Category Archives: fantasy

A Fable

Posted on August 12, 2026 by JE

In ancient days in the little kingdoms at the edge of the world, a seeker came before the prophet Imbaun, who said unto him, “As you go your way athwart the world, doing sometimes good and sometimes evil, avoid spelling … Continue reading →

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Woman of Today: SUPERGIRL (2026) vs. WOMAN OF TOMORROW by King, Evely, & Lopez

Posted on August 4, 2026 by JE

I finally saw Supergirl (2026), now that it’s on various streaming platforms. (I rarely go to theaters anymore, a habit I developed even before the COVID lockdown. It’s an aversion to audiences who don’t know how to go to a … Continue reading →

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Two Loners: ZATOICHI’S REVENGE (1965) and PERSONAL SHOPPER (2016)

Posted on June 29, 2026 by JE

I watched these two movies last night back-to-back and found that, oddly, they had a lot in common—although maybe the main thing they had in common was the guy watching them. Both involve solitary characters who face off against monsters. … Continue reading →

Posted in dream, fantasy, history, magic, movie review, review or meta-review, sff, sword-and-sorcery | Tagged | 2 Comments

A Spell Against Tedium: in conversation with Cynthia Ward’s “Bored of the Swords”

Posted on June 24, 2026 by JE

It’s natural not to name names in a general broadside like this, but I also think that it may be a mistake; one is as likely to wound friend as foe. However, since I’ve been writing for decades about an … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, books, fantasy, fantasy art, magic, Morlock, review or meta-review, sff, sword-and-sorcery, writing | 1 Comment

Echoes of Wuruyaaria

Posted on June 3, 2026 by JE

Still reading Lucian, and came across a great new-to-me Greek verb: ὠρύομαι (oh-ROO-o-mai). It means (and sounds like) “to howl” (as a wolf or dog). It comes up in conversation between Hermes, who is conducting a party of ghosts to … Continue reading →

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Et Thew, Brute?

Posted on November 7, 2025 by JE

Some discussion of thews and thewbilation in the Sword and Sorcery Tavern on Discord made me curious about the etymology of thew. I consulted my friend, the democratic AHD, and it hit me in the face with this. Did not … Continue reading →

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October 23: The Day of Might

Posted on October 23, 2025 by JE

At the Fortress of Engitude, we’re celebrating the Day of Might, proclaimed by the late, unceasingly great Howard Jones as a day for celebrating sword and sorcery, heroic fantasy, and heroic fiction generally.

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Deus Ex Homine: Brackett’s THE SWORD OF RHIANNON and Zelazny’s ISLE OF THE DEAD

Posted on August 10, 2025 by JE

I’ve been following with interest Steven Silver’s great series of reviews of the Tor Double books at the Black Gate. His latest, scrupulously fair, review of Brackett’s The Sword of Rhiannon+de Camp’s Divide and Conquer reminded me of one of … Continue reading →

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Of Eeels and Miracles

Posted on July 6, 2025 by JE

The Surprised Eel on their Patreon gives us a very nice piece of writing that usefully complicates some over-simplified worldmaking advice. One thing that leapt out at me was this: “Of course, your fantasy world doesn’t have to work like … Continue reading →

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Where Ignorance Is Blish: PLANET STORIES, July 1951

Posted on July 4, 2025 by JE

If an evil fate cast me back in time to the late 1930s, and I were compelled to join one of the factions emerging in the tempest-filled teapot of early sf fandom, I would probably side with the Futurians. They … Continue reading →

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