Scan barcode
siskoid's review against another edition
3.0
Fritz Leiber's Swords Against Death, the second collection of Fafhrd and Gray Mouser tales, contains 10 short stories, more or less from the early days of the thieving duo's partnership, when the tragedies of the first volume were still fresh. At least that's what the two tales written for the 1970 printing reinforce, and they're two of my favorites. Leiber is a raconteur who zooms out to build the world of Newhon, throwing away more intriguing concepts than he'll ever write about, and then zeroing in on the anti-heroes' point of view (definitely preferring the Mouser's in this batch - the best stories are those that give them an even share of the POV). The prose is crisp, the fights well described, the tales varied in theme and incident. Where I think Leiber's stories are weakest is in their endings, where I think the final lines lack luster. These aren't short stories with final twists, but they could wrap up with more pith.
scrooge3's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories was originally published as [b:Two Sought Adventure|12953622|Two Sought Adventure|Fritz Leiber|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1319483472l/12953622._SY75_.jpg|18110635] in 1958, framed here with two new stories and the addition of "Bazaar of the Bizarre". The stories are arranged by internal chronology, not by publishing dates. These tales are filled with picturesque descriptions of characters, settings, and actions.
"The Circle Curse" (Swords Against Death, 1970 - short story)
3 Stars
This short story bridges the events at the end of "Ill Met in Lankhmar" ([b:Swords and Deviltry|57950|Swords and Deviltry (Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, #1)|Fritz Leiber|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347418591l/57950._SY75_.jpg|449577]) to the beginning of the stories in this collection. It briefly recounts how Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser spend three years traveling around the far reaches of Nehwon trying to forget their traumas, but ultimately find themselves back in Lankhmar.
"The Jewels in the Forest" (original title: "Two Sought Adventure") (Unknown, August 1939 - novelette)
4 Stars
This is the first published Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser story. The duo set out on a quest for treasure in a dwelling with unique defenses while fighting off an irate lord from whom who they had previously stolen some items. This gives the reader a good introduction to the dynamics of the series, filled with picturesque action and seasoned with wit.
"Thieves' House" (Unknown Worlds, February 1943 - novelette)
4 Stars
2019 Retro Hugo Award finalist
This is a fun adventure with supernatural overtones. Leiber writes with economy, yet it's very descriptive. Leiber puts more story into a novelette than some writers put into a novel. There's not a lot of character development, though--this is kind of the literary equivalent of a long-running TV series where you expect everyone to be basically the same week after week, just put into new situations with each episode.
"The Bleak Shore" (Unknown Fantasy Fiction, November 1940 - short story)
3 Stars
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are compelled by a mysterious wizard to travel to the Black Shore where they are attacked by strange monsters that hatch out of black eggs. The first half of the story is narrated by one of the minions the two adventurers use to help sail them to this evil land, and then the point of view abruptly switches to an omniscient narrator. As an early entry in the series, it lacks some of the characteristic flair of the other Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories.
"The Howling Tower" (Unknown Fantasy Fiction, June 1941 - short story)
3 Stars
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are drawn toward a mysterious tower while eerie sounds surround them. Although Leiber is hitting his stride as a writer, this story is not as fully formed as some of his other stories, perhaps due to its shortness. There is a lot of horror and gloom, but not as much picturesque descriptions. I can see where writers such as Stephen King could have been inspired by this kind of creepy storytelling.
"The Sunken Land" (Unknown Worlds, February 1942 - short story)
5 Stars
2018 Retro Hugo Award finalist
This is a wonderful, self-contained story. Leiber is a master of creating word pictures, adding just enough details to keep the story moving in a modern style. There is a dreamlike quality to the writing, evoking a sense of time and place. Being an entry in a long running series does not hurt the story; the reader learns everything about the characters as is necessary. There is a definite conclusion to the story, sometimes absent in a chapter of a series. This is a story with magic, suspense, and adventure.
"The Seven Black Priests" (Other Worlds Science Stories, May 1953- novelette)
4 Stars
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser steal a mysterious gem from a frozen mountaintop and are pursued by the band of priests in charge of protecting it. Over time, Fafhrd shows an unusual attraction to the gem, one that could lead to the deaths of both of our adventurers. Leiber's prose is strong and vivid, and the story deftly lives up to its "sword and sorcery" moniker.
"Claws from the Night" (original title: "Dark Vengeance") (Suspense Magazine, Fall 1951 – novelette)
3 Stars
In this somewhat moody tale, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are back in Lankhmar when a rash of jewel thefts piques their curiosities. By all appearances, the thefts are being done by black birds. Who or what is controlling them? And is there any profit to be made for our two adventurers, or will they meet sorcery?
"The Price of Pain-Ease" (Swords Against Death, 1970 - short story)
3 Stars
This tale of supernatural forces serves to tie up the lingering threads of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser's origin, setting them up for future adventures and romance. The ghosts of their deceased lovers help the two heroes defeat the man from whom they stole (and moved) a house.
"Bazaar of the Bizarre" (Fantastic Stories of Imagination, August 1963- novelette)
4 Stars
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are tasked by their magical mentors to investigate a strange shop that suddenly appears in Lankhmar, run by an equally strange proprietor. What they find inside the shop tests them to their limits, with deceptive visions and animated objects trying to kill them.
"The Circle Curse" (Swords Against Death, 1970 - short story)
3 Stars
This short story bridges the events at the end of "Ill Met in Lankhmar" ([b:Swords and Deviltry|57950|Swords and Deviltry (Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, #1)|Fritz Leiber|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347418591l/57950._SY75_.jpg|449577]) to the beginning of the stories in this collection. It briefly recounts how Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser spend three years traveling around the far reaches of Nehwon trying to forget their traumas, but ultimately find themselves back in Lankhmar.
"The Jewels in the Forest" (original title: "Two Sought Adventure") (Unknown, August 1939 - novelette)
4 Stars
This is the first published Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser story. The duo set out on a quest for treasure in a dwelling with unique defenses while fighting off an irate lord from whom who they had previously stolen some items. This gives the reader a good introduction to the dynamics of the series, filled with picturesque action and seasoned with wit.
"Thieves' House" (Unknown Worlds, February 1943 - novelette)
4 Stars
2019 Retro Hugo Award finalist
This is a fun adventure with supernatural overtones. Leiber writes with economy, yet it's very descriptive. Leiber puts more story into a novelette than some writers put into a novel. There's not a lot of character development, though--this is kind of the literary equivalent of a long-running TV series where you expect everyone to be basically the same week after week, just put into new situations with each episode.
"The Bleak Shore" (Unknown Fantasy Fiction, November 1940 - short story)
3 Stars
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are compelled by a mysterious wizard to travel to the Black Shore where they are attacked by strange monsters that hatch out of black eggs. The first half of the story is narrated by one of the minions the two adventurers use to help sail them to this evil land, and then the point of view abruptly switches to an omniscient narrator. As an early entry in the series, it lacks some of the characteristic flair of the other Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories.
"The Howling Tower" (Unknown Fantasy Fiction, June 1941 - short story)
3 Stars
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are drawn toward a mysterious tower while eerie sounds surround them. Although Leiber is hitting his stride as a writer, this story is not as fully formed as some of his other stories, perhaps due to its shortness. There is a lot of horror and gloom, but not as much picturesque descriptions. I can see where writers such as Stephen King could have been inspired by this kind of creepy storytelling.
"The Sunken Land" (Unknown Worlds, February 1942 - short story)
5 Stars
2018 Retro Hugo Award finalist
This is a wonderful, self-contained story. Leiber is a master of creating word pictures, adding just enough details to keep the story moving in a modern style. There is a dreamlike quality to the writing, evoking a sense of time and place. Being an entry in a long running series does not hurt the story; the reader learns everything about the characters as is necessary. There is a definite conclusion to the story, sometimes absent in a chapter of a series. This is a story with magic, suspense, and adventure.
"The Seven Black Priests" (Other Worlds Science Stories, May 1953- novelette)
4 Stars
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser steal a mysterious gem from a frozen mountaintop and are pursued by the band of priests in charge of protecting it. Over time, Fafhrd shows an unusual attraction to the gem, one that could lead to the deaths of both of our adventurers. Leiber's prose is strong and vivid, and the story deftly lives up to its "sword and sorcery" moniker.
"Claws from the Night" (original title: "Dark Vengeance") (Suspense Magazine, Fall 1951 – novelette)
3 Stars
In this somewhat moody tale, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are back in Lankhmar when a rash of jewel thefts piques their curiosities. By all appearances, the thefts are being done by black birds. Who or what is controlling them? And is there any profit to be made for our two adventurers, or will they meet sorcery?
"The Price of Pain-Ease" (Swords Against Death, 1970 - short story)
3 Stars
This tale of supernatural forces serves to tie up the lingering threads of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser's origin, setting them up for future adventures and romance. The ghosts of their deceased lovers help the two heroes defeat the man from whom they stole (and moved) a house.
"Bazaar of the Bizarre" (Fantastic Stories of Imagination, August 1963- novelette)
4 Stars
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are tasked by their magical mentors to investigate a strange shop that suddenly appears in Lankhmar, run by an equally strange proprietor. What they find inside the shop tests them to their limits, with deceptive visions and animated objects trying to kill them.
maddandroid's review against another edition
4.0
Contains these short stories
The Circle Curse
The Jewels in the Forest
Thieves’ House
The Bleak Shore
The Howling Tower
The Sunken Land
The Seven Black Priests
Claws From the Night
The Prince of Pain-Ease
Bazaar of the Bizarre
The Circle Curse
The Jewels in the Forest
Thieves’ House
The Bleak Shore
The Howling Tower
The Sunken Land
The Seven Black Priests
Claws From the Night
The Prince of Pain-Ease
Bazaar of the Bizarre
pulpmonkey66's review against another edition
4.0
This second book of Fafhrd and Gray Mouser stories were a lot of fun. Things got really trippy at times, but they were quite enjoyable.
authortedcross's review against another edition
4.0
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are wonderful, as always, but the stories in this second volume are a mixed bag. There are a couple of gems, but the majority are just okay.
rockinghorsedreams's review against another edition
5.0
Thieves' House is one of the quintessential fantasy short stories. It's has most of original D&D wrapped up inside. The other stories in this are all very good, and build on each other very well.