Wizards edited by Jack Dann

Part Of Synopsis From Dust Jacket:

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, a 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 your imagination...


I'm going to be honest right now, the biggest reason I bought this book was because of the gorgeous cover.  I love the use of color and shading and the way the stars on the wizard's cloak shine with a goldish sparkle.  I love the way the rocky background frames the wizard and draws the eye to him.  Of course the fact that this anthology has contributions from some of the best writers in the genre didn't hurt either.

This is a fantastic colleciton of stories, not one of which I didn't like.  The first story in the anthology is from Neil Gaiman.  "The Witch's Headstone" showcases a young boy who's only friends and teachers are the ghosts inhabiting a old, lonely graveyard.  They teach him history and about life outside of the cemetery.  When he wanders a little outside the boundaries of the consecrated boundaries he meets the ghost of a witch who's only wish is to have a headstone for her grave.  Patricia A. McKillip, one of my favorite fantasy authors, contributes "Naming Day" about a young girl who is going to have to pick her secret, magic name but instead has to deal with one of the worst days of her life.  Other contributors include Garth Nix, Tad Williams, Tanith Lee, Terry Dowling, Orson Scott Card,  and Gene Wolfe.