Shapers of Worlds Volume II

Explore twenty-four imaginative tales crafted by some of today’s best writers of science fiction and fantasy, all guests on Aurora Award-winning podcast The Worldshapers during its second year, including international bestsellers and winners of every major award in the field as well as newer authors just beginning what promise to be stellar careers.

There are brand-new stories from Kelley Armstrong, Marie Brennan, Garth Nix, Candas Jane Dorsey, Jeremy Szal, Edward Willett, Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Lisa Foiles, Susan Forest, Matthew Hughes, Heli Kennedy, Helen Dale, Adria Laycraft, Edward Savio, Lisa Kessler, Ira Nayman, James Alan Gardner, and Tim Pratt, plus fiction by Jeffrey A. Carver, David D. Levine, Carrie Vaughn, Nancy Kress, Barbara Hambly, and S.M. Stirling.

A woman seeking the power to see the evil hiding within others regrets receiving it. Letters written by a wizard in the past threaten a queen’s reign in the present. Competing for Earth, a human wrestler faces an alien shapeshifter in an interstellar tournament. A guide in Tibet must weigh the good of his people when asked to lead a westerner to the fabled realm of Shangri. An activist imprisoned for illegal genetic modification works with the materials at hand and the threads of the multiverse to make the world—aworld, at least—a better place. A demonic agent sent to help a human turns the tables on his summoner.

Like the “cabinets of curiosities” created by collectors of the sixteenth century, Shapers of Worlds Volume II displays a varied array of thought-provoking delights: tales of humour and sorrow, darkness and light, and hope and despair that are full of adventure, full of life, and sometimes full of regret. There are stories set in alternate histories, in possible futures, near and far, and in the here-and-now, taking place on Earth, on distant planets, or in fantastic realms. All arise from the innate need of human beings to create, to imagine . . . to shape worlds.

Praise for Shapers of Worlds Volume II

“The stories are both engaging, and engagingly told . . . featuring a wide range of authors and settings, Shapers of Worlds Volume II performs the function of a speculative fiction sampler, offering a taste of different styles and themes. Besides being entertaining in itself, the collection might inspire further exploration of the works of authors the reader finds appealing.” – Lisa Timpf, The Miramachi Reader

From NetGalley reviewers:

“A great anthology for science-fiction and fantasy fans.”

“A well curated solid anthology of stories . . . Four stars on average. It’s a diverting read.”

“Very fun anthology.”

“There’s something for everyone here, and the collection has spurred me to find other works by the authors in it.”

“A treasure trove of sci fi and fantasy that promises more than one satisfying story for everyone.”

“Great collection of short stories and a must read in my opinion for science-fiction fan.”

“I loved every single story in this . . . very solid collection, expertly assembled by Edward Willett. I will definitely be recommending this to everyone.”

“This is a wonderful anthology for anyone who likes science fiction/fantasy.”

In the video below, Shapers of Worlds Volume II and III authors talk about their stories and the anthology at When Words Collide 2022.

$8.95$29.95

Additional information

Weight 1.75 lbs
Dimensions 9 × 6 × 1.217 in
Format

Trade Paperback, Epub, Kindle, Kobo, Nook, iBooks

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