Echoes of Valor

Echoes of Valor is the first of a series of three books aiming to publish Sword and Sorcery esoterica. However, the first volume is not so much esoteric as 'director's cut' with a version of The Black Stranger, and apparently Leiber's preferred version of Adept's Gambit. The third selection is odd, because as opposed to Sword and Sorcery it is more light-hearted in the main somewhat humorous fantasy, where a world war two pilot ends up in the clutches of Morgan Le Fay. Time for Arthur to come again, in other words. Doesn't fit with the other two at all. Three long stories are all that are here, with lengthy introductions to each by Wagner. Adept's Gambit is a multi-part mini-epic though. Echoes of Valor : The Black Stranger - Robert E. Howard Echoes of Valor : Adept's Gambit - Fritz Leiber Echoes of Valor : Wet Magic - Henry Kuttner A tale of three brigands, that starts slow, and then rip-roars along. With multiple pirates, you know there has to be a treasure map. This time, to the Treasure of Tranicos. Add in a mystical demon warrior, a bunch of raiding Picts, a couple of sieges, three pirates that can't trust each other, a beautiful woman, and Conan, and all hell will break loose. 4 out of 5 Tyre Ningauble The Woman Who Came The Lost City Anra Devadoris The Mountain Ahura Devadoris The Old Man Without A Beard The Castle Called Mist Female lack. 3 out of 5 Want wizard fix female lack, without horrible journey. 3 out of 5 Find fancy items. 3 out of 5 Tart triangle. 3 out of 5 Serious swordstuff. 3.5 out of 5 Demon demesne geology 3.5 out of 5 Sleeping around, scarily. 3.5 out of 5 Magic man 3 out of 5 Twin fate and home 4 out of 5 3.5 out of 5 Had it up to the gills with Morgan Le Fay, got a war to win, here. 3 out of 5