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The Battle Rages On
In 2019, DMR Books released The Infernal Bargain and Other Stories, our first free digital “sampler” anthology. It contained ten tales from some of our then-current releases and authors. In the past seven years, there have been plenty of changes, both at DMR and in the sword-and-sorcery scene in general. No small number of authors, publishers, and readers have come and gone—but DMR Books is still here, soldiering on with banners raised high.
With the influx of new readers discovering what the genre has to offer in recent years, it’s high time for a second sampler. In this free anthology, you’ll find six stories by the cream of the crop of currently active S&S writers and two tales by masters from the pulps, spanning the broad spectrum DMR Books has to offer. This is your chance to discover what you’ve been missing!
With the influx of new readers discovering what the genre has to offer in recent years, it’s high time for a second sampler. In this free anthology, you’ll find six stories by the cream of the crop of currently active S&S writers and two tales by masters from the pulps, spanning the broad spectrum DMR Books has to offer. This is your chance to discover what you’ve been missing!
ebook
Published March 13, 2026
About the author
D.M. Ritzlin
42 books64 followersD.M. Ritzlin founded DMR Books in 2015 with the aim of revitalizing sword-and-sorcery literature. DMR’s publications include reprints of classic material by authors such as Robert E. Howard and Clark Ashton Smith, as well as brand-new collections and anthologies by some of the finest fantasy writers active today.
A collection of his own stories, Necromancy in Nilztiria, was released in October 2020.
Nilztiria is a world of adventure and strangeness, peopled by lusty heroes and callous villains. The thirteen sword-and-sorcery stories presented in Necromancy in Nilztiria place the emphasis on sorcery and mix in a touch of gallows humor.
For more information on all of his projects, visit dmrbooks.com.
A collection of his own stories, Necromancy in Nilztiria, was released in October 2020.
Nilztiria is a world of adventure and strangeness, peopled by lusty heroes and callous villains. The thirteen sword-and-sorcery stories presented in Necromancy in Nilztiria place the emphasis on sorcery and mix in a touch of gallows humor.
For more information on all of his projects, visit dmrbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 5, 2026
Props to DMR books to giving this compilation out for free as a sampler for the different types of works that they offer! Over-all a great read. There's a good mix of good ol' pulpy Swords and Sorcery fiction packed into a tight package. Each story being roughly 30-40 pages long definitely makes them easy bits to sit down and finish in half an hour.
The Hill of Breaking Bones (Adrian Cole) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Swords and Sorcery Goodness. It feels dreamlike in how it's atmosphere is laid out while the battle scenes are equally visceral. Dare I say, the central plot seems somewhat like Aragorn's little arc in the Paths of the Dead!
The Tears of Blood (M. Stern) ⭐⭐⭐- This was interesting for sure. The monsters are kept vague, and so is the true fate of the evil advisor who took over. Ulx coming back to restore his kingdom definitely has some Lion King vibes.
In the Hall of the Wolfborn Liege (Byron A. Roberts) ⭐⭐⭐⭐- It's cool how this is a compilation of stories in a book that's a compilation of stories, but this one has a flair of people one upping one another. Caylen-Tor's little quest following the woman into the cave was dripping with vibes.
Through the Dragon Glass (A. Merrit) ⭐⭐- I believe this may be the oldest story in the book and unfortunately it doesn't grip me as well as the other stories here. Either the prose is a bit too "Oooh look how different this world is" or it's just lacking in big plot beats for me. One of the weaker ones for sure.
Forerunners (Ethan Sabatella) ⭐⭐⭐- Yeah it was definitely amusing seeing the two run out of the enemy chieftain's hut and his entire camp in order to make it back and report to their leader, hijinks for sure. The ending was interesting on how the two brother's ended up killing each other. Sad and unfortunate.
Reflections of a Haunted Mind (Howie K. Bentley) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- You thought you were getting a story about a knight saving a damsel in distress (a witch accused of witching), but nahh, you get an introspective look into the Knight's jumbled memories and how he's some sort of Frankenstein's monster type of thing. Wicked and crazy vibes. I love it.
Swain's Stone (Arthur Howden Smith) ⭐⭐✨ - Swain's Stone is the 2nd oldest story here and I think it suffers the same fate of not gripping me as well as the other short story. I think it definitely sticks out for being the longest story in the compilation while also being an origin story for the character. I just feel that with it's length, it doesn't really have a main villain to root against, there's the other Swain and the Witch Lady. Pick one bad guy short story come on.
The Demon's Oak (D.M. Ritzlin) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Yeah, Vran is a cool pulpy character alright. Him arguing for more money from the noble, him being nervous about casting a spell because of his condition. He's not just "a strong guy" and I think that's cool. But yeah, this story has everything, a supernatural enemy hiding behind a cult, wizards getting their comeuppances and intense sword lord moments.
The Hill of Breaking Bones (Adrian Cole) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Swords and Sorcery Goodness. It feels dreamlike in how it's atmosphere is laid out while the battle scenes are equally visceral. Dare I say, the central plot seems somewhat like Aragorn's little arc in the Paths of the Dead!
The Tears of Blood (M. Stern) ⭐⭐⭐- This was interesting for sure. The monsters are kept vague, and so is the true fate of the evil advisor who took over. Ulx coming back to restore his kingdom definitely has some Lion King vibes.
In the Hall of the Wolfborn Liege (Byron A. Roberts) ⭐⭐⭐⭐- It's cool how this is a compilation of stories in a book that's a compilation of stories, but this one has a flair of people one upping one another. Caylen-Tor's little quest following the woman into the cave was dripping with vibes.
Through the Dragon Glass (A. Merrit) ⭐⭐- I believe this may be the oldest story in the book and unfortunately it doesn't grip me as well as the other stories here. Either the prose is a bit too "Oooh look how different this world is" or it's just lacking in big plot beats for me. One of the weaker ones for sure.
Forerunners (Ethan Sabatella) ⭐⭐⭐- Yeah it was definitely amusing seeing the two run out of the enemy chieftain's hut and his entire camp in order to make it back and report to their leader, hijinks for sure. The ending was interesting on how the two brother's ended up killing each other. Sad and unfortunate.
Reflections of a Haunted Mind (Howie K. Bentley) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- You thought you were getting a story about a knight saving a damsel in distress (a witch accused of witching), but nahh, you get an introspective look into the Knight's jumbled memories and how he's some sort of Frankenstein's monster type of thing. Wicked and crazy vibes. I love it.
Swain's Stone (Arthur Howden Smith) ⭐⭐✨ - Swain's Stone is the 2nd oldest story here and I think it suffers the same fate of not gripping me as well as the other short story. I think it definitely sticks out for being the longest story in the compilation while also being an origin story for the character. I just feel that with it's length, it doesn't really have a main villain to root against, there's the other Swain and the Witch Lady. Pick one bad guy short story come on.
The Demon's Oak (D.M. Ritzlin) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- Yeah, Vran is a cool pulpy character alright. Him arguing for more money from the noble, him being nervous about casting a spell because of his condition. He's not just "a strong guy" and I think that's cool. But yeah, this story has everything, a supernatural enemy hiding behind a cult, wizards getting their comeuppances and intense sword lord moments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 of 1 review