Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz: Stories of the Witch Knight and the Puppet Sorcerer

Bestselling YA author Nix (the Abhorsen series) brings together eight previously published tales and one original story, all featuring his recurring swashbuckling heroes, for his marvelous first adult collection. Sir Hereward, the honorable son of a powerful witch, and Mister Fitz, an animated puppet created as a weapon to combat malevolent gods, work for the Council of the Treaty for the Safety of the World. Nix’s wit and descriptive skills make accepting this oddball team easy from the outset. In their first adventure, “Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz Go to War Again,” the duo pose as mercenaries to gain access to Shûme, a town controlled by the godlet Tanesh, a “cross-dimensional parasite” poised to suck the essence out of all life beyond the town’s boundaries. Lovecraftians will especially enjoy “Beyond the Sea Gate of the Scholar-Pirates of Sarsköe,” in which the companions battle a starfish-shaped entity, aided by a female pirate captain capable of shape-shifting into a leopard-like creature. Original to this collection, “The Field of Fallen Foe” finds the heroes seeking passage through a field of poisonous bones. Subtle worldbuilding and unconventional plots make each tale a treat. Nix’s fans won’t want to miss this. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary. (Aug.)