A shared universe fantasy anthology.
Information about the Thieves World books, with links for deeper exploration of the books, including links to authors' homepages and links to the Amazon page for each book.
For a comprehensive list of all the authors of Thieves World, visit the Authors of Thieves World lens.
Background
Brief history of the series
Thieves World was created in 1978 by author Robert Lynn Asprin, who wanted to build a shared fantasy universe. He wanted to create a world where there were several central characters. The characters would "all share the same terrain and be peripherally aware of each other's existance as thier paths crossed" ('The Making of Thieve's World,' Robert Lynn Asprin).
With the help of his (now ex-) wife, Lynn Abbey, Asprin brought together notable and aspiring authors. Twelve anthologies were written until Asprin lost control of his authors, and the works went on hiatus. Lynn Abbey brought the series back to life in 2002 with the anthology 'Turning Points.'
With the help of his (now ex-) wife, Lynn Abbey, Asprin brought together notable and aspiring authors. Twelve anthologies were written until Asprin lost control of his authors, and the works went on hiatus. Lynn Abbey brought the series back to life in 2002 with the anthology 'Turning Points.'
Thieves World Sites
- A Notable Guide to Thieves World
- The absolute best Thieves World site on the 'net! Detailed, updated, good-looking.
- Locus Index Series List
- Comprehensive series list through 1990.
- Wikipedia: Thieves World
- If it's not Wikied, it doesn't matter.
- TW Yahoo! Group
- A Yahoo! Group dedicated to Thieves' World.
The World
Thieves World is centered around the city of Sanctuary. It is a tough, gritty town populated by gutter-scum, evil mages, vampiric sorceresses, and walking gods. Heroes are often out for themselves, and life is cheap, in the town described as "the anus of the Rankan Empire."
The Books
The series of Thieves World books can be broken into Anthologies, Novels, and Spin-offs.Anthologies include the first twelve books, and the contemporary books 'Turning Points' and 'Enemies of Fortune.' These works are the essence of Thieves World, because they spin tales along common threads, but deliver unique - and sometimes stand alone - stories presented by different authors.
Novels are the stand-alone books, such as 'Beyond Sanctuary' and 'Shadowspawn.' These books follow the same characters, and are written by one or two authors.
There are several spin-off books centered around Thieves World characters, but are not officially part of the Thieves World universe. These include novels about Jamie the Red, Tempus, and Lythande. There are also numerous short stories in magazines and anthologies about Thieves World characters but are not officially part of Theives World.
There are three book club omnibuses that, combined, have all twelve of the original books. The newest omnibus is 'First Blood,' which combines the first two books ('Thieves World' and 'Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn').
Thieves' World Books 1-5
Books 6-10
Books 11-14
The (Official) Single Author Spin-offs
Thieves World from One Perspective
Thieves World spawned several spin-offs. The first was a series of books by Janet Morris. Titled 'Beyond Sanctuary,' 'Beyond the Veil,' and 'Beyond Wizardwall,' these books follow the adventures of Tempus and the Stepsons. Published from 1985 to 1986.'Shadowspawn,' by Andrew J. Offutt, is about the thief Hanse and his travels outside of Sanctuary, first published in 1987. In 1993, Offutt revisited Hanse in 'The Shadow of Sorcery.'
David Drake's 'Dagger' is about Samlor hil Samt, a caravan master and warrior. First published in 1988.
Finally, in 2002, Lynn Abbey brought us 'Sanctuary - An Epic Novel of Thieves World.'
Tempus and Shadowspawn
by Janet Morris and Andrew Offutt
More Thieves World Novels
Thieves' World: First Blood
Anthology containing 'Thieves World' and 'Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn.'
Thieves World Omnibuses
Book club editions
Sanctuary (Contains Thieves' World - Tales From the Vulgar Unicorn - Shadows of Sanctuary)
Books 1 to 3
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010) 
Cross-Currents (The Face of Chaos; Storm Season; Wings of Omen)
Books 4 to 6
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
Thieves World: The Shattered Sphere (The Dead of Winter, Soul of the City, Blood Ties)
Books 7 to 9
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
Thieves' World RPG
Official Thieves' World role-playing merchandise.
Thieves' World: Player's Manual (Thieves' World d20 3.5 Roleplaying)
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
Thieves' World: Shadowspawn's Guide To Sanctuary (Thieves' World d20 3.5 Roleplaying)
Amazon Price: $39.95 (as of 01/02/2010)
Thieves' World: Gazetteer
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
Thieves' World: Murder At The Vulgar Unicorn (Thieves' World d20 3.5 Roleplaying)
Amazon Price: (as of 01/02/2010)
Reader Feedback
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- Marti Marti Oct 28, 2006 @ 5:06 pm
- Very nice lens! I'd never heard of this before!
Congratulations and best wishes to you!
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