Best of
Fantasy

1997

The Song of the Lioness Quartet


Tamora Pierce - 1997
    Pkg.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone


J.K. Rowling - 1997
    His parents are dead and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.

The Wheel of Time: Boxed Set #2


Robert Jordan - 1997
    The Shadow is rising to cover humankind.In Tar Valon, Min sees portents of hideous doom. Will the White Tower itself be broken?In the Two Rivers, the Whitecloaks ride in pursuit of a man with golden eyes, and in pursuit of the Dragon Reborn.In Cantorin, among the Sea Folk, High Lady Suroth plans the return of the Seanchan armies to the mainland.In the Stone of Tear, the Lord Dragon considers his next move. It will be something no one expects, not the Black Ajah, not Tairen nobles, not Aes Sedai, not Egwene or Elayne or Nynaeve.Against the Shadow rising stands the Dragon Reborn..... The Fires of Heaven In this sequel to the phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Shadow Rising, Robert Jordan again plunges us into his extraordinarily rich, totally unforgettable world:...Into the forbidden city of Rhuidean, where Rand al'Thor, now the Dragon Reborn, must conceal his present endeavor from all about him, even Egwene and Moiraine....Into the Amyrlin's study in the White Tower, where the Amyrlin, Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan, is weaving new plans....Into the luxurious hidden chamber where the Forsaken Rahvin is meeting with three of his fellows to ensure their ultimate victory over the Dragon....Into the Queen's court in Caemlyn, where Morgase is curiously in thrall to the handsome Lord Gaebril.For once the dragon walks the land, the fires of heaven fall where they will, until all men's lives are ablaze.And in Shayol Ghul, the Dark One stirs... Lord of Chaos In this sequel to the phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Fires of Heaven, we plunge again into Robert Jordan's extraordinarily rich, totally unforgettable world:On the slopes of Shayol Ghul, the Myrddraal swords are forged, and the sky is not the sky of this world;In Salidar the White Tower in exile prepares an embassy to Caemlyn, where Rand Al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, holds the throne--and where an unexpected visitor may change the world....In Emond's Field, Perrin Goldeneyes, Lord of the Two Rivers, feels the pull of ta'veren to ta'veren and prepares to march....Morgase of Caemlyn finds a most unexpected, and quite unwelcome, ally....And south lies Illian, where Sammael holds sway....

Men at Arms: The Play


Stephen Briggs - 1997
    Since the captain of the City Watch has left the force to become a gentleman, Discworld is in search of a few good cops. And being a cop in this unpredictable universe is no easy job, so the search goes on for a few good trolls, dwarves, and such.

Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess' Stardust #1


Neil Gaiman - 1997
    In the 1720s, a liaison occurs between a young mortal and a fairy girl, setting off a chain of events that will culminate in a grand love adventure.

The Return of the Black Company


Glen Cook - 1997
    . ."I am Murgen, Standardbearer of the Black Company, though I bear the shame of having lost that standard in battle. I am keeping these Annals because Croaker is dead, One-Eye won't, and hardly anyone else can read or write. I will be your guide for however long it takes the Shadowlanders to force our present predicament to its inevitable end. . ."The Return of the Black Company comprises the novels Bleak Seasons and She is the Darkness—the third omnibus volume of Glen Cook's fantasy epic Chronicles of the Black Company.

Elric: Stormbringer


P. Craig Russell - 1997
    Greatest of these heroes was a doom-driven adventurer who bore a runeblade that he loathed. His name was Elric of Melniboni, king of ruins, and lord of a scattered race that once ruled the world. Legendary artist P. Craig Russell adapts Michael Moorcock's climactic Elric novel -- the grand story of the final battle between Law and Chaos -- to the comics format. This is Russell's finest work yet, and the greatest Elric epic of them all, combining the best elements of horror, sword, and sorcery into one amazingly powerful story.

A Diversity of Dragons


Anne McCaffrey - 1997
    Soar on imagination's wings and see them all: from the ancient legends to the modern creations; from the firebreather that battled Beowulf to the delightful beasts of Jane Yolen and Terry Pratchett. Everything you ever wanted to know about the most fabulous creatures ever to inhabit our collective memory is here, and more, snorting fire and phosphine gas and ploughing the waters of primordial chaos. The Babylonians knew him, the Sumerians, the ancient Egyptians. He is found not only in the Bible but in China, in the Norse sagas and the lost myths of the Americas. Drawing on sources from myth, folklore, and novels, the authors offer a compendium on dragons--similarities and differences, the dragon of the hero quest, humorous dragons, cuddly dragons, and more. But Anne McCaffrey is a storyteller, not an encyclopedist; and dragons are wary of dry and dusty places, like lecture rooms and libraries. So this book begins (as must all good tales) with a mysterious visitor and ends (as do all true dragon encounters) with an adventure almost too wondrous for words to tell.

Crown Duel


Sherwood Smith - 1997
    That promise leads them into a war for which they are ill prepared, a war that threatens the homes and lives of the very people they are trying to protect. But war is simple compared to what follows, when the bloody fighting is done and a fragile peace is at hand. Although she wants to turn her back on politics and the crown, Meliara is summoned to the royal palace. There, she soon discovers, friends and enemies look alike, and intrigue fills the dance halls and the drawing rooms. If she is to survive, Meliara must learn a whole new way of fighting--with wit and words and secret alliances. In war, at least, she knew whom she could trust. Now she can trust no one. The Firebird edition of Crown Duel combines the hardcover editions of Crown Duel and Court Duel-and features a never-before-published story by Sherwood Smith!

The Forbidden Game


L.J. Smith - 1997
    There is something mysteriously alluring about Julian's pale eyes and bleached-blond hair. And when he places the Game into her hands, she knows their connection is something deeper.But as Jenny and her six friends begin to play the Game at Tom's birthday celebration, a night of friends and fun quickly turns into a night of terror and obsessive love. Because the Game isn't just a game - it's the seven friends' new reality, where Julian reigns as the Prince of the Shadows.One by one the friends must confront their phobias to win the Game. To lose the Game is to lose their lives. And that is only the beginning...

Tamora Pierce: Enter the Circle Sampler


Tamora Pierce - 1997
    With chapters from Sandry's Book, Magic Steps (Tamora Pierce), Song Quest, and Spellfall (Katherine Roberts).

Darkfall


Isobelle Carmody - 1997
    After the death of her parents and her beloved instructor, Wind, Glynn devotes herself to the care of her sick twin sister, feeling her own life to be unimportant. One night, during a midnight swim, she is swept across the Void to the troubled watery world of Keltor, through a portal created to summon the mythical Unraveller. What is the mysterious connection between Glynn's world and Keltor? And why does the man who rescued her from the waves bear an eerie resemblance to Wind? While it stands on its own as an absorbing, seductive and powerful novel, the sequels to Darkfall will be eagerly awaited.

My Soul to Keep


Tananarive Due - 1997
    Yet she still feels something about him is just out of reach. Soon, as people close to Jessica begin to meet violent, mysterious deaths, David makes an unimaginable confession: More than 400 years ago, he and other members of an Ethiopian sect traded their humanity so they would never die, a secret he must protect at any cost. Now, his immortal brethren have decided David must return and leave his family in Miami. Instead, David vows to invoke a forbidden ritual to keep Jessica and his daughter with him forever. Harrowing, engrossing and skillfully rendered, My Soul to Keep traps Jessica between the desperation of immortals who want to rob her of her life and a husband who wants to rob her of her soul. With deft plotting and an unforgettable climax, this tour de force reminiscent of early Anne Rice will win Due a new legion of fans.

Talion: Revenant


Michael A. Stackpole - 1997
    Their word is law and their judgement binding on highborn and low.Nolan is a Justice born in what once was the free nation of Sinjaria. Orphaned in the war of conquest with the nation of Hamis, he traveled to far Talianna and secured the right to become a Justice. Now, years later, the Master of all Talions has a dangerous assignment for Nolan: He is to guard the life of the king who destroyed Sinjaria and slaughtered his family. Alone, Nolan ventures into the political maelstrom that is the court of Hamis to stop an assassin even his Masters think cannot be slain. . . .

Stardust


Neil Gaiman - 1997
    Together with acclaimed artist Charles Vess, Gaiman returns to the realm of Faerie for a lavishly illustrated tale of an ancient world where magic and humanity mingle in extraordinary ways. Gaiman's exquisitely crafted text and Vess' breathtaking illustrations combine to create a novel with pictures, an adult fairy tale that plunges the reader into the very heart of an enchanting magical land. Tying in with the release of the film, this is your chance to own a piece of "Stardust"!

The Free Bards


Mercedes Lackey - 1997
    So she joined forces with T'fyrr, a strange nonhuman with the face of a raptor and the voice of an angelic choir.This unlikely set of heroes had the daunting task of saving the King—and through him the Gypsies, Free Bards, and non-humans of the twenty kingdoms. Fortunately, their opponents had no idea how potent a weapon music could be....

The Encyclopedia of Fantasy


John Clute - 1997
    Not only does it describe the genre authoritatively, but it redefines it, offering an exciting new analysis of this highly diverse and hugely popular sphere of art. With more than 4,000 entries and over one million words, this volume covers every aspect of fantasy-literature, film, television, opera, art, and comics. Written and compiled by a team of editors with unparalleled collective experience in the field, it is an invaluable reference for anyone interested in the art of the fantastic. This paperback edition includes thirty-two pages of update material obtained since the hardcover when to press.

Polgara the Sorceress


David Eddings - 1997
    The daughter of Belgarath and the shape-shifter Poledra, she has fought wars, plotted palace coups, and worked her powerful magic for three thousand years. Now, Polgara looks back at her magnificent life, in this fitting crown jewel to the saga that is the Eddings' Belgariad and Mallorean cycles. Her hair streaked white by her father's first touch, her mind guided by a mother she will not see again for centuries, Polgara begins life in her Uncle Beldin's tower, and in the prehistorical, magical Tree that stands in the middle of the Vale. There, she first learns the reaches of her powers. There she assumes the bird shapes that will serve her on her adventures. And there she starts on the path toward her destiny as Duchess of Erat, shepherdess of the cause of good, adversary of Torak the One-Eyed Dragon God, and guardian of the world's last, best hope: the heir to the Rivan throne.Here is the legendary life story of a woman of wit, passion, and complex emotions, a woman born of two majestic parents who could not have been more unlike one another. Ordained to make peace and make war, to gain love and lose love, Polgara lives out her family's rich prophecy in the ceaseless struggle between the Light and the Dark.Polgara is the epic culmination of a magnificent saga, and a fitting farewell to a world which, once experienced, will never be forgotten.

Deep Secret


Diana Wynne Jones - 1997
    Actually, Rupert is really only a junior Magid. But he's got a king-sized problem. Rupert's territory includes Earth and the Empire of Korfyros. When his mentor dies Rupert must find a replacement. But there are hundreds of candidates. How is he supposed to choose? And interviewing each one could take forever.Unless...What if he could round them all up in one place? Simple!

The Dreaming: Beyond the Shores of Night


Terry LaBan - 1997
    This collection features Cain and Abel, Lucien the Librarian, Eve, Matthew the Raven, gargoyles Goldie and Gregory, and other faces familiar in The Sandman, as well as some fascinating new characters. Told with a blend of seductive charm and sly humor, this book offers a glimpse of the range and diversity of The Dreaming series.

The Merro Tree


Katie Waitman - 1997
    His sublime, ethereal performances were unforgettable, drawing on the most treasured traditions of every culture, every people, throughout inhabited space. His crowning achievement, and his obsession: the Somalite song dance, an art form that transcends both song and movement to become something greater and more spectacular . . . almost divine.When tragic events caused performance of the song dance to be proscribed, Mikk was devastated . . . until his strong sense of justice forced him to defy the ban. His trial will be the most sensational in the recent history of the galaxy; the sentence he faces is death. Now the greatest performance master must hope to become the greatest escape artist. Somehow Mikk must break the stranglehold of censorship and change the law . . . or die trying!

Tales from the Perilous Realm


J.R.R. Tolkien - 1997
    Tolkien’s five acclaimed modern classic ‘fairie’ tales in the vein of The Hobbit.Enchanted by a sand-sorcerer, the toy dog Roverandom explores a world filled with strange and fabulous creatures; the fat and unheroic Farmer Giles of Ham is called upon to do battle with the dragon Chrysophylax; Hobbits, princesses, dwarves and trolls partake in the adventures of Tom Bombadil; Smith of Wootton Major journeys to the land of Faery via the magical ingredients of a giant cake; and Niggle the painter sets out to paint the perfect tree.

Darkwerks: The Art of Brom


Brom - 1997
    150 full-color reproductions offer a glimpse into the mind of this dark master whose work has enhanced books, comics, games, and videos, ranging from Dungeons & Dragons to Doom II. Among the material included are unpublished early works; covers such as the deeply unsettling Fire Clown and horror-filled Rat’s Den; and trading cards in a variety of genres, including the collectible Dark Age.

Taliesin / Merlin / Arthur / Pendragon


Stephen R. Lawhead - 1997
    There, housed in royal splendor, its awesome powers will be freely available to Arthur's suffering people, becoming the symbol of Arthur's reborn realm. But mysteriously, the Grail disappears. Missing as well is one of Arthur's most trusted men, who has not only taken the Grail but kidnapped Arthur's queen, Guinevere. A desperate search ensues, and a diabolical plot is uncovered, masterminded by none other than the evil Morgian, Queen of Air and Darkness.-- The epic tale of the legendary King Arthur, his lady love guinevere, stalwart advisor Merlin and loyal companion Sir Galahad has entertained and delighted people around the world for generations.

Silverwing


Kenneth Oppel - 1997
    But he's determined to prove himself on the long, dangerous winter migration to Hibernaculum, millions of wingbeats to the south. During a fierce storm, he loses the others and soon faces the most incredible journey of his young life. Desperately searching for a way to rejoin his flock, Shade meets a remarkable cast of characters: Marina, a Brightwing bat with a strange metal band on her leg; Zephyr, a mystical albino bat with a strange gift; and Goth, a gigantic carnivorous vampire bat. But which ones are friends and which ones are enemies? In this epic story of adventure and suspense, Shade is going to need all the help he can find -- if he hopes to ever see his family again.One of Canada's best books for young readers was written by a pretty young writer himself. Kenneth Oppel, who had his first book published when he was 18, really hit his stride a dozen years later with Silverwing, the first volume in a thrilling adventure trilogy set in the nocturnal world of bats that immediately captured the attention of middle readers and award juries alike.

Corum: The Coming of Chaos


Michael Moorcock - 1997
    Includes the novels The Knight of the Swords, The Queen of the Swords, and The King of the Swords.This volume in Michael Moorcock's acclaimed Eternal Champion series introduces Corum Jhaelen Irsei, the Prince in the Scarlet Robe, last of the noble race of the Vadhagh and avenger of his Chaos-ravaged world.

Elfquest #3: captives of blue mountain


Wendy Pini - 1997
    Each night the humans worship them and leave them food as an offering. But Cutter and the Wolfriders know the Bird Spirits are not gods, or even spirits. They are real. For the giant winged creatures attacked the tribe and carried off four of their kin to the distant spire of Blue Mountain. And Cutter wants them back. Now the Wolfriders must face not just a group of blindly devoted humans, but a seemingly invincible enemy housed in the craggy rock of a foreboding mountain. An enemy with unfathomable mental powers and a terrifying love of cruelty...

The Book of Night with Moon


Diane Duane - 1997
    They are the guardians of the Gates, weaving and maintaining the magic threads between realities. But when an ancient evil conquers the mystical Gates beneath Grand Central Station, flooding New York with surreal horror from another dimension, a quartet of feline champions is called to defend Earth. These four small wizards must walk between worlds, cross the River of Fire, and hunt the Children of the Serpent. And in an apocalyptic finale they will engage in ultimate battle against the Lone Power--a dark force that began untold eons before the creation of mere Man

Echoes of the Great Song


David Gemmell - 1997
    Their immortality is guaranteed by magic crystals whose influence is now waning, overwhelmed by the sheer power of a great flood and a sudden ice age. But when two moons appear in the sky, and the ruthless armies of the Crystal Queen swarm across the land bringing devastation and terror, the Avatars unite with their subjects to protect their universe.As the cities face imminent destruction, three heroes emerge. Talaban, a warrior haunted by tragedy; Touchstone, the mystic tribesman seeking his lost love; and Anu, the Holy One, the Builder of Time. And when all seems lost, two others enter the fray: Sofarita, the peasant girl who will inspire a legend, and the madman, Viruk, who will become a god. . . .

The "Hobbit" Companion


David Day - 1997
    Tolkien spun a clever web of wordplay and verbal hocus-pocus. Inspired by these linguistic games, master "hobbit investigator" David Day untangles the crafty puns and riddles, hidden meanings, and mythical associations that lie beneath the saga's thrilling surface. More than just a delightful study of an author who deeply loved and understood the intricacies of the English language (Tolkien helped compile the prestigious Oxford English Dictionary), this magnificently illustrated companion charms with its own beauty and enhances our understanding of one of the world's great masterpieces. Starting with the word "hobbit" itself, this illuminating guide moves on to examine Bilbo Baggins, the Gollum and the goblins, hobbit heritage and history, Buckland and Brandy Hall, Gandalf, Shire Society, the Fellowship, and much more. Intriguing to the uninitiated and enchanting to the enthusiast, this sparkling companion enhances the enjoyment of Tolkien's dark, mysterious world.

Threshold


Sara Douglass - 1997
    Over the years, thousands of slaves have given their lives to the construction of Threshold. Now construction is almost complete; the Magi need only to add the finishing touches.The Master of the Magi knows the glassworker slave Tirzah is hiding something, but he would never guess her secret is forbidden magic. Tirzah can communicate with glass-and the glass in Threshold screams to her in pain. For it knows what neither Tirzah nor any of the Magi suspect:Something waits in Infinity, watching, biding its time, and when the final glass plate is laid and the capstone cemented in blood, it plans to use Threshold to step from Infinity into Ashdod...

Return of the Flying Dragon


Samuel Sagan - 1997
    The Nephilim giants are on the rampage. Chaos is spreading throughout the kingdom of the mists. The flight of the Eagles is drawing near. Szar has returned from the Flying Dragons. After thirty-nine years of preparation, the Masters of Thunder are ready for the transfer of the Archive, a repository of the spiritual forces of their temples. The scene is set for the final battle. Will the world remember? The fourth and last volume of the Atlantean epic by Samuel Sagan, founder of the Clairvision School in Sydney.

Stormbringer (Tale of the Eternal Champion, #12)


Michael Moorcock - 1997
    

Seven Sleeper Series


Gilbert L. Morris - 1997
    Ages 10-14.

The Rhinoceros Who Quoted Nietzsche and Other Odd Acquaintances


Peter S. Beagle - 1997
    It also features the original whimsical Chesley Award-winning cover illustration by talented Bay Area artist Michael Dashow. "The Last Unicorn, Beagle's most beloved novel, was an underground bestseller in the late 1960s and 1970s. This collection includes two of Beagle's popular unicorn stories, "Professor Gottesman and the Indian Rhinoceros" and "Julie's Unicorn," as well as "Lila the Werewolf," which is anthologized in the "Oxford Book of Fantasy, and a tribute to J. R. R. Tolkien, "The Naga."ContentsIntroduction: “Under the Zucchini” by Patricia A. McKillipFiction“Come Lady Death”“Julie’s Unicorn” “Lila the Werewolf”“My Daughter’s Name Is Sarah”“Pittsburgh Stories (a Recollection)”“Professor Gottesman and the Indian Rhinoceros”“Telephone Call”“The Naga”Essays“D. H. Lawrence in Taos” “Learning a Trade” “My Last Hero”“The Poor People’s Campaign”

Giant Bones


Peter S. Beagle - 1997
    The stories range from adventurous to introspective, humorous to suspenseful, but all share Beagle's gift for language and his ability to bring his characters to life.—Don D'Ammassa

Sword And Sorceress XIV


Marion Zimmer BradleyLisa Silverthorne - 1997
    They are sword-wielding defenders or sorcerous spell-casters - roles too often considered the exclusive province of men.In 26 original stories of bold and talented women, Diana Paxson, Deborah Wheeler, Elisabeth Waters, Adrienne Martine-Barnes and their fellow word-weavers lead their readers through bespelled realms of the imagination into dangers both physical and sorcerous, where all the powers of Avalon lie in a woman's hands...a talisman of love can banish a demon's deadly threat...an otherworldly hunter catches different game than she bargained for...a mother's scorn begets a daughter's magic...The Bargain • (1997) • short story by Laura J. UnderwoodThe Impression of Power • (1997) • short story by Lee MartindaleThe Naming of Names • (1997) • short story by Adrienne Martine-BarnesChangelings • (1997) • short story by Diana L. PaxsonDeath-Hunt • (1997) • short story by Raul ReyesA Single Soul • (1997) • short story by Deborah WheelerThe Needle and the Sword • (1997) • short story by Jessie D. EakerSmall Considertions • (1997) • short story by Judith Fielder LeggettIf You Can't Stand the Heat… • (1997) • short story by P.E. CunninghamSilver Bands • (1997) • short story by Syne MitchellThe Hand of a Lady • (1997) • short story by Anne CutrellTo Have and To Hold • (1997) • short story by K.D. BarnesA Knight on Tower Hill • (1997) • short story by Kathrina BoodThe Longest Night • (1997) • short story by Lisa S. SilverthorneBlood Moon • (1997) • novelette by Cynthia WardBy the Skin of her Teeth • (1997) • short story by Heather Rose JonesFriends in High Places • (1997) • short fiction by Christina KruegerThe Blade of Unmaking • (1997) • novelette by Elisabeth WatersThe Stone-Weaver's Tale • (1997) • short story by Cynthia McQuillinThe Hollow Dancer • (1997) • short story by Mary Soon LeeLa Faie Suiateih • (1997) • short story by Lisa DeasonVengeance • (1997) • short story by Dorothy J. HeydtThe Moongate Troll • (1997) • short story by Patricia Duffy NovakLifestone • (1997) • short story by Mary CatelliWhite Elephants • (1997) • short story by Christopher KempkeTraveler's Aide • (1997) • short story by Kathi ThompsonAfterword: The Last Word (Sword & Sorceress XIV) • (1997) • essay by Rachel E. Holmen

How to Spin Gold: A Woman's Tale


Elizabeth Cunningham - 1997
    Written as the autobiography of a mysteriously deformed girl who runs away from her medieval village and becomes the apprentice and successor to "The Wise Woman of the Western Woods," the book blends magical realism and psychological wisdom.

The Witches of Eileanan


Kate Forsyth - 1997
    But in a valley deep in the mountains, young Isabeau grows to womanhood under the guidance of an elderly witch, and must set out on a quest, carrying the last hopes of the persecuted witches.

Hello, Poldy!


World Book, Inc. - 1997
    Poldy the scarecrow and friends take children on fantastic voyages around the world Along the way, they learn important lessons about concepts, values, and basic skills while being introduced to a colorful, diverse, and intriguing world.

Die Avalon Trilogie : The Mists of Avalon, The Forests of Avalon, The Lady of Avalon


Marion Zimmer Bradley - 1997
    

Elfquest: Vols 5 & 6 Journey to Sorrow's End


Wendy Pini - 1997
    Full-cast productions of this riveting fantasy unravel the tale of the gallant band of elves called Wolfriders, who search for a place not contaminated by humans". ...the lavishly illustrated story is strong, exhibiting the usual wit, intelligence, and depth of characterization".

Dragon Quest


Andy Dixon - 1997
    Stunning fantasy-adventure scenes filled with things to find, mysteries to solve and colorful creatures and characters to outwit

The Wiz Biz


Rick Cook - 1997
    What the spell delivered was master hacker Walter "Wiz" Zumwalt. The wizard who east the spell was dead and nobody -- not the elves, not the dwarves, not even the dragons -- could figure out what the shanghaied computer nerd was good for.But spells are a lot like computer programs, and, in spite of the Wiz's unprepossessing appearance, he was going to defeat the all-powerful Black League, win the love of a beautiful red-haired witch, and prove that when it comes to spells and sorcery, nobody but nobody can beat a Silicon Valley computer geek!Published in parts as Wizard's Bane and The Wizardry Compiled This is the first unitary edition.

The Star Wars Trilogy [The Comic Book Adaptations]


Howard Chaykin - 1997
    Included in this deluxe, slipcased set are all three of the Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition graphic-novel adaptations. Thrill to the adventures of Luke and Leia, Han and Chewbacca, and the faithful droids Artoo-Detoo and See-Threepio Witness the horror of Darth Vader, Jabba the Hurt, Boba Fett, and the Emperor And prepare yourself for the next installment of the greatest battle the galaxy has ever seen

Discworld's Unseen University Diary 1998


Terry Pratchett - 1997
    Also included is a brief history of Discworld, a guide to the people and places, events in the Discworld year and a map of Ankh-Morpork.

Grimm's Grimmest


Jacob Grimm - 1997
    Grimm's Grimmest presents nineteen of the original, unsanitized, unholy tales as they were first collected by the Brothers Grimm -- all fiendishly illustrated in full color. Grimm's Grimmest has the irresistible look and feel of a creaky old leatherbound volume, perhaps discovered in a forgotten trunk or dusty attic. With aged paper and a leathery stamped case, this delightfully shocking collection harkens back to a time when travelers risked roasting or worse and bad manners could yield frightful consequences. From the true horror of Aschenputtel (the original Cinderella story) to Rapunzel's dark secret, here are the authentic stories born long ago in the land of the Black Forest, at a time when fairy tales were not necessarily for children.

The Complete Pegāna


Lord Dunsany - 1997
    P. Lovecraft, who counted him second only to Edgar Allan Poe as an influence on his work. Lovecraft readers will be interested to know that two ideas Lovecraft got from Dunsany were (1) an artificial pantheon of gods and other entities (Dunsany's Pegāna Mythos predates Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos) and (2) a cosmic vision of man as living on a tiny island of order amid a vast and chaotic universe. Perhaps, as S. T. Joshi writes in the introduction to this collection, "It is now time to appreciate Dunsany in his own right as a master fantasist whose prodigal imagination was equaled by few, whose prose style was a model of affecting simplicity, and whose bold philosophical vision remains challenging to the present day." This edition includes the complete stories from The Gods of Pegāna (1905) and Time and the Gods (1906), plus three other stories belonging to the Pegāna cycle. --Fiona WebsterContents:The Gods of Pegāna (1905)Of Skarl the Drummer (1905)Of the Making of the Worlds (1905)Of the Game of the Gods (1905)The Chaunt of the Gods (1905)The Sayings of Kib (1905)Concerning Sish (1905)The Sayings of Slid (1905)The Deeds of Mung (1905)The Chaunt of the Priests (1905)The Sayings of Limpang-Tung (1905)Of Yoharneth-Lahai (1905)Of Roon, the God of Going (1905)The Revolt of the Home Gods (1905)Of Dorozhand (1905)The Eye in the Waste (1905)Of the Thing That Is neither God nor Beast (1905)Yonath the Prophet (1905)Yug the Prophet (1905)Alhireth-Hotep the Prophet (1905)Kabok the Prophet (1905)Of the Calamity That Befel Yun-Ilara by the Sea (1905)Of How the Gods Whelmed Sidith (1905)Of How Imbaun Became High Prophet in Aradec (1905)Of How Imbaun Met Zodrak (1905)Pegāna (1905)The Sayings of Imbaun (1905)Of How Imbaun Spake of Death to the King (1905)Of Ood (1905)The River (1905)The Bird of Doom and the End (1905)Time and the Gods (1906)The Coming of the Sea (1906)A Legend of the Dawn (1906)The Vengeance of Men (1906)When the Gods Slept (1906)The King That Was Not (1906)The Cave of Kai (1906)The Sorrow of Search (1906)The Men of Yarnith (1906)For the Honour of the Gods (1906)Night and Morning (1906)Usury (1906)Mlideen (1906)The Secret of the Gods (1906)The South Wind (1906)In the Land of Time (1906)The Relenting of Sarnidac (1906)The Jest of the Gods (1906)The Dreams of a Prophet (1906)The Journey of the King (1906)Beyond the Fields We Know (1919) essayIdle Days on the Yann (1910)A Shop in Go-by Street (1912)The Avenger of Perdóndaris (1912)

The Wizard of Oz


Lucy Kincaid - 1997
    There she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion. Together they follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. Each one of them has something special to ask the Wizard of Oz. Will he grant their wishes?Specially adapted for younger readers.

Grandpa Bear's Fantastic Scarf


Gillian Heal - 1997
    Each day of his life, Grandpa Bear weaves a piece of his life into his fantastic scarf, including different colors according to his mood and including more complex textures and patterns as his scarf grows ever longer, and shows his grandson how to incorporate life's lessons into his own fabric.

The Empty Crown


Rosemary Edghill - 1997
    An elven mugging victim appears in modern-day New York City, drawing Ruth Marlowe and four of her fellow library school students into an epic adventure involving conspiracies both elven and human.

The Last Tower: The Legacy of Raistlin (Dragonlance, 5th Age)


William W. Connors - 1997
    

The King of Messy Potatoes


John Dashney - 1997
    In search of his lost mother, Spud meets a wise raven and learns to rule the mysterious floating kingdom of Messy Potatoes. He learns that the decisions of a king have many consequences and that doing the right things I now always as easy as it looks. Spud's modern counterpart, John Kneale Brooks, discovers courage and love through his grandfather, who tells him the adventures of Spud.

The Curious Journey of Sir George


Mark E. Mitchell - 1997
    The Chronicals of the House of Chax become deeper in plotline as the reader progresses through the books. There is creative problem solving, sibling rivalry, and a strong not to Authurian legend. Each of the dragons is terrific. The young reader with a passion for dragons and a vivid imagination will be enthralled. George is an orphan who builds an enormous kite out of scrap lumber and old sails from the shipyard. A great wind carries the kite and George far across the ocean to a distant kingdom ruled by deadly dragons. Journeying into the foothills of the strange land, George finds Chax, an old man who calls him by name and invites him to sit by his fire and learn with him. As a token of his trust, George gives Chax his prize blue crystal marble. Marvelous and mighty is the training George receives, training designed to mold him into a noble knight. As proof of his worth, he must slay Xix, son of Rog, mightiest of the dragons. Afterward, if he succeeds, he must discover why Chax is about to sleep for a hundred years, and why he, George, has been chosen as the future king.

Erlings Word


Lars Walker - 1997
    Stripped by the Vikings of his family, his faith and his freedom, Ailill's future looks bleak until he is rescued by the Norwegian noble, Erling Skjalgsson and given a reason to live once more.

The Island of the Same Name


Joseph Sheppherd - 1997
    

Zen in the art of Slaying Vampires


Steven-Elliot Altman - 1997
    Death deals no mercy to one man who rises in a SoHo alleyway to find his lover dead and his own body ghastly transformed...Straining to overcome his murderous instincts through zen meditation and blood deprivation he is reclaimed by The Ministry, an underground society waging war with the undead. Again and again he will find his will to resist tested by the killers who demand his allegiance and the zen masters who will burn him down at his first missed step as he strives to walk a tightrope between the living and the dead... to master himself and the way of the wooden stake.

The Family Tree


Sheri S. Tepper - 1997
    NOW NATURE, APPARENTLY, HAS DECIDED TO FIGHT BACK. Police officer Dora Henry is investigating the bizarre murders of three geneticists. Meanwhile, strange things are happening everywhere she turns. Weeds are becoming trees; trees are becoming forests. Overnight, a city is being transformed into a wild and verdant place. And, strangest of all, Dora can somehow communicate with the rampaging flora. A potential civilization-ending catastrophe is in the making. The nearer Dora gets to a murderer--and to the truth--the more seemingly disparate events begin to entwine. And the answers she seeks today to the salvation of humankind may lie in afar distant future. . .one which is suddenly much closer than anyone imagines. An exhilarating and enchanting novel that deftly combines fantastic invention with insight and a social conscience, from one of the most lyrical and important voices in contemporary speculative fiction.

The Green Children


Kevin Crossley-Holland - 1997
    One was a boy, the other a girl. They wore green clothes, their skin was green as was their hair. They did not belong here and wanted back to their own green country.

Meatmen: An Anthology Of Gay Male Comics, Volume 20


Winston Leyland - 1997
    

The Battle for the Worlds: Book One of the Tarlian Spiral


Harold B. Bullock - 1997
    

Grey


Mercedes Lackey - 1997
    Given conditions in London, however, she might have been safer in the African jungle.

Ronin: Darkness and Light: Book II


D.A. Heeley - 1997
    A. Heeley. Malak's battle began in the book "Lilith." He and his allies lost the battle for the Tree of Life. Now, while the universe has sunk to its lowest level ever, it is time to strike back. "Ronin" takes place a thousand years after the events in the previous book. Malak and his allies are reborn to their world. Even so, the echoes of their former lives still shake the astral plane--but the time has come for a change. In "Ronin," the plane of Enya has become a hellish place, teeming with dark creatures drawn by Lilith's evil. The worst foe for Malak to face is Dethen, who is his mortal foe, his nemesis, and his karmic twin. Soon it becomes apparent that the fate of the Tree of Life revolves around Malak, now a "ronin" samurai-magician who has lost his master. Unlike any other "ronin," Malak has lost his very soul. Lena is the love of Malak's many lives. They have been born together innumerable times. Now, only she can save Malak from despair and fuse the shattered pieces of his identity with her love and magic. She must do this quickly, for already Dethen's inner demons are goading him to destroy Malak utterly. Can Lena succeed? If Malak can reunite his soul, can he find a way to defeat the sinister might of Dethen? If he can defeat Dethen, can he stand before Lilith's awesome power in a final terrifying confrontation? Only by reforging the broken link to his Higher Self can Malak put right the wrong he did when he released the Arch-Demon into Enya long ago. Only through spiritual rebirth, can he regain his Adepthood and his own vanquished soul. In "Ronin" you will discover an exciting story (which won an award from the Coalition of Visionary Retailers for Fiction) as you learn about the nature of magic. In fact, included is an essay on the nature of magic, as well as a glossary of terms that you may not know. Get "Ronin" today.

The Monkey's Paw and Jerry Bundler (Classic Frights)


W.W. Jacobs - 1997
    That's what the Whites think when the old Sergeant-Major tells them that the gnarled monkey's paw will grant three wishes, but no good will come of them. Still, to humor his son, Mr. White wishes for 200.The next day, the Whites learn that their wish has been granted -- in a horrifying way Mrs. White, wild with grief, turns to the paw once more to undo the tragedy. But will the monkey's paw restore to them what they have lost -- or bring forth an even greater horror?The Monkey's Paw is one of the great tales of terror. Presented here with another suspense-filled tale by Jacobs -- Jerry Bundler -- and 21 black-and-white illustrations, it is sure to capture a whole new generation in its frightful spell.

Come Quickly: For Girls on the Go


Alison Tyler - 1997
    Here are over sixty of the hottest fantasies around; all designed to get you going in less time than it takes to dial 976. A volume especially for you; a modern girl on a modern schedule, who still appreciates a little old-fashioned action.

Spec-Lit: Speculative Fiction (Vol 1)


Phyllis Eisenstein - 1997
    Spec-Lit is an anthology showcasing the science fiction stories of Columbia College students and other Chicago area writers.

Myst:


Lovern Kindzierski - 1997
    Art by Doug Wheatley. Over three million people have been captivated by the MYST® CD-ROM game spending countless hours seeking to unravel its many secrets. Now the intrigue and adventure is revealed! Timed to coincide with the release of the long-awaited sequel RIVEN(TM), this comics series will explain never-before-revealed elements of the MYST® story! It focuses on Atrus, the creator of MYST island, and his sons Sirrus and Achenar.