Gaslamp fantasy, or historical fantasy set in a magical version of the nineteenth century, has long been popular with readers and writers alike. Many wonderful novels such as Stardust by Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, and The Prestige by Christopher Priest, owe their inspiration to works by nineteenth-century writers, including Jane Austen, the Brontes, Charles Dickens, and Anthony Trollope. And, of course, the entire steampunk genre and subculture owes more than a little to literature from and inspired by their period.

Queen Victoria's Book of Spells is an anthology for everyone who loves neo-Victorian fiction and modern fantasists using vintage settings, characters, and themes. Their approaches stretch from steampunk fiction to the Austen- and Trollope-inspired works known as fantasy of manners. The result is eighteen stories by experts from the fantasy, horror, mainstream, and young-adult fields, including both bestselling writers and exciting new talents, who present a bewitching vision of a nineteenth century enhanced (or cursed!) with magic.

Featuring stories by Dale Bailey, Elizabeth Bear, James P. Blaylock, Jeffrey Ford, Theodora Goss, Leanna Renee Hieber, Kathe Koja, Ellen Kushner and Caroline Stevermer, Tanith Lee, Gregory Maguire, Maureen McHugh, Veronica Schanoes, Delia Sherman, Catherynne M. Valente, Genevieve Valentine, Kaaron Warren, Elizabeth Wein, and Jane Yolen.

This description comes from the publisher.