It’s the 40th anniversary since the release of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain and the choose-your-own-adventure Fighting Fantasy series.
Created by Sir Ian Livingston and Steve Jackson, the fantasy adventures have had several publishers since then, and five years ago, Scholastic picked up the license. The eduction-centric publisher has been breathing life back into the iconic range, and Sir Ian has been writing for Fighting Fantasy again.
But, until this week, Steve Jackson has not.
Secrets of Salamonis
To mark the 40th anniversary, Steve Jackson has pinned the Secrets of Salamonis, and that’s his first new Fighting Fantasy in 33 years. Jackson’s last book was The Trolltooth Wars which was published in 1989.
In Secrets of Salamonis, our hero, you, arrives in the city after a run of bad luck. You must turn to the local Adventurers’ Guild, and accept such quests that you can, even if that means going up against foes like the Ratterpillar.
Steve Jackson said;
It’s been a little longer than a two-day hike needed to reach Firetop Mountain in the first book. Forty years, in fact. And during that time 20 million books in 26 languages have turned Fighting Fantasy readers around the world into armchair adventurers in search of great treasures. May their stamina never fail!”
Shadow of the Giants
Sir Ian will pen his third book since Scholastic picked up the brand, and it is equally exciting. The 40th anniversary of The Warlock of Firetop Mountain will be marked with an adventure called Shadow of the Giants.
The word “sequel” isn’t used, but the synopsis has the discovery of an ancient artefact from inside Firetop Mountain, magic that threatens to release the Iron Giants on the unsuspecting world of Allansia.
Ian Livingstone noted;
I am incredibly proud that The Warlock of Firetop Mountain is 40 years old and continues to entertain children and adults around the world. I am delighted to be celebrating the 40th anniversary with the publication of my new Fighting Fantasy gamebook, Shadow of the Giants, and hope readers will enjoy the new challenge.
The books are due out in September.
Got something helpful to add? Please let us know via the discussion area below.
