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The great anthology of short novels by the masters of modern fantasy.
Stephen King tells a tale of Roland, the Gunslinger, in the world of The Dark Tower, in "The Little Sisters of Eluria."
Robert Silverberg returns to Majipoor and to Lord Valentine's adventure in an ancient tomb, in "The Seventh Shrine."
Orson Scott Card spins a yarn of Alvin and his apprentice from the Tales of Alvin Maker, in "Grinning Man."
Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar Saga is the setting of the tale of "The Wood Boy."
Stephen King tells a tale of Roland, the Gunslinger, in the world of The Dark Tower, in "The Little Sisters of Eluria."
Robert Silverberg returns to Majipoor and to Lord Valentine's adventure in an ancient tomb, in "The Seventh Shrine."
Orson Scott Card spins a yarn of Alvin and his apprentice from the Tales of Alvin Maker, in "Grinning Man."
Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar Saga is the setting of the tale of "The Wood Boy."
744 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 1998
22 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Robert Silverberg
2,343 books1,601 followersThere are many authors in the database with this name.
Robert Silverberg is a highly celebrated American science fiction author and editor known for his prolific output and literary range. Over a career spanning decades, he has won multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards and was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 2004. Inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 1999, Silverberg is recognized for both his immense productivity and his contributions to the genre's evolution.
Born in Brooklyn, he began writing in his teens and won his first Hugo Award in 1956 as the best new writer. Throughout the 1950s, he produced vast amounts of fiction, often under pseudonyms, and was known for writing up to a million words a year. When the market declined, he diversified into other genres, including historical nonfiction and erotica.
Silverberg’s return to science fiction in the 1960s marked a shift toward deeper psychological and literary themes, contributing significantly to the New Wave movement. Acclaimed works from this period include Downward to the Earth, Dying Inside, Nightwings, and The World Inside. In the 1980s, he launched the Majipoor series with Lord Valentine’s Castle, creating one of the most imaginative planetary settings in science fiction.
Though he announced his retirement from writing in the mid-1970s, Silverberg returned with renewed vigor and continued to publish acclaimed fiction into the 1990s. He received further recognition with the Nebula-winning Sailing to Byzantium and the Hugo-winning Gilgamesh in the Outback.
Silverberg has also played a significant role as an editor and anthologist, shaping science fiction literature through both his own work and his influence on others. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, author Karen Haber.
Robert Silverberg is a highly celebrated American science fiction author and editor known for his prolific output and literary range. Over a career spanning decades, he has won multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards and was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 2004. Inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 1999, Silverberg is recognized for both his immense productivity and his contributions to the genre's evolution.
Born in Brooklyn, he began writing in his teens and won his first Hugo Award in 1956 as the best new writer. Throughout the 1950s, he produced vast amounts of fiction, often under pseudonyms, and was known for writing up to a million words a year. When the market declined, he diversified into other genres, including historical nonfiction and erotica.
Silverberg’s return to science fiction in the 1960s marked a shift toward deeper psychological and literary themes, contributing significantly to the New Wave movement. Acclaimed works from this period include Downward to the Earth, Dying Inside, Nightwings, and The World Inside. In the 1980s, he launched the Majipoor series with Lord Valentine’s Castle, creating one of the most imaginative planetary settings in science fiction.
Though he announced his retirement from writing in the mid-1970s, Silverberg returned with renewed vigor and continued to publish acclaimed fiction into the 1990s. He received further recognition with the Nebula-winning Sailing to Byzantium and the Hugo-winning Gilgamesh in the Outback.
Silverberg has also played a significant role as an editor and anthologist, shaping science fiction literature through both his own work and his influence on others. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, author Karen Haber.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 19, 2023
Actually a 4.5, but I can't say I disliked any of the stories. Other than the Gunslinger series I doubt I'd go on to explore the others however. I liked the character very much in the final story (Raymond E. Feist) The Wood Boy from the Empire trilogy. But the ending led me to believe he may be a minor character in the series. My thoughts on the others as I went.
August 25, 2017
One of my book clubs was reading Stephen King's 'The Gunslinger' as a monthly pick and this collection includes a prequel novella to that book. I read 'The Gunslinger' a few years ago and did not enjoy it enough to waste my time with a re-read, this seemed like a good compromise.
There are only 4 stories in this book so I will rate them individually.
The Dark Tower: The Little Sisters of Eluria by Stephen King.
Zombies and vampires in the old west. Made as much sense as the first book in the Dark Tower series did. 3 stars.
Majipoor: The Seventh Shrine by Robert Silverberg.
Pontifax Valentine conducts a murder investigation at an archaeological dig. 4 stars.
Tales of Alvin The Maker: Grinning Man by Orson Scott Card
Alternative American history with magic where Davy Crockett teams up with a bear. Total nonsense. 1 star.
The Riftwar Saga: The Wood Boy - Raymond E. Feist
A tragic tale of a young boy caught up in the war when his Lord and Manor are occupied by invaders. 3.5 stars.
Of these, I have read other books in the same worlds except for the Orson Scott Card. Having this background information may have influenced how much I enjoyed the individual stories. Majipoor and The Riftwar Saga I can highly recommend.
Overall I will give this 3 stars.
There are only 4 stories in this book so I will rate them individually.
The Dark Tower: The Little Sisters of Eluria by Stephen King.
Zombies and vampires in the old west. Made as much sense as the first book in the Dark Tower series did. 3 stars.
Majipoor: The Seventh Shrine by Robert Silverberg.
Pontifax Valentine conducts a murder investigation at an archaeological dig. 4 stars.
Tales of Alvin The Maker: Grinning Man by Orson Scott Card
Alternative American history with magic where Davy Crockett teams up with a bear. Total nonsense. 1 star.
The Riftwar Saga: The Wood Boy - Raymond E. Feist
A tragic tale of a young boy caught up in the war when his Lord and Manor are occupied by invaders. 3.5 stars.
Of these, I have read other books in the same worlds except for the Orson Scott Card. Having this background information may have influenced how much I enjoyed the individual stories. Majipoor and The Riftwar Saga I can highly recommend.
Overall I will give this 3 stars.
January 31, 2021
I’m not sure if I got this for the King, Silverberg, Card, or Feist stories, but they were all ok.
June 6, 2010
The anthology of four novellas is a good introduction to authors and their series. If one is already familiar with them, consider it a bonus collection. It's a nice little addition to one's sci-fi/fantasy books.
Ranking those I liked from most to least are “the Grinning Man”, “the Seventh Shrine”, “the Wood Boy”, and “Little Sisters of Eluria”.
Stephen King – “Little Sisters of Eluria” – Dark Tower:
While on his way to the Dark Tower, Roland arrives at the deserted village of Eluria where he is attacked by a group of slow mutants. He awakens under the care of strange nuns who may have helped him, but don’t want him to leave.
The plot itself was interesting in a macabre sort of way, but the 112-page novella started off slowly. Once the introductory beginning was done it was better and easier to get through. If one is already familiar with and likes the Dark Tower series, then it may make for more enjoyable reading. I had heard from others that King tends to be a bit long winded so I had an idea of what I was in for. I might pass on reading more King and stick to watching the movies.
Robert Silverberg – “the Seventh Shrine” – Majipoor:
The ruler of Majipoor, Valentine, visits an archeological site to investigate the head archeologist's murder. Violent death at the hands of another is rare, but ties between the aborigines, whom the humans had been at war with, are still fragile. Questions arise about why Dr. Huukaminaan was killed and why the Seventh Shrine is so sacred. Who dunnit?
I liked this 125-page murder mystery and Silverberg’s writing. I'll be reading more.
Orson Scott Card – “the Grinning Man” – Tales of Alvin Maker:
In an alternate America where the Revolutionary War never happened and folk magic works, Alvin is marked as a person of great power. During their travels, Alvin and his ward come across a man with a coonskin cap who’s “a-busy grinning” a bear. While working at a town’s mill, they discover why the miller is so prosperous.
The tale gave me the sense that I was hearing it while sitting around a campfire. Card’s use of colloquial language also adds to its depth. 57 pages didn’t seem long enough for this quick read.
Raymond E. Feist – “the Wood Boy” – the Riftwar Saga:
Dirk learns to cope with life on an estate that was taken by the invading militaristic Tsurani. When the lord’s daughter is kidnapped, Dirk sets out on a treacherous journey with nothing to lose and nowhere else to go.
This 50-page story was short, but sweet and more from the series are in my reading pile.
Ranking those I liked from most to least are “the Grinning Man”, “the Seventh Shrine”, “the Wood Boy”, and “Little Sisters of Eluria”.
Stephen King – “Little Sisters of Eluria” – Dark Tower:
While on his way to the Dark Tower, Roland arrives at the deserted village of Eluria where he is attacked by a group of slow mutants. He awakens under the care of strange nuns who may have helped him, but don’t want him to leave.
The plot itself was interesting in a macabre sort of way, but the 112-page novella started off slowly. Once the introductory beginning was done it was better and easier to get through. If one is already familiar with and likes the Dark Tower series, then it may make for more enjoyable reading. I had heard from others that King tends to be a bit long winded so I had an idea of what I was in for. I might pass on reading more King and stick to watching the movies.
Robert Silverberg – “the Seventh Shrine” – Majipoor:
The ruler of Majipoor, Valentine, visits an archeological site to investigate the head archeologist's murder. Violent death at the hands of another is rare, but ties between the aborigines, whom the humans had been at war with, are still fragile. Questions arise about why Dr. Huukaminaan was killed and why the Seventh Shrine is so sacred. Who dunnit?
I liked this 125-page murder mystery and Silverberg’s writing. I'll be reading more.
Orson Scott Card – “the Grinning Man” – Tales of Alvin Maker:
In an alternate America where the Revolutionary War never happened and folk magic works, Alvin is marked as a person of great power. During their travels, Alvin and his ward come across a man with a coonskin cap who’s “a-busy grinning” a bear. While working at a town’s mill, they discover why the miller is so prosperous.
The tale gave me the sense that I was hearing it while sitting around a campfire. Card’s use of colloquial language also adds to its depth. 57 pages didn’t seem long enough for this quick read.
Raymond E. Feist – “the Wood Boy” – the Riftwar Saga:
Dirk learns to cope with life on an estate that was taken by the invading militaristic Tsurani. When the lord’s daughter is kidnapped, Dirk sets out on a treacherous journey with nothing to lose and nowhere else to go.
This 50-page story was short, but sweet and more from the series are in my reading pile.
December 25, 2010
This was one of the most important books that I read years ago that sparked my interest in some authors that I was not aware of. I had been out of the fantasy loop for quite a few years. I am from the Tolkien, McCaffrey, Brooks, Donaldson era, and I was out of touch. This book and the second volume, as well as the Legends II books of the last decade are essential if you want to jump into fantasy but do not know where to start. Start here! What follows are my brief reviews of the stories in this volume:
THE LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA from Stephen King's The Dark Tower. A new story (at the time) of a series of which I was totally unaware. It still took me five years to finally read them all, and I love this series.
THE SEVENTH SHRINE Silverberg writes a new story of Marjipoor. I had to find more!
GRINNING MAN a Davy Crockett tale like no other, Orson Scott Card delivers a new story of a different America in the Tales of Alvin Maker. From here I was led to SEVENTH SON and all the rest of the Alvin Maker series. Great stuff!
THE WOOD BOY from Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar Saga about Dirk. Once again, I was introduced to a world that I needed to discover and I did eventually get into several of this series. Wonderful stories.
THE LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA from Stephen King's The Dark Tower. A new story (at the time) of a series of which I was totally unaware. It still took me five years to finally read them all, and I love this series.
THE SEVENTH SHRINE Silverberg writes a new story of Marjipoor. I had to find more!
GRINNING MAN a Davy Crockett tale like no other, Orson Scott Card delivers a new story of a different America in the Tales of Alvin Maker. From here I was led to SEVENTH SON and all the rest of the Alvin Maker series. Great stuff!
THE WOOD BOY from Raymond E. Feist's Riftwar Saga about Dirk. Once again, I was introduced to a world that I needed to discover and I did eventually get into several of this series. Wonderful stories.
August 27, 2015
I like the idea of collecting all these epic fantasy "appetizers" in one place. It allows me to dip my big toe into each of these worlds rather than dive in full-bore.
LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA: I love Stephen King, and I love THE DARK TOWER, so this was a slam dunk. Sure, it's wordy--but Stephen King has a way of making every sentence seem vital.
THE SEVENTH SHRINE: A brief murder mystery that focuses more on world-building than finding a clever solution to the crime. Made me want to know more about this series.
THE GRINNING MAN: I consider myself a big fan of Orson Scott Card, so I was really looking forward to this. However, in my estimation, it sucked. A silly plot with silly characters and jokes that didn't work. Alvin's execution of "poetic justice" made me smile, but I was put off by Card's country bumpkin-style narration and his bizarre portrayal of Davy Crockett. This is not a series I'll be rushing out to read any time soon.
THE WOOD BOY: Pretty good; but it struck me as an awful lot of set-up for very little payoff.
LITTLE SISTERS OF ELURIA: I love Stephen King, and I love THE DARK TOWER, so this was a slam dunk. Sure, it's wordy--but Stephen King has a way of making every sentence seem vital.
THE SEVENTH SHRINE: A brief murder mystery that focuses more on world-building than finding a clever solution to the crime. Made me want to know more about this series.
THE GRINNING MAN: I consider myself a big fan of Orson Scott Card, so I was really looking forward to this. However, in my estimation, it sucked. A silly plot with silly characters and jokes that didn't work. Alvin's execution of "poetic justice" made me smile, but I was put off by Card's country bumpkin-style narration and his bizarre portrayal of Davy Crockett. This is not a series I'll be rushing out to read any time soon.
THE WOOD BOY: Pretty good; but it struck me as an awful lot of set-up for very little payoff.
March 14, 2023
Story 1: Typical Stephen King story that didn’t disappoint. Dark bells. My first or second foray into the Dark Tower series. 4/5 excitement to read the novel.
Story 2: Rambling and a touch boring. No personal connection to the characters. Feels like this book was published to promote Robert Silverberg, but I suggest just reading Nightwings instead. 1/5 interest in reading more.
Story 3: Davy Crockett VS a bear VS supernatural dudes with personality. 5/5 need to read
Story 4: Riftwar saga, seems decent, would read.
Story 2: Rambling and a touch boring. No personal connection to the characters. Feels like this book was published to promote Robert Silverberg, but I suggest just reading Nightwings instead. 1/5 interest in reading more.
Story 3: Davy Crockett VS a bear VS supernatural dudes with personality. 5/5 need to read
Story 4: Riftwar saga, seems decent, would read.
October 17, 2017
Very interesting stories about a variety of different worlds, some of which I already knew well. These all added to the characters and stories in the main books of these series. What's even more, the stories introduced a world while in the middle of its progression(in the main books) yet still portrayed them in a way that was easy to understand for newcomers to the series.
January 31, 2018
A nice collection of short stories.
Can't believe I never heard of Alvin Maker before, but everyone should give Grinning Man a shot. Its a Folky Story about a Davey Crocket, a bear, and just a little bit of magic.
Had a nice short from Stephen King in the Dark Tower universe.
Wasn't a fan of the other 2 stories, but we'll see what the rest of the collection has to offer.
Can't believe I never heard of Alvin Maker before, but everyone should give Grinning Man a shot. Its a Folky Story about a Davey Crocket, a bear, and just a little bit of magic.
Had a nice short from Stephen King in the Dark Tower universe.
Wasn't a fan of the other 2 stories, but we'll see what the rest of the collection has to offer.
June 7, 2020
This is a really cool idea to introduce new readers into these long book series. As it can feel overwhelming for new readers to try to get into a series that already have several books, especially if that series has some books taking place at different points in the time line. The Gunslinger one if found kind of boring has it was mostly talking and really did not explain much about the world, but the Majipoor one did a really good job as it got me interested in the story by talking about the world, while the Alvin Maker was ok but I am not to interested in a Alternate take colonial America. And I felt the Rift War story really did not tap into the actual lore of the main series.
September 30, 2021
The only thing that saved this book at all was The Wood Boy. The rest were a waste of time!
March 29, 2008
I totally enjoyed this book.
Before each story there is a brief introduction that introduces us to the world that the author has written the story about. The only one that I have already read is Stephen King's Dark Tower. I have only read the first few books in the series but that made Stephen King's story my favorite as we travel with Roland on his journey and encounter what we can only describe as a form of vampire.
I have Card's books on my TBR mountain so his story was a nice introduction to his work and was enjoyable. Kind of makes me think of an American version of DiscWorld. lol
I also enjoyed Feist's Riftwar story as I also have some of his books on my TBR pile.
I have to admit that I did not read Silverberg's story as the introduction did not lead me to believe that I would care for the series.
Overall though a nice read with some great introductions, or additions to some wonderful series.
Before each story there is a brief introduction that introduces us to the world that the author has written the story about. The only one that I have already read is Stephen King's Dark Tower. I have only read the first few books in the series but that made Stephen King's story my favorite as we travel with Roland on his journey and encounter what we can only describe as a form of vampire.
I have Card's books on my TBR mountain so his story was a nice introduction to his work and was enjoyable. Kind of makes me think of an American version of DiscWorld. lol
I also enjoyed Feist's Riftwar story as I also have some of his books on my TBR pile.
I have to admit that I did not read Silverberg's story as the introduction did not lead me to believe that I would care for the series.
Overall though a nice read with some great introductions, or additions to some wonderful series.
February 25, 2009
I'll be honest- I only read the Stephen King and Orson Scott Card stories in this book. I started the Silverberg and the Feist stories, but just couldn't get into them. The King story was slow, and probably would have been more interesting if I had read the Dark Tower books. Still, it was very good. The Card story was fantastic. I have not read any of his books relating to Alvin Maker, but this was paced well and very entertaining and makes me want to get the full-sized novels in this series, which is after all the point. Again, I can't speak for the Silverberg or Feist stories, for all I know they were very good but I just couldn't get into them enough to get a true feel- they didn't grab me right away.
October 16, 2008
I bought this years ago in order to read Little Sisters of Eluria, a short story featuring Roland the Gunslinger from the Dark Tower series. It was years later when the story made its way into Everything's Eventual. I've never read the other stories.
The plot of Little Sisters is fairly straightforward. Roland gets injured fighting some mutants and is taken to a convent so his wounds will be treated. Only, there is much more to the convent than meets the eye.
If all you're looking for is the Dark Tower story, I'd go with Everything's Eventual instead. That way, you also get the story of Dinky Earnshaw, one of the Breakers.
The plot of Little Sisters is fairly straightforward. Roland gets injured fighting some mutants and is taken to a convent so his wounds will be treated. Only, there is much more to the convent than meets the eye.
If all you're looking for is the Dark Tower story, I'd go with Everything's Eventual instead. That way, you also get the story of Dinky Earnshaw, one of the Breakers.
August 14, 2020
Sbírka povídek, nebo snad kratších románů. Zajímal mě zejména příspěvek od Stephena Kinga s názvem Little sisters of Eluria (Sestřičky z Elurie), je to příběh ze série Dark Tower, další malý střípek co mi chyběl do skládačky. Pistolník je tu ještě mladý a v plné síle a parádě. Ta série začínala být s každým dalším dílem taková trochu rozplizlá, ale tenhle příběh je výborný, dost mi to svou přímočarostí připomíná první díl s pistolníkem. Příběhy od ostatních autorů byly taky fajn, ale King je prostě jenom jeden...
January 30, 2014
2 novellas and 2 novelettes that tie into existing book series by these 4 major authors. Each of the 4 appears to be not quite as good as the typical novel in the series they support, however, they do make excellent introductions to the series or additional goodies to someone already a fan of the series.
October 6, 2016
I read an edition that contained only four of the stories. They were all good, but they were set in worlds that the authors had used for other books and series that I hadn't read. They all worked as stand alone stories, but would probably be appreciated more by people who knew the world or the characters already.
July 25, 2015
This was a perfect book for a long car trip. Apparently it's an early version of a successful series. The four selections in this 1998 release now feel like classics, but I want to go back and read some of the full narratives from which they are drawn, especially King's Dark Tower.
July 10, 2008
I found this to be a nice variety of short stories. I generally prefer novels as you can really get into it but this was good for short bites!
September 29, 2011
This short story collection includes King's "Little Sisters of Eluria", of the Dark Tower Series. For that alone, it would be well read by any fan of King.
June 7, 2021
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
April 11, 2017
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10486170
This amazing collection of short novels is a must read for anyone that is a fan of the authors listed. I think that I like some of these better than the novels themselves.
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10486170
This amazing collection of short novels is a must read for anyone that is a fan of the authors listed. I think that I like some of these better than the novels themselves.
September 30, 2018
I bought this compilation because of Stephen King's "Little Sisters of Eluria", a spin-off of the Dark Tower universe. "Eluria" tells the story of Roland and how he survives the attack of some slow mutants with the help of the "Little Sisters". But he soon learns their dark secret: they are vampire-bucks who can shift their appearance to take on human shapes. The Sisters poison their victims so they can suck them out. Roland can escape only with the help of Sister Jenna. She doesn't want to become a murderous monster like her "sisters" and gives Roland the antidote so he can escape. The story is to short (only 120 pages) to build any momentum and lacks the charm of the other DT volumes. But otherwise it is an OK and short read!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews