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Blades and Black Magic
Sword & Sorcery means several things to many people. To me it means Attitude and Freedom.
The Attitude to live life to the fullest—no matter what may come.
The Freedom to take that option—no matter what it may cost.
Sword & Sorcery tales are undeniably songs of deeds. So tell me tales of heroes who stand in the gap at the moment of need, who take the battle to the diabolical foes, who turn their back upon the easy life and seek a greater challenge. Any greater challenge. Every greater challenge.
This is what I asked of all those answering Raconteur Press’ first open call for Sword & Sorcery tales. As you’ll discover over the ensuing pages—they answered with roars of joy and eager smiles. With drawn blades and sly grins, with keen eyes and quick hearts, they stormed the abandoned ruined castles and dungeons filled with the stench of evil, the lairs of chaos, the horrors of the grave, and shared their tales. I smile even as I type this, recalling the stories of sheer passionate thirst for living lives that dare Death to come for them and just try to take them that lie ahead of you.
The Attitude to live life to the fullest—no matter what may come.
The Freedom to take that option—no matter what it may cost.
Sword & Sorcery tales are undeniably songs of deeds. So tell me tales of heroes who stand in the gap at the moment of need, who take the battle to the diabolical foes, who turn their back upon the easy life and seek a greater challenge. Any greater challenge. Every greater challenge.
This is what I asked of all those answering Raconteur Press’ first open call for Sword & Sorcery tales. As you’ll discover over the ensuing pages—they answered with roars of joy and eager smiles. With drawn blades and sly grins, with keen eyes and quick hearts, they stormed the abandoned ruined castles and dungeons filled with the stench of evil, the lairs of chaos, the horrors of the grave, and shared their tales. I smile even as I type this, recalling the stories of sheer passionate thirst for living lives that dare Death to come for them and just try to take them that lie ahead of you.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2025
14 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Jason M. Waltz
41 books72 followersI edited and published numerous heroic titles under Rogue Blades as both RBE, a micro publisher of heroic adventure fiction, and RBF, a nonprofit literary publisher of explorations of the heroic. If you enjoy hard-hitting, fast-paced tales of ringing steel and dark magics found in the battles of lore and myth, updated and written for the modern reader, you should check them out.
Personally, I also write heroic tales. Jason M (with and without that pesky period) are one and the same. Jason M Waltz enjoys sharing tales of heroes who are willing to step into the gap...sometimes to fill it, sometimes to make it wider.
Personally, I also write heroic tales. Jason M (with and without that pesky period) are one and the same. Jason M Waltz enjoys sharing tales of heroes who are willing to step into the gap...sometimes to fill it, sometimes to make it wider.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 22, 2025
Once in a while an anthology comes out and I wonder, "was this written for me?" Did they write these stories for Jim? Well, it sure seems like it, because this is Sword and Sorcery with 95+ octane. Guest editor, Jason M. Waltz, explained in his introduction the concept behind what he wanted to see in these stories. I am aligned. This sword and sorcery collection of 11 high quality stories is still kicking and screaming long after I finished.
1. "Beneath the Fangs of the Storm God" by Clara MacGauffin- A Priestess/Sorceress and a Mercenary Fighting Man go full throttle adventure to capture the Thunderstone from a giant foe. Starts it off with a bang. 4.5 stars
2. "Ghost Wolf" by Robert F. Lowell- An aging fighter takes on a quest in a tomb. Excellent. 5 stars
3. "The Secret Temple" by Jack Mackenzie- A Sirtago and Poet tale!!! I can't get enough of this duo! They are tasked to retrieve a Lord's wife from Cultists who sealed her away 30 years ago. What could go wrong? 5 stars.
4. "The Sword of Hate" by Tim Hanlon- A blacksmith forges a sword from star metal and ruthlessly takes back his stolen wife from a heinous King and his men. 5stars.
5. "A Warrior's Soul" by Alex Evans- A Northman in Constantinople experiences another world where souls are bought and bargained for. Can he save his brother's soul? This a unique tale and an instant classic! 5 stars.
6. "Echoes of Marauders" by J. Vanzile- A fighting man takes a marauder's stronghold by storm and faces powerful sorcery to bring back a relic. I would like to see more of this character! 5 stars.
7. "Fangs of the Desert God" by Bam Boncher- A plainsman from the steppes battles against a snake cult and their serpent sorcery. What can a mercenary and a boy do against the stronghold of the snake worshipers? Excellent! 5 stars.
8. " The Red & the Green" by Jesse a Barrett-An amphibious warrior enters a city to rid the region of the dreaded Sorcerous Sable Lord! Great S&S! 5 stars.
9. "Nothing More Nothing Less" by Jason M. Waltz- A warrior stops by an Inn for food, ale and relaxation. Unfortunately, or fortunately, for him, dire sorcery and horror abound. Good stuff. 5 stars.
10. "A tale of Azatlan" by Gregory D. Mele- A ship comes upon a wrecked ship along the coast of unknown lands. The lands turn out to be loaded with cannibals and an ancient city. Who were the builders? What do the cannibals have in store for the men from both ships? What do they have in store for each other? Great! 4.5 stars
11. "The Ferryman and the Fiend" by C.L Werner- Another Great Oba tale set in a fantasy feudal Japan! Shintaro Oba is brought to a village to slay a demon. Who is worse-- The demon, or the demon among men? 5 stars.
This anthology provides the blood, thunder, and crisp writing we crave from sword and sorcery authors. A+ to this team! Highly recommend!!!
1. "Beneath the Fangs of the Storm God" by Clara MacGauffin- A Priestess/Sorceress and a Mercenary Fighting Man go full throttle adventure to capture the Thunderstone from a giant foe. Starts it off with a bang. 4.5 stars
2. "Ghost Wolf" by Robert F. Lowell- An aging fighter takes on a quest in a tomb. Excellent. 5 stars
3. "The Secret Temple" by Jack Mackenzie- A Sirtago and Poet tale!!! I can't get enough of this duo! They are tasked to retrieve a Lord's wife from Cultists who sealed her away 30 years ago. What could go wrong? 5 stars.
4. "The Sword of Hate" by Tim Hanlon- A blacksmith forges a sword from star metal and ruthlessly takes back his stolen wife from a heinous King and his men. 5stars.
5. "A Warrior's Soul" by Alex Evans- A Northman in Constantinople experiences another world where souls are bought and bargained for. Can he save his brother's soul? This a unique tale and an instant classic! 5 stars.
6. "Echoes of Marauders" by J. Vanzile- A fighting man takes a marauder's stronghold by storm and faces powerful sorcery to bring back a relic. I would like to see more of this character! 5 stars.
7. "Fangs of the Desert God" by Bam Boncher- A plainsman from the steppes battles against a snake cult and their serpent sorcery. What can a mercenary and a boy do against the stronghold of the snake worshipers? Excellent! 5 stars.
8. " The Red & the Green" by Jesse a Barrett-An amphibious warrior enters a city to rid the region of the dreaded Sorcerous Sable Lord! Great S&S! 5 stars.
9. "Nothing More Nothing Less" by Jason M. Waltz- A warrior stops by an Inn for food, ale and relaxation. Unfortunately, or fortunately, for him, dire sorcery and horror abound. Good stuff. 5 stars.
10. "A tale of Azatlan" by Gregory D. Mele- A ship comes upon a wrecked ship along the coast of unknown lands. The lands turn out to be loaded with cannibals and an ancient city. Who were the builders? What do the cannibals have in store for the men from both ships? What do they have in store for each other? Great! 4.5 stars
11. "The Ferryman and the Fiend" by C.L Werner- Another Great Oba tale set in a fantasy feudal Japan! Shintaro Oba is brought to a village to slay a demon. Who is worse-- The demon, or the demon among men? 5 stars.
This anthology provides the blood, thunder, and crisp writing we crave from sword and sorcery authors. A+ to this team! Highly recommend!!!
August 23, 2025
I was given an ARC of Blades & Black Magic by Jason M. Waltz and asked if I would read it and provide a review. I had, coincidentally, recently just read the very first anthology that Jason had ever edited in novel form, Return of the Sword, and loved it. So to say that I was thrilled to read the latest project from the Neither Beg Nor Yield creator is an understatement. The book weighs in at 283 pages and contains an introduction by the editor as well as 11 sword & sorcery tales. Jason M. Waltz assumes the mantle of guest-editor with this anthology rather than editor and because of this distinction one of the eleven tales found within is one of his own creation. All of the eleven offerings found within these pages are very strong. Nine of the eleven tales were extremely strong. I found myself mentally ranking the stories and by the time I was two-thirds of the way through the book I gave up the task because it was becoming too difficult. I did have my favorites however, reading being a subjective task, so let's take a look at what you'll find within these treasured pages:
BENEATH THE FANGS OF THE STORM GOD by Clara MacGauffin. When I first started reading this tale it really drew me in and I was thinking to myself "just wow!" The world building was interesting and the characters instantly stand out in their originality. The action was in your face and non-stop. So much so, that I was begging for a dramatic pause by the end. We should keep our eyes peeled for this new author's name going forward and I hope that she continues to write. I can see why Jason chose to start this ensemble with a story that went BANG! BOOM! and CRASH! until the very end. This author sort of channels Ed Greenwood's imagination on a caffeine buzz. The tone has now been set.
GHOST WOLF by Robert F. Lowell might be my favorite still of the bunch. The world building and characterization here are excellent. The writing grabs you and never lets go. It left me wanting more from this author. I would love to read more within this setting and of this character. A must read
THE SECRET TEMPLE by Jack Mackenzie is a Sirtago and Poet tale. It is the first such story featuring this duo that I've read by Mackenzie. I've become an instant fan
THE SWORD OF HATE by Tim Hanlon was another favorite of mine and probably in the top three to five stories for me. A blacksmith has his wife taken from him by a dastardly King and vows to get her back.
A WARRIOR'S SOUL by Alex Evans writes how a warrior must save his brother's soul from a bizarre where souls are bought and sold. Another solid entry
ECHOES OF MARAUDERS by J. Vanzile is a very violent and graphic story and another one of my favorites. When I had finished the story I had marveled at how much this author channeled Nathan Meyer in this tale. If you've read any Nathan Meyer, that's high praise indeed.
FANGS OF THE DESERT GOD by Bam Boucher was absolutely excellent as a plainsmen from the steppes takes on a cult of snake worshippers. In my top 3 or 4 stories.
THE RED & THE GREEN by Jesse A. Barrett or as I like to call it; The Muppets & the Sorcerer. It was well written and I certainly can appreciate what the author was trying to do here, many will love this for what it is, but unfortunately this was the one tale that was not for me. This is always a subjective endeavor and it was just not to my tastes. Very well told however.
NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS by Jason M. Waltz is the writer of this tale featuring the warrior Coughran. All Coughran wanted from the Inn was food & drink, instead he finds himself caught in a vortex of sorcery and horror. This is the first story I've read from Jason. My previous experience with the man involved him only wearing the mantle of editor. I would place this story right in the middle of these eleven tales and I hope this man of many hats takes this as a strong compliment because there are some very good stories found within this tome. I will want to read more of the warrior Coughran and I look forward to following Mr. Waltz on his journey as an author.
A TALE OF AZATLAN by Gregory D. Mele was another one of my absolute favorites. This tale competes with GHOST WOLF for #1 and #2 in my opinion. This story has pirates, a shipwreck, cannibals, an ancient city, and a Cthulhu-like ending. All expertly told and the characterization here is not only top notch but original as well. I want to read more Gregory D. Mele and especially more tales from this setting and it's characters. Just....WOW
THE FERRYMAN AND THE FIEND by C.L. Werner is another fantastic tale featuring Shintaro Oba, demon hunter and wandering Samurai This is the first Oba tale that I've read and it makes me want to devour them all now. This story also serves to remind me that I need to move Werner's Brunner novels up near the top of my TBR list.
If you're a fan of Jason M. Waltz's past anthology efforts as well as a lover of good sword & sorcery tales, this volume will not disappoint. We're introduced to two new and upcoming authors as well accomplished authors who are now just showing off in this volume. It was an honor and privilege to get to read this, as well as one hell of an entertaining ride. I've also supported this author's efforts by buying a physical copy. I want one to adorn my shelves as I know that I will be revisiting it
BENEATH THE FANGS OF THE STORM GOD by Clara MacGauffin. When I first started reading this tale it really drew me in and I was thinking to myself "just wow!" The world building was interesting and the characters instantly stand out in their originality. The action was in your face and non-stop. So much so, that I was begging for a dramatic pause by the end. We should keep our eyes peeled for this new author's name going forward and I hope that she continues to write. I can see why Jason chose to start this ensemble with a story that went BANG! BOOM! and CRASH! until the very end. This author sort of channels Ed Greenwood's imagination on a caffeine buzz. The tone has now been set.
GHOST WOLF by Robert F. Lowell might be my favorite still of the bunch. The world building and characterization here are excellent. The writing grabs you and never lets go. It left me wanting more from this author. I would love to read more within this setting and of this character. A must read
THE SECRET TEMPLE by Jack Mackenzie is a Sirtago and Poet tale. It is the first such story featuring this duo that I've read by Mackenzie. I've become an instant fan
THE SWORD OF HATE by Tim Hanlon was another favorite of mine and probably in the top three to five stories for me. A blacksmith has his wife taken from him by a dastardly King and vows to get her back.
A WARRIOR'S SOUL by Alex Evans writes how a warrior must save his brother's soul from a bizarre where souls are bought and sold. Another solid entry
ECHOES OF MARAUDERS by J. Vanzile is a very violent and graphic story and another one of my favorites. When I had finished the story I had marveled at how much this author channeled Nathan Meyer in this tale. If you've read any Nathan Meyer, that's high praise indeed.
FANGS OF THE DESERT GOD by Bam Boucher was absolutely excellent as a plainsmen from the steppes takes on a cult of snake worshippers. In my top 3 or 4 stories.
THE RED & THE GREEN by Jesse A. Barrett or as I like to call it; The Muppets & the Sorcerer. It was well written and I certainly can appreciate what the author was trying to do here, many will love this for what it is, but unfortunately this was the one tale that was not for me. This is always a subjective endeavor and it was just not to my tastes. Very well told however.
NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS by Jason M. Waltz is the writer of this tale featuring the warrior Coughran. All Coughran wanted from the Inn was food & drink, instead he finds himself caught in a vortex of sorcery and horror. This is the first story I've read from Jason. My previous experience with the man involved him only wearing the mantle of editor. I would place this story right in the middle of these eleven tales and I hope this man of many hats takes this as a strong compliment because there are some very good stories found within this tome. I will want to read more of the warrior Coughran and I look forward to following Mr. Waltz on his journey as an author.
A TALE OF AZATLAN by Gregory D. Mele was another one of my absolute favorites. This tale competes with GHOST WOLF for #1 and #2 in my opinion. This story has pirates, a shipwreck, cannibals, an ancient city, and a Cthulhu-like ending. All expertly told and the characterization here is not only top notch but original as well. I want to read more Gregory D. Mele and especially more tales from this setting and it's characters. Just....WOW
THE FERRYMAN AND THE FIEND by C.L. Werner is another fantastic tale featuring Shintaro Oba, demon hunter and wandering Samurai This is the first Oba tale that I've read and it makes me want to devour them all now. This story also serves to remind me that I need to move Werner's Brunner novels up near the top of my TBR list.
If you're a fan of Jason M. Waltz's past anthology efforts as well as a lover of good sword & sorcery tales, this volume will not disappoint. We're introduced to two new and upcoming authors as well accomplished authors who are now just showing off in this volume. It was an honor and privilege to get to read this, as well as one hell of an entertaining ride. I've also supported this author's efforts by buying a physical copy. I want one to adorn my shelves as I know that I will be revisiting it
December 21, 2025
Blades & Black Magic
Edited by Jason M. Waltz
Raconteur Press
Cover art and interior illustrations by Cedar Sanderson
2025
The book opens with Introduction: Songs of Deeds by Jason M Waltz. For those who may not know Jason has been an indie publisher for many years. He recently sought to retire from publishing to focus solely on this writing and passion projects like this one.
Initial reactions on Discord were mixed. Many folks were very passionate about some elements. Exhibiting childish behavior in select instances. Regardless, the outpouring of talent was nothing short of spectacular. So much so that it is my understanding that Jason had enough material for two volumes.
This first volume contains a quantity of rip-roaring tales. The stories begin strong brimming with overblown action and gradually become more sedate and traditional.
Many of the authors in this collection were previously unknown to me. I would assume they are a mix of new authors and authors who have previously worked with the publisher. The few authors that I recognized are consistently strong voices within the community.
“Korga emerged from the dust cloud grinning like a devil fresh from confession.”
Beneath the Fangs of the Storm God by Clara MacGauffin opens things like a stick of dynamite. It is a high-octane, over-blown thrill-ride. Character developement is nil, but who goes to see a film like Crank with Jason Statham for drama?
“The wall behind him collapsed. Rubble flew about the chamber. Thaygren wheeled around to see something that had once been a man charging toward him. Half again the height and breadth of a man and clad in rotted furs, the barrow-lich had greasy gray flesh, wild white hair, and feral night-dark eyes. With a sickening shriek it swung the rusted remnant of a huge bronze sword two-handed at Thaygren’s neck.”
Ghost Wolf by Robert F. Lowell is a dungeon/tomb crawl
A storied warrior with a past that troubles him.
An offer to accompany a stranger to recover an item from a tomb. The proceeds will help the warrior’s friends finacially.
The whole affair stinks to high hell. While waiting for the other foot to drop, I was not surprised at the turn of events. The solution was a surprise, incendiary.
The third story is The Secret Temple by Jack Mackenzie. This is a Sirtago and Poet story.
The duo are hired to recover a lord’s abducted wife.The more details that come to light, the less things add up.
Cultists that welcome death, a pocket dimension and a god.
When everything becomes clear in the denouement I was left just as unsettled at Poet.
Tim Hanlon is a name that I am familiar with primarily because his collection Path of the Swordsman is in my TBR pile.
The Sword of Hate was a thunderstorm of a story. The injustice at the onset is bitter and made me angry at the ‘strength’ of the powerful.
The protagonist, Starkad, especially made me think of the films Sisu and A History of Violence. In all three instances it would have behooved everyone to leave the protagonist alone.
Starkad embodies that indomitable spirit that makes a story like this great.
The Warrior’s Soul by Alex Evans.
This one has a historical setting: Constantinople.
A member of the Varangian guard is troubled by the loss of his brother. By chance he learns that his brother is being held nearby for auction. This will not stand.
Man, I have a question. When Thorvald enters the spirit bazaar, is he wholly corporeal or only spirit? Because I pictured this dude in the warehouse like a kid wearing a VR headset! :joy:
Also, I thought, no, I was certain, another character had ulterior motives. Perhaps I’ve been conditioned to think that from all of the fiction I read? Anyhoo, something like that could be integral to a follow up.
My recommendation for a similar work to this would be Matthew Woodring Stover’s Iron Dawn and Jericho Moon.
The next story is Echoes of Mauraders by J. Vanzile.
Our protagonist has been captured. He is in the midst of being interrogated and beaten when the interrogator, in curiosity, accedes to the prisoners demand. What happens next is almost non-stop unrelenting action. Buckle up!
Next up is Fangs of the Desert God by Bam Boncher.
A lone warrior. Serpent-men. A mysterious benefactor. Suicide mission. Plus high explosives!
What a recipe.
The author’s name has gotta be a nom de plume. (I found out it wasn’t)
Next up was the story The Red and the Green by Jesse A. Barrett.
This was wholly unexpected. Basically this is a standard S&S storyline. However, the choice of characters…I mean, who hasn’t dreamed up unconventional characters in a S&S setting? I don’t want to spoil a thing!
Bottom line I really enjoyed this. I would also welcome more in this vein.
Next up was Nothing More, Nothing Less by Jason M Waltz
“I am Coughran, reiver, slayer, warrior and seeker! My name is the last you will ever hear, sorcerer, and I will not be your slave, in this life or any other.”
This is a more traditional S&S tale. The setting is an inn. Something dark is creeping through the poorly lit room. Everything it touches it subsumes. Nothing seems to harm it except one thing. The final stand off illustrates how Coughran keeps his cool and his wits sharp.
Next up was Blood in the House of Bahlgana by Gregory D Mele
A shipwrecked treasure, survivors betrayed, cannibals and a primal god of tendrils, small party makes the shore. Tables turn one final time.
The denouement was the spiciest bit.
The final story is The Ferryman and the Fiend by C L Werner
“Because one has fought wolves, it is arrogance to think the toad's poison harmless. No enemy is so lowly as to be disdained.”
One of Werner’s signature characters is a demon hunter in the far east. Oba is hired to kill the menace in the river. A setback and a betrayal finds Oba on the monster’s menu. Help from an unexpected source helps the pieces fall together in this mystery.
I have one pet peeve about the entire book. One burr that still bothers me. The interior art is generic and roughly fits the accompanying stories. That is until the last story by Werner. The art depicts Oba fighting the demon. A legendary demon. Well documented and illustrated. Werner even describes the beast in detail. What the artist provided? Doesn’t even match the barest detail. A shame.
Edited by Jason M. Waltz
Raconteur Press
Cover art and interior illustrations by Cedar Sanderson
2025
The book opens with Introduction: Songs of Deeds by Jason M Waltz. For those who may not know Jason has been an indie publisher for many years. He recently sought to retire from publishing to focus solely on this writing and passion projects like this one.
Initial reactions on Discord were mixed. Many folks were very passionate about some elements. Exhibiting childish behavior in select instances. Regardless, the outpouring of talent was nothing short of spectacular. So much so that it is my understanding that Jason had enough material for two volumes.
This first volume contains a quantity of rip-roaring tales. The stories begin strong brimming with overblown action and gradually become more sedate and traditional.
Many of the authors in this collection were previously unknown to me. I would assume they are a mix of new authors and authors who have previously worked with the publisher. The few authors that I recognized are consistently strong voices within the community.
“Korga emerged from the dust cloud grinning like a devil fresh from confession.”
Beneath the Fangs of the Storm God by Clara MacGauffin opens things like a stick of dynamite. It is a high-octane, over-blown thrill-ride. Character developement is nil, but who goes to see a film like Crank with Jason Statham for drama?
“The wall behind him collapsed. Rubble flew about the chamber. Thaygren wheeled around to see something that had once been a man charging toward him. Half again the height and breadth of a man and clad in rotted furs, the barrow-lich had greasy gray flesh, wild white hair, and feral night-dark eyes. With a sickening shriek it swung the rusted remnant of a huge bronze sword two-handed at Thaygren’s neck.”
Ghost Wolf by Robert F. Lowell is a dungeon/tomb crawl
A storied warrior with a past that troubles him.
An offer to accompany a stranger to recover an item from a tomb. The proceeds will help the warrior’s friends finacially.
The whole affair stinks to high hell. While waiting for the other foot to drop, I was not surprised at the turn of events. The solution was a surprise, incendiary.
The third story is The Secret Temple by Jack Mackenzie. This is a Sirtago and Poet story.
The duo are hired to recover a lord’s abducted wife.The more details that come to light, the less things add up.
Cultists that welcome death, a pocket dimension and a god.
When everything becomes clear in the denouement I was left just as unsettled at Poet.
Tim Hanlon is a name that I am familiar with primarily because his collection Path of the Swordsman is in my TBR pile.
The Sword of Hate was a thunderstorm of a story. The injustice at the onset is bitter and made me angry at the ‘strength’ of the powerful.
The protagonist, Starkad, especially made me think of the films Sisu and A History of Violence. In all three instances it would have behooved everyone to leave the protagonist alone.
Starkad embodies that indomitable spirit that makes a story like this great.
The Warrior’s Soul by Alex Evans.
This one has a historical setting: Constantinople.
A member of the Varangian guard is troubled by the loss of his brother. By chance he learns that his brother is being held nearby for auction. This will not stand.
Man, I have a question. When Thorvald enters the spirit bazaar, is he wholly corporeal or only spirit? Because I pictured this dude in the warehouse like a kid wearing a VR headset! :joy:
Also, I thought, no, I was certain, another character had ulterior motives. Perhaps I’ve been conditioned to think that from all of the fiction I read? Anyhoo, something like that could be integral to a follow up.
My recommendation for a similar work to this would be Matthew Woodring Stover’s Iron Dawn and Jericho Moon.
The next story is Echoes of Mauraders by J. Vanzile.
Our protagonist has been captured. He is in the midst of being interrogated and beaten when the interrogator, in curiosity, accedes to the prisoners demand. What happens next is almost non-stop unrelenting action. Buckle up!
Next up is Fangs of the Desert God by Bam Boncher.
A lone warrior. Serpent-men. A mysterious benefactor. Suicide mission. Plus high explosives!
What a recipe.
The author’s name has gotta be a nom de plume. (I found out it wasn’t)
Next up was the story The Red and the Green by Jesse A. Barrett.
This was wholly unexpected. Basically this is a standard S&S storyline. However, the choice of characters…I mean, who hasn’t dreamed up unconventional characters in a S&S setting? I don’t want to spoil a thing!
Bottom line I really enjoyed this. I would also welcome more in this vein.
Next up was Nothing More, Nothing Less by Jason M Waltz
“I am Coughran, reiver, slayer, warrior and seeker! My name is the last you will ever hear, sorcerer, and I will not be your slave, in this life or any other.”
This is a more traditional S&S tale. The setting is an inn. Something dark is creeping through the poorly lit room. Everything it touches it subsumes. Nothing seems to harm it except one thing. The final stand off illustrates how Coughran keeps his cool and his wits sharp.
Next up was Blood in the House of Bahlgana by Gregory D Mele
A shipwrecked treasure, survivors betrayed, cannibals and a primal god of tendrils, small party makes the shore. Tables turn one final time.
The denouement was the spiciest bit.
The final story is The Ferryman and the Fiend by C L Werner
“Because one has fought wolves, it is arrogance to think the toad's poison harmless. No enemy is so lowly as to be disdained.”
One of Werner’s signature characters is a demon hunter in the far east. Oba is hired to kill the menace in the river. A setback and a betrayal finds Oba on the monster’s menu. Help from an unexpected source helps the pieces fall together in this mystery.
I have one pet peeve about the entire book. One burr that still bothers me. The interior art is generic and roughly fits the accompanying stories. That is until the last story by Werner. The art depicts Oba fighting the demon. A legendary demon. Well documented and illustrated. Werner even describes the beast in detail. What the artist provided? Doesn’t even match the barest detail. A shame.
October 8, 2025
This is my favorite sword and sorcery anthologies that I have read in a while. IT is hard to review what I enjoyed the most because there was not a clinker in the book, The story I enjoyed the most was written by Clara MacGauffin. A tale savage and dark with prose not found often in modern fantasy. It read like it was out of an old Weird Tales magazine.
Jason M Waltz who recently retire from publishing some of the best sword and sorcery anthologies shows why he is still needed.
Jason M Waltz who recently retire from publishing some of the best sword and sorcery anthologies shows why he is still needed.
January 14, 2026
That Old Black Magic
A superior collection of sword and sorcery tales with a variety of themes. Sometimes indie press anthologies are a mixed bag, but in this one there isn't one bad apple in the sack. I had a great time reading this selection and I'm absolutely interested in the contributing authors' other projects.
Every one of them are winners, but if I had to pick one that really stuck out for me, I'd choose The Red and the Green, by Jesse A. Barrett. I can't really say why without spoiling it, however I'd love to see more, especially with Zoya the Red as a main character. Maybe she'd be an expert in hand to hand combat or something.
Anyway, awesome collection, and I'm looking forward to more S&S anthologies from this publisher.
A superior collection of sword and sorcery tales with a variety of themes. Sometimes indie press anthologies are a mixed bag, but in this one there isn't one bad apple in the sack. I had a great time reading this selection and I'm absolutely interested in the contributing authors' other projects.
Every one of them are winners, but if I had to pick one that really stuck out for me, I'd choose The Red and the Green, by Jesse A. Barrett. I can't really say why without spoiling it, however I'd love to see more, especially with Zoya the Red as a main character. Maybe she'd be an expert in hand to hand combat or something.
Anyway, awesome collection, and I'm looking forward to more S&S anthologies from this publisher.
November 21, 2025
Blades & Black Magic is one of the many genre anthologies published by Raconteur Press every year. It has a print length of 246 pages and features 11 short stories from authors both old and new.
I can’t really fault the stories in here overmuch because they all stuck to Jason’s opening statement – the Attitude, the Freedom – in their own, inventive ways. Each of them had a certain hook, whether it was the rabid opening of Clara MacGauffin’s Beneath the Fangs of the Storm God, the weird setting of Jesse A. Barret’s The Red and the Green, or the cinematic presentation of Gregory D. Mele’s Blood in the House of Bahlgana, to name a few.
All of the eleven tales read quickly, have great flow and rhythm, and raise swords against sorcery in very specific manners. The Black Magic part shone alongside the Blades, with anything from primal to cosmic represented and interpreted in wildly varying fashions. The villains are weird, the gods are distant and uncaring, the heroes are proper badasses, and the blood is flowing, both inside and out.
This is sword & sorcery done right, and long may Jason continue to collect and bring works of this magnitude to our attention, because the man just has a knack for the good stuff…
Full review here: https://gunghogeeksblog.wordpress.com...
I can’t really fault the stories in here overmuch because they all stuck to Jason’s opening statement – the Attitude, the Freedom – in their own, inventive ways. Each of them had a certain hook, whether it was the rabid opening of Clara MacGauffin’s Beneath the Fangs of the Storm God, the weird setting of Jesse A. Barret’s The Red and the Green, or the cinematic presentation of Gregory D. Mele’s Blood in the House of Bahlgana, to name a few.
All of the eleven tales read quickly, have great flow and rhythm, and raise swords against sorcery in very specific manners. The Black Magic part shone alongside the Blades, with anything from primal to cosmic represented and interpreted in wildly varying fashions. The villains are weird, the gods are distant and uncaring, the heroes are proper badasses, and the blood is flowing, both inside and out.
This is sword & sorcery done right, and long may Jason continue to collect and bring works of this magnitude to our attention, because the man just has a knack for the good stuff…
Full review here: https://gunghogeeksblog.wordpress.com...
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