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Mage Errant
The Gorgon Incident and Other Stories: A Mage Errant Anthology
A fugitive child finds shelter with a monster of legend. A mind-blind scholar outwits the mages who disdain him. A gold mage must secure a bank vault from a monster capable of obliterating entire cities. An aging basketweaver wakes up one morning to find a brand new river in front of her house. A palace-sized octopus seeks to defend his city from a living fortress of bone—if he can get his arms to cooperate.
In these twenty-four short stories set in the world of Mage Errant, John Bierce explores the murky depths of history, forgotten corners of Ithos and beyond, and the strangest reaches of magic itself.
In these twenty-four short stories set in the world of Mage Errant, John Bierce explores the murky depths of history, forgotten corners of Ithos and beyond, and the strangest reaches of magic itself.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2024
About the author
John Bierce
13 books1,087 followersJohn Bierce is a fantasy novelist, history and science buff, SFF fan, and general all-around dork. He is currently traveling the world as a digital nomad, but spends a lot more time observing the urban ecology of drainage ditches in other countries than visiting glamorous tourist destinations. (Did you know that Southeast Asia has freshwater crabs? Who are apparently fantastic parents, unlike basically every other crab species ever? It’s definitely surprising the first time you see a crab wandering around in a ditch hundreds of miles from the ocean.)
https://johnbierce.com/
https://johnbierce.com/
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 28, 2024
I loved the world building in the Mage Errant series, and these stories were a delightful addition. We get to see some of the history and great powers that weren't fleshed out in the main series, and I felt like the stories (for the most part) had the same spark of humor that made the rest of the series such an enjoyable read.
June 6, 2024
I really enjoyed going on short story adventures into the past of Mage Errant!
2/3 of this book takes place prior to mage errant starting at 500 years prior. Sooooo good.
I enjoyed the stories that take place during the main series but not as much as those that take place from 500-35 years prior to the start of the series. Those are some of John Bierce’s best writing
2/3 of this book takes place prior to mage errant starting at 500 years prior. Sooooo good.
I enjoyed the stories that take place during the main series but not as much as those that take place from 500-35 years prior to the start of the series. Those are some of John Bierce’s best writing
March 13, 2024
More "Mage Errant bonus content" than a short story collection, but that's not a bad thing.
February 29, 2024
I read an ARC version of this anthology. Mage Errant is one of my favorite magical academy books and this collection of short stories was a great addition to this amazing setting. We got to meet several side characters from the main series, as well as past stories, origin of named weapons, visit other continents, etc.
Some of my favorites include:
* The Wanderer
* Test of Magic
* Old Setah and the River (wouldn't mind a novella/novel with Setah as the MC)
* Counterfeit
* The Gorgon Incident
* Mudflat Nights (mostly for the worldbuilding and pepper vs glass matchup)
* Luthe of Clan Castis
Some of my favorites include:
* The Wanderer
* Test of Magic
* Old Setah and the River (wouldn't mind a novella/novel with Setah as the MC)
* Counterfeit
* The Gorgon Incident
* Mudflat Nights (mostly for the worldbuilding and pepper vs glass matchup)
* Luthe of Clan Castis
July 21, 2024
Beautifully written
While this compendium of short stories is an excellent addition to the existing worldbuilding of Mage Errant, it stands on its own as a beautifully-written work. It managed to make me become invested in the stories of characters that had only just been introduced, something that entire series fail to do. Highly recommended for fans of Mage Errant and worldbuilding in general.
While this compendium of short stories is an excellent addition to the existing worldbuilding of Mage Errant, it stands on its own as a beautifully-written work. It managed to make me become invested in the stories of characters that had only just been introduced, something that entire series fail to do. Highly recommended for fans of Mage Errant and worldbuilding in general.
March 2, 2024
Fun book! I wasn’t the hugest fan of the Mage Errant series but I think the author is at his best when he’s focused on world building, magic usage and action. The stories focused on that were definitely my favorites in this book. I didn’t care for a few of them and a few others were just so-so but there were definitely some I absolutely loved.
March 5, 2024
Great series of short stories to go with Mage Errant
I thought this was a great selection of short stories to go with the Mage errant series. I think my favorite has to Be Luthe's story followed by Calrin's tale, just because someone is not as good as you in one area doesn't mean it is ok to dismiss them out of hand.
I thought this was a great selection of short stories to go with the Mage errant series. I think my favorite has to Be Luthe's story followed by Calrin's tale, just because someone is not as good as you in one area doesn't mean it is ok to dismiss them out of hand.
December 18, 2023
I’m leaving this here to offset the ill-conceived actions of whoever decided to give a 1-star rating to an unreleased book. And I figure it’ll match my expectations once its released anyways. John Bierce is a fantastic author.
March 26, 2024
Astonishing and fascinating
A rich world full of magic and history, the stories are wonderful and bite-sized, perfect for reading a few at a time. Bierce's affinity-based magic is intriguing, giving his mages the chance to be endlessly creative. Bonus science facts at the end!
A rich world full of magic and history, the stories are wonderful and bite-sized, perfect for reading a few at a time. Bierce's affinity-based magic is intriguing, giving his mages the chance to be endlessly creative. Bonus science facts at the end!
April 13, 2024
I'm not normally a fan of anthologies, but this one was so good. I love the world that Bierce created in the Mage Errant universe and am so sad that the main story has ended. This served as a perfect reminder of that world. Most/all the short stories were great
August 9, 2024
World building perfection
The ability to write fascinating short stories from so many different perspectives, all building on each other to create a deep and immersive world, is incredible. John Bierce is a master at creating the impression of thousands of years of history with just a few words.
The ability to write fascinating short stories from so many different perspectives, all building on each other to create a deep and immersive world, is incredible. John Bierce is a master at creating the impression of thousands of years of history with just a few words.
March 7, 2024
VERY entertaining
Very well written short stories, very imaginative, with lots of humor. It would be helpful to read the Mage Errant series first.
Very well written short stories, very imaginative, with lots of humor. It would be helpful to read the Mage Errant series first.
March 10, 2024
A great collection of short stories, both individually interesting, and adding depth to the world.
March 12, 2024
If you were a fan of the Mage Errant series, you will assuredly enjoy this arrangement of short stories set in the same universe.
March 15, 2024
A wonderful collection of stories todd expand on The amazing world of Mage Errant. If you liked the series, it is a must read.
March 31, 2024
more of Hugh
More hugh and his friends their story is the one people want to read. Need to continue their story please
More hugh and his friends their story is the one people want to read. Need to continue their story please
April 5, 2024
Great world building
More fleshing out of the fantastic worlds of John’s creating is always appreciated. Looking forward to the next series in this multiverse.
More fleshing out of the fantastic worlds of John’s creating is always appreciated. Looking forward to the next series in this multiverse.
April 8, 2024
Not bad, it lacks the best part of the main series - the character development. I liked the backstories on the characters peripherally mentioned in the main storyline.
May 10, 2024
A really nice semi eclectic set of short stories. Definitely helps to read the series first.
May 10, 2024
I wouldn't recommend it unless you are already a fan of the mage errant universe. If you are though, great fun seeing more corners of the world.
May 21, 2024
Lots of world building
June 3, 2024
Actually my favorite short story collection
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews