The Griffin or the Agate

     Fall must be the season for the re-release. Numerous anthologies have seen their second coming and in the case of Legends: Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy, it's the third trip up to the plate. Fair enough, because the line-up is most impressive and if you haven't seen the stories before it can be easy to be impressed. A handful of the biggest names in Modern Fantasy offer up tales set within worlds of their own creation. Some offer back story and snippets of history, while others plumb new territory, following minor characters on side adventures or creating new dwellers. With the array of talent represented, there's sure to be something for everyone.
     Stephen King presents "The Little Sisters of Eluria," an early adventure of Roland, the no-nonsense hero of his Dark Tower epic. Since King hasn't exactly been cranking out the pages quickly enough for fans of the series, his devoted will consider it a wonderful, if creepy, treat. Along the same lines, readers of George R.R. Martin's superlative Song of Fire and Ice series will be thrilled with "The Hedge Knight," wherein would-be knight Dunk finds a world of adventure at a tournament. Just as in his novels, Martin's skill and style are readily apparent. A visit to Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea is always welcome, as is a trip to Magipoor with Robert Silverberg. Also on tap are new works by Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind, Anne McCaffery, Orson Scott Card, Raymond Feist, Terry Pratchett, and Tad Williams. There truly is something for everyone, and just how much will depend on the individual reader's personal tastes. While some may be thrilled with a new piece by so-and-so, others might see it as the flogging of a long dead and hideously overwritten horse of a series. To each their own.
     Given the amount of talent present, it's difficult to have any reservations about recommending Legends. Just make sure you haven't purchased it before, either in hardcover or paperback. If you haven't, enjoy.   §

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