Swords Against the Shadowland (Borealis Legends)

Rating:
Summary: Ill considered in Lankhmar
Review: As I read my way towards the end of this book via the iffy prose of the first two chapters, the obvious filches from other sources ( Forbidden Planet, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and Blade Runner ) complete with scene descriptions and dialogue, the Twains' cheesy repartee, and the contradictions between this story and the originals, I considered Roy Batty's final line with respect to R.W.B: "Time to die," or perhaps even more appropriately: 'A CURSE upon Master Clark Ashton Smith and all his heirs, who thought to pick my brain and slip away, false fleeting agent of my old enemies. Upon him the Long Death, the paramental agony! When he strays back as all men do. The fulcrum (0) and the Cipher (A) shall be here, at his beloved 607 Rhodes. I'll be at rest in my appointed spot (1) under the Bishop's seat, the heaviest ashes that he ever felt....' ( Fritz Leiber: Our Lady of Darkness.)

In the last couple of pages the contradictions were resolved by the use of a, 'draught of forgetfulness,' provided by Sheelba - which was a relief. But the story really had nothing new as regards the core ideas, which were mainly derived from, The Cloud of Hate, Ill Met in Lankhmar, and The Price of Pain - Ease. A lot of descriptive detail was introduced, yet no more effective than the original in conveying the layout of Lankhmar - a city plan would be of considerable help, if one exists.

There are some good sections in this book: The Silver Eel and The Tower of Koh - Vombi chapters, in which R.W.B's own writing style works very well, a viable alternative to F.L's. Generally, however, the writing is insufficiently polished, lending a somewhat plodding quality with over worded sentences, and the inclusion of redundant background detail. Realistically, its all an exercise in raking over, and adding a different perspective to what would be better left alone.

At heart, Robin Wayne Bailey is serious about Fritz's work, but would be better employed writng a Fafhrd, Gray Mouser like series of his own. And White-Wolf and the Estate of Fritz Leiber would be doing a better service to themselves, their customers, and the memory of Fritz Leiber, by keeping the original work - IN PRINT.

Rating:
Summary: Does Leiber 2 steps better
Review: I anxiously awaited this book, but with a bit of fear. Leiber's Lankmar novels have long been favorites of mine and I feared what a different author might do. Originally Leiber and Bailey were to work on this one together, but Leiber passed away shortly after they signed the contract.

Bailey surprised me be capturing Leiber's "flavor" while making the story much more meaningfull to people of the '90s.

This is a must read for fans of Leiber's Lankmar stories and a great place to start fot someone that has never read the series. Leiber would be proud.

Rating:
Summary: I prefer Bailey's Fafhrd/Grey Mouser to Leiber's.
Review: I came to this book totally unfamiliar with Fritz Leiber's writing. Therefore, before reading Robin Bailey's authorized book in the Fafhrd/Grey Mouser series, I read the Fritz Leiber books in the series.

Be warned -- I'm stuck with coming to this series from the viewpoint of a '90s female. ;-)

I prefer Bailey's interpretation of Fafhrd/Grey Mouser to Leiber's. I wouldn't take the time to read any more "Leiber" Fafhrd/Grey Mouser, but I could probably be talked into reading another of "Bailey's" Fafhrd/Grey Mouser.

The male characters have a little more texture in Bailey's version.

Bailey has barely more than one dimension to his female characters, but that's almost a full dimension more than Leiber gave *his* females. (And Bailey's job was to mimic Leiber, so I'll assume that's why his females are the way they are.) Farhrd's love interest is a nasty, unlikeable female (similar to Fafhrd's mother/clan females). Grey Mouser's female is a wuss, and waits for her man to bring home the furs for her to lounge upon. What choices -- "ball-busters" or "incompetents" -- goody. The only interesting female in Bailey's book doesn't last. Pity. I was hoping for better for her. Course, not having to *live* in that world might *be* better. ROTFLMAO

I was astonished to discover that Leiber did NOT write these books in the 1930s.

Since Leiber's books will continue to be available, Bailey's versions deserve to be also.

Rating:
Summary: The heroes live on!
Review: If you like Sword & Sorcery, even if you have never read Leiber, you will enjoy this book. If you have read Leiber, you'll enjoy it even more.

Usually when an author tries to step into someone else's shoes (series), the fit is not exact. Being a fan of Leiber's Fafhrd & Gray Mouser, I was a little worried Bailey would disappoint me. He didn't. Swords Against the Shadowland has all the adventure of the original series, all the action. Bailey's style is not quite the same as Leiber but he did not try to force it to be. Instead he created a strong story worthy of the series rather than a pale copy of it (a fault many authors fall prey to in trying to continue someone else's series). He did his homework and included links to previous stories, the character's backgrounds, and Lankhmar itself. What emerges is a Fafhrd & Gray Mouser tale that can rest on the shelf with the others with no shame.

The book is good enough it could stand on its own, but by being part of a series I like it is that much more enjoyable. I eagerly await any more, confident Bailey will do right by Leiber's duo.

Rating:
Summary: The heroes live on!
Review: If you like Sword & Sorcery, even if you have never read Leiber, you will enjoy this book. If you have read Leiber, you'll enjoy it even more.

Usually when an author tries to step into someone else's shoes (series), the fit is not exact. Being a fan of Leiber's Fafhrd & Gray Mouser, I was a little worried Bailey would disappoint me. He didn't. Swords Against the Shadowland has all the adventure of the original series, all the action. Bailey's style is not quite the same as Leiber but he did not try to force it to be. Instead he created a strong story worthy of the series rather than a pale copy of it (a fault many authors fall prey to in trying to continue someone else's series). He did his homework and included links to previous stories, the character's backgrounds, and Lankhmar itself. What emerges is a Fafhrd & Gray Mouser tale that can rest on the shelf with the others with no shame.

The book is good enough it could stand on its own, but by being part of a series I like it is that much more enjoyable. I eagerly await any more, confident Bailey will do right by Leiber's duo.