Rating: 
Summary: Her Majesty's Wizard
Review: A really great, fun read and one that will make you think that all that money you spend on a liberal arts education might actually come to some use after all!The only problem is that this one is so great, the sequels can't compete.
Rating: 
Summary: Light entertainment
Review: A university student from 1980s Earth is sent into a fantasy world, where he finds himself its most powerful wizard and must quickly adapt to the role. This world is build on an alternative reality concept: a medieval Europe where magic is worked by reciting poetry. Naturally the hero's vast knowledge of Shakespeare et al. comes in handy. Had I taken the book too seriously, I would have been disappointed with magic where any rhyme will do and always works according to plan. The book could have been much shorter if the hero had simply said 'Yawn, yawn, evil's gone'. Fortunately the magic doesn't get overly abused. The battles involving magic were great, it's only the rules that need adjusting. Stasheff is clearly a talented and well studied author. He's a bit too heavy on the religious angle, but that aside if you're looking for a read to just relax and have fun, this will do nicely. [ Similar (and better): Terry Brooks, "Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold" ]
Rating:
Summary: Light entertainment
Review: A university student from 1980s Earth is sent into a fantasy world, where he finds himself its most powerful wizard and must quickly adapt to the role. This world is build on an alternative reality concept: a medieval Europe where magic is worked by reciting poetry. Naturally the hero's vast knowledge of Shakespeare et al. comes in handy. Had I taken the book too seriously, I would have been disappointed with magic where any rhyme will do and always works according to plan. The book could have been much shorter if the hero had simply said 'Yawn, yawn, evil's gone'. Fortunately the magic doesn't get overly abused. The battles involving magic were great, it's only the rules that need adjusting. Stasheff is clearly a talented and well studied author. He's a bit too heavy on the religious angle, but that aside if you're looking for a read to just relax and have fun, this will do nicely. [ Similar (and better): Terry Brooks, "Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold" ]
Rating: 
Summary: Well done... but don't let the dogma hit you in the head
Review: As other reviewers have suggested, HER MAJESTY'S WIZARD is somewhat light, fun reading. The whole idea sounds silly at first, but the plot turns out to be original and interesting, and it's surprising well-written, though none of the characters are quite deep enough to keep a place in your heart after you've put down the book. Beyond the book's light fantasy feel, however, lies what seems to me a modern retelling of a medieval morality play, complete with demons, witches, Hell, God, the Devil, and continual preaching. Of course, there are new elements, like wizards (who are good) and warrior nuns, but in general the whole thing reads as if written in response to every Sunday-school child's prayers for REAL entertainment. Catholic doctrine is literal in the parallel universe in which our hero finds himself, and it is this he must follow while battling the hordes of evil alongside knights, dragons, and a beautiful princess who is always right. For the aforementioned Sunday school child (or grown up), this book probably IS an answer to prayer: high fantasy meets the (more strict) teachings of Christianity. For the rest of us, it's a little disturbing being preached at when we're trying to enjoy a good adventure tale. The battle between good and evil is a nearly universal theme in more formulaic fantasy novels, and it's all very well, but this book defines good as literal medieval Christian doctrine and evil as everything else, and that -- to me -- is a bit unnecessary. In spite of that, three stars for an interesting idea and its fairly witty execution.
Rating:
Summary: Well done... but don't let the dogma hit you in the head
Review: As other reviewers have suggested, HER MAJESTY'S WIZARD is somewhat light, fun reading. The whole idea sounds silly at first, but the plot turns out to be original and interesting, and it's surprising well-written, though none of the characters are quite deep enough to keep a place in your heart after you've put down the book. Beyond the book's light fantasy feel, however, lies what seems to me a modern retelling of a medieval morality play, complete with demons, witches, Hell, God, the Devil, and continual preaching. Of course, there are new elements, like wizards (who are good) and warrior nuns, but in general the whole thing reads as if written in response to every Sunday-school child's prayers for REAL entertainment. Catholic doctrine is literal in the parallel universe in which our hero finds himself, and it is this he must follow while battling the hordes of evil alongside knights, dragons, and a beautiful princess who is always right. For the aforementioned Sunday school child (or grown up), this book probably IS an answer to prayer: high fantasy meets the (more strict) teachings of Christianity. For the rest of us, it's a little disturbing being preached at when we're trying to enjoy a good adventure tale. The battle between good and evil is a nearly universal theme in more formulaic fantasy novels, and it's all very well, but this book defines good as literal medieval Christian doctrine and evil as everything else, and that -- to me -- is a bit unnecessary. In spite of that, three stars for an interesting idea and its fairly witty execution.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read
Review: Despite a slow start, this book is really funny and takes the whole parallel universe/Good and Evil/medieval times elements - all of them cliched separately granted, and creates an unbelievably fast-paced action-packed story that cannot be pt down. In fact, you have to reread it not just because you'll like it, but also to visualize the whole thing better in your head. And THEN you'll want to read on about them.
Rating:
Summary: Just a fun romp in a parallel world!
Review: For anyone who is looking for an easy but thoroughly entertaining read, this is the book. It might be a bit offensive to the devout agnostics out there, but in reality agnostics are fake, so don't worry about them. The plot introduction is somewhat reminiscent of the Landover premise in Brook's books, but not over-used in any way. Characters are free to be unsure, have serious doubts, and not live happily ever after, a fresh departure from the form. It's not what critics have taken to calling 'doorstop' editions, so no worry about struggling for months to get through it. For an uncomplicated fun read, 5 stars doesn't do this book justice, but that's all that were available. highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: Dragons, wizards and peversity with style and flourish
Review: Her Majesty's Wizard is a captivating hybrid blend of modern sensibility and medievel fantasy. Not since Twain's "Yankee" has there been such a successfully engaging tale of a fish out of water... into the vivid and often humorous world of Meroverence (sp?) The scientific spins and poetic licenses all add a slightly technical kick to a truly delicious novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Did I read the same book as these other reviewers?
Review: I bought this book based on the strength of the other reviews here. Unfortunately, the best thing I can say about this novel is that it was mildly entertaining. I'll readily toss a book aside if it does not hold my interest but I did make it through this one. Nevertheless, the writing I found a bit amateurish. More significantly, the story generally lacked any internal common sense or logic. (Perhaps this is what the publisher meant by calling it a "rollicking" tale.) If an author is going to give the protagonist tremendous magical power, he'd better either qualify that power (e.g. can only use it once a day) or create an antagonist(s) that truly tests the power thereby creating a credible struggle. In this story, I found myself constantly irritated with the main character for either not using his power or using it in silly, indirect ways. The story is jammed with false conflicts because the author failed to circumscribe the protagonist's powers in some way. As a result, the story never rings true, never presents any honest excitement or danger.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Fantasy books I have ever read!
Review: I do not read nearly as much Fantasy as I used too. There was, however, a time, which Fantasy was the only genre, I had any desire to partake in. Enter "Her Majesty's Wizard" by Christopher Stasheff. This novel is a perfect mix of Fantasy, Humor and Morality all spoon-fed to us with the masterful prose of Stasheff. First published in 1986 this novel was released by DelRey when they were at the top of their game. Time was in the mid 1980's to early 1990's if the cover had the DelRey imprint on it I would buy it. This is a great example of the strong staff of editors they had in this era. "Her Majesty's Wizard" is an example of what I like to call Reality based Fantasy. What I mean by this is that one of the primary characters, usually the hero, starts out in our reality and is transported into another reality which is different in many ways usually involving magic of some sort. This is the case in "HMW". I hate giving away too much of the plot of a book in a review. This tendency drives me crazy when others tell me the beginning, middle and end of books so please forgive me as I only give a gist of events. The hero, Mathew Mantrell, is transported to a realm where his penchant for archaic writings and rhymes gives him magical powers. Matt's challenges are many fold. The challenges include whether or not to believe in what is happening. Secondly, whether or not to defend good, side with evil or sit on the sidelines. Thirdly, whether or not to accept universality God and what that means to Matt's existence and many more challenges. All of this sounds pretty heavy but it really isn't. One of the great aspects of this book is how light is really is in some ways. The novel does not take itself to seriously and it makes for wonderful experience. Christopher Stasheff followed this book up with a torrent of novels that take place in this same universe as Matt. All of the novels are good but this is the best of them and, in my humble opinion, it is Mr. Stasheff's best novel period. Read and enjoy.
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