A Wizard's War and Other Stories

Over a million copies of Ian Irvine’s Three Worlds novels sold.

A collection of original short and long stories, and novellas, set in Ian Irvine's internationally bestselling Three Worlds epic fantasy universe.

The Price of Freedom. The greatest and most tragic of the Aachim, Tensor, uses the Mirror of Aachan and leads his people to Santhenar to attack his Charon enemies. But will the mirror show true – or will it betray him? A novelette.

The Harrows. Dare Lita open the box at the bottom of the pool? But if she does, will it save her people – or harrow them again? A short story.

A Wizard's War. Towards the end of the devastating War of the Clysm, the first meeting of two of the greatest wizards ever born on on Santhenar will set up a thousand years of conflict. Here, for the first time and in Mendark's own words, is the story of the worst deed of his life, and the deed that made him. A novelette.

Darkness Visible. A young Karan goes to Carcharon to investigate her father’s death, and wishes she hadn’t.

The Professional Liar. Llian, brilliant creator of the 23rd Great Tale, the monumental Tale of the Mirror, is a tormented man, racked by guilt and post-traumatic stress. Can he save himself or is it too late for him? A short story.

The Seventh Sister. Aviel, a seventh sister, is the unluckiest girl in the world, and constantly tormented by her six slatternly grown-up sisters. But she is also gifted, and when her sisters hurl her into the haunted Sacrifice Tree, Aviel encounters a dying man, desperate to get a message out to his beloved Tallia, the Magister. Can Aviel solve the riddle of his murder, and turn her miserable life around, or will the thumbless killer get her too? A novella.

One Throw of the Die. This novelette is set immediately after the disastrous ending of Chimaera. The surviving allies, led by Flydd, flee for their lives, pursued relentlessly by the ruthless tyrant, Jal-Nish, whose two quicksilver Tears now hold all the magical power in the world. Then Flydd's dying friend, Troist, begs him to save his twin daughters from the tyrant. Flydd knows it's a suicide mission but cannot refuse. Can he rescue Liliwen and Meriwen from the most powerful mancer in the world, or will Jal-Nish destroy them all? A long novella.

What reviewers say about the Three Worlds books

“A compelling adventure in a landscape full of wonders.” – Locus

“A page-turner of the highest order … Formidable!” – SFX on Geomancer

“It is the most engrossing book I’ve read in years.” – Van Ikin, Sydney Morning Herald

“Readers of Eddings, Goodkind and Jordan will lap this one up.” – Starlog

“Utterly absorbing.” Stephen Davenport, Independent Weekly

“For sheer excitement, there’s just no one like Irvine.” SFX on The Destiny of the Dead

“As good as anything I have read in the fantasy genre.” – Adelaide Advertiser

More reviews

"In a world full of epic fantasy clones, this stands out as a world-building labour of love with some truly original touches." – Locus on A Shadow on the Glass

“Hugely ambitious – an epic, tragic tale of history’s implacable impact on the present, full of driven, often unlikeable and inept characters, and betrayal. Interest and originality there is aplenty – and action.” – Starburst, on The View from the Mirror quartet.

“A page-turner of the highest order … Arguably the most inventive fantasy author to emerge in recent years, Irvine can now consider himself comfortably ranked next to the works of Robert Jordan and David Eddings and, more appropriately, the mighty Anne McCaffrey. Formidable!” – SFX on Geomancer.

‘It is the most engrossing book I’ve read in years, the lucid prose unfolding an action-and-suspense storyline featuring wonderfully credible characters.’ – Van Ikin, Sydney Morning Herald on Scrutator.

“Hang on with both hands, because this story waits for no one.” Sandy Auden, SFX on The Fate of the Fallen.

“The final payoff is fantastic. The most unflaggingly inventive storyteller we’ve seen in years.” Sydney Morning Herald on The Destiny of the Dead

‘Unbelievably, Irvine has managed to increase the pace of his story in this third and final volume – for sheer excitement, there’s just no one like Irvine around at the moment.’ SFX on The Destiny of the Dead.

‘This precise and beautifully crafted novel blooms from its ascetic opening to a resonant and rewarding climax. Makes what’s currently available on fantasy shelves seem hackneyed and formulaic. Utterly absorbing.” Stephen Davenport, Independent Weekly on The Destiny of the Dead.