Book Review: Sword and Sorceress XXIII

 This thirteenth issue of Marion Zimmer Bradley’s anthology Sword and Sorceress was edited by Elisabeth Waters. It is the first one I’ve read. Judging by this one, I’ve missed out on some great stories. Until I started blogging and met so many fantasy/magical arts writers, I rarely read books or stories in this genre. Marian Allen, one of the authors included in this anthology, generously sent me a copy of Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Sword and Sorceress XXIII.

One thing I liked was that Elisabeth Waters, who edited the book, wrote a short introduction for each story. She’d tell a snippet about the story and/or the author, sometimes letting the reader know that the story character lives on in the author’s books.

Usually, I read novels, although I sometimes tackle nonfiction books about writing (primarily). This anthology was great fun. I could read a story in one sitting. When I picked up the book again, I didn’t have to try to remember what happened before since I would be starting a new, standalone story. A lot of the authors were returning and even told stories with characters who had appeared in earlier anthologies. Almost all are authors published in magazines, novels or other anthologies. Their experience in writing came through in these nineteen stories. I enjoyed them all.

Here’s part of the blurb on the back cover:

 Here are nineteen original stories of powerful women, swashbuckling and magic, spells and duels, arcane sorcery and heroic sacrifice, written by familiar spell-casters of wonder and bright newcomers who are sure to become favorites.

You don’t have to get the book because you love fantasy. Sword and Sorceress XXIII will make you a fan, plus introduce you to new authors to follow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by Marian Allen, one of the anthology’s authors, most likely in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review, although it did influence my attitude toward fantasy. Since Marian signed this copy, it’s going on my bookshelf, which, if my husband doesn’t find time to prop up, will soon crash to the floor since it’s already tilting that direction. It’s to the point that I’ve given up on alphabetizing the books. Now they’re just stacked or slipped into crevices in what used to be my closet library, but has now been taken over by my son’s clothes. Frankly, I think having an organized library is more important than my son having clothes. But I seem to be in the minority.