Harrowing the Dragon

Starred review from September 19, 2005
As shown in this excellent story collection, World Fantasy Award–winner McKillip (Od Magic
) can take the most common fantasy elements—dragons and bards, sorcerers and shape-shifters—and reshape them in surprising and resonant ways. In "The Harrowing of the Dragon of Hoarsbreath," a man determined to drive off a fearsome dragon learns that pride can be as cold and monstrous as any beast. "The Snow Queen" and "The Lion and the Lark" (based on Beauty and the Beast
) clothe old classics in new magic to examine the price of identity and the value of freedom. The bleak "Star-Crossed" details the official investigation into the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, while "Voyage into the Heart" tells of the heartless hunt to capture a unicorn's horn. "Baba Yaga and the Sorcerer's Son" is full of charm and humor, while the sly "Toad" reveals a frog prince who is far from innocent. Each of these tales is a gem of storytelling, a rich treasure for both fans and those yet to discover McKillip's deceptively simple magic. Agent, Howard Morhaim.

Starred review from November 15, 2005
In -The Harrowing of the Dragon of Hoarsbreath, - a young Dragon Harrower and a girl from the mining village clash over whether or not the land's long winter comes from a dragon's presence, while in -The Lion and the Lark, - McKillip tells her version of a classic myth in which a young woman loves a shapechanger, loses him, and then must prove her love through many trials and tribulations. This collection of 13 stories by one of fantasy's most elegant and luminescent writers brings together 25 years of short fiction into one lyrical volume. A superb choice for adult and YA fantasy collections, this title is highly recommended.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2006
Adult/High School -This collection includes 15 tales previously published between 1982 and 1999. The stories range from high fantasy set on other worlds to a first-person account of the investigation into the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. A few ( -The Lion and the Lark, - -Toad, - -The Snow Queen -) are retellings of fairy tales. Of special interest is the variety of strong, often young female characters. In -The Fellowship of the Dragon, - five young women are sent by their queen to rescue her lover, the court harper, with unexpected results. McKillip -s elegant prose explores the nature of love, friendship, wisdom, and change, often with a touch of humor. Outstanding." -Sandy Freund, Richard Byrd Library, Fairfax County, VA"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2005
This gathering of McKillip's short fantasy covers 17 years and displays a variety of well-written treatments of other material. The background of most of the stories is traditional folklore, and the inspiring originals behind "The Snow Queen," "The Lion and the Lark," and "Toad" are readily apparent. One of the best pieces in the book, "Star-Crossed," is a twist on " Romeo and Juliet" in which Friar Lawrence isn't around to confess what the situation has become, and the constables of Verona have to ferret out the truth behind the double suicide. The whole collection constitutes a valiant rescue from out-of-print limbo of stories whose high readability demonstrates that McKillip is one of the most distinguished, if least publicized, modern fantasy writers. Fantasy collections should assign the book high priority for acquisition.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)