Warriors and Wizards edited

Flashing Swords! #3

by Lin Carter

Five great sagas of swords and sorcery by L. Sprague de Camp, Fritz Leiber, Andre Norton, Avram Davidson and Lin Carter. Edited by Lin Carter.

Contents:

* "Introduction: Warriors and Wizards" by Lin Carter
* "Two Yards of Dragon" (Eudoric Dambertson) by L. Sprague de Camp
* "The Frost Monstreme" (Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser) by Fritz Leiber
* "Spider Silk" (Witch World) by Andre Norton
* "The Curious Custom of the Turjan Seraad" (Amalrik the Mangod) by Lin Carter
* "Caravan to Illiel" by Avram Davidson

Genres: Fantasy, Anthologies, Fiction, Short Stories, Sword and Sorcery, Science Fiction Fantasy

Paperback

First published August 1, 1976

About the author

Lin Carter was an American author, editor, and critic best known for his influential role in fantasy literature during the mid-20th century. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, he developed an early passion for myth, adventure stories, and imaginative fiction, drawing inspiration from authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft, and J. R. R. Tolkien. After serving in the U.S. Army, Carter attended Columbia University, where he honed his literary skills and deepened his knowledge of classical and medieval literature, myth, and folklore — elements that would become central to his work.
Carter authored numerous novels, short stories, and critical studies, often working within the sword-and-sorcery and high fantasy traditions. His own creations, such as the “Thongor of Lemuria” series, paid homage to pulp-era adventure fiction while adding his distinctive voice and world-building style. His nonfiction book Tolkien: A Look Behind The Lord of the Rings was one of the first major studies of Tolkien’s work and its mythological roots, and it helped establish Carter as a knowledgeable commentator on fantasy literature.
Beyond his own writing, Carter was a central figure in bringing classic and forgotten works of fantasy back into print. As editor of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series from 1969 to 1974, he curated and introduced dozens of volumes, reintroducing readers to authors such as William Morris, Lord Dunsany, E. R. Eddison, and James Branch Cabell. His introductions not only contextualized these works historically and literarily but also encouraged a new generation to explore the breadth of the fantasy tradition.
Carter was also active in the shared literary universe of the “Cthulhu Mythos,” expanding upon the creations of H. P. Lovecraft and other members of the “Lovecraft Circle.” His collaborations and solo contributions in this genre further cemented his reputation as both a creative writer and a literary preservationist.
In addition to fiction and criticism, Carter was an active member of several science fiction and fantasy organizations, including the Science Fiction Writers of America. He frequently appeared at conventions, where he was known for his enthusiasm, deep knowledge of the genre, and willingness to mentor aspiring writers.
Though sometimes critiqued for the derivative nature of some of his work, Carter’s influence on the fantasy revival of the late 20th century remains significant. His combination of creative output, editorial vision, and scholarly enthusiasm helped bridge the gap between the pulp traditions of the early 1900s and the expansive fantasy publishing boom that followed.
Lin Carter’s legacy endures through his own imaginative tales, his critical studies, and the many classic works he rescued from obscurity, ensuring their place in the canon of fantasy literature for generations to come.

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read Avram Davidson before, and his "Caravan to Illiel" was a new pleasure. There was a music and rhythm to the writing, and an affected olde-tymey style different from de Camp's and Carter's attempts at such a thing, and more pleasant. The story doesn't have much of a point--it's the journey of a young man on his first caravan, and the weird problems and dangers encountered--but is jolly good reading and whets my appetite. Sadly, it looks like this piece hasn't been reprinted elsewhere, at least not in English.

Leiber's "The Frost Monstreme" is excellent, of course--Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser--but is clearly the first half of something and ends abruptly, to be concluded in "Rime Isle".

The more Witch World I read, the more fascinated I become. "Spider Silk", like "The Toads of Grimmerdale", are set in a post-war Estcarp. The invasion has been thrown back at great cost, and chaos and hunger stalk the land. This appears to be the aftermath of some larger novel in the setting and shows a continuity, even if in this case it is all background information. I don't know if Norton was plugging events or side-plots into the gaps between the books or simultaneous with them, but it is a lovely effect.

The rest? *shrug*

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warriors and Wizards is the third of five Flashing Swords anthologies of original sword & sorcery stories that Carter edited. The first two volumes each contained four stories, but this one has five. It has a fine fantasy story by L. Sprague de Camp (that didn't strike me as being truly representative of the sub-genre), an excellent Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser story by Fritz Leiber that's my favorite in the book, a very good Witch World story by Andre Norton, a not-very-good story by Carter himself that goes to prove he was a better editor than a writer, and ends with a piece by Avram Davidson that seems quite literary but didn't do much for me as a story. It's a fun book, but not the best of the set.

[Clint · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Norton story and I’m convinced I need to read Witch World. Until I read these anthologies, I don’t think I had ever read L. Sprague de Camp, other than his Conan pastiche. His writing surprises me. Carters Mangod short is typical Carter: Light, fluffy, not particularly well written or rememberable.

I was looking forward to the Avram Davidson story, but did not become particularly engaged.

F.L.’s Fafhrd and Mouser story was good, but not one of the better ones.

[Jason Ray Carney · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Two Yards of Dragon.” 2/5. Not my favorite. The bumbling heroes aren’t very likable. I prefer my S&S to be a little more serious. Also, the world it is set in is not very plausible. This is probably more satire of S&S than actual S&S.

“The Frost Monstreme.” 2/5. Leiber’s style is so thick. I don’t think the narrative is all that exciting. Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser get boats, go sailing, and fight an ice boat. The villain, an ice sorcerer, is pretty cool. His rhyming is memorable.

“Spider Silk.” 3/5. Great story. The protag, a blind weaver, is compelling. The world is very vivid and plausible. The spider women villains are creepy.

“Turjan Seraad.” 3/5. I enjoyed the strange world. Amalric the Mangod and Ubonidus the Sorcerer are a fun duo. The weirdness of this one is its strength. It reminded me of Jack Vance. Still, the humor rang hollow for me.

“Carvan to Illiel.” 2/5. Written in a very alienating style. The bureacracy of the cities were a central part of the conflict. I didn’t understand a lot of it.

Summary: 2/5.

[James T · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a decent collection. Most of the stories focused on humor. The one that did not, Andre Norton’s, I found the most compelling. Overall it’s got some classic authors in it but nothing really stands out.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avram Davidson, de Camp, Leiber, Andre Norton, Lin Carter.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion, Lin Carter was a better editor than a writer. He edited this series, called "Flashing Swords," which are collection of short stories in the heroic fantasy genre. I liked every volume, but some more than others. This was not the best of the five volumes, in my opinion, although it has a fine story by Fritz Leiber.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my latest trip to Eljay's I found two fantasy collections each with a Rime Isle Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser tale. For some reason, I'd thought I'd found ones I hadn't read before. That was a silly thought. The stories in this collection were pretty good, but nothing else as superb as the Fritz Leiber.

[K. Axel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another Sword and Sorcery anthology, and not one of the better. If only the stories were connected somehow, but they seem (to me at least) chosen at random.

It gets the second star because it has a Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser story by Fritz Leiber, two favorites of mine.

[bluetyson]

Flashing Swords! #3: Warriors and Wizards by LIN [ed.] CARTER (1976)

[Alien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than expected