Do You like book Swords Against Wizardry (1986)?
I have heard from multiple sources that I shouldn't read the later books in the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser series, because the quality goes down precipitously and it'll retroactively ruin my enjoyment of previous books. Now, that may actually be true, but I was happy to learn that even if it is, Swords Against Wizardry does not count as a later book for the purposes of that rule.Much like Swords and Deviltry, there are only a few stories in this book. Two of them, "In the Witch's Tent" and "The Two Best Thieves in Lankhmar," were obviously written as bridging stories to link the various original short stories together. "In the Witch's Tent" is nothing special, and even though I read it yesterday I can barely remember what happened in it, but "The Two Best Thieves in Lankhmar" actually stands alone as a worthwhile story. It's a quick story about how no matter how hard the preparations, there's always someone out there who can pull a fast one, and I would have been happy to read it even though it's mainly there to return things to status quo so that the duo have to go find a new scheme to get rich."Stardock" is where one of the best parts of the book lay. Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser return to Fafhrd's childhood stomping grounds, seeking to climb the unclimable mountain and find the gems left on the top, from the time when the gods were fashioning the stars. I've gone mountain climbing a few times, and at least from my perspective, this story captured the feel of climbing very well. Sure, when you reach the top, it's all the glory and majesty of creation, and spectacular views, and a brilliant sense of accomplishment, but when you're actually trudging or climbing up the mountainsides, none of that applies. I think my favorite moment in the whole story was when the Mouser thought they were almost at the top only to find out that not only is there still more to go, there's a seemingly-insurmountable obstacle that they have to cross right at the "end."Of course, if it were just a story about climbing a mountain it would be boring, and so there's plenty else to spice up the story, from mysterious assailants to rival teams of treasure hunters.The last half of the book is taken up with "The Lords of Quarmall," which is the better of the two main stories even with how much I liked "Stardock." For one, there's the language:Once, the Lords of Quarmall ruled over broad meadows and vast seas; their ships swam between all known ports, and their caravans marched the routes from sea to sea. Slowly from the fertile valleys and barren cliffs, from the desert spots and the open sea the grip of Quarmall loosened; not willingly but ever forced did the Lords of Quarmall retreat. Inexorably they were driven, year by year, generation by generation, from all their possessions and rights; until finally they were confined to that last and stauchnest stronghold, the impregnable castle of Quarmall. The cause of this driving is lost in the dimness of fable; but it was probably due to those most gruesome practices which even to this day persuade the surrounding countryside that Quarmall is unclean and cursed.I am incapable of writing a Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser review without using the word "evocative," and now here's this book's entry--"The Lords of Quarmall" is fantastically evocative. The entire vast underground complex, from the vast fans eternally walked by slaves bred into stupidity to the death-masks of the lineage of the Lords of Quarmall to the entire level abandoned between the warring brothers, is full of rich imagery and amazing description of the underground kingdom that the Lords of Quarmall have been reduced to.I think "The Lords of Quarmall" benefits a lot by having Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser on opposite sides. Much like "Lean Times in Lankhmar," pitting the pair against each other and swapping viewpoints helps keep the story moving and the reader wondering how the confrontation is going to be resolved. It's true that this removes the banter between them that does so much for most of Leiber's stories, but as "Lean Times in Lankhmar" showed, the pair's personalities can do plenty to carry the action even if they aren't in the same room until the end.I was pleasantly surprised by Swords Against Wizardry, and while there may be a cliff to run off in the future, I'm glad I haven't reached it yet. If you've ever been interested in sword and sorcery in any capacity, read this book.Previous Review: Swords in the Mist.Next Review: The Swords of Lankhmar.
—Brian
"In the Witch's Tent": Fun fix-up addition. The boys pick up a tent while they are inside it and run around a city trying to escape people wanting to kill them. A silly good time."Stardock": The boys climb a snow covered mountain with a giant snow cat. Some cool moments but overall it was too long and tedious."The Two Best Thieves in Lankhmar": Great Lankhmar story proving that the boys aren't as clever as they appear. Super character work and fine exploration and expansion of the dynamics of their relationship."The Lords of Quarmall": Great, great stuff. A very long story perfectly paced. The boys are hired by competing princes in an underground castle. The dynamics of the realms magic, and the castle engineering are fascinating. Good comedy too.
—Aaron
The fourth in the series of sword and sorcery adventures continues to enchant me with the mix of humor and bloody action, beautiful language a unbridled imagination. It doesn't feel dated at all, in fact I think it has a timeless quality of essential storytelling, able to speak across generations and age groups."In the Witch's Tent" is quite short, and serves as a prologue to the long novella that follows. It does a good job of reaquainting the reader with the laidback and amoral duo of lovable scoundrels - the redheaded giant barbarian Fafhrd, and the sprightly, grey clad Mouser."Stardock" is one of my favorites stories so far from Leiber. The colourful prose turns lyrical as Fafhrd describes the mountains of the Cold Waste of Nehwon - majestic land of his childhood exploits, a stepladder to the sky used by the ancient gods to throw up the hand of jewels that would become the stars. Our heroes quest to recover some of the gods beauty takes them climbing the mosst dangerous icy slopes of the mountains where they have to face not only hostile weather, avalanches, bandits and fatigue, but also mysterious magical creatures of light and wind. Even when hanging by the tip of their fingers, the duo keeps up the playful banter and soon a couple of lovely maidens will show up and will probably have the feminists readers up in arms."The Two Best Thieves in Lankhmar" is another funshort piece, a bridge to the last and longest novella in this collection. Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser are back in their usual haunts, and the feminists will hopefully be mollified when our heroes are cut down to size. I picked here one example of why I love Leiber prose:"Through the Mazy avenues and alleys of the great city of Lankhmar, Night was a-slink, though not yet grown tall enough to whirl her black star-studded cloak across the sky, which still showed pale, towering wraiths of sunset." "The Lords of Quarmall" is a satifying long and moody piece, building a memorable underground setting, rich in magic and mystery. Leiber uses here mirrorred parallel stories, coming together in a rousing finale. The damsel in distress archetype, yearning for a well muscled shoulder to lean on, is back in force, our duo as usual succumbing joyfully to temptation.After four books, the sword and sorcery offer from Fritz Leiber is still fresh and guiding me to pick the next book soon.
—Algernon