This is a reprint of an old story of Martin's - I originally read it many years ago in the collection "Mythic Beasts", edited by Asimov. It's slightly different there; this new edition has clearly been altered for a new (younger?) audience. Specifically, the details of Teri's gang rape have been removed, and I'm not sorry to see them go. However, the editing job around this does seem slightly clumsy - there's the odd paragraph referring to it that hasn't been altered or excised, and I wonder how it reads to those who never saw the original.

It's an interesting little story, though nothing very startling. I'm unsure if it would get the hardback and illustration treatment if Martin weren't the juggernaut that he is. That being said, it's a nice edition and the illustrations, though not to my taste, are well-done.