You’ll certainly get your money’s worth with WARRIORS, nearly 800 pages of all-new short stories on — what else? — warriors, from some of the biggest names in the fantasy business. In his introduction, co-editor George R.R. Martin (with Gardner Dozois) states that many different genres are contained within, but let’s be honest: Overall, fantasy reigns. If that’s your chalice of mead, prepare to get drunk!
Its biggest selling point — other than the all-star parade of authors, that is, including Robin Hobb, Carrie Vaughn, S.M. Stirling and Diana Gabaldon — is a new SONG OF ICE AND FIRE novella by Martin, which is practically 100 pages on its own.
My favorites had nothing to do with swords or sorcery. Lawrence Block spins a tale of sexual politics in “Clean Slate,” while David Morrell casts his sights on a soldier in the French Legion in 1941, in “My Name Is Legion.” In “The Pit,” James Rollins looks at modern-day gladiator games, which the ASPCA would frown upon; I can’t stick with Rollins through full-length novels, but he’s enjoyable in the short form, despite some hammy dialogue here.
Strangely, my favorite piece was Martin’s intro, in which he recalls spending his childhood allowance on comic books and paperbacks at the candy store in Bayonne, N.J. He bought all kinds — he wasn’t picky. It’s that journey of discovery that opened many an eye to genre fiction. WARRIORS pays tribute to that, with its ample share of rewards. —Rod Lott
OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF GARDNER DOZOIS:
• DANGEROUS GAMES edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois
• ESCAPE FROM EARTH: NEW ADVENTURES IN SPACE edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois
OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF GEORGE R.R. MARTIN:
• BUSTED FLUSH edited by George R.R. Martin
• THE ICE DRAGON by George R.R. Martin
• INSIDE STRAIGHT edited by George R.R. Martin
• SUICIDE KINGS edited by George R.R. Martin
Related posts:
- The 5 Greatest Warriors
- QUICKGASM >> 4.11.07
- Escape from Earth: New Adventures in Space
- Martin’s fantasy series becomes online game
- Best Short Novels 2005
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I too enjoyed the intro to this collection as much if not more than the stories themselves. Overall a good collection with some uneven patches. Block’s piece is the best…