Where Angels Fear

Fans of well-written tales filled with ironic reversals will relish this quality collection of 34 stories (including 13 originals), the first of two planned volumes. The entries vary in length, but even the briefer ones, such as the vivid ""Desperate Times,"" pack a punch. Many feature human beings in subservient roles, such as zoo exhibits for aliens (""The Henry and the Martha"") or game animals for Earth's new masters (""Good Dog""). Other high points include ""Crickets, Everywhere,"" a novel variation on the theme of an insect swarm apocalypse, and the creepy ""The Teddy's Touch,"" in which a skilled government operative confronts an insidious conspiracy aimed at controlling thoughts and emotions. While Rand's work is steady rather than spectacular, he consistently displays creative imagination as well as a gift for understatement. Even where the twist endings are less than surprising, the deftly drawn characters and evocative descriptions will keep readers entirely satisfied.