Books I Read in June 2025

Besides the short stories I wrote about in my previous post I read three books and three comic book trades this month.

Swords Against Death by Fritz Leiber (Ace Books, 1970)

I finished my reread of the second Fafhrd and Gray Mouser book which I posted about here: We Learn by Writing: Swords Against Death by Fritz Leiber

Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (Book of the Month Club, 1994. Originally published in 1894)

While I enjoyed all the stories in this collection, a few in the beginning came across as weak compared to most of the later ones, which I found to be more interesting and complex. Still, it was great spending time with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson again and I loved the introductions of Sherlock’s brother Mycroft and Sherlock’s nemesis Professor Moriarity.

Brothers of the Snake by Dan Abbnet (Black Library, 2008)

After reading the Warhammer 40K anthology Into the Maelstrom recently, I was wondering what to read next, so I watched some YouTube videos that recommend 40K books for newcomers. This book showed up on a number of lists and sounded right up my alley. Like a lot of Black Library books, the paperback is out of print, but the Kindle version is available. 

Brothers of the Snake follows Priad of Damocles Squad, part of a Space Marine chapter known as the Iron Snakes, as they defend the Reef Stars against aliens and other agents of Chaos. Each chapter is basically a short story, but they all build upon each other which makes for a good mix of world building and character development. A very enjoyable read. I’ll be posting a longer review soon. 

Comics

Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 1: Ronin (Fantagraphics Books, 1987)

Usagi Yojimbo (Rabbit Bodyguard) Volume 1 collects the early appearances of Stan Sakai’s anthropomorphic rabbit ronin Miyamoto Usagi, based on the historical figure Miyamoto Musashi. While the stories are primarily historical adventure, there’s humor as well as action and one of the stories includes a supernatural creature. They’re exciting and fun with wonderful art. 

I’ve been a fan since the character's first appearance in the 1980s. Somewhere along the line I stopped reading, but I kept buying the trade paperbacks as they were released. I finally decided to jump back in from the beginning. It was interesting revisiting these early stories as Sakai hadn’t quite settled on Usagi’s character design yet, but the situations and themes presented here are a great taste of what he explores even more deeply in later volumes.

Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 2: Samurai (Fantagraphics Books, 1989)

Most of this volume is devoted to telling Usagi’s origin story, how he goes from student, to samurai, to ronin. Also included are stories where he meets a kappa, a young kaiju, and helps defend a village of silk workers from bandits. A great mix of action and humor with a variety of interesting characters and excellent art.

Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 3: The Wanderer’s Road (Fantagraphics Books, 1989)

Seven more adventures as Usagi wanders Japan and meets some returning characters like the mercenary rhino Gen and the blind swordspig Zato-Ino. There’s also the introduction of the demon-like Jei, a tribute to Groo the Wanderer, and a quick crossover with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Some of the stories are dark, some are humorous, all are excellent.

Some Cosmic Horror Short Stories

I was in the mood to read some cosmic horror recently, so here are three stories by three of my favorite authors. 

The Voice on the Beach by Ramsey Campbell 

From Alone with the Horrors (Arkham House, 1993)

A man who lives by a beach has strange visions while a friend is visiting. Atmospheric and a good example of cosmic horror but this was too much of a slow burn for me. It has a creepy ending that packs some punch, it just took too long to get there. 

Rating: 3/5

The Onion by Caitlin Kiernan

From Bradbury Weather (Subterranean Press, 2024)

A young man who saw something mysterious in his childhood is now married to a woman who is attending meetings to try to come to terms with something unusual in her life. Interesting characters and gradual revelations kept my attention, leading to an open-ended ending that worked for me.

Rating: 4/5

Hallucigenia by Laird Barron

From The Imago Sequence and Other Stories (Night Shade Books, 2007)

Oh wow, this was good. A mysterious location, a tragedy, an investigation, and strange visions. Cosmic horror with a dash of noir. Outstanding. This novella is the second thing I’ve read by this author, and I loved it. I really need to read more Laird Barron. 

Rating 5/5 

Swords Against Death by Fritz Leiber

While the previous volume features later written prequels about the sword & sorcery characters Fafhrd (barbarian) and the Gray Mouser (thief), Swords Against Death (Ace Books, 1970) begins collecting the original stories mixed in with some stories that were written at a later date. They’re exciting, creative, and I love Leiber’s prose and use of vocabulary. 

The Circle Curse (4/5)

(First appearance in this volume)

A direct sequel to “Ill Met in Lankhmar” from the previous volume, serving as an epilogue to that story and as prologue to the stories that follow. The pair travel the world, meet some strange characters, and eventually return to Lankmar. A nice introduction to the twain that gets the reader up to speed. 

The Jewels in the Forest (5/5)

(Unknown, Aug 1939 as Two Sought Adventure)

Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser attempt to find treasure in a mysterious tower. What begins as a simple quest becomes more complicated and quite interesting when the characters reach the location of the treasure. 

Thieves’ House (5/5)

(Unknown Worlds, Feb 1943)

The twain are tricked into recovering the bejeweled skull of a master thief. A wonderful mix of fast paced action and supernatural shenanigans. I can see how this story and the previous one influenced the creation of Dungeons & Dragons. 

The Bleak Shore (4/5)

(Unknown Fantasy Fiction, Nov 1940)

After gambling with a mysterious man in the Silver Eel, the pair become bewitched and set out for a place called the Bleak Shore. Short and sweet.

The Howling Tower (4/5)

(Unknown Fantasy Fiction, June 1941)

Fafred disappears after the pair hear howling in the distance. Mouser then tracks him to an old tower. A well-done ghost story.

The Sunken Land (4/5)

(Unknown Worlds, Feb 1942)

Things take a bad turn after Fafhrd finds a ring while the pair are at sea. I enjoyed the spooky atmosphere and the Lovecraftian vibe. 

The Seven Black Priests (4/5)

(Other Worlds Science Fiction Stories, May 1953)

The pair fight off priests as they attempt to steal a treasure, which turns out to be more than it seems. A well-done mix of action and dark humor. 

Claws from the Night (1951) (4/5)

(Suspense Magazine, Fall 1951, as Dark Vengeance)

Fafhrd and Mouser attempt to steal a large jewel while at the same time jewelry is disappearing from wealthy people’s homes. A fun mystery with action and horror elements. 

The Prince of Pain-ease (1970) (3/5)

(First appearance in this volume)

After stealing a house, yes, a house, the twain deal with being haunted by the memories of their former lovers. It was okay but I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the others.

Bazaar of the Bizarre (1963) (5/5)

(Fantastic Stories of Imagination, Aug 1963) 

After Mouser falls prey to a sinister bazaar, Fafhrd, armed with an “invisible cloak of invisibility” and a “blindfold of true seeing,” attempts to save him. A creative adventure that throws in cosmic danger, humour, and satire of consumerism. My favorite story in this collection.

Some Final Thoughts 

I first bought this book and the previous volume in my school days from my favorite bookstore of all time, The Science Fiction & Mystery Bookshop, which was located in Atlanta, GA. Sadly, it went out of business years ago, but I still have very fond memories of the place. I no longer have those copies, but I managed to replace them during the last few years. Now I have three copies each.

First, I have the Kindle versions which I bought when they were on sale. Next, they’re included in Three of Swords, the first hardcover omnibus from the Science Fiction Book Club, which I found at Half-Price Books. Finally, I have vintage editions (the second one is pictured at the top of the page) which I discovered at Atlanta Vintage Books. 

This finishes my reread of the first two books. I didn’t enjoy them so much when I first read them in my younger days but now Fafhrd and Mouser are two of my favorite characters and Fritz Leiber is one of my favorite authors. Looking forward to reading more as from the next book the stories will be all new to me.