Early Reviewers Anna Stephens

Pick up your sword and your axe and prepare to be dazzled by some of the best fantasy fiction you will ever read.

David Gemmell passed away in July 2006, but his work continues to resonate with readers and writers alike. Its gritty sense of realism has seen Gemmell's stories sited as a pre-cursor of Grimdark; his canon remains as fresh and relevant as ever, an influence and inspiration for writers even to the current day, with noble larger-than-life characters, heroes who defend the oppressed and deliver justice according to their own moral code, never shirking from danger no matter the odds.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of his passing, twenty-one of the finest fantasy authors have gathered to write twenty-one brand new stories in his honour.

“Tales of grit and glory from the hardest warriors in fantasy.” – Joe Abercrombie

"An absolute treasure-chest of fantasy short stories, each one a gem. A book to be savoured and to go into one’s permanent collection.” – Genevieve Cogman (author of The Invisible Library)

Cover art by Fangorn

Contents

Introduction by Ian Whates

The Other – Dan Abnett

Crows and Ashes – Kari Sperring

Candles – Adrian Tchaikovsky

Chung Kwai’s Sister – Eliza Chan

Shadow of the Ice Cross – RJ Barker

The Apothecary – Stephen Deas

The Necessary Sword – M.R. Carey

The Calaker – Stan Nicholls

The Swordsman’s Daughter – Sunyi Dean

The Witchfinder – Joanne Harris

Lessons in Life and Death – Juliet E. McKenna

The Code – Mark Lawrence

Fae-Blighted – Anna Stephens

The Wolf in Winter – Jonathan Green

Bloodhorn – Anne Nichols

A Mighty Battle Between Mighty Armies

– Anna Smith Spark

A Trim Reckoning – J.L. Worrad

The Hiring Fayre – Ian Whates

Know When to Walk Away – Gavin Smith

One More Day – James Barclay

About the Authors