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A review by jasonmehmel
The Knight and Knave of Swords by Fritz Leiber
4.0
If you haven't read a previous book in the series, don't start here!
Although it lacked the verve of the adventures from all of the previous stories, there is a kind of bravery here, to write a closing book that also somehow avoids answering everything. This does feel like the ending that these characters would get to; it feels like a natural progression even if it's a departure from the established prose.
And although the stories lack the same kind of adventure we'd come to expect, it's always clear we're in the hands of a playful and accomplished writer; ever paragraph is interesting and well-written. The prose compels you as much as the adventure might have.
(I rescind my previous advice; it would be fascinating to read this book and then comb through the other adventures... knowing where they're going but still enjoying how they get there.)
Although it lacked the verve of the adventures from all of the previous stories, there is a kind of bravery here, to write a closing book that also somehow avoids answering everything. This does feel like the ending that these characters would get to; it feels like a natural progression even if it's a departure from the established prose.
And although the stories lack the same kind of adventure we'd come to expect, it's always clear we're in the hands of a playful and accomplished writer; ever paragraph is interesting and well-written. The prose compels you as much as the adventure might have.
(I rescind my previous advice; it would be fascinating to read this book and then comb through the other adventures... knowing where they're going but still enjoying how they get there.)