Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

I've been an avid CAS reader for over 30 years. I happened on the Ballantine Books "Fantasy Series" paperback edition ZOTHIQUE when it was first released in the 70s, and have long wished for a compendium of his work.

CAS's style is very dense, and reflects very careful construction of prose as well as plot. His style is as evolved as Lord Dunsany, Morris, and Tolkien, and is entertaining in it's own right. Don't let this scare you off - his stories are all eminently accessible to casual readers, and numerous wry turns of phrase indicate a well-honed (but bone dry) sense of humor.

When compared to his better-known contemporaries, H.P. Lovecraft (Cthulu) and Robert E. Howard (Conan) I find CAS to be more a "readers writer." CAS is a master of phrasing surpassing HPL - his stories are less eerie than HPL, and don't slather on the dread as heavily. CAS is (usually) less swash-buckling blood-and-gore than REH, but doesn't shrink from characters hacking each other to bits when the story requires.

The only fault I can find with this series is that stories are ordered by date of publication. (Perhaps this was required by the copyrights issued to the three Ballantine collections assembled by Lin Carter.) My preference, though less academic, would be to collect the tales by story cycle to facilitate READING rather than STUDYING. Nevertheless, these volumes are without question well worth the investment - like a collection of Poe, you will find yourself returning to them many times.

I love the writings of Clark Ashton Smith. He was the quintessenstial poet. BOW DOWN, I AM THE EMPEROR OF DREAMS. I Crown me with the million-colored suns of secret worlds incredible and take their trailing skies
for vestment. His fiction is also clothed in words that are poetry. His only peer is Lord Dunsany.I corresponded a little with Smith and owned one of his strange sculptures. I welcome this renaissance of interest in Smith (if that is what it is).I wrote a short story influenced by his writings which he critiqued and added one sentence. I lost it, if you ever come across it, the title is THE COMING OF THE BLACK NEBULA.

This first volume in what promises to be the definitive collection of short fiction by Clark Ashton Smith is nothing short of a literary treasure. For those who have previously had to satisfy their craving for Klarkashtonia by seeking it out in scattered and hard-to-obtain tomes, The Collected Fantasies of Clark Ashton Smith is a blessing nonpareil. Do yourself a favor and get it while it lasts.

`The End of the Story' is the first of five volumes of Clark Ashton Smith's short stories. The stories are arranged chronologically by composition. The stories in this volume were written between 1925 and 1930. The stories are:

The Abomination of Yondo
Sadastor
The Ninth Skeleton
The Last Incantation
The End of the Story
The Phantoms of the Fire
A Night in Malneant
The Resurrection of the Rattlesnake
Thirteen Phantasms
The Venus of Azombeii
The Tale of Satampra Zeiros
The Monster of the Prophecy
The Metamorphosis of the World
The Epiphany of Death
A Murder in the Fourth Dimension
The Devotee of Evil
The Satyr
The Planet of the Dead
The Uncharted Isle
Marooned in Andromeda
The Root of Ampoi
The Necromatic Tale
The Immeasurable Horror
A Voyage to Sfanomoe

Most of the stories are of the `weird tale' sort, but some veer to straight Horror and some can be classified as Science Fiction (although always with a horror angle). Smith was a very flowery writer, and some of the stories can be tough going, but that's the beauty of short stories, they're short.

As established here and reinforced by the second volume, all five books in this series are essential to anyone interested in Smith's work and literate fantasy as a whole. Connors and Hilger have followed earlier textual studies by Donald Sidney-Fryer, Steve Behrends, and others with extensive studies of their own to restore as much of the glory to Smith's texts as is currently possible - and what glory! Smith is one of the few fantasists capable not only of creating multiple fantasy cultures, but with investing each of those worlds with its own distinct atmosphere, tone, and use of language. Many earlier versions of these texts toned down the richness, eroticism, and grotesquerie of these stories in order to appeal to what Smith's editors deemed was acceptable to the lowest-common-denominator among its readership. Scores of deletions, simplifications, bowdlerizations, and other alterations which have served to remove the sheen from these works have here been corrected through painstaking attention to all available manuscripts and correpondence. Here, at long last, is Smith in all his mordant, coruscating splendor. If one considers all of this, along with intelligent introductory material; alternate endings; unpedantic notes to each story detailing its composition, publication history, and its place within the larger context of Smith's work; as well as Jason Van Hollander's inspired integration of Smith and his sculptures into the macabre and affectionate cover art; Night Shade and these editors have presented to all lovers of fantasy an edition of the master's prose fiction which will serve as the benchmark for many years to come.

. . . in or out of AD&D. I say that because, although I don't DM anymore, I still use this book. The title is a bit deceiving-- although it's useful for creating villains, it can be used equally well for creating any sort of NPC, and almost as well for creating characters in any other role-playing system or none at all! This book takes characters off the paper and into flesh with a helpful system and ideas for creating backgrounds, motives, resources available, organizations, and abilities. One of the most useful guides for a DM.

Have a good story plot but want to throw some extra spice and give an older villan new spice or need one right a way this book is good for all dms who want to go beyond the Monster Manuals

This book is useful for a GM in ANY system. Like the "Campaign Sourcebook and Catacomb Guide," it provides methods useful in any campaign, in any RPG. It focuses on designing villains who are memorable, engaging, and realistic. And it does a *very* good job of teaching you how to do so.

If you want a campaign with villains that just suck your players right in and get them seriously wanting to take on the villain for his own evil rather than the rewards they can get, you should buy this book.

I would have to agree with the posts listed before mine. It is a great book because it makes creating memorable villains that much easier, they can be whipped out spurr of the moment if thats what it takes. There has been many a time that I have underestimated how resourcfull my players would be and I would have to throw another enemy or two just to even things out a bit. But anyways, this book has helped me out quite a bit and every DM should own one( if you can get you hands on it that is.)

I found myself using this book over and over again in order to gain interesting hints on how to flesh out believable villains and other bogies. It gives clear, readily usable, and concise tactics of creation of everything starting with the antagonists and finishing with their dinner habits. Can be used in any system.

Conan rides onto the wicked city of Sicas to make (and lose) his latest fortune. He sees a chance to make a killing (sometimes literally) by playing various criminal factions against each other. Yes, it is basically "A Fistful of Dollars" with Conan in the Clint Eastwood role. And so from that perspective the story draws it's only weakness, we know how it will go, very little suspense to the book. Other wise it is typical Conan, with all the sex, sorcery and chaotic violence that he brings with him. "Conan the Rogue" is no better, and no worse, than many other Conan novels out there. John Maddox Roberts is one of the better writers scripting the barbarian's adventures. Conan fans will not be disappointed.

This story proved to be a fulfilling, satisfying, richly textured adventure. It takes some time to build, and Conan--rather uncharacteristically--bides his time, judiciously crafting appearances and manipulating relationships. Roberts turns less attention toward mirroring Howard's style and turns of speech than do other Conan pastiche authors, most notably Perry. Ultimately, the story constitutes a good addition to the Conan canon.

Conan plays all sides and comes out on top in a story that reminds me of the film Yojimbo. John Maddox Roberts writes great Conan tales and this is one of them. The atmosphere is tense and rife with intrigue. Each of the rivaling parties is clearly defined with believable motives. The story, as it evolves, will keep you guessing. Great character development as people emerge from two-dimensional figures to fully fleshed out personalities with distinct traits and mannerisms, making the world this story is set in very believable. The story takes place entirely in one town, which is itself a character of the story and its geography figures prominently in the story. If you are looking for an involved tale in a detailed setting, this is a good story for you.

The previous reviewers were correct in noting that the book is derived heavily from "A Fistful of Dollars". Although it must be pointed out that "A Fistful of Dollars" was based on a 1961 B&W Kurosawa movie "Yojimbo" (The Bodyguard).

Back to the book, once you placed the storyline - there weren't any surprises but it was good seeing Conan in a somewhat more "brainy" role rather than relying on his physical prowess...

This Conan adventure finds the Cimmerian looking for a mysterious artifact, a la The Maltese Falcon, and cleaning up a gang plagued town, as in Kurosawa's Yojimbo. This eccentric blending of several genres works quite well making it one of the best of the numerous pastiches. Roberts works in all of the threads and comes up a with a cohesive adventure. Highly recommended for fans of Conan, Hammett, Kurosawa or Leone.

No one can write Conan like Robert E. Howard. This collection of short stories will keep you on the edge of your seat. Conan is the ultimate hero, extremely strong, intelligent, honest, loyal, and violent. The envy of every man and desire of every woman. It is such a shame that Howard cut his own life short without continuing this legend for himself.

I've read thousands of books and there are few writers that can compare to Robert E. Howard. He is probably not the inventor of sword and sorcery, that credit probably belongs to Homer or someone else before the dawn of time, but he surely belongs to the honor roll of fiction writers. Although, he wrote for pulp mazazines in the thirties and each story is a tale unto itself, the character of Conan manages to bind each tale into one story of epic proportions. I believe he can be compared favorably to J.R.R. Tolkien and Frank Herbert in his ability to weave entertaining fiction in a completely imaginary world and age. I envy you if you are reading his stories for the very first time. If, like me, you are reading these stories again after a very long time, you're still in for a treat.

Conquering Sword of Conan : Red Nails - Robert E. Howard
Conquering Sword of Conan : The Black Stranger - Robert E. Howard
Conquering Sword of Conan : Beyond the Black River - Robert E. Howard
Conquering Sword of Conan : Queen of the Black Coast - Robert E. Howard
Conquering Sword of Conan : Jewels of Gwahlur - Robert E. Howard


Download Conan - Red Nails

Conan is travelling, finds a dead woman, and then encounters Valeria of the Red Brotherhood. After trading some insults, they have the misfortune to stumble across a dragon.

Then they have fun in an abandoned city full of crazed warriors, two evil leering royals, and a third undeed type one. Capture, slayage, all the great stuff in this tale of a fantastic partnership.

5 out of 5



A tale of three brigands, that starts slow, and then rip-roars along. With multiple pirates, you know there has to be a treasure map. This time, to the Treasure of Tranicos.

Add in a mystical demon warrior, a bunch of raiding Picts, a couple of sieges, three pirates that can't trust each other, a beautiful woman, and Conan, and all hell will break loose.

4 out of 5



Conan is working around a fort on the border of Aquilonia, when many tribes of Picts, united by the wizard Zogar Sag, combine to attack.

Conan takes out a scouting party to see what goes on, but they are ambushed, and most captured and killed, except one man, that he rescues. The wizard summons beasts by virtue of the powers of an old god, whom Conan is familiar with. With the help of an old dog, Slasher, Conan and his companion try and get the settlers to safety, while the fort is overrun.

Zogar Sag makes a mistake when he sends a fleshly avatar to try and destroy Conan. The barbarian kills the avatar, which destroys the wizard, and the Pictish invasion is over.



4.5 out of 5



One of the classic Conan stories. The barbarian goes a-reavin', and finds another of the rare women that can match him. Belit has fire, and presence, and command, but again, it does not end well. Highly recommended.

4.5 out of 5



To quote Mr. Howard - "Conan was basically a direct-actionist. Such subtlety as he possessed had been acquired through contact with the more devious races."

For military reasons, Conan has to get the Teeth of Gwahlur from their hiding place in a mystic castle before his political and military opposition.

He decides he can get the girl Muriela to run the same scam she tried on him, on some others. The only problem is that the real goddess Yelaya shows up! Then it is time to scarper, sharpish.

4.5 out of 5


In other words, a top notch selection of Conan adventuring.

This is great stuff, utterly action-packed! Howard has a wonderful sense of words, and--though he makes the occasional error in cognate reuse (e.g., "the courier coursed down the corridor")--he describes people, places, and events in jaw-dropping detail. You can faint from the splendor of the fabulously wealthy cities and places he word-paints ('limns', to use a favorite term of his). I could do without the all-too-frequent brutally detailed battle scenes, indicating precisely which archers and pikemen were positioned where and whose horse slipped in whose blood. Just when you're about to lose interest, rest assured that a ferocious dragon or wacky gorilla-monster lurks around the next corner. Oh, and there's some very good black magical humor, e.g., when one wizard, in the guise of an eagle, makes off with the head of a second wizard, whose headless body runs after him, muttering curses. You've got to admit that that's imaginative. I witthold my sixth star because of the uneven nature of some of the stories: indeed, the earlier tales seem to flow better than the later ones (n.b. that Conan's character chronology is unrelated to Howard's authorship chronology). Also, the dialogue occasionally seems silly or stinted: it's hard to believe that a barbarian--even though we know he's thoughtful and good-hearted--would engage in such lengthy monologues (all but monologues, I should say) while supposedly "conversing" with other characters. His words sound like what one would write, not like what one--a barbarian, moreover--would say. But never mind these nickety-pickety nitpicks: this is great, great stuff. After enjoying these, you may want to look into the other volumes (but of course!) and Howard's other works: Bran Mak Morn, Kull, and Solomon Kane. The last of these has adventures such as battling voodoo demons in darkest Africa, chasing vampire queens into forgotten cities, and engaging in swordplay with the enchanted skeletons of murdered sorcerers. Aah! That's the ticket!

The Servants of Bit-Yakin- In exemplary Wierd Tales Robert E. style, this one starts with Conan almost inexplicably scaling the side wall of an ancient city in a place we've never heard of. The barbarian has come to this place through information gleaned on adventures that Robert never told us about, as though the author had some Hyborean Silmarillion stashed somewhere that the recyclers have never found.

It's an excellent story that may have equal claim to several genres; horror, fantasy, sword and sorcery, and maybe even prehistoric fiction. Howard had an uncanny knowledge of those days when ice age species still survived in remote places, and had incredible insight into theorizing what it must have been like in the days when civilization vied with barbarism. What's interesting to me is that we're finding out these days that civilization is alot older than we think, but in Howard's day anything older than 3000 BC was considered prehistoric. Conan's era was around 9000 BC, with embellishments from many other eras in different places where civilization was replacing barbarism. Certainly, we now know, there would have been ancient deserted structures at this time, maybe even with remnants of antedeluvian archaic homo sapien living therein. Certainly Jericho had walls before Conan's time, and both cro-magnon and the southeast asian hominid dubbed "the hobbit" lived at least up until 10,000 BC. But how did Howard know it? How did his imagination describe so vividly and personally how life must have been in those brutal and barbaric times?

Beyond The Black River- WOW! This is probably Howard's most memorable Conan tale, told from the perspective of a hardy and valiant but lesser man who's lot in life is to travel and fight with Conan for a spell. Through this frontiersman's eyes, we understand Conan as a character perhaps better than we ever have before. The illustration of the Balthas's last charge, dog at side, flashes in my mind when I think of this tale.
"He was a man," said Conan "I drink to his shade, and to the shade of the dog, who knew no fear."

The Black Stranger is a pirate tale and frontier yarn that is among Howard's most developed plot structures, characterization, and writing skill.

The Man-Eaters of Zamboula melds fantasy and horror like only Robert E. can, a wicked tale of treachery and ancient necromancy.


Red Nails is definitely one of the greatest of the Conan stories. Again Howard shows uncanny preternatural knowledge, with an ancient city very much like some of the stranger ones excavated in the middle east, and a realistic dragon more like Megalania Prisca than Saphira and her influences.



In the appendix, Wolves Beyond the Border is a special rare treat.

Enjoy and enjoy again the genious of Robert E!

J. Lyon Layden
The Other Side of Yore

I really enjoyed reading this book. I love stories about horses and them communicating with humans. The book was a bit predictable and it could have used a little more romance, but it was great.

Dark Horse is on par with early Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey stories, and contains many of the elemtnts that made both the Valdemar and Pern series popular. Magical black horses choose and accompany "good" mages, protecting them from evil magic and acting as advisor and friend.

Dark Horse is the story of a young girl who is orphaned when her entire tribe is killed by a rival tribe that is led by an evil mage. She rescues and is rescued by a Hunnuli, a giant protector-horse, and is adopted by another tribe. When she learns that she, too is a mage (though a good one) she risks losing her life and her love because of the gifts she was born with...

I am disappointed that after only five books that this series has come to an early and undeserved demise.

I have read many fantasy and sci-fiction books and the is probably one of the best, if not the best. You can feel and understand what the characters' feel. I loved this book!

This Book is one of the best I have read. But as a series this is the BEST fantasy series, I have ever read. I wish there were more!

this si an amazing book. if you like a bit of war, an amazing storyline a just a tiny bit of romance, you'll liove it. Unforunetly it is out of print now, but perhaps it can be reprinted for the next generation, I know it's worth it.

Of all the books I have read I have also found this one the best that I have ever read. I extremly enjoy Brianna's character. Even with all the tradgey that she goes through she finds the courage to stand up for her people and for herself. She hides her feelings and shows how storng she is and that she really doesn't need anyone or at least that is the way she acts. But unfortunately she really needs a strong man to set her free. All I have to say is that if you are thinking of buying this book, buy it, it is definatally worth it.

Quinn Taylor Evans is a wonderful author and she brings the story to life; you are there with them, you are part of them. If at all possible read each book in a row they will overlap into one another and you will travel back in time and you will not be sorry.

Brianna is introduced as a fragile creature and for all intents and purposes she is. But beneath that fragile exterior is a very strong woman. And fortunately she meets, in Tarek, a man who understands strength and her unique gifts. He falls in love with a glimpse of a woman he barely has time to speak to, and arranges things so he has to go all the way back to Scotland, supposedly on a mission for the king, but really to find Her. And find her he does, and claims her for his own.

This book is not a formulaic copy of the first. The characters are their own people with their own minds and their own destinies. I was very happy to finally meet Brianna and enjoyed watching her and Tarek get closer. It is yet another fabulous love story! I'm looking forward to the next sister's story.

Book 2 -Brianna of Scotland, second daughter of Merlin, is a changling who has powers to transform into the creatures of the forest. And only one man can set her free. The bastard son of a Byzantine aristocrat and a Norse sea Captain, Tarek al Sharif, he has come to Scotland to claim lands promised him by William the Conqueror. In order to claim Brianna he must chose between avenging the past and fighting for the future against the dark evil that want to claim the land.

Stunning and for all fans of Camelot!!

This is the second book in the Merlin's Legacy and it is a great addition to this series. This is the story about Merlin's daughter Brianna. She is the daughter of the Mist and she has a challange ahead of her that will change her life.

Tarek al Sharif is bastard born and does not have the memory of family and love but he is driven by the memory of a golden haired girl that helped him and saved his life. He has loved her from the first moment that he saw her and he plans on finding her again.

The path to true love is not a smooth one for these two characters. There is danger in the form of a person that wants control of Inverness and of course "the darkness" is always on the fringes looking in and waiting for the perfect time to cause trouble. Tarek must choose between the love for his changeling bride or avenging his past. The chemisty between the two main characters is great. They don't just fall into bed and thats the end. Their love grows and I feel that is why most people red romance. This book has it all mystical legends, and romance. This is a not to be missed story. It is well worth your effort and time to get a hold of a copy!

This is such a wonderful story its editing flaws (lots, but not fatal) can be brushed aside. The characters are mostly familiar if you ever took studies about the Mediterranean gods--Ares, etc.,--but the main character of Niala is new. She's amazing. A goddes who doesn't know that's what she is. The visuals of this book, and the dizzying plot, and the passions (both the steamy and non-steamy variety)will take your breath away.

If you like a terrific, exciting, sexy, emotional story, get this book!

IMMORTAL JOURNEY, the DEATH of INNOCENCE
I have not been a fan of Science fiction, Westerns or Mythological books. I am too much of a snob, to waste my time reading the likes of these books. I read Death of Innocence as a favor to a friend. Much to my surprise, I had to force myself to stop reading it. I enjoyed the book so much; I would only allow myself to read one chapter at a sitting. I read three other books; during the time it took me to finish this one. I knew it would come to an end, as I read each chapter, and then set the book aside, for a day or so before getting drawn back into web of enjoyment. It was a treat and agony to sit down and read only one chapter. I have but the final chapter to read, and have put it on hold for a week now. The book sitting
next to my recliner, tempting me to finish the final pages. I DO NOT WANT TO FINISH THE BOOK.
I know the book says Volume I, But when will Volume II, be out?

I can count the fiction authors I read on one hand. I'm adding Ruth Souther to the list of James Michener and Jean Auel. Souther's slant on Greek mythology makes for an exciting read. It makes me want to review my text books on Greek mythology so I can imagine where she'll take me next. After the cliffhanger of an ending, it's the only thing I can do while I wait for the next volume. I anxiously await the next page turner, although the first one kept me up way past my bedtime. I just couldn't put it down. Thanks for a great story Ruth.

Intricately woven tale, beautifully written. Ms. Souther's use of the language transports the reader with graphic description of mythical locales. Once started, it was hard to put down. A refreshing view of the constant need for balance in the world. Looking forward Volume 2.

This book is great. Not being a fan of fantasy, I approached it not expecting to ever feel compelled to write a review. I got hooked immediately. The characters are very real. Souther makes the reader care about them, and feel sympathetic about the dilemia that each of them finds himself/herself in. As it is fantasy, the reader has to accept some "truths", in order to enjoy the book. Not a problem. I got into the parallel god world that same way I did Harry Potter's broom. The author makes you a believer. The plot is interesting and intricate, but not confusing. Her descriptions are complete without being wordy. Buy the book, you won't regret it and then sit back and wait for her to write the next one.

The second of the Karavans series lives up to the promise of the first. However you need to read them in order. Fortunatly Amazon gives you a good deal on buying both.

This series just became one of my favorites!!The book moved and flowed like a movie. I hated to put this book down. I couldn't wait to turn the next page to see what was going to happen next. Rhuan and Ilona deserve each other (and who knew that she was what he was pretending to be???). I would definately recommend this book to family and friends.

I had read all of Jennifer Roberson's previous series, and enjoyed them. This latest world is wonderful. Her writing keeps you inside the world she had created, and her story keeps you wanting more!

It isn't often that I use this word, but I think it is appropriate to call this book delightful. If you liked the first book, you will love this one. It has the same mature but easy-to-follow writing style, only there is much more happening this time around. That makes sense, because the main characters have been meticulously described in the first book, and now the focus has shifted to plot development. Nevertheless, world-building continues to be portrayed in excruciating detail, and the deepwood is so real you could swear you're there.

The plot itself is very exciting and I seriously can't remember being bored with any passage for even a second. There are 2 main settings where the story is unfolding: the deepwood, and the karavan settlement in the "normal" world. There are also some events unfolding in Cardatha, the city overtaken by the Hecari and from where their warlord rules over Sancorra (we follow Brodhi during those events). The story ends with a plot twist and some unfinished business that allow for plenty of things to happen in the next book.

Realistic characters, detailed places, good plot, and a very likable writing style are at the heart of Karavans, and Deepwood does them all justice. Jennifer Roberson is both a talented and a hardworking author, and this book will attest to that. Highly recommended.

I gave the book 4 stars instead of three because while I still enjoyed the story and the last two pages made my evening, in all honesty the book is unsatisfying. Most of it feels just like a gigantic explanation of the Karavan world, that is useful but would be better explained through action than constant lecture. The amount of storyline progressed is limited and unfortunately Deepwood suffers the same timeline/distance inconsistencies as the first novel (I am of the firm opinion that as a reader I shouldn't be jarred out of reading because one character's week is the same as another's day).

Overall solid, but if you can wait until the third book is released, I'd recommend that.

"The Demon Plague" By Joreid McFate is a well written story with some unexpected twists that keep you turning pages till the end. I could not put it down! It was such a treat to find this book and I highly recommend it!

Reviewed by Sondra Fowler for Reader Views (5/06)

Salem Massachusetts 1692, Patience Gladstone stands before the town magistrate accused of witchcraft - Salem Massachusetts 1992, Crystal Patience Gladstone Donovan stands at her great-grandmother's funeral. "The Demon Plague" starts as a traditional tale of the Salem Witch Trials and ends quite another way. We follow the path of a crystal amulet bearing a star shaped flaw as it weaves its way through time. At the heart of this journey is a plot by a future race of people borne of a distant disaster. Crystal finds herself the heir of this amulet but no sooner than she gets it, the amulet is gone. Soon after Crystal finds the amulet missing, a charming teenager named Ba Tuti claiming to be the Moon to Crystals star. Ba Tuti reminds Crystal of a poem learned as a child:

Flesh that bears the ancient star,
Passed from womb to womb;
May crystal right
The demon blight,
While guarded by the moon.

The two begin a close friendship forged by trials and adventure. To say more would spoil the story for others.

The author weaves a fanciful tale - a mix of sci-fi, history and mystery. You grow to care for these women and join in their fight. McFate did a lovely job weaving one time into another. There was no jarring of the mind and the times and methods were believable.

There were twists and turns and you never knew what to expect around the next corner. It was an enjoyable and quick read that I had to fight to put down, finding that I missed the characters when it was over.

Salem, 1692.

At the Magistrate's House, a young red-headed woman named Patience Gladstone is in trial for witchcraft. Among the present is a mysterious tall blond stranger whose gaze seems keenly fixed on an amulet which rests on the table of evidence-an exceptional-looking crystal that holds the "blemish" of a perfectly five-pointed star within it... the same star which, to the people's horror, marks the skin of Patience Gladstone behind her ear.

The atmosphere of tension rises at the trial when another figure appears, at least seven feet tall and as broad as two men standing abreast, his face as hideous as that of a demon from hell. As the demon lunges himself against the tall blond stranger, panic spreads among the crowd, the sheriff raises his flintlock, and a thunderous explosion is heard.

Immediately after this scene the reader is transported to the old town cemetery, year 1992.

Crystal Donovan, a young journalist for the Salem Gazette, is at a turning point in her life. At her grandmother's burial, she is given a strange crystal amulet which she is told she must guard with her life. She is also urged to remember and recite an old poem her grandmother taught year years ago.

Crystal's mind is plagued with haunting, troubling questions. What does the poem mean? Why is the star on the amulet so similar to her own birthmark? Does her full name-Crystal Patience Gladstone Donovan, have something to do with it? What, in fact, is her mission, and why does it seem so imminent?

As Crystal searches for these answers, an exciting series of events follow-a horrible murder, running from demons, being transported back in time and then forward into the future. A different array of interesting characters-including Crystal's dog, an adorable Doberman who maintains his important role throughout the book-non-stop action and plot twists will keep readers turning those pages late into the night.

Witch hunters, demons, malfunctioning time machines, evil scientists and bloodthirsty creatures from the future... In the midst of so much adversity, will Crystal fulfil her destiny?

The Demon Plague combines horror, time travel and science fiction to create a thrilling ride that will leave demanding readers satisfied and even breathless. The author has interwoven the past, present and future beautifully. The characters are engaging and believable and the dialogue sparkles with genuineness. Scenes are kept short and the writing focuses on narrative and dialogue, keeping descriptions to a minimum to ad to the fast-pace, thrilling effect. Yet the author manages to create a fully imaginable world, one which is vividly visualised. For those who have always found the Salem's witch trials fascinating, this book certainly ads a new original twist to the story. An exciting, entertaining, well-worth read.

The Demon Plague - Review

"The Demon Plague by Joreid McFate is a fantastic paranormal suspense science-fiction novel, involving time-travel and mysticism. This 424 page book is also available in e-book format.

Due to the volume of books I review, most are donated to our local library when the assignment is complete. However, this is one book that I just cannot part with. I felt this comment is important to mention, because only .04% of the books I review find their way to my personal bookshelves.

This exciting tale begins when a demon plague sweeps over mankind, wrought when some scientists developed a technology that mastered time travel. There are factions who radically search for a way towards racial and genetic purity - while others strive to cure the plague and fight for basic human rights. Crystal Patience Gladstone Donovan is caught up in this war when, at her grandmother's deathbed, she is given a family heirloom and told that she is the `Star' and to await her `Moon'.

Soon she is involved in a journey into the past where she meets her ancestor Patience Gladstone Talbot, another `Star'. Crystal learns that her middle names are common throughout time as they are given to the gifted child who is known by a birthmark. Chase scenes, deceit, battles, flashing back and forth into the past and into the future are all stepping-stones for Crystal and her friends in their attempts to do the right thing.

This story line could be used as an excellent reminder of the dangers and grand possibilities advanced technology could reap. It was refreshing to experience realistic female hero characters in this novel. I was absolutely astounded when I read that not only is Joreid McFate actually two separate authors, but that despite many other collaborative projects they have never met and never spoken on the telephone!

Without hesitation, I recommend The Demon Plague with the highest of ratings."

ISBN#: 1554102235
Author: Joreid McFate
Publisher: Zumaya Otherworlds

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment - Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry. (http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)

Demon Plague is the story of a special connection between two families. Though the bonding of these two families had been foretold many generations before, the action of this story begins in Salem during the witch trials of 1692. Patience Gladstone, an indentured servant to Reverend Parris, and Tituba, a slave to Reverend Parris, realize that they have a strange mystical connection. This connection between the two women and their respective families becomes solidified when Tituba gives Patience an ancient relic. This ancient relic along with special star and moon birthmarks is inherited through the female forever connecting the descendants of these two women as special sisters.

The story of this special family connection continues through to 1992. In 1992, Crystal Patience Gladstone Donovan, a reporter from Salem, attends her grandmother's funeral. However, this sad event turns strange when her grandmother's best friend Ubitta starts talking about prophecies, sisters, birthmarks, and special magical powers. Little does Crystal know that her life is going to become a whole lot stranger.

Demon Plague is an active science fiction that connects generations of characters seamlessly through time. That the story takes place in Salem, immediately reinforces in the reader's mind the well known political, social, and spiritual norms and conflicts at the time. The author then uses the present and the future to show the distinct differences and changes in these political, social, and spiritual norms and conflicts during later time periods. This creates a nice solid foundation for the story. Furthermore, the personality and character traits of each set of female characters match her specific time period while still illustrating specific inherited character and personality traits shared by the generations of sisters.

I've read and enjoyed Dave Duncan for many ears and have consistently enjoyed his books. This swordsman with a twist epic will be enjoyed by most fantasy fans.

Wallie Smith had been dying on his world when a Goddess spoke to him in a fevered dream, transferred his mind to the body of the greatest barbarian swordsman to ever live, gave him a great magical Sapphire Sword and sent him on a mission.
A few complications cropped up, first was an apprentice who could not fight his way out of wet paper bag, but had the instincts to become a great swordsman and killer. A sexy slave girl and her baby. Top it off with a senile old priest, with a twisted sense of humor.
The mission was simple, all he had to do was to lead this band of misfits and destroy the sorcerers and their Fire God. Yeah right.....To make matters worse, Wallie discovered that he'd already tried it once(as Shonsu)and been hopelessly defeated, which is why the Goddess chose Wallie to try again.
With Wallie's reputation in tatters, his apprentice apparently planning to betray and kill him, his love life was mess, and to make matters worse, to succeed was to condem this world to the leadership of the most violent, illiterate group of indviduals ever......His swordsmen! But this was what the Goddess wanted, and she wasn't taking no for an answer.

Let me start out with the fact that I've read this entire series at least 5 times. It is one of the most imaginatively entertaining series I have ever read. You just don't want to put these books down. The characters and engrossing and well developed. The plot moves quickly with well paced action and neither are over thought or cliche.

I can't rate this series high enough.

This is the best book of the series. Its utterly brilliant, never stopping action, highly original and lots of humour. And a very,very satisfying end. Its not your typical fantasy, but this series must stand on the top along with Tolkien and the Dragonlace Chronicles.

The Seventh Sword is an underread and underappreciated trilogy--a lot is going on under the surface of these three books, but the surface is such a readable story that it's accessible to anyone. The plot, as other reviewers have mentioned, is typical fantasy, but there are major, important differences which reveal themselves in this book and The Coming of Wisdom (2nd in the series). Every time I read these books, I'm swept up in the action, but I also see facets and symmetries I hadn't noticed before. This book, more than the first two, delves into the problems of idealism versus necessity, the proper use of power, what a person's identity really is (body, mind, beliefs, values, memories, reactions, desires?), faith and technology, how people grow and develop, and a lot more. The characters are unforgettable--anyone who's read these books will have an instant reaction to names like Katanji, Tomiyano, Thana, Tivanixi, or Jja.

Read these books, and read them again.