Thieves' World (book)
Thieves' World is an anthology novel edited by Robert Asprin published in 1979, the first in the Thieves' World anthology series.
 Thieves' World #1 (Original Printing) | |
| Editor | Robert Asprin |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Published | 1979 |
Contents
Thieves' World is a collection of stories set in the city of Sanctuary, a dying trading city on the southern tip of a peninsula, which has become a den of thieves.[1]
"Introduction" by Robert Lynn Asprin. The Emperor of the Rankan Empire sends his stepbrother Prince Kadakithis to restore order to Sanctuary, accompanied by five elite guards dubbed Hell-Hounds.
"Sentences of Death" by John Brunner. Jarveena, a Yenized scribe, makes a deal with the wizard Enas Yorl to foil the assassination of Prince Kadakithis and take revenge on a past enemy.
"The Face of Chaos" by Lynn Abbey. Illyra, the half S'danzo seer, attempts to save a virgin bride from being sacrificed to consecrate a new temple for the gods.
"The Gate of the Flying Knives" by Poul Anderson. Minstrel Cappen Varra journeys to a magical plane to rescue his kidnapped lover, aided by adventurer Jamie the Red.
"Shadowspawn" by Andrew Offutt. Young thief Shadowspawn (Hanse) becomes involved in a plot to steal the Rod of Authority from Prince Kadakithis.
"The Price of Doing Business" by Robert Lynn Asprin. Crime lord Jubal is lured into a trap as revenge for a death caused by his criminal network, but his life is saved by the Hell-Hound Zalbar.
"Blood Brothers" by Joe Haldeman. Bartender and underground criminal One-Thumb meets his fate when betrayed by a wizard in a business deal.
"Myrtis" by Christine DeWees. Aphrodisia House owner Myrtis escapes the shutdown of her brothel by casting a love spell on Zalbar and revealing one of Sanctuary's deepest secrets.
"The Secret of the Blue Star" by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Lythande must protect a perilous secret from being discovered by a rival wizard of the same order.
Essay: "The Making of Thieves World" by Robert Lynn Asprin
Reception
Greg Costikyan reviewed Thieves' World in Ares Magazine #1.[1] Costikyan commented that "since fantasy role-playing involves the group production of a multi-hero fantasy story, role-playing fans especially will find Thieves' World enjoyable. [...] The stories themselves range from mediocre to excellent, but all are worth reading."[1]
Thieves' World was nominated for the 1980 World Fantasy Award—Collection.[2]
Reviews
- Review by Don D'Ammassa (1986) in Science Fiction Chronicle, #83 August 1986[3]
References
- Costikyan, Greg (March 1980). "Books". Ares Magazine. Simulations Publications, Inc. (1): 35.
- "World Fantasy Awards 1980". Science Fiction Awards Database. Locus Science Fiction Foundation. Archived from the original on 2015-06-30. Retrieved 2013-09-20.
- http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?32535