This second collection of early short stories was also prefaced by a short autobiography of what was going on in his life during the time the stories were written, as well as tales of how the stories and characters came to be.  Included in the book are two Hollywood screenplays, some futuristic and galactic drama, werewolves and police corruption, and really, really great fantasy.  Most enjoyable were two of his stories with the memorable hero, Haviland Tuf  (and his telepathic cat, Dax).  Tuf is a bald giant of a man whose occupation is intergalactic ecological engineer.  Both were delightful stories with plenty of action and a lesson in the side-effects of biological control.

As a fan of his A Song of Fire and Ice series, my favorite tale was “The Hedge Knight,” an historical adventure set a generation before Aerys Targaryan was king.  This is a story full of vengeance and unlikely alliances – with a happy ending.

I found these stories highly entertaining and well-written.  Martin says it best in the last section of the collection:  “Fantasy?  Science fiction?  Horror?  I say it’s a story, and I say the hell with it.”  Yep.  That about sums it up.  ~~ Marie Davis

For other books by George R R Martin click here