Swords Against the Shadowland (Lankhmar: Adventures of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser) (Paperback)

by Robin Wayne Bailey (Author), Fritz Leiber (Designer)
Key Phrases: temple district, forbidden tower, weapons belt, Silver Eel, Demptha Negatarth, Death of Nehwon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Summoned by the dying wizard Sheelba to combat a deadly, magical plague that sweeps through the streets of the notorious city of Lankhmar, Fafhrd, the barbarian warrior, and his companion, the Gray Mouser, engage in a race against time, death, and their most painful memories as they search for the sorcerer whose blood holds the secret of life. Chosen by the late Fritz Leiber to continue the exploits of his popular duo, Bailey (Shadowdance, White Wolf, 1996) remains faithful to the series' swashbuckling spirit while adding his own serio-comic touch. Both old fans and new readers should appreciate the polished blend of sharp wit and nonstop action in this welcome revival of a popular fantasy series.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Inspired by his friend Harry Fischer, fantasist extraordinary Fritz Leiber (191092) wrote the first tale about Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, Two Sought Adventure, in 1939. Over the years the series developed steadily, latterly with the incorporation of sophisticated, fetishistic sex scenes. The Swords of Lankhmar (1968) is reckoned one of the best sword and sorcery (Leiber invented the term) yarns ever, with 1988's collection, The Knight and Knave of Swords, not far behind. The publisher tells us that Leiber chose Bailey to collaborate on a new series of Lankhmar adventures; this first entry is, chronologically, a sequel to Ill-Met in Lankhmar (1970). If you loved Lankhmar, consider the whole concept too alluring to be allowed to die with its creator, and dont mind ersatz, then assuredly youll wish to reconnoiter. Just dont let Norman (evil stuff) Spinrad catch you. -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: White Wolf Publishing (June 25, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565048938
• ISBN-13: 978-1565048935
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #435,831 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #2 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( B ) > Bailey, Robin
  #4 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Authors, A-Z > ( L ) > Leiber, Fritz
  #10 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Series > Lankhmar

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The heroes live on!, June 5, 2000

By	Ravencatt (Portsmouth, OH USA) - See all my reviews

If you like Sword & Sorcery, even if you have never read Leiber, you will enjoy this book. If you have read Leiber, you'll enjoy it even more.

Usually when an author tries to step into someone else's shoes (series), the fit is not exact. Being a fan of Leiber's Fafhrd & Gray Mouser, I was a little worried Bailey would disappoint me. He didn't. Swords Against the Shadowland has all the adventure of the original series, all the action. Bailey's style is not quite the same as Leiber but he did not try to force it to be. Instead he created a strong story worthy of the series rather than a pale copy of it (a fault many authors fall prey to in trying to continue someone else's series). He did his homework and included links to previous stories, the character's backgrounds, and Lankhmar itself. What emerges is a Fafhrd & Gray Mouser tale that can rest on the shelf with the others with no shame.

The book is good enough it could stand on its own, but by being part of a series I like it is that much more enjoyable. I eagerly await any more, confident Bailey will do right by Leiber's duo.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Lots of padding, empty of wonder, November 4, 1998

By A Customer

I remember clearly the grotesque and wonderful world that Leiber introduced me to. In it, two amoral rogues schemed and plotted, always treading a fine line between evil and mere self-interest, their only salvation being their friendship with each other. The world Leiber created, especially in the earlier stories, was baroque, Bailey's Nehwon is only detailed. Leiber toyed with ideas (who can forget the many worlds rising up the fabric of the universe like bubbles in champagne?), Bailey juggles a few catch phrases that have an annoying way of repeating themselves. Leiber's villains (and they are all villains really) stepped out from Shakespear's tragedies and comedies, Bailey derives his sorceror and the overlord from a b-grade Hollywood script. Leiber's plots twisted, introducing new turns every few pages, Bailey's entire structure can be summed up as an extended car chase through Lankhmar.

It would not have been so bad if Bailey had not tried to emulate Leiber, as it seems he has with this novel. He should have done something new, dared to be himself, put a whole new spin into things. Leiber is dead after all and nobody expects him to be replaced.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Show Me; Don't Tell Me, March 16, 1999

By A Customer

This book provides average sword-and-sorcery fare; unfortunately Bailey hasn't got the inscrutable Leiber touch. One point in particular: Leiber's rogues are undoubtedly best friends... something we came to understand by following their decisions and behaviors. In Bailey's version, our heros constantly reiterate, either aloud or in thought, "Gee whiz, this guy sure is my best friend." A better story would have convinced me of that fact without all the soliloquizing.