Elementary: All-New Tales of the Elemental Masters-Edited by Mercedes Lackey

Elementary: All-New Tales of the Elemental Masters Edited by Mercedes Lackey DAW, Dec 3 2013, $7.99 ISBN 9780756409593 The second “All-New Tales of the Elemental Masters” collection (see Elemental Magic) contains nineteen very short stories; with most occurring outside of Victorian England. Tanya Huff returns to Nova Scotia (see Elemental Magic’s "Tha Thu Ann") in “Arms of the Sea” as Marie struggles with what happened to her and her dad. The “Fire’s Daughter” by Elisabeth Waters focuses on “to thine own self be true” (Shakespeare). Diane Paxton leaves "A Song of the Sea" (from the previous compilation) to a “Fire Song”. Readers return to Jody Lynn Nye's La Parfumier Rupier (see Elemental Magic’s "Air of Mystery") in “Air of Deception”. Mercedes Lackey ends the collection with a strong trek “Into The Woods”. With a sense of newness caused by the most contributions set outside Victorian England and includes few weak entries, readers will appreciate the latest entertaining Elemental Masters expansive historical fantasy anthology as many of the same writers from the opening act provide fans with a return engagement. Harriet Klausner