The Year’s Best Fantasy: Volume Two

By: Paula Guran - editor

Narrated by: Dina Pearlman, Perry Daniels

Fantasy fanatics hang on because The Year's Best Fantasy, Volume 2 will take you on a fantastic journey like no other!

Prepare to embark on yet another fantastic adventure with award-winning fantasy editor Paula Guran.

Delve into realms that exceed the limits of your imagination and embrace the surreal! Enjoy tales ranging from wonderful to wicked. From lore and legends to myths and fables of alternative realities, you will discover bewitchment with every story.

The Year's Best Fantasy, Volume 2 has something for every fantasy lover, representing a diverse array of accomplished talent from around the world, and perhaps beyond . . .

Contains mature themes.

©2023 Paula Guran (P)2024 Tantor

Not the Best

First a reminder that 3/5 is a good score. I'm not one of those reviewers who says good = 5 and bad = 1. That said, it fell well short of a perfect score. I only found a few stories to be truly good, The Gentle Dragon Tells His Tale of Love: J. A. Pak and The Portal Keeper: Lavie Tidhar were very good. Dina Pearlman chose strange intonations at every turn that damaged my ease and enjoyment but not irreprably. The primary failing here is the overwhelming number of young adult fantasy and the dread sub-genre, the Literal Power of Imagination! No, contrary to what your parents and Disney have pounded into you since birth, Imagination is not all you need. Effort and sacrifice are required. More importantly consequence must exist. This sub-genre always ends with everyone including the villain (especially the villain) happy and better off. The writing is usually entertaining mind you, and I realize that's the only thing the vast majority care about but I believe stories need more than that. Entertainment is fleeting, the great stories stick with you. Most of these lack any substance whatsoever.