Firebirds: An Anthology of Fantasy and Science Fiction

Thanks to smooth writing and a classically romantic sensibility, this collection seems light and airy on first reading. The darker images crept up on me later. Lloyd Alexander's "Max Mondrosch" is a sneaky little story, vivid and disturbing. So, to, is "Hope Chest" by Garth Nix, a compulsively readable but violent story. Nancy Springer's "Mariposa" is funny and kind of mean. (Which is always a compliment from me.) Megan Whalen Turner's "The Baby in the Night Deposit Box," is just funny. Other stories, like Delia Sherman's "Cotillion" and Kara Dalkey's "The Lady of the Ice-Garden" are retellings that are nicely written but not outstanding. Only one of them, "Beauty" by Sherwood Smith, seems incomplete. I am not familiar with the world this story is attached to, which may have helped. Overall, though, this is a thoroughly enjoyable collection for teen or adults. For those (like me) who have a sneaking suspicion that YA fantasy writers are more talented than most of the mainstream adult fantasists, this collection provides great ammunition.

Firebird, a new imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, offers reprints of classic fantasy and science fiction books for both teenage and adult readers. One of their most recent original releases is a one-of-a kind anthology appropriately titled FIREBIRDS. This magical collection covers a wide range of genres --- fantasy, romance, time travel, adventure, and suspense. Popular authors such as Garth Nix and Lloyd Alexander contribute tales, along with strong, newer voices Michael Cadnum and Megan Whalen Turner. A description of a couple of the stories hardly does this vivid collection justice, but it does show that there is something for all readers here. In Nix's "Hope Chest," sixteen-year-old Alice, who is adopted, is surprised when the never-opened magic chest that she was discovered with as a baby springs open to reveal some powerful guns. Her hands know what to do with them but her heart does not, until evil comes to her town. In Turner's "The Baby in the Night Deposit Box," a child is slipped through the slot for night deposits, and is raised by the bank and its workers. The child, Penny, is happy enough until someone comes to claim her "deposit." Editor Sharyn November is known for seeking input from teens, which is undoubtedly a large part of what makes this collection so strong. FIREBIRDS is a great gift for the many devoted fans of fantasy stories, or for anyone looking for a highly engaging read. --- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

There are very few books out there that I can honestly see myself reading multiple times. This, however, is definitely one of them. I had often been recommended books by the various different authors in it but had never wanted to buy their individual books with the possibility that I might not like their styles. This compilation of short stories has really given me a great respect for all of the different writers as it showcases their incredible abilities to keep an audience attentive. No matter how unusual or fanciful each story seemed to me, I was delighted and thrilled to keep reading in order to find out "what happens next?"What I found in Firebirds was an amazing collection of stories, some very fantasy driven while others were more inclined to historical fiction. There was a fun little story by Sherwood Smith that follows the daughter of her Crown Duel characters, a different story about a female sharpshooter who stops a town from being brainwashed by a politician, a story that is unfortunately chilling about the status of unemployment levels, a tale of a young lady's journey to meet her parents in Africa, and a very funny Wicked Witch of the West meets Sleeping Beauty and small town America tale of an abandoned baby who turns out to be a princess (if you read it you will understand... it's a very different but great story).I highly recommend the book to people who normally like authors like Tamora Pierce, Robin McKinley or Lloyd Alexander.

This is the first anthology I have ever read and I absolutely loved it. Almost all of the stories in here are of highest quality. The collection gets off to a great start with "Cotilion" by Nancy Springer, which is an incredible Tam Lin spinoff. "Medusa" by Michael Cadnum is another great piece, told from the title character's point of view. "Max Monderasch" by Lloyd Alexander and "Hope Chest" by Garth Nix are disturbing yet thought-provoking stories. (I personally found "Max Monderasch" eerily realistic yet comically entertaining.) However, my favorite piece is "Floatsam" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman. All in all, this is a must-read collection for YA fantasy fans. Don't miss it!

This is an amazing collection of fantasy and science fiction short stories. There is a variety of popular authors, and great authors waiting to be discovered. This is sure to attract many fans and make fans of non-believers!The calibre of the stories is excellent all around, there's not just a few good stories. Patricia McKillip's "Byndley", Nancy Springer's "Mariposa", Michael Cadnum's "Medusa" and Sherwood Smith's "Beauty" are among my favourites.Some have sword and sorcery, some are fairy tale or myth retellings, and some have such a subtle ingredient of magic, you have to look closely for it. But they all ask us to believe, even if it's just for the time it takes to read this delicious volume.