Unbound, edited by Shawn Speakman is available December 1 and it is AWESOME. I don’t do stars as a matter of general practice, but if I did, I would give it 5 stars, easy, and be looking for a sixth.

First, there is the gorgeous cover art by Todd Lockwood Stunning. Then there is the amazing line-up of writers, including Terry Brooks, Jim Butcher, Seanan McGuire, Kat Richardson, Shawn Speakman, Rachel Caine, and so many others. I am cheating by not naming them all but they are all wonderful.

I’d like to call out Seanan’s story in particular for giving me my new favorite line, and for successfully writing a speculative story about cheerleaders that wear orange and green.

“I’ve never seen a wendigo before,” protested Colleen. They’re supposed to be mythological.”

“Like zombies, mind control and attractive high-waisted jeans, and yet here we are,” said Marti.

Of course, any short story by Jim Butcher is a treat and this one doesn’t disappoint. Poor Harry is dragged into a trial and has to do his civic duty by serving as a juror in Jury Duty. For Jim Butcher fans, this story alone is worth purchasing the book.

Kat Richardson gives us a disturbing, surreal story that will haunt you as it examines the essence of feelings, and she is joined in this surrealism by Rachel Caine, who explores the nature of reality and our tenuous hold on it.

Delilah Dawson, a simply fabulous writer, draws off of her Blud characters to tell us a tale of Coco and Msr. Charmant. Even if you are not a fan of Delilah’s Blud series, you must admire her writing talent. She can put sentences together that make you really wish you wrote them.. An example, “Monsieur Charmant was surely the most dapper creature to grace the catacombs in decades, at least while alive.”

The other stories are equally as wonderful. Keep an eye out on www.galleywampus.com for more information.