6W Orson Scott Card. Illustrated by Tom Kidd. Burton MI: Subterrenean Press, 2008. First Edition. Limited Edition. SIGNED
Notes
Orson Scott Card is an acclaimed, multi-award-winning master of speculative fiction. Best known as the visionary behind the iconic Ender’s Game and the expansive Tales of Alvin Maker series, Card has earned a formidable reputation for constructing deeply immersive worlds bound by intricate, logical systems of magic and morality. His narratives consistently blend intense character-driven coming-of-age struggles with broader philosophical questions about power, institutional rules, and family dynamics. A prolific author whose career spans multiple decades, formats, and genres, Card’s unique ability to weave intimate human experiences into complex epic fantasies remains a foundational element of his enduring literary appeal.
Published as a beautifully crafted, standalone deluxe novella, this volume serves as the essential prelude to Card's expansive Mither Mages urban fantasy trilogy. The story follows Runnel, a friendless and abused peasant from an isolated mountain valley who travels to Mitherhome, the grand city of the water mages, entirely unaware of his own latent magical abilities. Upon taking a servant's position in the household of the city's sole stone mage, Runnel unwittingly stumbles into a centuries-old elemental feud. As his untapped affinity for deep earth magic dangerously manifests, he must navigate strict, ancient laws to prevent his untrained errors from endangering everyone around him. Complete with a vibrant dust jacket and elegant interior illustrations by Hugo Award-winning artist Tom Kidd, this 112-page limited first edition stands as a highly sought-after, cozy collectible for fantasy enthusiasts.
Description
Original gray cloth with blue foil lettering to spine. Textured endpapers. Tom Kidd illustrated dustwrapper and illustrations throughout. Original bright dustwrapper. Signed by Orson Scott Card in blue ink on limitation page. Fine condition.