The six new novellas in this collection were very much a mixed bag.

On the mediocre to worse side were: Alan Dean Foster's "Mid-Death," which reminded me of a "Predator" sequel (that's not a good thing, if you're wondering); Allen Steele's "Walking Star," which I found trite and unconvincing; and Nancy Kress's "JQ211F, and Holding," which took an intriguing concept and ruined it (at least for me).

On the positive side were the twists and compelling aliens of Robert Reed's "Rococo;" a not terribly ambitious, but typically well told "Prime Directive" tale from Jack McDevitt titled "Kaminsky at War;" and the best of the bunch, Julie E. Czerneda's moving and original "No Place Like Home." ( )