A review by samd
The Book of Swords by George R.R. Martin, Robin Hobb

4.0

I figured that the best way to Experience this would be to read only the stories that weren't by white dudes, and this served me well. Standouts:

- CJ Cherryh's "Hrunting," about the second generation after Beowulf shows up in Heorot, is an absolute banger

- "Her Father's Sword" by Robin Hobbs is as depressing as you might expect from Robin Hobbs

- Elizabeth Bear writes out what feels like the first arc of a D&D campaign in "The King's Evil," but like, in a good way

- "'I Am a Handsome Man', Said Apollo Crow" by Kate Elliot has some interesting worldbuilding and is a lil gay by the end

- "When I Was a Highwayman" by Ellen Kushner is a Richard St. Vier story and it's pretty good