The Chronicles of the Last War [Paperback]

Laura J. Underwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2004

He was a Keltoran Mercenary. She was a True Healer devoted to her god. The only thing they had in common was that they were each running away from their pasts and were now thrown together on a battlefield in a kingdom torn apart by magic and war.

As Black Hunters, demons and blood mages bent on destroying humanity advance, it will take Conor, a man who wields steel as deftly as he deals words, Ethine a woman whose touch can mean life or death, and a battle mage named Michan – who knows these two will play a greater role in the fate of mankind--to save the world.

But it may actually be harder to bring Conor and Eithne together as man and wife.

Included in this collection are the short novel _The Black Hunter_, the novella _Willowherb_ and the novelette _Wyrd_.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Laura creates... characters and stories that stick with you long after the last page has been turned..." -- Melisa Michaels, author of Sister to the RainRoc

"The three tales here are sure to please anyone who loves rollicking fantasy adventure at its most entertaining." -- Sherwood Smith

"World building so engaging and believable one expects to find these places – and people! – in the history books." -- Richard Michaels, Publisher, Embiid Publishing

Product Details

• Paperback: 370 pages
• Publisher: Yard Dog Press (March 2004)
• ISBN-10: 1893687600
• ISBN-13: 978-1893687608
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,181,637 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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Should be History, April 25, 2004

By 

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

This review is from: The Chronicles of the Last War (Paperback)

CHRONICLES OF THE LAST WAR contains a novel, THE BLACK HUNTER, a novella, "Willowherb," and the novelette "Wyrd," so anyone buying this book is getting a bargain from the git-go.
This is a remarkable piece of work. The writing, never less than workmanlike is first-rate in THE BLACK HUNTER. THE BLACK HUNTER combines elements of a love story (not a romance-type but more like the real thing,) horror, and the best sort of sword and sorcery. Underwood draws her characters sharply and clearly, until the reader feels he or she knows the characters as people. In THE BLACK HUNTER, Conor Manahan meets Eithne the healer and falls in love with her. This takes place at a threatened encampment infiltrated by the dark forces of the enemy. The plot is exceptional, taking twists that are totally unexpected but totally logical.
"Willowherb" is more about the development of the relationship between Conor and Eithne, but is still involved with the war, and the bogies used by the dark forces.
"Wyrd," even more than the other stories, shows us the warmth of writing that readers of Underwood's fiction have come to expect. I haven't read such a warm writer since Edgar Pangborn.
This is a truly marvelous book, and I urge all fantasy readers to rush out and buy a copy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Chronicles Is a real pleaser!, July 23, 2008

By 

Tracy S. Morris - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chronicles of the Last War (Paperback)

When I first started reading Fantasy, It was novels such as this one that drew me in. Strong female characters, brave heroes and grand adventure. Laura's Keltora reminds me of everything I ever loved about the genre

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!, October 10, 2004

By 

Margaret H. Bonham "skywarrior" (Montana, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chronicles of the Last War (Paperback)

I was eager to read Chronicles of the Last War and I was not disappointed. Laura Underwood's writing keeps getting better and better. In this book you have three stories and all three keep your attention. The stories set before Rhoyd's time (Ard Magister) and include a new character, a Mage named Michan. The characters are unforgetable and you'll have a great story you won't want to put down. The stories stay with you long after you read the book.

If you're looking for good adventure fantasy, look no further!