What Ho, Magic! [Paperback]

"The Chase Is On" is a space opera, whose characters deserve a book of their own. "Underground" tells the story of what may exist in the Toronto subway system. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is about a mother, her young daughter, and the inheritance that is much more than it appears to be. "Shin Li-Ung" is a story about Chinese tradition, gangs, and unexpected protection. "First Love, Last Love" is the ultimate tale of boys and their toys. "Word of Honor" tells of a woman who discovers her own honor while carrying out a quest for someone else. "The Harder They Fall" is about what happens when fairy tales turn real. "A Debt Unpaid" is a mining story involving personal choices and personal ghosts. "February Thaw" takes the story of Demeter, Persephone, and Hades and turns them into a modern-day dysfunctional family. "Symbols Are A Percussion Instrument" involves an cynic and a pack of tarot cards. "A Midsummer Night's Dream Team" takes High Elves and crosses them with the Olympics. And then "This Town Ain't Big Enough", What Manner of Man", "The Cards Also Say" and "The Vengeful Spirit of Lake Nepeakea" all continue the story of Vicki Nelson (ex-cop, now a vampire PI), her lover Detective-Sargeant Michael Celluci, and Henry Fitzroy (romantic novelist, vampire, and bastard son of King Henry VIII of England).

If you've never read Ms. Huff, this is a great introduction to her writing. And if you're a fan, then this is icing on the cake.

Her characters are strong and entirely human; well, the vampire *was* a human at one point. In the story "Shing Li-Ung," Huff tells a tale of a sister and brother finding their heritage in the melting pot of cultures in modern Toronto. "The Chase is On" tells us of a starship captain, most emphatically *not* a smuggler, but she does occasionally stray on the odd side of the law. Huff even brings magic into the sports arena with the delightful and thought-provoking "A Midsummer Night's Dream Team." High Elves playing basketball? Tolkien would have conniptions--or laugh his head off in approval.

This book just shows there doesn't seem to be anything she can't write about.

Keep up the excellent work Tanya!