Set in the Solar System, the narrative introduces Northwest Smith, a proto-Han Solo character, as he embarks on adventurous escapades. Originally published in 1933 in Weird Tales, this story marks the beginning of a series that showcases the imaginative world of science fiction. Catherine L. Moore, a pioneering female author in the genre, crafted this tale, establishing herself as a significant and award-winning figure in science fiction and fantasy literature.
Set on the mysterious planet Mars, the story follows Northwest Smith as he encounters a terrifying monstrosity that lures victims from distant realms. The narrative explores themes of fear and the unknown, immersing readers in a gripping adventure filled with suspense and cosmic horror. Smith's journey reveals both the dangers of the Martian landscape and the darker forces at play, making for a compelling and atmospheric tale.
Five dramatic novellas from the Golden Age of Science Fiction, in a striking new edition!
With her red hair flowing, her yellow eyes glinting like embers, and her face streaked with blood, Jirel is strong, fearless, and driven by honor. The fierce, proud, and relentless commander of warriors, standing tall above her enemies and simmering with rage, Jirel bids farewell to the world of treacherous men and walks through a forbidden door into Hell itself in pursuit of freedom, justice, and revenge. These are the classic tales of blood and honor that catapulted C.L. Moore into the legendary ranks of such acclaimed writers as Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs in the golden age of sword and sorcery. First published in the magazine Weird Tales in the 1930s, Moore's fantastic medieval adventures are heightened by a savage, romantic vision that helped define the genre, earning her recognition as a Grand Master for lifetime achievement by the World Fantasy Convention.
From the SF Gateway, the most comprehensive digital library of classic SFF titles ever assembled, comes an ideal sample introduction to the fantastic work of C. L. Moore. One of the first women to rise to prominence in the male-dominated world of pulp science fiction, Moore was a mainstay of SF in the middle of the last century, both as a solo writer and in collaboration with her husband, Henry Kuttner. This omnibus shows her mastery of both Sword and Sorcery and planetary romance, reprinting JIREL OF JOIRY, NORTHWEST OF EARTH, and story collection JUDGEMENT NIGHT.
Jirel of Joiry, the first of the great female warriors, the beautiful commander of the strongest fortress in the kingdom, would face any danger to defend her beloved country. She wielded her bright sword against mighty armies, the sinister magic of evil sorcerers and fearsome castles guarded by the dead, even daring to descend into Hell itself... Northwest Smith, the scarred and weathered outlaw, the legendary hero of the spaceways, forced to confront the terrible mysteries, the terrifying, mythic monsters of the universe... Jirel of Joiry and Northwest Smith are C.L. Moore's greatest creations and she used them not only to spin spellbinding tales but also to explore the mysteries of the human psyche.
Contents: 5 • Introduction (Chessboard Planet and Other Stories) • essay by Peter Pinto 9 • Note on "Fairy Chess" • essay by Peter Pinto 11 • Chessboard Planet • novella by Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore (variant of The Fairy Chessmen 1946) 116 • Camouflage • (1945) • novelette by Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore 148 • Android • (1951) • novelette by Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore 179 • Or Else • (1953) • shortstory by Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore
This small paperback contains 3 novelettes: Vintage Season, Home There's No Returning, and Two-handed Engine as well as two short stories: The Devil We Know and Exit the Professor written by the husband and wife co-authors.