Shadow Of The Seventh Moon

Shadow of the Seventh Moon (1991) by Nancy Varian Berberick – Ace Fantasy

ISBN: 0441760554
Condition: Good
Published: 1991
Offered by: Crappy Old Books

There was a time when dwarfs were mighty warriors, ancient gods took an unhealthy interest in mortal affairs, and the British Isles were populated by an assortment of belligerent tribes who regarded settling territorial disputes through organised slaughter as a perfectly reasonable alternative to negotiation.

Welcome to Shadow of the Seventh Moon, Nancy Varian Berberick’s atmospheric fantasy adventure, set in the turbulent aftermath of King Arthur’s age, when civilisation was a rather uncertain proposition and surviving until breakfast could be regarded as a considerable personal achievement.

At the heart of the story stands Garroc, a dwarf and song-maker burdened with an extraordinary responsibility. His ancient race, once celebrated for its warriors, wisdom and formidable achievements, has been brought to the brink of extinction by the arrival of humanity and the relentless march of history.

The dwarfs have fought, suffered and dwindled. No children are born to replace the fallen, and the prospect of their complete disappearance becomes increasingly inevitable.

Garroc, blessed or perhaps cursed with three lifetimes, must preserve the memory of his people before their extraordinary history vanishes altogether.

And what better way to preserve a civilisation than through storytelling?

Against a background of warring kingdoms, barbarian invasions, ancient magic and the increasingly complicated relationship between mankind and the supernatural, Garroc recounts the legendary struggles of the Firstborn, entrusting their history to a human listener.

The result is an absorbing mixture of heroic fantasy, historical imagination and Norse mythology, populated by warriors, war-chieftains, supernatural forces and individuals whose enthusiasm for violence would probably disqualify them from modern conflict-resolution seminars.

Berberick, also known for her contributions to the Dragonlance universe, creates a world in which old beliefs collide with emerging religions and the passing of an ancient race becomes both a personal tragedy and a meditation upon the disappearance of entire cultures.

Published by Ace Fantasy in 1991, this novel belongs to that marvellous era of mass-market fantasy paperbacks when bookshop shelves groaned beneath the weight of enchanted swords, ancient prophecies, gloomy forests and heavily armed individuals with extremely complicated genealogies.

Condition: Good. A respectable vintage paperback showing the ordinary signs of age, handling and previous ownership. It has survived more than three decades of literary adventures, which is considerably better than the survival record of Garroc’s unfortunate people.

Offered by Crappy Old Books, where forgotten kingdoms are remembered, ancient civilisations are respectfully mourned, and customers are not required to defeat a berserker before completing their purchase.

An entertaining addition to any collection of classic fantasy, Arthurian-inspired fiction, Norse mythology or early 1990s paperback adventures.

A reminder that kingdoms crumble, gods fall silent and entire races may disappear, but a good story can outlive them all.

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