Songs of the Dying Earth: Stories in Honor of Jack Vance Book

***The above quotes really say it all when it comes to the talent of Jack Vance and his singular creation: the Dying Earth***

Easily, and I mean EASILY the single best tribute anthology I have ever read and in the top 10 for anthologies period. What a monumental achievement in honor of such a monumental achiever. I worked my way through this collection slowly, SAVORING all of the deliciously VANCEtastic stories set in the world of the Dying Earth. I am a bit of rabid-mouth-foaming fan of Jack Vance and his Dying Earth and when I heard that a cadre of some of the best authors in the business were putting together a group of brand new stories set in that dense, luscious playground...all I could think was that it had WIN of galactic proportions written all over it:

 
Well, having finished all of the stories, I am still hovering above planet happy and pleased to report that, as a whole, the collection has EXCEEDED even my very lofty expectations. To be able take such an iconic, richly imagined and unique world dreamed up by a MASTER like Jack Vance and create fresh, vibrant stories that both pay homage to and expand upon the Dying Earth is a truly remarkable feat. George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, along with all the contributing writers, deserve major kudos for pulling this off:

 
LIST OF STORIES

The True Vintage of Erzuine Thale by Robert Silverberg (6.0 stars): Silverberg starts the collection off by knocking the cover off the ball with this doubleplusgood story. For someone who has been writing as long as Silverberg to be able to "adopt" the spirit, tone and even the language of Vance and his Dying Earth is nothing short of amazing.

Grolion of Almery by Matthew Hughes (6.0 stars): Many have called Matthew Hughes the "heir" apparent to Vance's Dying Earth and this story is Exhibit #1 in proving that case. Of all the writers in this collection, Matthew does the best job of "channeling" Vance's voice in his story. This story also has the added bonus of using elements of Lovecraftian horror to spice the tale and kick it up a notce...BAM!!!. On the shortlist for "Best Story" in the collection.

The Copsy Door by Terry Dowling (5.0 stars): Excellent story featuring Amberlin the Lesser engaging in a magical contest while cursed with a most annoying form of magic.

Caulk the Witch-Chaser by Liz Williams (2.5 to 3.0 stars): Okay, but not a great story. One of the few weak stories in the collection.  

Inescapable by Mike Resnick (6.0 stars): Another on my shortlist for FAVORITE in the entire collection. Watchman Pelmundo becomes bewitched by a woman and ends up getting in WAY over his head. Fans of the original "Dying Earth" novel will get a kick out of the ending of this story.  

Abrizonde by Walter Jon Williams (5.5 stars): A great "battle" story set in the besieged castle of Abrizonde. Tense and dramatic at times but with moments of Vance-like humor and a very funny ending. A highlight in a book full of highlights.

The Traditions of Karzh by Paula Volsky (5.0 stars): The "magically" disinclined Farnol of Karzh comes of age and stands ready to inherit his family home and fortune, but only if he can find his particular magical aptitude. A great dark but funny ending (just like Vance would do it).

The Final Quest of the Wizard Sarnod by Jeff VanderMeer (3.0): The second weak story in the collection from an author who I normally love. Not horrible but suffers from comparison to the surrounding stories and he never really captures Vance's voice.  

The Green Bird by Kage Baker (5.0 stars): Cugel the Clever makes an appearance in this excellent story that is made all the better by a truly SUPERB ending.

The Last Golden Thread by Phyllis Eisenstein (3.5 stars). Probably a better story than I am giving it credit for, but I just thought this tale seemed a bit out of place in this collection.

An Incident at Uskvosk by Elizabeth Moon (4.0 stars). A solid, entertaining story about a day at gambling scheme that goes awry.
 
Sylgarmo's Proclamation by Lucius Shepard (2.5 to 3.0 stars): Number three of what I would call the weak stories in the collection, but the anthology as a whole is still performing well.
 
The Lamentably Comical Tragedy (or The Laughably Tragic Comedy) of Lixal Laqavee by Tad Williams (4.5 to 5.0 stars): A classic Vance-like tale with spells, scoundrels and a very hungry deodand. It is quality stories like this that give you hope that the world of the Dying Earth can be made to live again.
 
Guyal the Curator by John C. Wright (4.5 stars): I am continually surprised the John C. Wright is not more well known. His writing is consistently of the highest quality and this story is no exception. A terrific tale with a superb ending.   

The Good Magician by Glen Cook (3.0 Stars): Not a bad story but not one of my favorites despite being a fan of Glen Cook. A group of wizards including Rhialto the Marvellous and Ildefonse the Preceptor stumble on a lost city and an ancient secret that could spell doom for the Dying Earth. Would have been much better had the story been shortened.

The Return of the Fire Witch by Elizabeth Hand (2.5 stars): Like "The Last Golden Thread," this story just seemed out of place in this collection and I didn't get the "Dying Earth" vibe from it. Paytim Noringal wrangles her neighbor Saloona Morn into doing a bit of durty work. Overall, MEH.

The Collegeum of Mauge by Byron Tetrick (4.0 stars): Now we are back on track with this fun little story about a yound wizard in training, Dringo, who joins a Wizard's college to help him find his true father. Fans of the Dying Earth series will appreciate the tie in here.

Evillo the Uncunning by Tanith Lee(4.5 to 5.0 Stars): Easily the nuttiest, zaniest story in the collection about a young orphan and a mysterious "talking snail." Laughed out loud more than a few times during this one.

The Guiding Nose of Ulfant Banderoz by Dan Simmons (5.5 stars): The longest story in the collection and in the running for the best. A superb story that is given time to develop into a truly memorable Dying Earth tale. Simmons is amazing.

Frogskin Cap by Howard Waldrop (4.0 to 4.5 stars): Oddly enough, this was my very first exposure to Waldrop and I was very impressed. Not only a great story, but I now have another author to check out.

A Night at the Tarn House by George R. R. Martin (4.5 to 5.0 stars): GRRM really comes through with this darkly funny tale of a fateful stay over at a very unusual inn.

An Invocation of Incuriosity by Neil Gaiman (5.0 stars): Gaiman does a stellar job of not only wrapping up the anthology, but also providing a coda for the entire Dying Earth series...and it's a coda that brilliantly leaves doors open.
 
Overall, this is AS GOOD AS IT GETS. A must for fans of Jack Vance and the Dying Earth series and for those few out there that are not fans of the Dying Earth, all I can say is.... HUH?

HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION.