from: Pitch-Black, LLC
Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN num: 9780975884003
ISBN number: 097588400X
Label: Pitch-Black, LLC
Manufacturer: Pitch-Black, LLC
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 304
Printing Date: September 14, 2005
Publishing house: Pitch-Black, LLC
Sale Popularity Level: 997856
Studio: Pitch-Black, LLC
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Featuring thirteen heroic fantasy stories by popular and critically acclaimed writers, this anthology offers a fascinating and unique roster of contributors who provide gripping tales that run the gamut of fantasy themes and settings. Providing a compelling selection of unpublished, original stories that cover the central themes of the fantasy subgenre, these short stories include the works of recognized masters Tanith Lee and 'cult' favorites John C. Hocking and D. K. Latta, alongside rising stars E. E. Knight and Howard Andrew Jones. A range of themes and settings that are at once eclectic and thematically unified make this the ideal showcase of contemporary fantasy fiction.
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Rated by buyers 
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Lords of Swords provides all the trappings of heroic fantasy with its 13 tales of valor, honor, and glory. Avoiding the tendencies of many modern fantasy writers to make their stories either highly convoluted or to add modern socio-political sensibilities to fantasy settings, this collection presents fantasy stories in the classic vein. Heroes are heroes. Villains are villains. And honor is about keeping your oath and holding fast to tradition, not being politically correct.
The opening tale, John C. Hocking's "Vali's Wound", sets the stage for the rest of the collection. A young Viking confronts one of the Valkyries to defend a fellow warrior. His own weapon having been destroyed in a previous battle, he attempts to stand against the Chooser of the Slain with a borrowed weapon. Intrigued by his bravery, she makes him an offer that would spare the life of his friend.
The second story, D.K. Latta's "Something Dwells 'Neath Hannah Town", is a gorgeously dark and exciting tale. When Kainar, Guardsmaster of Hannah Town, begins investigating a series of grisly murders, he uncovers a strange underground hideaway full of terrifying creatures. But are these creatures truly monsters, or are they only seeking to protect their own? Latta does a wonderful job creating a sense of place for the reader, carefully crafting each sentence to build the tension and move along the story.
My favorite story in the collection was Vera Nazarian's "The Slaying of Winter". Nazarian's tale of vengeance, honor, and forgiveness centers on Iliss, a young woman who seeks revenge against the Northsmen who killed her brother and slaughtered her people by killing the very god they worshipped. She finds an unlikely, and unwelcome, ally among the Northsmen, and together they seek out the god Trei. But gods are only found when they want to be, and the ending is poignant and profound.
This collection also features an interesting little tale by Vampire Earth series author E.E. Knight. "That of the Pit" introduces us to Knight's new fantasy hero, The Blue Pilgrim., and a strange but entertaining story of commerce, intrigue, and adventure. Fans of the genre will find stories from popular favorites such as Tanith Lee to fresh new voices like Beth Scope (definately a new writer to watch).
The editor has done a wonderful job with the story selection. Each story both compliments the others in the collection and yet stands out on its own as an exciting journey for the reader. This is a must-have collection for fans of fantasy fiction.
Rated by buyers 
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With authors like John Hocking and Tanith Lee, you know this is going to be a great anthology. Whether you like hack'n'slash or tales that are a bit more cerebral, Lords of Swords delivers exciting high fantasy and sword and sorcery works. I've read fantasy anthologies by big publishing houses, and Lords of Swords stacks up well against those, and in most cases surpasses the competition. Daniel Blackston has put together an excellent collection that should be in every fantasy enthusiast's private library.
Rated by buyers -
Lords of Swords is a fantastic collection of heroic fantasy stories by a great mix of up-and-coming and established authors. The stories within contain plenty of sword-clashing action, awesome characters, and wonderous settings.
The sheer variety is astounding. In these thirteen stories, the reader is taken from Viking Norway to a world covered in seas of rainbow mist, from the pirate towns of the Hispanic isles to the colorful--and deadly--empire of the Moon King, with characters ranging from the Blue Pilgrim, a deadly warrior in both body and spirit, and a barbarian sheriff with a sentient axe to a dragon-painter living under the streets of an Eastern metropolis and a farmer cursed with a pair of iron talons in place of hands.
A handful of stories didn't work for me--too many for me to give the book five stars--but, overall, Lords of Swords is highly recommended for all fans of great, imganitive fantasy.
Rated by buyers -
This anthology is full of great stories by great writers. Sword and Sorcery fans will love it. It's fast paced and action packed. From the very first story to the last this is one great read.
Rated by buyers -
If you have been hungering for some good old-fashioned swashbuckling reading, here is the ticket. In fact, if you have not taken a look at Lords of Swords, your heroic fantasy diet is lacking some essential vitamins.
LoS has a nice mix of well-known and less famous authors, and a pleasing mix of blood and thunder, interesting world building, and plenty of buckled swash.
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