So many great stories in this collection. A broad range to keep your mind wondering. Enjoy. ( )

Fascinating in its variety and the ways in which boundaries are pushed. ( )

Collects the best short science fiction of 2009, which seems like it was not that great a year for short fiction. The collection has a lot of good stories, but not a lot of great or memorable ones. My favorites were "The Island" by Peter Watts and "Vishnu at the Cat Circus" by Ian McDonald. As always, Dozois provides a good summary of the year in SF. ( )

Its been awhile since I read this (and the library is demanding its return) So, with no further ado, a review of the stories.

Utriusque Cosmi, Robert Charles Wilson: Great story about choices, immortality, and life.

A Story, with Beans, Steven Gould: When camping in the vicinity of metal eating robots, remember, don't bring metal. Just saying.

Under the Shouting Sky, Karl Bunker: What choices will be made when a dead alien is found underneath the ice of a far oft planet, and one is space wrecked. Another short story about what it means to sacrifice.

Events Preceding the Helveticajn Renaissance, John Kessel: Religious artifacts are held as hostage for the release of a beleaguered planet. An okay story.

Useless Things, Maureen F. McHugh: Trust is the issue in a near future world where each person is on there own. Also includes creepy, but harmless dolls.

Black Swan, Bruce Sterling: Alternate World Jumping by a not too ethical man. Forgettable

Crimes and Glory, Paul J. MCauley: A nifty space opera about forbidden technology, cops and robbers, and discoveries.

Seventh Fall, Alexander Irvine: In search of a lost Shakespeare play, this time its Hamlet. Typical story of preserving the past set in a dystopian future.

Butterfly Bomb, Dominic Green: Don't Trust cute, wonderful things, especially if they seem to be the only thing on the planet. Great story.

Infinities, Vandana Singh: An old Mathematician, living in a town at war, tries to make sense of his life.

Things Undone, John Barnes: I loved this story - quantum physics has changed the world into something quite different, this is the story of it changing back. A great story, well written.

On the Human Plan, Jay Lake: An odd story about the future of humanity, questions the human plan.

The Island, Peter Watts: Another odd story, this time about a crew in space, building something, encounters intelligent. Questions purpose in life.

The Integrity of the Chain, Lavie Tidhar: I'm not quite sure what this one was about, I really don't remember it. But, its short.

Lion Walk, Mary Rosenblum: This is a mystery story. Its also about the future world, where instead of trying to preserve the present, the world is trying to bring back the past. Its a bit sad.

Escape to Other Worlds with Science Fiction, Jo Walton: Alternate world where the Great Depression never ended.

Three leaves of Aloe, Rand B. Lee: An interesting story about how far a mother will go or won't go, for her willful child. Its both sweet, and scary.

Mongoose, Elizabeth Bear and Sarah Monette: I love this story. Has a great lead character, great sidekick, interesting premise of things come from another dimension.

Paradiso Lost, Albert E. Cowdrey: A story about right makes might, and victors get to tell the story. Very apt for the times.

It Takes Two, Nicola Griffith: What would someone do when given a chance to get a lucrative contact?

Blocked, Geoff Ryman: A sad story about loss of home, being a stranger even to your loved ones.

Solace, James Van Pelt: This is a story of a two different people, set eons apart, who are connected by an old artifact. Its sad, but also hopeful. A very nice story.

Act One, Nancy Kress: What would you get if a human is more emphatic? A very interesting story, different takes on the very standard of genetically enhanced children.

Twilight of the Gods, John C. Wright: This is a take on the Ring of the Nibelungen. I don't really remember this one.

Blood Dauber, Ted Kosmatka and Michael Poore: An interesting story about a strange grub...

This Wind Blowing, and This Tide, Damien Broderick: A story about a remote viewer who has been employed to view an alien artifcact found on a distant moon.

Hair, Adam Roberts: A story about a hair style that really did changed the world. And, the person who invented it.

Before My Last Breath, Robert Reed: A burial ground of an alien is found on the earth - the question is, why? Another great story in this anthology.

Edison's Frankenstein, Chris Roberson: Another story that I don't really remember. Although, it is an alternate history steam punk story.

Erosion, Ian Creasey: A bittersweet story about a mans last time on earth before heading out to the stars.

Vishnu at the Cat Circus, Ian McDonald: What does a genetic engineered to be gifted in India and his life. Has cats.

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So as I reveiewed this book, a number of stories a bit unremarkable, but a few standouts such as Mongoose, or Act One. Another good edition to the series. ( )

The latest collection of the science fiction standard. As always a superb compilation and summary of the preceding year in science fiction, a genre which continues to attract talented and extraordinary writers. This is, I would say the indispensable book for the science fiction reader. ( )