by Ellen Datlow
First published 2023
This anthology brings together tales of mythic Tricksters from cultures across the globe. In Louisiana's bayous, a swamp girl faces off against a fiddler who once outwitted the devil himself. A pickpocket attempts to divine the future using stolen cards, only to discover fate has different plans entirely. When a seasonal wind that has blown for centuries suddenly vanishes, both humans and nature must reckon with the consequences. These stories feature the archetypal figures who appear throughout world mythology: the Greek god Hermes, Native American Coyote and Raven, Japanese fox spirits, the Chinese Monkey King, and others. Each Trickster embodies contradiction, being simultaneously wise and foolish, sacred and profane, helpful and destructive. The collection includes work from Michael Cadnum, Charles de Lint, Patricia A. McKillip, Jeffrey Ford, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, and other acclaimed fantasy authors. These tales capture the dual nature of Trickster figures who inspire both laughter and fear, who help and harm in equal measure.
Genres: mythology, fantasy, folklore
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: duality, found-family
Setting: Louisiana, Bayous
513 pages · Kindle Edition · Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy