Thieves World, Book 4: Storm Season

Thieves World, Book 4: Storm Season (1982) Robert Asprin and Lynn Abbey

Introduction by Robert Lynn Asprin
Exercise in Pain by Robert Lynn Asprin
Downwind by C.J. Cherryh
A Fugitive Art by Diana L. Paxson
Steel by Lynn Abbey
Wizard Weather by Janet Morris
Godson by Andrew J. Offutt
Epilog by Robert Lynn Asprin

This is the fourth book of Thieves’ World, and we’re now well into the intrigues.

Introduction by Robert Lynn Asprin see Hakiem on the docks learning that the Old Man and his son have disappeared.

Exercise in Pain by Robert Lynn Asprin gives us Jubal, with two arrows through his knees, trying to regroup from the destruction of his compound by Tempus. Very slowly, we see cracks in Jubal’s thick skin, and start to see him become human–slowly, slowly.

It’s also a good look at physical recovery.

What is more it is your strength… which will determine the extent of your recovery. Strength of muscle and spirit.

Very true.

Downwind by C.J. Cherryh see Mradhon Vis in Downwind, looking for work, and trying to escape the thought of Ischade.

He drank to take the taste from his mouth, made the drink small, because his life was measured in such sips of his resources.

He finds Mor-Am and Moria, former Hawkmasks, hiding themselves, and an alliance that will do no one any good is formed.

In a A Fugitive Art by Diana L. Paxson, Lalo the Limner has slowly learned to live with–and profit from–his gift. But unfortunately, this is Sanctuary, and that gift doesn’t remain undiscovered. And Lalo himself is struggling to understand these changes in his life.

He put his hands over his aching eyes and shook his head. If he only knew–there was something missing in him, something that he sought in each new thing he tried to do… What use has it to have my heart’s desire? he thought, if I myself am still the same?

And this story is where I fell in love with Lalo.

Steel by Lynn Abbey returns is to Walegrin, and to Ilyra, who is pregnant and due any day. Walegrin has found his fabled Enlibar ore, and wants swords from that ore–and wants also to escape Sanctuary, hopefully forever.

Wizard Weather by Janet Morris takes us back to Tempus, but also to the Stepsons, the band that is staying with Tempus. And we meet Niko, the young mercenary whose marvelous skills will do him no good in Sanctuary.

(C)heese wire, the right handhold, or a knife from behind oblivatesa the need for protacted dissembling, or forged papers.

But nothing good for Tempus, either.

Glumly, he wondered if his god could be undergoing a midlife crisis.

Godson by Andrew J. Offutt shows us why Hanse decided to take Tempus up on his offer of training, and why Niko had to spend hours–weeks–training a thief to the sword.

SURPRISE!

The Epilog by Robert Lynn Asprin, is actually a story, and presages more changes for Thieves’ World. And if you think anything good will come of this, you haven’t been paying attention.
Rating: 8.5/10

Published by Ace Books

 
 

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