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Rating: 
Summary: Quite Good.
Review: I enjoy many types fantasy/sci-fi and must say Leiber's series is a refreshing change from sprawling fantasy epics. Alas, that he is not as well known as he seemed to be 25 years ago. Fafhrd and Mouser are an original fantasy duo.The next book, "Swords Against Death" is my favorite and I found it better to read that one before "Swords & Deviltry." Each book collects multiple stories and places them in storyline order rather than in the order they were written. Cheers.
Rating:
Summary: Quite Good.
Review: I've heard of the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser series for as long as I've been reading fantasy but never bothered to pick them up. I'm always leery of starting long series. I took the opportunity with the new reprints of this series to jump in and start from the beginning. I'm not disappointed in the least. While all the familiar fantasy trappings are here (the evil wizards, thieves guilds and helpless princess) they are done in a fresh way that makes this older series look more modern than most of the new books out. The cities are well developed and rich with a detailed history that is drawn with a quick sentence or two. Just the description of a mason's office adds a depth that automatically gives the city deep dimensions. The characters are described as "anti-heros" but they act with honor and a code of conduct. they aren't perfect by any means but are drawn realistically. The real beauty of the book isn't the swords and sorcery action although there is plenty of that. The great thing about this book is the relationships explored here. Fritz Leiber explores mother/son relations, the yearning of a young boy for a missing father and the longing for escape every teenager growing up in a small town feels. He describes the pain of fear Ivarian feels so exquisitely it almost breaks your heart. The most amazing thing to me is that Mr. Leiber packs such a dense, rich narrative in only 217 pages. This book feels a lot more entertaining than several of the epic fantasies I've read in the past few years. Like another of my favorite authors, Ray Bradury, Fritz Leiber is succinct and to the point and truly a great storyteller.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book In Any Genré
Review: I've heard of the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser series for as long as I've been reading fantasy but never bothered to pick them up. I'm always leery of starting long series. I took the opportunity with the new reprints of this series to jump in and start from the beginning. I'm not disappointed in the least. While all the familiar fantasy trappings are here (the evil wizards, thieves guilds and helpless princess) they are done in a fresh way that makes this older series look more modern than most of the new books out. The cities are well developed and rich with a detailed history that is drawn with a quick sentence or two. Just the description of a mason's office adds a depth that automatically gives the city deep dimensions. The characters are described as "anti-heros" but they act with honor and a code of conduct. they aren't perfect by any means but are drawn realistically. The real beauty of the book isn't the swords and sorcery action although there is plenty of that. The great thing about this book is the relationships explored here. Fritz Leiber explores mother/son relations, the yearning of a young boy for a missing father and the longing for escape every teenager growing up in a small town feels. He describes the pain of fear Ivarian feels so exquisitely it almost breaks your heart. The most amazing thing to me is that Mr. Leiber packs such a dense, rich narrative in only 217 pages. This book feels a lot more entertaining than several of the epic fantasies I've read in the past few years. Like another of my favorite authors, Ray Bradury, Fritz Leiber is succinct and to the point and truly a great storyteller.
Rating: 
Summary: Most Underappreciated Fantasy Author
Review: Poor Fritz Leiber. He has never truly received the credit he deserves for fostering the fantasy genre. Along with the old Conan stories and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, this is amongst the most influential works of fantasy fiction.
Fascinating worldbuilding, intrigue and exciting characters abound in these tales, all told with Leiber's exceptional artistic skills. Not only are the plots and personalities compelling, but Leiber has a magical rhythm to his storytelling and descriptions. This is one of the few stories that is on my "reread" list. Pick this up and you'll love the stories--and when you look at the copyright date of these tales, you'll come to appreciate just how much Leiber has affected the fantasy authors that have come since.
Rating: 
Summary: How Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser met
Review: Swords & Deviltry is the first of a series books chronicling the adventures of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser. It is not a novel, but rather three connected stories. The first 'The Snow Women' tells of what prompts Fafhrd to leave the cold northern wastes and seek a different life in civilization. 'The Unholy Grail' tells of the first adventures of the Grey Mouser and the origins of his name. A Nebula was awarded to the third story 'Ill met in Lankhmar' and recounts the first meeting between the two heroes. While the first two stories are good, it is only when our heroes meet that the magic really begins. Leiber is an excellent writer and the Swords series is amongst the best of the genre.
Rating:
Summary: True fantasy buffs--welcome to Newhon!
Review: This is the first of the Fafhrd and Grey Mouser books. It includes the origin story for each hero, as well as _Ill Met in Lanhkmar_, a classic novella that no true fantasy fan can afford to miss. It is truly exceptional. Leiber can write circles around most fantasy writers, just as the Mouser's trusty blades Scalpel and Cat's Claw forever carve deadly arcs of steel lightning around so many hapless foes . . . Welcome to friendship, adventure and dialogue of the first water--welcome to Newhon! (Note: This one is followed by Swords Against Death & Swords in the Mist. All 3 are available in a book-club edition called The Three of Swords, which is a great intro to Leiber's fantasy world and to "low" fantasy in general.)
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