The Scarlet Circus

The idea of love is one that can be told over and over and never reach an exhaustion point. Even when the story is centered in another genre, such as science fiction or fantasy, aspects of love can still be a central theme. So muses Yolen in “A Little Bit of Loving” at the beginning of this latest collection focused on stories inspired by love and tales retold. “The Sword and the Stone” reveals a King that tires of the throne and a boy who may hold the knowledge to keep him in power. A princess tries to convince her love that the sun is not the enemy in “Sans Soleil.” One new story for the book is inspired by the author’s own new marriage: as a spinster, Alice discovers love with “Peter in Wonderland.” The 11 stories are followed by Yolen’s “Story Notes,” which include poems that complement each short fiction.