New York, the city alone conjures up all sort of images. Twenty stories tackle the theme of NEW YORK FANTASTIC, offering readers a wide range of supernatural creatures. From pookas to cocatrices, NEW YORK FANTASTIC shows readers a side of New York that lurks beneath the bright lights.

Cryptic Coloration by Elizabeth Bear is hands down my favorite story in NEW YORK FANTASTIC. I love how Elizabeth Bear captures the characters of the three freshman college girls, Katie, Melissa, and Gina. Their blend of innocence and daring is at the heart of the story, but it is Doctor S, aka Matthew, who fascinates the reader almost as much as he does the three freshmen. And as a bonus, NEW YORK FANTASTIC has yet another story by Elizabeth Bear, The Horrid Glory of Its Wings for readers like me who are just discovering this prolific and very entertaining author!

Red as Snow by Seanan McGuire is the reason I wanted to read NEW YORK FANTASTIC, and she did not disappoint! I love that we learn a little more about the waheelas and their culture. If you haven't tried anything by Seanan McGuire, her InCryptid series is a great place to start as Red as Snow offers a tiny taste of this fascinating world.

Delia Sherman's How the Pooka Came to New York, and Maria Dahvana Headly's The Tallest Doll in New York City delve into the past of New York, offering a slightly different version of history than perhaps what you'd see in a textbook. In fact, the diversity of NEW YORK FANTASTIC is one of the aspects of this anthology that make it so enjoyable. There are plenty of other stories to read as the ones I've mentioned are only a sampling.

I love anthologies because of the variety, and it offers me the opportunity to try new authors. I wanted to read NEW YORK FANTASTIC because of Seanan McGuire, and in the process, I've found several other authors I can't wait to try, most notably Elizabeth Bear. If you love fantasy and like an adventurous read filled with fascinating supernatural creatures, then NEW YORK FANTASTIC is just what you are looking for!