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Die by the Sword #1
Die By the Sword
From the hells beneath the hells comes a brand-new anthology of sword and sorcery adventure! DMR Books presents yet another tome of fantastic tales by some of the most exciting authors in the field today. These scribes of blood and thunder maintain the legacy of classic sword and sorcery while expanding it into uncharted terrain.
Join Morcar as he supplicates a fierce goddess in a blood ritual to avenge his kin and reclaim his home… Come face-to-face with Roman legionaries and vicious dogmen in a haunted riverside adventure of Simon of Gitta… Ride with Duke Eldol as he steeps the Conqueror's Spear in the blood of Saxon invaders and wages war on a corrupt Briton king… Hunt down a vampyre sorceress in an enchanted crystalline pyramid with Karnov, Phantom-Clad Rider of the Cosmic Ice… Whether to claim riches, a lusty wench or their own vengeance, the latest exploits of these and other mighty heroes come to vivid life within these pages. Experience the thrill as they slay and conquer in savage lands.
The inaugural edition of this action-packed series will soon likely join the ranks of such well-regarded classic anthologies as Swords Against Darkness and Flashing Swords. Rise to the sound of battle and wipe the blood-mist from your blade. Get ready to live and DIE BY THE SWORD!
Join Morcar as he supplicates a fierce goddess in a blood ritual to avenge his kin and reclaim his home… Come face-to-face with Roman legionaries and vicious dogmen in a haunted riverside adventure of Simon of Gitta… Ride with Duke Eldol as he steeps the Conqueror's Spear in the blood of Saxon invaders and wages war on a corrupt Briton king… Hunt down a vampyre sorceress in an enchanted crystalline pyramid with Karnov, Phantom-Clad Rider of the Cosmic Ice… Whether to claim riches, a lusty wench or their own vengeance, the latest exploits of these and other mighty heroes come to vivid life within these pages. Experience the thrill as they slay and conquer in savage lands.
The inaugural edition of this action-packed series will soon likely join the ranks of such well-regarded classic anthologies as Swords Against Darkness and Flashing Swords. Rise to the sound of battle and wipe the blood-mist from your blade. Get ready to live and DIE BY THE SWORD!
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2023
21 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Dariel R. A. Quiogue
19 books19 followersDariel R. A. Quiogue is a writer-photographer from the Philippines. In 1977, he was simultaneously exposed to Star Wars, Herodotus, Homer, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Robert E. Howard, and his brain has never been the same since. He now writes fantasy and science fiction in his spare time, flavored by his fascination for history, science, the sea, and the richness and diversity of Asian cultures. His creative motto is "Simple stories, powerfully told." Quiogue's works have appeared in The Best of Heroic Fantasy Quarterly Volume I, the Philippine Speculative Fiction Annual Volume 7, Rakehell Magazine, and his self-published story collection, Swords of the Four Winds.
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00GXRIMFY
Blog: https://swashbucklingplanets.wordpres...
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00GXRIMFY
Blog: https://swashbucklingplanets.wordpres...
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 2, 2023
"Ardax in Antillia" by Dariel R.A. Quiogue: This gripping historical sword and sorcery story set in the Roman Empire incorporates Lovecraftian elements. Quiogue's prose style here captures the essence of 1940s sword and sorcery, reminding me of Kuttner's original Elak of Atlantis stories, but dare I say, it is even more engaging.
"The Tears of Blood" by M. Stern: This bizarre Clark Ashton Smith-style story features a strange, alien-infested society troubled by internecine, dynastic struggles. Stern's prose style is often lyrical, and his weird vision provides an intriguing contrast to the more visceral tale that precedes it.
"Rites of the Black Goddess" by Paul D. Batteiger: This quasi-Gothic pastiche is well-wrought, featuring an intriguing hero-villain, a crusader who has returned from a fruitless war to find his family's seat of power occupied by enemies.
"The Sorcerer's Scion" by Chase A. Folmar: Folmar is one of the best contemporary sword and sorcery writers. He gets my award for the best stylist in the anthology. There is one passage where the protagonist meditates on the nature of oblivion, which rises to the level of literary art. DMR Books should be proud to have published a story that will likely be discussed for years to come.
"The Hound of the Cherusci" by Glenn Rahman: This is a great story featuring werewolves, interdimensional aliens, and Germanic peoples fighting against the Romans. Once again, it provides a fun historical sword and sorcery experience and serves as an interesting complement to Quiogue's opener.
"The Heart of Vengeance" by Gregory D. Mele: This intriguing and artful story follows a warrior who makes a pact with death to claim vengeance. It is plotted in a deliberate manner, and the conclusion is satisfying. Mele, like Quiogue and Folmar, is one of my favorite working S&S writers, and he delivers. Final comment: the setting of this story is so unique and is also a major source of its appeal.
"Secrets Only Dragons Know" by Howie K. Bentley: This story is set before the conquest of the Anglo-Saxons in Britain and features dragons, mind-blasting secrets, and carnal encounters between demons and witches. In other words, it's a raw historical sword and sorcery story that unapologetically deploys the tropes of the genre. Despite this characterization, it is written in a deliberate, artful manner, and the blending of the historical milieu with supernatural elements is vivid.
"The Key to the Blood Pyramid" by Matthew Knight: This is a fun story that follows a world-traveling vampire-slaying warrior with a soul-drinking sword. It has a deliberately wooden, almost mythological tone (like Italian opera). It feels like Metal Mythology.
"Snow Fox and Ice Witch" by Rose Strickman: This intriguing story is set in Medieval Japan and features oni, Shinto spirits, and samurai. It provides an intriguing East Asian contrast to the other stories, which are either fantastical "elsewhere" or historical and centered around European, British, or Mediterranean settings.
"The Abartachs' Hostage" by Ethan Sabatella: This is an intriguing tale that reads like old Irish mythology but in a more novelistic, granular way. There are some memorable images, such as three heads roasting on a fire, that will stick with me. Sabatella's love for his material is undeniable.
"The Sacrifice" by Elias Varsity: It features an arrogant and insufferable hero-villain tied to a rock. Not much happens. There is a brutal tone and some Greek mythology elements tossed in.
I enjoyed this ambitious anthology. The abundance of historical sword and sorcery stories was surprising and greatly appreciated. This clarifies that there is a lot of talent writing in this genre. I hope there is a volume 2.
"The Tears of Blood" by M. Stern: This bizarre Clark Ashton Smith-style story features a strange, alien-infested society troubled by internecine, dynastic struggles. Stern's prose style is often lyrical, and his weird vision provides an intriguing contrast to the more visceral tale that precedes it.
"Rites of the Black Goddess" by Paul D. Batteiger: This quasi-Gothic pastiche is well-wrought, featuring an intriguing hero-villain, a crusader who has returned from a fruitless war to find his family's seat of power occupied by enemies.
"The Sorcerer's Scion" by Chase A. Folmar: Folmar is one of the best contemporary sword and sorcery writers. He gets my award for the best stylist in the anthology. There is one passage where the protagonist meditates on the nature of oblivion, which rises to the level of literary art. DMR Books should be proud to have published a story that will likely be discussed for years to come.
"The Hound of the Cherusci" by Glenn Rahman: This is a great story featuring werewolves, interdimensional aliens, and Germanic peoples fighting against the Romans. Once again, it provides a fun historical sword and sorcery experience and serves as an interesting complement to Quiogue's opener.
"The Heart of Vengeance" by Gregory D. Mele: This intriguing and artful story follows a warrior who makes a pact with death to claim vengeance. It is plotted in a deliberate manner, and the conclusion is satisfying. Mele, like Quiogue and Folmar, is one of my favorite working S&S writers, and he delivers. Final comment: the setting of this story is so unique and is also a major source of its appeal.
"Secrets Only Dragons Know" by Howie K. Bentley: This story is set before the conquest of the Anglo-Saxons in Britain and features dragons, mind-blasting secrets, and carnal encounters between demons and witches. In other words, it's a raw historical sword and sorcery story that unapologetically deploys the tropes of the genre. Despite this characterization, it is written in a deliberate, artful manner, and the blending of the historical milieu with supernatural elements is vivid.
"The Key to the Blood Pyramid" by Matthew Knight: This is a fun story that follows a world-traveling vampire-slaying warrior with a soul-drinking sword. It has a deliberately wooden, almost mythological tone (like Italian opera). It feels like Metal Mythology.
"Snow Fox and Ice Witch" by Rose Strickman: This intriguing story is set in Medieval Japan and features oni, Shinto spirits, and samurai. It provides an intriguing East Asian contrast to the other stories, which are either fantastical "elsewhere" or historical and centered around European, British, or Mediterranean settings.
"The Abartachs' Hostage" by Ethan Sabatella: This is an intriguing tale that reads like old Irish mythology but in a more novelistic, granular way. There are some memorable images, such as three heads roasting on a fire, that will stick with me. Sabatella's love for his material is undeniable.
"The Sacrifice" by Elias Varsity: It features an arrogant and insufferable hero-villain tied to a rock. Not much happens. There is a brutal tone and some Greek mythology elements tossed in.
I enjoyed this ambitious anthology. The abundance of historical sword and sorcery stories was surprising and greatly appreciated. This clarifies that there is a lot of talent writing in this genre. I hope there is a volume 2.
May 4, 2023
Not often in anthologies do you find the consistent quality of stories this book offers. Die By The Sword starts with Ardax In Antillia by Dariel R.A. Quiogue an author quickly becoming one of the brightest stars in todays writers. Some other of my favorites were Rites Of The Black Goddess by Frank D. Balleiger, Secrets Only Dragons Know by Howie K. Bentley, The Hound Of The Cheruxi A Simon Of Gitta story, and Key To The Blood Pyramid by Matthew Knight a Karnov, action packed long story. DMR Books is a name you can trust in sword and sorcery fiction and they cemented that title with this anthology.
May 15, 2023
DMR Books has become
the
premier indie publisher. With good reason. Consistently publishing top notch new collections and anthologies. Also reprinting classic fiction, many of which have gone sorely underappreciated for far too long.
Die by the Sword is the newest release. The goal of this anthology is to begin a new series of the best S&S stories in the vein of Swords Against Darkness and Flashing Swords anthology series of the past. Interest and sales will make this a reality. Just another reason to support indie publishers.
The stories cover a varied ground. From the bronze age to Mesoamerica. Vampires and malevolent alien creatures from beyond. Many of the stories feature recurring characters like Howie Bentley's Thorn and Bunduica and Matthew Knight's Karnov.
Some of my favorites included Ardax in Antillia by Dariel R. A. Quiogue, with its bronze age setting and lost world adventure. Rites of the Black Goddess by Paul D. Batteiger. A crusader returns home to find a stranger sitting on his family's throne. A pact with the outer darkness and a final revelation finish this blood-soaked tale. And the Hound of the Cherusci by Glenn Rahman. Rahman has penned a new Simon of Gitta story. Simon must fight malevolent invaders from beyond in the Germanic hinterlands.
Die by the Sword is the newest release. The goal of this anthology is to begin a new series of the best S&S stories in the vein of Swords Against Darkness and Flashing Swords anthology series of the past. Interest and sales will make this a reality. Just another reason to support indie publishers.
The stories cover a varied ground. From the bronze age to Mesoamerica. Vampires and malevolent alien creatures from beyond. Many of the stories feature recurring characters like Howie Bentley's Thorn and Bunduica and Matthew Knight's Karnov.
Some of my favorites included Ardax in Antillia by Dariel R. A. Quiogue, with its bronze age setting and lost world adventure. Rites of the Black Goddess by Paul D. Batteiger. A crusader returns home to find a stranger sitting on his family's throne. A pact with the outer darkness and a final revelation finish this blood-soaked tale. And the Hound of the Cherusci by Glenn Rahman. Rahman has penned a new Simon of Gitta story. Simon must fight malevolent invaders from beyond in the Germanic hinterlands.
May 26, 2023
Die By the Sword is a strong collection of stories from fascinating newer voices. While not every story hit the mark with me, it is important to emphasize that NONE of the stories in Die By the Sword are boring. Violent action and fast-paced storytelling are ubiquitous, there is a generous serving of horror, and the stories are peppered with crowd-pleasing operatic themes like self-destructive revenge, desperate rescue missions, and rulers in exile. In addition to its reprints, DMR Books has devoted a great deal of effort to showcasing newer pulp sword & sorcery and dark fantasy authors. It’s exciting to see DMR casting its net even wider with open calls for submissions, and it is this reviewer’s hope that the proposed series continues.
Read my full review at Grimdark Magazine!
Read my full review at Grimdark Magazine!
May 16, 2023
DMR scores again. The idea of DbtS is to create a new continuing anthology series in the vein of Flashing Swords and Swords Against Darkness.
This is a success. I encountered new to me authors and some I know well. There is even a new Simon of Gita tale. The best thing I can say: not a dud in the batch.
Support this dream, read this book. Talk about it. I want volume 2 and beyond!
This is a success. I encountered new to me authors and some I know well. There is even a new Simon of Gita tale. The best thing I can say: not a dud in the batch.
Support this dream, read this book. Talk about it. I want volume 2 and beyond!
May 26, 2023
Another solid anthology of dark fantasy and sword and sorcery by DMR. A few of the stories were not to my liking, but were still well written. 11 stories in all with about 5 or 6 in the excellent category. A wide range of authors provide a equally wide range of settings.
July 5, 2023
The start to what will hopefully be a long running series from DMR books. It’s a solid collection with a couple really phenomenal stories in it. Three in particular stood out to me.
The Teras of Blood by M. Stern is probably my favorite of the collection. This story is wonderfully imaginative. It has the psychedelic imagination of Zelazny’s Amber accompanied by the Blood and Thunder of the more earthy writings of Robert E. Howard. This one is worth the price of entry alone.
The Sorcerer’s Scion by Chase A. Folmar is another great tale. The use of language here is phenomenal and it almost reads like a Lovecraftian horror story but with an action-oriented bent.
The Heart of Vengeance by Gregory D. Mele also really captivated me. The story’s use of mezoamerican mythos helped it stand out in addition it almost had a Shakespearean quality to it. It very much felt like a classical tragedy.
Good stuff. Worth checking out for genre fans. Hope it’s just the beginning for DMR and Die by the Sword.
The Teras of Blood by M. Stern is probably my favorite of the collection. This story is wonderfully imaginative. It has the psychedelic imagination of Zelazny’s Amber accompanied by the Blood and Thunder of the more earthy writings of Robert E. Howard. This one is worth the price of entry alone.
The Sorcerer’s Scion by Chase A. Folmar is another great tale. The use of language here is phenomenal and it almost reads like a Lovecraftian horror story but with an action-oriented bent.
The Heart of Vengeance by Gregory D. Mele also really captivated me. The story’s use of mezoamerican mythos helped it stand out in addition it almost had a Shakespearean quality to it. It very much felt like a classical tragedy.
Good stuff. Worth checking out for genre fans. Hope it’s just the beginning for DMR and Die by the Sword.
July 14, 2024
This is more like 3.5 Really interesting stories mixed with whatever stories.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews