Legends Anthology - Edited by Robert Silverberg

The legends Antholgy is an interesting anthology in that it is an anthology of stories by established authors set in the worlds which have made them famous. All of the stories contained here are fantasy, and all are at least competantly written. The anthology contains stories by Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, Terry Goodkind, Orson Scott Card, Robert Silverberg, Ursula K Le Guin, Tad Williams, George R R Martin, Anne McCaffrey, Raymond E Feist, and Robert Jordan.

The Terry Pratchett and George R R Martin stories shine. These two stories are far and away the best in the anthology. The Pratchett story, "The Sea and little fishes" is about the witch trials held in the Villiage of Lancre, and revisits the witchs of the local coven, led by Granny Weatherwax. The George R R Martin story, "The hedge knight", tells the story of the lowly hedge knight, Ser Dunk the Tall, and the sacrifices required of a true knight in the name of honour. The hedge knight is even more powerfully told than Martin's other works, a difficult feat in itself.

The Stephen King story is set in the world of the dark tower, and tells of a small group of sisters, and ther miraculous healing powers. The Goodkind story is set in the world of the sword of truth, and explores the idea of sacrificing in the name of the greater good. This story is better than goodkind's other works set in this world, he seems to have learnt how to write contractions, and Richard Cipher is thankfully absent. Orson Scott Card's Alvin Maker story included here tells the story of Davy Crockett, and the first Kentucky Congressman, and how they met. The Silverberg story is set in the world of Majipoor, and centers around the Pontifex Valentine. The McCaffrey story introduces the runners of Pern, a kind of Pony Express, but without the Ponies. This adds nicely to the pernish world.

Feist's story, set in the world of Midkemia was the only slightly disapointing story in the anthology. It was written well enough, but was too short, and didn't really add much to the story of the world it is set in. Despite this I have no hesitation recomending this anthology to any who enjoy the worlds contained within, or who wish an introduction to these author's worlds.