Customer Reviews

Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn (Thieves World, Book 2)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First and foremost, if you have not yet read Thieve's World, you must in order to understand a lot of what is happening in TFTVU.

That being said, this is a great continuation! I love the fact that we start off with such a vivid story about the purple mage. Masha is introduced here, for the first and last time, but that's okay, she was a strong woman, and one well worth reading about! The effects of this story will also be seen later on in further stories...

In the next story, we learn a little more about the gods and goddesses of Sanctuary. Interesting indeed, but the characters are all pretty much new, and only really belonging to this one chapter.

However, in the following story we are introduced to Illyra again, yipee...and we also learn a little more about the ever powerful god, Vashanka...he is definately a naughtly little god if I ever read about one! Up to no good, for sure! We also learn about his sister Azyuna, and all of this will be very important in chapters to come.

Most importantly, in my eyes, is that we meet up with Hanse again, but not only that, we also meet perhaps the most pivotal character in Tempus. You will love him, you will hate him, but you just cannot turn away from him no matter what. This man will having you thinking, believe me, and if he were real, he would have either your undying love, or your utmost hatred. He is a very specail character, indeed.

This second series was fantastic, and if you loved Thieve's World and want to see what else your favorite people have been up to, please, I urge you to continue on!

So successful a project was the original idea from Thieves World that they did more, and a game.

Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn : Spiders of the Purple Mage - Philip José Farmer
Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn : Goddess - David Drake
Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn : The Fruit of Enlibar - Lynn Abbey
Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn : The Dream of the Sorceress - A. E. van Vogt
Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn : Vashanka's Minion - Janet Morris
Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn : Shadow's Pawn - Andrew J. Offutt
Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn : To Guard the Guardians - Robert Lynn Asprin

Rats, arachnids, killer monkeys and even bigger octopedal nasties are a lot to put up with.

3 out of 5

Flaming demon midwifery.

3.5 out of 5

Steel secret.

3 out of 5

Some good advice in the middle of a divine disagreement: "Clearly, a human confronted by a god should not rely on force alone."

3.5 out of 5

Storm God sending is painful.

3.5 out of 5

Stone cold thievery.

2.5 out of 5

A spot of killer killing and slaver slaying can be good for a town.

4 out of 5

The Thieves' World anthologies are an interesting concept in the fantasy realm. Unlike normal anthologies which are put together due to some minor thing - like all featuring cats, or swords, or a purple paint - this anthology series features a fully fledged and thought out corner of a fantasy world called Sanctuary. Sanctuary is a city at the far southern corner of the empire which happens to be where all the less-than-law-abiding citizens of the world tend to congregate. As in all real cities, there are various areas that cater to the various socio-economic classes. There is also a hierarchy of gods and of citizens who all answer to the prince and his chief law enforcers known as Hell-Hounds.

The common theme of this second volume in the series is the Rankan god Vashanka and his exploits within the realm of Sanctuary. As you read the seven stories that are part of this collection, you realize that most all of them revolve around Vashanka and his semi-human emissary. Since each of the stories is written by a different author, it is fascinating to see how the same characters appear and act in the various stories. There are some common themes which are the contributions of Robert Asprin. They are mainly the overall structure and idea of Sanctuary and the character of Hakiem. Additionally, Asprin contributes one of the stories and an epilogue. This epilogue contains the only humorous part of the book as it is a purported Chamber of Commerce brochure advertising the "charms" of Sanctuary. Aside from this epilogue, all the other stories in this volume are grim, bloody, and point out the terrible debasement and hopelessness of a place like Sanctuary.

So, all the stories are dark and grim and are definitely a departure from Asprin's normal fare. As an anthology it clearly works and by having so many famous contributors, the anthology is successful and will probably encompass many more volumes. Should you read it is the question? I found the stories repelling yet compelling at the same time. Clearly these were written by masters in the world of fiction and are therefore hard to put down. The premise and the execution are dark and depressing. So, if you can handle the bleakness, you will enjoy the work. If you are expecting a story along the lines of Skeeve, or the Phules, then you will be mightily surprised.

The first book in this series left me yawning, but "Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn" has convinced me to keep reading. The quality of the tales seemed far better than in the first collection, and they certainly fit well together too. The closing essay was very humurous as well. A contrast to the generally dark tone of stories from Sanctuary.

If you are interested in twists, turns and some descriptive writing, this book is for you. If you can stomach some things that you normally wouldn't like then you can enter the marvelous world of Santuary.