Review: Witches: Wicked, Wild, & Wonderful ed by Paula Guran

Synopsis: Surrounded by the aura of magic, witches have captured our imagination for millennia and fascinate us now more than ever. No longer confined to the image of a hexing old crone, witches can be kindly healers and protectors, tough modern urban heroines, holders of forbidden knowledge, sweetly domestic spellcasters, darkly domineering, sexy enchantresses, ancient sorceresses, modern Wiccans, empowered or persecuted, possessors of supernatural abilities that can be used for good or evil — or perhaps only perceived as such. Welcome to the world of witchery in many guises: wicked, wild, and wonderful! (from the online description)

Review: A wide-ranging collection of short stories based on witches, this collection will have a story for anyone. Urban fantasy follows Fairy Tale follows Classic Horror. That isn’t to say every story is good. Some are boring, and a few are creepy and disgusting. But the overall average is good, with some rising above. I was unfamiliar with all the authors presented, although several (Tanith Lee, Elizabeth Bear, Ursula K. La Guin) are well-known.

My favorites include Walpurgis Afternoon by Delia Sherman, The Cold Blacksmith by Elizabeth Bear, Mirage and Magia by Tanith Lee (the story that made me buy the book), Lessons with Miss Gray by Theodora Goss, Ill Met in Ulthar by T. A. Pratt, The Way Wind by Andre Norton, and Skin Deep by Richard Parks (My Favorite in the Collection)

If you enjoy good stories about witches, both evil and pure, buy and read this anthology. You won’t be disappointed. 

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None (Although many of the authors have won awards)

ISBN: 978-1-60701-294-8
Year Published: 2012
Date Finished: 6-1-2018
Pages: 375