Customer Reviews

Sword and sorceress xi

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As I've mentioned in my reviews of previous collections in this series, I consider an anthology a success if I like one-third of the stories in it enough to mark them for future rereading. By that criterion, I'm sorry to say, this one's a failure. There are 33 stories in it--almost twice the average of the earlier volumes--and, as many of the authors introduced over the previous decade have by this time established themselves and turned more to novels, the contributors are of necessity mostly newer names who, however much they may have impressed editor MZB, may take some getting used to. Of those 33 stories I checked off only nine for rereading, and four of those I wasn't sure about. Among my choices: Bunnie Bessell's "Call the Wild Horses" (a year after her loss of control brought about the tragic death of several of her fellows, including her dearest friend, a young magic-user from a horse-riding clan struggles to prove her value and skill to her people); Diana L. Paxson's "Spirit-Singer" (Bera, the half-Irish daughter of a missing Viking, must help a sorceress search for her father and his crew); Charley Pearson's "The Stratmoor Bear" (a scarred storyteller proves to be rather more than she seems); Tom Gallier's twisty-humorous "Savior" (a different take on the kill-the-dragon-and-rescue-the-princess classic); Karen Luk's "The Mistress's Riddle;" Diann Partridge's "A Fate Worse Than Death;" Tammi Labrecque's "Songhealer;" and Cynthia Ward's shapechanger-tale "Nightbeast." Of course, as I've said before, an anthology is by definition a hodgepodge, however organized on a theme it may be, and what I don't like of its contents you may find exactly to your taste. Personally, however, I would have to describe this as my least favorite so far of the S&S volumes.

Anyone who has truely gotten into MZBs Darkover series apprecitates more stories on this wonderful world she created. Kuddos to the authors!