Matthew Hughes is one of my favorite writers. Hughes just collected his Baldemar stories in a nice collection with a great cover. Baldemar starts out as a young boy and grows into an effective effective wizard’s henchman.
“Ten Half-Pennies” starts with young Baldemar roughed up by some older boys outside of school. They also take Baldemar’s lunch money. Baldemar refuses to accept this situation as many of his classmates do. Baldemar hires the moneylender’s “muscle,” a man called Vunt, to solve his problem.
Over a series of stories, Vunt becomes an important figure. He trains Baldemar to run errands…and how to defend himself. These skills are keys to Baldemar becoming a henchman for a local wizard.
My favorite story in Baldemar is “The Plot Against Fantucco’s Armor.” The story puts Baldemar in danger and forces him to solve a cunning mystery.
If you’re looking for a fantasy series with mysteries and adventure and secrets, you’ll enjoy Baldemar. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION — v
- Ten Half-Pennies — 1
- The Prognosticant –27
- Jewel of the Heart — 72
- Argent and Sable — 147
- The Plot Against Fantucco’s Armor — 196
- A Geas of the Purple School — 244
- Air of the Overworld — 300
- The Sword of Destiny — 340
- The Glooms — 376
- The Cat and the Merrythought — 424
I will have to get this. I’m a big Hughes fan. The closest thing we have to Jack Vance. I read some of these stories as they, appeared in F&SF.
Steve, you will enjoy BALDEMAR. Matthew Hughes plans to make more of his early work available, too.
Seems I saw that cover a couple years ago, but maybe not. These might be fun. Henchman, eh?
I looked it up, it’s a steakhouse in MN. Ha!
Rick, the cover on BALDEMAR was on the cover of THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION. As for the cool cover, here’s what Matthew Hughes has to say: “Maurizio Mazieri, the celebrated artist who created the original painting that graces the cover of the Baldemar book, is offering prints of the artwork at a 20 per cent discount until February 23.”
I am not familiar with this author. This book of stories does sound interesting, I just cannot add another short story book to my shelves. I lose track of them. I like the idea of connected stories and a progression to adulthood.
Tracy, there’s always room for another Good Book!