Rating: 
Summary: Well-Enchanted Reader
Review: *The Misenchanted Sword* is an intimate fantasy tale wrapped around one of the most innovative narratives I have ever seen. The beginning is sometimes too slow and straightforward for my tastes, taking steps toward a familiar destination; but just when I was expecting the story to continue in mundane fashion, Watt-Evans throws a curve. Rather than use his set-up to frame a fairly standard Fantasy "actioner," Watt-Evans begins to give us the tale *behind* the action. The main character begins a series of dangerous missions behind enemy lines, all of which take place "off-camera," so to speak. We instead learn of his development as a person *in light of* his actions as an assassin. We follow the life course of a man who prospers despite his situation, as well as because of it. One of the strengths of the novel lies in the logical progression of the protagonist's reaction to his fate. Much like the movie "Groundhog Day," the development of the character's reactions to his unusual fate follow a believable path from wonder, to fear, to acceptance, and finally to resolve. I admit that this sort of narrative may not be right for all; if you like more action and less introspection, more familiar plot turns and fewer unexpected plot twists, more tradition and less risky experimentation, then this isn't the right novel for you. And that's fine. I admire traditional Fantasy as much as anyone. But the risk-takers shall always turn my head, as this fine work has done.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing how good a book can be...
Review: ... even if it doesn't follow the traditional format. Or perhaps *because* it makes its own rules.There is no mismatched group of heroes who save the world, nor is there a Dark Lord. The hero is not a missing heir, he's an ordinary soldier, and I found it extremely easy to identify with him - he's so normal. What a breath of fresh air. His land is at war. Does he win the war personally by slaying the evil enemy? No, he has a magic sword that enables him to survive the war, but he makes a living from his basic wits and good nature. The spells on the sword are original as well. Every time I thought I knew what would happen, the story took a different turn. I felt as though Valder the Solider/Assassin/Innkeeper was a real person, not one of those blown-out-of-all-proportion heroes from many other fantasy novels. This was a great introduction to the world of Ethshar, a world that is significantly changed by war - no "reset-button" ending! I'm looking forward to collecting the other books in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Cream of Wheat
Review: As an author, Lawrence Watt-Evans would have made a great computer programmer. This whole book is structured like a course in logic, i.e. �IF A = B, THEN C.� If you�d really like to follow the youth-to-(almost)death biography of someone who acquires a misenchanted sword, and how the spells on the sword logically affected his (almost) entire life, this is the fantasy for you. Rules are rules, whether dealing with spells or computer logic gates, and the author leaves the misenchanted sword stuck to his hero, Valder�s hand for thirteen days because of the rule that Valder has to kill another male warrior before he can sheath it. What is the logical profession for Valder after he acquires his new sword? He is already a soldier, but he can�t very well employ the misenchanted sword on the battlefield because of rule #2: he has to sheath it between killings. So his superiors force him to become an assassin, which is logical, but Valder doesn�t really care for killing men---especially after dispatching eighty or so of them. Which leads to rule #3: after Valder has killed a hundred men, the sword will turn on him. He�ll die, and his assassin will then have to kill ninety-nine men with the sword before the same thing happens to him. The total of men killed by the sword = 100 + 99 +98 +97�.+1 before the misenchantment finally wears off. Luckily the war ends (with all of the real action such as the last battle between the gods and demons taking place off stage) before Valder kills his magic hundred men. Now he is stuck with rule #4: he will age normally, but he can�t die except by the sword, and then only after he kills his hundredth man. The bulk of this book (it seemed very bulky to me) is taken up by Valder�s adventures after he leaves the army. The book�s beginning and end were quite interesting, i.e. the story of how he acquired the misenchanted sword and then the sequel of how, as an old man, he tries to break its spell. In between---well, it�s like eating a tasty hors d�oeuvre, then a box of Cream of Wheat, then a bowl of triple chunk caramel ice cream. If you can make your way to book�s end, you�ll love it. But beware of indigestion.
Rating:
Summary: Cream of Wheat
Review: As an author, Lawrence Watt-Evans would have made a great computer programmer. This whole book is structured like a course in logic, i.e. 'IF A = B, THEN C.' If you'd really like to follow the youth-to-(almost)death biography of someone who acquires a misenchanted sword, and how the spells on the sword logically affected his (almost) entire life, this is the fantasy for you. Rules are rules, whether dealing with spells or computer logic gates, and the author leaves the misenchanted sword stuck to his hero, Valder's hand for thirteen days because of the rule that Valder has to kill another male warrior before he can sheath it. What is the logical profession for Valder after he acquires his new sword? He is already a soldier, but he can't very well employ the misenchanted sword on the battlefield because of rule #2: he has to sheath it between killings. So his superiors force him to become an assassin, which is logical, but Valder doesn't really care for killing men---especially after dispatching eighty or so of them. Which leads to rule #3: after Valder has killed a hundred men, the sword will turn on him. He'll die, and his assassin will then have to kill ninety-nine men with the sword before the same thing happens to him. The total of men killed by the sword = 100 + 99 +98 +97'.+1 before the misenchantment finally wears off. Luckily the war ends (with all of the real action such as the last battle between the gods and demons taking place off stage) before Valder kills his magic hundred men. Now he is stuck with rule #4: he will age normally, but he can't die except by the sword, and then only after he kills his hundredth man. The bulk of this book (it seemed very bulky to me) is taken up by Valder's adventures after he leaves the army. The book's beginning and end were quite interesting, i.e. the story of how he acquired the misenchanted sword and then the sequel of how, as an old man, he tries to break its spell. In between---well, it's like eating a tasty hors d'oeuvre, then a box of Cream of Wheat, then a bowl of triple chunk caramel ice cream. If you can make your way to book's end, you'll love it. But beware of indigestion.
Rating:
Summary: a terribly enjoyable fantasy book... finally
Review: Hi. I'm not usually into fantasy. Let's face it... most are poorly written (geared to 14 year old boys), take themselves too seriously, or try to be Tolkien (failing miserably). Watt-Evans' book, the Misenchanted Sword, is a welcome, fun, light, and intelligent exception. Its a joy to read. He creates a great protagonist - Valder, an ordinary, run of the mill ex-soldier. In many ways, he is an antithesis of most fantasy heroes: not exceptionally brave nor intelligent nor wise nor bloodthirsty. Nonetheless, he's thrust into an extraordinary situation (possessing a sword that gives him immortality until he has killed 100 people... at which point the sword turns on him...oh yeah, the sword does not protect him from aging or being wounded). With that, the story takes off, and you'll be through the book in about two nights. Great fun!
Rating:
Summary: Best read on a long night
Review: His best; my favorite L W-E novel!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable stuff.
Review: I don't always see Lawrence Watt-Evans' books on the shelves, and I think it's a shame. The basic plotline
(ordinary guy thrust into extraordinary situations) isn't new, but along the way we get a lot of exciting adventure, interesting magic, and a sense of humor. A fun story, and a good read. Try it!
Rating:
Summary: Nice Ride
Review: I found this to be really fun ride. From the start right through to the end it tells the story of a fairly inept soldier and his rise to an assasin...even if he doesn't want to be. The only reason he can even be an assasin is because of this POWERFUL magic sword a wizard made him...and the wizard was upset with him at the time....I found the dilemas Valdor experienced to be quite an unusual take on the subject of fantasy. Usually it is cruel Lords and evil Ladies...I found the more mundane elements he had to contend with a refreshing take....
Rating:
Summary: A Good Read
Review: I had read this as a kid, and when my mom dug it out of the attic, I read it again last night. I was enthralled from cover to cover and read it in one very long sitting.
Rating:
Summary: A great piece of writing.
Review: I have read this book three times and plan to read it again. It is my favorite all-time book.
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