This rich collection from Nebula-winner Moon (The Speed of Dark
) offers 15 stories spanning two decades of her career. Fans of the Chicks in Chainmail anthology series will enjoy “And Ladies of the Club” and three other tales of the intrepid females of the Ladies' Aid and Armor Society. In “Gifts” and “Judgment,” young men earn just rewards for their dedication and honor. “Tradition” is an alternate history about cowardice and bravery during WWI. The musicians in “New World Symphony” and “Hand to Hand” offer striking commentary on the price and value of creativity. “Say Cheese” is a humorous tale of bad luck and skillful trading set in the Vatta's War universe. The heart of the collection is “Politics,” a story of young soldiers serving a questionable authority; it sums up many of Moon's themes, from honor and family to being true to oneself. Readers who only know Moon's novels will be thrilled to learn that her short stories are equally entertaining and thoughtful. (Nov.)
