Stephen R.  Donaldson is known for weaving brilliant tales of worlds so real, they come vividly to life.  His unique talents have placed his work among J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth stories, Frank Herbert's Dune trilogy, and C.S. Lewis's classic Chronicles of Narnia --and established him as a writer with the rare ability to expand readers' imaginations as he deepens their understanding of the human spirit.   This magnificent new collection of eight stories and novellas--three of which have never before been published--commences with the exceptional title story, "Reave the Just." This fablelike masterpiece entertains as it deftly highlights one of the major themes in all of Donaldson's work: the innate and extraordinary power of the individual to overcome adversity.  "The Killing Stroke" concerns perhaps the ultimate quest for meaning and honor, as three warriors desperately attempt to escape a doorless room, a war between mages, and even death. The morbid, soul-taking hero of "Penance" and the mysterious beggar woman in the dark fairy tale "The Woman Who Loved Pigs" are both plagued by the double-edged sword of love.  And a pampered antihero is forced to make a choice between virtue and vice in "The Djinn Who Watches Over the Accursed." Boasting exotic settings and suspense fueled by sudden plot twists, the stories in this must-have anthology feature tormented practitioners of mystical martial arts, the perils of wizardry, and the exploits of imperfect heroes embarking on marvelous quests. Most of all, Reave the Just and Other Tales is a testament to the astonishing scope of Stephen R.  Donaldson's mastery of magic and myth, as well as his talent to spin unforgettably spellbinding stories.  A lavish reading experience for his many fans and a superb introduction for readers just discovering him, this collection beautifully does something that only the very best fiction can: inspires readers to dream the most fabulous dreams. Reave the Just marks Stephen Donaldson's return to fantasy. It's been over a decade since his last collection of short fiction, and fans of his Covenant and Gap series have been clamoring for more from their favorite author. This collection includes eight stories and novellas highlighting Donaldson's skill at creating richly defined characters tormented by doubt, pain, and ambition--antiheroes in spectacular and strange dream worlds. Check out this spectacular collection from a master of character and plot. A tale of justice with a supernatural twist leads off this second collection of short fiction by the author of the popular "Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" and the Gap Cycle. Donaldson's arch and ornate style lends a quiet formality to his stories, giving each tale a distinctive voice. Though previously published in slightly different form or in theme anthologies, this volume belongs in most fantasy collections. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. Donaldson's first collection since Daughter of Regals (1983), though, of the eight substantial stories here, 198498, five have appeared previously in other volumesthe title piece in After the King (1992); ``The Djinn Who Watches Over the Accursed' ' in Arabesques 2 (1989); ``The Kings of Tarshish Shall Bring Gifts'' in The Book of Kings (1995); ``The Woman Who Loved Pigs'' in Full Spectrum 4 (1993); and ``What Makes Us Human'' in Berserker Base (1985). As for the newcomers, ``The Killing Stroke'' i s an agreeably metaphorical blend of magic, martial arts, and the philosophy of knowledge. The bitterly ironic ``Penance'' concerns a vampire healer as the focus of a religious war. And in ``By Any Other Name,'' a good-hearted merchant finds that he's con strained to honor a dreadful bargain. Fans of Donaldson's longer fiction (the Gap SF series, the fantasy Thomas Covenant Chronicles, etc.) will dive right in. Even his critics are due for a wonderful surprise: these thoughtful, well worked-out, often fa scinating yarns are largely free of the preposterous weight, impossible convolutions, and tormented prose that make the novels so troublesome. -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. Praise for the works of bestselling author Stephen R. Donaldson: "Donaldson proves that he is as adept at the short story as he is at the novel and that he has a versatility that few had previously guessed....Stories are fresh, original, and, in a couple of cases, simply superb....Exciting fare for Donaldson fans and the uninitiated alike." -- Rocky Mountain News on Daughter of Regals and Other Tales "I don't think that books like this come along more than a few times in a lifetime.  I thought I was too old to be struck with wonder again.  No, it doesn't happen often.  With all my heart I'm delighted, excited." --Marion Zimmer Bradley on The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever "The essence of Donaldson's artistry--and the key  to his success--is his ability to construct narrative crescendos that build and b