Looking for some sword and sorcery recommendations. This type of fantasy flourished in the '70's, but has since been choked-off by high fantasy.
I'm looking for books old or new that are available as ebooks.
Definitions can be slippery, but I like
Wikipedia's definition:
Quote:
|
Sword and sorcery (S&S) is a subgenre of fantasy characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent adventures. An element of romance is often present, as is an element of magic and the supernatural. Unlike works of high fantasy, the tales, though dramatic, focus mainly on personal battles rather than world-endangering matters.
|
A few rules of thumb:
- Sword and Sorcery would: have book covers by Frank Frazetta or Boris Vallejo or '70's van art.
- Sword and sorcery would not: be a trilogy where a band consisting of a swordsman with a secret, an elf and a dwarf who bicker, and a powerful but elderly wizard seek the legendary Back Scratcher of Tirel which is the only means of defeating the dread Black Lord of Gravenal.
So please, no Lord of the Rings, no Terry Brooks. I like them. But they do not fit here.
Here are some examples that are available as ebooks:
Robert E. Howard. His
Conan and
Kull are basically the start of sword and sorcery.
Fritz Lieber's
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. He coined the term 'sword and sorcery'
Michael Moorcock's Elric
Karl Edward Wagner's Kane
C. L. Moore's Jirel of Joiry
Charles Saunders's Imaro
William King's Kormak