Saturday, September 28, 2024

Battle with Sea Dogs

A song about fighting pirates drawn from the lore of my Fantasy world, the Archipelago of Cynnahu.


Saturday, September 14, 2024

Readers' Favorite Affiliate


I am proud to announce that, as of today, Stars Uncounted - Ian's Fantasy Bookshelf is an Affiliate of Readers' Favorite, a most exemplary organization which provides authors free (and paid for) book reviews and hosts a respected annual book award contest.

Friday, September 13, 2024

I have started The White Dragon, volume three of Anne McCaffrey's The Dragonriders of Pern

I have started The White Dragon, volume three of Anne McCaffrey's The Dragonriders of Pern.

Never before has Pern seen a White Dragon grace its skies, so Jaxom and Ruth will have their work cut out for them finding their way in the world where Holders and dragonriders have always been separate. Tradition and peace matter, but Thread cares naught for either... and if my long experience in Fantasy is any judge, white Ruth may just save Pern's skies despite everyone saying he and Jaxom cannot.

Honor those the dragons heed,
In thought and favor, word and deed.
Worlds are lost or worlds are saved
From those dangers dragon-braved.

Rise in glory,
Bronze and gold.
Dive entwined,
Enhance the Hold.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Sunday, September 8, 2024

I have finished Dragonquest, volume two of Anne McCaffrey's The Dragonriders of Pern

I have finished Dragonquest, volume two of Anne McCaffrey's The Dragonriders of Pern.

Leaders and dragonriders adapt (or not, in some cases) to changing times even as time grows short - for Thread follows no timetable but those set by the stars Red and otherwise. F'lar, Lessa, F'nor and their friends delve into the past while innovating to save the present and future, and while this does not prevent all tragedy, salvation may be found in the smallest and most unlikely of forms.

Holder, watch; Holder, learn,
Something new in every Turn.
Oldest may be coldest too.
Sense the right; find the true!

Wheel and turn or bleed and burn.
Fly between, Blue and Green.
Soar, dive down, Bronze and Brown.
Dragonmen must fly when threads are in the sky.

Monday, September 2, 2024

Truth is stranger than fiction

51 years ago today, on September 2, 1973, J.R.R. Tolkien died at age 81.

1973

3 for the Elven-kings under the sky,
7 for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
9 for Mortal Men doomed to die,
1 or the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

"In those days the smiths of Ost-in-Edhil surpassed all that they had contrived before; and they took thought, and they made Rings of Power. [...] Now the Elves made many rings; but secretly Sauron made One Ring to rule all the others, and their power was bound up with it, to be subject wholly to it and to last only so long as it too should last." – The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"