Fantasy

Beware of elves and their gifts--although sometimes the latter may prove useful.

Canol Madreth is a small, remote and mountainous country at the centre of Gyronlandt. It is governed directly by an elected parliament, the Heindral--and indirectly by the stern and sombre tenets of the Church of Ishrythan. Then, one fateful day, ominous clouds gather over Canol Madreth, and, mysteriously affected by whatever brought them, the impetuous Brother Cassraw is transformed into a fiery religious demagogue. The stability of the whole of Gyronlandt and beyond is threatened by his strang... more info>>

Baiting their trap with a beautiful virgin, armed men lie in wait for the rare unicorn. They intend to kill the graceful animal and steal its horn. When the trap is sprung, they learn the unicorn's deadly, diabolical secret.

Four stories to delight you--written by the author when she was sometimes in a speculative mood, another time in a rather melancholy mood, and once, when she was in a downright wicked mood.

Corn fairies, a baker's ghost, a shady sorcerer, and one upset cow: just another day for Magistrate Robur, trying to keep the peace in Her Majesty's kingdom. [This story appeared in the Winter 1996 issue of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine after Ms. Bradley complained in one of her editorials that people always sent her stories about dragons and unicorns--but never about cows. The author was more than happy to oblige.] [Artwork by Marilyn Scott-Waters]

What will a queen do to win back her man and her country? Nayda, a warrior queen, and her husband rule over a small kingdom in a post-apocalyptic world doing the best they can to rebuild their city and bring prosperity to their citizens. A visiting European queen visits and creates chaos. She goes to war with Nayda and takes her crown, and, under strange circumstances steals her husband. Now Nayda must return to her espionage ways. Her missions are extremely dangerous, even more so than battle,... more info>>

In medieval Sicily, William's Lord has been betrayed into a trial by combat. Since William himself is only an artisan, he thinks he has nothing to offer a potential champion--until he finds that champion, and learns just what offering She will accept.

Roger Lassiter thought his wife was wild, but he had no idea just how wild.

Years ago, sorceress Aetria's untamed power caused a disaster on the battlefield. Temporarily banished for retraining, she has returned to the army to redeem herself as head of a company of novice mages. Under the command of her old nemesis, Adept Pleates, she struggles with her past disgrace and her still-uncertain control of her magical energy. When Pleates assigns her to escort the army's commanding general and his aide on a covert mission, Aetria sees a chance to prove her worth. To her surp... more info>>

The Earth has become the adopted home of a group of aliens who possess super abilities and have chosen to repay the world by fighting crime. Jake Mordant runs a private detective agency that, like others, is down on its luck because the super aliens' altruistic efforts are driving them out of business. Even the police in many large localities are feeling the pinch. Things are so bad that Jake even resorts to taking cases searching for missing pets. It's in that capacity that Jake encounters a "s... more info>>

Raised in isolation, La'tiera has been coddled and secluded, her mission too important to risk anything happening to her. The Herald--a harbinger comet--has appeared in the sky, telling all the Time of Trial is near. She is ready to do as her duty requires, though the very world she will die to preserve is one she will never see. Dal has led a free life, serving the Order established centuries ago to find and instruct the Bearer in how to perform the Trial established by the covenant made betwee... more info>>

After coming home on military leave, Steele finds her sister on the brink of an arranged marriage to a nobleman said by the townspeople to be a fearsome warlock. Thrown into the chaotic affair against her will, Steele finds herself doing what she does best: having arguments with her prejudiced family and causing general disaccord as she stands up for what she believes in? She's also lusting after her sister's betrothed? Secrets are revealed and Steele takes matters into her own hands to protect ... more info>>

This latest volume in the planned ten-volume set of The Weird Works of Robert E. Howard collects Robert E. Howard's fiction and prose published in Weird Tales from July 1932 to May 1933. These works represent literary stepping-stones to Howard's infamous Cthulhu mythos stories and his most famous character of all--Conan the Cimmerian--and ably demonstrate that each of Howard's stories improved and added to his formidable skills as a master of fantasy and adventure. Wings in the Night includes "P... more info>>

Tarma and Kethry follow a Hawkbrother's bond-bird into a nest of firebirds--and a woman who seeks to enslave them all.

In a world rooted in Mediterranean, Persian, and Indian history and mythology, armies clash, magicks compete, and the gods set their pawns onto the gameboard. Gard is only too aware that the blood of both gods and demons runs in his veins. When he steps over the line once too often, he is sent into exile, where a mad monk and a beautiful slave force him to accept his latent magical abilities. But when Gard sets out to exploit his skills in the rich valley of the Mohan, he accidentally starts a w... more info>>

If your life changed completely, how much would it change you? Joe's about to find out when he wins the biggest lottery jackpot of all time.

Three enchanting stories set during the magical winter solstice. "Moontide" by Mercedes Lackey: In an isolated land where the lure of the "Moontide" leads to shipwrecks, a woman is torn between obeying her father or her king. When she chooses to follow a Fool, she discovers magic she'd never expected...at a price that might be too high. "The Heart of the Moon" by Tanith Lee: Clirando, a warrior priestess unready to face the powers trapped within her, struggles under the curse of a dead comrade u... more info>>

'As the fate of the world dangles precariously on the shoulders of 16 year old, Winter, she must quickly learn to master the source of her powers and find the courage to overcome her fears. If she fails the world will plunge into darkness, her mythical sweetheart Adonis will die and the universe as we know it will cease to exist.'

At the dawn of the Industrial Age, the kingdom of Niune is ruled by the Seelie Court-half-human faelings descended from seelie fae. Sworn to the forces of light, the Seelie Court is dedicated to the destruction of all who bear the taint of unseelie fae blood. Mina Cole is an indentured worker--a factory slave. She has lived her entire life ignorant of her fae heritage, until at last a moment of terror reveals the winter magic that has lain dormant within. Now that her power is awakened, the hunt... more info>>

In a world where humans do not exist, dark magick has been used to bring an early winter down upon the land. It falls to a young Water Nix named Avari to seek out the source of this magick and put a stop to it. If he is in time, he can save the lives of those in his colony. If he is too late, they will freeze along with the lake they call home. As his journey progresses, he encounters a myriad of other beings, some friendly, some not?

Demonic elementals, vampires, krakens, werewolves, and other monsters aren't as mythical as many of us believe. They roam the English countryside, playing their games, fighting their wars, and claiming the souls of many humans. Although many deny their existance, the Church of England is not among the doubters. A special branch of the Church, headquartered at the College of St. Van Helsing, battles demons and attempts to save fallen humans before their souls are devoured. Author Vanessa Knipe sp... more info>>

Tobas had been lucky to find a wizard to take him on as apprentice. But then the wizard died suddenly and unexpectedly after teaching Tobas only a solitary spell, and the youth was too old to find a new master. How could he earn a living when all the magic he could do was light fires?

A political operative picks up a hitchhiker in the remote Utah desert after a rally. The guy, an Indian with a gift for gab, is probably a plant from the opposition camp. But his story is so weird--something about an ancient Indian curse on the whites--that it will likely start tongues wagging on the six o'clock news.

How much would you give to live your fantasy? Think fast--your Wishstone is waiting. At Atlanta's Dragon-Con, nine fan girls make a wish on the mysterious ancient artifact known as the Wishstone and find themselves transported to the world that inspired their favorite TV series. Only the show couldn't begin to prepare them for the real thing. Domain is a world without change, frozen in a time of magic and superstition, where the immortal sons of the goddess Reyah fight a never-ending war--most... more info>>

Islay--an island kingdom in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland--is the setting for this tightly plotted tale of passion, witchcraft, and thwarted vengeance that begins and ends in the highest room of Dunyvaig Castle's tower. With Tower and Turrets, Crowned takes place during a six hour time span, in the dead of winter in 1143--and relies on recollections, flashbacks, and dreams to tell a story that actually began three years earlier. Rhian MacDomhnuill is a powerful Gaelic warlord who falls in love w... more info>>