In four of these engrossing stories the celebrated author Robin McKinley takes readers back to the world of Damar, the fabulous mythical kingdom of The Hero and the Crown, a Newbery Medal winner, and The Blue Sword, a Newbery Honor Book. The fifth and title story has a realistic, contemporary setting. Even here, however, the implication of magic - or a hidden power - plays a role in the unexpected but satisfying ending.
A healer, a stagman, a troll, a mage, a witch, and a modern young girl are among the characters that people these mesmerizing tales. And romance, adventure, mystery, and magic abound in this outstanding collection.
The five stories are: "The Healer", "The Stagman", "Touk's House", "Buttercups", and "A Knot in the Grain".
"The Stagman" first appeared in Elsewhere, Volume III, edited by Terri Windling and Mark Alan Arnold, published in 1984 by Ace Fantasy Books/The Berkeley Publishing Group. Copyrighted 1984 by Robin McKinley.
"Touk's House" first appeared in Faery!, edited by Terri Windling, published in 1985 by Ace Fantasy Books/The Berkeley Publishing Group. Copyrighted 1985 by Robin McKinley.
"Buttercups" and "A Knot in the Grain" are copyrighted 1996 by Robin McKinley.
Designed and written by Amanda J. Ridder