Edited by G. W. Thomas

Review by Bruce Durham

Magistria: Realm of the Sorcerer, edited by G.W.Thomas, is a collection of stories cut from the same cloth as the old Thieves' World books by Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey. Based on a shared-world concept, Thomas presents a series of short stories from 14 authors. Additional books are planned, possibly utilizing the heroes and villains introduced in this anthology.

The world of Magistria is created by the transformation of a goddess, an event detailed in a short Preamble by Thomas. This sets the stage for the authors to use their imagination, creating and expanding on the basic elements that make up the shared world. The magic system is based on such fixtures as air, water, fire and metal.

The stories vary in quality and style, as is to be expected. And as suggested by the title, they lean heavily on magic. While I applaud the effort of Mr. Thomas to bring this project together, I feel more attention should have been spent editing certain stories and correcting some typos that slipped into the final product. Certainly Mr. Thomas should be praised for enlisting Mats Minhagen, who created wonderful illustrations to support the text. While I have some reservations, my overall reaction is positive. There's some good sword and sorcery in these pages.

What follows is a brief synopsis of (and short comments about) each story.

Bring Me Three Severed Heads – by Lawrence Barker

Four students, each deemed most worthy to one day succeed Master Devlok, must first undergo a test that will see only one survive. The story is imaginative and features some intense imagery. Though it starts slowly, the action builds to an ending with a nice twist. Though I feel the prose could have benefited from one more edit, it serves well as a good introduction.

Heartwood Oakenlife by Andrew C. Ferguson

Dapple is transformed into an oak tree to escape the soldiers charged with killing all the Wood Wights, Canny Men, and Whisperers of Caskieberran and the surrounding areas. The story, while interesting, suffered from a shifting point of view between Dapple and the town Provost, John de Groot. And without giving away the ending, one wonders if some form of subsequent investigation and retribution wouldn’t be due from the city.

The Soul of the Ice by Jack Hillman

An avalanche causes destruction in the valley. Yet in the aftermath, the surviving villagers discover a baby floating down a river in a basket. Is it a good omen, or bad? The story, rich with potential, comes across as uneven. The young boy, Aglu, speaks in a manner well beyond his age, which I found detracted from his innocence.

The Glass Elephant’s Prison by Ben Peek

Two mysterious men, one a prisoner, the other a killer, head toward an inevitable confrontation. And who is the mute, illiterate girl? The story begins slowly, but is well written and descriptive, though it suffers from several of the aforementioned typos. The mysterious nature of the two main characters is engrossing, leading the reader to a fine climax. A solid read.

Swords in the Waves: A Tale of Dog Company by Christopher Sloan

Scholar and the men of Dog Company set out to slay a force of Water Mages. But have they taken on a contract too large for even their renown? Told in the first person, the narration is rough and edgy, but perfectly suited to the story. The characters are varied and well presented, and it’s not hard to be drawn into this enthralling tale. Reminiscent of the Black Company series.

The Chronicles of Helmar and Jukka: The Loremaster’s Warning by Robert Bee

Scorned for their slovenly appearance, Helmar and Jukka are much more than they seem. And when they rescue the Loremaster, they learn a disturbing truth. The writing and plotting is a bit uneven in this otherwise entertaining tale. There’s a major twist, though it’s not hard to figure out. Still, the events leading to the climax make for a fun read.

Seedlings by Joy V. Smith

Two children cross the desert from the west, fearful and hungry. Juul is determined to discover why. I wish I could have liked this story, but the narrative was confusing, and the entire tale felt like it was written "on the fly." The demise of the antagonist was original, though.

The Metal Mages by Robert Burke Richardson

Onark can’t understand why the girl is reluctant to become an Automaton, thereby achieving immortality. And then young Luje attempts to save her. This science-as-magic tale is well written and intriguing. A nice, smooth read with a disturbing finish.

Mage Fire by G.W.Thomas

The dead are coming, and all that stands against them are Vasilus and his acolytes--including young Gemed. This story starts strong and is full of potential. Ultimately I found it a little uneven, although I enjoyed the relentless action.

In This Sleep of Death by Robert J. Santa

The old man just wanted a meal, and to be left in peace. But it wasn’t going to happen. What begins as a simple story quickly twists into something complex and exciting. This is an extremely well-written and compelling tale. One of the best.

Beneath the Black Ice by Joshua Reynolds

He was Nakai Bear-Killer, master of his domain. But then the Iron Mages invaded, searching for something best left undisturbed. Black Ice is a solid tale, well written and very descriptive. Does it have a fault? It’s too short--I didn't want it to end. Another gem.

The Singer and the Song by Jack Mackenzie

Foundman Singer sings for the beautiful Serai, but she belongs to another. His gift can bring happiness... and death. The Singer and the Song was a pleasant surprise, nicely written with good character development. The story builds strongly, but is ultimately resolved in a way that left me feeling cheated. Still recommended.

The Princess Beneath the Sand by K.A.Patterson

Could Afrani brave the horrors of the desert to save her people and family? I was immediately caught up by this entertaining story because of its tense action in the opening act. However, I found the second half a bit long and anti-climatic. Nevertheless, it’s a strong, well written piece, and worth the read.

Storm Warning by Lillian Csernica

Shai-Lysse was a Water Mage, Guardian of the Gateway Islands. When the pirates attacked, led by a Master of Air, it was time to determine who was stronger. "Storm Warning" was a surprisingly light-hearted read, with a generous sprinkling of humor. There’s a twist ending, though it’s hardly surprising. A good story to complete the anthology.