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Companions on the Road
Now available in a redesigned edition, these classic fantasy novellas from master fantasist Lee relay the tales of brave adventurers whose lives are forever changed by the strange relics they encounter.
The Chalice:
Kachil the brigand, Feluce the rogue, and Havor the gallant--a night of blood and blood-red flames unites them in a grim siege, fabulous theft, and a journey fraught with peril. For their prize is the jeweled and golden cup of Avilllis, and their road will not end until the Force of Darkness destroys them...or yields to a far greater Power.
The Ring, The Jewel, The Bone:
These are the Relics. The Mysteries of the Shrine, known only to the priestess. Only to Oaive. Yet he knows of them--the wolflike stranger from beyond the mists. And when he profanes them, there begins a game of cold sorceries and burning shadows to be played through all eternity...one way or another.
The Chalice:
Kachil the brigand, Feluce the rogue, and Havor the gallant--a night of blood and blood-red flames unites them in a grim siege, fabulous theft, and a journey fraught with peril. For their prize is the jeweled and golden cup of Avilllis, and their road will not end until the Force of Darkness destroys them...or yields to a far greater Power.
The Ring, The Jewel, The Bone:
These are the Relics. The Mysteries of the Shrine, known only to the priestess. Only to Oaive. Yet he knows of them--the wolflike stranger from beyond the mists. And when he profanes them, there begins a game of cold sorceries and burning shadows to be played through all eternity...one way or another.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1975
12 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Tanith Lee
615 books1,971 followersTanith Lee was a British writer of science fiction, horror, and fantasy. She was the author of 77 novels, 14 collections, and almost 300 short stories. She also wrote four radio plays broadcast by the BBC and two scripts for the UK, science fiction, cult television series "Blake's 7."
Before becoming a full time writer, Lee worked as a file clerk, an assistant librarian, a shop assistant, and a waitress.
Her first short story, "Eustace," was published in 1968, and her first novel (for children) The Dragon Hoard was published in 1971.
Her career took off in 1975 with the acceptance by Daw Books USA of her adult fantasy epic The Birthgrave for publication as a mass-market paperback, and Lee has since maintained a prolific output in popular genre writing.
Lee twice won the World Fantasy Award: once in 1983 for best short fiction for “The Gorgon” and again in 1984 for best short fiction for “Elle Est Trois (La Mort).” She has been a Guest of Honour at numerous science fiction and fantasy conventions including the Boskone XVIII in Boston, USA in 1981, the 1984 World Fantasy Convention in Ottawa, Canada, and Orbital 2008 the British National Science Fiction convention (Eastercon) held in London, England in March 2008. In 2009 she was awarded the prestigious title of Grand Master of Horror.
Lee was the daughter of two ballroom dancers, Bernard and Hylda Lee. Despite a persistent rumour, she was not the daughter of the actor Bernard Lee who played "M" in the James Bond series of films of the 1960s.
Tanith Lee married author and artist John Kaiine in 1992.
Before becoming a full time writer, Lee worked as a file clerk, an assistant librarian, a shop assistant, and a waitress.
Her first short story, "Eustace," was published in 1968, and her first novel (for children) The Dragon Hoard was published in 1971.
Her career took off in 1975 with the acceptance by Daw Books USA of her adult fantasy epic The Birthgrave for publication as a mass-market paperback, and Lee has since maintained a prolific output in popular genre writing.
Lee twice won the World Fantasy Award: once in 1983 for best short fiction for “The Gorgon” and again in 1984 for best short fiction for “Elle Est Trois (La Mort).” She has been a Guest of Honour at numerous science fiction and fantasy conventions including the Boskone XVIII in Boston, USA in 1981, the 1984 World Fantasy Convention in Ottawa, Canada, and Orbital 2008 the British National Science Fiction convention (Eastercon) held in London, England in March 2008. In 2009 she was awarded the prestigious title of Grand Master of Horror.
Lee was the daughter of two ballroom dancers, Bernard and Hylda Lee. Despite a persistent rumour, she was not the daughter of the actor Bernard Lee who played "M" in the James Bond series of films of the 1960s.
Tanith Lee married author and artist John Kaiine in 1992.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 14, 2018
You’ve probably never heard of Tanith Lee. You’ve definitely never heard of this book. Well, I’m good at picking up obscure treasures at secondhand bookstores.
Companions on the Road is the story of the leader, the baby, the thief and the charmer and their subsequent bad luck.
Havor is the young but world-wearied leader of the soldiers.
There was a sense of unfulfillment on him that twilight, that had something to do with the dreariness of the coming winter, but mostly with his own disillusion with the King’s war, which he ad fought for two years.
Feluce, his second-in-command, has a silver tongue, even if it is a forked one.
Feluce had a certain cruel charm, that caught some hard and held them. They admired his looks, his vicious sweet-talking, the barbed tongue that passed for wit.
And Lukon, the baby.
…a very young boy, an obedient soldier on the marsh, as yet untried in the war. This last battle, if it came, would be his first.
Kachil meets the gang when he attempts to steal from them.
He could not remember where he was, and an immediate feeling of miserable apprehension came over him. He had so often woken up like this and found himself in jail, or the cellar of some petty nobleman’s house.
The group of soldiers, along with the thief, find a chalice in the ruins of the dead king’s palace. Misfortune befalls them and they attempt to run away from their curse. Each misfortune befits the Achilles' heel of the respective character. Although this story is set in a fantasy world, the story is written more like a horror. A very good horror, at that. Not often does a story focus on the spoils and aftermath of war instead of the war itself.
I’m looking forward to reading more from Lee.
Edit: 3.5 stars
Companions on the Road is the story of the leader, the baby, the thief and the charmer and their subsequent bad luck.
Havor is the young but world-wearied leader of the soldiers.
There was a sense of unfulfillment on him that twilight, that had something to do with the dreariness of the coming winter, but mostly with his own disillusion with the King’s war, which he ad fought for two years.
Feluce, his second-in-command, has a silver tongue, even if it is a forked one.
Feluce had a certain cruel charm, that caught some hard and held them. They admired his looks, his vicious sweet-talking, the barbed tongue that passed for wit.
And Lukon, the baby.
…a very young boy, an obedient soldier on the marsh, as yet untried in the war. This last battle, if it came, would be his first.
Kachil meets the gang when he attempts to steal from them.
He could not remember where he was, and an immediate feeling of miserable apprehension came over him. He had so often woken up like this and found himself in jail, or the cellar of some petty nobleman’s house.
The group of soldiers, along with the thief, find a chalice in the ruins of the dead king’s palace. Misfortune befalls them and they attempt to run away from their curse. Each misfortune befits the Achilles' heel of the respective character. Although this story is set in a fantasy world, the story is written more like a horror. A very good horror, at that. Not often does a story focus on the spoils and aftermath of war instead of the war itself.
I’m looking forward to reading more from Lee.
Edit: 3.5 stars
October 24, 2024
Two darkly atmospheric fantasy tales, perfect for the season. The titular piece, Companions on the Road, I found particularly haunting, as our hero, having made a questionable decision though for noble reasons, is relentlessly pursued across a dreary, desolate landscape, trying to outrun his seemingly doomed fate. This is a tale of good and evil, but with many nuanced shades of gray. The second tale, The Winter Players, was a bit eerie but ultimately quite sweet, and has a bit of a YA feel similar in nature to LeGuin's Earthsea stories, with themes revolving around self discovery, resiliency and fate. In both, Lee seamlessly wears away the boundaries between dreams, hallucinations and reality to produce gripping, visceral tales.
October 11, 2024
When Tanith Lee was on top of her game, she’s easily one of the best fantasy writers of all time. That is the case with the 2 1970’s novellas here. The first story encompasses 3 ill met soldiers on a path of doom after they take a magical chalice from a conquered city. Lurking and hounding are the 3 shades of the former owners, the foremost, the witch daughter of the former ruling family. Excellent story with layers of dark suspense and magical dread. Don’t fall asleep as the 3 companions do. I felt this story as if I was actually there. You won’t find a better dark fantasy for the season.
The second story is another beautifully written piece about a priestess who stops at nothing to get a relic back from a very unusual thief. She endures much as she learns about her extraordinary power. She must confront the thief and his extremely powerful sorcerer master. This was a great fantasy story with an excellent ending. The endings of these two stories won’t find you wanting as we usually do. If you enjoy fantasy/dark fantasy or just great fiction, this is a must read.
The second story is another beautifully written piece about a priestess who stops at nothing to get a relic back from a very unusual thief. She endures much as she learns about her extraordinary power. She must confront the thief and his extremely powerful sorcerer master. This was a great fantasy story with an excellent ending. The endings of these two stories won’t find you wanting as we usually do. If you enjoy fantasy/dark fantasy or just great fiction, this is a must read.
August 28, 2017
And this sums up exactly why I adore Tanith Lee. She is such an exceptionally clever writer that can make a 100 page novella have the depth and complexity of any a great fantasy tome.
This classic fantasy quest begins with the burning of the city of Avaris. Commander to the king's army, Havor or Taon, resigns soon after, sickened, it would seem, by the pillaging of the city around him. He leaves the burnt ruins of the city to fulfil the dying wish of a young soldier, to bequeath his impoverished family with his earnings upon his demise. But on his departure from the city he is trailed by another of his soldiers and the conversing duo, wrapped up in only each other, find their gold stolen by a surviving member of the city's waning civilisation. The thief, upon threats of death, promises to lead the pair to untold treasures in return for his life and a third of the spoils. This the pair do, but they leave the city with far more than gold as shadows on the horizon continue to dog their journey and haunt their dreams with the promise of death.
Like all of Lee's work, this was extraordinarily well-penned piece. I not only read her writing but feel every one of my senses evoked by the sensational style. There is beauty to be found in every paragraph and it makes every one of her stories a joy to read, regardless of the genre or what the narrative contains.
But these things too are a joy to devour. Despite the seemingly simple story-line and the small cast of characters, there are untold wonders awaiting to be discovered amongst the limited pages of this book, that continue to feel fresh and innovative decades after its publication.
This classic fantasy quest begins with the burning of the city of Avaris. Commander to the king's army, Havor or Taon, resigns soon after, sickened, it would seem, by the pillaging of the city around him. He leaves the burnt ruins of the city to fulfil the dying wish of a young soldier, to bequeath his impoverished family with his earnings upon his demise. But on his departure from the city he is trailed by another of his soldiers and the conversing duo, wrapped up in only each other, find their gold stolen by a surviving member of the city's waning civilisation. The thief, upon threats of death, promises to lead the pair to untold treasures in return for his life and a third of the spoils. This the pair do, but they leave the city with far more than gold as shadows on the horizon continue to dog their journey and haunt their dreams with the promise of death.
Like all of Lee's work, this was extraordinarily well-penned piece. I not only read her writing but feel every one of my senses evoked by the sensational style. There is beauty to be found in every paragraph and it makes every one of her stories a joy to read, regardless of the genre or what the narrative contains.
But these things too are a joy to devour. Despite the seemingly simple story-line and the small cast of characters, there are untold wonders awaiting to be discovered amongst the limited pages of this book, that continue to feel fresh and innovative decades after its publication.
March 10, 2024
Weird, great… classic SFF in only the good ways.
Companions on the Road: a journey through a feverish hellscape. Starts with the midnight ransacking of an evil sorcerer’s city and just gets darker from there. Loved it!
The Winter Players: a young priestess embarks on a quest to reclaim a stolen relic. A classic twist, one which I always enjoy.
ETA almost a year later to up this to five stars. I still think about Companions on the Road on a regular basis. Perfect writing, perfect concept, perfect mood. A perfect novella.
Companions on the Road: a journey through a feverish hellscape. Starts with the midnight ransacking of an evil sorcerer’s city and just gets darker from there. Loved it!
The Winter Players: a young priestess embarks on a quest to reclaim a stolen relic. A classic twist, one which I always enjoy.
ETA almost a year later to up this to five stars. I still think about Companions on the Road on a regular basis. Perfect writing, perfect concept, perfect mood. A perfect novella.
March 19, 2022
A 1970s collection of two of Tanith Lee's 1970s novellas -- the titular "Companions on the Road" and "The Winter Players". (And sometimes listed as YA, although I'm not entirely sure I'd agree with that?)
In "Companions on the Road" proper, the story begins with Havor of Taon part of the army sacking the city of Avillis (during the course of which, the citadel is put to the torch, its terrible ruling family still within). Having decided he's had enough of a soldier's life, Havor is on his way out of the city when (with circumstance-met companions Feluce and Kachil) he finds a massive golden chalice in the ruins. So naturally they agree to take it, sell it and split the proceeds three ways. And naturally, taking a massive golden chalice from a marble block, cold, white, stained in places black, proves to be rather a poor idea.
"The Winter Players" also begins with a theft from a shrine -- this time, the young priestess Oaive needs must leave her fishing village shrine after its sacred relics (Bone, Ring and Jewel) are stolen by a traveler. And why he took them, and what they truly represent ... well, that would be telling, wouldn't it?
Two exceedingly fine novellas from one of my very favorite authors.
In "Companions on the Road" proper, the story begins with Havor of Taon part of the army sacking the city of Avillis (during the course of which, the citadel is put to the torch, its terrible ruling family still within). Having decided he's had enough of a soldier's life, Havor is on his way out of the city when (with circumstance-met companions Feluce and Kachil) he finds a massive golden chalice in the ruins. So naturally they agree to take it, sell it and split the proceeds three ways. And naturally, taking a massive golden chalice from a marble block, cold, white, stained in places black, proves to be rather a poor idea.
"The Winter Players" also begins with a theft from a shrine -- this time, the young priestess Oaive needs must leave her fishing village shrine after its sacred relics (Bone, Ring and Jewel) are stolen by a traveler. And why he took them, and what they truly represent ... well, that would be telling, wouldn't it?
Two exceedingly fine novellas from one of my very favorite authors.
January 2, 2020
A dark, moody, and tense story of some thieves and ghosts and a golden chalice. Pretty great, but not perfect - the writing's still a bit clumsy, often fighting against its purpose, and even to the end I felt that there was a bit of a missed opportunity with which characters died and which survived.
October 8, 2015
Contains:
Two Novellas
"Companions On The Road"
"The Winter Players"
Two Novellas
"Companions On The Road"
"The Winter Players"
November 2, 2019
This was such a treat, and at Halloween too!
I've had this in my cart on Amazon for awhile now. I really prefer to find books in the wild but with this updated cover and the price I yelled at Amazon to shut up and take my money! Besides this was one of many I've never seen in the flesh.
Two novellas, completely unrelated. The first is the title of the book, Companions on the Road. The second is The Winter Players. Sometimes evil can only be vanquished by a woman.
Companions on the Road is a great one to read on a dark overcast day; just the right mood. Stealing is bad, especially when it's from a notorious wizards keep. Don't go to sleep...Another good one to read in this vein is Skin.
The Winter Players features another theft. History repeats itself if you don't learn from your past mistakes. It might be interesting to note that each chapter features a different color; coincidence or design? Did I miss the point? This reminded me of another story I read a lifetime ago, Spellbound, if only because both feature similar characters.
I enjoyed this book tremendously. I have yet to be disappointed in Tanith Lee's work.
Recommended!
I've had this in my cart on Amazon for awhile now. I really prefer to find books in the wild but with this updated cover and the price I yelled at Amazon to shut up and take my money! Besides this was one of many I've never seen in the flesh.
Two novellas, completely unrelated. The first is the title of the book, Companions on the Road. The second is The Winter Players. Sometimes evil can only be vanquished by a woman.
Companions on the Road is a great one to read on a dark overcast day; just the right mood. Stealing is bad, especially when it's from a notorious wizards keep. Don't go to sleep...Another good one to read in this vein is Skin.
The Winter Players features another theft. History repeats itself if you don't learn from your past mistakes. It might be interesting to note that each chapter features a different color; coincidence or design? Did I miss the point? This reminded me of another story I read a lifetime ago, Spellbound, if only because both feature similar characters.
I enjoyed this book tremendously. I have yet to be disappointed in Tanith Lee's work.
Recommended!
May 27, 2012
Really, nice, really well-written quest fantasy in the classic vein. Three unlikely companions, all with different motivations, end up looting a chalice from the sacked city of Avillis.
On the road, however, they come to know that the chalice is cursed.
Will the soldier Havor be able to fulfill his vow to a dying companion; to bring money to his destitute family? Or has he met his doom with the ill-advised theft?
Tanith Lee's writing brings a richness and depth to this type of story that's rarely seen. However, this book is very, very short. (This edition only contains the one story.) It's really a novella, not an novel.
On the road, however, they come to know that the chalice is cursed.
Will the soldier Havor be able to fulfill his vow to a dying companion; to bring money to his destitute family? Or has he met his doom with the ill-advised theft?
Tanith Lee's writing brings a richness and depth to this type of story that's rarely seen. However, this book is very, very short. (This edition only contains the one story.) It's really a novella, not an novel.
February 22, 2021
This edition contains two novellas: the title one and 'The Winter Players' which sounds as if it should be about musicians or actors. Perhaps the latter meaning is intended, as the two main characters are in a sense acting out parts or will be if they can't break out of the circle in which it seems they might be trapped. The paradox created was a little brain boggling but I could eventually see how it might work though it does beg the question of what happens I did like the female protagonist and also the fact that the relationship between her and the young male protagonist is developed emotionally and based on mutual respect, rather than falling into the sadist-masochist style that for me mars a lot of this author's fiction.
The first (title) novella is the story of a conscientious warrior, at the start a captain in the King's army, who agrees to take the savings of one of his men - a young, inexperienced one - back to his family if he does not survive the impending siege of a town. Later, the siege over, the warrior resigns, sick of the killing, but has to join forces with an ex-underling of his, a man he dislikes, when their money, including the young soldier's savings, is stolen by a thief. To save his life from the underling's violence the thief shows them the hidden treasure of the now deceased witch threesome who formerly ruled the town, but it eventually becomes clear that it brings with it a deadly curse. This is a tense and well written tale of pursuit and sleep deprivation with a likeable male protagonist and, again, a nascent relationship between him and a young woman he meets near the end of the story, which again is a meeting of equals.
The only thing that holds this back from a full five stars for me is the slight awkwardness in the second story's resolution. So for me this earns a well-deserved 4 star rating.
The first (title) novella is the story of a conscientious warrior, at the start a captain in the King's army, who agrees to take the savings of one of his men - a young, inexperienced one - back to his family if he does not survive the impending siege of a town. Later, the siege over, the warrior resigns, sick of the killing, but has to join forces with an ex-underling of his, a man he dislikes, when their money, including the young soldier's savings, is stolen by a thief. To save his life from the underling's violence the thief shows them the hidden treasure of the now deceased witch threesome who formerly ruled the town, but it eventually becomes clear that it brings with it a deadly curse. This is a tense and well written tale of pursuit and sleep deprivation with a likeable male protagonist and, again, a nascent relationship between him and a young woman he meets near the end of the story, which again is a meeting of equals.
The only thing that holds this back from a full five stars for me is the slight awkwardness in the second story's resolution. So for me this earns a well-deserved 4 star rating.
June 10, 2011
Tanith Lee writes beautifully, and these two stories are no exception to that rule.
The Story...
The first story is about three unlikely companions who steal a cursed chalice. Their fate is a harsh one, but perhaps there is redemption for one of them by the end of the long journey. The other (my favourite) is about a young priestess who follows a thief and is caught in the web of fate, destined to repeat her mistakes... or is she?
My Judgement...
These two stories are not your average run-of-the-mill fantasy tales, but instead touch on larger-than-life themes such as fate, destiny and moral. If you liked Tanith Lee's tales from the Flat Earth, then you'll probably also like these, even though these have nothing directly to do with the Flat Earth setting.
I know that I liked them.
The Story...
The first story is about three unlikely companions who steal a cursed chalice. Their fate is a harsh one, but perhaps there is redemption for one of them by the end of the long journey. The other (my favourite) is about a young priestess who follows a thief and is caught in the web of fate, destined to repeat her mistakes... or is she?
My Judgement...
These two stories are not your average run-of-the-mill fantasy tales, but instead touch on larger-than-life themes such as fate, destiny and moral. If you liked Tanith Lee's tales from the Flat Earth, then you'll probably also like these, even though these have nothing directly to do with the Flat Earth setting.
I know that I liked them.
February 13, 2013
There aren't that many great examples of the fantasy novella. Particularly these days it seems as though only monster doorstops of books (preferably part of a vast series) get published. This book is a beautiful illustration of how a short piece can be far more effective.
The story follows a group of soldiers after they have plundered a fallen city. They take a curse with them, along with their loot. One by one, it seems, the curse, or perhaps the sorcerous dead rulers of the city they burnt, will claim them.
The result is artfully atmospheric, enchanting and tense.
Tanith Lee is something of a hit and miss author, but this is very much a hit.
The story follows a group of soldiers after they have plundered a fallen city. They take a curse with them, along with their loot. One by one, it seems, the curse, or perhaps the sorcerous dead rulers of the city they burnt, will claim them.
The result is artfully atmospheric, enchanting and tense.
Tanith Lee is something of a hit and miss author, but this is very much a hit.
July 26, 2022
Sword and Sorcery / Appendix N?
The first story was ok. Was enjoyable but the second story in my opinion really shines! If you're a fan of sword and sorcery or an appendix N reader then you'd most likely enjoy these stories. Very glad to have added them to my library.
The first story was ok. Was enjoyable but the second story in my opinion really shines! If you're a fan of sword and sorcery or an appendix N reader then you'd most likely enjoy these stories. Very glad to have added them to my library.
March 24, 2019
I picked this up on a whim. I was browsing books at my library and came across this. In an interview. N.K. Jemisin said Tanith Lee was one of her favorite authors. Since I LOVE N.K. Jemisin, I decided to give this book a try. In the first few pages, I became hesitant to read this story as it first appeared to not be a genre I tend to like - a quest for an object. But I decided to stick with it and I am so glad I did. I read it in essentially a day and was profoundly moved by the ending of Companions on the Road. The Winter Players left me happy and hopeful. I am incredibly impressed with how Lee's prose makes her stories so incredible. I suspect she could write about anything and make it beautiful. I definitely plan to read more of her works. I definitely recommend this book, even to people who aren't particularly in love with quests. This is much more than that.
March 20, 2020
A collection of two short novels by Tanith Lee. These stories are among her earliest published work and reflect the ominous dark tone of most of her Fantasy. The stories are unrelated, but linked by the fact that most of the story of both novels consists of a long journey.
Companions of the Road, the title story, follows three men who loot a valuable treasure from a burning city, but the object is cursed and brings doom that stalks them in their dreams. The Winter Players follows the young priestess of a fishing village who pursues a man who has stolen a relic from her shrine, but nothing about her quest is what it appears. If you enjoy light fantasy entertainment with a dark edge to it you will enjoy these stories. I would also recommend Lee's Flat Earth series, which has a similar tone on a bigger scale.
Companions of the Road, the title story, follows three men who loot a valuable treasure from a burning city, but the object is cursed and brings doom that stalks them in their dreams. The Winter Players follows the young priestess of a fishing village who pursues a man who has stolen a relic from her shrine, but nothing about her quest is what it appears. If you enjoy light fantasy entertainment with a dark edge to it you will enjoy these stories. I would also recommend Lee's Flat Earth series, which has a similar tone on a bigger scale.
November 13, 2017
This book contains two short novellas that are wonderfully well developed for their length. Both are surprisingly good and very different as well as original. Both are full of intrigue, and really caught my attention quickly. I have never encountered anything quite like them. I thoroughly enjoyed them, and would recommend them to anyone and everyone. Lee is a very accomplished writer with a vivid imagination and a talent for putting it into words. This was a book I picked up because I had nothing else to read and I couldn't have been more pleased with my accidental encounter with these two short Lee works.
December 28, 2018
Solid "old school" fiction, more creepy than adventurous, with prose that occasionally veers into the turgid and/or purple (which is archetypal for this genre ... you either regard it as a beloved feature or it's probably at least part of why you don't like the genre).
The whole book (two novellas) is a very quick read, which is slightly disappointing. There could have been a lot more to the first story if Lee had wanted to flesh it out to full novel length.
The whole book (two novellas) is a very quick read, which is slightly disappointing. There could have been a lot more to the first story if Lee had wanted to flesh it out to full novel length.
March 23, 2015
A plangent fantasy tale; strong writing and heart.
June 5, 2022
This is a collection of two fantasy novellas that were originally published as chapbooks.
In “Companions on the Road.” two soldiers and a thief make off with a chalice after the sacking of a citadel. They then find themselves pursued by three dark riders.
In “The Winter Players,” a young priestess tracks a thief after he steals an artifact from the temple she is responsible for.
As in the other work I’ve read by Tanith Lee, the prose in each story was lyrical and descriptive. At only around a hundred pages each, Lee introduces convincing settings, fleshes out interesting characters, and builds tension. I enjoyed both stories and their conclusions immensely.
In “Companions on the Road.” two soldiers and a thief make off with a chalice after the sacking of a citadel. They then find themselves pursued by three dark riders.
In “The Winter Players,” a young priestess tracks a thief after he steals an artifact from the temple she is responsible for.
As in the other work I’ve read by Tanith Lee, the prose in each story was lyrical and descriptive. At only around a hundred pages each, Lee introduces convincing settings, fleshes out interesting characters, and builds tension. I enjoyed both stories and their conclusions immensely.
May 18, 2013
I wouldn't classify it as young adult or even children as other people seem to have done, it is not too complicated, and it reads easily, but definitely not something intended for children.
The world is not really detailed in depth, but feels familiar without being cliche. It's a nice change of pace to have some fantasy without all the info dumps. And as a reader you learn enough about the background to understand everything.
Short, but fun.
The world is not really detailed in depth, but feels familiar without being cliche. It's a nice change of pace to have some fantasy without all the info dumps. And as a reader you learn enough about the background to understand everything.
Short, but fun.
July 13, 2018
A random book I really chose only based on the title. It turned out nothing what I would have expected. A well written fantasy quest with curses, magic, thieves and nobility. It was an interesting read, reminding me of the Amber series with the setting.
October 5, 2019
The prose felt a little restrained but I still liked the ideas and character work.
December 24, 2019
I love this. It's short and doesn't linger on triviality but expands just enough to create an air of mystery.
December 30, 2018
I first discovered these collected novellas on a list whose theme I have since forgotten (adventure fantasy? standalone reads?) and added the volume to my to-read list when I read the subtitle “wondrous tales of adventure and quest” and saw that it is authored by the late great Tanith Lee. Over the holidays, I found a copy in an unexpected used book store in my hometown and snapped it up immediately.
I’m reviewing the novellas out of order, because The Winter Players, “a game of cold sorceries and burning shadows,” delivered exactly what it promised on the cover—an adventure quest of sorcerous confrontations . . . until it surprised me at the end with one of my favorite story tropes: time travel. Not only that, Lee interrogated the trope quite thoroughly while using it; her characters dissect the impact of the strange circle they’ve created, and the consequences of perpetuating or breaking it, before making their decision to try for a happy ending. And what great characters they are! Oaive and Grey are intelligent and resourceful, with deep feelings and constraints on their liberty that they find creative ways around. Occasionally, the text breezes past moments of Oaive making connections of thought and logic that feel a little too expositional, but Lee’s smooth prose carries me past these bumps. This novella could be longer, perhaps even full novel length, but it also wears its brevity well.
Companions on the Road surprised me from the outset with its ominous mood and touch of horror. The mood is employed with a deft touch – no overdone horror cues or descriptions, just an incredible sense of dread. Lee plays with this beautifully, keeping it in a place of tension throughout the story and creating an ebb and flow with moments of strangeness and unease between the travelers and other characters they meet along the road. The danger of the three pursuing figures is made immediately clear, but Havor prioritizes other feelings and problems as he encounters them, only giving the full weight of his anxiety to the three spectral figures as his companions fall away one by one. (This was the second surprise of this story: the description prepared me for an adventure story with a party of travelers I expected to follow to the end, but instead I followed only Havor.) Even as Havor surrenders to his inevitable doom, he fights against it, allowing the dread to grow and saturate the story like the best horror fiction.
The character work in Companions is superb – while Feluce and Kachil are strong foils who make Havor seem like a really great guy, Havor still possesses flaws and complications. Lukon is on the page so briefly but is so wonderfully rendered and used to highlight positive and negative aspects of the other characters. Silsi is a wonderful mirror, reflecting Havor’s stubbornness and strength and balancing Havor’s sense of doom with hope and quick wits.
Companions on the Road is compact storytelling at its best. The title is perfect, encompassing the structural parallels of the three travelers and the three pursuers, as well as playing on the idea of death personified as a companion. This novella reminded me of the writings of Lord Dunsany and leaves me excited to read even more by Tanith Lee.
I’m reviewing the novellas out of order, because The Winter Players, “a game of cold sorceries and burning shadows,” delivered exactly what it promised on the cover—an adventure quest of sorcerous confrontations . . . until it surprised me at the end with one of my favorite story tropes: time travel. Not only that, Lee interrogated the trope quite thoroughly while using it; her characters dissect the impact of the strange circle they’ve created, and the consequences of perpetuating or breaking it, before making their decision to try for a happy ending. And what great characters they are! Oaive and Grey are intelligent and resourceful, with deep feelings and constraints on their liberty that they find creative ways around. Occasionally, the text breezes past moments of Oaive making connections of thought and logic that feel a little too expositional, but Lee’s smooth prose carries me past these bumps. This novella could be longer, perhaps even full novel length, but it also wears its brevity well.
Companions on the Road surprised me from the outset with its ominous mood and touch of horror. The mood is employed with a deft touch – no overdone horror cues or descriptions, just an incredible sense of dread. Lee plays with this beautifully, keeping it in a place of tension throughout the story and creating an ebb and flow with moments of strangeness and unease between the travelers and other characters they meet along the road. The danger of the three pursuing figures is made immediately clear, but Havor prioritizes other feelings and problems as he encounters them, only giving the full weight of his anxiety to the three spectral figures as his companions fall away one by one. (This was the second surprise of this story: the description prepared me for an adventure story with a party of travelers I expected to follow to the end, but instead I followed only Havor.) Even as Havor surrenders to his inevitable doom, he fights against it, allowing the dread to grow and saturate the story like the best horror fiction.
The character work in Companions is superb – while Feluce and Kachil are strong foils who make Havor seem like a really great guy, Havor still possesses flaws and complications. Lukon is on the page so briefly but is so wonderfully rendered and used to highlight positive and negative aspects of the other characters. Silsi is a wonderful mirror, reflecting Havor’s stubbornness and strength and balancing Havor’s sense of doom with hope and quick wits.
Companions on the Road is compact storytelling at its best. The title is perfect, encompassing the structural parallels of the three travelers and the three pursuers, as well as playing on the idea of death personified as a companion. This novella reminded me of the writings of Lord Dunsany and leaves me excited to read even more by Tanith Lee.
May 3, 2019
Красивата фантазия на непрежалимата Танит ни отвежда в една реалност, натежала от магия и безсърдечие, в свят на войни, и врагове, и липса на надежда в нещо, свързано с мир или спокойствие. Обсадата на непознат град е към края си. Победителите пишат историята, но не и преди да плячкосат и насилят като послушни добри завоеватели – все пак имат нужда да се разтоварят от военния стрес, нали. По случайност се събира една разнолика група от оплискани до ушите с кръв мародери, които намират странното съкровище на вече бившите владетели на града – прекрасна принцеса – вещица, баща ѝ – доста тъмен субект с влечение към некромантия, и брат ѝ – местния Джейми Ланистър, обгърнато с вълни от проклятия и черна магия. И дори изпечени живи на клада и разкъсани на дребни парченца от диваците – завоеватели, духовете на тези три същества с почти митичен статус не изчезват към светлината, а остават в мрака да мъстят на унищожителите си. Или поне на представителна извадка от тях, каквато се оказват тримата ни грабители.
Ястреб, котка и лисица – благородник в изгнание, обикновен главорез и садистичен мошеник , започнали чужда война заради обещанието за богата плячка, стават жертва на триото демони, а смъртта идва толкова красиво… Изтънчени илюзии, зловещи сънища наяве, ледена пустош без изход, поробеният народ, обичащ своето познато и постоянно зло, вместо непознатото и хаотично такова – методи за екзотични мъчения не липсват. Трима съвсем обикновени наглед войника се възправят срещу отмъстителни и много разгневени полу – богове. Ясно е на чия страна са шансовете и съдбата, но понякога нещо съвсем простичко, като това да спазиш обещанието пред мъртъв непознат, дава едно рамо напред в борбата срещу стихиите.
Красота, както винаги, щом излиза изпод перото на Танит Лий. Кратичка книжка, но толкова наситена и многоцветна, дълбока, омагьосваща и смразяваща до кости, че рита стабилно по кокалчетата която и да е гигантска поредица с все по-надебеляващи части, очевидно писани от алчни, средно талантливи женици, напипали пулса на не особено придирчивата си публика, интересуваща се само от идентифициране на ниско ниво с героите на която и да е сага. Но Танит е съвсем друга бира, че даже вино – отлежало, попило аромати и сенки от години сънища и още повече кошмари, намерили своя естствен път към белия лист. Красота в думите, красота в образите, красота в сюжета. Прелестна почивка от тежестта на приемливата посредственост, белязваща реалността ни. Мечтите са важни, повярвайте ми.
Ястреб, котка и лисица – благородник в изгнание, обикновен главорез и садистичен мошеник , започнали чужда война заради обещанието за богата плячка, стават жертва на триото демони, а смъртта идва толкова красиво… Изтънчени илюзии, зловещи сънища наяве, ледена пустош без изход, поробеният народ, обичащ своето познато и постоянно зло, вместо непознатото и хаотично такова – методи за екзотични мъчения не липсват. Трима съвсем обикновени наглед войника се възправят срещу отмъстителни и много разгневени полу – богове. Ясно е на чия страна са шансовете и съдбата, но понякога нещо съвсем простичко, като това да спазиш обещанието пред мъртъв непознат, дава едно рамо напред в борбата срещу стихиите.
Красота, както винаги, щом излиза изпод перото на Танит Лий. Кратичка книжка, но толкова наситена и многоцветна, дълбока, омагьосваща и смразяваща до кости, че рита стабилно по кокалчетата която и да е гигантска поредица с все по-надебеляващи части, очевидно писани от алчни, средно талантливи женици, напипали пулса на не особено придирчивата си публика, интересуваща се само от идентифициране на ниско ниво с героите на която и да е сага. Но Танит е съвсем друга бира, че даже вино – отлежало, попило аромати и сенки от години сънища и още повече кошмари, намерили своя естствен път към белия лист. Красота в думите, красота в образите, красота в сюжета. Прелестна почивка от тежестта на приемливата посредственост, белязваща реалността ни. Мечтите са важни, повярвайте ми.
December 3, 2025
In the aftermath of a siege, a worn-down warrior walks away with a cursed chalice and a few uneasy companions. As they move through a ravaged countryside, three mysterious figures trail them at a distance, clearly and unsettlingly tied to the chalice itself. This book is very dark for something originally written for younger readers, but the darkness feels earned—an extension of war, guilt, and bad bargains rather than window dressing. The prose is tight and controlled: clean sentences, strong images, and no wasted scenes or side-quests. The characters don’t invite deep emotional attachment so much as they feel like archetypal figures in a dark fairy tale, which fits the story’s mood even if it keeps them at a distance. The book is about guilt, war-weariness, and the cost of stealing sacred things, not about whether the heroes can outrun the supernatural. The ending leans into that approach: the curse is confronted, but more as a mood-piece than a big payoff, and if you come in wanting a fully “solved” quest narrative, Tanith Lee’s restraint can feel like she simply stops rather than concludes. Modern fantasy readers raised on big, twisty doorstoppers may find the basic structure familiar, but the execution is lean and atmospheric.
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January 31, 2024
This is the kind of book that I wish we had half stars for. Companions is two novellas by Tanith Lee. The first story felt like a parable and I really liked where it was going. The second one was interesting and I enjoyed following Oaive on her hero's journey. My problem is with the endings. Both endings felt too "and everyone lived happily ever after". I don't hate happy endings but they just didn't feel like the proper conclusions to the stories being told. They were creepy and, the first especially, felt more like horror than fantasy. Maybe that's just me though. I'm going to find another of Tanith Lee's books, preferably a full length novel, and try that out. Lee's writing is beautiful and I really did enjoy how she wove her tales just not how she finished them off.
April 9, 2023
This is only my second book by Tanith Lee so I might have just been lucky so far but I really like her style. She says a lot in a small package and knows how to bring the emotion and connection quickly. I will continue to hunt down more from her.
She’s definitely got that 70’s-80’s style fantasy but when done right like Lee it’s tikkity-boo baby!
She’s definitely got that 70’s-80’s style fantasy but when done right like Lee it’s tikkity-boo baby!
June 3, 2024
This started as a reasonably good horror and darkness filled fantasy, but it seemed to lose momentum by the end.
Tanith Lee wrote as if she wants to say clever and beautiful things with her prose, but at these very moments it all lacks substance.
It ultimately tried to be more than what it actually is.
Tanith Lee wrote as if she wants to say clever and beautiful things with her prose, but at these very moments it all lacks substance.
It ultimately tried to be more than what it actually is.
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