Tales of the Witch World 1

~ A Collection of Original Stories by Various Authors for the Witch World Saga

Edited by Andre Norton

tales.of.the.witch.world

 

Contains ~

  • 001~ Introduction by Andre Norton
  • 003~ Of the Shaping of Ulm's Heir (nv) by Andre Norton
  • 025~ Heir Apparent (ss) by Robert Bloch
  • 043~ Fenneca (nv) by Wilanne Schneider Belden
  • 065~ Bloodspell (nv) by A. C. Crispin
  • 093~ White Road, The (nv) by Charles de Lint
  • 115~ Cat and the Other (nv) by Marylois Dunn
  • 135~ Oath-Bound (nv) by Pauline M. Griffin
  • 155~ Of Ancient Swords and Evil Mist (ss) by James R. Heidbrink
  • 171~ Nine Words in Winter (ss)  by Caralyn Inks
  • 189~ Were-Hunter (nv) by Mercedes R. Lackey
  • 215~ Neither Rest Nor Refuge (ss) by Ardath Mayhar
  • 231~ To Rebuild the Eyrie (nv) by Sasha Miller
  • 251~ Milk from a Maiden's Breast (ss) by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
  • 269~ Night Hound's Moon (ss) by Mary H. Schaub
  • 285~ Isle of Illusion (nv) by Carol Severance
  • 307~ Green in High Hallack (ss) by Kiel Stuart
  • 319~ Road of Dreams and Death, The (nv) by Robert E. Vardeman
  • 339~ Biographical Notes (bg) Misc. Material


Synopsis ~

Write-up from the front flap of the 1987 dustjacket ~

For three decades fantasy readers have thrilled to the wonder, excitement, and sheer storytelling magic of Andre Norton's Witch World. Since the first novel was published, the unique lure of Andre Norton's most beloved creation has earned this realm a cherished position in the hearts of fantasy readers. Peopled by humans and a stunning array of fantastic creatures, fraught with powerful magic and the power of ancient traditions rooted in a long-forgotten past, the Witch World “is a special place, where men and women find extraordinary things within them, one of those places a reader lives in. lf it had never been written, so many other worlds would be the poorer." (C.J. Cherryh)
Now, for the first time, Andre Norton has invited her favorite fantasy writers to share the wonder and magic of the Witch World in a very special shared world book. Robert Bloch. A.C, Crispin, Charles de Lint, Mercedes Lackey, Ardath Mayhar, Elizabeth Scarborough, Robert E. Vardeman and nine other fine writers have collaborated with Andre Norton herself to create heart-stopping adventure that sweeps from the peaks of High Hallack to the far reaches of Estcarp in the land of Andre Norton's imagination known as Witch World.

 

Write-up from the back of the paperback edition ~

Danger and Enchantment on Andre Norton’s Witch World

For over twenty five years fantasy readers have been captivated by Andre Norton’s Witch World books, which have sold millions of copies world wide. Now for the first time Andre Norton has invited her favorite fantasy authors to collaborate with her on creating new tales set in her favorite world. Robert Bloch, A.C. Crispin, Charles de Lint, Ardath Mayhar, Elizabeth Scarborough, Robert E. Vardeman, and ten other fine writers have joined together to make myths that will become new lore of the Witch World.

From the windswept Dales of High Hallack to the far reaches of Escarp, here are excitement and peril to stir the hearts of the millions of fans of the Witch World. Wondrous tales, including Andre Norton’s own story, weave a spell that will draw you back again and again to this magical world.

 

Reviews ~

Kirkus Reviews ~ Issues: 1987
Seventeen undemanding new tales set in the Witch World, Norton's long-standing fantasy-creation of white and black magic, ancient traditions, strange creatures, and mysterious powers. Though there's nothing particularly striking or original about all this, the Witch World's primarily adolescent appeal continues unabated. Norton herself and Robert Bloch tell two sides of the same story, the attempts of a lord under a curse to produce an heir. From Wilanne Schneider Belden comes a delicate, touching tale of a witch-child's struggle to survive in a devastated land. Elsewhere are to be found variations, ranging from sprightly to feeble, on: evil wraiths and helpful ghosts, shape-changers, refugees from genocide, magical doorways, remonstrating corpses, conniving cats, falconers and misogynists, female warriors, and more. Some of the yarns aren't fully worked out, but all show at least a glimmer of imagination. Pleasant, then, if largely uncompelling entertainment for Witch World fans. 

 

Review by Publishers Weekly ~ Sept. 01, 1987

Almost 25 years after Norton created her much-loved Witch World series, she has invited 16 other writers to use that background. Her own contribution, a typically darkly imagined fragment, is followed by Robert Bloch's droll rewriting of the same story from another character's point of view. The other colorful, clearly told stories include Wilanne Belden's moving account of a strange child's survival in war and wilderness, Charles de Lint's tale of a wondrous white road, Ardath Mayhar's narrative of a young boy coming to terms with his ""witch borne'' powers and Elizabeth Scarborough's fable of a warrior meeting a new challenge: a baby needing a foster mother. This collection is a welcome exception to the tedium of most shared-world anthologies.

 

Various reviews ~ For more info and other listings see Articles Over the Years

1988 by Tom Easton in Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, March
1989 by Gloria Wall in Short Form, Issues 3&4
1989 by Maureen Porter in Critical Wave #12
1989 by Alan Fraser in Paperback Inferno #80
1990 by John Hillman in The British Fantasy Newsletter, Winter

 

Bibliography of English Editions ~

  • (1987) Published by TOR, HC, 0-312-94475-6, 978-0-312-94475-9, LCCN 870050473, $15.95, 343pg ~ cover by Victoria Poyser, maps by John M. Ford {Blue Paper Boards} - This title was originally scheduled to be published by Bluejay Books. It retains the ISBN originally assigned to it.
  • (1989) Published by Pan, TP, 0-330-30674-X, 978-0-330-30674-4, £3.99, 343pg ~ UK printing ~ cover by Brian Smallwood, maps by John M. Ford
  • (1989) Published by TOR, PB, 0-812-54757-8, 978-0-812-54757-3, $3.95, 343pg ~ cover by Victoria Poyser, maps by John M. Ford

 

Non-English Editions ~

  • (1998) Published in Warsaw, Poland; by Amber, 83-716-9530-6 ~ translated by Jacek Kozerski ~ Polish title Opowieści ze Świata Czarownic 1 [Tales from the Witch World 1]

See Also: The Sorcerer's Conspectus entry for this title.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://andre-norton.com/worlds-of-andre/novels/386-prince-commands-the#sigProId0417a81f9a

Maps;

   

 

 

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