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Sword and Sorceress #5
Sword and Sorceress V
A collection of fantasy fables about sword- and magic-wielding women features the works of Jennifer Roberson, Mercedes Lackley, Charles de Lint, Diana Paxson, and others who weave tales of courage, wizardry, and evil
284 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
About the author
Marion Zimmer Bradley
816 books4,940 followersMarion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series, often with a feminist outlook.
Bradley's first published novel-length work was Falcons of Narabedla, first published in the May 1957 issue of Other Worlds. When she was a child, Bradley stated that she enjoyed reading adventure fantasy authors such as Henry Kuttner, Edmond Hamilton, and Leigh Brackett, especially when they wrote about "the glint of strange suns on worlds that never were and never would be." Her first novel and much of her subsequent work show their influence strongly.
Early in her career, writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter, and Lee Chapman, Marion Zimmer Bradley produced several works outside the speculative fiction genre, including some gay and lesbian pulp fiction novels. For example, I Am a Lesbian was published in 1962. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published, and for a long time she refused to disclose the titles she wrote under these pseudonyms.
Her 1958 story The Planet Savers introduced the planet of Darkover, which became the setting of a popular series by Bradley and other authors. The Darkover milieu may be considered as either fantasy with science fiction overtones or as science fiction with fantasy overtones, as Darkover is a lost earth colony where psi powers developed to an unusual degree. Bradley wrote many Darkover novels by herself, but in her later years collaborated with other authors for publication; her literary collaborators have continued the series since her death.
Bradley took an active role in science-fiction and fantasy fandom, promoting interaction with professional authors and publishers and making several important contributions to the subculture.
For many years, Bradley actively encouraged Darkover fan fiction and reprinted some of it in commercial Darkover anthologies, continuing to encourage submissions from unpublished authors, but this ended after a dispute with a fan over an unpublished Darkover novel of Bradley's that had similarities to some of the fan's stories. As a result, the novel remained unpublished, and Bradley demanded the cessation of all Darkover fan fiction.
Bradley was also the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she particularly encouraged young female authors, she was not averse to including male authors in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley. Ms Bradley was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death in September of 1999.
Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon. A retelling of the Camelot legend from the point of view of Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar, it grew into a series of books; like the Darkover series, the later novels are written with or by other authors and have continued to appear after Bradley's death.
Her reputation has been posthumously marred by multiple accusations of child sexual abuse by her daughter Moira Greyland, and for allegedly assisting her second husband, convicted child abuser Walter Breen, in sexually abusing multiple unrelated children.
(from Wikipedia)
Bradley's first published novel-length work was Falcons of Narabedla, first published in the May 1957 issue of Other Worlds. When she was a child, Bradley stated that she enjoyed reading adventure fantasy authors such as Henry Kuttner, Edmond Hamilton, and Leigh Brackett, especially when they wrote about "the glint of strange suns on worlds that never were and never would be." Her first novel and much of her subsequent work show their influence strongly.
Early in her career, writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter, and Lee Chapman, Marion Zimmer Bradley produced several works outside the speculative fiction genre, including some gay and lesbian pulp fiction novels. For example, I Am a Lesbian was published in 1962. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published, and for a long time she refused to disclose the titles she wrote under these pseudonyms.
Her 1958 story The Planet Savers introduced the planet of Darkover, which became the setting of a popular series by Bradley and other authors. The Darkover milieu may be considered as either fantasy with science fiction overtones or as science fiction with fantasy overtones, as Darkover is a lost earth colony where psi powers developed to an unusual degree. Bradley wrote many Darkover novels by herself, but in her later years collaborated with other authors for publication; her literary collaborators have continued the series since her death.
Bradley took an active role in science-fiction and fantasy fandom, promoting interaction with professional authors and publishers and making several important contributions to the subculture.
For many years, Bradley actively encouraged Darkover fan fiction and reprinted some of it in commercial Darkover anthologies, continuing to encourage submissions from unpublished authors, but this ended after a dispute with a fan over an unpublished Darkover novel of Bradley's that had similarities to some of the fan's stories. As a result, the novel remained unpublished, and Bradley demanded the cessation of all Darkover fan fiction.
Bradley was also the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she particularly encouraged young female authors, she was not averse to including male authors in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley. Ms Bradley was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death in September of 1999.
Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon. A retelling of the Camelot legend from the point of view of Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar, it grew into a series of books; like the Darkover series, the later novels are written with or by other authors and have continued to appear after Bradley's death.
Her reputation has been posthumously marred by multiple accusations of child sexual abuse by her daughter Moira Greyland, and for allegedly assisting her second husband, convicted child abuser Walter Breen, in sexually abusing multiple unrelated children.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 28, 2025
I definitely enjoyed the latter half of this anthology over the bulk of the previous one, and I giggled a bit at the last dragon tale. (Get it, dragon “tale”? Ha!).
PS. I suck at reviewing books.
PS. I suck at reviewing books.
June 13, 2011
I believe that I read these stories a long time ago, but I honestly have no real recollection of any of them. So I guess the question is, did I read the book or was the stories just not worth remembering?
(Having read most of them again, I am sure that I just forced myself to forget that I ever read this book... good thing that I now have evidence that reminds me of reading the book. So far... just a few good stories, a couple of ok stories and a lot of stories that no sane human being should ever be forced to read!)
This is a review-in-progress, and I will review every story as I read them.
Sorcerer's Pet (by Margaret L. Carter) is a very short and ordinary story about Laenie and her brother, Bronn, who is trying to steal a familiar from a powerful sorcerer. Sounds dull? Well, there are no twists and turns to this one, and the author is way too descriptive. A poor way to start a collection of shortstories. (1 star)
Into the Green (by Charles de Lint) is the story of Angharad, a tinker, witch and... harper. It is a beautiful tale that reveals a lot about the setting, the Kingdoms of the Green Isle and the Green that lies beyond. This story is everything that the first tale was not. Definitely worth reading. (3 stars)
Eyes of the Laemi (by Janet Fox) is the story about Scorpia, a lone traveler. On her journey through the mountains, she comes to a small village where she hear about the laemi... I would call this sword and sorcery, but not the exciting kind. The heroine is far too passive for my liking and not all that interesting. (1.5 stars)
Jewels (by Linda Gordon) is the meeting between a bounty hunter called Blackwood and a mage named Zuriel. Zuriel wants a jewel that seems to protect him, while Blackwood wants her son. The mage has the son and, as it turns out, Blackwood has the jewel. There are may things in this story that doesn't gets explained. (1 star)
Dance of the Healer (by M. R. Hildebrand) is about Sherlin, a dancer and healer. Her apprentice, Cermis, is kidnapped and Sherlin must first heal herself before she can free Cermis from the clutches of a wizard who wants to live forever. The setting in this story is very... oriental, and not really my cup of tea. A strange and confusing story. (1 star)
One Night at the Inn (by Millea Kenin) is the simple story of how the Golden Cock inn came to be known as The Stoned Trolls instead. I liked the worldbuilding on the first page, but then the trolls were introduced and soon after, the story was... over. Fast and deeply unsatisfying. (1 star)
Keys (by Mercedes Lackey) is the story about Kethry and Tarma, two traveling (and fighting) wenches. Kethry apparently has a magical geas-sword called Need (so far, not a bad idea) that directs Kethry to protect women in need (bad idea!). How stupid is that. Why just women? Whats the story here? Well, not to worry, this is not the dumbest thing about this story... wait till you hear about the "trial by combat" deal. The editor and writer must have been really good friends for this to go through. (0 stars)
Drum Duel (by Gerald Perkins) is a story that truly failed to captivate me. I honestly couldn't tell you what it was about. Basically, it was just a bunch of names with no real purpose. It should have been left out of this anthology. However, this story does make some of the other stories look quite appealing. (0 stars)
The Eye of Toyur (by Diana L. Paxson) is a story about Shanna, witches and an archpriest. There are certainly good elements to this story, but it feels like you need to have read other stories about Shanna before you read this one. (2 stars)
Peet's Bride (by Dana Kramer-Rolls) is a comedy about a sorceress (I guess), a talking horse? and a male sacrificed virgin... to a girl dragon. Sounds stupid? Well, it really is, and it gets a lot worse before the story is over. (0 stars)
Warrior's Way (by A.D. Overstreet) is (finally) a classical sword & sorcery story about a female warrior named Kwannon! She is looking for the mythical Eye of Dhyana and will have to fight her way to it. She also picks up a young slave girl along the way, named Druce. I liked it, classical and then it gives itself time to tell its story. We are not talking beautiful language like Jack Vance or even Michael Moorcock, but the story is very accessible and easy to read. (3 stars)
Spoils of War (by Jennifer Roberson) is finally a short (very short!) story with a twist. A small twist, but a twist nonetheless. It is about claiming the... spoils of war. A cleverly told and beautiful little story. (3 stars)
Cholin of Carnel (by B.A. Rolls) is a story about revenge and demons. Cholin is avenging the destruction of his house and gains a demonic familiar to aid him. It sounds like I should like this story, but it is a mess, very confusing in its worldbuilding. The author throws names around without explaining most of them. (1 star)
Rite of Vengeance (by Deborah Wheeler) is the story of Tyr Swordsister, a woman looking for revenge over the Djenne and their warlord, Chandros. Another classic sword and sorcery tale, a little boring and ordinary though. Tyr is not a very interesting swordsister. (1 star)
Bloodstone (by Mary Frances Zambreno) is a vampire story about a thief who is hired to steal a... bloodstone. It was ok, but nothing special. (2 stars)
Sword Singer (by Laura J. Underwood) is the story about Marta, a sword singer. This short story is without a doubt the best of the anthology. It has heart, it has cleverness and it builds a solid and interesting setting. I love the idea of sword singers. (4 stars)
Stormbringer (by Steve Tymon) is the story og Winter, a warrior and sorceress who has come home to get her revenge. Unmistakeably sword and sorcery but not very interesting. (1.5 stars)
Sorceress of the Gulls (by Dave Smeds) is a beautiful story about love and magic. It follows Kari, a young girl, as she grows up and learn about her magic. It reminded me very much of Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea. A great read. (4 stars)
Runaways (by Josepha Sherman) is a small story about a couple of kids in love, running away into the mountains. However, there is small twist here. Easy to read. (2 stars)
The Golden Egg (by Morning Glory Zell) is the story of how a dragon poacher was taught a very valuable lesson. A good story with an excellent lesson to be learned. (3 stars)
Revised Standard Virgin (by Rick Cook) is not your standard king kong story, but instead presents the reader with a professional virgin! Fun, but nothing more. (2 stars)
Dragon Lovers (by Cynthia Drolet) is the story about a dragon dragonslayer. The editor said that she had never met anyone who didn't laugh at this story... well, I didn't laugh. Short, boring and unfullfilling. (0 stars)
My conclusion must be this... read a couple of the stories, but not the entire anthology. It's a waste of time.
(Having read most of them again, I am sure that I just forced myself to forget that I ever read this book... good thing that I now have evidence that reminds me of reading the book. So far... just a few good stories, a couple of ok stories and a lot of stories that no sane human being should ever be forced to read!)
This is a review-in-progress, and I will review every story as I read them.
Sorcerer's Pet (by Margaret L. Carter) is a very short and ordinary story about Laenie and her brother, Bronn, who is trying to steal a familiar from a powerful sorcerer. Sounds dull? Well, there are no twists and turns to this one, and the author is way too descriptive. A poor way to start a collection of shortstories. (1 star)
Into the Green (by Charles de Lint) is the story of Angharad, a tinker, witch and... harper. It is a beautiful tale that reveals a lot about the setting, the Kingdoms of the Green Isle and the Green that lies beyond. This story is everything that the first tale was not. Definitely worth reading. (3 stars)
Eyes of the Laemi (by Janet Fox) is the story about Scorpia, a lone traveler. On her journey through the mountains, she comes to a small village where she hear about the laemi... I would call this sword and sorcery, but not the exciting kind. The heroine is far too passive for my liking and not all that interesting. (1.5 stars)
Jewels (by Linda Gordon) is the meeting between a bounty hunter called Blackwood and a mage named Zuriel. Zuriel wants a jewel that seems to protect him, while Blackwood wants her son. The mage has the son and, as it turns out, Blackwood has the jewel. There are may things in this story that doesn't gets explained. (1 star)
Dance of the Healer (by M. R. Hildebrand) is about Sherlin, a dancer and healer. Her apprentice, Cermis, is kidnapped and Sherlin must first heal herself before she can free Cermis from the clutches of a wizard who wants to live forever. The setting in this story is very... oriental, and not really my cup of tea. A strange and confusing story. (1 star)
One Night at the Inn (by Millea Kenin) is the simple story of how the Golden Cock inn came to be known as The Stoned Trolls instead. I liked the worldbuilding on the first page, but then the trolls were introduced and soon after, the story was... over. Fast and deeply unsatisfying. (1 star)
Keys (by Mercedes Lackey) is the story about Kethry and Tarma, two traveling (and fighting) wenches. Kethry apparently has a magical geas-sword called Need (so far, not a bad idea) that directs Kethry to protect women in need (bad idea!). How stupid is that. Why just women? Whats the story here? Well, not to worry, this is not the dumbest thing about this story... wait till you hear about the "trial by combat" deal. The editor and writer must have been really good friends for this to go through. (0 stars)
Drum Duel (by Gerald Perkins) is a story that truly failed to captivate me. I honestly couldn't tell you what it was about. Basically, it was just a bunch of names with no real purpose. It should have been left out of this anthology. However, this story does make some of the other stories look quite appealing. (0 stars)
The Eye of Toyur (by Diana L. Paxson) is a story about Shanna, witches and an archpriest. There are certainly good elements to this story, but it feels like you need to have read other stories about Shanna before you read this one. (2 stars)
Peet's Bride (by Dana Kramer-Rolls) is a comedy about a sorceress (I guess), a talking horse? and a male sacrificed virgin... to a girl dragon. Sounds stupid? Well, it really is, and it gets a lot worse before the story is over. (0 stars)
Warrior's Way (by A.D. Overstreet) is (finally) a classical sword & sorcery story about a female warrior named Kwannon! She is looking for the mythical Eye of Dhyana and will have to fight her way to it. She also picks up a young slave girl along the way, named Druce. I liked it, classical and then it gives itself time to tell its story. We are not talking beautiful language like Jack Vance or even Michael Moorcock, but the story is very accessible and easy to read. (3 stars)
Spoils of War (by Jennifer Roberson) is finally a short (very short!) story with a twist. A small twist, but a twist nonetheless. It is about claiming the... spoils of war. A cleverly told and beautiful little story. (3 stars)
Cholin of Carnel (by B.A. Rolls) is a story about revenge and demons. Cholin is avenging the destruction of his house and gains a demonic familiar to aid him. It sounds like I should like this story, but it is a mess, very confusing in its worldbuilding. The author throws names around without explaining most of them. (1 star)
Rite of Vengeance (by Deborah Wheeler) is the story of Tyr Swordsister, a woman looking for revenge over the Djenne and their warlord, Chandros. Another classic sword and sorcery tale, a little boring and ordinary though. Tyr is not a very interesting swordsister. (1 star)
Bloodstone (by Mary Frances Zambreno) is a vampire story about a thief who is hired to steal a... bloodstone. It was ok, but nothing special. (2 stars)
Sword Singer (by Laura J. Underwood) is the story about Marta, a sword singer. This short story is without a doubt the best of the anthology. It has heart, it has cleverness and it builds a solid and interesting setting. I love the idea of sword singers. (4 stars)
Stormbringer (by Steve Tymon) is the story og Winter, a warrior and sorceress who has come home to get her revenge. Unmistakeably sword and sorcery but not very interesting. (1.5 stars)
Sorceress of the Gulls (by Dave Smeds) is a beautiful story about love and magic. It follows Kari, a young girl, as she grows up and learn about her magic. It reminded me very much of Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea. A great read. (4 stars)
Runaways (by Josepha Sherman) is a small story about a couple of kids in love, running away into the mountains. However, there is small twist here. Easy to read. (2 stars)
The Golden Egg (by Morning Glory Zell) is the story of how a dragon poacher was taught a very valuable lesson. A good story with an excellent lesson to be learned. (3 stars)
Revised Standard Virgin (by Rick Cook) is not your standard king kong story, but instead presents the reader with a professional virgin! Fun, but nothing more. (2 stars)
Dragon Lovers (by Cynthia Drolet) is the story about a dragon dragonslayer. The editor said that she had never met anyone who didn't laugh at this story... well, I didn't laugh. Short, boring and unfullfilling. (0 stars)
My conclusion must be this... read a couple of the stories, but not the entire anthology. It's a waste of time.
April 1, 2024
Die meisten Geschichten in dem Buch waren für mich durchschnittlich. Ich lese mittlerweile nicht mehr gerne High Fantasy, weil es immer dasselbe ist: die Heldin (das Buch ist feministisch, daher kommen hier eigentlich nur weibliche Hauptdarsteller vor) kommtdaher, meist noch in Verbindung mit einer magisch begabten Kampfgefährtin, und sucht magische Gegenstände oder will eine Quest lösen und besiegt den (hier meist männlichen) Bösewicht... Natürlich geht immer alles gut aus! Lediglich die Kurzgeschichte "Kriegsbeute" bekam von mir 5 Sterne, da sie über den für mich bei einer Kurzgeschichte nötigen überraschenden Plottwist verfügte. Auch "Die Möwenzähmerin" (wegen der besonderen Atmosphäre der Geschichte) und "Drachenliebe" haben von mir 4 Sterne bekommen. Alles andere befand sich für mich im 1,5-3 Sterne Bereich.
April 30, 2023
VERDICT: ~3 stars. Fantasy is not my favorite genre, so don't take my rating too seriously. Mostly 2 to 2+ star stories for me; a few were 3 to 4 stars.
The stories here are the length I like -- short enough to easily read 1 or 2 before bedtime, or when you have 15 minutes to spare.
The stories here are the length I like -- short enough to easily read 1 or 2 before bedtime, or when you have 15 minutes to spare.
June 11, 2017
A strong collection of stories, I enjoyed all but one of them: Peet's Bride, whose prose I found too amateurish to finish reading. And I felt the very last story dwelled a bit too long on its punchline - I believe it'd have been stronger had the protagonist left her gloating to a much snappier final remark.
December 27, 2018
MZB had a great eye for talented writers (many are now familiar names) and I always enjoy her anthologies. As usual, this collection ranged from good to excellent.
May 16, 2021
Interesting collection of fantasy short stories
currently-reading-anthcoll
October 3, 2017Sorcerer's Pet • shortstory by Margaret L. Carter
♥Into the Green • [Angharad] • shortstory by Charles de Lint 12/7/2011 & 7/3/2015
Eyes of the Laemi • shortstory by Janet Fox
Jewels • shortstory by Linda Gordon
Dance of the Healer • shortstory by M. R. Hildebrand
One Night at the Inn • shortstory by Millea Kenin
♥Keys • [Vows and Honor] • novelette by Mercedes Lackey 10/20/1998
Drum Duel • shortstory by Gerald Perkins
The Eye of Toyur • [Shanna of Sharteyn] • shortstory by Diana L. Paxson
Peet's Bride • shortstory by Dana Kramer-Rolls
Warrior's Way • novelette by A. D. Overstreet
Spoils of War • shortstory by Jennifer Roberson
Cholin of Carnel • shortstory by B. A. Rolls
Rite of Vengeance • novelette by Deborah J. Ross [as by Deborah Wheeler ]
Bloodstone • shortstory by Mary Frances Zambreno
Sword Singer • shortstory by Laura J. Underwood
Stormbringer • shortstory by Steve Tymon
Sorceress of the Gulls • shortstory by Dave Smeds
Runaways • shortstory by Josepha Sherman
The Golden Egg • shortstory by Morning Glory Zell
Revised Standard Virgin • shortstory by Rick Cook
Dragon Lovers • shortstory by Cynthia Drolet
♥Into the Green • [Angharad] • shortstory by Charles de Lint 12/7/2011 & 7/3/2015
Eyes of the Laemi • shortstory by Janet Fox
Jewels • shortstory by Linda Gordon
Dance of the Healer • shortstory by M. R. Hildebrand
One Night at the Inn • shortstory by Millea Kenin
♥Keys • [Vows and Honor] • novelette by Mercedes Lackey 10/20/1998
Drum Duel • shortstory by Gerald Perkins
The Eye of Toyur • [Shanna of Sharteyn] • shortstory by Diana L. Paxson
Peet's Bride • shortstory by Dana Kramer-Rolls
Warrior's Way • novelette by A. D. Overstreet
Spoils of War • shortstory by Jennifer Roberson
Cholin of Carnel • shortstory by B. A. Rolls
Rite of Vengeance • novelette by Deborah J. Ross [as by Deborah Wheeler ]
Bloodstone • shortstory by Mary Frances Zambreno
Sword Singer • shortstory by Laura J. Underwood
Stormbringer • shortstory by Steve Tymon
Sorceress of the Gulls • shortstory by Dave Smeds
Runaways • shortstory by Josepha Sherman
The Golden Egg • shortstory by Morning Glory Zell
Revised Standard Virgin • shortstory by Rick Cook
Dragon Lovers • shortstory by Cynthia Drolet
December 13, 2018
Another good one, the series improves with each new book, or else I, as a reader, am hitting my stride and becoming attuned to the rhythms of the stories.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews