A Sorcerer of Atlantis with A Prince in the Kingdom of Ghosts by John Shirley
Hippocampus Press
Cover art and design by Daniel V. Sauer

This year has been a great year for Sword & Sorcery. Quite a few publishers have released new books catering to the S&S crowd. Pulp Hero Press published Sometime Lofty Towers by David C. Smith in January. Parallel Universe has released two volumes of their ongoing anthology series Swords and Sorceries: Volume Two in June and Volume Three in November. Savage Realms is a new periodical being published semi-monthly.  And now Hippocampus Press brings us a new book by John Shirley called A Sorcerer of Atlantis.

John Shirley is an author of many genres. He has published novels, short stories, TV scripts and screenplays. With 40 books and 8 short story collections published to date, Shirley has quite a big catalog to pick through.

A Sorcerer of Atlantis is told in three parts. Portions of the story were published originally as "Swords of Atlantis" in Weirdbook No. 42. The story opens with a young duo of adventurers. Brimm is serious and thoughtful and a former magician's apprentice while his childhood friend Snoori is always landing them both in trouble. With limited prospects at home both young men want to find their fortunes in distant Atlantis. Once they reach Atlantis it doesn't take long for the duo to rise like cream. Although, who could rest easy when there is always a plot in motion to destroy Atlantis?

Blending fact, fiction, and legend Shirley seamlessly incorporates action, adventure, humor, horror, and plenty of tentacles to make this a fun read. Perhaps Brimm and his companions will continue their adventures?

The final story, A Prince in the Kingdom of Ghosts, is a departure from A Sorcerer of Atlantis. A strange and compelling look at the afterlife. A young man dies mysteriously only to awaken in a fantastic world of ghosts in which he will play a crucial role. This would be an fun and interesting sandbox to play in with all the different souls and worlds to explore. In a very minor way it reminds me of Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld series.

A Sorcerer of Atlantis is yet another S&S book that I am happy to add to my collection. I will have to keep my eye out for more from John Shirley and Hippocampus Press. Be sure to visit John Shirley @ www.john-shirley.com and Hippocampus @ www.hippocampuspress.com. A Sorcerer of Atlantis is available now in print and digital editions.