Sword and Sorceress XXI, edited by Diana L. Paxson (Daw, 2004)

With this volume, the groundbreaking anthology of feminist fantasy created by Marion Zimmer Bradley reaches twenty-one, thus making it one of the longest-running anthology series in the field, as well as allowing it to drink legally in the United States. … Continue reading

Turn the Other Chick, edited by Esther Friesner (Baen, 2004)

I find it fitting that I review this particular book in the same column as the newest Sword and Sorceress, given that the Chicks series is, in some ways, a direct response not only to the feminist focus of S&S, … Continue reading

Murder by Magic, edited by Rosemary Edghill (Aspect, 2004)

As with Powers of Detection, which I covered several months ago, Murder by Magic mixes the fantasy and mystery genres for some interesting results. Twenty authors present their characters with magical, murderous dilemmas to solve, divided into five categories: modern, … Continue reading

The Faery Reel, edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling (Viking Children’s Books, 2004)

It’s taken me several months just to try and figure out what I want to say about this book. Mainly because it’s one of those rare occasions where I’m afraid that whatever I have to say won’t live up to … Continue reading

Haunted Holidays, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Russell Davis (DAW, 2004)

Ah, October. It’s that time of year, time for the traditional anthology of Halloween stories. Wait, what’s that? Halloween’s not in here! That’s right, Haunted Holidays offers up thirteen stories about every kind of special day imaginable, except the spookiest … Continue reading

Path of the Bold, edited by James Lowder (Guardians of Order, 2004)

I have a weak spot for well-done superhero fiction. Done properly, it can capture the best aspects of the comics, while adding a whole new level of narrative sophistication. That’s why I was pleased to see this collection, a followup … Continue reading

The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror 17, edited by Ellen Datlow, Kelly Link, and Gavin J. Grant (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2004)

Like its companion volume, The Year’s Best Science Fiction, the true strength and appeal of this annual collection lies not just in the sheer number and range of stories assembled, but in the essays which precede them. Though this year … Continue reading

Five “Best Of” Anthologies from 2004

The Year’s Best Science Fiction #21, edited by Gardner Dozois, (St Martin’s Griffin, 2004) Year’s Best SF 9, edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer  (Eos, 2004) Year’s Best Fantasy 4, edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer … Continue reading

The Locus Awards, edited by Charles N. Brown and Jonathan Strahan (Eos, 2004)

The Locus Award is given out each year by Locus magazine to the story picked by Locus readers out of a selection chosen by various editors and reviewers. Of those stories given the Locus Award over the past thirty years, … Continue reading