Swords Against Darkness III


Swords Against Darkness III is an anthology of fantasy stories, edited by Andrew J. Offutt, the third in a series of five anthologies of the same name. It was first published in paperback by Zebra Books in March 1978.

Summary

The book collects thirteen short stories and novelettes, one poem and one essay by various fantasy authors, together with a foreword by Offutt.

Contents

  • "Foreword"
  • "The Pit of Wings"
  • "The Sword of Spartacus"
  • "Servitude"
  • "Descales' Skull"
  • "In the Balance"
  • "Tower of Darkness"
  • "The Mantichore"
  • "Revenant"
  • "Rite of Kings"
  • "The Mating Web"
  • "The Guest of Dzinganji"
  • "The Hag"
  • "A Kingdom Won"
  • "Swordslinger"
  • "On Thud and Blunder"

Reception

The anthology was reviewed by Darrell Schweitzer in Science Fiction Review, July 1978, Mark Mansell in Science Fiction Review, November/December 1978, and Lin Carter in The Year's Best Fantasy Stories: 5.

Awards

The book placed tenth in the 1979 Locus Poll Award for Best Anthology.