Ancient Mirrors ~ take a trip through the looking glass

“What a difference 24 hours makes.” This was J.K. Rowling’s comment on how quickly the attitudes of the press can change, but it applies equally well to the author’s overnight success. In 1997, Rowling published the first book of her Harry Potter saga, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and became possibly the most-recognized fantasy novelist of recent times. Even more unusual for a fantasy series, the books enjoyed popularity across all age groups and international borders. The final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was the fastest-selling book ever at the time of its release, with 15 million copies sold in the first 24 hours. It’s certainly a hard act to follow. So, what’s next for Rowlingand have we really seen the last of the series, as she insists? Read the rest of this entry »

Fantasy fans are well aware of how easily an imaginary world can take the place of one’s own. Millions of readers around the world have thrilled to such fictional universes over the years, especially the “Wheel of Time” series by Robert Jordan. However, no one could have predicted that Jordan would die in 2007 without completing the saga that he’d created. Aware of his failing health, Jordan left notes behind that would enable another author to complete the series. That author is Brandon Sanderson.Jordan’s 11-volume work is a hard act to follow, even for Sanderson, who’s been working in fantasy since at least his time at Brigham Young University, where he was a part of the popular magazine The Leading Edge. Sanderson was asked to finish the series by Jordan’s widow, Harriet McDougal, after the publication of Sanderson’s first Mistborn novel. Read the rest of this entry »

While strong female characters in fantasy literature are not uncommon, they are often created by men. If you don’t believe this makes a difference, just take a look at Roy Thomas’s Red Sonja, or even William Moulton Marston’s Wonder Woman. Novelist Anne Bishop turns traditional expectations of buxom, sword-wielding fantasy heroines on their heads, however, in her stellar series, “The Black Jewels.”The series was originally conceived as a trilogy, with the first book, Daughter of the Blood, published in 1998, Heir to the Shadows in 1999, and Queen of the Darkness in 2000. The title refers to the magical jewels which are awarded to (almost) every individual in a coming-of-age ceremony. The darkest jewels are the most powerful. In an interesting twist, jeweled women are the dominant ruling force, holding court over a coven of female attendants and a harem of fawning males. Bishop’s first three books tell the story of a young girl named Jaenelle Angelline who has the ability to become the most powerful witch in the universe. Read the rest of this entry »

Fantasy encompasses such a wide variety of fiction that it would be overwhelming without categorization. In the 70′s, author Charles L. Grant named the genre “dark fantasy,” referring to fiction with elements of both fantasy and horrorhowever, he was by no means the first to work with this potent combination. That honor traditionally is attributed to Gertrude Barrows Bennettand yet until four years after her death, her fans never even knew her name.Born in 1883, Gertrude Barrows made a decision to take the pen name Francis Stevens in 1917 (revealed in 1952). Her early hope was to be an illustrator, but life had other plans for her. She married British explorer Stewart Bennett in 1909, but tragedy struck a year later when he died during an expedition. Gertrude was left to care for her new daughter and also took care of her mother after World War I. Writing became another means of supporting her family, and presumably also an escape. Read the rest of this entry »