A slow moving but satisfying novel about the Thieves’ World character Hanse, also known as Shadowspawn, as he leaves Sanctuary behind.
The first section is scene setting, reminding readers of the adventures of Shadowspawn in the Thieves’ World anthologies which have brought him to his current position, trekking across the desert with bags of silver, and with Mignureal, his girlfriend.
Although slow moving the passage through the forest and settling in the city of Firaqa are nicely done and reasonably in-depth explorations of new locations, which is rarely done in fantasy fiction. It is only a pity that this is narrated largely from Hanse’s viewpoint and not more from Mignureal’s.
The final section, the main “action” of the story is marred at the outset by Hanse being uncharacteristically open about his previous career as a thief, whereas he had been very cautious previously. Although necessary for the story, this was impatient storytelling and disappointingly heavy handed after the care taken to create the setting of Firaqa.
There is unfinished business at the end, so I will have to find out whether this was followed through in later Thieves’ World stories.

The conversion to Kindle is adequate, although the repeated substitution of an “m” instead of “rn” is annoying, as it could easily have been corrected following proof reading. ( )

Ah, Shadowspawn. Why didn't you tell me that Andy Offutt was gone?

So it goes.

From the very first time Shadowspawn stepped out from the shadows, in the very first novel, I've been spellbound. This novel is one of my favorites, of all the offshoots of Thieves' World, Make no mistake, if you start reading this one, you'll have to read more. Fair warning. The story doesn't end on page 278.

Then again, like real life, the story just continues on, you know? ( )