The Fourth Book of Lost Swords

Each of the 12 Swords, wrought by Gods who later were slain by them, has its own particular power or quality. Farslayer, the Sword of Vengeance, flies unerringly to its named target; it Cannot be stopped by physical or magical means. Farslayer is found by Black Pearl, a young girl sorcerously transformed into a mermaid, who gives it to her charming and treacherous lover, the magician Cosmo Malolo. The Malolos and the Senones have been feuding for years; almost by accident Cosmo kills the Senone chief with the Sword, and thus precipitates a bloody slaughter (the Senones dispatch the Sword to slay the Malolo chief, the Malolos retaliate, and so forth), until Cosmo, realizing what he has done, hides the Sword before committing suicide. Soon, others arrive in pursuit of the deadly Sword: Black Pearl's friend Zoltan, his companion lady Yambu, and Prince Mark of Tasavolta (the good guys); the evil super-wizard Wood sends the sorcerer Chilperic. As the various plots intertwine, the threat of horrible slaughter hangs over the proceedings - until a mercenary soldier hurls Farslayer on a matter of personal vengeance, thus removing the Sword from everyone's grasp. Saberhagen has expended much more than his usual care and attention here, polishing up the prose, oiling the plot gears, beefing up the characters. The upshot: the best Lost Swords outing so far. (Kirkus Reviews)