Sword & Sorcery: "An earthier sort of fantasy" discussion

Okay, cool! I'll look into it!

Finished Blackguards: Tales of Assassins, Mercenaries, and Rogues and am going way into the past with H. Rider Haggard's Jess. (Part of my probably never-to-be-completed project to read all of Haggard's novels in more-or-less order of publication.)

Ever since I read "She" I have been wanting to read more of his works.

Aaron wrote: "Ever since I read "She" I have been wanting to read more of his works."

At a minimum, I highly recommend King Solomon's Mines and Allan Quatermain. After that, maybe some of the historicals -- Cleopatra and Eric Brighteyes, for example. Plus he wrote a bunch of other Quatermain adventures (most of which I haven't read yet) and three other books about Ayesha.

Yeah after reading some backstory to She I was definitely interested in reading more in that particular series of books. I actually have Eric Brighteyes on the shelf and I keep looking at it thinking I will read it soon but never get to it. I think I have several of his books on my reader. Problem with the reader is I never remember what I have on it. Much easier to remember what I have on the shelf.

Due to my vacation out of country (Cuba, baby!) I ended up reading an Andy McNab thriller on the beach (For Valour, pretty good...) and am just finishing a short Spider adventure by the awesome Norvell W Page. Then, back to the S&S full throttle!

S.wagenaar wrote: "Due to my vacation out of country (Cuba, baby!) I ended up reading an Andy McNab thriller on the beach (For Valour, pretty good...) and am just finishing a short Spider adventure by the awesome Nor..."

S.wagenaar, did you say Cuba? Wow. Do they have books for sale from the 1950's (like their vintage cars on the street)?

All the books I seen were current popular titles in several languages. Lots of vintage American cars, with worn-out engines replaced with anything you can rig-including tractor engines!
I was more interested in the many Soviet era 60's-70's motorcycles-very cool!

Finished The Scroll of Thoth: Simon Magus and the Great Old Ones: Twelve Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos a few days ago. I quite enjoyed it. The book is most definitely S&S, with the mythos elements layered on top, usually being the source of the antagonists power and/or goals. Some of the stories had very little mythos elements, in others it played a major role. I'm looking forward to tracking down his other Simon Magus stories and books.

Next up is Companions on the Road and The Winter Players: Two Novellas by Tanith Lee. I've never read anything by her before, and if the first 20 or so pages are any indication, I'm going to enjoy her writing.

I may be wrong Richard, but I think that collection contained all Simon Magus stories (which is why I want to acquire it, I only have some his works in anthologies and love each one) other than his novel The Drums of Chaos, which came out in 2008. I own it, though I still have yet to read it.

I just finished Before They Are hanged by Joe Abercrombie (My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), and I'm just starting up Tad Williams' The Dragonbone Chair.

Dan wrote: "I may be wrong Richard, but I think that collection contained all Simon Magus stories (which is why I want to acquire it, I only have some his works in anthologies and love each one) other than his..."

There are 2 stories not contained in the collection, as well as 2 novels. "The Throne of Achamoth" is in The Azathoth Cycle: Tales of the Blind Idiot God which I have. "The Wedding of Sheila-Na-Gog" is in Crypt of Cthulhu #29, which I need to track down. The 2 novels are The Drums of Chaos, as you mentioned (readily available on Amazon and elsewhere), and The Gardens Of Lucullus, which is REALLY hard to get hold of. There is a copy on Amazon for $472.99 right now. It's only held by a few libraries around the country, I got it on interlibrary loan once, but didn't read it before it needed to be returned.

I'd forgotten about The Gardens of Lucullus! I remember trying to hunt that down years ago when I first discovered his work. Good call Richard!

Finished Jess and started Allan Quatermain, both by H. Rider Haggard. No reviews forthcoming due to ice-and-arm-related technical difficulties.

Joseph, you fall ? Glad you can still read.

S.E. wrote: "Joseph, you fall ? Glad you can still read."

Yep. Fortunately, I have my Kindle.

Currently reading the 3rd book in the Faithful & Fallen series by John Gwynne: Ruin.

Often compared to George R. R. Martin, but just because it has lots of multiple points of view characters, means it's comparable. I get more of a Joe Abercrombie feel, but then with a more clear cut good/evil side to the story.

It has great action! (Although it seems a bit too easy to chop of heads in the setting, heads keep a-rolling).

^Sounds great! I'll have to look into it at some point.

Trying Hereward, by James Wilde. Sword swinging historical adventure in Britain during the Norman Invasions. This type of adventure fiction is a close cousin to traditional S&S, and a lot of fun.

Sweet deal Jack! I made off like a bandit yesterday at the used bookstore as well. Almost finished off my Dray Prescott series of books and found several of the Year's Best Horror series that was edited by Karl Edward Wagner.

Finished Allan Quatermain, which I highly recommend as a kind of S&S ancestor with some epic battle scenes, and am heading off into the future with James S.A. Corey's Nemesis Games.

Jack wrote: "I went to Half Price Books today and found an old UK version of Karl Wagner's Dark Crusade. (I almost yelled "SCORE!") I added it to Goodreads earlier as to-read, but who am I kidding..."

Aaron wrote: "Sweet deal Jack! I made off like a bandit yesterday at the used bookstore as well. Almost finished off my Dray Prescott series of books and found several of the Year's Best Horror series that was e..."

It's nice to pick up some old books, especially when they've been on your TBR list! :)

Greg wrote: "Jack wrote: "I went to Half Price Books today and found an old UK version of Karl Wagner's Dark Crusade. (I almost yelled "SCORE!") I added it to Goodreads earlier as to-read, but who..."

Absolutely Greg! The used bookstore has been having a huge sale and I have had a little to much fun while in there LOL

I'm stuck with two copies of Bloodstone because of a great deal at a used bookstore I frequent...:)

Such a terrible position to be in :-)

. Almost finished off my Dray Prescott series of books "

I despair that I shall never complete that collection.

It has been a hard one to work on. I think there is still some that still need to be translated.

Aaron wrote: "It has been a hard one to work on. I think there is still some that still need to be translated."

Wasn't the author British? I think his real name is Kenneth Bulmer if I recall correctly.

Yes but not sure if he was British. His last works were being translated from German.

Just finished Balfour and Meriwether in the Incident of the Harrowmoor Dogs. Sword and Sorcery blended with Victoriana. Great characters and pace, especially considering its short length (novella, 80 pages).
Also, The Autumnlands, Vol. 1: Tooth and Claw. The first volume in a series of Moorcockian - "funny animal" saga. If you enjoyed Mouse Guard and The Eternal Champion it's highly recommended.

Aaron wrote: "Greg wrote: "Jack wrote: "I went to Half Price Books today and found an old UK version of Karl Wagner's Dark Crusade. (I almost yelled "SCORE!") I added it to Goodreads earlier as to-..."

My local secondhand book store can be hit and miss with genre books but it's nice to browse what it has from time to time. Last year I picked up a signed copy of The Eternity Code for only €2-3. I don't think the store was aware that it was signed and I neglected to mention that detail. >:)

S.wagenaar wrote: "I'm stuck with two copies of Bloodstone because of a great deal at a used bookstore I frequent...:)"

Aaron wrote: "Such a terrible position to be in :-)"

LOL

Just started with Merkabah Rider: Tales of a High Planes Drifter: Jewish mystic roams the weird west kicking demons ass.

Not that far in, but seems right up my alley so far!

On the topic of used books stores (and Karl Edward Wagner for that matter!), there was a huge sale at my local mall to raise money for the children's hospital here. I picked up a bunch of fantasy fiction, includingElric: Tales of the White Wolf featuring a short story from Wagner and Conan: The People of the Black Circle edited by Wagner.

Tales of the White Wolf would make a good anthology to read for month's group read, but I doubt I'll get the time to read it.

Jack wrote: "Just picked up The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie. I've had this one (first of a series...) on the to-read list for too long."

As did I. Only just tackled it recently and loved it. Takes a bit to get used to Abercombie's tone, but once you do it's hard to put down. Finished the sequel in January, and can't wait to end the trilogy soon.

Am now reading something with both swords and sorcery in it -- the author's revised edition of Rusalka by C.J. Cherryh.

Dan wrote: "On the topic of used books stores (and Karl Edward Wagner for that matter!), there was a huge sale at my local mall to raise money for the children's hospital here. I picked up a bunch of fantasy f..."

Another nice secondhand bookstore hall! I didn't know about the Elric anthology before - looks interesting.

Joseph wrote: "Am now reading something with both swords and sorcery in it -- the author's revised edition of Rusalka by C.J. Cherryh."

That book seems to get such varied reviews - a number of 2s but also some 4s and 5s!

Greg wrote: "That book seems to get such varied reviews - a number of 2s but also some 4s and 5s!..."

I can definitely see that, although I'll be somewhere on the 4-5 end of the spectrum. As with a lot of mid-to-later period Cherryh (anything from maybe Heavy Time on), it's dense and occasionally psychologically claustrophobic; but in this case, it's set in a particularly creepy patch of Russian forest rather than being in a spaceship.

Joseph wrote: "Greg wrote: "That book seems to get such varied reviews - a number of 2s but also some 4s and 5s!..."

I can definitely see that, although I'll be somewhere on the 4-5 end of the spectrum. As with ..."

Will keep an eye out for your review when you've finished reading the book. I have yet to read anything by Cherryh yet.

Greg wrote: "Will keep an eye out for your review when you've finished reading the book. I have yet to read anything by Cherryh yet. ..."

Honestly, if you've never read anything by her, I'd probably recommend starting with The Complete Morgaine (for fantasy) or maybe Merchanter's Luck (for SF).

Oh, or The Paladin is another I'd recommend to anyone in this group!

I actually have Merchanter's Luck but held off reading it because it's the second book in a series. can it be read as a standalone?

Greg wrote: "I actually have Merchanter's Luck but held off reading it because it's the second book in a series. can it be read as a standalone?"

Yes. Most of her Union/Alliance novels are relatively standalone. Merchanter's Luck does take place in the immediate aftermath of Downbelow Station, and some characters from Downbelow come on stage, but you don't have to have read the one to enjoy the other.

(Downbelow Station is possibly my favorite of her books, but it's also not her most accessible.)

Joseph wrote: "Greg wrote: "I actually have Merchanter's Luck but held off reading it because it's the second book in a series. can it be read as a standalone?"

Yes. Most of her Union/Alliance novels are relativ..."

Might consider reading Merchanter's Luck once I've finished The Magicians and after I've finished proof-reading an article I've written for a regional historical journal (which I need to get done this weekend! EEK!).

Good luck with all of that! And if you do read it, I'll be curious to hear what you think.

Thanks Joseph! I'll let you know when I do.

I am reading Jirel of Joiry. Black God's Kiss was great. Black God's Shadow was not.

Loved Black God's Kiss, I need to revisit some C.L. Moore it's been too long.

Martin wrote: "I am reading Jirel of Joiry. Black God's Kiss was great. Black God's Shadow was not."
It's the old law of diminishing returns - but the last story in the cycle, 'Hellsgarde' is almost on a par with 'Kiss' - in my opinion...

Just got my copy of Barbarian Crowns II, the anthology that presents a collection of S&S/fantasy short stories much like they did in the past. Think Flashing Swords, or Swords Against Darkness; should be good fun!

Nice grab! Too bad it didn't arrive in time for the group read.