MAGIC IN ITHKAR (1) One: Cold Spell; The Goblinry of Ais; Prince Out of the Past; To Take a Thief; Jezeri and Her Beast Go to the Fair; Fletcher Found; Well Met in Ithkar; Esmene's Eyes; Qazia and Ferret Fetch; For Lovers Only; Dragon's Horn; Homecoming

Magic in Ithkar #1

by Andre Norton (Editor), Robert Adams (Editor), Elisabeth Waters

Mass paperback reprint of 1985 trade paper first edition. Collection of fantasy stories set against a common backdrop. First in series, followed by Magic in Ithkar 2, Magic in Ithkar 3, and Magic in Ithkar 4. Prologue, essay by Robert Adams; The Goblinry of Ais, by Lin Carter; To Take a Thief, by C. J. Cherryh; Jezeri and Her Beast Go to the Fair and Find More Excitement Than They Want, by Jo Clayton; Fletcher Found, by Morgan Llywelyn; Well Met in Ithkar, by Patricia Mathews; Esmene's Eyes, by Ardath Mayhar; Swamp Dweller, by Andre Norton; Qazia and a Ferret-Fetch, by Judith Sampson; For Lovers Only, by Roger C. Schlobin; Dragon's Horn, by J. W. Schutz; Homecoming, by Susan Shwartz; The Prince Out of the Past, by Nancy Springer; Cold Spell, by Elisabeth Waters; Biographical Notes.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic, Science Fiction, Anthologies

Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Andre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

You see descriptions that say "shared setting", but in reality the full statement is "stories based on a common setting statement", probably the same Robert Adams introduction that heads this collection (and, reportedly, all the others). It would have been nice if Norton framed it that way, rather than launching into a pile of stories, each of which explore the sketchy background, leaving a patchwork of concepts and disagreement about particulars.

And it is hard to go from Thieves' World to this. There are no shared characters and no shared specific details, and no sense of event continuity. This just isn't as tangible or coherent as Sanctuary and is certainly not as edgy.

The stories themselves fall into the "generally good, rather pleasant" range of the spectrum. Most are character driven and the best tap into the more intriguing elements hinted at in Adams's introduction: the Three Lordly Ones were technological, the world has survived some atomic-type cataclysm, and the Thotharn cult is infiltrating Ithkar and plots mischief.

[Poetreehugger · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun!

[Bronwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like this series of short stories based in a shared world. Not as dark as some series like this, but usually has something for everyone. As well as social points to make.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of short stories set in a shared fantasy universe, none are really special and the setting is a bland European style market fair. A decent read.