Jonathan Strahan has edited numerous acclaimed anthologies, including The Locus Awards (with Charles N. Brown), The New Space Opera (with Gardner Dozois), and Swords and Dark Magic: The New Sword and Sorcery (with Lou Anders
Strahan's third annual anthology provides a solid sampler of good fiction. Stories by well-known authors Holly Black, Stephen King and the late Joan Aiken, though strong, are outclassed by masterful and innovative genre tales written by relative newcomers, such as Kij Johnson's "26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss," Meghan McCarron's "The Magician's House" and Ken Scholes's "The Doom of Love in Small Spaces." Also notable, Paolo Bacigalupi's "The Gambler," John Kessel's "Pride and Prometheus" and Rachel Swirsky's "Marry the Sun" use traditional storytelling techniques to build powerful, exciting tales. Only Garth Nix's overlong "Beyond the Sea Gates of the Scholar Pirates of Sarskoe" and Margo Lanagan's predictable "Machine Maid" are substandard. Strahan's introduction gives a nice overview of the state of the genre. (Sept.) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
A scientist ruminates on the true source of life in Ted Chiang's eerie "Exhalation," while a new widow receives the only phone call that matters in Stephen King's spookily poignant "The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates." Together with 26 other sf and fantasy stories published in 2008 by authors including Elizabeth Bear, Michael Swanwick, Stephen Baxter, and Joan Aiken, this collection provides a representative sample of the year's broad spectrum of interests and styles. Award-winning anthologist Strahan also summarizes trends in an introductory essay. Verdict The overall quality and eclecticism recommend this anthology to readers who follow the genre. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
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