This DAW fantasy collection has something for everyone, from an overwrought Sword & Sorcery tale by Robin Wayne Bailey---woman in breastplate with dagger named 'demon-fang' falls in love with Death. Death has black silk sheets---to a gentle tale from Charles de Lint about a woman who wants to experience her dog's dreams.

Although S&S tales predominate, the stories I liked best were the oddballs that involved spells, but not from the standard grimoire. My favorite, "A Spatter of Later Stars" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman, concerns a girl who paints faces at a carnival. She comes into her gift at age fourteen: the gift of making people feel beautiful---or otherwise. No death-dealing wizards. No women in breast-plates. Just a slightly-out-of-the-ordinary carnival family and a wonderful fourteenth birthday present.

"A Spatter of Later Stars" would have deserved inclusion in the wonderful "Magic in Ithkar" fantasy volumes which were edited by Andre Norton and Robert Adams, if (alas) the series hadn't petered out after Volume Four.

"And King Hereafter" is a Boscobel League story by Rosemary Edghill, involving a slight, sorcerous meddling with the Royal Succession in England---what if that awful American divorcee had died before she could marry the future king?

Another offbeat fantasy in this collection, "The Midas Spell" by Julie E. Czerneda could be said to involve wizardly meddling with American history. It's the story of an all-star running back who really, really wants his team to win the Super Bowl.

All in all, thirteen tales of (mostly) original magic, a leetle heavy on S&S for my taste.

"Fantasy is fueled by spells, from those cast by simple love potions to the great working of magic which can alter the very nature of reality, destroy seemingly all-powerful foes, offer power of punishment, immortality or death..."

This wonderful treasury of short stories features written works by Kristine Kathyrn Rusch, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Michelle west, Jane Lindskold and many more.

This is the perfect book to take with you on a train, ferry, airplane ride or in the car. The short stories make it easy to read with interruptions, since each story is about 25 pages or so, give or take.

There are many compelling stories. Such as the one about the wizard who runs a magic shop and finds himself a prime suspect in a murder, to the very short story about a magical computer.

The only reason I did not deem this book 5 stars is because I sometimes find short stories dissatisfying. I am not criticizing any of the authors or their stories, but due to my personal tastes, I prefer regular novels. Compelling and "fantastic" nevertheless. *S*

Here is a collection of 15 short stories about women. Some work swordcraft and some work spellcraft. All are well written, but some I found quite lacking.

If you like short stories, this one is entertaining. However, this book will not keep you up wondering what will happen next. The only thing it really has going for it is that many of the authors are well known.

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.

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.

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.

i guess brevity isn't always a good thing. many of these stories are silly or cute -- in the oh, he was a serial killer/vampire/crazy guy vein. though there are some that manage to create a chill in a very short space (a hard thing to do), most of them left me frustrated and/or bored.
maybe it's that i sat down and read half the book in one sitting - not advised. your best bet is to skim, there are a few treasures in here. when it's good, it's very, very good. when it's bad, it's just awful.

If you're into horror, get it. If you're not into horror, take a look at it and read few right there in the store (which is easier than it sounds since most of the stories are only about 3 pages in length, max). It's a cool collection of tales that you can kind of treat like a literary snack, a horror-d'vour, so to speak. Plus, it really helps to get you interested in the genre and reading in general; you feel as though you're accomplishing some serious reading, even if some of the stories aren't that great.

There's so many stories, you really can't go wrong; there's going to be something in there for you, and if you run across a couple of stinkers, so what? They were only 3 pages long anyway!
A must for writers looking to hone their voice down to a sharp point.

The stories in this book are short but they have the same impact as any story three times their length. The endings were unexpected and that is what i look for in a good book. Each story is unique and has you checking under your bed twice before cutting the lights out.

Four Words: DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY! The title is an excuse for a poorly organized anthology. While the stories share a common theme of superstition, most are poorly written and a few are downright disgusting ("Dead Tired" comes to mind!). There are a few good standouts ("How It all Began", "Whirlwinds"). If you really want to read this, visit the library.

Typical of anthology books in that everyone went out of their way to be different. At one extreme, Esther Friesner explains how all superstitions got started. At the other, one writer invents a whole new superstition about dirt and death. Some of the stories are filler, but there are enough outstanding works to pick up the slack.

Is there any truth to those bad luck saying's ? This book will answer your question. Tales of what might happen to you if you do something that will give you bad luck. Very good stories.

This anthology has a number of stories from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, which are well outside the range of time when anything which could reasonably be called pulp fiction was published. Some of these stories are bad beyond belief. The editorial introductions lack all discernment, and the editors can't seem to tell the good from the unbelievably horrendous. Some of the stories are good, notably the one by David Goodis, but overall the quality is low. The book seems to have been thrown together to capitalize on the movie Pulp Fiction. You'd be well advised not to waste your time or your money on this.

Kinda bizarre that the editors of this book claim pulp's true Golden Age was not the one commonly thought of as its Golden Age (30s/40s), but the time immediately following it (50's/60s). Some of the stories in this anthology were even written as recently as the 80's. The 80's?! A bit questionable, but they're entitled to their opinion.

There are a few really amazing stories in this collection (That Stranger, My Son; Don't Twist My Arm... interesting they're both about dodgy father/son relationships) some slighty above average ones (In A Small Motel; Horn Man; The Frigid Flame) some precious ones, ie, with a twist or 'punchline' at the end (High Stakes; Tick Tock), and some that were just meh (Cop Without A Shield; Terrorists). But what really disturbed me was that a few of the selections in this book are, shall we say, suspect. There was one story in particular that was so painfully boring and lifeless it was absolute torture to finish (Leigh Brackett's 'I Feel Bad Killing You'...despite the little blurb accompanying her story, Chandler she most definitely ain't). But I guess every anthology is bound to have a few clunkers.

All in all, I discovered some talented writers through this collection, which made up for the not-so-great moments. If anything, it's a great introduction to some little-known authors.

Excellent introduction to the pulp fiction writers of the middle third of the 20th Century. This has a nice variety of authors and an excellent blend of styles and stories. Well worth the price of admission.

The Stories taken from the "Tales of Terror and Mystery"tion are good but the others are quite horrible. Also the version I have has 1 story missing "The Confession" and a fantastic tale from "T&M" is not part of this collection. Production values average. Buy that collection instead. A much better deal.

Writing in the early part of this century, Doyle (best known for creating Sherlock Holmes) created a series of horror stories with a bent towards spiritualism and mystery. The selection is a good range of work with some very strong entries. "The Case of Lady Sannox" and "The Leather Funnel" are particular stand-outs. Some of Doyle's is more dated than others, but still definitely worth a read.

CIVIL WAR FANTASTIC is a medley of 18 short tales of the supernatural or alternative history, told by various authors in the context of the War Between the States. However, the book might just as well be a collection of (rejected) scripts for the old TV series "Twilight Zone" and/or "Outer Limits".

A small minority of the stories are marginally inventive, or at least barely entertaining. In the "be careful what you wish for" category, a Confederate soldier of the 15th Alabama meets his aged future self immediately prior to the assault on Little Round Top at Gettysburg, and, at the persuasion of the latter, fires a shot that alters history. In a bit of blarney, a Southerner of Irish heritage in the Vicksburg trenches calls upon the leprechauns of the Old Country to help win the battle. And, during Lee's last retreat to Petersburg, a wounded Rebel soldier is aided by his descendent fighting in the Vietnam debacle.

While I admit that all of the fables are at least a little silly, most, unfortunately, are pure drivel and/or totally pointless. "Martial" is probably the worst: the first person account of a hapless nag mired in Gettysburg's present-day tourist attraction, who encounters the proud spirit of a Union cavalry remount. Then, there's the small boy saved by General Lee before the Gettysburg battle, when the latter will not accept a demon's help as it would require the ritual blood sacrifice of the former. Even President Lincoln becomes part of a farce as, unable to come up with words suitable for the Gettysburg Address, he is inspired by the ghosts of two of that field's combatants. Oh, and let's not forget the totally ludicrous "The Three Cigars", wherein the American Civil War is nothing more than a staged entertainment event, produced and directed by the future's First Rumanian Science Fiction Commando for the benefit of its national TV audience. (Huh?!)

If you're a serious student of the Blue-Gray conflict, don't bother with this piece of trash - not even if you're overrun by an attack of whimsy. However, if you're a moron in search of some serious mental stimulation ... buy it.

The first story, told from a horse's point of view, wasn't all that great, and started me wondering about the rest of the book. Good thing I didn't give early. The William Keith story about the Alabama man who changes the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg, and in turn the war, based upon a meeting with himself from the future was execellent. And _Hex'em John_ would make an awesome Twilight Zone episode.

I really appreciate the fact that all of the stories were written this year, probably for this book, and not a repacking of older stories that I have already read in other collections. Mr. Greenberg keep 'em comin'!

This anthology, edited by Martin Greenberg, showcases several tales told about Superman - arguably the most popular and well-known comic book character ever.

I picked up this anthology at a bookstore, but after finishing the book, I have some reservations about it. While several of the stories are nice, they're a bit too bland for my taste. Many of them are just sort of there; they're not really bad stories, all things considered, but there's nothing really special about them, nothing that sets them apart. They're just average, run-of-the-mill stories about Superman doing various good deeds. If you're a die-hard Superman fan, maybe that's enough. For me, it left me wanting a good deal more.

If you're a big Superman fan, and you simply MUST have anything written about the character....maybe this book is for you. Otherwise, I'd recommend against picking up this book. It's nothing horrible, it's just, unfortunately, quite average. And when there are other, better books out there written about the Superman character (such as Roger Stern's adaption of the "Death of Superman, or even certain comic book graphic novels / trade paperback such as the excellent Paul Dini / Alex Ross work "Superman: Peace on Earth" or the wonderful Jeph Loeb / Tim Sale miniseries, "A Superman for All Seasons"), I can't see justifying purchasing this particular anthology.

This is a wonderful collection of misc. Superman stories. As a die hard Superman fan and a serious collector of superman comics, I am familiar with MANY Superman stories. These are definately very good ones. The best one is definately "Excerpt From The Diary Of Dr. Morris Funkelstein" by Mike Resnick. It tells the story of Clark Kent attempting to enlist in the military to fight the Nazis. If you are a fan of Superman stories these should be added to your collection.

As anyone with a fondness for the genre knows, a "ghost story" is not any story with something labeled a "ghost" in it; a ghost story offers an encounter with the unknown and unexplained, a meeting with something that is outside the realm of the expected. Ghost stories contain elements of suspense. By such a definition most of the stories in this piece are not ghost stories.
I do not blame the writers -- some of the stories are decently written. I do blame the editors for imagining these action yarns constitute ghost stories.
The first, "Fighting Spirits" is a supernatural confrontation with some monsters from beyond. No ghostly suspense; just a fight scene. The second, "Jennie in the Field" is a ghost story, but not a particularly well-written one. The third, Andre Norton's "Ravenmere," is an exception -- an excellent little story. "In the Charnel House," apparently attempts to be a Kafkaesque morality play but leaves me looking at an over-played and insufficiently justified moral. "When You're Dead" is an adventure / escape story "ghosted up" by a too easily labeled Harry Houdini. "Spirit of Honor" is an Oriental sword & sorcery piece, not a ghost story.
Get the idea?
This is definitely the most disappointing ghost story anthology I've purchased (and I've purchased more than a few).

This book doesn`t keep the promises.As you read the title you expect to be intertained with SCARY stories about ghosts but once I began to read it I soon give up because this book is SO boring.
Some cold air,a small strange noise and a little mist and that is all.I don`t know where those writers picked up their ghost???? stories.

The cover caught my attention, and so I bought it. I'm waiting for the next volume. There's Houdini's ghost, Helen Keller's, some WWII guys, all of them excellent and most of them with surprising, twists. My favorites were Jimmy Hoffa's ghost and Andre Norton's story.

One of the worst horror anthologies I've read. Not only are there no worthwhile stories within, but there are more significantly BAD stories in this collection than in any other I've read. Avoid this book and strike a blow against mediocrity in horror fiction.

I really didnt care for this horror anthology. There were no stories that reached out and grabbed me by the back of the neck. Usually I read through these kind of anthologies in about a month or so but I've owned this book for a couple years and still havent managed to work my way through all the stories in it so maybe there are some gems hidden away somewhere?

The best stories in NIGHT SCREAMS are:

"Trolls" by Christopher Fahy

"Good Vibrations" by Richard Laymon

"The Wringer" by F. Paul Wilson

At least half of the stories are good.

Some other good stories:
The dripping by David Morrell
The Tulsa Experience by Lawrence Block
Small deaths by Charles de Lint
White lightning by Al Sarrantonio
Hitman by Rick Hautala
And eight rabid pigs by David Gerrold.
Corpse carnival by Ray Bradbury

I was a little disappointed by:
"A season of change" by Richard T. Chizmar
"Redemption" by Jack Ketchum
"Beasts in Buildings, Turning 'Round" by J.N. Williamson
"The book of blood" by Clive Barker

The only bad thing about Cliver Barker's story is that it is so short. It's too short to warrant having Barker's name on the cover.

Lawrence Block's story "The Tulsa Experience" starts out slow but the payoff is worth it.

F. Paul Wilson's story "The Wringer" features Repairman Jack.

The stories by Christopher Fahy and Richard Laymon are my favorites. Check out some of their novels too.
I suggest:
NIGHTFLYER and THE LYSSA SYNDROME by Christopher Fahy
AMONG THE MISSING by Richard Laymon