Book Summary

A priest rushes to pass along his memories of a dangerous city as death and a vengeful cult draw near in this fantasy novel by a New York Times bestseller.

“Fans of Thieves’ World will relish this sprawling epic, rich with sword and sorcery archetypes, from one of its cocreators. . . . The gates to this famed city are reopened, assuring all that more adventures are just around the corner.” —Publishers Weekly

Return to Sanctuary

Return once again to the den of thieves, swordsmen, wizards, priests, and gods known as Sanctuary . . .

Sanctuary is a city shaped by ages of heroes and villains. In her lifetime, she has weathered catastrophes and welcomed prosperity. She has seen fire, storm, plague, invasion, madness, and gods at war. Yet her present-day citizens have no time for memories for they are too busy trying to survive.

Only Lord Molin Torchholder, the ancient and wise architect of the city’s glory, knows the whole truth about Sanctuary. But when an attempt on his life leaves him fighting to keep death at bay, he must find an heir for all his knowledge of the city’s history. Aiding him in his struggle are Cauvin, a not-too-bright stonemason’s apprentice, and Bec, his spirited younger brother.

Soon, Molin’s chronicles of the past unfold, but their time grows shorter. An evil long thought dead has returned to Sanctuary’s streets, eager to write more history . . . with blood.

Critical Acclaim

“The originator of the popular ‘Thieves’ World’ novels, the first shared-world fantasy environment, has returned to a world where vice and decadence coexist with heroism and self-sacrifice in a heady blend of atmosphere and adventure that should appeal to fans of the original series as well as newcomers. Highly recommended.” —Library Journal

“Although this is primarily an adventure story, and a pretty good one at that, it is also a richer and more detailed novel . . . the book is both more ambitious and more rewarding than most similar fantasy adventures, as well as providing a nostalgic return to the Thieves’ World.” —Science Fiction Chronicle