Echoes of Valor

Echoes of Valor This anthology brings together three significant fantasy novellas from influential writers of the early-to-mid 20th century. Editor Karl Edward Wagner presents works by Robert E. Howard, Fritz Leiber, and Henry Kuttner, restoring them to their original forms. The collection features Howard's "The Black Stranger," published here for the first time in its unaltered state as a Conan story. Fritz Leiber contributes "Adept's Gambit," while Henry Kuttner rounds out the volume with "Wet Magic." Each story represents its author's distinctive approach to fantasy writing and world-building. The works span different time periods and styles within the genre, from sword-and-sorcery to dark fantasy. Wagner's selection illuminates a crucial period in fantasy literature's development, highlighting the roots of modern fantasy through these foundational works. The collection serves as both a historical document and an entry point to classic fantasy storytelling.

Readers appreciate this anthology for collecting rare and previously unpublished sword & sorcery stories from Robert E. Howard, Fritz Leiber, and C.L. Moore. Many note Wagner's detailed introductions provide valuable historical context about the authors and stories. Liked: - Howard's "The Black Stranger" in its original form - Behind-the-scenes look at editorial changes made to classic stories - Wagner's research and commentary - High production value and cover art Disliked: - Some find Moore's "Quest of the Starstone" story weaker than the others - Limited availability and high prices for used copies - A few readers wanted more stories included Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (56 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (11 reviews) From reviews: "Wagner's scholarly notes are worth the price alone" - SF Chronicle "The restoration of Howard's original text shows how editorial meddling damaged the story" - Robert M. Price, Crypt of Cthulhu

The Phoenix in Flight by Sherwood Smith, Dave Trowbridge. A space opera blending military action with ancient mystical powers follows a noble house's fight for survival against a galactic empire.

The Broken Sword by Poul Anderson. Norse mythology and dark fantasy combine in a tale of changelings, elves, and battles between supernatural forces.

Elric: The Stealer of Souls by Michael Moorcock. A doomed albino emperor wields a soul-drinking sword while navigating cosmic forces and ancient magic.

The Hour of the Dragon by Robert E. Howard. Conan the Cimmerian faces sorcery and political intrigue to reclaim his throne from a resurrected ancient wizard.

Lords of the Swords by Daniel Fox. A medieval fantasy chronicles the power struggles between warlords who possess magical weapons of devastating power.

🗡️ Robert E. Howard wrote "The Black Stranger" in 1934, but it was initially rejected by Weird Tales magazine. It was later rewritten as a pirate story titled "Swords of the Red Brotherhood." 📚 Editor Karl Edward Wagner was not only an anthologist but also created his own dark fantasy character, Kane, who was immortal and cursed to wander the earth - a deliberate subversion of the biblical Cain. 🖋️ Fritz Leiber coined the term "Sword and Sorcery" in 1961 to describe this specific subgenre of fantasy, writing the phrase in response to a letter from Michael Moorcock. 📖 Henry Kuttner was married to fellow science fiction author C.L. Moore, and they frequently collaborated on stories, sometimes making it impossible to determine who wrote which parts. 🏰 The pulp era of fantasy (1920s-1950s) got its name from the cheap wood pulp paper used to print the magazines, which was far less expensive than the high-quality "slick" paper used in other publications.