...Martin's success in recent years with his fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire has eclipsed most of his earlier projects. At the same time it has also created opportunities to reissue some of his older works. I've read quite a few of Martin's short stories and all of his other novels by now and I think some of his best writing is in his short fiction. Whenever I read one Martin’s short stories I am amazed by how much he can put into so few words. Starlady and Fast-Friend is not a particularly cheap book, it is listed for 20 US$ at the Subterranean website, but for that you do get two stories by a master of the craft as well as a good quality hardcover with good artwork by Martina Pilcerova (who did some fine Ice and Fire artwork as well). I don’t think I ever read anything by Martin that disappointed me and these stories are no exception. Good stories, interesting format, good artwork, what more could we ask for?

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