Josepha Sherman

Josepha Sherman (1946-2012) was an American author, folklorist, and anthologist who wrote extensively in the science fiction, fantasy, and young adult genres. She published over 70 books during her career, including original novels and media tie-in works. Sherman gained recognition for her contributions to established franchises, writing novels set in the Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Xena: Warrior Princess universes. Her original works included the Prince of the Sidhe fantasy series and numerous collections of folklore and mythology. As a folklorist, Sherman specialized in compiling and retelling traditional tales from various cultures, particularly Celtic mythology. Her work in this area included Trickster Tales: Forty Folk Stories from Around the World and A Sampler of Jewish-American Folklore. Beyond fiction and folklore, Sherman worked as a children's book author and served as an editor for several fantasy and science fiction anthologies. She received the Compton Crook Award for her novel The Shining Falcon in 1990.

Readers consistently rate Sherman's media tie-in novels lower than her original works and folklore collections. Her Star Trek novels receive 3/5 average ratings on Goodreads, with readers noting uneven pacing and characterization issues. Readers appreciate: - Accessible retellings of folklore for young readers - Clear writing style in mythology collections - The Celtic elements in her Prince of the Sidhe series - Research depth in folklore compilations Common criticisms: - Rushed plotting in media tie-in books - Inconsistent quality across her extensive bibliography - Simplified language in young adult works - Character development lacking in franchise novels On Goodreads, her folklore collections average 4/5 stars, while her fiction ranges from 2.8-3.5/5. Amazon reviews follow similar patterns. The Shining Falcon maintains the highest reader ratings at 4.2/5 across platforms. One reviewer noted: "Her folklore adaptations make complex mythology accessible without losing cultural nuance." Another wrote: "The Star Trek novels feel mechanical compared to her original fantasy work."

The Horse of Air - A YA fantasy novel about a girl seeking to save magical horses from an ancient curse.

A Strange and Ancient Name - A Celtic fantasy following a bard who must rescue his sister from the Faerie realm.

The Shattered Oath (Prince of the Sidhe Book 1) - A fantasy novel depicting a war between mortals and faeries after a sacred oath is broken.

Forging the Runes (Prince of the Sidhe Book 2) - Continues the story of faerie-mortal conflict with focus on magical rune mastery.

Child of Faerie, Child of Earth - A YA fantasy about a human girl who discovers she is part faerie and must choose between two worlds.

The Wild Road Home - A historical fantasy set in medieval Ireland following a young healer's journey.

Gleaming Bright - A science fiction novel about first contact between humans and an alien race of light-based beings.

King's Son, Magic's Son - A fantasy tale about a royal heir who must master forbidden magic to save his kingdom.

Son of Darkness - A dark fantasy chronicling a warrior's quest to defeat an ancient evil threatening his land.

Rachel's Inheritance - A contemporary fantasy about a modern woman who inherits a house with magical properties.

Mercedes Lackey writes fantasy with Celtic mythology influences and strong female characters. Her works include both standalone novels and series that blend magic with complex character relationships.

Andre Norton specializes in science fiction and fantasy with coming-of-age themes. She created numerous series featuring young protagonists who discover their abilities while navigating unfamiliar worlds.

Charles de Lint incorporates folklore and urban fantasy elements in contemporary settings. His stories weave mythology from multiple cultures into modern narratives with interconnected characters.

Jane Yolen writes across multiple genres including fantasy, science fiction, and folklore retellings. She focuses on mythological themes and creates original fairy tales that draw from traditional storytelling structures.

Patricia C. Wrede combines fantasy with humor and unconventional protagonists. Her work includes both traditional fantasy settings and alternate historical worlds with magic systems.