Legends

The book was an excellent showcase for some of the most famous fantasy series out there. Perfect for me to get a glimpse and decide a ”to read next” list, since many have not been translated into my language and I knew only their names. The average would be 3/5, but it gets an extra star for that great idea and for the enthusiasm with which I read through them like opening mysterious Christmas presents.
Stephen King tells a tale of Roland, the Gunslinger, in the world of The Dark Tower, in “The Little Sisters of Eluria.” - I already knew I hate the series, but this story I loved, so that says a lot about SK's writing super-powers. 5/5
Terry Pratchett relates an amusing incident in Discworld, of a magical contest and the witch Granny Weatherwax, in “The Sea and Little Fishes” - I like some of Pratchetts series, and some I do not. I found Granny Weatherwax to be not funny but an annoying old, well, witch, so this one is not for me 2/5
Terry Goodkind tells of the origin of the Border between realms in the world of The Sword of Truth, in “Debt of Bones.” - boring, overlong, incoherent, uninteresting. 1/5
Orson Scott Card spins a yarn of Alvin and his apprentice from the Tales of Alvin Maker, in “Grinning Man.” Man, I loved this kind of humor! I thought the ending was cruel and too much, but I will definitely look for the books. 5/5
Robert Silverberg returns to Majipoor and to Lord Valentine's adventure in an ancient tomb, in “the Seventh Shrine.” Loved the world settings and the writing, but the policier part of the story is very weak. - so not a good story, but probably a good series 3/5
Ursual K. Le Guin adds a sequel to her famous books of Earthsea, portraying a woman who wants to learn magic, in “Dragonfly.” I disliked the Earthsea cycle for being too childish, but, to my surprise, this story was not. It was not that great either, unfortunately, for the end (and twist) felt unbelievable and poetic, not in a good way. Great writing as usual, though 3/5
Tad Williams tells a dark and enthralling story of a great and haunted castle in the age before Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, in “The Burning Man.” Read this one in another anthology 2 yeas ago. Cannot remember anything good or bad about it (I have a great memory with the books I do like), so it is a 3/5 and not a series to interest me.
George R.R. Martin sets his piece a generation before his epic, A Song of Ice and Fire, in the adventure of “The Hedge Knight.” 5/5 Nothing needed said here, it is just as good and realistic as the incredible series which I have already read and loved.
Ann McCaffrey, the poet of Pern, returns once again to her world of romance and adventure in “Runner of Pern.” Wow, this was bad. I could force myself to read only 2 pages, and still was more bored than I imagined I could be by an entire book. How could people read an entire series of this borefest torture?? 0/5
Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar Saga is the setting of the tale of “The Wood Boy.” Loved the Tsurani, definetely want more of them; also greatly enjoyed the writer s skill in starting with the end and leading the story to unsuspected paths. Also loved the realism of the officer s decision. 5/5
Robert Jordan, in “New Spring,” tells of crucial events in the years leading up to The Wheel of Time. 5/5 I already read the series and loved it, so no surprise here, either.