First published 2006
This anthology presents twenty-four fantasy stories spanning magical realism to epic adventure. Contributors range from established masters like Neil Gaiman, Gene Wolfe, and Connie Willis to rising talents across the genre. The collection explores diverse themes through varied protagonists: characters learning garden magic, confronting trolls, and grappling with mortality. Stories feature both epic heroes undertaking grand quests and ordinary individuals performing extraordinary acts of courage, honor, and sometimes absurdity. The volume includes tales like Gaiman's "Sunbird," Link's "Monster," and VanderMeer's "The Farmer's Cat," alongside works by Bruce Sterling, Laird Barron, and others. Each story offers a different window into fantastical worlds where magic intersects with human experience in unexpected ways.
Genres: short-stories, fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: epic-heroes, ordinary-individuals
355 pages · Paperback · Tachyon Publications