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The Year's Best Fantasy Stories #3
The Year's Best Fantasy Stories 3
Contents:
* "The Year in Fantasy" (Lin Carter)
* "Eudoric's Unicorn" (L. Sprague de Camp)
* "Shadow of a Demon" (Gardner F. Fox)
* "Ring of Black Stone" (Pat McIntosh)
* "The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr" (George R. R. Martin)
* "Two Suns Setting" (Karl Edward Wagner)
* "The Stairs in the Crypt" (Clark Ashton Smith and Lin Carter)
* "The Goblin Blade" (Raul Garcia Capella)
* "The Dark King" (C. J. Cherryh)
* "Black Moonlight" (Lin Carter)
* "The Snout in the Alcove" (Gary Myers)
* "The Pool of the Moon" (Charles R. Saunders)
* "The Year's Best Fantasy Books" (Lin Carter)
* "The Year in Fantasy" (Lin Carter)
* "Eudoric's Unicorn" (L. Sprague de Camp)
* "Shadow of a Demon" (Gardner F. Fox)
* "Ring of Black Stone" (Pat McIntosh)
* "The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr" (George R. R. Martin)
* "Two Suns Setting" (Karl Edward Wagner)
* "The Stairs in the Crypt" (Clark Ashton Smith and Lin Carter)
* "The Goblin Blade" (Raul Garcia Capella)
* "The Dark King" (C. J. Cherryh)
* "Black Moonlight" (Lin Carter)
* "The Snout in the Alcove" (Gary Myers)
* "The Pool of the Moon" (Charles R. Saunders)
* "The Year's Best Fantasy Books" (Lin Carter)
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 15, 1977
1 person is currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Lin Carter
423 books171 followersLin 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 15, 2025
This is the third annual volume in DAW's series of best fantasy of the year which was begun by Carter and then continued for several years by Arthur W. Saha. I thought Carter leaned a little too heavily towards sword & sorcery fiction in his picks, and favored his favorite writers a little too much (de Camp, for instance, and there are two Lin Carter stories...one's a posthumous collaboration with Clark Ashton Smith, but still...), and four of the stories are original to the book which appeared in 1977, so how do you include them as the best stories of 1976? But, on the other hand, it was nice to see some fantasy short fiction in mass market format, and it did offer some pretty good fiction. My favorites were a Kane story by Karl Edward Wagner, an original C.J. Cherryh, and especially the George R.R. Martin. The dragon-slayer cover is by Josh Kirby.
February 28, 2018
So yes, calling it "Year's Best" is pure marketing. I don't think there's any way to reasonably shove either "Black Moonlight" or "Shadow of A Demon" into that category, much less the Clark Ashton Smith-as-completed-by-Lin Carter "The Stairs in the Crypt" or the de Camp's confectionary "Eudoric's Unicorn". But the collection reaches some real heights with "Ring of Black Stone", "The Dark King", and particularly "The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr".
It's also striking how often Carter calls out certain authors for being "pretty girls", a practice that made my jaw hinge open every single time.
"Ring of Black Stone" stood out for emotional complexity. One character may have delusional ideas and others suspect this, and another has entered a relationship that contains a number of warning signs but is not wholly of convenience. All the characters are conflicted, and even the best resolution is a compromise. Unfortunately Pat McIntosh didn't do much more with Thula.
I went and bought Dreamsongs volume 1 (at a suspiciously convenient Kindle discount) on the basis of Martin's "The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr". While it is less heroic fantasy than what Carter typically shills, it had a lovely poetry and mood and socks away a horde of half-explained details that tantalizes the rest of Martin's "Thousand Worlds" setting.
Cherryh's "The Dark King" is an excellent dark fairy-tale piece with an appropriately inevitable ending that doesn't wallow in its darkness.
In his introduction to "The Pool of the Moon", Carter describes Imaro as being a Robert E Howard character in a Tarzan/Burroughs setting, which doesn't hit the mark with what Saunders accomplished with his conflicted character and deeply non-Western fantasy Africa. You get a little of that here, but it doesn't quite showcase the extent of it. Oddly, this story doesn't appear to be collected elsewhere.
Likewise, "Two Suns Setting" is not the best Kane story out there--it doesn't show Kane at his most twisted--though I appreciate how the Giant race is declining as the world becomes possessed by humans.
Raul Garcia Capella's "The Goblin Blade" has a trick ending that didn't satisfy, and it creates a pair of interesting characters--a grizzled soldier and a frail but clever warlock dragged on the mission--that could have appeared in more than one story.
It's also striking how often Carter calls out certain authors for being "pretty girls", a practice that made my jaw hinge open every single time.
"Ring of Black Stone" stood out for emotional complexity. One character may have delusional ideas and others suspect this, and another has entered a relationship that contains a number of warning signs but is not wholly of convenience. All the characters are conflicted, and even the best resolution is a compromise. Unfortunately Pat McIntosh didn't do much more with Thula.
I went and bought Dreamsongs volume 1 (at a suspiciously convenient Kindle discount) on the basis of Martin's "The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr". While it is less heroic fantasy than what Carter typically shills, it had a lovely poetry and mood and socks away a horde of half-explained details that tantalizes the rest of Martin's "Thousand Worlds" setting.
Cherryh's "The Dark King" is an excellent dark fairy-tale piece with an appropriately inevitable ending that doesn't wallow in its darkness.
In his introduction to "The Pool of the Moon", Carter describes Imaro as being a Robert E Howard character in a Tarzan/Burroughs setting, which doesn't hit the mark with what Saunders accomplished with his conflicted character and deeply non-Western fantasy Africa. You get a little of that here, but it doesn't quite showcase the extent of it. Oddly, this story doesn't appear to be collected elsewhere.
Likewise, "Two Suns Setting" is not the best Kane story out there--it doesn't show Kane at his most twisted--though I appreciate how the Giant race is declining as the world becomes possessed by humans.
Raul Garcia Capella's "The Goblin Blade" has a trick ending that didn't satisfy, and it creates a pair of interesting characters--a grizzled soldier and a frail but clever warlock dragged on the mission--that could have appeared in more than one story.
February 22, 2023
Editor Lin Carter has a very high opinion of himself: not only does he include one of his own stories (and not a very good one) in this "Year's Best" collection, but he places another of his anthologies at the top of his list of the year's best fantasy books.
The stories in this collection are a mixed bag, some not so good but most at least readable. Charles R. Saunders' "The Pool of the Moon" stands out as the highlight.
The stories in this collection are a mixed bag, some not so good but most at least readable. Charles R. Saunders' "The Pool of the Moon" stands out as the highlight.
May 6, 2025
The Year’s Best Fantasy Stories #3, edited by Lin Carter, DAW, 1977, 217 pages. Cover by Josh Kirby. Contains the following:
"The Year in Fantasy" by Lin Carter
"Eudoric's Unicorn" by L. Sprague de Camp
"Shadow of a Demon" by Gardner F. Fox
"Ring of Black Stone" by Pat McIntosh
"The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr" by George R. R. Martin
"Two Suns Setting" by Karl Edward Wagner
"The Stairs in the Crypt" by Clark Ashton Smith and Lin Carter
"The Goblin Blade" by Raul Garcia Capella
"The Dark King" by C. J. Cherryh
"Black Moonlight" by Lin Carter
"The Snout in the Alcove" by Gary Myersby
"The Pool of the Moon" by Charles Saunders
"The Year's Best Fantasy Books" by Lin Carter
Although billed as a Year’s best series, the Carter edited editions of this DAW series were an exercise in Carter’s personal tastes and focused primarily on Sword & Sorcery with occasional pieces of humorous and/or high fantasy. I was generally OK with this because Carter’s tastes ran similar to mine.
This 3rd volume is one of the stronger ones of the Carter “6.” The introduction by Carter is very slight, without much information, but the stories are uniformly pretty good. De Camp’s “Eudoric’s Unicorn” is one of his humorous fantasies, and although I’m not overly fond of these, it was a decent one. “Shadow of a Demon” is a Niall of the Far Travels story. Niall is a lesser known version of Fox’s Kyrik and Kothar. This is one of my favorite Niall tales.
“Ring of Black Stone” by Pat McIntosh is a fairly early woman warrior tale and is well done. “The Lonely Song…” by George R. R. Martin is an unusual offering by him. It’s more high fantasy than anything and with almost no action, but it’s beautifully written and emotionally memorable. You can’t go wrong with a Karl Edward Wagner Kane story and “Two Suns Setting is good, although not—in my opinion—anywhere near the top of the Kane tales.
The Stairs in the Crypt is attributed to Clark Ashton Smith but is really a posthumously published tale cobbled together by Carter from bits and pieces of prose, story outlines, and scenes left incomplete by Smith. I found this the weakest tale in the batch. I was impressed by Carter’s ability to emulate the vocabulary level of Smith but the story just didn’t have the eerie and eldritch qualities that Smith brought to his finished work. “The Goblin Blade” by Raul Garcia Capella has a great title and this is the best Capella story I’ve read. Capella got his start writing stories set in Conan’s world without Conan in them and most of those tales are not particularly compelling. This one was an original construction and was much better.
I’ve generally enjoyed C. J. Cherryh’s work. This fantasy tale is called “The Dark King” and is the best piece I’ve read by her. It’s about Death and is beautifully written and a compelling story, although not particularly novel. Carter’s Thongor character appears in “Black Moonlight,” which is another cool title. Thongor here is channeling Conan heavily, particularly those tales that featured Conan as a pirate.
“The Snout in the Alcove” is by Gary Myers. I see on ISFDB that Myers has written quite a bit of stuff but I’m not very familiar with his work. This is a short, tight piece with a very strong Lovecraftian feel. The title certainly makes me think of Lovecraft as well. I liked it. The last story in the book is “The Pool of the Moon” by Charles R. Saunders. It’s an Imaro story, an early one. You can pick up on Saunders’ passion for writing and it’s a good story to end the collection on. There’s an “Appendix” that lists some of the year’s best fantasy books and anthologies.
"The Year in Fantasy" by Lin Carter
"Eudoric's Unicorn" by L. Sprague de Camp
"Shadow of a Demon" by Gardner F. Fox
"Ring of Black Stone" by Pat McIntosh
"The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr" by George R. R. Martin
"Two Suns Setting" by Karl Edward Wagner
"The Stairs in the Crypt" by Clark Ashton Smith and Lin Carter
"The Goblin Blade" by Raul Garcia Capella
"The Dark King" by C. J. Cherryh
"Black Moonlight" by Lin Carter
"The Snout in the Alcove" by Gary Myersby
"The Pool of the Moon" by Charles Saunders
"The Year's Best Fantasy Books" by Lin Carter
Although billed as a Year’s best series, the Carter edited editions of this DAW series were an exercise in Carter’s personal tastes and focused primarily on Sword & Sorcery with occasional pieces of humorous and/or high fantasy. I was generally OK with this because Carter’s tastes ran similar to mine.
This 3rd volume is one of the stronger ones of the Carter “6.” The introduction by Carter is very slight, without much information, but the stories are uniformly pretty good. De Camp’s “Eudoric’s Unicorn” is one of his humorous fantasies, and although I’m not overly fond of these, it was a decent one. “Shadow of a Demon” is a Niall of the Far Travels story. Niall is a lesser known version of Fox’s Kyrik and Kothar. This is one of my favorite Niall tales.
“Ring of Black Stone” by Pat McIntosh is a fairly early woman warrior tale and is well done. “The Lonely Song…” by George R. R. Martin is an unusual offering by him. It’s more high fantasy than anything and with almost no action, but it’s beautifully written and emotionally memorable. You can’t go wrong with a Karl Edward Wagner Kane story and “Two Suns Setting is good, although not—in my opinion—anywhere near the top of the Kane tales.
The Stairs in the Crypt is attributed to Clark Ashton Smith but is really a posthumously published tale cobbled together by Carter from bits and pieces of prose, story outlines, and scenes left incomplete by Smith. I found this the weakest tale in the batch. I was impressed by Carter’s ability to emulate the vocabulary level of Smith but the story just didn’t have the eerie and eldritch qualities that Smith brought to his finished work. “The Goblin Blade” by Raul Garcia Capella has a great title and this is the best Capella story I’ve read. Capella got his start writing stories set in Conan’s world without Conan in them and most of those tales are not particularly compelling. This one was an original construction and was much better.
I’ve generally enjoyed C. J. Cherryh’s work. This fantasy tale is called “The Dark King” and is the best piece I’ve read by her. It’s about Death and is beautifully written and a compelling story, although not particularly novel. Carter’s Thongor character appears in “Black Moonlight,” which is another cool title. Thongor here is channeling Conan heavily, particularly those tales that featured Conan as a pirate.
“The Snout in the Alcove” is by Gary Myers. I see on ISFDB that Myers has written quite a bit of stuff but I’m not very familiar with his work. This is a short, tight piece with a very strong Lovecraftian feel. The title certainly makes me think of Lovecraft as well. I liked it. The last story in the book is “The Pool of the Moon” by Charles R. Saunders. It’s an Imaro story, an early one. You can pick up on Saunders’ passion for writing and it’s a good story to end the collection on. There’s an “Appendix” that lists some of the year’s best fantasy books and anthologies.
July 12, 2024
Lin Carter has curated a spectacular anthology. It's amusing seeing George R.R. Martin's piece being introduced with "who would have thought, Martin doing fantasy!" If I had to pick a favorite story, it would be C.J. Cherryh's "The Dark King," a retelling of the legend of Sisyphus. It is wondrous and wise and magical.
November 9, 2017
Classic, classic L. Carter and company.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews