Helpful Score: 3
Collection of short stories by McKillip. As usual I feel like I am in the middle of an etherial dream when I read her works. I enjoyed all the stories here, but the one I seem to remember most is The Fellowship of the Dragon, where 5 lady knights; each with her own set of skills and personalities, set off together to rescue a queen's favorite from a dragon, with interesting results.
As with most collections, some short stories are very good, some are not, and the rest are good reads which are quickly forgotten. McKillip has a way of writing that can either confuse the reader, leaving them lost in her ethereal worlds or immerse them in a wonderful world, yearning for more. This collection tended to alternate between immersion and becoming lost.
There are a few stories in the collection that I enjoyed. "The Fellowship of the Dragon", a tale of 5 companions on a rescue quest.
"The Lion and the Lark", a retelling of the German fairy tale, which we more commonly know as "Beauty and the Beast".
A more modern retelling of "The Snow Queen".
"Star-Crossed", a mystery based upon Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", is also an enjoyable tale.
There are a few stories in the collection that I enjoyed. "The Fellowship of the Dragon", a tale of 5 companions on a rescue quest.
"The Lion and the Lark", a retelling of the German fairy tale, which we more commonly know as "Beauty and the Beast".
A more modern retelling of "The Snow Queen".
"Star-Crossed", a mystery based upon Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", is also an enjoyable tale.
I've read a multitude of Patricia A. McKillip's books as I find her writing to be magical and marvelously descriptive. This book of short stories fits the bill. Each tale is beautifully woven and unique, drawing the reader in with intriguing characters and deep textures. An excellent introduction to this talented writer, and a welcome addition to anyone's library.
