awkward, but Eddison never reverts to it once the
real story is underway.
Eddison’s other major fantasy work is the
Zimiamvia trilogy, actually three related novels
that do not share a common story line and can be
read in any order despite some consistent internal
chronology. Zimiamvia is rather tenuously con-
nected to The Worm Ouroborosand includes the
three volumes Mistress of Mistresses(1935), A Fish
Dinner at Memison (1958), and the unfinished,
posthumously published The Mezentian Gate
(1958). The plots of the novels are very intricate
and the prose ornate. Several of the characters be-
come associated with two supernatural forces, or
deities, who manipulate the universe from behind
the scenes. Lessingham, a minor character from
the frame story of The Worm Ouroboros,is a major
figure in the trilogy. Mistress of Mistressesis some-
times criticized for its relatively flaccid plot, but its
depiction of heroism and split loyalties is superbly
done. Lessingham is forced to reevaluate his priori-
ties following the death of his king and the rise of a
controversy over the succession. A Fish Dinner at
Memisontakes place earlier, while King Mezentius
is still alive, and is rife with intrigues and conspira-
cies as well as some speculation about the nature
of reality.
Some fragments related to the Zimiamvia
books were included in an omnibus edition in 1992.
Eddison’s only other novel, Styrbiorn the Strong
(1926), is a Viking story whose final chapter is set
in Valhalla but which is otherwise historical fiction.
The Valhalla chapter has been published separately
as “In Valhalla.” Eddison’s style and preoccupations
were so unusual that he has not been imitated to
any great extent, and the intricacy of his prose dis-
suades most casual readers. Even so, his work still
commands a sizeable and loyal following.
Edghill, Rosemary(Eluki bes Shahar)
(1956– )
Writing under the name Eluki bes Shahar, Rose-
mary Edghill began selling science fiction novels in
the early 1990s and has used that byline for a few
fantasy short stories since. Most of her fantastic
fiction has appeared as by Edghill, however, begin-
ning with the Twelve Treasures trilogy. The Sword
of Maiden’s Tears(1995) starts off as a familiar
quest story, with the protagonist and a small group
of disparate companions setting off to locate and
retrieve a magic artifact, one of 12 required to se-
cure the stability of the throne. A librarian from
our world crosses into that magical realm in The
Cup of Morning Shadows(1995), in which the plot
picks up rapidly and Edghill’s imaginary land of
fairies becomes much more vivid and interesting.
The story finally reaches its inevitable but still en-
tertaining conclusion in The Cloak of Night and
Daggers(1997), which also mixes characters from
both realities.
Her next fantasy novel, Met by Moonlight
(1998), is less interesting, a magical time travel ro-
mance in which a modern witch finds herself back
in a time when witches were persecuted. Fortu-
nately, she falls in love, and everything turns out
well. Edghill’s next solo fantasy novel, The
Warslayer(2002), is much better, adding a touch of
humor to a fantastic adventure. An actress from
our world who portrays a Xenalike fantasy heroine
on television is abducted into a real magical realm
and prevailed upon to battle an all-too-authentic
monster. Vengeance of Masks(2003), her most re-
cent, is the first of a two-volume series set in a
world menaced by an awakened demon.
Much of her work has been collaborative.
With Mercedes LACKEYshe has written three nov-
els, of which Beyond World’s End (2001) most
closely resembles her own work, a story in which
elves and humans cross the borders between their
respective realities. The other two, Spirits White As
Lightning(2001) and Mad Maudlin(2003), are set
in Lackey’s series about similar crossovers from the
magical Shadowlands. Her collaborations with
Andre NORTONare The Shadow of Albion(1999)
and Leopard in Exile(2001), a two-volume adven-
ture in which the protagonist, who is from the con-
temporary world, travels to an alternate historical
England in which the colonies never revolted,
Napoleon is on the verge of conquering all of Eu-
rope, and the continental war is being fought with
magic as well as force of arms.
Edghill has also written a number of mysteries
involving nonsupernatural witchcraft and is the
uncredited coauthor of four novels of the super-
natural with Marion Zimmer BRADLEY. She has be-104 Edghill, Rosemary