The best thing about my recent eye surgery is that reading is fun again rather than being a chore that it had become. The second-best thing is the arrival of this fascinating collection by Brian A. Hopkins.
Herein are the majority of his previously uncollected fantasy stories from anthologies and small press chapbooks.
“Roads End” opens the book with a fantasy tale of a king who has ruled his kingdom with prosperity and peace only to discover that he has one last foe to face before his life changes forever.
Next, we meet the last dragon and the last dragon hunter. That would make an interesting tale by itself, but Hopkins take it up a level by making the ending exactly NOT featuring what you expected.
John Chance, aka “One Eyed Jack”, appears in three western stories , co-authored with David Niall Wilson. Chance is a handyman, jack of all trades who deals poker when business s slow. Rumor has it that he traded one of his eyes to a Navaho medicine man for untold magic and a way to always win at cards. But heaven can’t help you if he removes his eyepatch.
“Sheepskins” is aptly named for where wolves are known to hide. “Wish One Knight” tells the story of a wish that comes true with unexpected results.
The book concludes with the three “Swords of Eire” sword and sorcery tales “Rhueshan’s Palladium”, “Kiamina’s Ghosts”, and “Do the Walls Come Down?”
All of the stories in this volume may not be what you are expecting. But you will find impressive characters, marvelous prose, a surprise or two and a lot of enjoyable reading.
Of all of the collections available, this is the one to be sure to pick up. Be sure to add it to your shopping list when you go to Amazon.com or any of your favorite booksellers. And if they don’t have it, have them order it! Available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audio formats on Sep 7th.
Thanks, Barry!
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