Book Review: Stealing Magic

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

Stealing Magic     Amazon US PB Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Tanya Huff
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   [Short Stories]

This collection of short stories is presented like the old Ace science fiction double editions - two books in one, bound together back-to- back and upside-down. I always rather liked that format because it seemed like I was getting a bonus; two for one. In this case, the two books are collections of short stories; one about Terazin and the other about Magdalen.

The shorter collection features Terazin, the best thief in Oreen. Terazin needs to be a clever, cautious loner, as she lives in a swords and sorcery world in which she can trust neither her guild nor most of those she encounters.

Huff writes that if she could be any of her characters, she would like to be Magdalene, the most powerful and laziest wizard in the world. Perhaps this is why Magdalene has more stories than Terazin does.

Magdalene is a simpler character than Terezin - unlike Terezin, she never agonizes over whether to join a lover on campaign or sweats over how to outwit someone knowing she will die if she fails. Magdalene uses an easy come, easy go approach to lovers, and is far too powerful to even consider the possibility of failure or struggle. She is the perfect fantasy figure - beautiful, immortal, powerful, happy. Magdalene's essential simplicity suits the light amusing tone of her stories. Like the author, I think I prefer Magdalene!

Collections of previously published stories can fill a neat hole on the bookshelves of those who want all of an author's stories in one handy volume, or those who are following the development or adventures of one particular character. This book, advertised as a 'complete collection', does both it illustrates Huff's skills in short story writing and collects all the stories about two interesting characters in one volume. Tanya Huff's fans will certainly enjoy this collection, as will anyone who is looking for some entertaining light fantasy reading.

Cheryl - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM