Book Review: Songs of Love & Death

Title: Songs of Love & Death
Editors: George R. R. Marting and Gardner Dozois
ISBN: 978-1-4391-5014-6
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pub Date: November 2010
Pages: 468
Price: $26 US/$29.99 CAN
I was given a free copy of this book by the pubisher for my honest review.

Synopsis from the book cover:
In this star studded cross genre anthology, seventeen of the greatest modern authors of fantasy, science fiction, and romance explore the borderlands of their genres with brand new tales of ill fated love. From zombie infested woods in a postapocalptic America to faery haunted rural fields in eighteeth century England, from the kingdoms of high fantasy to the alien world of a galaxy spanning empire, these are stories of lovers who must struggle against the forces of magic and fate.

Award winning bestselling author Neil Gaiman demonstrates why he's one of the hottest stars in literature today with "The Thing About Cassandra," a subtle but chilling story of a man who meets an old girlfriend he had never expected to see.

International blockbuster bestselling author Diana Gabaldon sends a World War II RAF pilot through a stone circle to the time of her Outlander series in "A Leaf on the Winds of All Hallows." Torn from all he knows, Jerry MacKenzie determinedly survives hardship and danger, intent on his goal of returning home to his wife and baby-no matter the cost.

New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher presents "Love Hurts," in which Harry Dresden takes on one of his deadliest adversaries and in the process is forced to confront the secret desires of his own heart.

Just the smallest sampling promises unearthly delights, but look also for stories by New York Times bestselling romance authors Jo Beverley and Mary Jo Putney, and by such legends of the fantasy genre as Peter S. Beagle and Tanith Lee, as well as many other popular and beloved writers, including Marjorie M. Liu, Jacqueline Carey, Carrie Vaughn, and Robin Hobb. This exquisite anthology, crafted by the peerless editing team of Geroge R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, is sure to leave you under its spell.

About the Editors:
George R. R. Martin has been called "the Amercian Tolkien," and his books, including the volumes in his landmark A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, have been on bestseller lists around the world. He's won four Hugo Awards, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, and the Bram Stoker Award. As editor, he's produced the long running Wild Cards anthology series as well as the New Voices series and others. He's also worked for Hollywood and television and was part of the creative team behind such shows as Beauty and the Beast and the revival of The Twilight Zone.

Gardner Dozois has won fifteen Hugo Awards and thirty-four Locus Awards for his editing work, as well as two Nebula Awards for his own writing. He was the editor of the leading science fiction magazine, Asimov's Science Fiction, for eighteen years, and is also the editor of the annual anthology series The Year's Best Science Fiction, now in its twenty-seventh annual collection. He is the author or editor of more than a hundred books.


My review:
The stories in this anthology are sure to surprise and delight the readers of romance and science fiction. The book has something for everyone in that it covers various time periods, situations, and ideas of love across these two genres. You will not be bored by any of the stories you encounter here.


List of authors represented:
Peter S. Beagle
Jo Becerley
Jim Butcher
Jacqueline Carey
Diana Gabaldon
Neil Gaiman
Yasmine Galenorn
M.L.N. Hanover
Robin Hobb
Cecilia Holland
Tanith Lee
Marjorie M. Liu
Mary Jo Putney
Linnea Sinclair
Melinda Snodgrass
Lisa Tuttle
Carrie Vaughn