Amazons II (1982)

The first Amazons! collection of fantasy stories centered on female heroes was groundbreaking when it was published in 1979. I loved it when I discovered it in my teens--pre-Buffy, there were few stories of adventure with strong female heroines. I disagree that this second collection of a dozen stories is weaker--I actually prefer it to the first; I think it's stronger both on average and with more outstanding stories and no real clunkers. It's a bit more gender balanced on the contents page--the first book had only one "token male" author as Salmonson pointed out--and this second book even had stronger, more appealing and complex male characters. It also had the advantage of having more authors I'd consider favorites on the content page. Tanith Lee, a great favorite is the one author with a repeat appearance and also features F.M. Busby, Phylis Ann Karr, and G.R.R. Martin. Not only are all these the authors in the contents page I consider favorites, but all in all I'd say the stories they provided were my favorites in the collection.

Busby's "For a Daughter" has fantasy trappings but could actually be seen as science-fiction set in a post-apocalyptic future--there's no magic involved, and the adversary here is arguably the most complex in the book. Tanith Lee's "Southern Lights" features her Jaisel, who appeared in the first anthology and I think this story stronger--less polemical. Phyllis Ann Karr's "The Robber Girl" not only has a lovely fairy-tale feel, but her central character is more an anti-heroine--an appealing rogue. And I thought George R. R. Martin (yes, that Martin, Game of Thrones Martin) offered the strongest story of the lot in "In the Lost Lands." A great closer. ( )

The second of these anthologies isn't as good as the first - 3.33 as compared to 3.50, but is solidly more fantasy of the type you would expect given the title and cover propaganda, even if not all sword and sorcery type. Arnason's most egregiously out of place for that, the editor even pointing out it reads like an oral tradition tale - followed by Martin, perhaps.

Amazons 2 : 01 For a Daughter - F. M. Busby
Amazons 2 : 02 The Battle Crow's Daughter - Gillian Fitzgerald
Amazons 2 : 03 Southern Lights - Tanith Lee
Amazons 2 : 04 Zroya's Trizub - Gordon Derevanchuk
Amazons 2 : 05 The Robber Girl - Phyllis Ann Karr
Amazons 2 : 06 Lady of the Forest End - Gael Baudino
Amazons 2 : 07 The Ivory Comb - Eleanor Arnason
Amazons 2 : 08 The Borders of Sabazel - Lillian Stewart Carl
Amazons 2 : 09 Who Courts a Reluctant Maiden - Ardath Mayhar
Amazons 2 : 10 The Soul Slayer - Lee Killough
Amazons 2 : 11 Nightwork - Jo Clayton
Amazons 2 : 12 In the Lost Lands - George R. R. Martin

I will give up a few bits.

3 out of 5

Hmm, think the other brother might suit.

4 out of 5

She's a real doll, dad's a disturbed magician though.

3.5 out of 5

Bash the gobbies, supergirl.

3 out of 5

Gungirl princely retrieval.

3 out of 5

Stop shagging that monk to bits girl, and come work for me.

3.5 out of 5

Over, very furry.

2.5 out of 5

Wrong spear, you bastard.

4 out of 5

Grittel smash puny demon loving boys if they don't do as they are told.

3.5 out of 5

Chompthroat checkmate.

3.5 out of 5

Earth mother for you.

3 out of 5

Some services will leave you skint. Wered.

4 out of 5

3.5 out of 5

http://superprose.blogspot.com/2008/08/amazons-amazons-ii.html ( )