author : Marion Zimmer Bradley

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Elbow Room. 1980

• The Secret of the Blue Star. 1979

• The Wind People. 1958

• Blood Will Tell. 1980

• Centaurus Changeling. 1954

• The Climbing Wave. 1955

• Exiles of Tomorrow. 1955

• Death Between the Stars. 1956

• Bird of Prey. 1957

• The Wild One. 1960

• Treason of the Blood. 1962

• The Day of the Butterflies. 1976

• Hero's Moon. 1976

• The Engine. 1977

• To Keep the Oath. 1979

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Vonda N. McIntyre. Looking for Satan. 1981

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Secret of the Blue Star. 1979

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Incompetent Magician. 1983

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. Somebody Else's Magic. 1984

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. Sea Wrack. 1985

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Wandering Lute. 1986

Truth Jourdemayne, sceptical parapsychologist, has grown up hating her father Thorne Blackburn as the con-man who killed her mother while pretending to perform magic. But now the aunt who raised her gives her some strange gifts from that time, and she decides to confront the past. And at Shadow's Gate, the mansion where the fatal ritual took place last time, she finds another group gathered together to try the ritual again.

A fairly straightforward tale of magical awakening, with a not very plausible attempt to throw in some "romance" features. Truth is rather irritating as the alleged sceptic who on the one hand isn't sceptical enough, and on the other, refuses to believe what is actually happening.

The city of Merina is rich and undefended, and falls prey to the conquering Emperor Balthasar, his dark mage Apolon, and his heir Leopold. The dowager queen Adele, her daughter queen Lydana, and the heir Shelyra surrender the city to save it from destruction, but go underground to fight back against the conquerors.

Ho hum. I said the Eight Dreadful Words on page 179, and stopped reading, when I got too bored just waiting for something to happen. By this stage we've had lots of background introductory material, on the three Merinan women, the three enemy men, and various other 'colourful' characters. But that's all we've had (apart from a little heavy-handed foreshadowing about evil gems), it's nearly half-way into the book, and I'm bored.

Maybe the problem is that each of the three writers has provided one book's worth of build-up, all lumped together? Or maybe the problem is that I don't like the kind of plot structure where things get worse, and worse, and worse, and ... until, finally, the characters do something. Maybe the writers are trying to draw a picture of a situation so bad that even the 'ordinary' folk will revolt; I'm just sitting there saying "what are you waiting for: fight back, dammit!"

JayJay's third marriage has just ended as disastrously as the previous two, and she's looking for an escape. In her local bookshop she finds a tourist guide to the unknown small European country of Glenraven, and feels unaccountably drawn to it. Her best friend Sophie, still mourning the death of her daughter, feels just as compelled to accompany her.

That guide book is, of course, magical, and has summoned these two unlikely heroes to Glenraven to save it from the immortal tyrant Watchmistress. Our heroes, however, are oblivious of this fact, and, thinking they are ordinary tourists, blunder about the country, upsetting all the careful plans of their desperate summoners. They soon realise, however, that something Is Not Right, but with their sophisticated western background, it takes them a while to accept magic.

Unlike many generic fantasy quests, the plot is not just a straight line from start to goal. It has sufficient complexity, and sufficient setbacks and twists, to keep up the interest. I think I detect the hand of Holly Lisle in the loving details of some of the more gruesome murders. A fun read, if a slightly rushed conclusion, and just a single sentence paving the way for a sequel, if needs be.

The promised sequel had indeed materialised. This time out the magic Guidebook selects Kate Beacham as its hero. She's a wiccan, disowned by her own family, facing being run out of town by the local bigots, who have just killed her horse. Then a bunch of Glenravenites gate to her cottage, pursued by a monster. Kate kills it, but is then captured by the very people she rescued. The guidebook then informs her she has to team up with these people, before Callion and the Watchers destroy both of their worlds. But one of them is a traitor. Not her best day.

Most of the action takes place in our Machine World, rather than Glenraven, this time. The action proceeds briskly, and there are some funny moments as Kate passes off her non-human visitors as SF costumers. It is rather obvious who the traitor is from early on, however, just by employing the usual mystery story algorithms.

The story is spoiled slightly by the overt preachiness in a couple of places. But it makes a very pleasant change to have a mediaevaloid fantasy where the occupants both of our world, and the other, agree that this world does has its advantages -- and to have a protagonist who actually prefers this world (despite all the pain it has given her).

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. A Word from the Creator of Darkover. 1980

• Diana L. Paxson. Vai Dom. 1980

• Cynthia McQuillin. The Forest. 1980

• Patricia Shaw Mathews. There is Always an Alternative. 1980

• Eileen Ledbetter. The Tale of Durraman's Donkey. 1980

• Susan M. Shwartz. The Fires of Her Vengeance. 1980

• Kathleen Williams. Circle of Light. 1980

• Elisabeth Waters. The Alton Gift. 1980

• Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Jean Lorrah. The Answer. 1980

• Linda MacKendrick. The Rescue. 1980

• Marion Zimmer Bradley, Elisabeth Waters. The Keeper's Price. 1980

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Hawk-Master's Son. 1980

• Penny Ziegler. A Simple Dream. 1980

• Patricia Shaw Mathews. Paloma Blanca. 1980

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. Blood Will Tell. 1980

• Linda Frankel. Ambassador to Corresanti. 1980

• Paula Crunk. A View from the Reconstruction. 1980

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Diana L. Paxson. A Gift of Love. 1982

• Jane Brae-Bedell. Dark Lady. 1982

• Terry Tafoya. A Legend of the Hellers. 1982

• Susan M. Shwartz. In the Throat of the Dragon. 1982

• Mary Frances Zambreno. Wind-Music. 1982

• Leslie Williams. Escape. 1982

• Elisabeth Waters. Rebirth. 1982

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. A Sword of Chaos. 1982

• Adrienne Martine-Barnes. Di Catenas. 1982

• Susan Hansen. Of Two Minds. 1982

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Through Fire and Frost. 1982

• Lynne Holdom. The Way of a Wolf. 1982

• Aly Parsons. Cold Hall. 1982

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Lesson of the Inn. 1982

• Phillip Wayne. Confidence. 1982

• Patricia Shaw Mathews. Where the Heart Is. 1982

• Lynn Mims. Skeptic. 1982

• Millea Kenin. A Recipe for Failure. 1982

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. About Amazons. 1985

• Walter Breen. The Oath of the Free Amazons. 1985

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Legend of Lady Bruna. 1985

• Margaret Silvestri. Cast off Your Chains. 1985

• Sherry Kramer. The Banshee. 1985

• Barbara Armistead. On the Trail. 1985

• P. Alexandra Riggs. To Open a Door. 1985

• Nina Boal. The Meeting. 1985

• Diana L. Paxson. The Mother Quest. 1985

• Elisabeth Waters. Child of the Heart. 1985

• Deborah Wheeler. Midwife. 1985

• Maureen Shannon. Recruits. 1985

• Mercedes Lackey. A Different Kind of Courage. 1985

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. Knives. 1985

• Jane M. H. Bigelow. Tactics. 1985

• Joan Marie Verba. This One Time. 1985

• Margaret L. Carter. Her Own Blood. 1985

• Susan Holtzer. The Camel's Nose. 1985

• Patricia Shaw-Mathews. Girls Will Be Girls. 1985

• Susan M. Shwartz. Growing Pains. 1985

• Jaida n'ha Sandra. Oath of the Free Amazons: Terran, Techno Period. 1985

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Patricia Floss. The Other Side of the Mirror. 1987

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. Bride Price. 1987

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. Everything but Freedom. 1987

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. Oathbreaker. 1987

• Linda Frankel, Paula Crunk. Blood Hunt. 1987

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Diana L. Paxson. A Different Kind of Victory. 1987

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Ballad of Hastur and Cassilda. 1987

• Nina Boal. Flight. 1987

• Diann S. Partridge. Salt. 1987

• Deborah Wheeler. The Wasteland. 1987

• Joe Wilcox. A Cell Opens. 1987

• Dorothy J. Heydt. The Sum of the Parts. 1987

• Patricia Anne Buard. Devil's Advocate. 1987

• Vera Nazarian. Kihar. 1987

• Elisabeth Waters. Playfellow. 1987

• P.J Buchanan. Different Path. 1987

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Shadow. 1987

• Patricia Shaw Mathews. Ciols. 1987

• Mary Fenoglio. The Promise. 1987

• Marny Whiteaker. The Dare. 1987

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Vera Nazarian. The Jackal. 1988

• Joan Marie Verba. Death's Scepter. 1988

• Kay Morgan Douglas. A King's Ransom. 1988

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. Man of Impulse. 1988

• Roxanna Pierson. Swarm Song. 1988

• Patricia B. Cirone. Out of Ashes. 1988

• Meg Mac Donald. My Father's Son. 1988

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. House Rules. 1988

• Sandra C. Morrese. To Challenge Fate. 1988

• Margaret L. Carter. The Devourer Within. 1988

• Elisabeth Waters. Sin Catenas. 1988

• Glenn R. Sixbury. Circles. 1988

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Festival Night. 1988

• Rachel Walker. A Laughing Matter. 1988

• Audrey J. Fulton. Mourning. 1988

• Deborah Wheeler. The Death of Brendon Ensolare. 1988

• Millea Kenin. Sort of Chaos. 1988

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Deborah Wheeler. "Acurrhir Todo; Nada Perdonad". 1990

• Mercedes Lackey. An Object Lesson. 1990

• Cynthia Drolet. Beginnings. 1990

• Patricia Duffy Novak. Clingfire. 1990

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Death in Thendara. 1990

• Elisabeth Waters, Marion Zimmer Bradley. Firetrap. 1990

• Judith K. Kobylecky. Friends. 1990

• L.D Woeltjen. Manchild. 1990

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. Just a Touch.... 1990

• Joan Marie Verba. Mind-eater. 1990

• Meg Mac Donald. Mists. 1990

• Mary K. Frey. Our Little Rabbit. 1990

• Barbara Denz. The Gift from Ardais. 1990

• Diann S. Partridge. The Horse Race. 1990

• Janet R. Rhodes. The Plague. 1990

• Micole Sudberg. The Tapestry. 1990

• Judith Sampson. To Serve Kihar. 1990

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Chel Avery. Strife. 1991

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. Amazon Excerpt. 1991

• Annette Rodriguez. Broken Vows. 1991

• Janet R. Rhodes. If Only Banshees Could See. 1991

• Deborah Wheeler. A Midsummer Night's Gift. 1991

• Joan Marie Verba. The Honor of the Guild. 1991

• Diana L. Paxson. A Butterfly Season. 1991

• Kelly B. Jaggers. Misjudged Situations. 1991

• Mary Fenoglio. Awakening. 1991

• Patricia Duffy Novak. Carlina's Calling. 1991

• Judith K. Kobylecky. A Beginning. 1991

• Mercedes Lackey. Set a Thief. 1991

• Jean Lamb. Shut-in. 1991

• Vera Nazarian. Danila's Song. 1991

• Elisabeth Waters. A Proper Escort. 1991

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. The Lesson in the Foothills. 1991

• Emily Alward. Summer Fair. 1991

• Diann S. Partridge. Varzil's Avengers. 1991

• Andrew Rey. To Touch a Comyn. 1991

• Patricia B. Cirone. About Time. 1991

• Margaret L. Carter. Family Visit. 1991

• Priscilla W. Armstrong. Dalereuth Guild House. 1991

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Lynn Michals. Building. 1991

• Janet R. Rhodes. The Ferment. 1991

• Diana Gill. Wings. 1991

• Deborah J. Mays. The Rebels. 1991

• Diana Perry, Vera Nazarian. A Dance for Darkover. 1991

• Jacquie Groom. There is Always Someone. 1991

• Lawrence Schimel. Reunion. 1991

• Patricia B. Cirone. A Way through the Fog. 1991

• Mary K. Frey. The Gods' Gift. 1991

• Margaret L. Carter. The Speaking Touch. 1991

• Chel Avery. The Bargain. 1991

• Aimee Kratts. The Witch of the Kilghard Hills. 1991

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. The Gift. 1991

• Joan Marie Verba. Invitation to Chaos. 1991

• Patricia Duffy Novak. The Keeper's Peace. 1991

• Roxanna Pierson. Food for the Worms. 1991

• Diann S. Partridge. Childish Pranks. 1991

• Janni Lee Simner. Cherilly's Law. 1991

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Avarra'a Children. 1991

• Priscilla W. Armstrong. The Tower at New Skye. 1991

• Lana Young. Homecoming. 1991

• Elisabeth Waters. A Meeting of Minds. 1991

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. Love of the Banshee. 1993

• Dorothy J. Heydt. The Wind Man. 1993

• Nina Boal. Shelter. 1993

• Margaret L. Carter, Leslie R. Carter. Carmen's Flight. 1993

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. Ten Minutes or So. 1993

• Patricia B. Cirone. Victory's Cost. 1993

• Aletha Bidermann-Wiens. Kefan McIlroy is Snared. 1993

• Mary Ellen Fletcher. Rosa the Washerwoman. 1993

• Emily Alward. Like a Moth in the Flame. 1993

• Judith K. Kobylecky. A Change of View. 1993

• Lynn Michals. Choices. 1993

• Patricia Duffy Novak. A Lesser Life. 1993

• Glenn R. Sixbury. Summer Storms. 1993

• Alexandra Sarris. Conscience. 1993

• Charley Pearson. Shame. 1993

• Diana L. Paxson. The Frontier. 1993

• Diann S. Partridge. The Aillard Anomaly. 1993

• Elisabeth Waters, Deborah Wheeler. Destined for the Tower. 1993

• Joan Marie Verba. The Madwoman of the Kilghard Hills. 1993

• David R. Heydt. I'm a Big Cat Now. 1993

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Lee Martindale. The Yearbride. 1994

• Deborah Wheeler. Cradle of Lies. 1994

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. Power. 1994

• Chel Avery. Upholding Tradition. 1994

• Diana L. Paxson. The Place Between. 1994

• Patricia Duffy Novak. Kadarin Tears. 1994

• Roxanna Pierson. The Awakening. 1994

• Joan Marie Verba. Safe Passage. 1994

• Janet R. Rhodes. Garron's Gift. 1994

• Cynthia McQuillin. The Chieri's Godchild. 1994

• Patricia Shaw Mathews. Fire in the Hellers. 1994

• Lena Gore. A Matter of Perception. 1994

• Mercedes Lackey. Poetic Licence. 1994

• Jane Edgeworth. The Midwinter's Gifts. 1994

• Toni Berry. The MacAran Legacy. 1994

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Word of a Hastur. 1994

• C. Frances. Matrix Blues. 1994

• Nina Boal. Shards. 1994

• Suzanne Hawkins Burke. Briana's Birthright. 1994

• Linda Anfuso. In the Eye of the Beholder. 1994

• Alexandra Sarris. Transformation. 1994

• Glenn R. Sixbury. Amends. 1994

• Elisabeth Waters. A Cappella. 1994

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Heroic Image of Women: Woman as Wizard and Warrior. 1984

• Phyllis Ann Karr. The Garnet and the Glory. 1984

• Glen Cook. Severed Heads. 1984

• Stephen L. Burns. Taking Heart. 1984

• Emma Bull. The Rending Dark. 1984

• Charles R. Saunders. Gimmile's Songs. 1984

• Charles de Lint. The Valley of the Troll. 1984

• Deborah Wheeler. Imeratrix. 1984

• Jennifer Roberson. Blood of Sorcery. 1984

• Pat Murphy. With Four Lean Hounds. 1984

• Anodea Judith. House in the Forest. 1984

• Diana L. Paxson. Sword of Yraine. 1984

• Michael Ward. Daton and the Dead Things. 1984

• Janet Fox. Gate of the Damned. 1984

• Robin Wayne Bailey. Child of Orcus. 1984

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Things Come in Threes. 1984

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Phyllis Ann Karr. A Night at Two Inns. 1985

• Rachel Pollack. The Red Guild. 1985

• Diana L. Paxson. Shadow Wood. 1985

• Bruce D. Arthurs. Unicorn's Blood. 1985

• C. J. Cherryh. The Unshadowed Land. 1985

• Charles R. Saunders. Shimenege's Mask. 1985

• Stephen L. Burns. The Black Tower. 1985

• Jennifer Roberson. The Lady and the Tiger. 1985

• Deborah Wheeler. Fireweb. 1985

• Charles de Lint. Cold Blows the Wind. 1985

• Dana Kramer-Rolls. Sword of the Mother. 1985

• Russ Garrison. Hunger. 1985

• Elizabeth Thompson. On First Looking into Bradley's Guidelines, or Stories I Don't Want to Read Either. 1985

• Raul S. Reyes. The Chosen Maiden. 1985

• Richard Corwin. Red Pearls. 1985

• Vera Nazarian. Wound on the Moon. 1985

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Marion Zimmer Bradley. The Evolution of Women's Fantasy. 1986

• Deborah Wheeler. Dragon-Amber. 1986

• A. D. Overstreet. Enter the Wolf. 1986

• Jennifer Roberson. Valley of the Shadow. 1986

• Dorothy J. Heydt. The Song and the Flute. 1986

• Dana Kramer-Rolls. Journeytime. 1986

• Mary Frances Zambreno. Orpheus. 1986

• Millea Kenin. Scarlet Eyes. 1986

• Anodea Judith. The River of Tears. 1986

• Polly B. Johnson. Fresh Blood. 1986

• Diana L. Paxson. The Mist on the Moor. 1986

• Elizabeth Moon. Bargains. 1986

When a bargain looks to good to be true it just might be. So should Rahel have bought that horse, and her partner those charms?

• Elisabeth Waters. A Woman's Privilege. 1986

• J. Edwin Andrews. Talla. 1986

• Terry Tafoya. Tupilak. 1986

• Mercedes Lackey. Sword-sworn. 1985

How Tarma became Sword-sworn after the massacre of her clan, how she met Kethry and her geas-sword Need, and how they became she'enedra. An uncommon "rape and revenge" tale.

• Melissa Carpenter. A Tale from Hendry's Mill. 1986

• Patricia B. Cirone. S.A.R. 1986

• L.D Woeltjen. More's the Pity. 1986

• Charles R. Saunders. Marwe's Forest. 1986

• Mavis J. Andrews. The Hunters. 1986

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Mercedes Lackey. A Tale of Heroes. 1987

The duo arrive just too late to slay a human-eating monster themselves, but need to rescue a chambermaid from the monstrous 'hero'.

• Robin Wayne Bailey. The Woodland of Zarad-Thra. 1987

• Charles de Lint. The Weeping Oak. 1987

• Dave Smeds. Gullrider. 1987

• Diana L. Paxson. Blood Dancer. 1987

• Paula Helm Murray. Kayli's Fire. 1987

• Josepha Sherman. The Ring of Lifari. 1987

• Jennifer Roberson. Rite of Passage. 1987

• Richard Corwin. The Eyes of the Gods. 1987

• Millea Kenin. Fate and the Dreamer. 1987

• Dorothy J. Heydt. The Noonday Witch. 1987

• Stephen L. Burns. Redeemer's Riddle. 1987

• Syn Ferguson. The Tree-Wife of Arketh. 1987

• Richard Cornell. Spell of Binding. 1987

• Deborah Wheeler. Storm God. 1987

• L.D Woeltjen. Die Like a Man. 1987

• Bruce D. Arthurs. Death and the Ugly Woman. 1987

• Deborah M. Vogel. Bloodstones. 1987

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Margaret L. Carter. Sorcerer's Pet. 1988

• Charles de Lint. Into the Green. 1988

• Janet Fox. Eyes of the Laemi. 1988

• Linda Gordon. Jewels. 1988

• M. R. Hildebrand. Dance of the Healer. 1988

• Millea Kenin. One Night at the Inn. 1988

• Mercedes Lackey. Keys. 1988

Kethry must unravel a locked-room mystery while Tarma faces trial by combat.

• Gerald Perkins. Drum Duel. 1988

• Diana L. Paxson. The Eye of Toyur. 1988

• Dana Kramer-Rolls. Peet's Bride. 1988

• A. D. Overstreet. Warrior's Way. 1988

• Jennifer Roberson. Spoils of War. 1988

• B. A. Rolls. Cholin of Carnel. 1988

• Deborah Wheeler. Rite of Vengeance. 1988

• Mary Frances Zambreno. Bloodstone. 1988

• Laura J. Underwood. Sword Singer. 1988

• Steve Tymon. Stormbringer. 1988

• Dave Smeds. Sorceress of the Gulls. 1988

• Josepha Sherman. Runaways. 1988

• Morning Glory Zell. The Golden Egg. 1988

• Rick Cook. Revised Standard Virgin. 1988

• Cynthia Drolet. Dragon Lovers. 1988

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Diana L. Paxson. Equona's Mare. 1990

• Shariann N. Lewitt. The Hand of Fatima. 1990

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. Commencement. 1990

• Morning Glory Zell. A Lesser of Evils. 1990

• Kier Neustaedter. And Saavuld Danced .... 1990

• Linda Gordon. Stone of Light. 1990

• Nancy Jane Moore. Change of Command. 1990

• Vera Nazarian. The Starry King. 1990

• Nina Boal. Mirror Image. 1990

• Jennifer Roberson. Sleeping Dogs. 1990

• Elisabeth Waters. Shadowlands. 1990

• Mercedes Lackey. The Making of a Legend. 1990

Leslac finally catches up with the mercenary duo, in order to record one of their heroic deeds firsthand. But not all deeds are the stuff of ballad.

• Mary Fenoglio. Burnt Offerings. 1990

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Ratsbane. 1990

• Bobbi Miller. Wolf Hunt. 1990

• Carl Thelen. Pearl. 1990

• Jessie D. Eaker. Name of the Demoness. 1990

• Lois Tilton. Hands. 1990

• Mary E Choo. Wolfrunner. 1990

• J.A Brebner. Until We Meet Again. 1990

• Gemma Tarlach. Black Wolf. 1990

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Stephanie D. Shaver. At the Tolling of Midnight. 1990

• Laura Thurston. The Buddy System. 1990

• Mark Tompkins. The Cloud of Evil. 1990

• Rowena A. Bathgate. Heart of the Matter. 1990

• Deborah Wheeler. A Wolf in the Fold. 1990

• Vera Nazarian. A Thing of Love. 1990

• Diana L. Paxson. The Sword Slave. 1990

• Diann S. Partridge. The Festival Gatherers. 1990

• Mercedes Lackey. The Talisman. 1990

Kethry meets an old schoolmate who, tragically, has never accepted that magic requires hard work, not special talismans.

• Kathleen A. Varnado. Widow. 1990

• Elizabeth McCoy. Just Desserts. 1990

• Gary Jonas. Mending Wounds. 1990

• Nancy Jane Moore. St. George and the Dragon (revised). 1990

• Sue Isle. Her Father's Daughter. 1990

• Laurell K. Hamilton. Winterkill. 1990

• Jessie D. Eaker. Staying Behind. 1990

• Gary W. Herring. Hawk's Hill. 1990

• Mary K. Frey. Waterwise. 1990

• I. F. Cole. The Second Song. 1990

• Lawrence Schimel. The Thorny Path to Wizardry. 1990

• Patricia B. Cirone. Grim Calling. 1990

• Diane Burrell. Winter's Daughter. 1990

• Stephen L. Burns. The Bridge over Darikill Fel. 1990

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. Warrior's Oath. 1990

• Alison Brooks. Lost Souls. 1990

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Deborah Burros. Masks. 1991

• Mercedes Lackey. Wings of Fire. 1991

The duo fight a sorceress who wants to enslave a Hawkbrother's firebirds.

• Laurell K. Hamilton. Geese. 1991

• Rima Saret. Marayd's Escape. 1991

• Gary W. Herring. She Who Shields. 1991

• Jennifer Roberson. Fair Play. 1991

• Paula Helm Murray. Kayli Kidnapped. 1991

• Diana L. Paxson. Ytarra's Mirror. 1991

• Walter L. Kleine. Heart's Desires. 1991

• Nancy L. Pine. A Throw of the Dice. 1991

• Andrea Pelleschi. Song of the Dragon. 1991

• Vera Nazarian. Beauty and His Beast. 1991

• Stephanie D. Shaver. Shards of Crystal. 1991

• eluki bes ehahar. Spellbinder. 1991

• Josepha Sherman. The Price of the Wind. 1991

• Linda Gordon. Stained Glass. 1991

• Jere Dunham. East of the Dawn. 1991

• Dave Smeds. Trading Swords. 1991

• Elisabeth Waters. Out of the Frying Pan. 1991

• Lois Tilton. Edyth Among the Trolls. 1991

• Cynthia L. Ward. The Opal Skull. 1991

• Margaret Howes. Retirement Plan. 1991

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Tanya Beaty. Slave to the Sword. 1992

• Bruce D. Arthurs. Shadows do not Bleed. 1992

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. Beastly!. 1992

• Susan Hanniford Crowley. Piper. 1992

• Diana L. Paxson. Stopthrust. 1992

• Phil Brucato. Elynne Dragonchild. 1992

• Lisa Deason. Freeing Souls. 1992

• Jessie D. Eaker. Blademistress. 1992

• Patricia Duffy Novak. Sorcerers' Gate. 1992

• Elisabeth Waters. The Birthday Gift. 1992

• Laura J. Underwood. Tangled Webs. 1992

• Stephanie D. Shaver. Winterwood. 1992

• Josepha Sherman. Red Wings. 1992

• Eric Haines. Above the Ground. 1992

• Mark Tompkins. On a Night Like Any Other. 1992

• Mercedes Lackey. A Woman's Weapon. 1992

Tarma and Kethry intervene in a dispute between two Master Tanners.

• Mary K. Frey. Behind the Waterfall. 1992

• Steven Piziks. Hoard. 1992

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Queen of the Dead. 1992

• Dave Smeds. The Flower that Does Not Wither. 1992

• Linda Gordon. To Have and To Hold. 1992

• Lee Ann Martins. The Catalyst. 1992

• Leslie Ann Miller. Breaking Walls. 1992

• Cynthia L. Ward. The Enchanted Frog. 1992

• Roxanna Pierson. The Price of the Gods. 1992

• Syne Mitchell. Tiger's Eye. 1992

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Tina Good. Lorelei. 1993

• Diana L. Paxson. Falcon's Shadow. 1993

• Robyn McGrew. The Proper Balance. 1993

• Dorothy J. Heydt. The Gift of Minerva. 1993

• Mercedes Lackey. Friendly Fire. 1993

The tale of a bad-luck charm.

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. Heart in a Box. 1993

• Donna Bocian Currie. Dance of Death. 1993

• Kirsten M. Corby. Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. 1993

• Kati Dougherty. Fealty. 1993

• J. M. Cressy. Hunt for the Queen's Beast. 1993

• Patricia Duffy Novak. Robes. 1993

• Vera Nazarian. Bonds of Light. 1993

• Francesca Myman. Night, Who Creeps through Keyholes. 1993

• Leslie Ann Miller. Oaths. 1993

• Lucas K. Law. Double Vision. 1993

• Diann S. Partridge. The Phoenix Medallion. 1993

• David A. Pillard. A Run in the Forest. 1993

• Nancy L. Pine. Old Age and Treachery.... 1993

• Lawrence Schimel. In Sheep's Clothing. 1993

• Stephanie D. Shaver. Her Mother's Sword. 1993

• Deborah Wheeler. Sorceress' Apprentics. 1993

• Lynne Alisse Witten. Mage-Sight. 1993

• Katy Huth Jones. Ether and the Skeptic. 1993

• Rebekah Jensen. The Limwitch. 1993

• Lorina J. Stephens. Smile of the Goddess. 1993

• Karen Luk. Just Reward. 1993

• Vicki Kirchhoff. Boys Will Be Girls. 1993

• Lisa Deason. Taking Shape. 1993

• Carolee J. Edwards. Justice is Mine. 1993

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Bunnie Bessell. Call the Wild Horses. 1994

• Lynn Michals. Keepsake. 1994

• Diana L. Paxson. Spirit Singer. 1994

• Jessica R. Lerbs. Final Exam. 1994

• Charley Pearson. The Stratmoor Bear. 1994

• Vaughn Heppner. Grumble Snoot. 1994

• Javonna L. Anderson. Tales. 1994

• Jo Clayton. Maggot's Feast. 1994

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. Moonriders. 1994

• Mary Catelli. Thief, Thief!. 1994

• Hannah Blair. Healing. 1994

• Cynthia McQuillin. Virgin Spring. 1994

• Judith K. Kobylecky. The Haven. 1994

• Tom Gallier. Savior. 1994

• Jessie D. Eaker. Bad Luck and Curses. 1994

• Karen Luk. The Mistress' Riddle. 1994

• Dave Smeds. Rusted Blade. 1994

• Larry Tritten. Images of Love. 1994

• Diann S. Partridge. A Fate Worse than Death. 1994

• Sandra C. Morrese. Power Play. 1994

• Sarah Evans. Fenwitch. 1994

• Vicki Kirchhoff. Green-Eyed Monster. 1994

• Denise Lopes Heald. Snowfire. 1994

• Stephanie D. Shaver. Ancient Warrior. 1994

• Lawrence Schimel. Barbarian Legacy. 1994

• Laura J. Underwood. Mist. 1994

• Tammi Labrecque. Songhealer. 1994

• Kathy Ann Trueman. The Sow's Ear. 1994

• Deborah Wheeler. Poisoned Dreams. 1994

• Cynthia L. Ward. Night-Beast. 1994

• Rochelle Marie. The Gift. 1994

• Kristine Sprunger. The Crystal Casket. 1994

• Mildred Perkins. Ringed In. 1994

Contents (possible spoilers)

• John P. Buentello. Demon in Glass. 1995

• Carolyn J. Bahr. Does the Shoe Fit You Now?. 1995

• Karen Luk. A Lynx and a Bastard. 1995

• Lisa S. Silverthorne. Dragonskin Boots. 1995

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. Truth. 1995

• Heather Rose Jones. Skins. 1995

• Lisa Deason. Though the World is Darkness. 1995

• Valerie Atkinson Gawthrop. Hemparius the Trader. 1995

• Tom Gallier. Chance. 1995

• Deborah Millitello. Touched by the Gods. 1995

• Stephanie D. Shaver. Promise to Angel. 1995

• Cynthia McQuillin. Shadow Harper. 1995

• Vera Nazarian. The Stone Face, the Giant, and the Paradox. 1995

• Laura J. Underwood. Wormwood. 1995

• Deborah Wheeler. Silverblade. 1995

• Mercedes Lackey, Elisabeth Waters. A Dragon in Distress. 1995

• Diana L. Paxson. Stone Spirit. 1995

• Jennifer Roberson. Garden of Glories. 1995

• Linda J. Dunn. Stealing the Power. 1995

• Patricia Duffy Novak. The Lost Path. 1995

• Patricia Sayre McCoy. Winter Roses. 1995

• Syne Mitchell. Amber. 1995

Another okay bunch of stories, featuring shapeshifters, and dream quests. None stick for long in my memory, but fine for whiling away a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Jo Clayton. Patience. 1996

A woman doggedly trails the killer of her family, waiting for his first mistake.

• Leslie Ann Miller. Sun Dancer. 1996

Desert Sundancer Althea is rescued from slavery by two strange Northerners, but can she learn to trust them?

• Charles M. Saplak. Spider's Offer. 1996

Princess Dahaev, fighting for her Kingdom, rejects an offer for help from an evil source. But then her opponent accepts it…

• Heather Rose Jones. More than One Way. 1996

A woman who can make new shapechanger skins must protect herself from being exploited by a village desperately short of skins. (Sequel to "Skins", in SS-XII)

• Cynthia McQuillin. Daelith's Bargain. 1996

Daelith defeats the evil hag Mad Maedie by tricking her out of her powers.

• Deborah Wheeler. The Spirit Arrow. 1996

An Azkhantian warrior must use the Spirit Arrow to release her cursed daughter.

• John P. Buentello. The Choosing. 1996

Laira is a skillful student of both the warrior and the mage schools, but now the time has come for her to choose between these two callings.

• Marella Sands. Tortoise Weeps. 1996

Frog Spring, queen of Tikal, must intercede with the gods to save her people from their wrath, caused by her foreigner- husband's sacrilege.

• Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury. What the Gods Will. 1996

Moratiri must fight a dangerous battle against a deadly snake to save her new husband from her evil brother

• Syne Mitchell. Double Blind. 1996

A warrior asks for invisibility from a demon, who tricks her, leaving her invisible, but blind. How can she now win her battle?

• P. Andrew Miller. Patchwork Magic. 1996

Her aunt's gift of a magic quilt helps Marya throughout her life.

• Diana L. Paxson. Twilight. 1996

Norse seer Bera must solve a murder to stop a war.

• Lynn Michals. Personal Need. 1996

A mage discovers the last personal need, which she must discard before coming into her full powers.

• Andrea J. Horlick. Catriona's Daughters. 1996

A healer is tricked into Castle Remor, where she discovers something horrifying about her past.

• Laura J. Underwood. The Whisht Hound's Bone. 1996

Brighid searches for a way to defeat a tyrant.

• Joette M. Rozanski. The Werewolf's Final Lesson. 1996

Fahren is ignored when she advises against using the help of a werewolf.

• Dorothy J. Heydt. The Curse of Tanit. 1996

Cynthia delivers a baby, and breaks a curse, but at great personal cost.

• Quinn Weller. Dual. 1996

Zhi finally catches her traitorous quarry in the snow, but will she be able to bring her to justice?

• Kathryne Kennedy. Spirit Quest. 1996

Kallaka is besotted with Alloc, and in her attempt to win him, she could lose her Kindred Spirit.

• Lawrence Schimel. Crow Feathers. 1996

Ysabelle is miserable in her current life: can the crows help her escape?

• Stephanie D. Shaver. Jewel-Bright. 1996

The villagers need a hero to save them from the dragon Bringer of Winter.

• Jean Marie Egger. The Comforter. 1996

Gianna unexpectedly comes into her powers late in life, triggered by the death of her beloved Rufina.

Another okay bunch of stories, featuring shapeshifters, puzzle rings, and getting just what you ask for. . Some very short ones break up the usual pattern quite nicely.

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Laura J. Underwood. The Bargain. 1997

The mage Ginny must save her old teacher Manus from a bad bargain he made with the Black Hunter, with the help of her moon terrier, Thistle

• Lee Martindale. The Impression of Power. 1997

A young woman applies for the position of King's Enchanter, but needs to change her tactics when she learns that appearances may be all that is important.

• Adrienne Martine-Barnes. The Naming of Names. 1997

Lady Blackthorne bitterly resents the power evident in her newborn child, and so refuses to Name her.

• Diana L. Paxson. Changelings. 1997

Norse seer Bera must convince the folk of a steading that newborn twins are not changelings.

• Raul S. Reyes. Death-Hunt. 1997

When one of MaCallan Arish's party is murdered during a hunt, she must find the culprit before the trail goes cold.

• Deborah Wheeler. A Single Soul. 1997

Twins Seylana and Meriadess share a single soul. So when Meriadess is killed, Seylana must quest far to find her other half.

• Jessie D. Eaker. The Needle and the Sword. 1997

Ora made a dreadful choice in the past, and is now condemned to sew the choices of others into the Robe of Life. But bad choices in the past don't stop new choices being made.

• Judith Fielder Leggatt. Small Considerations. 1997

Mara's young daughter insists on following her everywhere, solemnly copying everything she does, as she wards the village against bandits.

• P. E. Cunningham. If You Can't Stand the Heat.... 1997

Royal Cook Mellia has a battle on her hands when the King brings a foreign chef with him back from the wars.

• Syne Mitchell. Silver Bands. 1997

Quiocel, Priestess of the Clever Goddess, mends adulterous wives' puzzle rings, until she is caught by the Sultan. Then she needs all her wits to survive.

• Anne Cutrell. The Hand of a Lady. 1997

Lord Briar offers the hand of his only daughter as prize to the winner of the Tournament. So his daughter must make sure the right person wins.

• K. D. Barnes. To Have and To Hold. 1997

Newly-wed Karis is forced to overnight alone in a traveler's hut, and must defeat a strange attacker.

• Kathrina Bood. A Knight on Tower Hill. 1997

The Knight Kellin meets Moija, who is searching for the lost treasure of Tell'Sakera, a book that contains the truth.

• Lisa S. Silverthorne. The Longest Night. 1997

Darina gives Lord Cedric the power of the Circle. That's what he wanted, wasn't it?

• Cynthia L. Ward. Blood Moon. 1997

The witch Winter, exiled from the village, sees it destroyed by bandits. She must decide whether to rescue the prisoners, including her friend Raven, who cast her out years ago.

• Heather Rose Jones. By the Skin of Her Teeth. 1997

A shapechanger is an unwilling rescuer of a woman fleeing her murderous husband. The woman may be risking the entire village unless the husband can be convinced she's dead. [Sequel to "More than One Way", in SS XIII]

• Christina Krueger. Friends in High Places. 1997

Novice Rayal knows better than acolyte Sim how to get a feather from an avir.

• Elisabeth Waters. The Blade of Unmaking. 1997

Alyssa is despised and resented by her parents, and has very little sense of self worth. Then she is chosen as Guardian of the Blade of Unmaking.

• Cynthia McQuillin. The Stone-Weaver's Tale. 1997

Stone-weaver Shallisa has always desired Master Maldor's lapis cat. Finally, she scrapes together enough money to buy it. That night she dreams of her missing father.

• Mary Soon Lee. The Hollow Dancer. 1997

Hellia Dances with the enemy, to determine the course of the battle.

• Lisa Deason. La Faie Suiateih. 1997

Guardswoman Enya must rescue the prince from La Faie Suiateih, to regain her honour.

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Vengeance. 1997

In Alexandria Cynthia avenges herself on Isis for the death of her husband Komi.

• Patricia Duffy Novak. The Moongate Troll. 1997

Shale and Karl are the latest in a long line of adventurers trying to rescue an abducted Princess from the Sorceress. But first they have to get past the unexpected Troll.

• Mary Catelli. Lifestone. 1997

Pearl risks her life to show the Knights what the wizard is doing to her town.

• Christopher Kempke. White Elephants. 1997

Why does Lia gives the evil Warlord his desire: a spell that for one day will instantly grant everything he thinks of?

• Kathi Thompson. Traveler's Aide. 1997

Maybe one day a Traveler will ask the right question before leaving.

Yet another okay bunch of stories for whiling away a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Contents (possible spoilers)

• John P. Buentello. With a Warrior's Soul. 1998

Jeyla the thief has stolen rather more than a simple jewel.

• Deborah Burros. Perseverance. 1998

Vhanessa, queen of the sea-dragons, will defeat the Gray Sorcerer, no matter how long it takes.

• Mary Catelli. Where there is Smoke. 1998

Why had the Nameless Necromancer kept simple book on alchemy locked up securely?

• Andrea Chodan. Unbinding Spell. 1998

Kril's magic is of unbinding: no knot or tangle survives in her presence

• Susan Hanniford Crowley. Cecropia. 1998

Fiona the Druidess' last battle in Ireland

• Jessie D. Eaker. To Live Forever. 1998

All Tymin has to do to gain immortality is sacrifice her adopted daughter. But she has been abducted.

• Sarah Lyons. Queen's Anvil. 1998

Nita has to undergo a savage ordeal to become queen

• Dorothy J. Heydt. The Sick Rose. 1998

Cynthia escapes Alexandria, and investigates a cursed garment.

• Heather Rose Jones. Skin-Deep. 1998

Eysla returns home, but her brother is horrified at her shape changing skills.

• Cath McBride. One Last Dragon, One Last Time. 1998

Princess Glydia is getting too old to be rescued from dragons

• Devon Monk. Under Her Wing. 1998

Thaelin wishes there was a better way than fighting the dragons.

• Vera Nazarian. Shimmering Scythe. 1998

Death has her scythe stolen

• Diana L. Paxson. Spring Snow. 1998

Groa can't, or won't, initiate her apprentice Bera as Voelva

• Lynn Morgan Rosser. Oaths. 1998

Being forced to tell the truth isn't as bad as it seems

• Carol Tompkins. Something Precious. 1998

To rescue her brother, Tikon must lift the curse of infertility from the Loaen

• Peter Trachtenberg. All These Days. 1998

A Master Mason has a very special sword that she has yet to use

• Laura J. Underwood. His Heart of Stone. 1998

Kira must brave the unseelie den of the gille seth to retrieve her brother's stolen heart

• Cynthia L. Ward. A Matter of Names. 1998

Someone is trying to kill Guardswoman Rishara, someone who thinks she is Captain Aedra

• Elisabeth Waters, Raul S. Reyes. The Dragon's Hoarde. 1998

Sigrun is hired by Princess Rowena and her dragon to guard them from King Eric

• Deborah Wheeler. The Phoenix Blade. 1998

Linned inherits the Phoenix Blade from her grandfather, but forgets it must be used Only In Just Cause

• Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury. The Smell of Magic. 1998

Iana discovers she can smell magic when she finds an injured Wizard.

• Paul Edwin Zimmer. Seal-Woman's Power. 1998

Airellen must enlist mortal help to defeat the evil sea-worms

More of the same.

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Fujiko. The Kappa's Gift. 1999

Aki meets a creature of legend, and reacts in panic. But later, she realises the creature did not, after all, attack her.

• Charlotte Carlson. The Changeless Room. 1999

Sihir is surprised to discover the Changeless Room in her cellar, but sensibly ignores it, until a wizard arrives to break the spell.

• Mary Catelli. Isabelle and the Siren. 1999

Isabelle is suffering from melancholy -- then hears the Siren call.

• Sonya Fedotowsky. Dragon's Tear. 1999

The troop must bring back a Dragon's Tear to save their land -- but every previous party has disappeared.

• Patricia B. Cirone. A Sister's Blood. 1999

Sisters Tess and Sasha have been captured, but must escape to warn Lord Briedan of the trap.

• Lisa Deason. Changed. 1999

Celestra is desperate to change back into a unicorn, but meets treachery.

• Dayle A. Dermatis. The Power to Change the Shape of the Land. 1999

The sorceress cannot harm the tyrant king, not directly…

• Linda J. Dunn. The Frog Prince. 1999

So why did the prince become a frog, and what does the princess think abut kissing all those toads?

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Honey From the Rock. 1999

Cynthia gets to treat a very important patient, with the price of failure being high.

• Christina Krueger. The Will of the Wind. 1999

Sallik has been called by the Wind, but his family insist he become a shaman to their people.

• Carol E. Leever. Moonlight on the Water. 1999

Neko is learning the kata, but needs to learn not to think so much. Judging a samurai contest might bring unexpected help.

• Kathleen M. Massie-Ferch. Nine Springs. 1999

Lyra is desperate to heal her wounded friend Rheta, so sets off to find one of the nine sacred springs.

• Terry McGarry. Mistweaver. 1999

The mistweaver had served long and well, but now she is old and tired.

• Cynthia McQuillin. Waking the Stone Maiden. 1999

Arrek must go to the old Stone Maiden, despite the prohibition of the conquering Harvashti

• Vera Nazarian. City of No-Sleep. 1999

When the king sleeps, chaos rules the world. So why not kill the king?

• Diana L. Paxson. Daughter of the Bear. 1999

Bera the Voelva must gain the respect of the people by herself.

• Lisa S. Silverthorne. The Wishing Stones. 1999

Shoshona has been prisoner for five years, her magic slowly being drained from her. But she freely pours some of her magic into the three wishing stones.

• Selina Rosen. A Fool's Game. 1999

Only a fool would follow the warrior's path.

• Lawrence Schimel. The Anvil of Her Pride. 1999

Teresa agrees to make a sword for the legendary Connor, for a price.

• Laura J. Underwood. The Dancing Men of Ballyben. 1999

Ginny must save a young man from the curse of the Dancing Men, and herself from the bandits.

• Elisabeth Waters, Michael Spence. Salt and Sorcery. 1999

Melisande is desperate for her husband Stephen to pass his Senior Ordeal, so that they can move out of their cramped married student accommodation.

• Lawrence Watt-Evans. Weaving Spells. 1999

Kirinna goes after her fiance Dogal, who never returned from his trip to sell the sky stone to the wizard Alladia.

• Deborah Wheeler. Enaree, an Azkhantian Tale. 1999

Ythrae and Tenoshinakh go on a pre-nuptial raiding party.

• Gail Sosinsky Wickman. The Day They Ran Out of Princesses. 1999

Made Princess by Decree, just to feed the monster.

• Susan Wolven. Taking Flight. 1999

Not all name day presents need to be delivered personally.

• Katherine L. Rogers. The Vision That Appeared. 1999

Claudia is irritated that her family thinks magic is overrated, and is determined to try "A Spell to See" for herself.

More of the same, but of a bit higher quality than usual: a few of the stories did stand out from the crowd.

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Dave Coleman-Reese. Memories of the Sea. 2000

Talgra dives for the pearls that let her tell the stories of those who died at sea.

• Mary Catelli. Free Passage. 2000

Chloe must persuade the Amazons to let her ship have free passage, but a faction is hostile to her pleas

• Lisa Campos. The Conjuror's Light. 2000

The Royal Conjuror is commanded to conjure the mythical Warblade for the king's feeble son to weild, with the help of the king's daughter.

• T. Borregaard. My Sister's Song. 2000

A warrior has to use the natural resources of her land to defeat the overwhelming Roman invaders

• Bunnie Bessell. The Summons. 2000

Blaze the Sword has been bodyguard to the prince for three years. Now she gets new orders from her Temple.

• Patricia Duffy Novak. Luz. 2000

Luz is branded and outcast when the Goddess gives her no sign of her favour. She cannot understand why others seemingly less worthy than her are favoured

• Vera Nazarian. Caelqua's Spring. 2000

Caelqua emerges from the spring to see her brother one last time.

• Cynthia McQuillin. Deep as Rivers. 2000

A troll discovers an injured elf, and needs human help to save him.

• Charles Laing. Weapons at War. 2000

Her sword is upset at having to fight for a woman. But the arrows are quite happy.

• Lee Martindale. Hell Hath No Fury. . .. 2000

A half-demon has no love for the bards, not after what one wrote about her.

• Dorothy J. Heydt. An Exchange of Favors. 2000

Hermes asks Cynthia to do him a favour in Mytilene

• Kim Fryer. Price of the Sword. 2000

The warrior Tamath needs Nadia to unspell her sword, which is forcing her to keep killing, even though the war is over.

• Elizabeth Gilligan. Demon Calling. 2000

Valeska needs to learn who she is, so Zorya deserts her near a strange cottage

• Deborah Wheeler. Nor Iron Bars a Cage. 2000

Alaina's father doesn't appreciate her, even though she unbalances the scales to save his taxes. Then she is finally caught, and ends up in prison, waiting to be hanged.

• Carrie Vaughn. The Haunting of Princess Elizabeth. 2000

Princess Elizabeth Tudor is kept company by the spirit of her mother while waiting for the throne

• Laura J. Underwood. Shadow Soul. 2000

Ginny Ni Cooley and her terrier must battle a demon to restore the stolen soul of a young woman.

• Dave Smeds. Memories Traced in Snow. 2000

Scholar Radience and her near-brother Axil are horrified when they discover the memories of the villagers are being tampered with. But then they discover why…

• Jenn Reese. Valkyrie. 2000

Audun is determined the Valkyrie won't take her son to Valhalla just yet.

• Lisa S. Silverthorne. Soul Dance. 2000

Drisani the slave is the only one who can save the tribe after the soul dancer dies

• Diana L. Paxson. Lady of Flame. 2000

Bera's magic doesn't work when the Irish thrall Achtlan is around, which may be disasterous for the whole farmstead

• Cynthia L. Ward. The Tears of the Moon. 2000

Tamra ignores her visions of the village being raided, because of her love for Khylom

More of the same. Some are a little disappointing -- it feels as if the some of the battles (and some were rather trivial tussles) are being won by "feminine wiles" rather than cleverness or courage or whatever.

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Diana L. Paxson. A Passage of Power. 2001

Bera has to overcome the death of her teacher

• Kati Doughery-Carthum. Lessons Learned. 2001

Queen Dylas really does need her friend Caytin's lessons in self-defence

• Jan Combs. Kendat's Axe. 2001

A juggler and a bard take on an ogre with their skills

• Howard Holman. The Tower of Song. 2001

There has been no Royal Bard for centuries. How can Erin succeed when much better bards have all failed the challenge.

• Denise Lopes Heald. The Needed Stone. 2001

A thief must finally discover how to use the magic stones she steals, to save a stranger's sister.

• Lisa S. Silverthorne. Armageddon. 2001

Armageddon has arrived, but what precisely does it look like?

• Dave Smeds. The Land of Graves. 2001

Tecia must beat a long-dead ghost that threatens her village.

• Susan Urbanek Linville. Light. 2001

Nekhti tries to restore her dead sister

• Dorothy J. Heydt. In the Sacred Places of the Earth. 2001

Cynthia travels to the Underworld

• Richard Corwin. The Glass Sword. 2001

Kali becomes mortal for a cycle

• Elisabeth Waters. Bed of Roses. 2001

Rosa of the must rescue her little brother from an evil wizard, with the help of her sisters of the Order of the Holy City, Judith and Fatima

• Lucy Cohen Schmeidler. Sword of Peace. 2001

A novice warrior makes a deal with her reluctant sword

• Mary Soon Lee. The Fall of the Kingdom. 2001

The King, his White Lady, her Nursemade, and the Foreign Knight

• Lawrence Watt-Evans. Arms and the Woman. 2001

Siria accompanies a troop on its way to dispatch the Undead Lord again

• Michael Chesley Johnson. The Stone Wives. 2001

The King demands the captive Princess bear him an heir, or he will turn her into a stone statue, like the previous 31 wives

• India Edghill. Tiger's Eye. 2001

A captive sorceress and a tiger lead foreign soldiers to their aid

• Pauline J. Alama. Raven-Wings on the Snow. 2001

A princess must undergo great trial to save her 12 enchanted brothers

• Rosemary Edghill. Little Rogue Riding Hood. 2001

Gloria McArdle, star of Vixen the Slayer, is approached by three tiny beings who need her help. [Xena meets Galaxy Quest, with a twist]

• Gerald Perkins. The Queen in Yellow. 2001

Zareetha thinks she has beaten Katané by destroying all her magic. But the old yellow dress is not her magic...

• Peter D. Manison. Magic Threads. 2001

A Weaver of magic garments is horrified to discover an old lover is misusing her cloak

More of the same. Some raise a smile, but none really stick in the memory.

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Laura J. Underwood. The Curse of Ardal Glen. 2002

Etney must solve the riddle of the two-souled smith and the soulless bard to lift the curse on her village.

• Barbara E. Tarbox. When the King is Weak. 2002

Dohanna must keep The Ten from finding the last part of the Book, but all her fellow guards are already dead.

• Diana L. Paxson. The Sign of the Boar. 2002

Bera arrives in England, and must fight a plague attacking both men and pigs.

• Penny Buchanan. A Matter of Focus. 2002

Siobhan can perform magic only while drunk, which makes her a dangerous problem.

• Susan Wolven. Inner Sight. 2002

Endra's war-damaged sight stops her fighting evil, or so she thinks.

• Michael H. Payne. Familiars. 2002

The human apprentice and his squirrel familiar have problems when they accidentally summon an ifrit.

• Robyn McGrew. Ordeal. 2002

Jena's lost memory, and the stranger Tor, hold the key to her curse.

• Esther M. Friesner. Grain. 2002

Kithi, apprenticed to a beermaker, finds herself helping a half-goddess avoid the attentions of the Lord of War

• Carol E. Leever. Gifts of the Kami. 2002

Neko learns an important lesson from the Kami about the value of honour and wit over possessions.

• Aimee Kratts. One in Ten Thousand. 2002

Mery-Sekhmet searches for the one in ten thousand who can help make the magic papyrus scrolls

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Lord of the Earth. 2002

Cynthia goes to Corinth, stops an earthquake, and meets an old aquaintance

• Jennifer Ashley. Lady of Light. 2002

Mirinda finally has the chance of freedom from her hated teacher.

• P. Andrew Miller. All Too Familiar. 2002

Mages are dying, and their familiars are congregating at Dora's.

• Deborah Burros. Artistic License. 2002

An artist carefully takes her guild's revenge on a cruel Duke

• Bob Dennis. Earth, Wind and Water. 2002

An Earth witch has to brave the sea, then battle the wind, to gain her powers.

• Stephen Crane Davidson. Fire for the Senjen Tiger. 2002

Princess Li feels she has mastered enough majic to move to the next level, but her superiors dismiss her claim.

• Karen Magon. Fighting Spirit. 2002

Than is desperate to save her father, so asks for an animal spirit for her sword -- and gets a rabbit.

• Michael Spence. Pride, Prejudice and Paranoia. 2002

Stephen unexpectedly fails his Senior Ordeal, but his wife Melisande isn't ready to live with his books for another eight months.

• Marilyn A. Racette. A Simple Spell. 2002

The customer got what she asked for, but the sorceress got what shewanted.

• Bunnie Bessell. Sword of Queens. 2002

The sword needs to choose the next queen, but neither candidate is ideal.

• Emily C. A. Snyder. Better Seen than Heard. 2002

Melliandra has done her homework, and overcomes the magic of being struck dumb.

• Meg Heydt. Openings. 2002

The little thief doesn't realise how good she is at opening locks.

• P. E. Cunningham. A Little Magic. 2002

Who needs to control the weather, when they can control the insects?

• Lorie Calkins. Eloma's Second Career. 2002

The oldest apprentice teaches the master a valuable lesson.

• A. Hall. Sylvia. 2002

Be careful giving a poet a love potion.

The theme of this volume is "finding your true self or true path" -- and often that seems to be not being a swordswoman. Again, a fairly slight collection with only one or two that stand out in the memory.

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Deborah J. Ross. Bread and Arrows

The widow Celine struggles to keep up her Bakery, until the dashing Ian Archer appears.

• Linda J. Dunn. Mermaid Offerings

The cook is asked to prepare fresh mermaid for the king's feast -- but then the mermaid's mother appears begging for her release.

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Blood Will Tell

Cynthia helps the Romans in a sea batttle against the Punic fleet.

• Mara Grey. Mairi's Wine

Ras, a fosterling of the Fairy Folk, helps a town discover and avenge the murder of a young woman.

• Kathryn J. Brown. The Mask of Medusa's Daughter

Calli, daughter of Medusa, forced to wear a mask or turn everyone to stone, learns something about beauty.

• Patricia Duffy Novak. The Sorcerer of Rasston

White witch Lauren is dismayed to discover the traitorous Garrin Windson has been sent to help her find a killer.

• Lisa Deason. Legacy

Serenity's sword Legacy is playing up, and may be enchanted.

• Patricia Sayre McCoy. The Last Swan Princess

What if you like being a swan?

• Anne Cutrell. Swordtongue

Not all fighting is done with a sword.

• Cynthia McQuillin. Leaves of Iron

Foundling Tally must rescue her village from the trolls.

• Richard Calantropio. The Challenge

Safiyah's mother is tricked into a challenge by her second in command.

• Winifred Phillips. Celtic Beauty

A proud Celtic king brings down doom on his land.

• Margaret L. Carter. Late Blooming

Miri's magic has always been weak and erratic, and only works on plants.

• Charles M. Saplak. Swords for Teeth, Mirrors for Eyes

Three warriors attempt to find a dragon's tooth, to see who should be the next monarch.

• Mary Soon Lee. Shen's Daughter

It is fortunate that Shen's daughter has an aptitude for Go.

• Phyllis Ann Karr. The Robber Girl, the Strangers, and the Ole Lukoie

How Frostflower and Thorn eventually got home.

• George Barr. Too in the Morning

Some magic can be just too effective.

• Diana L. Paxson. The Song of the Stones

Bera has a run-in with Scots raiders.

Contents (possible spoilers)

• Dorothy J. Heydt. Moonrise. 1988

A Senator has personal reasons for supporting a Mars landing: he knows what happened to his teenage self with the first Moon landing. [Watch out for the gigantic spoiler in the Introduction.]

• Jennifer Roberson. Final Exam. 1988

A virgin princess finds herself kidnapped for dragon bait in a nervous wizard's exam. Can she talk herself out of the problem?

• L. A. Taylor. Counterexample. 1989

A mutant hermaphrodite human needs to explain their similar condition to her daughters, but they are too wrapped up in Star Trek fantasies to hear her.

• Mary C. Aldridge. The Adinkra Cloth. 1989

A dying mother protects her sons from their evil Uncle the only way she can.

• Patricia B. Cirone. To Father a Sohn. 1989

Silivera fathered Dafire, but under the Code has no legal rights to jher, not being contracted with the mother Ricel. What to do after the earthquake?

• Susan Urbanek Linville. Born in the Seventh Year. 1989

A Changeling story

• Peter L. Manly. Dragon Three Two Niner. 1989

Princess Irulana needs to get a counterspell removed from her older sister's dress, but her sister is suspicious of her motives.

• Lynne Armstrong-Jones. The Case of Kestra. 1989

Kestra, wheel-chair bound after an accident, longs to be free.

• Lawrence Watt-Evans. The Palace of al-Tir al-Abtan. 1989

A thief is sent by the Beggar King into a wicked wizard's palace to kill him.

• Mercedes Lackey. Nightside. 1989

Urban witch Diana Tregard and her vampire lover Andre must stop a soul-killer.

• Jacqueline Lichtenberg. Aventura. 1989

Tira Nau, bakery witch, inherits an enchanted sword that refuses to leave her side.

• Jo Clayton. Change. 1990

The Ouloud wakes to find her lake polluted; the slave Tassin must tell her it is not the fault of the conquered Huanin.

• Phyllis Ann Karr. The Truth About the Lady of the Lake. 1990

Frostflower and Thorn have to dispose of a large sword.

• Diana L. Paxson. The Dancer of Chimaera. 1990

The Space Force personnel have little to do in their free time but watch the dancer Mariposa, while they wait for the defences against the Shifters to be completed.

• Elisabeth Waters. The Lesser Twin. 1990

Karina is the beautiful sorceress, but her twin Kiara learns a lot from spending time as a Salamander.

• Kit Wesler. The Bane of the Red Queen. 1990

Never try to outwit a prophesy.

• Deborah Millitello. The Reluctant Vampire. 1990

Sharon realises her boyfriend has tried to make her into a vampire.

• Tanya Huff. Be It Ever So Humble. 1991

Magdalene, the most powerful wizard in the world, just wants to find a village where she can live peacefully.