A collection of short fantasy stories by female writers. A mixed bag, but overall better than most fantasy collections. The styles range from noir detective to high fantasy, but nearly all are in some way a twist or subversion on popular tropes.

My faves:
Jo Clayton's "Hallah's Choice", about a middle-aged assassin who finds that her long-lost daughter and granddaughter are in trouble. In exchange for their safety, she swears herself into the service of a mysterious chess master. The world building here was really fascinating, and this story felt like a little glimpse into a much larger tale. I'm intrigued!

Tanith Lee's "Felixity", about the drab daughter of two wealthy, beautiful, charming people. When she falls prey to a con man, only her own imagination and desperation saves her. Beautifully written.

Nancy Kress's "Unto the Daughters" is one of my very favorite versions of "the serpent tells its side of the story of the fall of Man" story. Heart-felt without being schmaltzy, clever but also earthy. Lots of impact from little background details.

My least favorite:
Andre Norton's "The Way Wind" in which an annoyingly perfect herbalist/witch saves a few people from a bunch of women-hating fanatics. I liked nothing about this.
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Definitely a cut above the average anthology, this book includes stories by mostly well-known and respected writers, including: Jane Yolen, Jo Clayton, Janny Wurts (sadly I'd just read this story a few months ago in another collection), Andre Norton (RIP), Josepha Sherman, Phyllis Eisenstein, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Tanith Lee (yay! wonderful story from one of my favorites!), Elizabeth Moon, Nancy Kress, Judith Tarr, Katharine Kerr AND OTHERS!
Oh, it's all women writers, and the introduction is boring-ly devoted to justifying that, but that doesn't diminish the stories themselves. ( )

Women's Stories - Jane Yolen
Hallah's Choice - Jo Clayton
Wayfinder - Jannie Wurts
The Way Wind - Andre Norton
Healer - Josepha Sherman
No Refunds - Phyllis Eisenstein
Fistborn, Seaborn - Sheila Finch
A Game of Cards - Lisa Goldstein
Courting Rites - Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Felixity - Tanith Lee
Horse of Her Dreams - Elizabeth Moon
Unto the Daughters - Nancy Kress
Babbitt's Daughter - Phyllis Ann Kerr
Remedia Amoris - Judith Tarr
The Bargain - Katharine Kerr ( )