Sword & Sorcery Roundup – August 2023

It’s been about six months since my last Sword & Sorcery Roundup and there has been a lot going on in the genre lately. It’s well overdue for me to do an overview of what’s out there in terms of books, audiobooks, and comic books. Let’s look at it chronologically starting from June’s releases all the way to upcoming offerings in October.

First, Amateur Magazine of Pulp Sword and Sorcery, Whetstone, published its summer issue, number 7, back in June as a free PDF. It features exciting tales from B. Harlan Crawford, Benjamin A. Simmons, Ciarán Laverty, Sharang Inamdar, Robert Webb, Stew Shearer, M. S. Swift, Barry R. Donnelly, Ian Weeber, George Jacobs, Curtis Ellett, and Jason M Waltz. You can get this free 84-page Sword & Sorcery extravaganza right here.

Second, back in June, my alter ego, Alan Draven, published a pair of Sword & Sorcery short stories to introduce my new character, Amok. These two novelettes serve as an introduction to Amok and his world. There will be six more novelettes to come which will be available by the end of 2024 in a novel-length collection of the complete eight tales chronicling Amok’s quest to find answers about his past. Also included are four beautiful illustrations spread throughout the booklet to give you an idea of what Amok and his friend Goyiir look like. If you like what you read, then I hope you’ll join me for the full ride come November/December 2024 and purchase Amok the Powerful in print or Kindle. In the meantime, enjoy Amok’s first two tales and spread the word to anyone you know who’s into Sword & Sorcery, Conan, or Dungeons & Dragons. You can download the free 76-page PDF over here.

Third, in July, editors James Moore, Allison Pang, and Dan Brereton unleashed SwordPlay, an anthology featuring thirteen tales of Sword & Sorcery. Mixing classic with unconventional approaches, SwordPlay collects into a single volume a group of tales like you've never experienced, while retaining a familiar feel all fans of the genre will recognize. Including original tales by the following authors: Cliff Biggers, Dan Brereton, Cullen Bunn, Michael Burke, Richard Dansky, Christopher Golden, Steven Grant, Tonia Laird, Bracken Macleod, James A. Moore, Allison Pang, Linda Robertson Reinhardt, and Charles R. Rutledge, with illustrations by Dan Brereton. Available in hardcover, paperback and Kindle, grab your copy here.

Fourth, Dungeons & Dragons fans rejoice: the second tome of Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman’s new Dragonlance Destinies trilogy landed last week. Here’s the official synopsis for Dragons of Fate: “A clash of powerful magical forces sets off the Graygem of Gargath, sending Destina Rosethorn and her companions deeper into the past than she intended—to the age of Huma Dragonsbane and the Third Dragon War. Now, with the Device of Time Journeying shattered, they must find another way back to their own era before the Graygem irrevocably alters history and the Third Dragon War ends in defeat for the forces of good. While the battle rages on, Destina tries desperately to make amends and prevent disaster. Raistlin and Sturm encounter their heroes Huma and Magius, and must reconcile the myths with the men. And Tasslehoff, shocked that the Knights of Solamnia have never heard of dragonlances, sets out to find the famed weapons. But as the forces of the Dark Queen close in on the High Clerist’s Tower, Destina’s party must return to their own timeline together—or not at all.” The book is available in hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook on Amazon.

Fifth, after much anticipation, at last Conan the Barbarian #1 saw the light of day last week. Issue #0 on Free Comic Book Day had whetted our appetites and Titan Comics and its creative team of writer Jim Zub and artist Robert De La Torre followed it up with a sensational first issue featuring everyone’s favourite Cimmerian. Years after the battle of Venarium, a weary Conan returns to his homeland to seek rest and solitude. However, a mysterious scout rides in to warn the Cimmerians of an imminent threat on the march from the Pictish wilderness. Will Conan and his new ally be able to hold off this new horde of invaders? From the first to last panel, it was an exhilarating experience to read this comic book. Robert E. Howard would be proud to know that the legacy of his beloved barbarian is in good hands. On a side note, I think it’s awesome that there aren’t any ads throughout the comic other than Titan or Conan-related products. I am eagerly awaiting issue 2! You can find the comic at your local comic book shop or check it out at Titan Comics’ official Website.

Sixth, also released last week, my personal favourite Sword & Sorcery magazine, Savage Realms Monthly, put out Book 8 of its audiobook series. Three fabulous tales from three authors expertly-narrated by the always reliable Moose Matson. “Victory for the Hawk” by veteran author Toni V. Sweeney deals with the reminiscences of a man about events that shaped his future including a curse, a duel, and a dragon. A strong tale that made me want to hear more stories from this fantasy world. “Kimrotath’s Curse” by Ciarán Laverty is about a warrior who seeks revenge on a wizard who has cursed him. I always love tales of revenge, and this engaging story delivered the goods. “Captain Black & the Senator” by Kell Myers sees the return of Kara Black, a character first introduced in the first issue of SRM. It’s a tale of an ongoing war in the near future against an alien race with political implications this time around. While I did enjoy this story set in Kara Black’s world, it doesn’t feel like a S&S tale to me. Since there are only three spots for stories in every issue, I’d rather have a more traditional Sword & Sorcery tale, but that’s just my opinion. On top of the always great author interviews, we also get a new feature from editor William Miller this month: “Five Indispensable Tips to Finish Your First Draft.” This is a really cool addition to the magazine which is consumed by many aspiring authors. Hopefully we’ll be getting more articles on the craft of writing from Mr. Miller in future issues. The entire package is skillfully narrated by Moose Matson who’s become a permanent fixture as the voice of Savage Realms Monthly. By now, he’s like the Crypt-Keeper in Tales from the Crypt and I just can’t imagine having an issue of SRM not read by him. You can pick up SRM Book 8 in print, Kindle or audiobook right here. 

Seventh and last for today, Swords in the Shadows is an anthology that features twenty-one stories with a bloody stake driven into the heart of both the horror and fantasy camps. Herein, you will find fantasy worlds, brave warriors, fabulous creatures, wondrous magic. But you will also uncover bloodcurdling chills, spine-tingling horror, and an examination of those things that truly terrify. The Cullen Bunn-edited anthology includes stories from: Mike Oliveri, L.C. Mortimer, Stephen Graham Jones, Justin C. Key, Mary SanGiovanni, Wile E. Young, Jonathan Janz, Glenn Parris, Heath Amodio, Allison Pang, Josh Roberts, Aaron Conaway, Hailey Piper, Brian Keene, Charles R. Rutledge, Steven L. Shrewsbury, JimmyZ Johnston, Scott Schmidt, James A. Moore, Joe R. Lansdale, Rena Mason, and Jonathan Maberry. You can pre-order it as a paperback or eBook right here.

There you have it, folks! The second edition of Sword & Sorcery Roundup comes to a close. I hope you’ll find some cool S&S tales to sink your teeth into. Come back often for upcoming news and reviews of Sword & Sorcery stuff right here on the Harbinger of D.O.O.M. Blog. Until next time, happy reading!