The twelve stories that make up DEATH AND THE LIBRARIAN AND OTHER STORIES are, for the most part, either ironic or satirical or both, but with one exception, always amusing fantasies. Esther Friesner is at her irreverent best skewing the universe with classic short stores like "How To Make Unicorn Pie", "In the Realm of Dragons", and "Jesus at the Bat", etc. The only new story "Illion" is atypical of Ms. Friesner as this takes a more somber tone than usual as the author provides her perspective to 9/11. The uniqueness of this collection is the writer's ability to wink at the genre for its excessive rigid formulaic characters and themes yet also parody modern society in the same story. With the well written reverent "Illion" aside, fans who relish humorous skewing of fantasy stereotypes that also encourage the audience to "thine own self be true" will delight in this swift reading anthology. Just because the woks are a parody, one must not think for a moment that the author does not take her work seriously. Each story is finely crafted and appeals to something primal in the reader. This is a great introduction for someone not familiar with the works of Esther Friesner.

Harriet Klausner

Spells of Mortal Weaving is a well written, interesting story. It shows different people without making it confusing, and soon after shows you how they tie in with the main story line. If you like fantasy books, this is a perfect choice. I would recommend finding the first book in the series (Mustapha and His Wise Dog) but you can still read it if you don't have access to the first book. I liked this book because it gives you a glimpse into a magical world and makes it seem real. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!!

This book is extemely boring in the beginning just talking about the genie but some how this arabic book had some sense in it. This book is not for everyone since to some people it's not interesting. But this book is worth buying

This is the best book I have ever read. I think the very beginning of the book was a little boring though.

This hilarious book has the same great kind of humor that peppers Patricia C Wrede's "Dealing with Dragons" series.

This is a nicely done comic fantasy book. The characters are fairly shallow, the cliches are rampant and yet the book is an well done poke in the ribs at traditional "serious" fantasy. At times it comes off like a cross between a Monty Python script and the "Who's on first" conversation.

My only complaint is that it takes a little bit (50 pages or so) to ramp up to the truly funny scenarios, and thus initially gives the mistaken initial impression of not being all that entertaining. Once it's warmed up though it's a good fun read.

This book is a hoot! It sends up most of the major conventions of the fantasy genre and has a great time doing it (what else would you expect from these authors?) Read this book a little at a time so you can savor all the zingers. But DON'T read it before bedtime--laughter is not conducive to sleep!

This great rip on fantasy cliches predates Dianna Wynne Jones' satire by almost a decade, and it's considerably funnier. I love rereading it every couple of years; it's a keeper.

This book of short stories is truly fab-u-lous! I really enjoyed all of the stories, which is somewhat unusual in a compilation book. Vampires in the Arts may seem Cliche, but all the authors in this book give you a new twist to old tales or entirely new themes. I highly recommend this book for all Vampire lovers.

This book is fairly close to the movie with the exception of the ending. in the movie, Laura herself is the Light of Zartha, not the bracelet. The daughter of Princess Lauranna, she is sent off to the planet of Zartha to fulfill her destiny and rule her people.
In this book, which, don't get me wrong, is good and hilariously funny, the bracelet is sent off to the planet of Zartha, and Laura is deneuralized and sent to her NYC home.
that's about the only discrepency that i can see. Actually, the additional info in the other parts of the books helps fill you in on other areas, (such as, when Kay and Jay depressurized MIB HQs and fly in, it explains that the security guard was fastened into his seat with a chain so he didn't budge)
Overall, I liked it, and i'd buy it again, even though it doesn't have quite the same ending.

This book is fairly close to the movie with the exception of the ending. in the movie, Laura herself is the Light of Zartha, not the bracelet. The daughter of Princess Lauranna, she is sent off to the planet of Zartha to fulfill her destiny and rule her people.
In this book, which, don't get me wrong, is good and hilariously funny, the bracelet is sent off to the planet of Zartha, and Laura is deneuralized and sent to her NYC home.
that's about the only discrepency that i can see. Actually, the additional info in the other parts of the books helps fill you in on other areas, (such as, when Kay and Jay depressurized MIB HQs and fly in, it explains that the security guard was fastened into his seat with a chain so he didn't budge)
Overall, I liked it, and i'd buy it again, even though it doesn't have quite the same ending.

What an awesome read. I am an avid reader, usually drawn to biographies and non fiction. I picked this up to pass the time. Weather you have seen Men in Black one or not, even if you saw the second installment, grab this book. Even with 249 pages, it is a quick read because you cant put it down. I really enjoyed Men in Black one, the movie, and reading this book, you totally have the images for Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, as agents Jay and Kay, respectfully. This book was written with them totally in mind. It reads just like it is coming out of Will Smiths own mouth. The action, the description, the humor, what a cool read!!