Book #27

Key Out of Time

Andre Norton

This is another of the Time Agent novels, that includes Ashe Gordon and Ross Murdock.  In this one, they are on a distant planet and use the time machine to try to learn some of the history of the planet.  When things go wrong, they get involved in that history.

I won't go into greater detail for fear of giving away the plot.  This is a good book in an older style of Science Fiction, and it is much like the Science Fiction I cut my teeth on, 40 years ago.  You must understand that this was not the most recent Science Fiction even then.  It has a pretty good story, and Ashe and Ross are good characters that are familiar to those who have read books in the Time Agents series.  I have only read two others, and I was not sure about one of them until I read this one.

Much of Norton's catalog can be gotten for free on Kindle, so there is plenty to read if you want to come to know one of the lesser, but still significant writers from the middle years of Science Fiction.  She was not really on the cutting edge, but she had a good career as a writer.

This was a good read, especially at the price.

Book #26

The Swords of Lankhmar

Fritz Leiber

The Fifth Book of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, and the first novel.

The enemy is rats, but the book takes a rather roundabout way to get to the final battle scene, where Fafhrd arrives in the nick of time and the Mouser shows that is the trickiest of thieves and the most dangerous swordsman in Lankhmar.  Of course, Mouser isn't trying to steal anything in this one.

The story begins with our heroes returning to Lankhmar, and finding rather their reception rather warm.  Our heroes are up to the challenge of an angry mob, and then find themselves addressed by the Overlord's Chamberlain as, "Fafhrd, the northern barbarian and brawler," and "that mongrel and long-suspected burglar, cut-purse, swindler and assassin, the Gray Mouser."  This brings the offer of a job, to protect a grain ship, and a special passenger.  Now, I won't go into too many details, except that they meet a two headed seamonster, and it's German speaking master.  Yes, you heard that right, German.

That is just one of many twists and turns in this excellent adventure novel.  The split up after arriving at their destination, Fafhrd lingering behind while the Mouser travels back to the Overlord with unusual tales that the Overlord will not listen to.  Fafhrd fights his way back around the Inner Sea, avoiding raiders and finally meeting up with his wizard, Ningauble.  Mouser goes through his own adventures while rats threaten Lankhmar, and finally seeks his wizard, Sheelba.  The ending involves....big breath....mummies, rats turned to human size, Ghouls with transparent flesh, regular sized rats who use swords, pikes and crossbows, and thirteen god-like War Cats, and a feisty kitten who finds his true destiny.

So, yes, there is a lot going on and toward the end is can be a little confusing, but it is fun throughout and our heroes get the jewels and the girls at the end, but not the recognition they deserve for saving the city.