Magic's Song: Tales of the Harper Mage

by Laura J. Underwood

nan

204 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

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

[Inara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful collection of sixteen tales about Anwyn Baldomyre a Harper Mage and his speaking harp Glynnanis whose living wood houses the soul of the last unicorn. Anwyn has to survive many adventures on his wanderings around the world where he learns much of himself and has to use his wits more than once to get away without loosing his life or liberty – and not always is his harp a big help.
In the first story "A woman´s Song" Anwyn meets three sisters Tyana, Avar and Tala (fire, air and earth) who ask him for help to free their fourth sister. Fechin of the Black Mountain a dark sorcerer has driven the sisters from their home, an island amidst in a lake, where their fourth sister is still held prisoner. Anwyn agrees and when he arrives at the island he is confused. Fechin really doesn´t appear evil and he learns that in the stone circle on this island elemental wraiths were captured but three of them managed to escape. Anwyn doesn´t know what to think and whom to trust anymore...
In all stories we also have glimpses into Anwyn´s past and how his teacher and lover the mage Rhystar of Far Reach is trying to persuade him to use his mage-born gifts to become a real mage like himself. But to become a mage demands a sacrifice Anwyn isn´t willing to make he only wants to be a harper. Although he has knowledge of some magic songs to help him through dangerous situations he can only use a song once a day – to sing them twice would kill him. In the course of these tales we hear about - among other things - how Anwyn escapes a werewolf family who wants him as the main course for dinner, how he fights a succubus or how he meets Rhystar and learns the songs of power and how he got his smart-talking harp. I liked these tales very much, Anwyn is a character you just have to love and Glynnanis the cheeky harp with its witty comments made me often smile. I surely will read the second book about Anwyn called "Song of Silver" as soon I´m able to get it!

Website of the author: http://www.sff.net/people/keltora/
Website of the world of the Harper Mage: http://www.dm.net/~harpermage/