Sword and Sorceress XVI

Here's another collection of short stories I found entertaining: Sword and Sorceress XVI, edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Sword and Sorceress series of anthologies features fantasy stories of fighters and spellcasters, as you might expect from the title. Catchy, isn't it?

This volume features stories from authors with many publishing credits in their hats, such as Diana Paxton, Deborah Wheeler, Elisabeth Waters, and Michael Spence, to those at the beginning of their published career, such as Charlotte Carlson and Gail Sosinsky Wickman.

With twenty-six stories here, I won't even begin to try to sum up each one. I will recommend that you check out this volume of fabulous writing. From a unique spin on the frog prince story to a woman tired of waiting for her husband to pass his Senior Ordeal which would permit them to move out of the married student housing (Salt and Sorcery) to a drudge-turned princess by royal decree to feed a loathsome beast (The Day They Ran Out of Princesses), there are many well-spun yarns waiting for your perusal.

Some tales lean on the humor side like "The Frog Prince," while others lean on the spooky side like "The Changing Room." Some play on folklore like "The Kappa's Gift" and "Honey From the Rock." Whatever your taste, you may find something to your liking. Personally, while I enjoyed some more than others, I thought they were all well chosen. This is a collection I wouldn't mind adding to my shelves. The hunt to find a copy will be worth the effort.