Philip Martin

A Guide to Fantasy Literature is a wide-ranging, thoughtful look at the magic of fantasy storytelling and why it delights and enchants readers of all ages. The book discusses the nature of the best writing, from tales of Middle-earth and Narnia to many other examples of high fantasy, dark fantasy, fairy-tale fiction, magic realism, and adventure-fantasy tales. The book also examines the major building blocks of fantasy fiction, and discusses the purpose and popularity of fantasy literature today. Includes material from original interviews and many brief samples of outstanding passages from the writings of the best fantasists, from J.R.R. Tolkien to J.K. Rowling, from C.S. Lewis to Stephen King, drawing an inclusive picture of a vibrant literary community across the ages. This is a substantially revised version of an earlier work, The Writer's Guide to Fantasy Literature (2002), now oriented to a general audience of readers, while offering many tips and techniques for writers.

The TARDIS has stalled in mid-flight, and it is only on the planet Varos that the Doctor can find the precious Zeiton-7 ore he needs to continue his travels through time and space. Arriving on the planet, he saves the rebel Jondar from execution, and incurs the wrath of Sil, the sadistic representative of the Galatron Mining Corporation on Varos. The hunt is on for the Doctor and his rebel friends. And as they are pursued through the corridors of the deadly Punishment Dome, the Doctor discovers that the people of Varos have some very disturbing ideas of entertainment...

Accused of ‘crimes against the inviolate laws of evolution’, the Doctor is on trial for his life. The sinister prosecutor, the Valeyard, presents the High Council of Time Lords with the second piece of evidence against the Doctor: a dramatic adventure on the planet Thoros-Beta which led to the renegade Time Lord’s summons to the Court of Enquiry. But as the Doctor watches the scenes on the Matrix he is puzzled by what he sees - his behaviour is not as he remembers. Only one thing is certain: on the evidence of the Matrix the Doctor is surely guilty as charged...