Warrior Enchantresses

If you're a fan of strong, powerful women then the anthology Warrior Enchantresses is right for you. This anthology tells the stories of women doing what they must to save those they love. With stories by many famous authors such as Tanith Lee, Andre Norton, Melanie Rawn, Josepha Sherman, Diana L. Paxson, William F. Wu, Rosemary Hawley Jarman, Rebecca Ore, Steven Rogers, Laura Resnick and Kathy Chwedyk, Pamela Sargeant, Lois Tilton, Jennifer Roberson, Mary Frances Zambreno, and Deborah Wheeler, this anthology has a little of something for everyone. I loved how each of the stories were different, inviting the reader into new and unexplored worlds while sticking to the theme. I also thought that while some anthologies seemed to get "off course" with their stories, this one stayed true with good, fantasy works. Sadly, this book is out of print, but worth a read if you can find it.

I really enjoyed this collection of stories because they all featured very story female leads. Overall I found them to be exciting and well-written "girl kicks butt" kind of stories. My favorites were "The Ginseng Potion" about Mulan, the Asian woman warrior and "Paistides" about a woman who takes her dead brother's place on Troy's battlefields. However, if you really want a reason to justify buying this book then buy it for the story "A Wolf Upon the Wind" by Jennifer Roberson.This single story is so utterly chilling and yet bravely stirring that it makes the book pay for itself. The story is only six pages long but tells the tale of a young woman who was unmercilously raped, beaten, and killed by an enemy soldier on a Norse battlefield. Needless to say, she returns as a Valkyrie and lets it be known to the soldier that not all men go to Odin's great hall.Overall good for a person looking for a collection of historical and myth-based stories with strong heroines.

The stories in this anthology feature a number of main characters based on historical figures from various cultures and periods. The tales tend toward the magical, with impressive attention to historical detail. William F. Wu's Mulan story nearly makes the book worth reading by itself. Several well-known authors contributed excellent stories, and everything in this this anthology is worth reading.

>>> Book Review from Hypatia's Hoard <<< Looking for a book about strong women, wild magic, and flashing blades? Try this one. Edited by two of the same folks who brought us _Ancient Enchantresses_, this anthology offers a selection of stories about the continuation of diplomacy by non-diplomatic means. Entries range from fantasy to mythology, including some that read like alternative history, and cover cultures from around the world.<p> Melanie Rawn brings us a dark retelling of Atalante and the golden apples in her story "Of the Deaths of Kings." Then the focus shifts east and north, into the mythology of Russian, with "The Warrior and the Dragon's Son" by Josepha Sherman; this one blends Earth-magic with black humor for a very engrossing tale. Diana L. Paxson picks up a similar thread in her "Earthen Mound" which takes place in Africa and features a erocious species of Earth-and-Ancestor magic. Those of you who enjoyed Disney's movie _Mu Lan_ will be delighted by William F. Wu's zesty rendition of this Chinese classic in "The Ginseng Potion." Finally, "The Lady of the Mercians" by Mary Frances Zambreno ventures into Celtic territory with a taste of blood-magic, shapeshifting, and bond of true royals to the land they serve. <p> If you liked _Ancient Enchantresses_, you'll love _Warrior _Enchantresses_. I recommend this anthology for fantasy fans in general, especially those of you who favor historical fantasy; alternative history buffs may also want to check it out. Give a copy to your favorite feminist.