Fantastic Companions

Stephen Greenhalgh is Prospect Research Analyst, Advancement Services,
University of Alberta.

Edited by sci-fi novelist Julie Czerneda, this anthology of 19 short
stories by both well-known and new fantasy-fiction writers tends to
focus on the topic of anthropomorphism—that is, the bestowing of human
characteristics and motivations to animals, plants, inanimate objects,
or even natural phenomena. Each of the stories varies according to
theme, characterization, and setting. The book is divided into five main
sections: Companions Familiar, Companions Disguised, Companions of
Power, Companions Unexpected, and Companions Beyond.

In “House of Cats,” the first story, we see the world from the
perspective of a cat. In “The Day Michael Visited Happy Lake,” a
young man with a passion for reading begins a second-hand novel,
releasing an assemblage of fairy-tale animals from the confines of the
book. In “Dances with Coyotes,” a young woman encounters a Native
spirit guide while attending her high-school prom. After the death of
her mother figure, the protagonist of “Wings to Fly” is adopted by
sagacious crow named Sanchez. In “Uncle Ernie was a Goat,” a family
of shape-changers live as humans while occasionally changing back to
panthers whenever the urge strikes.

Young adults and readers who are young-at-heart will enjoy these
well-written and mentally stimulating stories.