Dilvish, the Damned

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dilvish, the Damned is a fantasy novel written by Roger Zelazny, and first published in 1982. Its contents were originally published as a series of separate short stories. Prior to publication, Zelazny's working title for the book was Nine Black Doves. Followed by a sequel, The Changing Land, which was actually published before Dilvish appeared in book form.

[edit] Plot summary

Dilvish is the descendant of both elves and humans. Hundreds of years ago, he was turned into stone and his soul banished to Hell by the sorcerer Jelerak. When he returns with the metal demon horse Black, he desires revenge on Jelerak, but is interrupted by an assault on his homeland, which he helps to repulse. Dilvish then goes to call up the Shoredan - a cursed people bound to his family. He searches for Jelerak in the Tower of Ice and finds the sorcerer's apprentice and his sister trapped there. The two of them believe him to be a servant of Jelerak sent to kill them.

[edit] Contents

The original short story sequence comprising Dilvish, the Damned were originally published as follows:

• "Passage to Dilfar" (1965)
• "Thelinde's Song" (1965)
• "The Bells of Shoredan" (1966)
• "A Knight for Merytha" (1967)
• "The Places of Aache" (1979)
• "A City Divided" (1970)
• "The White Beast" (1979)
• "Tower of Ice" (1981)
• "Devil and the Dancer" (1979)
• "Garden of Blood" (1979)
• "Dilvish, the Damned" (1982)

215 pages

[edit] Awards

Dilvish, the Damned was a 1982 Locus nominee.