SANCTUARY: An Epic of Thieves' World

Fans of Thieves' World will relish this sprawling epic, rich with sword and sorcery archetypes, from one of its cocreators. Those not so well-acquainted with the original 12 landmark collaborative anthologies, the subsequent graphic novels or game, however, may find it difficult to immediately access the magic. Touted as the book that unlocks the many secrets of Thieves' World, it relies on far too many history lessons to pad the plot; as a result, the action drags. Happily, Abbey's deft characterizations of Cauvin, a young man who once served the Bloody Hand, and Bec, his nine-year-old foster brother, an imaginative imp who adores him, brighten the story considerably. Both serve the ancient and wise Lord Molin Torchholder, who wishes to turn over his power and the city's secrets before he dies. Sanctuary, once a place where heroes reigned, is now a tawdry place where evils long thought dead have arisen. Lord Torchholder, mortally wounded in an assassination attempt, hopes Cauvin and little Bec, with the help of Torchholder's faithful friend, Soldt, will make Sanctuary a true haven again by fighting the bloodthirsty Dyareela, the Mother of Chaos, and her minions, who may include Cauvin's beloved childhood sweetheart, Leorin. "The Torch" is passed after much convoluted machination—and after 10 years, the gates to this famed city are reopened, assuring all that more adventures are just around the corner. Agent, Jonathan Matson. (June 19)

FYI:Abbey and her ex-husband, Robert Lynn Asprin, created Thieves' World more than 20 years ago.