Ard Magister [Paperback]

Laura J. Underwood (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

... Underwood creates a fully realized world full of mystic, heather-scented resonance and characters who step vividly off the page. -- Lynn Flewelling , The Bone Doll's Twin

A fun read. A debut novel by one of fantasy's finest short story writers. Fast-paced adventure! -- Steven Piziks, author of In the Company of Mind

Laura Underwood takes traditional materials and makes them into something wholly fresh and new. -- Teresa Edgerton

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Yard Dog Pr (April 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 189368752X
• ISBN-13: 978-1893687523
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,305,541 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

While she does not claim to be Shakespeare or Poe, Laura J. Underwood is the author of seven novels, three short story collections, a number of novellas, chapbooks and short stories and some nonfiction. Her books include MARKING THE SIGNS AND OTHER TALES OF MISCHIEF from Yard Dog Press, where you can also find her novel ARD MAGISTER, her novella SHADOW LORD and various other works. Her novel DRAGON'S TONGUE was released by Meisha Merlin in May 2006, and HOUNDS OF ARDAGH was released by Five Star Press in October 2006.

Her latest works include THE CITY UNDER THE BRIDGE from Wolfsinger Publications (2009), SONG OF SILVER from Dark Regions (2009), and most recently, Book 2 of "The Demon-Bound" Duology was released by Yard Dog Press. So if you want to know what happened to Alaric Braidwine, read WANDERING LARK (2010) from Yard Dog Press.

When not writing, Laura works for the Knox County Public Library System where she is First Assistant at the Carter Branch, hikes her native Appalachian mountains, plays a harp with the head of a unicorn and occasionally fences with the SFWA Musketeers. She lives in East Tennessee with her parents and a pernicious feline of few grey cells who frequently forgets that windows do have glass.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Warm Read, August 30, 2002

By 

James K. Burk (Wichita, Kansas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ard Magister (Paperback)

Some writers are noted for the temprament they bring to the work. Zelazny could always be counted on to be witty and erudite. Edgar Pangborn was wise and gentle. This is the second book I've read by Ms. Underwood, and she seems to bring a warmth to her writing that few others achieve. The story moves, it has some interesting touches, including a ghost who leaves the reader and the character trying to guess at what he wants. If you've read and enjoyed BOGIE WOODS, you must read this book. If you haven't, and you enjoy well-written fantasy, get them both.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Celtic magic, May 27, 2002

By 

Rachel R. Hartman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ard Magister (Paperback)

Many writers have borrowed bits and bobs of Celtic culture and mythology when building their worlds, but in Laura J. Underwood's Keltora, it all hangs together with no feeling of patchwork. The fighting scenes are extremely solid, but this is unsurprising, given Ms. Underwood's experience as a fencer. The healer Eithne is a marvelous individual, not like the standard issue milksop so often found in lesser fantasy books, but more like the kind of caring person who will fight for your life with defiant words as well as fervent prayers. All in all, a very entertaining read.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How A Family Came To Be, May 27, 2002

By 

Lauren Uroff (Northridge, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ard Magister (Paperback)

Many of Laura Underwood's short stories, some of which are collected in _Bogie Woods_, deal with the adventures of Conor and Eithne (say "Enya") Mac Manahan and their foster son Rhoyd Smytheson. This book is the story of how they became a family.

Since it is the beginning of their story, you needn't have read any of the previous short stories in order to enjoy this book.

So, for adventure with good and bad mages, bandits, ghosts and a really good story, try this book.