Good tight short stories have the power to captivate readers and leave them pondering long after they've turned the final page.

The title story in this collection presents a fascinating struggle between Lancelot, Merlin, and Morgana. Their actions and decisions regarding interfering in human fate raise profound questions.

As we follow the story, we find ourselves questioning who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. Is Lancelot, with his noble intentions, truly a hero? Or is Merlin, with his vast knowledge and magical abilities, perhaps playing a more complex role? And what about Morgana? Is she simply a villain, or is there more to her than meets the eye?

Maybe, just maybe, the truth is that no one is really bad. Each character has their own motives, desires, and flaws. In the end, it is up to the reader to decide who they believe is in the right and who is in the wrong.

This story serves as a reminder that in life, things are not always black and white. There are often shades of gray, and it is our job to look beyond the surface and try to understand the true nature of those around us.

Master of Short Storytelling!

Just like all anthologies of superbly written short stories, this book demanded my full attention. I had to take my time, pausing between each story to truly let it soak in. I firmly believe that the true essence and power of the short story are most vividly demonstrated in science fiction shorts. This is because they cannot rely on the reader to simply fill in the blanks regarding the setting and society. Instead, they must construct an entire world within just a few thousand words. Zelazny is truly a master at achieving this feat. While I didn't fall head over heels for every single story, as some were more technically focused than my personal preference, the majority of them completely captivated me. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to both die-hard science fiction aficionados and lovers and writers of short stories. It offers a pure and profound appreciation of the form, allowing readers to explore the limitless possibilities that short stories can offer in the realm of science fiction.

Well, what else is there to say than this? Roger Zelazny, a remarkable figure in the world of literature, is renowned for his outstanding short stories.

His works are a true delight to read, filled with vivid imagination, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. Each short story is like a small masterpiece, packing a powerful punch in a concise format.

Zelazny's writing style is engaging and captivating, drawing the reader in from the very first sentence and keeping them hooked until the end. His ability to create unique and immersive worlds is truly remarkable.

Whether it's a science fiction tale set in a distant future or a fantasy story filled with magic and mystery, Zelazny's short stories always leave a lasting impression. They are a must-read for any lover of literature, offering a glimpse into a world of creativity and inspiration.

In conclusion, Roger Zelazny's short stories are excellent and should not be missed. They are a testament to his talent as a writer and his ability to create unforgettable works of art.

A collection of short stories awaits your exploration.

Among its many remarkable offerings, several stand out as true gems.

"24 Views of Mount Fuji" takes you on a captivating journey, presenting the majestic Mount Fuji from twenty-four different perspectives, each one offering a unique and enchanting view.

"For A Breath I Tarry" is a thought-provoking tale that delves into the nature of time and existence, leaving you with a sense of wonder and contemplation.

"Last Defender of Camelot" transports you to the mythical world of Camelot, where you follow the heroic adventures of the last defender, facing seemingly insurmountable odds.

This collection of short stories is a must-read for any lover of literature, offering a diverse range of themes, styles, and emotions that will keep you engaged from beginning to end.

It was my first encounter with a book by Zelazny, even though I have been an avid reader of SF for what seems like an eternity.

Strangely enough, considering he is such a well-known and household name in the genre.

The collection as a whole has been a pleasant and unexpected surprise.

It sits comfortably between the realms of hard SF and Fantasy, offering a delightful blend of both.

The prose is truly excellent, with great ideas and plots that are not only engaging but also sometimes surprisingly twisty.

Overall, it provided great entertainment.

However, among the stories, "Come back to the killing ground" was the weakest for me.

I just couldn't fully buy into the story's device, although I have to admit that it had a great ending.

On the other hand, the titular "Last defender" was the one that touched me the most.

It was gripping and had a fast pace that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

A collection of sci-fi stories awaits you, although it might be a bit light on the science side.

One of the stories, "Loki3270," is simply hilarious. Writers, beware!! It has a unique charm that will make you laugh out loud.

On the other hand, "For a Breath I Tarry" is a truly beautiful story. It tells of a machine that aspires to humanity, exploring themes of consciousness and the longing for a deeper connection.

These stories offer a diverse range of experiences within the realm of science fiction, from the comical to the profound. Whether you're a die-hard sci-fi fan or just looking for an entertaining read, this collection has something for everyone.

So, dive in and let your imagination soar as you explore the worlds and ideas presented in these captivating stories.

A Feast for Those Who Love Word Play

Zelazny is truly an artist when it comes to words. His writing is like a magical spell that casts vivid and unforgettable visions in the minds of his readers. With every story he weaves, he takes us on a journey through fantastical worlds and introduces us to unique characters. His use of language is so masterful that it becomes a treat to read his works. Each sentence is carefully crafted, filled with rich descriptions and clever wordplay that keeps us engaged from beginning to end. Whether it's a thrilling adventure or a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, Zelazny's stories always leave a lasting impression. He has a gift for making the ordinary seem extraordinary and the extraordinary seem real. For those who have a passion for words and a love for great literature, Zelazny's works are a must-read. They are a feast for the imagination and a celebration of the power of language.

I've delved into several of Zelazny's novels in times past. However, this marks the first instance where I've explored his short fiction. I must say, it's a rather decent collection. There are a few truly outstanding stories within its pages. For example, 24 Views of Mt. Fuji, by Hokusai stands out. I envision it could have been even more remarkable as an illustrated edition. Thankfully, I was able to turn to Wikipedia to gain an understanding of the pictures the main character was perusing. Like many of Zelazny's tales, it manages to cram a plethora of ideas into a concise number of pages. It commences in a highly bizarre fashion but gradually makes more sense as one progresses through it, even if certain elements remain unexplained.

I also found For a Breath I Tarry, Permafrost, and the eponymous title story to be quite good. Nevertheless, some of the other stories are a touch more average. A story such as Home is the Hangman presents some interesting concepts and isn't as outdated as one might expect from an A.I. story penned in the 70s. Yet, I couldn't help but find the plot a bit lackluster.

Overall, while this collection has its strengths and weaknesses, it offers a worthwhile exploration of Zelazny's short fiction.

For a Breath I Tarry, Comes the Power and the titular story were my absolute favourites.

The ideas presented in these stories are truly fantastic, taking the reader on wild and imaginative adventures. What's more, the characters are so well-written that they enhance the narrative rather than getting in the way.

While there is a certain crassness to some of the characters, like Hell Tanner from Damnation Alley, it doesn't detract from the overall charm of the stories. In fact, many of the stories end in surprisingly heart-warming ways, which is a pleasant surprise.

After reading the works of Ray Bradbury and Harlan Ellison, it's easy to forget that great sci-fi stories can have happy endings too. This collection serves as a reminder of that fact.

I'm not sure if I would read this collection again in its entirety, but I will definitely revisit the stories that really stuck with me. They have left a lasting impression and I look forward to experiencing them again in the future.

All these stories were truly imaginative and executed extremely well. Zelazny clearly knows exactly what he is doing.

His ability to craft such vivid and engaging tales is truly remarkable. Each story seems to transport the reader to a different world, filled with unique characters and exciting adventures.

The way he weaves together elements of fantasy, science fiction, and mystery is masterful. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eagerly turning the pages to see what will happen next.

Zelazny's writing style is also a pleasure to read. It is smooth and flowing, yet still manages to pack a punch. His descriptions are so detailed that you can almost see the scenes playing out in your mind's eye.

Overall, these stories are a testament to Zelazny's talent as a writer. If you haven't read his work yet, you are missing out on some truly great literature.

DNF

DNF, which stands for "Did Not Finish", is a term often used in various contexts. In the world of gaming, it might refer to a player not being able to complete a particular game or level.

In the case of the given statement "Just not interested in reading at the moment", it could potentially be related to a DNF situation in the context of reading. Maybe the person had started a book or some reading material but simply lost interest along the way and didn't bother to finish it.

There could be many reasons for this lack of interest. It might be that the subject matter wasn't engaging enough, the writing style didn't appeal to them, or they were simply in a different mood or had other distractions.

Whatever the reason, DNF in the context of reading is a common occurrence and doesn't necessarily mean that the person won't pick up the book again at a later time or find other reading material that suits their interests better.

When I read short story collections, I have a particular preference. I find that I can more easily immerse myself in the stories if they are approximately of the same length. This allows me to establish a rhythm as I read, and as a result, I derive greater enjoyment from the experience.

However, this particular collection deviated from my ideal. It was rather inconsistent, with some stories being extremely short snippets, followed immediately by others that were a hundred pages long. The quality of the stories themselves wasn't bad; in fact, there were some interesting ideas and engaging characters.

Nevertheless, the lack of uniformity in length threw off my groove. It was difficult for me to maintain a consistent reading pace and flow. I would be suddenly jolted from a brief, concise story to a much longer and more detailed one, and it took some time for me to adjust. This made the overall reading experience a bit less seamless and enjoyable than it could have been.