Good Vibes from Demons: Re-release and Commentary

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Good Vibes from Demons: Re-release and Commentary

Rogue Blades Presents Demons: A Clash of Steel Anthology ISBN-13: 9798863079608 (print) ASIN: B0045Y1LMS (Kindle); Cover Artist: Johnney Perkins. Interior Graphics: M.D. Jackson
Dec 2012, I reviewed Demons: A Clash of Steel Anthology.Dec 2023, through Black Gate, I broadcasted the re-release of Demons, which updated its electronic version (link): ROGUE BLADES ENTERTAINMENT RE-UNLEASHES DEMONS: A CLASH OF STEEL ANTHOLOGYJason M Waltz (Publisher of RBE/RBF) had dedicated the re-release to Robert Mancebo, author for several Rogue Blade Entertainment anthologies, who sadly passed away in 2023.For this "Good vibes from Reviews" tag, note the response from Robert Mancebo's daughter in the Black Gate commentary. Breathtaking. Reviews and announcements rarely are emotive. Writing and reading is often a solitary hobby, but as Rachel points out, books bring us together in ways often not told.

Here is my mini-review and re-release notice:

In 2010, Black Gate announced RogueBlades Entertainment Conjures DEMONS. This October 2023, thethird edition has been issued and with it a revamped Kindle version! Theoriginal Kindle edition lacked a functioning, linked Table of Contents, butthat’s all brought up to modern standards. It is dedicated to Robert Mancebo,author for several Rogue Blade Entertainment anthologies, who sadly passed awayin 2023.

Jason M Waltz is well known amongst adventure fictionreaders, especially the Swords & Sorcery crowd. With his Rogue Blades Entertainment Books andassociated Foundation, he’s brought us the epic Return of the Sword (BG review)and then Rage of the Behemoth, and Demons. He’sedited/published a varietyof other anthologies with themes of Weird Noir, Pirates, and Sword& Planet with Lost Empire of Sol (BG review),and splendid nonfiction like Writing Fantasy Heroes (BG review)and recently Robert E. Howard Changed My Life (BG review).He recently ran a successful Kickstarter for another anthology as spotlightedon BG: “NeitherBeg Nor Yield – A Sword & Sorcery Anthology with Attitude.” As youawait Neither Beg Nor Yield, you’ll want to revisit Demons.

Demons: A Clash of Steel Anthology – Blurb

When the gates of Hell open, who stands between Man and theAbyss? From mankind’s infancy, people have huddled in the dark, drawing signsin the air, muttering quiet prayers, quivering with dread at what roams in thenight. Demons. Creatures of the Darkness. Evil spirits riding dark winds. Andmankind trembled. Yet a few stood, drew steel imbued with magic to hue spiritas well as flesh, and walked out into the night to meet the foes of mortal men.Join the struggle in these 28 masterful tales of adventure and mayhem asheroes, forged as ‎strong as the steel they wield, defy foes from the realms ofnightmare.‎

Mini-Review

In Demons: A Clash of Steel Anthology, RogueBlades Entertainment (RBE) delivers what it claims: a sampling of demon storiesand adventure. Your chance of finding appealing stories is decent with 28entries. Chock full of demons, champions, possession, witches, etc.. Kudos toRBE for keeping these tales alive from a 2006 publication (Carnifex Press). Thepurpose of an anthology is to provide an array of options, allow new readers toexplore the genre, allow self-described “veteran readers” to identify newauthors, and enable reading in small doses (i.e. great for traveling or parentswith small children constantly interrupting their activities). “Demons”delivers this.

For anthologies, we expect to experiment with doses of newmaterial/authors. For me, three stories that emphasized personal demons (orpersonal challenges) were outstanding. They stuck with me and are worthrereading; my favorites are in bold below in the Table ofContents listing. But you may have your own favorites! Check them out:

Demons: Table of Contents

“Foreword” by Armand Rosamilia

“The Man with the Webbed Throat” by Steve Moody

“Imprisoned” by Carl Walmsley

“Toxic” by Steven L. Shrewsbury

“Azieran: Bound by Virtue” by Christopher Heath

“Bodyguard of the Dead” by C.L. Werner

“Kron Darkbow” by Ty Johnston

“The Vengeance of Tibor” by Ron Shiflet

“The Beast of Lyoness” by Christopher Stires

“Fifteen Breaths” by Phil Emery

“The Pact” by Jonathan Green