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kathydavie's review against another edition
3.0
Fifteen short stories revolving around Lackey's theme from her Elemental Masters series none of which are in a time period later than 1919.
I have to confess that I found these stories to be uneven in quality. A range of twos to fives. Unless you have a passion for several of the authors, consider carefully before you spend the money to buy this collection. The way authors in general are going, they'll release these stories again. Hopefully, in a group that merits the purchase.
I don't see any of these stories as essential to a series.
Series:
"I Have Heard the Mermaids Singing" (Elemental Masters, x.5)
"A Flower Grows in Whitechapel" (Elemental Masters Fan Fiction??, pre-8)
The Stories
Diana L. Paxson's "A Song of the Sea" is a song of Sirens and sea travel as Kyria sails off with the man her parents have chosen for her.
If the captain knew this could be an issue, why wasn't he prepared? This is a short blip in Kyria and Meto's voyage.
Samuel Conway's "Fire Within Him" uses the tale of Icarus flying too close to what we thought was the sun. Instead it's a tale of trickery and a set of double bluffs.
Mostly sad.
Fiona Patton's "Makana" was cute and takes place in old Hawai'i as an orphaned young man discovers the truth of his family, his destiny, and helps to rescue a beleaguered chief.
Rosemary Edghill's "War to the Knife" is a tiny, unsatisfying blip into Captain Sir Beverly St. John St. Andrew Laoghaire Darwen's life as one of Wellington's Exploring Officers when he tries to set straight an untutored Fire Mage using power wrongfully.
This really was just a wink in the captain's life with most of the story his whining about not knowing as much about his magic as he'd like. When we finally meet up with the Fire mage using power against the rules, it's what? A few pages with no resolution at all. Don't even get me started on the title. Edghill does tie it loosely to Lackey's Elemental Masters.
Elizabeth A. Vaughan's "Stones and Feathers" was an interesting idea that lasted long enough to get started and then dropped us. Wellington wants sweeping changes in how promotions are handed out while Tom Davies, an Earth Master, has applied to work in the one place an earth master should never consider. All because he feels called. To what we are left to imagine.
Elisabeth Waters' "Fire's Children" is another sad tale of a father not valuing his children or their individuality and a mother who is shortsighted, believing in conformity. A scandalous upbringing for the adept twin girl with disgust and narrowmindedness aimed at the twin boy. Until, finally, the boy figures out the truth of his ability.
Waters does tie it loosely to Lackey's Elemental Masters. I was tempted to give it a "4", but I'm so annoyed that the boy (and everyone else) could be so stupid.
Cedric Johnson's "For the Sake of Clarity" is a rather clumsy fairytale-like story of a failed miner being manipulated into a rescue.
Dayle A. Dermatis's "To Ride the River-Horse" is a Rapunzel wanna-be combined with a wicked stepmother-like character manipulating all around her.
Another dorky tale that had me questioning why Myfanwy would stay in the tower when she has a servant willing to help her leave. Dermatis has tied it loosely to Lackey's Elemental Masters.
Michele Lang's "Phoenix of Mulberry Street" takes place in 1885 New York City with a series of arson fires that Jane Emerson is investigating. It pulls a bit of fairytale in with its inclusion of the "little match girl".
Lang is creating tension in an uneven manner in this. Lamely by pushing Emerson into wanting to expose her idea of who the bad guy is with her "editor"(?) insisting on mortal proof and then having the bad guy---who has proven quite intelligent to this point---suddenly act like an idiot.
It's as though Lang suddenly realized that she only had so many pages to bring it to an end and couldn't be bothered to rework it. Lang throws bits and pieces in but doesn't really connect anything. Oh, yeah, they make sense. Individually. Lang includes a very loose connection to Lackey's Elemental Masters.
Jody Lynn Nye's "Air of Mystery" is one of the best. An entire story in this anthology with a unique approach. Who knew? Aurelia Degard has been left in charge while her employer is off in the wilds of somewhere looking for rare ingredients for La Parfumier Rupier.
It's a special commission of a custom scent that almost destroys a life unless Aurelia can create a counter-scent.
I do wish the rest of these authors would take note as to what a real short story does. *grin* At least in my mind!
Gail Sanders and Michael Z. Williamson's "A Flower Grows in Whitechapel" involves the Elemental Masters' Harton School for Expatriate Children when three of their students are needed to rescue the King of England at Lord Alderscroft's request.
After this incident, the school moves out into the country. Another of the good stories in this anthology.
Tanya Huff's "Tha Thu Ann" finds Dr. Harris fleeing the bad memories of Scotland for Nova Scotia. His wife's death eleven years ago is still too close and his daughter Ellie is too much of a reminder. And another instance of a child whose power is not understood or wanted by the parent.
This is a blip in Ellie's life, but a satisfying peek. We're provided the background, some social niceties, a bit of racism, and a dilemma that we get to see resolved. Although I'm still a bit confused about the twinned ghost.
Ron Collins' "Collector" was a pip! I like Collins' perspective using a poor black man, angry with the world and William McKinley in particular. Nathaniel is struggling to survive this post-Civil War world with its prejudices and racism. Nor does he have a problem with working for a meal.
I don't understand why Tilly collected magicians. What was her purpose? Nathaniel has very reasonable thoughts about "King Billy" and I liked how he resolved the issue of using his magic for revenge. I'd sure like to hear more about his exploits.
Kristin Schwengel's "Queen of the Mountain" is another one I liked. Partly for the strong female character who gets herself out of a hole she never knew she was in, but also because, while Schwengel only gave us a peek into Lasair's life, she did provide some background and gave us resolution. A whole story in miniature.
I suspect that Schwengel's story has a loose connection with the Elemental Masters back in London.
Mercedes Lackey's "I Have Heard the Mermaid Singing" is a tale of a young woman doing a favor for an old friend of her father's. In a way, it leads to Miriam Tayler's retirement plan, eventually. It's a message delivered by brownie that finds Miriam traveling to Solace, Maine, where her father's friend "needs her aid" with what I see as some silly "missions". Tasks that I just don't see as being necessary to make Miriam close up her shop.
Lackey provided a suggestion of a reason why this was all necessary. And it could simply have been an old friend doing another a favor.
The Cover
The cover is fantastical with its solid yellow border at the base turning into an elaborate yellow lace edging against a turquoise background. A striped frame tries to encase a collage of characters and events from the stories even as critters escape its confines.
The title is the theme, Elemental Magic.
I have to confess that I found these stories to be uneven in quality. A range of twos to fives. Unless you have a passion for several of the authors, consider carefully before you spend the money to buy this collection. The way authors in general are going, they'll release these stories again. Hopefully, in a group that merits the purchase.
I don't see any of these stories as essential to a series.
Series:
"I Have Heard the Mermaids Singing" (Elemental Masters, x.5)
"A Flower Grows in Whitechapel" (Elemental Masters Fan Fiction??, pre-8)
The Stories
Diana L. Paxson's "A Song of the Sea" is a song of Sirens and sea travel as Kyria sails off with the man her parents have chosen for her.
If the captain knew this could be an issue, why wasn't he prepared? This is a short blip in Kyria and Meto's voyage.
Samuel Conway's "Fire Within Him" uses the tale of Icarus flying too close to what we thought was the sun. Instead it's a tale of trickery and a set of double bluffs.
Mostly sad.
Fiona Patton's "Makana" was cute and takes place in old Hawai'i as an orphaned young man discovers the truth of his family, his destiny, and helps to rescue a beleaguered chief.
Rosemary Edghill's "War to the Knife" is a tiny, unsatisfying blip into Captain Sir Beverly St. John St. Andrew Laoghaire Darwen's life as one of Wellington's Exploring Officers when he tries to set straight an untutored Fire Mage using power wrongfully.
This really was just a wink in the captain's life with most of the story his whining about not knowing as much about his magic as he'd like. When we finally meet up with the Fire mage using power against the rules, it's what? A few pages with no resolution at all. Don't even get me started on the title. Edghill does tie it loosely to Lackey's Elemental Masters.
Elizabeth A. Vaughan's "Stones and Feathers" was an interesting idea that lasted long enough to get started and then dropped us. Wellington wants sweeping changes in how promotions are handed out while Tom Davies, an Earth Master, has applied to work in the one place an earth master should never consider. All because he feels called. To what we are left to imagine.
Elisabeth Waters' "Fire's Children" is another sad tale of a father not valuing his children or their individuality and a mother who is shortsighted, believing in conformity. A scandalous upbringing for the adept twin girl with disgust and narrowmindedness aimed at the twin boy. Until, finally, the boy figures out the truth of his ability.
Waters does tie it loosely to Lackey's Elemental Masters. I was tempted to give it a "4", but I'm so annoyed that the boy (and everyone else) could be so stupid.
Cedric Johnson's "For the Sake of Clarity" is a rather clumsy fairytale-like story of a failed miner being manipulated into a rescue.
Dayle A. Dermatis's "To Ride the River-Horse" is a Rapunzel wanna-be combined with a wicked stepmother-like character manipulating all around her.
Another dorky tale that had me questioning why Myfanwy would stay in the tower when she has a servant willing to help her leave. Dermatis has tied it loosely to Lackey's Elemental Masters.
Michele Lang's "Phoenix of Mulberry Street" takes place in 1885 New York City with a series of arson fires that Jane Emerson is investigating. It pulls a bit of fairytale in with its inclusion of the "little match girl".
Lang is creating tension in an uneven manner in this. Lamely by pushing Emerson into wanting to expose her idea of who the bad guy is with her "editor"(?) insisting on mortal proof and then having the bad guy---who has proven quite intelligent to this point---suddenly act like an idiot.
It's as though Lang suddenly realized that she only had so many pages to bring it to an end and couldn't be bothered to rework it. Lang throws bits and pieces in but doesn't really connect anything. Oh, yeah, they make sense. Individually. Lang includes a very loose connection to Lackey's Elemental Masters.
Jody Lynn Nye's "Air of Mystery" is one of the best. An entire story in this anthology with a unique approach. Who knew? Aurelia Degard has been left in charge while her employer is off in the wilds of somewhere looking for rare ingredients for La Parfumier Rupier.
It's a special commission of a custom scent that almost destroys a life unless Aurelia can create a counter-scent.
I do wish the rest of these authors would take note as to what a real short story does. *grin* At least in my mind!
Gail Sanders and Michael Z. Williamson's "A Flower Grows in Whitechapel" involves the Elemental Masters' Harton School for Expatriate Children when three of their students are needed to rescue the King of England at Lord Alderscroft's request.
After this incident, the school moves out into the country. Another of the good stories in this anthology.
Tanya Huff's "Tha Thu Ann" finds Dr. Harris fleeing the bad memories of Scotland for Nova Scotia. His wife's death eleven years ago is still too close and his daughter Ellie is too much of a reminder. And another instance of a child whose power is not understood or wanted by the parent.
This is a blip in Ellie's life, but a satisfying peek. We're provided the background, some social niceties, a bit of racism, and a dilemma that we get to see resolved. Although I'm still a bit confused about the twinned ghost.
Ron Collins' "Collector" was a pip! I like Collins' perspective using a poor black man, angry with the world and William McKinley in particular. Nathaniel is struggling to survive this post-Civil War world with its prejudices and racism. Nor does he have a problem with working for a meal.
I don't understand why Tilly collected magicians. What was her purpose? Nathaniel has very reasonable thoughts about "King Billy" and I liked how he resolved the issue of using his magic for revenge. I'd sure like to hear more about his exploits.
Kristin Schwengel's "Queen of the Mountain" is another one I liked. Partly for the strong female character who gets herself out of a hole she never knew she was in, but also because, while Schwengel only gave us a peek into Lasair's life, she did provide some background and gave us resolution. A whole story in miniature.
I suspect that Schwengel's story has a loose connection with the Elemental Masters back in London.
Mercedes Lackey's "I Have Heard the Mermaid Singing" is a tale of a young woman doing a favor for an old friend of her father's. In a way, it leads to Miriam Tayler's retirement plan, eventually. It's a message delivered by brownie that finds Miriam traveling to Solace, Maine, where her father's friend "needs her aid" with what I see as some silly "missions". Tasks that I just don't see as being necessary to make Miriam close up her shop.
Lackey provided a suggestion of a reason why this was all necessary. And it could simply have been an old friend doing another a favor.
The Cover
The cover is fantastical with its solid yellow border at the base turning into an elaborate yellow lace edging against a turquoise background. A striped frame tries to encase a collage of characters and events from the stories even as critters escape its confines.
The title is the theme, Elemental Magic.
mommyneedsadrink's review against another edition
4.0
Some of the short stories are slow and/or hard to get into, especially those at the beginning of the book. PERSEVERE through them because the ones later in the book are well worth it!
raemelle's review against another edition
3.0
A Song of the Sea by Diana L. Paxson (3 stars)
The Fire Within Him by Samuel Conway (5 stars)
Makana by Fiona Patton (4 stars)
War to the Knife by Rosemary Edghill (2 stars)
Stones and Feathers by Elizabeth A. Vaughan (4 stars)
Fire’s Children by Elisabeth Waters (3 stars)
For the Sake of Clarity by Cedric Johnson (2 stars)
To Ride the River-Horse by Dayle A. Dermatis (3 stars)
The Phoenix of Mulberry Street by Michele Lang (3 stars)
Air of Mystery by Jody Lynn Nye (4 stars)
A Flower Grows in Whitechapel by Gail Sanders and Michael Z. Williamson (3 stars)
Tha Thu Ann by Tanya Huff (2 stars)
The Collector by Ron Collins (5 stars)
Queen of the Mountain by Kristin Schwengel (4 stars)
I Have Heard the Mermaids Singing by Mercedes Lackey (4 stars)
The Fire Within Him by Samuel Conway (5 stars)
Makana by Fiona Patton (4 stars)
War to the Knife by Rosemary Edghill (2 stars)
Stones and Feathers by Elizabeth A. Vaughan (4 stars)
Fire’s Children by Elisabeth Waters (3 stars)
For the Sake of Clarity by Cedric Johnson (2 stars)
To Ride the River-Horse by Dayle A. Dermatis (3 stars)
The Phoenix of Mulberry Street by Michele Lang (3 stars)
Air of Mystery by Jody Lynn Nye (4 stars)
A Flower Grows in Whitechapel by Gail Sanders and Michael Z. Williamson (3 stars)
Tha Thu Ann by Tanya Huff (2 stars)
The Collector by Ron Collins (5 stars)
Queen of the Mountain by Kristin Schwengel (4 stars)
I Have Heard the Mermaids Singing by Mercedes Lackey (4 stars)
kecresser's review against another edition
Need to read other books in series first.
sbbarnes's review against another edition
3.0
First off, I liked this. I like all the Elemental Master's stuff. I just didn't like it as much as the full-length books, mostly, or rather, I only liked some of the stories. Second: A drinking game for this book: Every time someone explains that you can't command Elementals - take a shot. Every time someone clearly has Elemental Magic, but due to some accident in birth or child rearing, does not know and must be carefully taugt as an adult - take a shot. Female character with red hair as a personality trait - shot. Necromancer - shot. Fell in love with rescuer at first sight - shot
What I'm saying is, some of these stories don't really cover new ground for the Elemental Magic Series, and also female characters with red hair as a character trait is an ancient and terrible fantasy trope and it needs to die.
A Song of the Sea, by Diana Paxton - ancient Greek setting, students of Pythagoras as the idea that this is when Elemental Magic is first discovered. Cool idea, tragic and horrible death of the parents kind of handwaved weirdly. Feels like it needs to be longer to really gain some momentum.
The Fire Within Him by Samuel Conway - I read this one yesterday and had zero memories. It's an Icarus story. Personally, I think Icarus is a fine parable all on its own and didn't need a fire master who was secretly the one screwing it all up, but YMMV
Makana - Fiona Patton - I liked this one a lot. Follows a young Earth Master in Polynesia warding off a threat to his society. Really like the difference in how Elemental Magic is understood and used between the different cultures portrayed here. Also liked the subtle not subtle threat of the white people. Kind of felt like the bad guy was a non-entity.
War to the Knife - Rosemary Edghill - If this were a full-length bodice-ripper I would so be there. As is it's a little lacking on the fleshing out of characters etc. Do really like the idea that Air Masters get shit for being Air Masters, like there's a hierarchy or something. Set in the Napoleonic wars. Shot for teaching about Elemental Magic and not using it for evil.
Stones and Feathers / Elizabeth A. Vaughan - Raven Master story featuring an Earth Mage who feels called to London and lives to regret it. OK. a) those damn ravens get so much bizarre publicity in fiction, b) too much vomiting.
Fire's Children - Elizabeth Waters - Kind of a cute little story about twin kids of a fire mage who just arrogantly assumes they'll both be fire mages, but one is a water mage. Also a whole gender thing which might have honestly been the more interesting story.
For the Sake of Clarity - Cedric Johnson - honestly not super clear despite the title. It's about an Earth Mage who can find Quartz particularly well which, turns out, useless superpower in the Gold Rush. But the damsel falls for him anyway (shot) and happily ever after, plus some weird stuff about the Colorado Lodge?
To Ride the River-Horse - Dayle A. Dermatis - Kind of a sweet Rapunzel retelling set in Wales. Rapunzel is held captive by her evil aunt and a dude has to come teach her the Ways of her Gift (shot). She falls in love with him (shot). The braid is kind of a Chekhov's Gun in that it's then used to control her. Also there are River Horses and coal mines, and the end is pretty cool.
The Phoenix of Mulberry Street - Michele Lang - Meh. Tough Young Girl Tries to Make it in New York. blergh. But the Little Match Girl is in this and she is a Phoenix. There's also a dragon. This might have been interesting if there was any detail in anything.
Air of Mystery - Jody Lynn Nye - Super cool idea, I liked this one a lot. Great concept that parfumerie depends on water and air mastery, and nicely pulled through. Compelling main character. The rare plot in this book that is really short story length and not like a book's worth of plot crammed into twenty pages. Also there's a lot of animal pee, which is kind of funny.
A Flower Grows in Whitechapel - Gail Sanders and Michael Z. Williamson - the most directly tied to Lackey's books and featuring a number of familiar characters. I haven't actually read the Wizard of London yet, so I'm flying a little blind on the whole School of Magical Colonial Orphans thing, but I liked this one. Featured a half-chinese girl with Earth powers who grows a pretty flower and saves the king. Solid stuff. But also still think that whole concept is a little racially charged.
Tha Thu Ann - Tanya Huff - Pleasantly surprised! Tanya Huff I find enjoyable but rarely terribly good; here she puts in her fair share of cliches (red hair! Drink!). But she explores the seeing-the-dead powers some, which is fun, and also expats in Canada, which is interesting, and also necromancy (shot). And there's no explicit love story. I do feel like Ellie has some explaining she owes the twins at the end.
The Collector - Ron Collins - Really fascinating exploration of race and culture in terms of this magic idea, and whether or not it's right to use your magic for evil if evil is being done to you. Also creepy old lady with a root cellar of death. These two elements don't quite flow together perfectly, but I did find the ideas in this very compelling. Also the singing magic. Cool beans. And the harsher edge towards the elementals shown by an adult who has been treated like shit.
Queen of the Mountain - Kristin Schwengel - Red hair! Drink! Dude must explain how to treat elementals! Drink! Insta-love for rescuer - Drink! Also hawaiian goddesses and uh disturbing portrayals of the natives.
I Have Heard the Mermaids Singing - Mercedes Lackey - Good, solid story from Lackey, big plot but fits well in the format. Standard Lackey heroine. Liked her a lot. Air mage who doesn't have a ton of power but can talk to everyone's elementals. Nice idea.
What I'm saying is, some of these stories don't really cover new ground for the Elemental Magic Series, and also female characters with red hair as a character trait is an ancient and terrible fantasy trope and it needs to die.
A Song of the Sea, by Diana Paxton - ancient Greek setting, students of Pythagoras as the idea that this is when Elemental Magic is first discovered. Cool idea, tragic and horrible death of the parents kind of handwaved weirdly. Feels like it needs to be longer to really gain some momentum.
The Fire Within Him by Samuel Conway - I read this one yesterday and had zero memories. It's an Icarus story. Personally, I think Icarus is a fine parable all on its own and didn't need a fire master who was secretly the one screwing it all up, but YMMV
Makana - Fiona Patton - I liked this one a lot. Follows a young Earth Master in Polynesia warding off a threat to his society. Really like the difference in how Elemental Magic is understood and used between the different cultures portrayed here. Also liked the subtle not subtle threat of the white people. Kind of felt like the bad guy was a non-entity.
War to the Knife - Rosemary Edghill - If this were a full-length bodice-ripper I would so be there. As is it's a little lacking on the fleshing out of characters etc. Do really like the idea that Air Masters get shit for being Air Masters, like there's a hierarchy or something. Set in the Napoleonic wars. Shot for teaching about Elemental Magic and not using it for evil.
Stones and Feathers / Elizabeth A. Vaughan - Raven Master story featuring an Earth Mage who feels called to London and lives to regret it. OK. a) those damn ravens get so much bizarre publicity in fiction, b) too much vomiting.
Fire's Children - Elizabeth Waters - Kind of a cute little story about twin kids of a fire mage who just arrogantly assumes they'll both be fire mages, but one is a water mage. Also a whole gender thing which might have honestly been the more interesting story.
For the Sake of Clarity - Cedric Johnson - honestly not super clear despite the title. It's about an Earth Mage who can find Quartz particularly well which, turns out, useless superpower in the Gold Rush. But the damsel falls for him anyway (shot) and happily ever after, plus some weird stuff about the Colorado Lodge?
To Ride the River-Horse - Dayle A. Dermatis - Kind of a sweet Rapunzel retelling set in Wales. Rapunzel is held captive by her evil aunt and a dude has to come teach her the Ways of her Gift (shot). She falls in love with him (shot). The braid is kind of a Chekhov's Gun in that it's then used to control her. Also there are River Horses and coal mines, and the end is pretty cool.
The Phoenix of Mulberry Street - Michele Lang - Meh. Tough Young Girl Tries to Make it in New York. blergh. But the Little Match Girl is in this and she is a Phoenix. There's also a dragon. This might have been interesting if there was any detail in anything.
Air of Mystery - Jody Lynn Nye - Super cool idea, I liked this one a lot. Great concept that parfumerie depends on water and air mastery, and nicely pulled through. Compelling main character. The rare plot in this book that is really short story length and not like a book's worth of plot crammed into twenty pages. Also there's a lot of animal pee, which is kind of funny.
A Flower Grows in Whitechapel - Gail Sanders and Michael Z. Williamson - the most directly tied to Lackey's books and featuring a number of familiar characters. I haven't actually read the Wizard of London yet, so I'm flying a little blind on the whole School of Magical Colonial Orphans thing, but I liked this one. Featured a half-chinese girl with Earth powers who grows a pretty flower and saves the king. Solid stuff. But also still think that whole concept is a little racially charged.
Tha Thu Ann - Tanya Huff - Pleasantly surprised! Tanya Huff I find enjoyable but rarely terribly good; here she puts in her fair share of cliches (red hair! Drink!). But she explores the seeing-the-dead powers some, which is fun, and also expats in Canada, which is interesting, and also necromancy (shot). And there's no explicit love story. I do feel like Ellie has some explaining she owes the twins at the end.
The Collector - Ron Collins - Really fascinating exploration of race and culture in terms of this magic idea, and whether or not it's right to use your magic for evil if evil is being done to you. Also creepy old lady with a root cellar of death. These two elements don't quite flow together perfectly, but I did find the ideas in this very compelling. Also the singing magic. Cool beans. And the harsher edge towards the elementals shown by an adult who has been treated like shit.
Queen of the Mountain - Kristin Schwengel - Red hair! Drink! Dude must explain how to treat elementals! Drink! Insta-love for rescuer - Drink! Also hawaiian goddesses and uh disturbing portrayals of the natives.
I Have Heard the Mermaids Singing - Mercedes Lackey - Good, solid story from Lackey, big plot but fits well in the format. Standard Lackey heroine. Liked her a lot. Air mage who doesn't have a ton of power but can talk to everyone's elementals. Nice idea.
bookwyrm_lark's review against another edition
3.0
Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.
Elemental Magic is an anthology of short stories set in Lackey's popular Elemental Masters universe. Unlike the novels in the series, which are all set in Britain between 1870 and 1919, the contributing authors were not limited to any historical period or locale. Thus, there are stories set in the ancient world, pre- and post-colonial Hawaii, post-Civil War U.S., and the fledgling Canada, to name a few.
Only one story directly references any of the novels: Gail Sanders and Michael Z. Williamson's "A Flower Grows in Whitechapel". The tale takes place shortly after the events described in The Wizard of London and involves several of the same characters, yet it lacked the compelling action and characterizations of Lackey's own work.
Ms. Lackey's own story is set in post-Civil War New England, and involves an Air magician called in to solve a spate of mysterious events possibly involving a Water mage; it was one of my favorites in the anthology, and not just because Lackey wrote it. I also enjoyed Diana Paxson's "Song of the Sea", in which Archelaus' daughter and her fiance Meto are shipwrecked by the Sirens. Paxson's blend of mythology, fantasy, and historical fact is pitch-perfect -- no surprise, since she was the author chosen to take over Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon series after Bradley's death. "Makana" by Fiona Patton offers a fascinating glimpse of pre-colonial Hawaiian culture, while Cedric Johnson's "For the Sake of Clarity", set in Colorado's mining country, blends the Wild West with classic fairytale enchantment - and offered several plot twists I didn't see coming. And Tanya Huff's "Tha Thu Ann" (there you are in Scots Gaelic) skillfully combines Elemental magic and the main character's ability to converse with the dead to create what's easily one of the best stories in the collection.
Only a few of the entries include obvious references to well-known fairytales. In "The Phoenix of Mulberry Street", Michele Lang makes a brief reference to Andersen's "Little Match Girl", but doesn't dwell on it. On the other hand, Dayle R. Dermatis clearly plays a variation on Rapunzel in her tale set in southern Wales. (I've visited Castell Coch, and was delighted to recognize it as the main character's tower.)
Several of the individual stories are quite appealing in their own right, particularly those by Paxson and Huff, but as a whole, the book probably works best for readers already familiar with Lackey's Elemental Masters series.
Rating: 3.5 stars (average for the collection; several stories rated 4)
Elemental Magic is an anthology of short stories set in Lackey's popular Elemental Masters universe. Unlike the novels in the series, which are all set in Britain between 1870 and 1919, the contributing authors were not limited to any historical period or locale. Thus, there are stories set in the ancient world, pre- and post-colonial Hawaii, post-Civil War U.S., and the fledgling Canada, to name a few.
Only one story directly references any of the novels: Gail Sanders and Michael Z. Williamson's "A Flower Grows in Whitechapel". The tale takes place shortly after the events described in The Wizard of London and involves several of the same characters, yet it lacked the compelling action and characterizations of Lackey's own work.
Ms. Lackey's own story is set in post-Civil War New England, and involves an Air magician called in to solve a spate of mysterious events possibly involving a Water mage; it was one of my favorites in the anthology, and not just because Lackey wrote it. I also enjoyed Diana Paxson's "Song of the Sea", in which Archelaus' daughter and her fiance Meto are shipwrecked by the Sirens. Paxson's blend of mythology, fantasy, and historical fact is pitch-perfect -- no surprise, since she was the author chosen to take over Marion Zimmer Bradley's Avalon series after Bradley's death. "Makana" by Fiona Patton offers a fascinating glimpse of pre-colonial Hawaiian culture, while Cedric Johnson's "For the Sake of Clarity", set in Colorado's mining country, blends the Wild West with classic fairytale enchantment - and offered several plot twists I didn't see coming. And Tanya Huff's "Tha Thu Ann" (there you are in Scots Gaelic) skillfully combines Elemental magic and the main character's ability to converse with the dead to create what's easily one of the best stories in the collection.
Only a few of the entries include obvious references to well-known fairytales. In "The Phoenix of Mulberry Street", Michele Lang makes a brief reference to Andersen's "Little Match Girl", but doesn't dwell on it. On the other hand, Dayle R. Dermatis clearly plays a variation on Rapunzel in her tale set in southern Wales. (I've visited Castell Coch, and was delighted to recognize it as the main character's tower.)
Several of the individual stories are quite appealing in their own right, particularly those by Paxson and Huff, but as a whole, the book probably works best for readers already familiar with Lackey's Elemental Masters series.
Rating: 3.5 stars (average for the collection; several stories rated 4)
msjb22's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed most of the stories, a few more than others, but all were pretty good. The only story I couldn't get through was "Tha Thu Ann" by Tanya Huff, because a lack of proper editing meant that two of the first characters introduced kept changing names within the first 3 pages. It was impossible to keep track of who was meant so I gave up after a couple of pages.
judythereader's review against another edition
4.0
I did miss my annual visit to Valdemar, but this was an excellent side trip. I thought all of the authors captured the world of Elemental Masters very well. Next to Valdemar, this is my favorite of Mercedes Lackey's creations so I am always happy to have more.
xeni's review against another edition
4.0
It is funny, that I have this book listed as having been read back in March in 2013. I really don't remember reading these stories before. Alas, most my brain seems to have been overwritten with medical knowledge! (Then again, I have a feeling that's what medical school is supposed to do).
In any case, I took a short breather this last weekend to have some light reading. This book certainly hit the spot! I enjoyed returning to some of my favorite Elemental Magician characters, as well as having new ones to follow in their journeys. Certainly, the stories were too short, as they were definitely over far too soon. But I enjoy the world of the Elemental Masters very much, even if it's just these short snippets.
In any case, I took a short breather this last weekend to have some light reading. This book certainly hit the spot! I enjoyed returning to some of my favorite Elemental Magician characters, as well as having new ones to follow in their journeys. Certainly, the stories were too short, as they were definitely over far too soon. But I enjoy the world of the Elemental Masters very much, even if it's just these short snippets.
mousegoddess's review against another edition
3.0
some of the stories seemed more like half thoughts. The really good ones made up for it though.
Okay, maybe that's too short. i really enjoy Mercedes lackey, and I always have. I've known snobs to turn up their noses and sneer, but since those Scheherazade's would have been dead in the first hour I don't take them all that seriously. Lackey is a good storyteller and creates engaging worlds and characters. which is why she has a huge fan base. which is why the mediocre stories were such a let down. Some started out strong and just kind of...ended. Some were ambitious and didn't deliver. but thankfully some were such a cool window into the sheer possibility of the elemental masters world.
Okay, maybe that's too short. i really enjoy Mercedes lackey, and I always have. I've known snobs to turn up their noses and sneer, but since those Scheherazade's would have been dead in the first hour I don't take them all that seriously. Lackey is a good storyteller and creates engaging worlds and characters. which is why she has a huge fan base. which is why the mediocre stories were such a let down. Some started out strong and just kind of...ended. Some were ambitious and didn't deliver. but thankfully some were such a cool window into the sheer possibility of the elemental masters world.