Legends (v. 2) [Paperback]

Robert Silverberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 2004

From the most celebrated writers of modern fantasy fiction, the most fabulous worlds ever created. Eleven breathtaking new short novels, each set in the unique universe that brought its author world-wide acclaim, are here gathered together in one outstanding volume. Robin Hobb introduces us to another part of her Realm of the Elderlings in Homecoming. George R. R. Martin returns to an earlier era of the world of A Song of Ice and Fire to tell the tale of The Sworn Sword. The Yazoo Queen is a new story from Orson Scott Card's world of the Tales of Alvin Maker. Diana Gabaldon gives us Lord John and the Succubus, a new Outlander tale. Robert Silverberg returns to the giant world of Majipoor for The Book of Changes. Tad Williams brings us a new tale from the Otherland: The Happiest Dead Boy in the World. Anne McCaffrey returns to Pern for Beyond Between. The Messenger, by Raymond E. Feist, is a new story from his ever-popular Riftwar. Elizabeth Hayden brings us Threshold, a fresh tale from The Symphony of Ages. With The Monarch of the Glen Neil Gaiman returns to the world of American Gods. Terry Brooks gives us Indomitable, a new Shannara story.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the first LEGENDS volume: 'The biggest names in contemporary fantasy have written novellas set in their most popular worlds. Fortunately, the standard matches the notion; maybe the contributors were spurred on by group rivalry' Time Out 'An essential buy for every fantasy fan' SFX

From the Publisher

"A stellar compilation." --Booklist (starred review)

"A dream team...Legends is the rarest of the rare--an entire collection of original short novels by top fantasy writers....Here is a dab of each writer at the top, a worthy sampler that could yield a reader someone new to enjoy." --USA Today

"There's enough color, vitality and bravura displays of mythmaking in this rich sampler...to sate faithful fans and nurture new readers on the stuff of legends still being created." --Publishers Weekly(starred review)

"I wouldn't be at all surprised if this was the best selling anthology of the year." --Science Fiction Chronicle

"This is a collection of grace, style, and substance." --Statesman Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 784 pages
• Publisher: Voyager (August 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007154364
• ISBN-13: 978-0007154364
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,531,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Terry Pratchett sold his first story when he was fifteen, which earned him enough money to buy a second-hand typewriter. His first novel, a humorous fantasy entitled The Carpet People, appeared in 1971 from the publisher Colin Smythe. Terry worked for many years as a journalist and press officer, writing in his spare time and publishing a number of novels, including his first Discworld novel, The Color of Magic, in 1983. In 1987 he turned to writing full time, and has not looked back since. To date there are a total of 36 books in the Discworld series, of which four (so far) are written for children. The first of these children's books, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, won the Carnegie Medal. A non-Discworld book, Good Omens, his 1990 collaboration with Neil Gaiman, has been a longtime bestseller, and was reissued in hardcover by William Morrow in early 2006 (it is also available as a mass market paperback (Harper Torch, 2006) and trade paperback (Harper Paperbacks, 2006). Terry's latest book, Nation, a non-Discworld standalone YA novel was published in October of 2008 and was an instant New York Times and London Times bestseller. Regarded as one of the most significant contemporary English-language satirists, Pratchett has won numerous literary awards, was named an Officer of the British Empire "for services to literature" in 1998, and has received four honorary doctorates from the Universities of Warwick, Portsmouth, Bath, and Bristol. His acclaimed novels have sold more than 55 million copies (give or take a few million) and have been translated into 36 languages. Terry Pratchett lives in England with his family, and spends too much time at his word processor.  Some of Terry's accolades include: The Carnegie Medal, Locus Awards, the Mythopoetic Award, ALA Notable Books for Children, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, Book Sense 76 Pick, Prometheus Award and the British Fantasy Award.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Martin steals the show..., November 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Legends 2 : Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy (Mass Market Paperback)

I saw this book in the grocery store and bought it for one reason: I'll read anything that takes place in Pern. McCaffrey's work was disappointing, though. A nice enough little character sketch and some gratuitous "familiar name" dropping, but predictable and short. Goodkind's work was interesting but far too fantastical for my taste, with a too-happy ending. George R.R. Martin, however, gives a great story with "The Hedge Knight." Nicely developed plot, well-delivered. My first exposure to Martin's work, but enough to convince me to buy "A Game of Thrones." Lots of confusing names and a somewhat unrealistic ending, but a great read nonetheless. Set in a pseudo-England, with characters you love or hate but always care about. Very little "fantasy," plenty of human drama. Bravo to Martin for putting some effort into his work. The price of the book was worth it just for this story.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars George R. R. Martin proves himself once again!, July 19, 2000

By 

"lodengarl" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legends 2 : Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy (Mass Market Paperback)

5 Stars for The Hedge Knight! Most of the other stories were ok, but The Hedge Knight was amazing work, up to Martin's standard of excellence - again, perfectly paced story, with good humor, good twists and excellent storytelling. The book is worth buying just for this great tale!

And, if you haven't read A Game of Thrones or A Clash of Kings - it will convince you to! It is said that we find out what happened to the main character in The Hedge Knight in Martin's 3rd book from A Song of Ice and Fire Series, A Storm of Swords.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some advice that may be helpful, April 4, 2003

By 

Richard Deem (unfortunately, Bloomington, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legends 2 : Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy (Mass Market Paperback)

This version of legends is divided into three parts, if you search for Robert Silverberg you can find it in one volume for about the same price, so that you get all three parts together for about a third of the price
As to the book,I can only review the second part (I made the mistake of ordering legends 2 thinking that it was all 11 stories, but it was really just three.) The three stories that were in it were:Debt of Bones by Terry Goodkind
The Hedge Knight by George R.R. Martin
and Runner of Pern, by Anne McCaffrey
Of the three I read, The Hedge Knight was definitely the best, it has alot of action and the grimly real, but exciting story that only Martin can provide. It is set in the Seven Kingdoms of Martin's excellent series, A Song of Ice and Fire.
Debt of Bones was good, and it showed me what type of a writer Goodkind is,(I haven't read anything by him but that, but it got me interested and I bought the first book in his series, The Sword Of Truth.
Runner of Pern was probably the one I least liked, I knew nothing about Anne McCaffrey, and it was okay, but not nearly as good as The Hedge Knight.
Be sure to buy the edition with all 11 stories, I have just ordered the full edition, Most all of the writers in the 11 stories, I have read before and it is interesting to have a short work to read by them, about a different part of their world. This will also help you get aquainted with writers you havn't read before, see their writing style, and decide if you want to read more of them.