Cirrus@Austlit

'First Firebirds. Then Firebirds Rising. Now there is Firebirds Soaring, the third anthology of original stories by some of today's finest writers of fantasy and science fiction. These authors, including Nancy Farmer (The Sea of Trolls), Ellen Klages (The Green Glass Sea), Margo Lanagan (Black Juice), and Jane Yolen (The Devil's Arithmetic), have brought new worlds and Old Magic to life in nineteen remarkable pieces of short fiction. Mike Dringenberg, co-creator of Sandman with Neil Gaiman, contributes decorative vignettes. Firebirds Soaring, like Firebirds and Firebirds Rising,sets the standard for short fiction for teenagers and adult fans of the genre' (www.goodreads.com)

'Yellow Cake brings together another ten short stories from this extraordinarily talented writer - each of them fiercely original and quietly heartbreaking.

'Ranging from fantasy and fairy tale to horror and stark reality, what pervades these stories is the sense of humanity. The people of Lanagan's worlds face trials, temptations and degradations. They swoon and suffer and even kill for love. In a dangerous world, they seek the solace and strength that comes from family and belonging.

'These are stories to be savoured slowly and pondered deeply because they cut to the very heart of who we are.'

Source: Publisher's blurb (UK ed.).