Book Review: Turning Points

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Turning Points     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Lynn Abbey
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   [Short Stories]
Series: Thieves World
Tor, Dec 2002, $25.95, 320 pp.

In Sanctuary, Cauvin the Stonemason is the misfortunate owner of deceased Molin Torchholder’s wealth of sorcery and money. Though he prefers none of this as he is just a working stiff, Cauvin has no way of ridding himself of Molin’s deathbed "gift". If he did he would bring back the shade of that dead scheming witch to take it all away. However, as guardian of the city, Cauvin informs His Tyrant Arizak perMizhur to be wary of everyone, especially visitors, as the time of the Double Eclipse will being every Tom, Dick, and Halott to the center of magic, Sanctuary.

With this background, ten highly regarded authors jump off of editor Lynn Abbey’s recent updating of Thieves World universe (see Sanctuary) to provide fresh tales with fresh persona that cross all the known kinds of magic including of course the shadowy thieves. Each tale is well written adding to the mythos of this long running series. The contributors are great genre guns who do not hide in the shadows or need necromancy to relate a powerful anecdote that will elate fans of the series. This work will surely introduce this wild realm to a host of newcomers and please existing fans with this entertaining swords and sorcery extravaganza. A warning label should state that used bookstores should be aware of a run on the Thieves World volumes once TURNING POINTS hits the streets.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner