''Amazons II'' is an

anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs, or related fiction/non-fiction excerpts by different authors. There are also thematic and g ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

stories, edited by

Jessica Amanda Salmonson Jessica Amanda Salmonson (born January 6, 1950John Clute and John Grant,Salmonson, Jessica Amanda, in ''The Encyclopedia of Fantasy'', pp. 832–833, Orbit, London / St Martin’s Press, New York (1997). Retrieved 5 July 2023.) is an American au ...

, with a cover by

Michael Whelan Michael Whelan (born June 29, 1950) is an Americans, American artist of imaginative Realism (arts), realism. For more than 30 years, he worked as an illustrator, specializing in science fiction and fantasy cover art. Since the mid-1990s, he has ...

. Following up her earlier anthology ''

Amazons! ''Amazons!'' is an anthology of fantasy stories, edited by Jessica Amanda Salmonson, with a cover and frontispiece by Michael Whelan. It was first published in paperback by DAW Books in December 1979, and was the first significant fantasy antholo ...

'', it consists, like its predecessor volume, of works featuring female protagonists by mostly female authors. It was first published in paperback by

DAW Books DAW Books is an American science fiction and fantasy publisher, founded by Donald A. Wollheim, with his wife, Elsie B. Wollheim, following his departure from Ace Books in 1971. The company claims to be "the first publishing company ever devoted ...

in June 1982. "In the Lost Lands" was adapted into a film of the same name in 2025.

Summary

The book collects 12 short stories and novelettes by various fantasy authors, with an introduction by Salmonson.

*"Introduction: Art, History and Amazons" (

) *"For a Daughter" ( F. M. Busby) *"The Battle Crow's Daughter" ( Gillian Fitzgerald) *"Southern Lights" (

Tanith Lee Tanith Lee (19 September 1947 – 24 May 2015) was a British science fiction and fantasy writer. She wrote more than 90 novels and 300 short stories, and was the winner of multiple World Fantasy Society Derleth Awards, the World Fantasy Lifetime ...

) *"Zroya's Trizub" ( Gordon Derevanchuk) *"The Robber Girl" (

Phyllis Ann Karr Phyllis Ann Karr (born July 25, 1944) is an American author of fantasy, romances, mysteries, and non-fiction. She is best known for her "Frostflower and Thorn" series and Arthurian works. Life and family Karr was born Phyllis Ann Karmilowicz ...

) *"Lady of the Forest End" ( Gaèl Baudino) *"The Ivory Comb" (

Eleanor Arnason Eleanor Atwood Arnason (born December 28, 1942) is an American author of science fiction novels and short stories. Arnason's earliest published story, "A Clear Day in the Motor City", appeared in '' New Worlds'' in 1973. Her work often depicts cu ...

) *"The Borders of Sabazel" (

Lillian Stewart Carl Lillian Stewart Carl (born 1949) is an American author of mystery, fantasy and science-fiction novels. Carl resides in North Texas. She has been a friend of Lois McMaster Bujold since childhood; both authors credit Carl with getting Bujold start ...

) *"Who Courts a Reluctant Maiden" (

Ardath Mayhar Ardath Frances Hurst Mayhar (February 20, 1930 – February 1, 2012) was an American writer and poet. Mayhar wrote over 60 books ranging from science fiction to horror to young adult to historical to westerns. Some of her novels appeared under p ...

) *"The Soul Slayer" (

Lee Killough Karen Lee Killough (born 1942) is an American veterinary radiographer and writer of science fiction mystery novels under the name Lee Killough. She lives and works in Manhattan, Kansas. Writing career Killough began her writing career with s ...

) *"Nightwork" (

Jo Clayton Jo Clayton (February 15, 1939 – February 13, 1998) was an American fantasy and science fiction author. She wrote 35 novels and many short stories. Her works sold over one and a quarter million copies.James W. Fiscus,Obituary and fact sheet: Jo ...

) *"In the Lost Lands" (

George R. R. Martin George Raymond Richard Martin (born George Raymond Martin; September 20, 1948) also known by the initials G.R.R.M. is an American author, television writer, and television producer. He is best known as the author of the unfinished series of Hi ...

)

Awards

The collection placed nineteenth in the 1983

Locus Award The Locus Awards are an annual set of literary awards voted on by readers of the science fiction and fantasy magazine '' Locus'', a monthly magazine based in Oakland, California. The awards are presented at an annual banquet. Originally a poll ...

poll for Best Anthology.

References

1982 anthologies Fantasy anthologies DAW Books books Books with cover art by Michael Whelan {{1980s-fantasy-story-collection-stub

Summary

Contents

Awards

References