Dilvish, the Damned in Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy"

Mar 28, 2025 Bryn Hammond rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sword-and-sorcery

I read these with this guide by James Enge: https://www.blackgate.com/2025/03/09/... , and enjoyed them a stack.

Of eleven stories, I most liked the first two shorts, 'Passage to Dilfar' which sets the mood and chivalric-adventure language, and 'Thelinde's Song'; for substantial stories, 'Bells of Shoredan' and 'Devil and the Dancer', and two other short pieces, 'The White Beast' for atmosphere and ambivalence, then 'Gardens of Blood', which got me with weird flowers and sad ghosts of history. I ...more

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Mar 24, 2021 Derek rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sword-and-sorcery, anthology-or-collection

So what is Dilvish's damnation, anyways? He has (somehow) collected a demonic horse-robot whose rapport with Dilvish is palpable but whose attachment is a given rather than an explained thing. He pursues Jelerak the sorcerer for vengeance but is not particularly single-minded in this goal. He was trapped in some unspoken Hell but emerged remarkably unscarred. Much time has passed but he does not dwell on his losses. In fact, when it comes to it, his temporary companion Reena proves far more inte ...more

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Aug 09, 2010 Curt Lorde rated it it was amazing

A formerly cursed hero, arises from the beyond to a vastly different world. A sorcerer is on his immediate 'To kill' list.
His trusty steed is a demon encased in the iron body of a black stallion. And he has a hellish sense of humor. This collection of short stories about the adventures of Dilvish and his quest for revenge takes him across his world and meetings with beings you could have dinner with enjoyably
or be an enjoyable dinner! A splendid example of writing an epic adventure in a few page ...more

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