This anthology presents eleven original short novels, each serving as a new entry within the established universes of the genre's most prominent authors. The collection challenges these writers to expand upon their existing mythologies while operating within the constraints of the shorter narrative form. Each story functions as a bridge or a side-narrative, requiring the reader to navigate familiar worlds through fresh, focused conflicts. The framework is strictly episodic, with each piece maintaining the distinct stylistic voice and world-building logic of its respective creator.

This collection is widely regarded as a definitive showcase of late-twentieth-century fantasy literature. Critics often highlight the unique opportunity to see established masters return to their most beloved settings with renewed creative energy. Readers frequently note that the anthology serves as an effective entry point for those unfamiliar with the authors' larger bodies of work. The diversity of tone and style across the eleven contributions ensures that the volume remains a significant reference point for the evolution of the genre. The work is consistently cited for its historical importance in bringing together such a high concentration of influential fantasy voices.