Helpful Score: 3
I feel for Andre Norton, who must have wondered how she got roped into this collection. Her story is good - the lead story is also good. Perhaps a total of four stories are worth your time.
Most of these made me want to hurt the author involved. Especially the ones who thought they knew everything about Faire and/or the SCA. ("Gosh!" you could just hear 'em saying. "I've been to one Faire, WHAT a lovely idea I have for a story, how clever I am!!") One story in particular made me want to rip up every other page out.
Normally I don't have this reaction to anthologies nor collections. This was particularly awful. A friend once said that she expects perhaps half the stories to be worth her time.
Don't waste your time on this collection. If you like Andre, read her story. Especially do not buy it, not with PBS credits nor money!
I got it from the library. That's the only thing that kept me from slam-dunking this alleged book into the trashcan. Again, very few books have ever made me feel that way.
- ASZ
Most of these made me want to hurt the author involved. Especially the ones who thought they knew everything about Faire and/or the SCA. ("Gosh!" you could just hear 'em saying. "I've been to one Faire, WHAT a lovely idea I have for a story, how clever I am!!") One story in particular made me want to rip up every other page out.
Normally I don't have this reaction to anthologies nor collections. This was particularly awful. A friend once said that she expects perhaps half the stories to be worth her time.
Don't waste your time on this collection. If you like Andre, read her story. Especially do not buy it, not with PBS credits nor money!
I got it from the library. That's the only thing that kept me from slam-dunking this alleged book into the trashcan. Again, very few books have ever made me feel that way.
- ASZ
I really enjoyed the stories in this book. With all anthologies, some stories are better than others, but almost all entertained me. If you like fantasy, magic, and murder these stories will appeal to you. Merlin helps a modern cop solve a murder, a thief loses his ability to steal because of magic and must figure out what to do with his life, a psychic comes to a Ren Faire to find his childhood best friend to save his life, a man becomes master to a Genie and gets more than just three wishes. And more stories that are fun reading.
Short stories set in and around Renaissance faires - perfect beach reading!
