Hop on board for a ride around glamorous, busy, grimy New York, home to millions and location for a set of fantasy stories. NEW YORK FANTASTIC is edited by Paula Guran who has previously collected many other fantasy tales into volumes. Some of the author names are very familiar - George R.R. Martin, Seanan Maguire, Naomi Novik, Peter Straub to name just a few. They serve to introduce us to less well known names on the list.

Delia Sherman starts us off in 1855 as emigrants from the Old World set eyes on their new home. Among them is Liam O'Casey from Ireland, with his tin whistle and his big black dog - unusually. A clue as to the dog's nature can be found in the story title, "How The Pooka Came To New York City." I enjoyed this one.

Naomi Novik, author of dragon books, elaborates on New York real estate "Priced To Sell." Vampires and other immortals have deep pockets, so who knew they were forcing up the prices of city living? Plus they make for very fussy management committees. Definitely fun.

Peter Straub focuses on jazz in "Pork Pie Hat." This is much less of a fantasy than most of the tales, though quite dark.

Elizabeth Bear concentrates on a crime scene and college girls noticing a tattooed man in "Cryptic Colouration." Education is important, but I'm not sure about what they are learning.

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Karl Bunker relaxes in a mixed immigrant neighbourhood in Caisson, back in 1871 when Brooklyn was full of Poles, Germans, and Irish. These are the people who dug the foundations for the Brooklyn Bridge, as we see. Respect from me, even without dealing with whatever might - or might not - be unearthed.

Seanan Maguire who writes about the fae, brings one such down from the Canadian North to NYC in "Red As Snow." Istas is a woman who is a waheela, a shapeshifter who seems to shift into a polar bear. These have huge appetites, and even in human form she puts away four pizzas at a sitting. Bit of a giveaway if someone is looking for you....

Peter S. Beagle is not the only one to explore Central Park, with "The Rock In The Park," but he's populated it with wandering centaurs, sure to get my attention. Love it!

George R.R. Martin looks at a seamy, unhappy side of modern urban life in "Shell Game." I like my fantasy pleasanter but his fans will be interested in the contrast between this tale and his books.

Overall, I must call this an adult read as some stories have violence and adult references, and several of the tales contain frequent strong language. Maybe the authors believe this is representative of NYC? As with almost any compilation there will be some tales you'll like, some you won't like that much and some you'll love in NEW YORK FANTASTIC. Which ones are which will depend on you.

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