Troll's-Eye View: A Book of Villainous Tales

This is a children's book of 15 short stories by various fantasy writers. Overall it was a decent collection. The stories are very short and there are some poems thrown in between stories. My favorite story of the bunch was Catherynne Valente's "A Delicate Architecture." I also really enjoyed "Skin" by Michael Cadnum and "Troll" by Jane Yolen. My least favorite was "Up the Down Beanstalk" by Peter Beagle. Overall though it was a great group of stories. See below for brief comments on each story. - "Wizards Apprentice" by Delia Sherman About an evil wizard's apprentice. Where all is not what it seems to be. This was a pretty funny story. 4/5 - "An Unwelcome Guest" by Garth Nix In this story Rapunzel is the one harassing the witch. Very cleverly written. 4/5 - "Faery Tales" by Wendy Froud A short poem about what happens to the princesses when they get older. 4/5 - "Rags and Riches" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman This was a retelling of the goose girl. The story was very detailed and a good read. 4/5 - "Up the Down Beanstalk: A Wife Remembers" by Peter S. Beagle In this story we get a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk from the Giant's Wife's perspective. My least favorite of the bunch. 3/5 - "Shoes That Were Danced To Pieces" by Ellen Kushner A retelling of the twelve dancing princesses. Loved the story. 4/5 - "Puss in Boots, the Sequel" by Joseph Stanton What if Puss in Boots didn't stay captured? This poem explores that. 4/5 - "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" by Holly Black How did the wolf in "Little Red Riding Hood" end up at grandma's house? Very clever ending. 4/5 - "Troll" by Jane Yolen Talks about the troll under the bridge; only this on is scared of goats. Very funny little story, I liked it a lot. 5/5 - "Castle Othello" by Nancy Farmer Maybe Bluebeard wasn't the evil one afterall. Interesting take on the tale. 4/5 - "'Skin" by Michael Cadnum A very beautifully and clever retelling of Rumplestilskin. Loved this story. 5/5 - "A Delicate Architecture" by Catherynne M. Valente How did the witch from Hansel and Gretle end up in that house made of candy in the woods? This story answers all and is writen beautifully. The story had wonderful imagery and was very creative. My favorite of the bunch. 5/5 - "Molly" by Midori Snyder Tells about how Molly tricked the Giant. Maybe the giant wasn't so bad after all? 4/5 - "Observing the Formalities" by Neil Gaiman A poem about sleeping beauty. Well-written. 4/5 - "The Cinderella Game" by Kelly Link When two siblings start playing Cinderella, things get violent. This was an odd story and I wasn't quite sure what had happened when I got to the end. It was well-written. 4/5

Troll's Eye View: A Book of Villainous Tales edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling is the third in a series of short story collections of fairy tale retellings, following A Wolf at the Door and Swan Sister. I know I always care more about the contents of a short story collection like this than an actual review since I'm certain to find the book worthwhile for at least a few stories--although more than a few make this one worthshile--so I'm kindly sharing the list with my gentle readers, too. Most of the authors are the usual suspects for a collection edited by Datlow and Windling, so fans should be thrilled and newcomers have a treat in store. Wizard's Apprentice by Delia Sherman An Unwelcome Guest by Garth Nix Faery Tales by Wendy Froud Rags and Riches by Nina Kiriki Hoffman Up the Down Beanstalk: A W Remembers by Peter S. Beagle The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces by Ellen Kushner Puss in Boots, the Sequel by Joseph Stanton The Boy Who Cried Wolf by Holly Black Troll by Jane Yolen Castle Othello by Nancy Farmer `Skin by Michael Cadnum A Delicate Architecture by Catherynne M. Valente Molly by Midori Snyder Observing the Formalities by Neil Gaiman The Cinderella Game by Kelly Link There is a mixture of fun and trauma in the stories, ending with Link's chilling "The Cinderella Game." Don't read it at bedtime if you are subject to nightmares.

Troll's Eye View edited by Datlow & Windling will delight children. Every kid loves a villain and the dozen stories and three poems in this beautifully designed little book have a hilarious, chilling assortment. But there's plenty here for anyone of any age. Some of the finest fantasy writers currently working contribute and reading this book I found myself thinking of Saki and Thurber and Mrs. Lovett from Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. There's not a dud in the bunch but my favorites were Peter S. Beagle speaking as a Giant's Wife, Catherynne M. Valente finding terror and pathos in pastry and Kelly Link playing a very old game in a very modern family. You may buy this as a gift but you'll read it and you'll keep it so buy at least two copies.