First published 2022
This anthology collects seventeen original stories that venture into territories marked only by legend and imagination. Award-winning editor John Joseph Adams brings together writers like Kate Elliott, Tobias S. Buckell, Dexter Palmer, and E. Lily Yu to explore mythical kingdoms and forgotten realms. The stories span from underwater expeditions reminiscent of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea to quests for golden cities like El Dorado. Characters navigate mysterious valleys, ancient tomb ships, and dimensions where familiar rules no longer apply. Each tale captures humanity's drive to seek what lies beyond known boundaries, whether that means crossing into fairy kingdoms, discovering lost civilizations, or mapping territories that exist only in dreams and folklore. The collection celebrates the rich tradition of exploration narratives while offering fresh perspectives on wonder and discovery. These are adventures into places that might have been or might yet be, where dragons could emerge from any shadow and the impossible becomes merely improbable.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, fantasy
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, quest
384 pages · Hardcover · Grim Oak Press