''Kellory the Warlock'' is a
fix-up
A fix-up (or fixup) is a novel created from several short fiction stories that may or may not have been initially related or previously published. The stories may be edited for consistency, and sometimes new connecting material, such as a frame s ...
fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...
novel by American writer
Lin Carter
Linwood Vrooman Carter (June 9, 1930 – February 7, 1988) was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor, poet and critic. He usually wrote as Lin Carter; known pseudonyms include H. P. Lowcraft (for an H. P. L ...
, the third book of the Chronicles of Kylix series. Its seven episodic chapters were originally written as short stories, but only one, "In the Valley of Silence," had been previously published (as "Vault of Silence," in the anthology ''
Swords Against Tomorrow
''Swords Against Tomorrow'' is an anthology of fantasy stories, edited by Robert Hoskins. It was first published in paperback by Signet Books in August 1970.
Summary
The book collects five sword and sorcery or sword and planet short stories and ...
'' (1970)). The book was first published in hardcover by
Doubleday in April 1984.
It was reissued in hardcover and trade paperback by
Wildside Press
Wildside Press is an independent publishing company in Cabin John, Maryland, United States. It was founded in 1989 by John Betancourt and Kim Betancourt. While the press was originally conceived as a publisher of speculative fiction in both trade ...
in October 2007, and in trade paperback and ebook by the same publisher in April 2016.
Plot
Each volume of the Chronicles of Kylix is set on a different world in the magical solar system of the fictional star Kylix in the constellation of the Unicorn. The system consists of the five planets Zao, Olymbris, Thoorana, Zephrondus and Gulzund. ''Kellory the Warlock'' takes place on Zephrondus.
Kellory is the last survivor of the Black Wolves tribe, descended from the Lost Kings of Illyriod. His people were massacred by the Thugoda Horde, who burned his father alive and held his own sword hand in the same fire so he could live to tell the tale but never raise a sword against his tormentors. He dedicates his life to revenge against the horde, becoming a warlock since he is no longer able to be a warrior. In time, he achieves his dark goal.
Reviews
Jackie Cassada in ''
Library Journal
''Library Journal'' is an American trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey. It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional prac ...
'' writes "
ough Kellory himself has a certain grim appeal, there is little in this unsubtle Conan-type adventure to recommend it to anyone other than hard-core sword-and-sorcery fans."
[Cassada, Jackie. Review in ''Library Journal'', v. 109, issue 5, March 1984, p. 599.]
References
External links
Fantastic Fiction entry for ''Kellory the Warlock'' - review by Charles R. Rudledge on Singular Points blog, August 25, 2010.
His Name is Vengeance: Kellory the Warlock by Lin Carter - review by Fletcher Vredenburgh on blackgate.com, March 18, 2014.
{{Lin Carter (books)
1984 American novels
American fantasy novels
Novels by Lin Carter
Doubleday (publisher) books