The Knight and Knave of Swords

Latest entry in Leiber's longstanding Lankhmar sword and sorcery series, featuring the heroic rogues Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser: two short stories, one longer, and one short novel, all chronologically arranged. Among recent events, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser have been exiled to the chilly, northerly Rime Isle; and, during an assault by gods and Sea. Mingols, Fafhrd lost his left hand to the god Odin (he now wears a hook, and can also be fitted to hold a bow). Now, in the first tale, the Gray Mouser having sailed away in search of seasoned timber (Rime lacks it), Fafhrd defeats a magical attempt by Ississi of the sunk-undersea realm of Simorgya to recover her lost treasure. Next, the Gray Mouser, returning to Rime laden with booty, survives another, even more elaborate sally by the Simorgyans. In the third tale, as assassins from Lankhmar close in, our heroes are cursed by the gods: the Gray Mouser develops a consuming interest in small, worthless objects he finds on the ground, while Fafhrd becomes totally preoccupied with stargazing. Lastly, the god Loki wakes from suspended animation in the maelstrom to which the Gray Mouser had consigned him, and vows revenge: the Gray Mouser vanishes underground, pursued by skeletal Death, as Fafhrd takes to the skies in an effort to help him. Solid entertainment for the many Lankhmar fans; rather mystifying for those outside looking in. (Kirkus Reviews)