Mountain Magic

by David Drake, Eric Flint, Ryk E. Spoor

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE—WITH MUTANTS...

Evil men and evil magic are poised to prey on the people of the hamlets and hollows of Appalachia: witches, demons, and criminals of more than one century. But the mountain folk have defenders, too, as strange and varied as the dangers that threaten them:

David Drake's unforgettable OLD NATHAN the Wizard, a backwoodsman who talks to animals and who'll fight the Devil himself if he must.

Henry Kuttner's grimly hilarious HOGBEN FAMILY, some of whom aren't entirely human—and others who're entirely inhuman.

Eric Flint and Ryk E. Spoor's SLADES, whose uneasy coexistence with underground spirits is about to end in an earthquake that'll wipe humanity off the surface of four states.

Magic, mutants, and mountaineers mixing in adventures that range from eerie to side-splittingly funny:

MOUNTAIN MAGIC

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Anthologies, Short Stories, Science Fiction Fantasy, Occult Detective

470 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

David Drake is an American author of science fiction and fantasy literature. A Vietnam War veteran who has worked as a lawyer, he is now one of the major authors of the military science fiction genre.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being saddled with the silliest cover ever, this is a wonderfully fun book. It includes all of David Drake's Old Nathan stories, the classic Hogben stories from the the 1940's by Henry Kuttner, and a great new short novel by Eric Flint and Ryk Spoor. It's a wonderful Appalachian companion volume to Manly Wade Wellman's John the Balladeer series.

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anthology with three drastically different works within tied together thematically. The opening novella is a workmanlike piece at best, no better than two stars for its hackneyed plot and heavy reliance on mindless stereotypes. Kuttner's Hogben stories are truly amazing and should be read by every fantasy fan. Drake's Old Nathan stories are solid and creative, but each of them seems obnoxiously padded as well. a VERY mixed bag.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Product Description

The forces of evil, both natural and supernatural, are poised to prey on the folk of the hamlets and hollows: witches, demons, and criminals of more than one century. But first they'll have to overcome some very unusual residents of the hills and valleys. One is David Drake's unforgettable creation, Old Nathan the Wizard. He doesn't claim much for his magical powers, but they're real enough for what they are-and besides, he hasn't forgotten how to use his long flintlock rifle. Enter the gritty, realistic world of Old Nathan, a backwoodsman who talks to animals and says he'll face the Devil himself-and who in the end will have to face the Devil in very fact. A century later, very different interlopers, from criminals to snooping college professors, are poking around the hills, up to no good. But a very unusual family, the Hogbens, are likely to cause more trouble than unwelcome visitors can handle, as Henry Kuttner relates. They're a family of mutants, with very unusual powers, and city folk who cause trouble are likely to suddenly find unbelievable-and unpleasant-things happening to them. But not all of the trouble is caused by humans, as the Slade family find out when Eric Flint and Ryk E. Spoor relate how a Kentucky family finds itself caught in the middle of a struggle between battling groups of the creatures who live deep underground and are the basis from the old legends of gnomes. The Slades have to make sure that the right gnomes win-or an earthquake will wipe out everyone in at least four states. Magic, mutants, and mountain folk add up to an unusual volume, with adventure ranging from the grim and eerie to the wildly comic.

[Samuel Lubell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is as long as a Tor novella so I'm counting it, even though it is part of an omnibus. This novella is light and fun. I love the contrast between the self-acknowledged JAP girlfriend, whose dialogue sparkles with Yiddish and who compares everything to NYC with the rural surroundings of the boyfriend's family home. Basically, the family is rich because whenever they need money they steal diamonds from the Nomes, but they have to learn to work together to prevent the Nomes' enemies from destroying several states.

[Andreas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novelette from the anthology “Mountain Magic” deals with a young man from Kentucky taking his fiancee, a New Yorker, home to meet the parents. Little does she know that the Slade family hides a secret centuries old, about strange beings who live underground.

While not stellar, this story is entertaining enough to while away a few hours. Flint and Spoor have an easy style and a lovely wit.

http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=931

[Melanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella reminded me (somewhat) of Lisa Goldstein's Uncertain Places. It's not quite as convincing a faux-fairytale, but is still fun.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not bad...

[Lynn Calvin]

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