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. 

Books I Read in January 2025

One book and some manga this month. 

Swords and Deviltry by Fritz Lieber (Ace Books, 1970)

Swords and Deviltry collects four stories about Leiber’s sword & sorcery characters Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, prequels written after Leiber had already written many of their adventures. Full review here:

We Learn by Writing: Swords and Deviltry by Fritz Leiber

H.P Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu illustrated by Gou Tanabe. Translation by Zack Davisson. (Dark Horse Manga, 2024)

A fantastic adaptation of one of my favorite Lovecraft stories. Tanabe’s detailed art style captures Lovecraft’s story incredibly well.

H.P Lovecraft’s at the Mountain of Madness Deluxe Edition illustrated by Gou Tanabe. Translation by Zack Davisson. (Dark Horse Manga, 2024)

Gou Tanabe’s artwork brings Lovecraft’s novella to the next level. His style fits perfectly, and his pacing, use of panels, and use of stunning two-page spreads all work together to draw the reader into Lovecraft’s world of cosmic dread. Looking forward to reading his other adaptations, "The Shadow Over Innsmouth” and the upcoming “The Color Out of Space.”

Swords and Deviltry by Fritz Leiber

Swords and Deviltry (1970) collects four stories about Leiber’s sword & sorcery characters Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, prequels written after Leiber had already written many of their adventures.

Induction 

(Two Sought Adventure, 1957)

This is listed as a short story that first appeared in the 1957 collection, Two Sought Adventure, but at not even a page and a half, it feels more like a quick intro than a story. 

The Snow Women (2/5) 

(Fantastic, April 1970)

A coming-of-age tale about Fafhrd when he was a young barbarian and member of the Snow Clan led by his mother. He has to deal with memories of his father, a controlling mother, and his longing for the civilized word. I liked the ideas presented in this story but not the execution. I have a strong memory of it putting me to sleep when I first read it as a student, and I have a similar experience whenever I re-read it. The story has its fans, but I thought it was too slow moving until the end. I love Leiber’s prose and use of vocabulary, but there are times like this where the story doesn’t work for me. 

The Unholy Grail (4/5)

(Fantastic Stories of Imagination, October 1962)

The Gray Mouser’s origin, a story of when he was called Mouse and was an apprentice to an exiled wizard. Mouse is wavering between black and white magic when events put him into a position where he has to choose.

Ill Met in Lankhmar (5/5)

(The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, April 1970)

Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser’s first adventure together as freelance thieves in the city of Lankhmar. After they rob a pair of professional thieves, they find themselves targeted by a sorcerer working for the Thieves Guild. An excellent mix of adventure, humor, and darkness. Winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novella in 1970 and the Hugo Award for Best Novella in 1971.

I couldn’t get into Lieber’s prose in my younger days but now he’s one of my favorite authors.