Edited by
D. M. Ritzlin
(DMR Books, April 2025, pb, 232 pp.)
“When the Stars Invert” by Matthew Knight
“The Last Bastion . . .” by Howie K. Bentley
“The Fall of Karynthos Keep” by Joe Minichino
“The Shrine of the Six-eyed Avatar” by Byron A. Roberts
“Shadows from Night Eternal” by Peter Salatellis
“Wraiths of Pongus Maw” by Jo Gamel
“Escape from the Bad Magick” by Jean-Pierre Abboud
“For an Unnamed Succubus” by Howie K. Bentley
“The Wizard and the Tower Keep” by D. R. Lackner (reprint, not reviewed)
“Dragonslayer’s Doom” by Sarah Kitteringham
Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf
This is the latest in a series of anthologies containing sword and sorcery stories and tales of dark fantasy by authors who are also members of heavy metal bands. Given this provenance, it may not be surprising that many of the works can be thought of as grimdark fantasy as well.
In “When the Stars Invert” by Matthew Knight, members of a cult slaughter the worshippers of a more benign deity. They spare the life of a young acolyte, intending to force him to translate a spell from an ancient grimoire that will allow them to unleash their malevolent god. With the help of a warrior disguised as one of the cultists, the acolyte struggles to foil their scheme.
Full of violent battles and a very high body count, this grim story serves as an appropriate introduction to the book’s theme. With its villains of pure evil and mighty barbarian hero, it is firmly in the tradition of classic tales of sword and sorcery. One character I have not mentioned serves as a deus ex machina, and a bizarre sequence on a bridge is irrelevant to the plot, existing only to add more gruesomeness. Despite these quibbles, fans of the genre are likely to find this bloody yarn satisfactory.
“The Last Bastion . . .” by Howie K. Bentley is narrated by the wife of the lord over knights who fight against wicked snake-men. She relates the history of this conflict and witnesses the latest battle.
The first part of this story reads like a history lesson or the expository prologue to a much longer work. The climax is open-ended, suggesting further adventures to come. Readers expecting a complete work that can stand on its own will be disappointed.
In “The Fall of Karynthos Keep” by Joe Minichino, warriors enter a deserted castle in order to seal or destroy a rift in reality. The leader of the group has strange visions, and discovers the truth of his mission.
This story is most interesting for its vision of multiple realities and for the fate of its protagonist. The climax is compelling, but, as with the previous story, lacks full resolution. A sequel seems inevitable.
Unlike most stories in the anthology, “The Shrine of the Six-eyed Avatar” by Byron A. Roberts is not set in a completely imaginary world. Instead, it takes place in a fantasy version of Egypt in the late nineteenth century. A heroic Englishman is recruited by a secretive branch of the British government to battle supernatural forces. With the aid of a local guide, he enters an ancient lost temple dedicated to a sinister god and battles the entity’s worshippers.
Combining old-fashioned adventure stories, pulp fiction, and a touch of Lovecraftian cosmic horror, this action-packed tale will appeal best to those nostalgic for such works. A long letter from the hero’s recruiters provides more exposition than necessary, mentioning people and events that have no direct bearing on the plot. The author is fond of obscure words, making the narrative voice seem affected and forcing the reader to consult a dictionary.
In “Shadows from Night Eternal” by Peter Salatellis, a priest and a warrior seek a monolith, hidden deep inside a cavern, that is inscribed with the secret of defeating evil. Their quest leads to an encounter with a monster.
The story begins with a lengthy discussion of the warrior’s previous battle against the demonic minions of an evil overlord. This provides a reason for the quest but is otherwise irrelevant to the plot. The climax supplies a bit of irony in what is otherwise a typical example of sword-and-sorcery adventure.
We return to historic times in “Wraiths of Pongus Maw” by Jo Gamel. After a battle with the Ottoman Empire, the captain of a British ship finds his vessel lost in unfamiliar waters. A sinister kelpie, taking either the form of a seductive woman or of various sea creatures, entices members of the crew, hoping to destroy them. The ship is helpless, as the kelpie even has the power to control the rising and setting of the sun and moon. Only the possibility of passing through a strait inhabited by a gigantic monster offers any hope of survival.
Much of the early part of the story reads like historical fiction, with a great deal of detail concerning the operation of a warship during the age of sail. (There is even a footnote directing the reader to a source of information.) The rest of the text is episodic and full of supernatural happenings. The conclusion is surprising, but not in a believable way.
“Escape from the Bad Magick” by Jean-Pierre Abboud features two empires that use the life force of slaves to power their magic. The protagonist uses a completely different form of magic to upset this system, forcing her to flee.
The story’s subtitle reveals that it is a prequel to a previous work. This explains why it seems incomplete. Readers familiar with the earlier story will enjoy more than others this brief introduction.
“For an Unnamed Succubus” is the second story in the book by Howie K. Bentley. (The author also supplies a poem for the volume.) Set in modern times, it is narrated by a man mourning his recently deceased wife. His yearning causes a succubus to appear. Their encounter causes him to recall previous lives, leading to a final, desperate act.
The narrative style creates an appropriately decadent mood. The story’s sexual content is explicit, but in a tasteful way that is relevant to the plot. The narrator’s visions of former lives reveal great imagination and offer fascinating hints of untold stories.
In “Dragonslayer’s Doom” by Sarah Kitteringham, a warrior and her faithful companion receive help from a mysterious magician in their quest to destroy a dragon. The task is made more difficult by the companion’s injury, forcing her to remain behind, and an unexpected encounter in the dragon’s lair.
This is a traditional fantasy adventure. The companion plays a very minor role, and her injury seems to be little more than an excuse to have her withdrawn from the story. What happens in the dragon’s cave offers a bit of originality in what is otherwise a familiar plot.
Overall, the anthology offers strong evidence that musicians can also be talented writers. (A few even provide their own illustrations.) One can admire their skill, while wishing that some of their works were more original. Fans of sword-and-sorcery, dark fantasy, and historical fantasy are likely to find the book worth reading, even if most of the stories are not very memorable.
Victoria Silverwolf thinks the best heavy metal band is Spinal Tap.