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Thieves' World: First Blood Paperback – December 1, 2003

by Robert Lynn Asprin (Editor), Lynn Abbey (Editor)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 242 ratings
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Contains all of the stories of the first two Thieves' World anthologies (Thieves' World and Tales of the Vulgar Unicorn), with additional material.

Return to the Olden Days of Sanctuary!

Sanctuary, a seedy, backwater town governed by evil forces, powerful magic, and political intrigue

See how Thieves' World all began!

Classic stories by:

Robert Lynn Asprin
Lynn Abbey
Poul Anderson
Marion Zimmer Bradley
John Brunner
David Drake
Philip Jose Farmer
Joe Haldeman
Janet Morris
Andrew J. Offutt
A. E.van Vogt

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 12
    Thieves' World®
  2. Print length
    464 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Tor Books
  5. Publication date
    December 1, 2003
  6. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    031287488X
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0312874889
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Thieves' World was a signal event in fantasy history ... hailed by fans and other professionals alike for their unique approach to the storyteller's craft and its rich legacy of first-rate story.” ―Raymond E. Feist, New York Times bestselling author

About the Author

Editor Lynn Abbey is the co-creator of Thieves' World (with Robert Lynn Asprin). She is the author of Sanctuary, an epic novel of Thieves' World, and lives in Leesberg, Florida.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tor Books; First Edition (December 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 031287488X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312874889
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 242 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Robert Asprin

    Robert Asprin

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    Robert Lynn Asprin (June 28, 1946 – May 22, 2008) was an American science fiction and fantasy author and active fan, best known for his humorous MythAdventures and Phule's Company series.

    Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Sharon72015 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons.

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  2. Lynn Abbey

    Lynn Abbey

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
242 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Reasonable price (2 books), Dark and gritty fantasy
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2012
Verified Purchase
This item is two anthologies combined into one. The setting for the books is city of Sanctuary. A sanctuary for murders, thieve's, outcasts, and wizards. Each author incorporates supporting characters(s) from another author. In some cases they present different points of view for an incident. In order to survive, certain consessions must be made with ideals or ethics. In most case, there's the main character in the book is an unlikely hero.

When taken in context of the whole book, some of the characters are downright wicked. For example, a supporting character in one story may associate or aid the main character in one story is presented in another story as a main character and ends up being a murder and saddist. There is some irony with the characters. The 'good guys' aren't always who you would expect then to be.

This is an introduction into the world of Sanctuary. There exists some incosistencies, but they aren't unreasonable when taken in context as a different point of view for an event. Even in real life, several people may see an event and give different accounts. There are no paragons of virtue in Thieve's World.
13 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent anthology
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2023
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I read this when it came out, and wanted to revisit, I was not disappointed. Quality characters, great setting and nice story line. Well worth reading I look forward to book 2. Check it out.
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Brien Corey
5.0 out of 5 stars The audible narrator is nails on chalkboard for me
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
I was in high school when these came out initially. I'm reading them again to prep for running an rpg set here. None of which tells you anything about the books.

I love this series. I own the original paperbacks. I purchased the Kindle versions and Audible versions. So I obviously love the series.

It's a shared universe from a murders row of excellent authors from the 70s and 80s. I cannot recommend the series enough. The prose is a bit rough listening to it, the series, for me is enjoyed more by reading it. 5 stars for the books, 2 stars for the audible narrator, I just can't stand his performance.
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J. Sexton
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Shared World Anthology
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2020
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This short story collection has the following stories:
"Sentences of Death" by John Brunner;
"The Face of Chaos" by Lynn Abbey;
"The Gate of the Flying Knives" by Poul Anderson;
"Shadowspawn" by Andrew Offutt;
"The Price of Doing Business" by Robert Lynn Asprin;
"Blood Brothers" by Joe Haldeman;
"Myrtis" by Christine DeWees; and
"The Secret of the Blue Star" by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

There's also an essay about the creation of the book.

This collection is one that I had fond memories of. It was really the pioneering work for shared world building and eventually spawned a published RPG setting which I cheerfully used. Even my players loved playing in that world. Would the book hold up to my memories?

It did! Some stories I loved more than others. Poul Anderson, Andrew Offutt, Christine DeWees, and Marion Zimmer Bradley wrote my favorites. The setting was just as rich as I remembered with plenty of unsavory characters running around, along with some that have a touch of inner nobility.

The only downside is the scanning was less than perfect. Sometimes I struggled to decide what word they were aiming for. But this is a case where I am so glad to have the book again that I will overlook the ebook's flaws.

If you are a fan of fantasy short stories, this book should be on your "read now" list. If you are into RPGs, this book can fan the creative ideas you have. I highly recommend it.
6 people found this helpful
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Meotzi
3.0 out of 5 stars Thieve's World: First Blood
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2013
Verified Purchase
It was okay. I read this series a very long time ago, remembered it fondly and wanted to reread it on Kindle. This book is not that work although is has many of its characters and stories.
One person found this helpful
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patty1955
4.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars, minus one for formatting (Kindle version)
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2012
Verified Purchase
These books are just as good as I remember them to be. Interesting, exciting and well written. However, with all the money the publisher must be saving on eBooks, you would think they could hire a good proof-reader.

Example: Page 261, "What is it?" she said, trying to keep her teeth from chattering. be here. Good? That will put some stiffening in our backbone, heat our livers. Let's go now."

I have no idea what's missing, it looks like a couple of sentences. I can still follow the story, but it's distracting. And that's the third time I've found something like that in this one book. Not to mention the smaller error that seem to be inherent in eBooks.
Please, publishers, hire someone to proof-read your books!
32 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars So begins the tales of Sanctuary!!!
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is an ominous bold beginning to a grand epic of interwoven short stories which make up the first 12 books of the Thieves' World saga. Thank you, may I please have another, in Kindle or Audible form, comes to mind as I finish the last page of what was originally the second book, Tales From The Vulgar Unicorn. I wish they would put the rest of the original 12 books out in any digital form including Shadows of Sanctuary, Storm Season, The Face of Chaos, Wings of Omen, Dead of Winer, Soul of The City, Blood Ties, Aftermath, Uneasy Alliances, and Stealers' Sky. Make the rest of the Thieves' World saga into compendiums or as singular versions like the original books, I will still buy them all the same. These are truly timeless tales of Fantasy that the Digital Age should enjoy too.
5 people found this helpful
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SquireJoe
5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Returns
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2004
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I read all the Thieves' World Series as a teenager. The series was amazing then and its GREAT to see it back in print. For those of you who do not read much fantasy - Thieves' World is a shared world anthology - that means that various authors come together to write stories under a shared theme...in this case, the city of Sanctuary. The characters are solid and the different perspectives of the stories create a rich tapestry.

Last, the nice thing about having the first two in a single book - which should be obvious - only one book in the backpack on the way to the beach.
19 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Chris Weir
5.0 out of 5 stars Plus a never before published story about our favourite minstrel, Cappen Varra
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2016
Verified Purchase
All the Thieves' World, goodness you could want. Plus a never before published story about our favourite minstrel, Cappen Varra.
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J. Bethell
5.0 out of 5 stars Good to see these volumes back in print
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2015
Verified Purchase
A nostalgic trip. The first two boks of the Thieves World series in one volume.
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Andy Cal
1.0 out of 5 stars BEWARE!!!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2011
Verified Purchase
BEWARE!!! This is not a new or different Thieves World story - it is simply a combination of the first two anthologies Thieves World and Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn
4 people found this helpful
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