The shorter, more whimsical pieces it seemed I didn't like as much here. However, this anthology still averages 3.53. Now given by my numbers I rate fantasy stories 0.20 to 0.25 lower or thereabouts in general, that would seem to be the equivalent of the various Year's Best SF series, for me, at least, somewhere around the 3.50 mark.

The standout is clearly Benjamin Rosenbaum's story, and the last in the book, with van Eekhout, Beagle, Ford, Lanagan and Parks the author higher quality work.

The introduction here is perhaps a little more in-depth than some of the others, maybe for space reasons, and some space is given to 'collected story intros' if you like, at the start.

Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : Journey into the Kingdom - M. Rickert
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : The Water Poet and the Four Seasons - David J. Schwartz
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : Pol Pot's Beautiful Daughter - Geoff Ryman
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : The Osteomancer's Son - Greg van Eekhout
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : Salt Wine - Peter Beagle
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : The Original Word for Rain - Peter Higgins
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : The Lineaments of Gratified Desire - Ysabeau Wilce
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : Journey to Gantica - Matthew Corradi
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : Irregular Verbs - Matthew Johnson
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : A Fish Story - Sarah Totton
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : The Night Whiskey - Jeffrey Ford
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : A Fine Magic - Margo Lanagan
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : Naturally - Daniel Handler
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : Moon Viewing at Shijo Bridge - Richard Parks
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : Citrine: A Fable - Elise Moser
Fantasy Best of the Year 2007 : A Siege of Cranes - Benjamin Rosenbaum

Rules for snogging. 1. Check for life. 2. Check if human.

3 out of 5

Multi-part contract has to be seen through.

3 out of 5

Surfeit of spirits.

3 out of 5

Hierarch restructuring.

4 out of 5

The transformational power of mer drink is surprising.

4 out of 5

Getting a bit too apocalyptic with that magic language when the librarian you fancy gets a boyfriend.

3.5 out of 5

Hardhanded with Piggy.

3 out of 5

Oh No! I'm A Giant! At least here, anyway.

3.5 out of 5

Banana leaf dictionary body transfer.

3 out of 5

Could use a bigger rod.

3 out of 5

Death booze corpse recall putdown getaway.

4 out of 5

I'm...Spinning Around.

So am I!

4 out of 5

Ghost boyfriend not up to snuff.

3.5 out of 5

Love letter succession subterfuge.

4 out of 5

Wasting away into artistic transport.

3.5 out of 5

Witch girl's zombie baby scorched earth revenge.

4.5 out of 5

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/02/fantasy-best-of-year-2007-rich-horton.html ( )

I was far more impressed by this than I thought I'd be. There were a few generic fantasy stories, but also a few that were amazing.

'Pol Pot's Beautiful Daughter' by Geoff Ryman really got under my skin, in an entirely unassuming manner. 'The Lineaments of Gratified Desire', by Ysabeau Wilce, reminded me of Jeff Noon's books, but was utterly delicious in its own way - the language in it curls and unfurls like sugar confections, a wonderful treat. And 'Moon Viewing at Shijo Bridge', by Richard Parks, has stuck with me as well, although I'm not sure why. ( )