Skip to content

Thieves' World

Thieves' World

Dark FantasyFantasy
Pages
220
Published
1979
Language
English

Synopsis

Step into Sanctuary, a city where shadows hide both danger and opportunity. This collection of tales introduces you to a cast of rogues, mercenaries, and mages navigating a world of shifting alliances and dark magic. Prepare for gritty adventures where survival often depends on cunning and a willingness to bend the rules.

Prose complexity
4/10

Vibe

GrittyMysteriousAdventurous
Morally Grey

Genres

Dark Fantasy Fantasy Urban Fantasy Adventure Military Science Fiction

Authors

A
Andrew J. Offutt

Andrew Jefferson Offutt was an American science fiction and fantasy author. He wrote as Andrew J. Offutt, A. J. Offutt, and Andy Offutt. His normal byline, andrew j. offutt, has all his name in lower-case letters. He also wrote erotica under seventeen different pseudonyms, principally John Cleve, John Denis, Jeff Morehead, and Turk Winter. He is the father of novelist Chris Offutt. - Wikipedia

J
John Brunner

British author of science fiction novels and stories.

L
Lynn Abbey

Lynn Abbey is a significant voice in fantasy, particularly known for her work within the groundbreaking Thieves' World shared universe, including titles like Storm Season and Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn. She also contributed to the Elfquest series and The Blood of Ten Chiefs.

P
Poul Anderson

Poul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories. He received numerous awards for his writing, including seven Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards. Anderson received a degree in physics from the University of Minnesota in 1948. He married Karen Kr...

R
Robert Asprin

Robert Lynn Asprin (1946–2008) was an American science fiction and fantasy author, best known for the humorous MythAdventures series, featuring the magician's apprentice Skeeve and his demon mentor Aahz, and for the comic military science fiction of Phule's Company. Born in St. Johns, Michigan, he studied at the University of Michigan and served in the US Army before publishing his first novel, The Cold Cash War, in 1977. With Lynn Abbey he created and edited the Thieves' World shared-world anth...

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Thieves' World a shared world anthology?

    Thieves' World is notable for being one of the earliest and most influential shared world anthologies in fantasy literature. Multiple authors contributed stories set within the same city and universe, often featuring recurring characters and interconnected plots.

  • Do the stories in Thieves' World need to be read in order?

    While each story in Thieves' World can largely be enjoyed on its own, reading them in the published order allows for a richer understanding of the evolving political landscape and character relationships within Sanctuary. The overarching narrative develops gradually across the collection.

  • How does Thieves' World relate to other fantasy series?

    Thieves' World is considered a foundational work in the 'dark fantasy' and 'sword and sorcery' subgenres, influencing many subsequent authors and shared world projects. Its gritty, morally ambiguous setting and focus on street-level characters set it apart from more epic high fantasy of its time.