John Brunner

Nickie Haflinger had lived several lifetimes...but technically never existed. He was originally a fugitive from Tarnover, the incredibly powerful government think tank that educated him. First he had broken his identity code - then he made his escape....

In a near future, the air pollution is so bad that everyone wears gas masks. The infant mortality rate is soaring, and birth defects, new diseases, and physical ailments of all kinds abound....

Sixth in the magical, action-packed shared-world series: Thieves' World has grown into a real presence in the fantasy genre" (Fantasy-Faction). Under the rule of a humanoid race, the city of Sanctuary finds itself divided.

War looms over Sanctuary in the fifth Thieves' World anthology compiled by the New York Times–bestselling author of the Phule's Company series. The invasion by the Beysibs, an amphibious humanoid race, brings unusual prosperity to the city of Sanctuary. But underneath the glittering façade lies...