Keith's Reviews > Swords and Ice Magic
Swords and Ice Magic (Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, #6)
by
by
In which our heroes become all gwowed up—still lechers, but also leaders, and no longer really able to deal quite so entirely cavalierly with the challenges they are called to face.
Unlike many of the earlier stories, which might mention still earlier events in passing, this one builds on knowledge the reader would not have without having read Swords Against Wizardry first, particularly the Hugo Award-winning "Stardock." Passing knowledge of "When the Sea-King's Away" from Swords in the Mist, and the original Swords and Deviltry would be advantageous, but lacking those probably would not result in losing the plot, just missing some added color. But it probably works best as I encountered it, being the penultimate cap on a lengthy joy ride.
Unlike many of the earlier stories, which might mention still earlier events in passing, this one builds on knowledge the reader would not have without having read Swords Against Wizardry first, particularly the Hugo Award-winning "Stardock." Passing knowledge of "When the Sea-King's Away" from Swords in the Mist, and the original Swords and Deviltry would be advantageous, but lacking those probably would not result in losing the plot, just missing some added color. But it probably works best as I encountered it, being the penultimate cap on a lengthy joy ride.
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Quotes Keith Liked
“Yes, he knew that the god Loki had come out of the flames and possessed him for a while (as Fafhrd had perhaps once been possessed by the god Issek back in Lankhmar) and spoken through his lips the sort of arguments that are so convincing when voiced by a god or delivered in time of war or comparable crisis—and so empty when proclaimed by a mere mortal on any ordinary occasion.”
― Swords and Ice Magic
― Swords and Ice Magic
“That was another trouble with women, they were never there when you wanted or really needed them. They helped each other, all right, but they expected men to do all sorts of impossible feats of derring-do to prove themselves worthy of the great gift of their love (and what was that when you got down to it?—a fleeting clench-and-wriggle in the dark, illuminated only by the mute, incomprehensible perfection of a dainty breast, that left you bewildered and sad).”
― Swords and Ice Magic
― Swords and Ice Magic
“For the gods have very sharp ears for boasts, or for declarations of happiness and self-satisfaction, or for assertions of a firm intention to do this or that, or for statements that this or that must surely happen, or any other words hinting that a man is in the slightest control of his own destiny. And the gods are jealous, easily angered, perverse, and swift to thwart.”
― Swords and Ice Magic
― Swords and Ice Magic
Reading Progress
March 8, 2011
– Shelved
March 8, 2011
– Shelved as:
fantasy
June 2, 2015
– Shelved as:
_on-hand
May 1, 2017
– Shelved as:
z-storage
May 1, 2017
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 1, 2017
– Shelved as:
zz-box-ss
December 27, 2019
–
Started Reading
January 9, 2020
–
5.76%
"I: THE SADNESS OF THE EXECUTIONER (1973) A danse macabre as viewed from the vantage point of its choreographer. He contemplates his own mortality and finds compensation in the search for knowledge. Of melancholy, madness, and other moods and mysteries. The advantages of early rising and late retiring. An economic slaying and salutary but not therefore altogether unsadistic rape. Savior-faire.…"
page
14
January 12, 2020
–
7.41%
"II: BEAUTY AND THE BEASTS (1974) Shadowland's master once more essays. Of the dual nature of one woman and of a double duel. Death without corpses."
page
18
January 14, 2020
–
11.52%
"III: TRAPPED IN THE SHADOWLAND (1973) Of the intolerably hot, dry texture of life and the alluringly dark moist landscape of its contrary. How a map may be the territory. Geomancy. Needles and swords. Of loves fled and infatuations pursued."
page
28
January 18, 2020
–
13.17%
"IV: THE BAIT (1973) Death repeats his o'erancient strategem. Those closest confederates: girls and demons. The Twain grow complacent."
page
32
January 20, 2020
–
21.4%
"V: UNDER THE THUMBS OF THE GODS (1974) Egregious conceit and vasty vanity of heroes. Mischievousness of gods. Their problems. Infinite variety and instructional cruelty of women. A pageant of loves lost, or, rather, presently otherwise . A surfeit of gander-sauce. Where least expected, a qualified consolation."
page
52
January 26, 2020
–
30.45%
"VI: TRAPPED IN THE SEA OF STARS (1975) Wherein the secrets of the will-o-the-wisp are revealed and the geography of Nehwon extended southward. The Mouser turns natural philosopher: distinguishes two species of light and energy, expounds the doctrine of pre-established harmony, discerns the true inwardness of water spouts, invokes the Scimitar of Ildritch. A quibble of girls. Tempest fugit. The great aurochs."
page
74
January 30, 2020
–
48.56%
"VII: THE FROST MONSTREME (1976) A prelude in a tavern and at sea. Fabulous isles and gold not faery. Trials of leaders and tribulations of followers. Supernal intrigue. Ice magic."
page
118
February 29, 2020
–
100.0%
"VIII: RIME ISLE (1977) A tragical comedy of wandering gods and restless mortals. Improvisations of puppet masters and also of puppets—which is which? The affinity of gods and children and the likeness of women and men. Monsters of sea, earth, air, and fire. Lemmings and trolls. A fish dinner in Salthaven."
page
243
February 29, 2020
–
Finished Reading