The Sword & Sorcery appreciation thread

[Duleigh]

Let's get into arguments about which are the best stories, and which the most disappointing, and where the line is between S&S and generic fantasy. Let's share our tips and tricks and critique each other's stories.

Here you go, here's my entries:

The Enchantress Octology - a loving fan fiction tribute to the lord of S&S&BT (Swords & Sorcery & Big Turtles) Sir Terry Pratchett

The Gods Save the Queen series - the stories I wrote for Enchantress now in MY OWN UNIVERSE!!!

I also love to write what I'm now calling OTR Sci-Fi - the kind of science fiction you'd hear on Old Time Radio

 

[StillStunned]

The Gods Save the Queen series - the stories I wrote for Enchantress now in MY OWN UNIVERSE!!!

I'll give them a go now!

 

[Duleigh]

I'll give them a go now!

Shoot me a DM and I'll email you a copy of the appendix illustrations.
I'm currently working on a series of articles that explains the humanoid species and how magic works on my planet of Kodu at my blog on WRIST.pub

 

[StillStunned]

Has anyone here read Saladin Ahmed's stories? I think we're still waiting for him to continue "Throne of the Crescent Moon", but that novel at least is wonderful S&S in an Arabian Nights setting

Another story of his is more traditional S&S, but no less inventive: "Iron Eyes and the Watered Down World". He does everything I admire about the genre, from shades-of-grey characters to dangerous magic, and in just a few words he manages to create a world that feels immensely deep and at the same time lived in.

 

[StillStunned]

And I just discovered there's a sequel! Not only that, but I have it in an anthology that I've barely glanced at.

(The alternative scenario is that I bought the anthology because of the sequel, but was so unimpressed that I've forgotten about it. I'll check tomorrow.)

 

[deathlynx]

I was reading Prydain pretty early on. Of course I also ploughed through Xanth and Asprin's Myth (M.Y.T.H.?) series. And, of course, Forgotten Realms and anything else I could get my hands on.

 

[StillStunned]

I was reading Prydain pretty early on. Of course I also ploughed through Xanth and Asprin's Myth (M.Y.T.H.?) series. And, of course, Forgotten Realms and anything else I could get my hands on.

Prydain is pretty S&S-ish, but I'd definitely not include Forgotten Realms. Some of the Greyhawk/Gord the Rogue stories might qualify though.

 

[deathlynx]

Prydain is pretty S&S-ish, but I'd definitely not include Forgotten Realms. Some of the Greyhawk/Gord the Rogue stories might qualify though.

Prydain can be pretty "save the world", but it is a bit grittier than Tolkien. Early Forgotten Realms I certainly agree, though there's been a few which lean more the other way.

 

[StillStunned]

And I just discovered there's a sequel! Not only that, but I have it in an anthology that I've barely glanced at.

(The alternative scenario is that I bought the anthology because of the sequel, but was so unimpressed that I've forgotten about it. I'll check tomorrow.)

Update: "Amethyst, Shadow, and Light" is definitely sword & sorcery, but I get the feeling it should have been at least twice as long to do justice to the stakes. An entertaining read, and I enjoy the characters (Hai-Hai is great!) and what little we see of the world, but this second story falls a bit flat.

 

[StillStunned]

One of the classics of S&S is Jirel of Joiry, so I thought I'd put down a few thoughts while the stories are fresh in my mind from rereading them recently (except for "Quest of the Starstone").

Jirel is a strong character, and I wish there were more stories. Despite being a warrior, she's very feminine, and there's a sexual undercurrent in the writing. She's often kissed against her will, and men (and supernatural powers) desire her. But it's also clear that outside the stories she unashamedly has lovers.

Like in REH's Conan stories, and Leiber's Lankhmar tales, the conflict is generally resolved through will, though with the male S&S protagonists there's also an emphasis on physical abilities. With Jirel, the fight is won almost entirely with her mind.

Another difference is that Jirel *is* Joiry. She's the lady of her demesne, and that comes with responsibilities. Several of the stories are driven by this circumstance.

Lastly, particularly in the later stories, the writing is deliciously pulpy. Don't expect subtlety: be prepared to have all your senses assaulted, and enjoy the ride!

 

[Stay_Curious_G]

I was & still am a fan of REH’s Conan when I first read those stories all too long ago. To him I would add Moorcock and his theme of the Eternal Champion in its many guises Elric , Hawkmoon, Erekose etc. I would also like to add David Gemmell who only got one mention in the thread so far . Druss & Waylander are worthy companions to Conan. Although not sorcery Gemmells recurring theme of stones of power was always interesting to me as was his sprinkling of technology into fantasy settings . His western inspired alternate future books with Jon Shannow are also fun to read. What all these authors have is they are easy to read and the stories leap off the page. I see a lot of love for Peakes Gormenghast series in the thread and while it’s a worthy book deserving of praise I wouldn’t say it was an easy read for me at least. I have noted some stories to take a look at at and if I in turn have encouraged some of you to look at Gemmell and Moorcock that’s well & good as I can’t think of any S&S fan that hasn’t read at least one Conan story

 

[usable001]

Lots of suggestions here that I wouldn't ever have thought as classifying as S&S. Where do we all put the line between S&S and "general" fantasy?

The line is very blurry, but in general

... the protagonist is pitted against supernatural powers, with only their will, wits and physical abilities to help them. A protagonist might use small magics, but powerful sorcery is reserved for antagonists and sometimes a mysterious patron.

This part without the rest. The stories don't need to be gray, gritty, and morally ambiguous, but "a hero with a sword vs an evil wizard" is the general template.

That said, most of the book recommendations I've seen here are good, whether or not they meet that definition.

 

[deathlynx]

Anybody read any of the Renshai novels by Mickey Zucker Reichert? I would certainly think it applies, especially since the main character is a swordsman taking on mages, but it becomes pretty epic in scope, not too mention he becomes kinda OP later on.