Legends II: New Short Novels by the Masters of Modern Fantasy : Volume I

Rating:
Summary: Worth it!
Review: This book has definitely rekindled my interest in Fantasy. While I have not finished it yet, I found the works by Robin Hobb (my first time here), Raymond Feist, and, of course, the great Silverberg to be especially good. I look forward to reading he rest. I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Worth it!
Review: This book has definitely rekindled my interest in Fantasy. While I have not finished it yet, I found the works by Robin Hobb (my first time here), Raymond Feist, and, of course, the great Silverberg to be especially good. I look forward to reading he rest. I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Hot and Cold
Review: This book was recommended to me by a librarian friend. It is about 50-50 good and not-so-good. The stories that are worth reading are Elizabeth Haydon's, Robin Hobb's, Diana Gabaldon's, Neil Gaiman's, George R. R. Martin's, and Robert Silverberg's. The rest really didn't hold my interest, but I guess if you are a reader of those series you might enjoy them.

Rating:
Summary: It's better than they think.
Review: This is a phenomenal collection.

There has been a tendency among reviewers to compare this volume with the first in the series. The first "Legends" collection (Buy it if you don't have it!) showcased such amazing items as an original Gunslinger story (by Stephen King) and the fundamental prequel to "The Wheel of Time" (Robert Jordan). Let's face it: that's a tough act to top.

And yet, this volume holds its own and more. From the missing fragment of Shannara (Terry Brooks) to an original "American Gods" novella (Neil Gaiman) and even an Otherland epilogue (Tad Williams - one of the best in our time), "Legends II" has both a broader scope and a far more intense vision than the original. Any one of these novellas could carry the book alone.

Is "Legends II" better than the first "Legends"? Tough question. It's close. The only thing I can say for certain is that there needs to be a "Legends III". It's too good to stop with just two. (Besides, how else will we ever find out how Ser Duncan the Tall survives long enough to... But I don't want to spoil it for you. Read it yourself!)



Rating:
Summary: Not as Good as the First
Review: When the first Legends collection came out, I really enjoyed it. The authors expanded on universes already created and I was introduced for the first time to series like "A Song of Ice and Fire" and "Alvin Maker." I don't know if it was the crop of stories this time or the fact very little of it was an expansion of their respective universes. The two best novellas were "The Sworn Sword" from George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series and "Lord John and the Succubus" from an offshoot of Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series. While no fan of Gabaldon's "Outlander" series, I've grown to like her Lord John Grey character, which falls more into the mystery genre in other stories. Of course, Martin is great. I would love to see him expand the two stories featuring Dunk and Egg into a full-blown novel such as Jordan did with "New Spring," but AFTER he finishes the main series. The other stories were mediocre at best. I didn't enjoy the stories of Card, Silverberg, and Feist as much this time around; thought McCaffrey's and Brooks' contributions were a waste of time (maybe these series has been done to death?); and I was never much of a fan of the other authors. For me the two stories mentioned above were worth the price, and if you're a fan of the other authors it will be for you, as well.

Rating:
Summary: Fans SHould Definitely Pick it Up
Review: While not quite as good as the first,neither Jordan, King, Pratchett or Goodkind, two of my favorites contributed, it still has some very worthwhile short stories for some very interesting literary worlds.

George Martin once again added a wonderful tale to the world of Song of Fire and Ice. "A Hedgeknight's Tale" was probably the best tale in the first Legends book and the story in Legends II is almost as good. Gaiman's short story for the "American God's" world is a must for fans. Card does a decent job and you'll want to read this story before reading "Chrystal City." Haydon's story is also good even if you've never read any of her other work.

The only total bomb in this was McCaffrey's short story explaining what happens to dragons that become lost between. Even fans of the Pern novels should skip this one.