to the mysterious Feierabend sisters, Will falls for enigmatic Livvy, a chemistry major and accomplished chef. But Livvy’s family—vivacious actress Maddie, family historian Rose, and their mother, absent-minded Sylvia—behave strangely. The Feierabend women appear to believe that luck is their birthright. Will and Ben learn that generations ago the family made a contract with a powerful otherwordly force, and they are now all entangled in an ages-old fairy tale.

“First discovered by the Brothers Grimm, and then inexplicably suppressed, the story of the Bondsmaid had been lost to the world for hundreds of years. The sacrifice of the Bondsmaid kept what little magic long supplanted by science, left in the world. Will must unravel the riddle of the supernatural bargain in order to save Livvy from her predestined fate.”


The story revolves around the time of 1971 just after the Hippy Revolution, including references such as a car with a choke. It was a nice step back down memory lane for me combined with fantasy in tantalizing bits keeping the story fresh throughout. It delves into the known mythological history of the faerie realm: glamour, dancing, elves, witches, wars between magical groups similar to the Wild Hunt. There is also a reference of kissing frogs, one of my favourite stories from childhood.

An entertaining read that kept me spell bound from the first chapter. It takes the concept of fairy tales and provides a fresh look. Everything is well detailed including the use of dimensions that overlap and the consequences of traveling between them. An ancient bargain for family fortune has its pitfalls for any family member who meddles.

LISA GOLDSTEIN is the author of novels and short story collections. Her novel The Red Magician won the American Book Award and she has been a finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards.


Review copy provided by Charlene Brusso, with many thanks.

Book format: paperback, 240 pages
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Author website: Lisa Goldstein
Available: June 2011 ISBN 978-1-61696-014-8

Amazon.com

Amazon.ca

Chapters-Indigo.ca

The Very Best of Fantasy & Science Fiction: 60th Anniversary (Book Review)

Gordon Van Gelder has been the editor of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction since 1996. Mr. Van Gelder prepared brief paragraphs to introduce each of the short fiction selections of when it was first published in the magazine. He also included a little background on the authors which I found to be a nice touch.

I have placed the year behind the author’s name to indicate the year the story was published in the magazine.

Of Time and Third Avenue by Alfred Bester, 1951

A brilliant piece of short fiction to start: a meeting of present and future with consequences. It stands the test of time to reread again and again to delight the senses.

All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury, 1954

Venus has endured seven years of continuous rain and school students are skeptical of a scientist’s prediction of no rain for one specified hour of a day where the sun will be seen.

One Ordinary Day, with Peanuts by Shirley Jackson, 1955

Shirley Jackson is best remembered for writing “The Lottery”. In this tale, a man performs multiple good deeds throughout the day with a nice twist at the end.

A Touch of Strange by Theodore Sturgeon, 1958

A man and a woman swim out to make their rendezvous with a mermaid and merman just before moonrise.

Eastward Ho! by William Tenn, 1958

This is a wonderful piece of speculative fiction where the aboriginal natives of North America are in control of the United States.

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, 1959

A timeless story of a medical experiment with tragic results, which has held my fascination even after many years when I read it in high school for an English class. The prose remains fresh and keeps the reader spellbound to the pages.

Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, 1961

An excellent speculative parable of what might happen when certain types of behaviour are controlled.

This Moment of the Storm by Roger Zelazny, 1966

Life on a far off planet with bizarre predator life forms which come out of the forests during rainstorms.

The Electric Ant by Philip K. Dick, 1969

An executive learns the dark side of his reality.

The Deathbird by Harlan Ellison, 1973

This story contained many convoluted sections that I found distracting. One section I did enjoy was about a Puli.

The Women Men Don’t See by James Tiptree, Jr., 1973

A quirky fun adventure of a downed plane in the Yucatan with the perfect last sentence: “Two of our opossums are missing.”

I See You by Damon Knight, 1976

The forerunner to infrared spying: wonderful stuff.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King, 1978

Although I’m not much of a fan of this author, I did find the bits about the crow entertaining in this futurist look at the old west.

The Dark by Karen Joy Fowler, 1991

Excellent story leading the reader from intriguing scenarios to creepy with a satisfying ending.

Buffalo by John Kessel, 1991

John Kessel meets H.G. Wells in Buffalo with interesting results.

Solitude by Ursula K Le Guin, 1994

A woman observes life on a far-off planet while her children are able to mingle with the native humans and adapt while she does not. This reminded me a little of “Lord of the Flies”.

Mother Grasshopper by Michael Swanick, 1998

This story wasn’t for me. I’m sure others will enjoy it.

macs by Terry Bisson, 1999

Robots cloned from a human and were expected to be returned to the government within thirty days: dead. This is an interesting premise underlying this story of government manipulation of its citizens.

Creation by Jeffrey Ford, 2002

After reading that God had created man, a boy creates a stick man named Cavanagh using his father’s breath.

Other People by Neil Gaiman, 2001

A man forced to deal with the consequences of his life’s choices in the afterlife.

Two Hearts by Peter S. Beagle, 2005

Several characters from “The Last Unicorn” join forces to face a griffon terrorizing a village. Excellent.

Journey into the Kingdom by M. Rickert, 2007

This was a story I was unable to get into. Others may find it to their liking.

The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate by Ted Chiang, 2007

Lovely story set in Arabian Night style like Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves with time travel. Various characters learn about their other selves by entering the Gate of Years, twenty years in the future or the past.


All in all this was a great anthology book to get into while knowing that each of the stories would be relatively short.

A special thank you to Matt Staggs for providing this book for my review.


Book format: paperback, 475 pages
Publisher: Tachycon Publications
Publication Date: September 2009

Available at:

Chapters.Indigo.ca