Imaginary Lands

Imaginary Lands is a collection of eight fantasy stories by different authors, edited by Robin McKinley. The anthology features tales of magic, quests, and otherworldly adventures set in invented realms. Each story stands on its own with unique characters, settings and magical systems. Authors include Patricia A. McKillip, James P. Blaylock, P.C. Hodgell and others who bring distinct voices to their contributions. The stories range in tone from humorous to serious, with plots involving everything from hidden kingdoms to mythical beasts. Young protagonists navigate challenges in worlds where the supernatural mingles with the ordinary. The anthology explores themes of identity, courage, and the line between reality and imagination. These stories demonstrate fantasy's power to illuminate truths about human nature through invented worlds and magical metaphors.

Readers rate this short story anthology 3.7/5 on Goodreads (242 ratings) and 3.8/5 on Amazon (7 ratings). Readers appreciated: - The introduction essays before each story that explain the origins and inspiration - McKinley's own story "The Stone Fey" - Patricia McKillip's "The Old Woman and the Storm" for its vivid imagery - Peter Dickinson's complex worldbuilding in "Flight" Common criticisms: - Uneven quality between stories - Some stories feel incomplete or end abruptly - Dense writing style that can be hard to follow - Limited appeal beyond dedicated fantasy readers Multiple reviews note that while individual stories stand out, the collection as a whole lacks cohesion. Several readers mentioned struggling through certain stories while being captivated by others. One reader called it "hit or miss - brilliant fantasy writing mixed with confusing, meandering tales." Another described it as "beautiful prose but requires patience and focused reading."

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle A unicorn leaves her forest to find others of her kind and encounters magic, loss, and transformation in a world where mythical creatures fade into legend.

Uprooted by Naomi Novik A young woman discovers her magical abilities while serving a mysterious wizard in a kingdom threatened by a malevolent forest.

The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia A. McKillip A solitary wizard who commands legendary creatures must protect her independence and power when the outside world intrudes into her mountain sanctuary.

The Hunters Moon by O. R. Melling Two cousins venture into the realm of Faerie where they encounter ancient magic and must complete a quest to save one of their own.

East by Edith Pattou A girl follows a mysterious white bear on a journey across frozen landscapes to break an enchantment, weaving together elements from the "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" fairy tale.

🌟 "Imaginary Lands" is actually an anthology edited by Robin McKinley, featuring fantasy stories from various authors including Patricia A. McKillip, Jane Yolen, and McKinley herself. 🏰 The anthology won the World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology in 1986, a prestigious honor in the fantasy literature community. 📚 Robin McKinley, who edited the collection, is known for her retellings of fairy tales and was one of the first authors to reimagine "Beauty and the Beast" for a young adult audience. 🌍 Each story in the collection explores different types of imaginary worlds, from high fantasy realms to mythological landscapes, giving readers a diverse sampling of fantasy sub-genres. ✍️ The anthology includes P.C. Hodgell's "Stranger Blood," which is set in the same world as her Kencyrath series and provides additional context to that universe.