Historical and Mythic Fantasy

Norse/Germanic Novels and Stories:

The Wodan’s Children trilogy

The Siegfried legend, set against the history of the fifth century, when the Burgunds, Huns, and Romans battled for Europe and Wodan walked the world. For this trilogy, I drew on the Volsunga Saga, an Icelandic version of the story, the German Nibelungenlied, and  a lot of history books, with a nod here and there to Wagner.

The Wolf and the Raven, William Morrow,  1993.

The first book follows Sigfrid and Brunahild from childhood onward as he runs with the wolves and is raised by the mysterious smith, Regin, and she becomes one of the sisterhood known as the walkyriun. Aided by Wodan (Odin), he reforges his father’s sword, kills Fafnir and becomes a warrior, while she, disobeying orders, is cast out. When he rescues her, their love affair begins.

This book appeared  in German as Brunhilde’s Lied (“Brunhilde’s Life”) (Bastei-Lübbe Verlag, 1997), and in Italian as Il Lupo del Reno (“The Wolf of the Rhine”) (Editrice Nord, 1998).

The Dragons of the Rhine, AvoNova 1995, p.b. 1995

In the second book, Sigfrid goes off to seek more glory, and instead encounters politics and treachery when a spell causes him to forget Brunahild and marry Gudrun, the sister of the Burgund king Gundohar. When he unwillingly helps to marry Brunahild, she swears vengeance, and the stage is set for tragedy.

This book appeared in German as Sigfrid’s Tod (“Sigfrid’s Death”), Bastei-Lübbe Verlag, 1997.

The Lord of Horses, AvoNova, 1996

The final book covers the events told in the second half of the Nibelungenlied, as Sigfrid’s grieving widow is married off to Atli (known today as Atilla the Hun). Exiled to an alien culture, she finds her courage, avenges Sigfrid and Brunahild, and gains peace at last.

This book appeared in German as Gudrun’s Rache (“Gudrun’s Revenge”) (Bastei-Lübbe Verlag, 1997).


Stories about “Mr. Harbard”:

“Harbard”  (“Hoar-Beard” or “Frost-Beard”) is one of the by-names of the Norse god Odin. In the opinion of many, when Scandinavia became Christian he did not disappear, but went underground. These stories suggest some of the things he might have been doing.

“An Augmentation of Dust”, Weird Tales from Shakespeare,, ed. Katharine Kerr and Martin Greenberg, DAW Books, 1994.

Odin meets Shakespeare

“Riders of the Rainbow Ridge”, Realms of Fantasy, June, 1997.

In a town in the Old West, all the characters are Norse gods.

“How the Wild Hunt Came to Trygvadal”, Wizard Fantastic, Martin Greenberg, DAW 1997.

With Odin’s help, a 12th century Norseman avenges his son.


Stories about Bera and Kon:

These stories feature a Voelva and a Runemaster in the 10th century Viking world.  Kon is born a thrall, but apprenticed to a cutter of runestones from whom he learns galdr magic.  Bera is rescued from a cruel stepmother by the Voelva Gróa, learns the craft of the seeress and eventually becomes a Voelva herself with Thor as her protector and a Bear as her spirit ally.  The earlier stories are set in Norway, but in the last two, Bera has journeyed to Viking Britain.

“The Kin of Rig” – The Book of Sorcery,  ed. Katherine Kerr, Richard Gilliam and Martin Greenberg, Harper/Collins, 1996.

The thrall Kon uses runelore to defeat a draug (a Norse zombie).

“The Thronespell”, Spell Fantastic, ed. Larry Segriff and Martin Greenberg, DAW 2000.

“Spirit Singer”, Sword and Sorceress XI, ed. Marion Zimmer Bradley, DAW 1994.

“Stone Spirit”, Sword and Sorceress XII, ed. Marion Zimmer Bradley, DAW 1995.

“Twilight”, Sword and Sorceress XIII, ed. Marion Zimmer Bradley, DAW, 1996.

“The Changelings”, Sword and Sorceress XIV, ed. Marion Zimmer Bradley, DAW, 1997.

“Spring Snow”, Sword and Sorceress XV, ed. Marion Zimmer Bradley, DAW 1998.

“Daughter of the Bear”, Sword and Sorceress XVI, ed. Marion Zimmer Bradley, DAW 1999.

“Lady of Flame”, Sword and Sorceress XVII, ed. Marion Zimmer Bradley, DAW 2000.

“A Passage of Power”, Sword and Sorceress XVIII, ed. Marion Zimmer Bradley, DAW 2001.

“The Sign of the Boar”, Sword and Sorceress XIX, ed. Marion Zimmer Bradley, DAW 2002.

“The Song of the Stones”, Sword and Sorceress XX, ed. Marion Zimmer Bradley, DAW 2003.


Series-Independent Germanic Novels and Stories:

Brisingamen, Berkley Books, 1984.

When a UC Berkeley grad student comes into possession of Freyja’s necklace the goddess returns, but so do her enemies, and the Bay Area becomes a battleground. This was my first foray into Norse mythology, and the beginning of an enduring interest.

“The Offering Place”, Ancient Enchantresses, ed. Kathleeen M. Massie-Ferch, Martin Greenberg, Richard Gilliam, DAW Books, 1995.

In the first century, the young Veleda helps the ghosts of Varus’ legion to pass to the Otherworld.

“A Two-Edged Blade”, Warrior Fantastic, ed. Larry Segriff and Martin Greenberg, DAW 2001.

The story of the young Hengest at Finnesburgh. Fifth century.

“The Bloodbeast”, Sisters of the Night, ed. Barbara Hambly & Martin Greenberg, Warner Books, 1995.

A young woman faces a vampiric troll-cat in Viking Norway.

“Volsi”, Sisters in Fantasy II, ed. Susan Shwartz & Martin Greenberg, ROC, 1996.

Heathens versus King Olaf.  Based on the story in Flateyjarbók.

“The Tale of Hrafn-Bui”, Flights of Fantasy, ed. Mercedes Lackey & Martin Greenberg, DAW, 1999.

A young Icelander is aided by ravens to reclaim his inheritance.

“The Girl Who Went into the Hill”, Elf Fantastic, Martin Greenberg, DAW 1997.

A Norwegian girl is kidnapped by an elven prince. Medieval.


Celtic Novels and Stories:

White Mare, Red Stallion, Berkley Books, 1986, New English Library, London, 1988.

The daughter of a British chief battles the Romans and rival clans in 2nd century Scotland.  This was written for a “historical/fantasy/romance” line of novels.

The White Raven,  (hb)Morrow, 1988, hb) New English Library, London, 1988, (pb, 1989),(pb) Avon Books,  l989, Die Zauber von Erin,(hb) Gustav Lubbe Verlag, Cologne, 1990, (hb) Italian,  1990?

This was my first hardcover, the story of Tristan and Iseult told from the point of view of Iseult’s cousin Branwen.

The Serpent’s Tooth, William Morrow, 1991, Avon, 1993, Il Dente del Serpente, Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, Milano, 1994, Die Kelten-Königin,  Gustav-Lübbe Verlag, Cologne, 1994, El Colmillo del Serpente, Editions Apostrofe, Madrid, 1998

The King Lear story, set in the 5th century BC in Britain, just as the first Celtic tribes were moving in.  From the point of view of Cordelia.

Fionn MacCumhail Trilogy (with Adrienne Martine-Barnes)

Master of Earth and Water, AvoNova/William Morrow, 1993.

Shield Between the Worlds, AvoNova/William Morrow,  1994.

Sword of Fire and Shadow, AvoNova, 1995

The story of the great Irish hero Fionn MacCumhail.


Arthurian Novels and Stories

Here you will find all my delvings into the Arthurian mythos–at least, those that weren’t Avalon stories!

Hallowed Isle Novels:

The story of King Arthur, focusing on the different peoples of Britannia, and the four hallows.

The Book of the Sword, AvonEos 1999.

The Book of the Spear, AvonEos 1999.

The Book of the Cauldron, AvonEos 1999.

 The Book of the Stone, AvonEos, 2000.

as a single volume, Hallowed Isle, Science Fiction Book Club, 2000.

paperback The Book of the Sword and Spear 2000.
The Book of the Cauldron and Stone 2001.
In German, Die Herrin vom See & Die Herrin vom Raben  Bastei-Lübbe, 2000, 2001

Hallowed Isle-related Stories:

“The God-Sword”, Excalibur, ed. Richard Gilliam and Martin Greenberg, Warner/Questar, 1995.

How Sarmatian auxiliaries brought Excalibur to Britain. Background for Hallowed Isle.

“Wild Man”, Camelot, ed. Jane Yolen, Philomel Press, 1995.

How Merlin lived with the Wild Men.  Relates to Hallowed Isle.

“Cauldron of Light”, Tales of Merlin, ed. Martin Greenberg, DAW 1999.

What Merlin was doing during the quest for the Holy Grail.  An out-take from The Book of the Cauldron.

“On Macha’s Mound”, Within the Hollow Hills, ed. John Matthews, London, Floris Books, 1994.

Past and present meet at Emain Macha, as ancient conflicts are echoed by the conflict between Protestants and the IRA.

“Lady of the Rock”, Lammas Night, ed. Josepha Sherman, Baen Books, 1996.

A girl returns to her ancestral home in Ireland and discovers the true meaning of dancing at Lughnasadh.

“Lion at the Gate”, Zodiac Fantastic, ed. Martin Greenberg, DAW 1997.

A young American athlete visits Glastonbury Tor and discovers that he is Gawain from the medieval Perlesvaus  romance.


Stories featuring Umbanda and Voudoun

“Black Water”, Phantoms of the Night, ed.  Richard Gilliam , DAW 1996.

Maman Brigitte deals with the ghost of a sorcerer in modern New Orleans.

“Earthen Mound”, Warrior Enchantresses, ed. Kathleen M. Massie-Ferch, Martin Greenberg, Richard Gilliam,  DAW 1996.

Why Grandmother Nana is considered a warrior in Africa.

“The Crossroads”, Lace and Blade I, ed. Deborah Ross, Norilana Press 2008.

The baron Claude DeLorme meets Exu and Pomba Gira in 19th century Brazil and saves a beautiful courtesan with a card game, and his own life in a duel.

“The Crow”, Lace and Blade II, ed. Deborah Ross, Norilana Press 2009.

Claude returns to Paris, where he finds another aspect of Exu and joins with Eliphas Levi to defeat a black sorcerer.

“Blue Velvet”, The Feathered Edge, ed. Deborah Ross, Sky Warrior Books, 2012.

In Algiers, Claude rescues an abducted girl with the aid of the mysterious trader, Veludo, and learns what it means to be a victim.