Dark Alchemy: Magical Tales from Masters of Modern Fantasy

Never-before-published stories by Neil Gaiman, Eoin Colfer, Garth Nix, and a magical lineup of writers. Throughout the ages, the wizard has claimed a spot in human culture-from the shadowy spiritual leaders of early man to precocious characters in blockbuster films. Gone are the cartoon images of wizened gray-haired men in pointy caps creating magic with a wave of their wands. Today's wizards are more subtle in their powers, more discerning in their ways, and-in the hands of modern fantasists-more likely than ever to capture readers' imaginations. In Neil Gaiman's "The Witch's Headstone," a piece taken from his much-anticipated novel in progress, an eight-year-old boy learns the power of kindness from a long-dead sorceress. Only one woman possesses two kinds of magic-enough to unite two kingdoms-in Garth Nix's "Holly and Iron." Patricia A. McKillip's "Naming Day" gives a sorcery student a lesson in breaking the rules. And a famished dove spins a tale worthy of a meal, but perhaps not the truth, in "A Fowl Tale" by Eoin Colfer. Contents ix • Preface (Wizards: Magical Tales From the Masters of Modern Fantasy) • essay by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois 1 • The Witch’s Headstone • (2007) • novelette by Neil Gaiman 25 • Holly and Iron • (2007) • novelette by Garth Nix 58 • Color Vision • (2007) • shortstory by Mary Rosenblum 83 • The Ruby Incomparable • [Anvil of the World Universe] • (2007) • shortstory by Kage Baker 99 • A Fowl Tale • (2007) • shortstory by Eoin Colfer 105 • Slipping Sideways Through Eternity • (2007) • shortstory by Jane Yolen 119 • The Stranger's Hands • (2007) • shortstory by Tad Williams 139 • Naming Day • (2007) • shortstory by Patricia A. McKillip 153 • Winter’s Wife • (2007) • novelette by Elizabeth Hand 187 • A Diorama of the Infernal Regions, or The Devil's Ninth Question • [Pearleen Sunday] • (2007) • novelette by Andy Duncan 219 • Barrens Dance • [World of The Innkeeper's Song] • (2007) • shortstory by Peter S. Beagle 234 • Stone Man • (2007) • shortstory by Nancy Kress 254 • The Manticore Spell • (2007) • shortstory by Jeffrey Ford 263 • Zinder • (2007) • shortstory by Tanith Lee 277 • Billy and the Wizard • [Billy] • (2007) • shortstory by Terry Bisson 284 • The Magikkers • (2007) • shortstory by Terry Dowling 299 • The Magic Animal • (2007) • novelette by Gene Wolfe 326 • Stonefather • [Mither Mages] • novella by Orson Scott Card