Greenberg, Martin H. & Potter, Alexander, eds. Assassin.DAW. 308p. c2001. 0-7564-0002-3. $6.99. SA Venture into the mind of a cold-blooded killer! This collection of fantasy tales offers insight into the lives of those we call assassins. Stories detail the loyalty among the assassins' guilds, the horrors of the assassin's job, and the varying emotions and motives of those who carry out this work. In Anna Oster's "History and Economics," Mallon is followed by a man whose sister died by an assassin's blade. He wants to know who commissioned the kill. Mallon cannot tell this man who paid for the murder of his sister, but the two of them enjoy dinner together before (in a surprise ending) murder occurs again. A few of the stories, such as "Green Stones" by Stephen Leigh Stephen W. Leigh (born 1951) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He also works as an assistant professor at Northern Kentucky University, teaching creative writing. Steve Leigh lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. , a tale that demonstrates that a bartender is more than she appears, are more predictable but nonetheless bone-chilling. Particularly frightening is Lynn Flewelling's "Raven's Cut," which examines the differences in motives of assassins who murder for money and those who simply enjoy the kill. "Darkness Comes Through" by Mickey Zucker Reichert Mickey Zucker Reichert (born 1962) is an American fantasy fiction author of several best selling novels. Perhaps her most famous work is the epic Renshai series, which offers an intriguing perspective on traditional Norse mythology. , about the assassin Nightfall, "Death Rites" by Tanya Huff Tanya Sue Huff (born 1957) is a Canadian fantasy author. Biography Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Huff was raised in Kingston, Ontario. Her first sale as a writer was to The Picton Gazette when she was ten. They paid $10 for two of her poems. , about a brother and sister assassin team, and "Echoes" by Michelle West, about the famous Kallandras, all provide new, original stories including familiar characters from previous works. Other notable authors represented in this short story collection include Kristine Kathryn Rusch Kristine Kathryn Rusch (born June 1960) is an American writer. She writes under varoius pseudonyms in multiple genres, including science fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, and mainstream. Rusch won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 2001 for her story "Millennium Babies". , Fiona Patton Fiona Patton (born 1962) is a Canadian fantasy author. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Patton moved to the United States in 1966. In 1975, she returned to Canada with her family, settling in Toronto. In 1992, she moved with partner Tanya Huff to rural Ontario. , Josepha Sherman Josepha Sherman is an American author. In 1990 she won the Compton Crook Award for the novel The Shining Falcon. Works Series Buffyverse Visitors (Buffy novel) (1999) (with Laura Anne Gilman) , Teresa Edgerton, RN. Elrod, Leyte Jefferson, Rosemary Edghill, Bernie Artzen, and Jane Lindskold. Highly recommended for all readers of fantasy, this collection provides tales to surprise, to disturb, and to entertain. Ginger Armstrong, Principal Lib. Assoc., Chesterfield Cty PL., Chesterfirld, VA |
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