Award winning author Kelly Link’s third collection of short stories due for release in October, will be her first major hardcover book. Although marketed for young adults, these twisted fantasy and spook tales will appeal to readers of all ages. Several of the stories, like the vividly imagined “The Faery Handbag” and “Magic for Beginners” were previously released but that in no way detracts from this delightful compilation.
“The Wizards of Perfil” finds the talented, self-centered young Halsa recruited to serve one of the infamous wizards of Perfil. With war sweeping the countryside, Halsa rages against the seemingly all-powerful wizards who remain holed up in their crumbling towers, uncaring of the misery surrounding them. What she discovers is so unexpected it forces her to confront some difficult truths while coming to self-acceptance. Link’s inventiveness brings “Pretty Monsters”, the title story of misplaced love, school hazing and werewolves to an ambiguous yet delightful conclusion that will leave readers wondering exactly who are the monsters.
Rolling age-old fairy tales together with horror and fantasy, Link reinvents monsters and legends with a masterful touch. Always engaging, the real fun comes with anticipating the twists and discovering the world is seldom what we imagine.
Your Talkback on this Story