What do you think?
Rate this book
Daggers and Dark Powers
Sword versus Sorcery is what we have here.
Defiance versus Demand. Challenge versus Command.
Though there are lots of evil foes in the stories ahead, S&S is not so much about good versus evil, or good saving the day, or even evil getting its just rewards. It is far more about an individual (though occasionally a team) spitting in the eye of impossible odds simply because he or she can, or wants to, or wants something on the other side of said odds. S&S protagonists may not actually be heroes despite their doing heroic things. And that’s part of the fun of it all.
Heroic storytelling can teach some amazing truths about being human. About what courage is, what growth and maturity are, how society and even the world works, what it means to be loyal, trustworthy, brave, compassionate. At its least, it entertains. At its best, it entertains and shares a value system for heroics; a passion for heroic stories and a belief in the possibility of heroes.
Defiance versus Demand. Challenge versus Command.
Though there are lots of evil foes in the stories ahead, S&S is not so much about good versus evil, or good saving the day, or even evil getting its just rewards. It is far more about an individual (though occasionally a team) spitting in the eye of impossible odds simply because he or she can, or wants to, or wants something on the other side of said odds. S&S protagonists may not actually be heroes despite their doing heroic things. And that’s part of the fun of it all.
Heroic storytelling can teach some amazing truths about being human. About what courage is, what growth and maturity are, how society and even the world works, what it means to be loyal, trustworthy, brave, compassionate. At its least, it entertains. At its best, it entertains and shares a value system for heroics; a passion for heroic stories and a belief in the possibility of heroes.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2025
About the author
Jason M. Waltz
37 books75 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 13, 2025
Jason M Waltz as an editor = incredible sword and sorcery. He understands what we crave, and there is no adjacent garbage . It’s actual sword and sorcery with teeth. Eleven stories of extreme quality are packed into this volume. No misses. Some stood out to me as superior:
The Princess of Iniskent by Erna Simper
Creatures of the Deeper Earth by Adrian Cole
Deep as Death by Steve Goble**Crown jewel of the book
Waltz also had a really good one himself. As I said, I enjoyed them all so this volume was money well spent. Excellent and highly recommend!
The Princess of Iniskent by Erna Simper
Creatures of the Deeper Earth by Adrian Cole
Deep as Death by Steve Goble**Crown jewel of the book
Waltz also had a really good one himself. As I said, I enjoyed them all so this volume was money well spent. Excellent and highly recommend!
January 24, 2026
This was an overall excellent collection with a variety of heroes in myriad perils, and a compelling view of fantastic action. A few stories that I found most compelling were:
The Princess of Iniskent (by Urna Semper): a very compelling low-fantasy-by-way-of-science-fiction story of an outsider being dragged into deadly politics. Excellent characters and very well grounded, with strong fighting and good give-and-take within them. Very reminiscent of the original Conan stories, and my favorite of the lot.
Vaelgor the Stump and the Brass Blood Crown (by Ross Hathaway): By contrast the most bombastic story of the lot; perhaps the most delightfully outlandish thing I've read in a decade. Absolutely hilarious and gleefully over the top.
Straight to the Heart (by Jason M. Waltz): This felt very much like an old Dragonlance novel gone narratively wrong; the story moves and the world feels rich and alive with magic and mayhem and the twists and turns land beautifully.
Deep as Death (by Steve Goble): This was a very interesting final story to close the volume on, and insofar as an anthology can end on a strong closer this is such. It's scope and stakes feel somewhat over-the-top but the character conflict and message are strong and its hero Calthus' parting thoughts serve nicely to close out this collection of adventures.
The Princess of Iniskent (by Urna Semper): a very compelling low-fantasy-by-way-of-science-fiction story of an outsider being dragged into deadly politics. Excellent characters and very well grounded, with strong fighting and good give-and-take within them. Very reminiscent of the original Conan stories, and my favorite of the lot.
Vaelgor the Stump and the Brass Blood Crown (by Ross Hathaway): By contrast the most bombastic story of the lot; perhaps the most delightfully outlandish thing I've read in a decade. Absolutely hilarious and gleefully over the top.
Straight to the Heart (by Jason M. Waltz): This felt very much like an old Dragonlance novel gone narratively wrong; the story moves and the world feels rich and alive with magic and mayhem and the twists and turns land beautifully.
Deep as Death (by Steve Goble): This was a very interesting final story to close the volume on, and insofar as an anthology can end on a strong closer this is such. It's scope and stakes feel somewhat over-the-top but the character conflict and message are strong and its hero Calthus' parting thoughts serve nicely to close out this collection of adventures.
January 14, 2026
A Stab Above
According to the editor, there were so many excellent contributions to the first Raconteur Sword and Sorcery anthology, "Blades and Black Magic", that they decided to make a sequel to publish the other standouts. The offerings in this volume have a slightly wider range in genre than the first one. You've got some Sword and Planet, dark fantasy and weird fiction, and more besides. Many of the entries also represent a variety of writing styles outside of the Robert E. Howard baseline, more reminiscent of authors like Lord Dunsany, Clark Ashton Smith, Poul Anderson and Adrian Cole, for example; the latter of whom I mention specifically because sword and sorcery legend Adrian Cole is in fact one of the contributors to this collection! I had a great time with this book, and as a new reader to this publisher, I'm definitely beginning to count on Raconteur Press to take me to new and interesting places where adventure awaits.
According to the editor, there were so many excellent contributions to the first Raconteur Sword and Sorcery anthology, "Blades and Black Magic", that they decided to make a sequel to publish the other standouts. The offerings in this volume have a slightly wider range in genre than the first one. You've got some Sword and Planet, dark fantasy and weird fiction, and more besides. Many of the entries also represent a variety of writing styles outside of the Robert E. Howard baseline, more reminiscent of authors like Lord Dunsany, Clark Ashton Smith, Poul Anderson and Adrian Cole, for example; the latter of whom I mention specifically because sword and sorcery legend Adrian Cole is in fact one of the contributors to this collection! I had a great time with this book, and as a new reader to this publisher, I'm definitely beginning to count on Raconteur Press to take me to new and interesting places where adventure awaits.
May 14, 2026
Two immediate things: there are a number of stories that I would be just fine never having read, and the illustrations in this volume by Cedar Sanderson are great. The stories I just mentioned are not a part of this volume and irrelevant to the review so get this and read it and enjoy it.
1. The Bear and The Nightingale by Bruce Erling Strange
Motherhood shouldn't be a prison sentence but for the vain it takes competing bounty hunters to set one straight.
2. Last Walk on the Corpse Road by David J. West
Hatfields and McCoys... I mean Landers and MacGregors... clan wars tend see a lot of sacrifice, especially to tradition, but fighting for your life no matter what deathly path you find yourself on is always a game-changer.
3. Dustbane and the Ancient Guardian by Seth Taylor
A technist, a merchant, and a mage walk into a bar... in a Jurassic Park scenario without dinosaurs. An environment of lies can only be brought to truth when the air thins the mind.
4. Blood on the Spire by Adam Caisse
Trials and tribulations have the tendency to either break a man or corrupt him with newfound power but the one who perseveres throws evil from its lofty perch and basks in his natural freedom.
5. A Simple Snare by David Alan Jones
It's not a buddy comedy but adventurous installments seem to be on the horizon now that the worst of it has been addressed. Or has it?
6. The Princess of Íniskent by Urna Semper
A land where you cannot trust your own eyes... family and nobility seem to create chaos a lot of times. New adventures to come, I'm sure.
7. Sword of the Mageslayer by Lee Allred
Magic is like a nuclear weapon, devastating the populace when those in power want even more. Legends are made and tales are told but the truth is rarely so black-and-white. Revenge though, that tends to be a little more monotone in some cases, bloodred shades in fact.
8. Straight to the Heart by Jason M. Waltz
The Breath of Death cannot make friends without the Death Gatherers looking to gorge. Like Horcrux', the sorcery here can manifest in different trinkets resulting in God knows what kind of chaos. Fight, go to sleep, and worry about tomorrow when you awake.
9. Valegor the Stump and the Brass Blood Crown by Ross Hathaway
It's good to have a moral compass for specific offenses but a crown has the ability to make a monster out of a hero, unless that hero can curse himself as he has cursed the gods and throw temptation to the void.
10. Creatures of the Deeper Earth by Adrian Cole
Family and nobility once again creates chaos that the people suffer for. Heartbreaking though is not just having one family that shuns you, but two that push you away. Is it better to live another day alone, or to die with your loved one?
11. Deep As Death by Steve Goble
In a godless land, it's not hard to imagine men as women ... you know what, I'm gonna stop while I am ahead,
1. The Bear and The Nightingale by Bruce Erling Strange
Motherhood shouldn't be a prison sentence but for the vain it takes competing bounty hunters to set one straight.
2. Last Walk on the Corpse Road by David J. West
Hatfields and McCoys... I mean Landers and MacGregors... clan wars tend see a lot of sacrifice, especially to tradition, but fighting for your life no matter what deathly path you find yourself on is always a game-changer.
3. Dustbane and the Ancient Guardian by Seth Taylor
A technist, a merchant, and a mage walk into a bar... in a Jurassic Park scenario without dinosaurs. An environment of lies can only be brought to truth when the air thins the mind.
4. Blood on the Spire by Adam Caisse
Trials and tribulations have the tendency to either break a man or corrupt him with newfound power but the one who perseveres throws evil from its lofty perch and basks in his natural freedom.
5. A Simple Snare by David Alan Jones
It's not a buddy comedy but adventurous installments seem to be on the horizon now that the worst of it has been addressed. Or has it?
6. The Princess of Íniskent by Urna Semper
A land where you cannot trust your own eyes... family and nobility seem to create chaos a lot of times. New adventures to come, I'm sure.
7. Sword of the Mageslayer by Lee Allred
Magic is like a nuclear weapon, devastating the populace when those in power want even more. Legends are made and tales are told but the truth is rarely so black-and-white. Revenge though, that tends to be a little more monotone in some cases, bloodred shades in fact.
8. Straight to the Heart by Jason M. Waltz
The Breath of Death cannot make friends without the Death Gatherers looking to gorge. Like Horcrux', the sorcery here can manifest in different trinkets resulting in God knows what kind of chaos. Fight, go to sleep, and worry about tomorrow when you awake.
9. Valegor the Stump and the Brass Blood Crown by Ross Hathaway
It's good to have a moral compass for specific offenses but a crown has the ability to make a monster out of a hero, unless that hero can curse himself as he has cursed the gods and throw temptation to the void.
10. Creatures of the Deeper Earth by Adrian Cole
Family and nobility once again creates chaos that the people suffer for. Heartbreaking though is not just having one family that shuns you, but two that push you away. Is it better to live another day alone, or to die with your loved one?
11. Deep As Death by Steve Goble
In a godless land, it's not hard to imagine men as women ... you know what, I'm gonna stop while I am ahead,
February 25, 2026
Daggers & Dark Powers edited by Jason M. Waltz
Raconteur Press
2025
This marks the second anthology Waltz has published with Raconteur Press. The first, Blades & Black Magic, was certainly the best anthology that I read last year. Daggers features quite a bit of talent that I was simply unaware of previously. I have to wonder if these authors aren't contemporaries of the publisher. The few names I recognized are stalwart members of the S&S communities online and indie publications.
Each author brought to the book their individualized opinion of sword and sorcery. Most hit like a no-frills action movie in their own right. Many of the stories fully exemplify the Neither Beg Nor Yield philosophy many fans love. Hopefully many of these characters will become legacy characters and I will encounter them again.
This is exactly what fans like me love.
Waltz opens the anthology with an introduction titled Passion and the Possibility.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Bruce Erling Strange opens things right with almost non-stop bloody action. The chatter back and forth about civilization versus barbarism seemed a little excessive. A pretty good story that begs for a follow up.
Last Walk on the Corpse Road by David J West is one of my favorites from this anthology. This story is certainly a bad case of wrong place at the wrong time. Our protagonist is captured alive, whilst his companions would rather die than be captured. Paints a grim picture. Gathelaus keeps his head though, even when things being to look untenable. I would heartily welcome more of this character in the future.
Dustbane and the Ancient Guardian by Seth Taylor is exactly what I love about speculative fiction. Taylor doesn't reinvent the wheel here, but his melding of ideas gives the story a zest that I enjoyed.
At its core, this story beings like any other¬-in a bar, tavern, watering hole–I forget the terminology used but you get the idea. Three individuals seek a fourth for a quest. The man they choose is deadly and not quite the fool they believe him to be.
I couldn't help but notice the similarities between Taylor's guardian and a monster of the old world in the Shannara books. I wonder if Taylor is even aware of the connection. Yet another character I would love to read more about.
Blood on the Spire by Adam Caisse features a quintessential S&S archetype. He single-mindedly confronts every challenge with the mindset of 'my will, or I won't'. The end might come as a surprise but in reflection would you have expected anything less?
A Simple Snare by David Alan Jones had me hooked with the sell-sword and vagabond main character. What is he running from? A seemingly simple job turns out to be anything but, awakening something fiendish and hungry.
The Princess of Ïnişent by Urna Semper involves a foreign smith who becomes embroiled in the succession. This isn't his intention. Far from it. A chance encounter and simply following a suggestion sends this northerner into danger.
Sword of the Mage Slayer by Lee Allred in next. Six sorcerers are kept pampered prisoners to protect the northern border. A lone swordsman, seemingly impervious to magic, seeks to bring down these powerful men. Not everything is as it would seem though. Sometimes the change we affect upon the world is temporary.
Straight to the Heart by Jason M Waltz opens right in the thick of things. It would seem that a fence has convinced a motley group of young people to steal from a sorcerer. Now that sorcerer hunts them.
Pawft is an interesting protagonist. Is he cursed? Is it all just happenstance? Regardless, I does not pay to be his companion.
Vaelgar the Stump and the Brass Blood Crown is a non-stop adrenaline rush or brash bravado and martial skill. Vaelgar is of short stature, but his shadow stretches far. He disdains the rules of life and simply goes his own way against all odds.
I would like to share some passages that made me smile.
'"The Corpse Oracle," the monk whispered. "Made from thirteen prophets who betrayed their gods. Now they see all. Speak in riddles. Bleed knowledge."
Vaelgor cracked his knuckles, "Looks like an orgy hosted by necromancers and sculpted by a mad taxidermist."'
And...
'That night, they burned Kul's body. Vaelgor drank his wine, took his tent, and adopted his camel, which he named Iron Tits because it kicked like a war goddess and spat like a banshee.'
Creatures of the Deeper Earth by Adrian Cole is the next story. Adrian Cole is a living-legend. His career has spanned decades. Unfortunately, this one didn't really resonate with me. It is a fine story of homecoming and taking back your birthright. The ending also has a couple of surprises for our hero.
Deep as Death by Steve Goble is the final story. Calthus is an interesting protagonist. Getting a second chance at life, after centuries in hell, he rediscovers an old adversary. This adversary has found a novel way to get close to his enemy. It certainly fills Calthus with shock and revulsion.
His situation is quite unique. Everyone and everything he knew is now dust. Although, he seems to be ready to drink deeply of life this time around.
Now for the silver lining. I appreciate the cover and interior art. I do not like the provenance of said art. I do not like how little the art, before each story, actually has to do with that story. It makes it feel like minimal effort was made in this department.
Another very minor compliant concerns a later story in the book that changes perspective and the change isn't delineated in any fashion. This part is very minor, so perhaps I am being a nitpick.
Yet another very minor nitpick, for Urna Semper's story the author's name and part of the title were printed in all caps. Even the author confessed confusion on discord about this.
The last thing that I didn't really like about the book was the stylized cursive for each story title. Some of them were downright illegible.
Raconteur Press
2025
This marks the second anthology Waltz has published with Raconteur Press. The first, Blades & Black Magic, was certainly the best anthology that I read last year. Daggers features quite a bit of talent that I was simply unaware of previously. I have to wonder if these authors aren't contemporaries of the publisher. The few names I recognized are stalwart members of the S&S communities online and indie publications.
Each author brought to the book their individualized opinion of sword and sorcery. Most hit like a no-frills action movie in their own right. Many of the stories fully exemplify the Neither Beg Nor Yield philosophy many fans love. Hopefully many of these characters will become legacy characters and I will encounter them again.
This is exactly what fans like me love.
Waltz opens the anthology with an introduction titled Passion and the Possibility.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Bruce Erling Strange opens things right with almost non-stop bloody action. The chatter back and forth about civilization versus barbarism seemed a little excessive. A pretty good story that begs for a follow up.
Last Walk on the Corpse Road by David J West is one of my favorites from this anthology. This story is certainly a bad case of wrong place at the wrong time. Our protagonist is captured alive, whilst his companions would rather die than be captured. Paints a grim picture. Gathelaus keeps his head though, even when things being to look untenable. I would heartily welcome more of this character in the future.
Dustbane and the Ancient Guardian by Seth Taylor is exactly what I love about speculative fiction. Taylor doesn't reinvent the wheel here, but his melding of ideas gives the story a zest that I enjoyed.
At its core, this story beings like any other¬-in a bar, tavern, watering hole–I forget the terminology used but you get the idea. Three individuals seek a fourth for a quest. The man they choose is deadly and not quite the fool they believe him to be.
I couldn't help but notice the similarities between Taylor's guardian and a monster of the old world in the Shannara books. I wonder if Taylor is even aware of the connection. Yet another character I would love to read more about.
Blood on the Spire by Adam Caisse features a quintessential S&S archetype. He single-mindedly confronts every challenge with the mindset of 'my will, or I won't'. The end might come as a surprise but in reflection would you have expected anything less?
A Simple Snare by David Alan Jones had me hooked with the sell-sword and vagabond main character. What is he running from? A seemingly simple job turns out to be anything but, awakening something fiendish and hungry.
The Princess of Ïnişent by Urna Semper involves a foreign smith who becomes embroiled in the succession. This isn't his intention. Far from it. A chance encounter and simply following a suggestion sends this northerner into danger.
Sword of the Mage Slayer by Lee Allred in next. Six sorcerers are kept pampered prisoners to protect the northern border. A lone swordsman, seemingly impervious to magic, seeks to bring down these powerful men. Not everything is as it would seem though. Sometimes the change we affect upon the world is temporary.
Straight to the Heart by Jason M Waltz opens right in the thick of things. It would seem that a fence has convinced a motley group of young people to steal from a sorcerer. Now that sorcerer hunts them.
Pawft is an interesting protagonist. Is he cursed? Is it all just happenstance? Regardless, I does not pay to be his companion.
Vaelgar the Stump and the Brass Blood Crown is a non-stop adrenaline rush or brash bravado and martial skill. Vaelgar is of short stature, but his shadow stretches far. He disdains the rules of life and simply goes his own way against all odds.
I would like to share some passages that made me smile.
'"The Corpse Oracle," the monk whispered. "Made from thirteen prophets who betrayed their gods. Now they see all. Speak in riddles. Bleed knowledge."
Vaelgor cracked his knuckles, "Looks like an orgy hosted by necromancers and sculpted by a mad taxidermist."'
And...
'That night, they burned Kul's body. Vaelgor drank his wine, took his tent, and adopted his camel, which he named Iron Tits because it kicked like a war goddess and spat like a banshee.'
Creatures of the Deeper Earth by Adrian Cole is the next story. Adrian Cole is a living-legend. His career has spanned decades. Unfortunately, this one didn't really resonate with me. It is a fine story of homecoming and taking back your birthright. The ending also has a couple of surprises for our hero.
Deep as Death by Steve Goble is the final story. Calthus is an interesting protagonist. Getting a second chance at life, after centuries in hell, he rediscovers an old adversary. This adversary has found a novel way to get close to his enemy. It certainly fills Calthus with shock and revulsion.
His situation is quite unique. Everyone and everything he knew is now dust. Although, he seems to be ready to drink deeply of life this time around.
Now for the silver lining. I appreciate the cover and interior art. I do not like the provenance of said art. I do not like how little the art, before each story, actually has to do with that story. It makes it feel like minimal effort was made in this department.
Another very minor compliant concerns a later story in the book that changes perspective and the change isn't delineated in any fashion. This part is very minor, so perhaps I am being a nitpick.
Yet another very minor nitpick, for Urna Semper's story the author's name and part of the title were printed in all caps. Even the author confessed confusion on discord about this.
The last thing that I didn't really like about the book was the stylized cursive for each story title. Some of them were downright illegible.
December 12, 2025
Jason M. Waltz is back with a new Sword & Sorcery Anthology
The Bear and the Nightingale by Bruce Erling Strange is the first story in this anthology. Bruce appears to be a regular contributor to prior Raconteur Press anthologies. This is apparently his first sword & sorcery story as his previous stories focused on marines, superheroes, and space opera. I was extremely impressed. I enjoyed this first story immensely. The writing and plot are both crisp and I loved the writing and portrayal of these characters. Both could easily become legacy characters for Strange. I look forward to reading more exploits of the Bear and the Nightingale. Waltz's newest anthology gets off to a strong start with this first story.
LAST WALK ON THE CORPSE ROAD- by David J. West is another outstanding story. I recall reading another David J. West short story, Hel' Awaits, in Savage Realms #2. Beaten and captured, Gathelaus finds himself sentenced to a gruesome death and a last walk upon the corpse road. This second story is a real banger and will keep you turning the pages right up to the denouement.
DUSTBANE AND THE ANCIENT GUARDIAN by Seth Taylor is the third tale in this anthology. Fans of Gamma World, Terry Brooks, or post-apocalyptic fantasy are going to love this one. It will certainly scratch that itch - this one strikes all the right chords with an air of tension and mystery that keeps you riveted to your seat.
BLOOD ON THE SPIRE by Adam Caisse. This one checked all the right boxes for me. I fell in love instantly with this author's writing style. His dark, gritty prose struck all the right chords. The story features the character of Wyl who enters a dark tower, intent on challenging the sorcerous Queen located at it's top. Level after level provides a new challenge. A fantastic story. Poor Toki! Harsh!
A SIMPLE SNARE by David Alan Jones is yet another fantastic story. We are introduced to three outstanding new characters and the ending hints that we may see more of them. I immensely enjoyed this offering as well.
THE PRINCESS OF INISKENT by Urna Semper is the sixth tale in this anthology. Just when I thought that things couldn't get better, along comes Urna Semper with a real banger. Amazing writing, fantastic characters, a great story.
SWORD OF THE MAGESLAYER by Lee Allred. This story was told in a very original way. I thought the story was going to go in a particular direction and with a twist it takes you in another. I enjoyed this tale as well, however, despite it's originality it was the weakest for me among the seven stories. It's not to have any negative connotations because all of the stories in this book so far are extremely good. Speaking of extremely good.....
STRAIGHT TO THE HEART by Jason M. Waltz. Jason sneaks one of his very own stories in here and it is a real banger. An excellent story that features an extremely interesting cast of characters caught in the middle of a heist gone wrong. Everything about this tale oozes originality. If Quentin Tarantino and Glen Cook had a love child this would be it. Even the title of this particular story is clever. This is the best Jason M. Waltz story I've ever read.
VALEGOR THE STUMP AND THE BRASS BLOOD CROWN by Ron Hathaway. Normally I wouldn't be such a fan of over the top, unrealistic carnage such as this, but the writing in this story is amazing. So many sentences were just oozing with creativity as well as loaded with grit and vigor. I can't tell you how many times I paused in my reading, shook my head in wonder, and thought; 'wow what a sentence'. The entire story is like this. Perhaps not in plot, nor in character, but in language alone this is definitely one of my favorites within this book.
CREATURES OF THE DEEPER EARTH by Adrian Cole. So definitely checks all of the boxes needed for a good sword & sorcery yarn, yet it also seems like an outline for a great high fantasy story. The writing is so polished and so very eloquent that it comes off as an abstract for a Tad Williams novel in length alone. The story oozes with atmosphere and here is Adrian Cole telling you; 'I am good at what I do, just watch'. A fantastic beginning, middle, and end, with an interesting character and fantastic villain. Adrian could hold a workshop with this story.
DEEP AS DEATH by Steve Goble. The "cherry on top" of this amazing anthology treat for any sword & sorcery fan is another Calthus story by the esteemed Mr. Goble. I am a huge Steve Goble fan and an even bigger fan of his Calthus stories. Calthus is one of my favorite legacy characters. Steve took a break from writing mysteries and gave us a new Calthus story in Neither Beg Nor Yield and now here he is again and he does not disappoint. A wonderfully entertaining story that serves as the capstone for 11 absolutely amazing stories.
These are not just 11 entertaining stories; these are 11 STANDOUT stories by 11 authors who are showing off here a little bit for you. These are 11 authors, who were "in the zone" so to speak when writing these stories. We could almost scratch out the title of this anthology and rename it instead as BEST FANTASY OF 2025. I give this anthology my highest recommendation. If you're a sword & sorcery fan, I am telling you to rearrange your massive TBR list and place this book at the top. This is akin to an eleven-course meal for a food addict, 11 ounces of the best cocaine for a drug addict, this is the best book that you never knew you needed. Treat yourself this holiday season and purchase this bad boy to add to your shelves.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Bruce Erling Strange is the first story in this anthology. Bruce appears to be a regular contributor to prior Raconteur Press anthologies. This is apparently his first sword & sorcery story as his previous stories focused on marines, superheroes, and space opera. I was extremely impressed. I enjoyed this first story immensely. The writing and plot are both crisp and I loved the writing and portrayal of these characters. Both could easily become legacy characters for Strange. I look forward to reading more exploits of the Bear and the Nightingale. Waltz's newest anthology gets off to a strong start with this first story.
LAST WALK ON THE CORPSE ROAD- by David J. West is another outstanding story. I recall reading another David J. West short story, Hel' Awaits, in Savage Realms #2. Beaten and captured, Gathelaus finds himself sentenced to a gruesome death and a last walk upon the corpse road. This second story is a real banger and will keep you turning the pages right up to the denouement.
DUSTBANE AND THE ANCIENT GUARDIAN by Seth Taylor is the third tale in this anthology. Fans of Gamma World, Terry Brooks, or post-apocalyptic fantasy are going to love this one. It will certainly scratch that itch - this one strikes all the right chords with an air of tension and mystery that keeps you riveted to your seat.
BLOOD ON THE SPIRE by Adam Caisse. This one checked all the right boxes for me. I fell in love instantly with this author's writing style. His dark, gritty prose struck all the right chords. The story features the character of Wyl who enters a dark tower, intent on challenging the sorcerous Queen located at it's top. Level after level provides a new challenge. A fantastic story. Poor Toki! Harsh!
A SIMPLE SNARE by David Alan Jones is yet another fantastic story. We are introduced to three outstanding new characters and the ending hints that we may see more of them. I immensely enjoyed this offering as well.
THE PRINCESS OF INISKENT by Urna Semper is the sixth tale in this anthology. Just when I thought that things couldn't get better, along comes Urna Semper with a real banger. Amazing writing, fantastic characters, a great story.
SWORD OF THE MAGESLAYER by Lee Allred. This story was told in a very original way. I thought the story was going to go in a particular direction and with a twist it takes you in another. I enjoyed this tale as well, however, despite it's originality it was the weakest for me among the seven stories. It's not to have any negative connotations because all of the stories in this book so far are extremely good. Speaking of extremely good.....
STRAIGHT TO THE HEART by Jason M. Waltz. Jason sneaks one of his very own stories in here and it is a real banger. An excellent story that features an extremely interesting cast of characters caught in the middle of a heist gone wrong. Everything about this tale oozes originality. If Quentin Tarantino and Glen Cook had a love child this would be it. Even the title of this particular story is clever. This is the best Jason M. Waltz story I've ever read.
VALEGOR THE STUMP AND THE BRASS BLOOD CROWN by Ron Hathaway. Normally I wouldn't be such a fan of over the top, unrealistic carnage such as this, but the writing in this story is amazing. So many sentences were just oozing with creativity as well as loaded with grit and vigor. I can't tell you how many times I paused in my reading, shook my head in wonder, and thought; 'wow what a sentence'. The entire story is like this. Perhaps not in plot, nor in character, but in language alone this is definitely one of my favorites within this book.
CREATURES OF THE DEEPER EARTH by Adrian Cole. So definitely checks all of the boxes needed for a good sword & sorcery yarn, yet it also seems like an outline for a great high fantasy story. The writing is so polished and so very eloquent that it comes off as an abstract for a Tad Williams novel in length alone. The story oozes with atmosphere and here is Adrian Cole telling you; 'I am good at what I do, just watch'. A fantastic beginning, middle, and end, with an interesting character and fantastic villain. Adrian could hold a workshop with this story.
DEEP AS DEATH by Steve Goble. The "cherry on top" of this amazing anthology treat for any sword & sorcery fan is another Calthus story by the esteemed Mr. Goble. I am a huge Steve Goble fan and an even bigger fan of his Calthus stories. Calthus is one of my favorite legacy characters. Steve took a break from writing mysteries and gave us a new Calthus story in Neither Beg Nor Yield and now here he is again and he does not disappoint. A wonderfully entertaining story that serves as the capstone for 11 absolutely amazing stories.
These are not just 11 entertaining stories; these are 11 STANDOUT stories by 11 authors who are showing off here a little bit for you. These are 11 authors, who were "in the zone" so to speak when writing these stories. We could almost scratch out the title of this anthology and rename it instead as BEST FANTASY OF 2025. I give this anthology my highest recommendation. If you're a sword & sorcery fan, I am telling you to rearrange your massive TBR list and place this book at the top. This is akin to an eleven-course meal for a food addict, 11 ounces of the best cocaine for a drug addict, this is the best book that you never knew you needed. Treat yourself this holiday season and purchase this bad boy to add to your shelves.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews