Most of the stories in this anthology were rather good.

One can clearly understand the reasons behind their selection for inclusion in the collection.

I initially thought about rating them individually. However, I believe that a significant number of these stories are more dependent on one's personal interests and whether the individual writer's style and voice resonate with you or not.

I took great pleasure in quite a few of the stories. My personal favorites among them were "Thunderbolt" and "Acts of Faith".

Those two stories were extremely captivating and left a lasting impression.

I have a deep love for Greek and Roman mythology. Therefore, getting a novel perspective on the kidnapping and rescue of Helen, where Helen herself is the rescuer, was truly amazing in "Thunderbolt"!

"Acts of Faith" was excellent due to the three intertwined points of view and how the circumstances led the young ladies to merge their faiths and form a family.

It was a powerful story about believing in one another and in something greater to save us when the worst befalls us.

I am aware that it might not be everyone's top choice, but I truly liked it.

If you have an appreciation for Tamora Pierce's work, then I highly recommend exploring the stories in this collection.

Well, you can definitely expect many of these writers to show up here again at some point.

I won't go story by story, but there were some that I liked more than others.

You might look at it and expect heroes and heroines who are all beautiful and powerful. However, the majority of them are real heroes, ordinary people overcoming extraordinary circumstances.

The worlds created in these stories range from the historical to the fantastic.

Some stories take us back in time to explore different eras and the challenges people faced then.

Others transport us to magical and imaginary realms filled with wonder and excitement.

It's truly amazing to see the creativity and talent of these writers as they bring these diverse worlds and characters to life.

Whether it's a historical drama or a fantastical adventure, each story has its own unique charm and appeal.

So, keep an eye out for more from these talented writers in the future.

The stories here are a bit shorter than what I had anticipated, and some of them seem to be targeted at a slightly younger audience than I was expecting. However, despite these initial observations, I'm really enjoying it thus far.

I'm quite certain that I will finish reading this collection this morning. I still have a deep love for Tamora Pierce's works - her writing has always had a special charm for me.

Moreover, through this reading experience, I've also discovered some new authors that I'm eager to check out. This is always a great thing, as it allows me to expand my literary horizons and explore different writing styles and themes.

Overall, I'm looking forward to seeing what else this collection has in store for me.

It is truly a challenging task to provide a single review for a book that consists of numerous stories penned by different authors.

To be honest, within the pages of this book, there was at least one story that could be awarded 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 stars. Regrettably, the vast majority of them fell within the 1 or 2 star range.

I had an absolute love for Tamora Pierce's short story, and there were a few others that I also found enjoyable. However, the remaining ones I just couldn't get through quickly enough.

Overall, I would not recommend this book as there is an overwhelming amount of junk that one has to sift through in order to reach the few precious gems.

If you have a particular liking for an author included in this book, it would be advisable to simply read their story (and definitely Tamora Pierce's, as she is truly awesome) and save yourself a significant amount of time.

This way, you can avoid the arduous task of wading through the less-than-stellar content and focus on the ones that truly deserve your attention.

Flash Reviews:

1. The story of an Aztec kid interacting with godly figures and asking for a wish was rather good. However, it gave the impression of being the beginning of a tale rather than the end. It had an interesting premise, but left the reader longing for more. I'd rate it 3.5 stars.

2. In the story of the mermaid and sailor teaming up to save the wizard merman, there were too many point-of-view switches. The plot lacked coherency, and there was little development of character relationships. Additionally, there were many assumptions made about the failure of one plan before proceeding with riskier ones. On the positive side, the dolphins were adorable. Overall, it gets 2 stars.

3. The narrative of the Jewish boy encountering a Dybuuk and doing some soul searching made me uncomfortable. From start to finish, the love interest was treated like an object. The final paragraph, where her husband and son keep knowledge from her for her safety, was particularly concerning. If the story had been spectacular, this might not have been a major issue, but it was just okay. I'd give it 2.5 stars.

4. The story of the girl with magically removed emotions attempting to shelter a prisoner of war felt more like a beginning than a complete narrative. It had potential, but needed more development to be truly engaging. I'd rate it 3 stars.

5. The story of the African kingdom vs. the Roman Army, featuring God-Lions, was a solid one. While I can't remember many specific details, it had an interesting concept and held my attention. I'd give it 3.5 stars.

6. The story about Helen of Troy, which focused on her as Helen of Sparta, was excellent. It retold the mythology in a unique way and offered a criticism of Athens. The fact that Sparta didn't back down when their first daughter was kidnapped added to the story's appeal. I'd rate it 5 stars.

7. The story of murder, magic, and vengeance in colonial India was really interesting. Despite being distracted by the use of the term "jadu" to describe the witch, which is more accurately translated as "magic," I found the narrative engaging. Vengeance stories are always a favorite, and this one did not disappoint. I'd give it 4.5 stars.

8. There was only one story in this collection that didn't take itself too seriously, and that was the one about the boy and the dragon commiserating about their positions in their peer groups. Since it wasn't a serious story, I could overlook the lack of detailed world-building. It was a fun read and gets 3.5 stars.

9. My favorite story was by Tamora Pierce. She crafted a compelling protagonist, a culture based on what I think are north/east African societies, and a warrior who gains strength through continuous practice and inventiveness. The story was engaging from start to finish and gets a well-deserved 5 stars.

10. The story of the Australian aboriginal teenager going on a quest to save his sister and everyone else was a solid one. It had all the elements of a classical quest and kept me interested throughout. I'd rate it 4 stars.

11. I really can't remember much about this story except that there was a magician and a girl dressed as a boy. They had some inconsequential encounters that led to the bad guys being attacked. It didn't feel like the start of a story, but rather an excerpt from the middle of a larger one. I'd give it 2.5 stars.

12. The story of the kidnapped kids using local flora and fauna to outsmart their would-be slavers was fun and complete. It had a great premise and was well-executed. I'd rate it 4 stars.

13. In the story with the holy axe, I think the author was trying to answer philosophical questions, but I'm not sure how successful she was. The story had its moments, but overall, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I'd give it 3 stars.

14. The story of the witches and the Jewish girl in hiding in Ireland during World War II was a fair one. It had an interesting setting and premise, but could have been developed further. I'd rate it 3.5 stars.

15. The story of the kid on a treasure hunt being forced to consider the consequences of actually succeeding was an interesting one. I would have liked to see an addendum about the economic and military fallout, but overall, it was a good read. I'd give it 3.5 stars.

I am not typically a devotee of short stories. However, this anthology truly intrigued me for several reasons. Firstly, it features a story penned by Tamora Pierce. Secondly, it is edited by Tamora Pierce (alongside Josepha Sherman). Thirdly, it includes the short story that served as the foundation for Esther Friesner's Helen of Sparta books, which I had just finished reading.

Even those stories alone would have made the purchase worthwhile for me. But I discovered an abundance more to cherish in this collection. There are tales set in an extremely diverse range of times, locations, and mythologies. We have the ancient kingdoms of Africa, British-occupied India (which was one of my absolute favorites), a very traditional Jewish community, a couple of fantasy lands (both lighthearted and serious), and even neutral WWII-era Ireland. The stories incorporate magic, folklore, mysticism, religion, politics, battle... essentially demonstrating that there are countless ways to be a warrior.

This is an outstanding collection, and I would highly recommend it to fantasy enthusiasts or even someone seeking to understand what the genre is all about.

* Side note: This book's original cover makes a powerful statement against the whitewashing of book covers, especially in the YA genre! Kudos to the publishers - the cover images truly align with the stories!

This book is truly an outstanding anthology of short stories that center around young warriors.

I found the stories to be not just good, but truly captivating. There are several authors included in this collection who are completely new to me, which added an element of excitement and新鲜感.

Most importantly, the majority of these authors have crafted stories that left me with an insatiable desire to read more from them.

This book is without a doubt an excellent choice for the pre-teen/teen reading group. The stories feature a diverse mix of both boys and girls as the main characters, which I believe will make it highly appealing to both genders.

I had the pleasure of reading this book on a flight home, and I must admit that I was deeply disappointed when it came to an end. I simply wanted MORE of these engaging and thrilling stories!

It's safe to say that this anthology has left a lasting impression on me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone in the target age group or anyone who enjoys well-written short stories about young heroes.

I'm reviewing and making notes as I go along. This is work in progress (WIP).

The Gift of Rain Mountain by Bruce Holland Rogers gets 4/5 stars. It's a traditional "be careful what you wish for" story that keeps you guessing about the hero's ultimate fate. A young boy with important messages for his king is tempted to stray by a local spirit. The author gets points for choosing a non-traditional European setting. I could envision a well-done Meso-American setting if in the right hands.

The Magestone by S.M and Jan Sterling is another cool one. Returning to European traditions, it twists the theme by focusing on a species from folklore. Neesha, a mer warrior, discovers an artifact her tribe thought lost. The magestone is reluctant to leave its current bearer, and the two must work together to fulfill its goal and overcome their biases. I give it 4 stars. I initially thought 3.5 because one character's actions bothered me, but the story addresses and develops this. However, it gets lost a bit in the action-centric plot.

Eli and the Dybbuk by Janis Ian gets 3 stars. It's a coming-of-age story. Eli, a young Jewish boy in Tsarist Russia, dreams of becoming a successful soldier to escape his planned life. But he has a rude awakening when he encounters a demon. Overall, it's an interesting story with likeable characters, but it's too short to get really attached. The ending is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, Eli grows up and accepts his responsibilities, but on the other, he has to reject his dreams.

Heartless by Holly Black gets 4 stars. A camp follower puts herself in danger when she saves an injured soldier instead of killing him. This story has mature themes and is disturbing, but I'd love to read more in this universe.

Lioness by Pamela F. Service gets 3.5 stars. The crown princess and warrior Amanitari must find a way to ward off an invasion by Roman soldiers. It's well-written and interesting, but the plot is fairly standard. I liked the non-standard setting and would read more if available.

Thunderbolt by Esther Friesner gets 4.5 stars. I really like this one. Theseus is an ass, but Helen is awesome. She escapes captivity through trickery, stupidity, and luck. I'm not as impressed with the ending, but I like that she keeps her spirit. I'm also curious about the info in the author's notes.

Devil Wind by India Edgehill gets 5 stars (more like 4.5 for me). Set in India during British occupation, a young Indian girl is hired as a companion. When disaster strikes, the girls must escape. I really liked this story.
The Boy Who Cried Dragon by Michael Resnick gets 3 stars. I was disappointed. I liked the author's writing style, but the story felt rushed, especially at the end.
Student of Ostriches by Tamara Pierce gets 4 stars. It's a short story from the Tortall 'verse. I love Pierce's writing, but my only complaint is that it's too short. I'd love to see more of this character.
Serpent's Rock by Laura Anne Gilman gets 4 stars. After an earthquake, a deadly being escapes and Gulpilil sets off to defeat it. I'd love to know where the author got the background info. This story had a different feel than European-based stories.
Hidden Warriors by Margaret Mahy gets 2.5 stars. I didn't like this story as much. The dialogue was odd, the main character was unlikable, and the plot was predictable.
Emerging Legacy by Doranna Durgin gets 3.5 stars. It was an interesting premise, but I didn't get that into it. There wasn't enough info on the characters' culture.
An Axe for Men by Rosemary Edgehill gets 4 stars. The people of Great Saloe are forced to leave their city due to a flood. Sais, a priestess, begins to dream and receive messages. The story is set in an ancient civilization with human sacrifice. The main character is relatable and the culture is fascinating.
Acts of Faith by Lesley McBain gets 4.5 stars. Set in a Catholic orphanage in Ireland during WWII, two friends help a Jewish girl escape. I really liked this story. The characters were interesting and the villain was nasty.
Swords that Talk by Brett Hartinger gets 3 stars. It's similar to "The Boy Who Cried Dragon". A young man steals a talking sword and sets off on a quest. The story is better written than the dragon one, but it felt a bit repeatable.

This collection of short stories is truly captivating.

It features a story by Tamora Pierce set in the Tortall universe, which is sure to delight fans of her work.

The stories all center around young people, presenting a diverse range of perspectives. Some of these young individuals choose to engage in combat, while others recognize the wisdom in refraining from fighting in specific circumstances.

The introduction, penned by Tamora Pierce herself, is a remarkable essay on its own. It offers valuable insights and sets the stage for the engaging tales that follow.

It would be an interesting exercise to compare several of the stories and analyze how the concept of a warrior is portrayed in each.

The authors, mainly science fiction writers, bring their unique imaginations to the table, resulting in settings that span different continents and time periods.

This collection is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the themes of youth, conflict, and the nature of warriors in a variety of captivating settings.

Some of these stories were truly good. They had interesting plots and engaging characters.

However, I wasn't a big fan of the format in which they were presented.

Most of these stories belonged to the fantasy genre.

Often, it felt that just when I was starting to understand the characters and get a sense of where the story was taking place, it would suddenly end.

This made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story and enjoy it to the fullest.

I would have preferred if the stories had been a bit longer, allowing for more development of the characters and the setting.

Despite this, I still appreciate the creativity and imagination that went into writing these stories.

Perhaps with a different format or a bit more length, they could have been even better.

Most of the stories were truly awesome. They had the power to captivate the reader, taking them on thrilling adventures and introducing them to unique characters and situations. The plots were engaging, filled with twists and turns that kept the reader on the edge of their seat.

However, there were a couple of stories that were just plain weird. They seemed to come out of left field, with strange concepts and characters that were difficult to understand. It was as if the authors were trying to be too creative and ended up sacrificing coherence and readability.

Overall, though, the collection of stories was a mixed bag. While the majority were excellent, the few strange ones detracted from the overall experience. It would have been better if the editors had been more selective and only included the truly outstanding stories.

This collection contains some truly outstanding short stories.

One that really stood out was the story about the ostrich girl.

The author did an excellent job of creating a unique and engaging character in the ostrich girl.

The story was filled with interesting twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I found myself completely invested in the ostrich girl's journey and was eager to see how her story would unfold.

The writing style was vivid and descriptive, allowing me to easily picture the scenes and characters in my mind.

Overall, this was a great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys short stories.

I can't wait to explore more of the stories in this collection.