The fantasy writer has a lot to keep track of: fantasy cultures and races, magic, mythological creatures, unusual punishments, castles and fortifications, and more. Plus, though fantasy writing "must be grounded in both truth and life experience if it is to work," says Terry Brooks (A Knight of the Word) in his introduction here, it must also be "as inventive and creative as the writer can make it." Find your groundedness elsewhere. This is the place to turn for all the other stuff. Need a refresher on the difference between aleuromancy (fortune cookies) and alomancy (fortune-telling by salt)? Can't remember the term for starting a new witches' coven (hiving off)? Need a glossary of particularly gruesome punishments from the Middle Ages? It's all here, and more. With illustrations of architectural structures, Maori weapons, and various types of dress and armor; and references to many more sources, should you crave even greater detail. --Jane Steinberg
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
A Very Usefull Book:
An excellent Reference, I bought this book looking for information like: How many men in a legion? How far does a longbow shoot? And what is a plinth? I was not disappointed. Pro's:
Easy to read, covers a lot of ground, including sections on: Arms, Armor and Armies, Creatures of Myth and Legend, and Magic. Well organized, with a complete 14-page index, and a nice cover. Cons:
This book is a Fantasy reference, so if you're looking for solid historical fact, look elsewhere. It covers a... more info
An Invaluable Resource For Anyone Creating Fantastic Worlds:
An invaluable resource for writers, game designers, and anyone else creating works of fantasy in which it is importnat to understand how fantastic worlds can be effectively designed and structured. Subtitled "An Indispensible Compendium of Myth and Magic" and co-authored by fantasy giant Terry Brooks and SKIRMISHER Webmaster Michael Varhola. Brooks provides a vision and overall structure for the book, while Varhola draws on both his real-world experience and imagination to create comprehensive chapters on... more info
A must, for fantasy writers.:
If you have ever thought of writing a great fantasy novel, but were intimidated because you did not know the difference between a cape and a cowl, or an axe and a mace, this book is for you.
The authors have superbly listed descriptions of everything from types of dress, typical lifestyles, and governing systems for your medieval settings. Not only is this a great reference tool, but when I am looking to just write for fun (or practice), I often use this book to create a minor scenario that I can build... more info
A useful tool for budding fantasy writers:
As a writer working on my first fantasy novel, I found the book to be pretty informative - especially the parts about the various magic systems that could be used in a story. One of my pet peeves about the fantasy genre is a writer who uses a "point and click" style of magic, as though all the wizard has to do is point a finger at a foe and say PRESTO! I feel that the best magic systems in fantasy novels are the ones that involve preparation and cause and effect, and don't just involve making something out... more info
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