The Essential Patricia A. McKillip

"I love Patricia McKillip's novels, but even more, I am passionate about her brilliant short stories."
-Jane Yolen, author of Briar Rose

A mermaid statue comes to life, princesses dance with dead suitors, A painting and a muse possess a youthful artist, seductive sea travelers enrapture distant lovers, a time-traveling angel endures religious ravings, and an overachieving teenage mage discovers her true name.

Three-time World Fantasy Award winner Patricia A. McKillip (The Forgotten Beasts of Eld) has been widely hailed as one of fantasy's most significant authors. Among her many accolades, she was lauded as "rich and regal" (the New York Times), "enchanting" (the Washington Post), and "luminous" (Library Journal). This posthumous career retrospective offers some her finest short fiction, which has inspired generations of readers with enchanting tales that are as fantastic as they are unexpected.