Tales of Spaceships and Magic collects ten stories from fantasy and science fiction writer Kate MacLeod:
The science fiction novelette “Required to Assist,” a mystery set on board a colony ship, where one woman alone is woken by the ship’s droids to solve a murder.
“Sword and Tattoo,” a fantasy short story where a stranger stumbles into a hidden town. He brings danger with him, but the people of the town just might be more dangerous still.
The science fiction short story “Being Neighborly,” a light-hearted tale of a human family homesteading on a world side by side with a very alien people.
“Tumbling Up,” a science fiction short story about a group of diplomats attempting to negotiate a peace with an aquatic alien species.
“Death Spiral,” a science fiction mystery where a security officer must solve a murder and keep a strange species of aliens calm at the same time.
“While the Rat’s Away,” a science fiction story of travelers stowing away on a very unusual client ship.
“The Fair Folk,” a fantasy tale of fairs, magic and tricky bargains.
“The Rod of Circe,” a fantasy caper set in a magical version of modern day Minneapolis.
“Winter’s End,” a melancholy tale of a winter that never seems to end.
“Heat Death,” a science fiction mystery story set in the near future on the edges of the Chihuahuan Desert in the brutal heat of midsummer.
