I was supposed to review this anthology MONTHS ago– I assume that’s why Ken Scholes sent me the ARC. But between Tiptoe’s heart problems and all the other things I’ve been busy with, I just let it go, and go and go.

Don’t you make that mistake. Scholes’ anthology is a treasure.

My top three stories from the antho:

Edward Bear and the Very Long Walk: A toy bear, gifted with artificial intelligence, must save the lives of colonists on a hostile world. Beautiful story. This tale could have been saccharine, or maudlin, or creepy– instead, Scholes makes it sad and elegant, tragic and hopeful. This got raves back when it was published. Deservedly so. It starts out tragic, dangles hope and duty and love in front of your eyes, and ends painfully, sweetly. This is a story that exalts and haunts.

Hibakusha Dreaming in the Shadowy Land of Death: Ken’s got this…thing with titles. I’m not sure how he does it; it works for him where it doesn’t work for other authors. It might just be a superpower. In any case, this was my favorite story of the collection: ancient Japanese gods trying to figure out what to do with themselves after WWII. I’m a sucker for ancient God stories.

The Last Flight of the Goddess: Take your average barbarian; throw in a gorgeous Warrior-Goddes-From-The-Stars. Fun? Heck, yes. But what happens when they get older? Ken answers that question here. Last Flight reminds me of all the D&D games I wish I’d played, but my friends were too busy trying to figure out how to kill a gazebo. (Information for the Uninititated)

Overall, the anthology is a good mix of tenderness, bitterness, irreverence, intelligence, and a little bit of action. Ken’s prose is sharp; it’s not academic, though, and with the exception of the mythic ‘Santaman Cycle,’ adheres to the virtues of clarity, wit, and self-containment. Bravo, Mr. Scholes– you have crafted an ultimately worthy read.