An epic collection of fantasy stories from true masters of the genre, including a never-before-published Song of Ice and Fire novella by George R. R. Martin. Fantasy fiction has produced some of the most unforgettable heroes ever: Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian, Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melnibon?, Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Classic characters like these made sword and sorcery a cornerstone of fantasy fiction and an inspiration for a new generation of writers spinning their own tales of magical adventure. Now, in The Book of Swords, acclaimed editor and best-selling author Gardner Dozois presents an anthology of original epic stories by a stellar cast of modern masters, including George R. R. Martin, Robin Hobb, Garth Nix, Ken Liu, Daniel Abraham, Scott Lynch, Cecelia Holland, Ellen Kushner and more on journeys into the outer realms of dark enchantment and intrepid adventure, featuring a stunning assortment of fearless swordsmen and warrior women who face down danger and death at every turn with courage, cunning, and cold steel. Featuring 16 new stories: 'The Best Man Wins' by K. J. Parker 'Her Father's Sword' by Robin Hobb 'The Hidden Girl' by Ken Liu 'The Sword of Destiny' by Matthew Hughes '"I Am a Handsome Man," Said Apollo Crow' by Kate Elliott 'The Triumph of Virtue' by Walter Jon Williams 'The Mocking Tower' by Daniel Abraham 'Hrunting' by C. J. Cherryh 'A Long, Cold Trail' by Garth Nix 'When I Was a Highwayman' by Ellen Kushner 'The Smoke of Gold Is Glory' by Scott Lynch 'The Colgrid Conundrum' by Rich Larson 'The King's Evil' by Elizabeth Bear 'Waterfalling' by Lavie Tidhar 'The Sword Tyraste' by Cecelia Holland 'The Sons of the Dragon' by George R. R. Martin Plus an introduction by Gardner Dozois. Full cast of narrators includes Richard Brewer, Nicholas Guy Smith, Kirby Heyborne, Ralph Lister, Mark Deakins and Julia Whelan.