Swords and Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume Five
Edited by David A. Riley
Parallel Universe Publications
November 2022

This year winds down with another remarkable collection. Riley opens the anthology with an introduction that has me adding numerous titles to my already unwieldy TBR pile. Many of the authors have appeared in previous installments of this series, but a handful are new. Take a gander at this stellar line up.

The Rotted Land by Charles Gramlich
A marvelous traditionally themed S&S tale. Reading Gramlich is always a treat.

Skulls for Silver by Harry Elliott
I don't recall encountering Elliott's work before. The interesting setting combined with the story's ending makes me eager to see the next installment.

For the Light by Gustavo Bondoni
I have only recently become acquainted with Mr. Bondoni, so I do not know much about his fiction. Because of his high-stakes historical fiction tale I will certainly be seeking more from this author.

People of the Lake by Lorenzo D. Lopez
A damsel in distress, a skeleton army, and an outcast sorcerer seeking a bride. Certainly, the trapping of a fine traditional S&S story!

Free Diving for Leviathan Eggs by Tais Teng
This story put me in the mind of a classic fable or fairy tale. Do not let that dissuade you in any way. This author knows his business. The old-world magic reminds me of Jack Vance's work without the dreary end of the world setting.

The Black Well by Darin Hlavaz
Certainly, one of my favorites. A traditional dungeon crawl replete with ancient ruins of alien origin, and an implacable stone golem guardian.

Degg and the Undead by Susan Murrie Macdonald
The opportunistic Degg acquires a sword from a cave incurring the wrath of a necromancer. The necromancer's implacable henchmen dog Degg's step to land’s-end and beyond.

The Mistress of the Marsh by David Dubow
Roman soldiers sent to occupy and keep the peace in a new territory are suddenly stricken with illness. The Thucers, a reclusive clan of people who live in the neighboring swamp, may be the culprits.

Silver and Gold by Earl W. Parrish
A holy knight intervenes, saving a woman from being burned at the stake. Assumptions are made, stereotypes are broken, and barriers are lowered.

Bridge of Sorrows by Dev Agarwal
Return of the Stone Snake! Simeon is a consummate professional, fighting and killing with skill and grace. In hostile territory two factions seek to end the Stone Snake once and for all. Help arrives from an unexpected quarter.

Prisoners of the Devil Dog City by Adrian Cole
A story set within the world of Elak of Atlantis. Artugol and Volnus are on a mission for the Druid Dalan seeking an alliance with the Pirate Lord Kesrak. A story of nautical derring-do, gods from another dimension, and time travel.

Eleven stories. Several I enjoyed more than others, but there wasn't a clinker in the bunch. David Riley stated earlier in the week that he plans to release two more installments in this ongoing series. Keep your eyes open for the submissions window to open in the next few months.