The Chronicles of the Last War

by Laura J. Underwood

He was a Keltoran Mercenary. She was a True Healer devoted to her god. The only thing they had in common was that they were each running away from their pasts and were now thrown together on a battlefield in a kingdom torn apart by magic and war. As Black Hunters, demons and blood mages bent on destroying humanity advance, it will take Conor, a man who wields steel as deftly as he deals words, Ethine a woman whose touch can mean life or death, and a battle mage named Michan – who knows these two will play a greater role in the fate of mankind--to save the world. But it may actually be harder to bring Conor and Eithne together as man and wife. Included in this collection are the short novel _The Black Hunter_, the novella _Willowherb_ and the novelette _Wyrd_.

370 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Laura J. Underwood is the author of numerous short stories in the field of fantastic fiction which have appeared in such publications as Marion Zimmer Bradley’s FANTASY Magazine, SWORD AND SORCERESS, LOW PORT, TURN THE OTHER CHICK, Adventures of Sword & Sorcery, SUCH A PRETTY FACE, CATFANTASTIC, BUBBAS OF THE APOCALYPSE, FOUR BUBBAS OF THE APOCALYPSE, INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF BUBBAS and many others. She is a born and raised East Tennessee, and has found much inspiration while hiking her native mountains as well as from her travels through England and Scotland. By day, she is a librarian, and her fields of expertise range from Scottish folklore and fencing to playing harp. She is, in fact, the owner of the original Glynnanis who has appeared in a number of her tales that were collected together in MAGIC'S SONG: TALES OF THE HARPER MAGE (Wildside Press 2003). Her novels include ARD MAGISTER (Yard Dog Press 2002), CHRONICLES OF THE LAST WAR (Yard Dog Press 2004) and DRAGON'S TONGUE (Meisha Merlin 2006) THE HOUNDS OF ARDAGH (Five Star Press 2006) and THE LUNARI MASK (Yard Dog Press 2008)

In spite of rumors started by the late Marion Zimmer Bradley, Laura does not have a multitude of children like Harriet Beecher Stowe, nor does she live in a house full of cats. There is, in fact, only one Gato Bobo (he of the few brain cells) whom she keeps around because cats truly are fun toys...

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

My ex brought this book back from Dragon*Con in Atlanta for me, and I started it so as not to offend him.
Much to my surprise, I got drawn into the story and the characters, finishing it in the course of a single weekend.
The premise of using clearly Scottish characters in a fantasy setting provided a touch of reality that gives readers an important lifeline so they are not immediately lost in an entirely new world. A great author can get away without doing this, and with some practice, Ms. Underwood might make it there.
This was a very enjoyable book, and I look forward to seeing more of this author in the future.

[Tracy S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment Ethanie cuts her hair, disguises herself as a boy, and sets out on the road to become a true healer, I was hooked.

I've got a weakness for strong female characters who aren't afraid to take their fate in their own hands. In a world of bland Bella Swans, we need more Firey, competent women like Ethanie.