SWORDS AGAINST THE SHADOWLAND

Inspired by his friend Harry Fischer, fantasist extraordinary Fritz Leiber (1910—92) 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 don—t mind ersatz, then assuredly you—ll wish to reconnoiter. Just don—t let Norman (—evil stuff—) Spinrad catch you.