The Book of Swords

About this book

New epic fantasy in the grand traditionincluding a never-before-published Song of Ice and Fire story by George R. R. Martin! Fantasy fiction has produced some of the most unforgettable heroes ever conjured onto the page: Robert E. Howards Conan the Barbarian Michael Moorcocks Elric of Melnibon Fritz Leibers Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Classic characters like these made sword and sorcery a storytelling sensation a cornerstone of fantasy fictionand an inspiration for a new generation of writers spinning their own outsize tales of magic and swashbuckling adventure. Now in The Book of Swords acclaimed editor and bestselling author Gardner Dozois presents an all-new anthology of original epic tales by a stellar cast of award-winning modern mastersmany of them set in their authors best-loved worlds. Join todays finest tellers of fantastic tales including George R. R. Martin K. J. Parker Robin Hobb Scott Lynch Ken Liu C. J. Cherryh Daniel Abraham Lavie Tidhar Ellen Kushner and more on action-packed journeys into the outer realms of dark enchantment and intrepid derring-do featuring a stunning assortment of fearless swordsmen and warrior women who face down danger and death at every turn with courage cunning and cold steel. FEATURING SIXTEEN ALL-NEW STORIES: The Best Man Wins by K. J. Parker Her Fathers Sword by Robin Hobb The Hidden Girl by Ken Liu The Sword of Destiny by Matthew Hughes I Am a Handsome Man Said Apollo Crow by Kate Elliott The Triumph of Virtue by Walter Jon Williams The Mocking Tower by Daniel Abraham Hrunting by C. J. Cherryh A Long Cold Trail by Garth Nix When I Was a Highwayman by Ellen Kushner The Smoke of Gold Is Glory by Scott Lynch The Colgrid Conundrum by Rich Larson The Kings Evil by Elizabeth Bear Waterfalling by Lavie Tidhar The Sword Tyraste by Cecelia Holland The Sons of the Dragon by George R. R. Martin And an introduction by Gardner Dozois When fine writer and expert editor Gardner Dozois beckons authors deliverand this surely will be one of the years essential anthologies.Kirkus Reviews (starred review)