Storms of Victory

~ 1st book in the Witch World: The Turning Series by Andre Norton

Two original stories by Andre Norton and Pauline M. Griffin

storms.of.victory

 

Contains ~

  • The Chronicler: “There was a time…” ~ (Introduction by Andre Norton)
  • Seakeep by Pauline M. Griffin


Synopsis ~

Write-up from the front flap of the 1991 dustjacket ~

For over twenty-five years, Andre Norton. "The Grande Dame of science fiction,” (Life Magazine) has enchanted millions of readers with the most famous and popular of her works, the enthralling novels of magic and excitement set in the Witch World, “One of fantasy's most enduring world settings” (Library Journal). Now, culminating decades of sharpening her artistic focus, comes the greatest epic of the Witch World oeuvre. STORMS OF VICTORY is the crystallization of Ms. Norton’s vision of the most pivotal time in the development of the Witch World mythos. Working closely with P.M, Griffin, one of a select group with whom she has carefully structured the entire Witch World: The Turning, Norton has brought to vivid life the Turning. This massive effort of the combined magical Power of the Witches of Estcarp foiled the invasion by Pagin of Karsten, but brought chaos and destruction to every corner of the Witch World, as well as crippling most of the Witches involved, To a single sanctuary at Lormt stream the homeless and bereft to seek news of those lost to them during the cataclysmic Turnin , A young scholar, Duratan, gathers and relates the tales of hardy survivors and their heroic struggles to wrest life and justice from the ashes of a war-torn, ravaged world. Two full-length novels, Port of Dead Ships and Sea Keep, chronicle the grand sweep of the legendary time of the Turning. The former is the struggle of a young woman to harness new-found witch Power after the other witches have been stripped of their own, while she battles an ancient evil that drew to the Witch World a terrifying menace through a new, otherworldly sea gate. The latter is the rousing saga of proud Falconers and Dales nobility who are forced to ally against a scourge of pirate marauders. STORMS OF VICTORY is truly the great Witch World epic millions of readers have eagerly awaited.

 

Write-up from the back of the paperback edition ~

The Witches of Estcarp defeated Pagin of Karsten when they caused the Turning, a massive cataclysm that moved mountains to block the invasion. But the witches’ enormous use of magic crippled their powers and brought chaos and destruction to all of Witch World.
At the Lormt sanctuary, a solitary chronicler is trying to bring people news of those lost or missing since the cataclysm. And to him come two rousing epics of heroism and triumph, one of a young Sulcar woman who awakens to her Power only to do battle with an Ancient Evil; the other a saga of a Dales Lady and the falconers who help her defend her lands from marauding pirates.

“Both are thoroughly excellent tales that will find readers among Norton’s vast following.” – ALA Booklist

“Nebula Grand Master Norton is back at the top of her form.” – Publishers Weekly

 

Reviews ~

Kirkus Reviews ~ Issue: Feb. 15th, 1991
Yet another massive series of Witch World yams kicks off, this set in the chaotic aftermath of a climactic battle, the Turning, in which the (good) Witches of Estcarp defeated the invading (evil) Hounds of Alizon. A short story about the Chronicler of Lormt frames the two short novels here. Norton's "Port of Dead Ships" describes how a young girl, a passenger on a ship carrying royal refugees, becomes involved in a magical battle of wills with an evil power. Griffin's "Sea Keep" features a widowed Lady of the Dales who, to defend her home, is forced to ally with traditional hatedrival Falconers. Standard stuff. Witch World fans, go to. 

 

Review by Publishers Weekly ~ March 04, 1991

Nebula Grand Master Norton (Dare to Go A-Hunting; Wizards' Worlds) is back at the top of her form in one of two tales beginning a new series. ``Port of Dead Ships'' follows Destree m'Regnant, a young woman despised by her people, the Sulcars, due to the circumstances of her birth and her powers of foreseeing. On a sea expedition to investigate disturbances to the south, her slowly maturing powers save her shipmates and the lost souls entrapped by an ancient evil that manipulates a Gate to many worlds. Griffin's (Fire Planet) contribution tells of the developing bond between a Hold lady of the Dales and the leader of a band of Falconers. Una of Seakeep hires the women-hating Falconers to defend her isolated hold from the depredations of her neighbor, a wrecker who wants to use her rocky coasts to lure more ships to their doom. The reluctant mercenaries take on the engagement and begin to develop bonds with the wild and beautiful Seakeep, particularly Tarlach, the leader. After a battle with men and ancient power, it remains for Una to create an answer for both peoples. These two tales make up the strongest entries in the Witch World saga in many years.

 

Dedications and Acknowledgements ~

Seakeep is dedicated to Maria Franzetti, a friend. - P.M.G.

 

Bibliography of English Editions ~

  • (1991) Published by TOR, HC, 0-312-93171-9, LCCN 90049030, $19.95, 432pg ~ cover by Dennis A. Nolan, maps by John M. Ford {Maroon Paper Boards}
  • (1992) Published by TOR, PB, 0-812-51109-3, LCCN 90-49030, $4.99, 432pg ~ cover by Dennis A. Nolan, maps by John M. Ford
  • (2014) Published by Open Road Media, DM, 978-1-497655-24-9, $3.99, 322pg, ~ cover by Barbara Brown ~ re-released in 2017 with new cover-art by Ian Koviak

 

Non-English Editions ~

  • (1998) Storms of Victory: Port of Dead Ships ~ Published in Plzeň, Czech Republic; by Laser, PB, 80-7193-032-3, 198pg ~ cover by Steve Crisp ~ translation by Věroslava Ončáková ~ Czech title Svět čarodějnic 4: Přístav mrtvých lodí [Witch World 4: Port of the Dead Ships]
  • (1998) Storms of Victory: Seakeep ~ Published in Plzeň, Czech Republic; by Laser, PB, 80-7193-039-3 ~ cover by Steve Crisp ~ translation by Věroslava Ončáková ~ Czech title Svět čarodějnic 5: Mořská pevnost [World of Witches 5: Sea Fortress]
  • (1994) Storms of Victory: Port of Dead Ships ~ Published in Warsaw, Poland; by Amber, 83-708-2637-7, 244pg ~ translation by Ewa Witecka ~ cover by Steve Crisp ~ Polish title Port umarłych statków [Port of Dead Ships]
  • (1994) Storms of Victory: Seakeep ~ Published in Warsaw, Poland; by Amber, 83-708-2649-0, 246pg ~ translation by Ewa Witecka ~ cover by Steve Crisp ~ Polish title Morska Twierdza [The sea fortress]

 

Russian Omnibus Editions ~

  • (1996) Published in Moscow, by Sigma Press and Zelenograd, by Zelenogradskaya Books, 5-859-49061-5, HC, 416pg ~ cover by Peter Andre Jones (front cover) & Louis Royo (rear cover) ~ Russian title Колдовской мир - 2 [Witching World 2]

Contains:

    • "Port of Dead Ships" as "Port of the dead ships" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 4-207
    • "Seakeep" by Pauline M. Griffin as "Sea Fortress" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 208-414

 

  • (2000) Published in Moscow, by AST and St. Petersburg, by Terra Fantastica, 5-170-03408-3 and 5-792-10350-X, HC, 640pg ~ cover - left drawing by B. Vallejo, lower right by L. Royo and upper right by G. Ruddell ~ Russian title Порт погибших кораблей. Морская крепость. Изгнание. [Port of the dead ships. Sea fortress. Exile]

Contains:

    • "Port of Dead Ships" as "Port of the dead ships" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 5-228
    • "Seakeep" by Pauline Griffin as "Sea Fortress" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 229-452
    • "Exile" by Mary Schaub ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 453-635

 

Ukrainian Omnibus Editions ~

  • (2010) Published in Kyiv, Ukraine by Globe, (Fanzine) ~ 784pgs. ~ cover by Rodney Matthews ~ Ukrainian title Колдовской мир-4 [Sorcerer's World -4] ~ Limited to 10 copies and not released until November 2018

Contains:

    • "The Jargoon Pard" as "A leopard belt" ~ translation by K. Prilypko, pp. 5-149
    • "Zarsthor's Bane" as "The Curse of Zarstor" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 151-247
    • "Were-Wrath" as "Wrath of the Werewolf" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 249-277
    • "One Spell Wizard" as "Mediocre magician" ~ translation by E. Drozd, pp. 279-295
    • "Lore of the Witch World" as "Traditions of the Witching World"
      • "Spider Silk" as "Spider silk" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 299-332
      • "Sand Sister" as "Sand Sisters" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 333-372
      • "Falcon Blood" as "Blood of the Falcon" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 373-386
      • "Legacy from Sorn Fen" as "The inheritance of the Sorn bog" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 387-395
      • "Sword of Unbelief" as "Sword of Disbelief" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 396-421
      • "The Toads of Grimmerdale" as "Grimmerdale Toads" ~ translation by K. Korolyov, pp. 422-465
      • "Changeling" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 466-489
    • "The Turning" as "The Consequences of the Great Shift"
      • "Port of Dead Ships" as "Port of the dead ships" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 491-636
      • "Seakeep" by Pauline Griffin as "Sea Fortress" ~ translation by D. Arseniev, pp. 637-781

See Also: The Sorcerer's Conspectus entry for this title.

For information on editions currently available visit the Book Store

View the embedded image gallery online at:
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Maps;

john.ford.witch.world.map1    john.ford.witch.world.map2

 

 

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