Starred Review. As shown in this excellent story collection, World Fantasy Award–winner McKillip (Od Magic) can take the most common fantasy elements—dragons and bards, sorcerers and shape-shifters—and reshape them in surprising and resonant ways. In "The Harrowing of the Dragon of Hoarsbreath," a man determined to drive off a fearsome dragon learns that pride can be as cold and monstrous as any beast. "The Snow Queen" and "The Lion and the Lark" (based on Beauty and the Beast) clothe old classics in new magic to examine the price of identity and the value of freedom. The bleak "Star-Crossed" details the official investigation into the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, while "Voyage into the Heart" tells of the heartless hunt to capture a unicorn's horn. "Baba Yaga and the Sorcerer's Son" is full of charm and humor, while the sly "Toad" reveals a frog prince who is far from innocent. Each of these tales is a gem of storytelling, a rich treasure for both fans and those yet to discover McKillip's deceptively simple magic.
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Adult/High School–This collection includes 15 tales previously published between 1982 and 1999. The stories range from high fantasy set on other worlds to a first-person account of the investigation into the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. A few (The Lion and the Lark, Toad, The Snow Queen) are retellings of fairy tales. Of special interest is the variety of strong, often young female characters. In The Fellowship of the Dragon, five young women are sent by their queen to rescue her lover, the court harper, with unexpected results. McKillips elegant prose explores the nature of love, friendship, wisdom, and change, often with a touch of humor. Outstanding.–Sandy Freund, Richard Byrd Library, Fairfax County, VA
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