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The Warlock in Spite of Himself (The Warlock Series)

The Warlock in Spite of Himself (The Warlock Series)

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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Really bad series
Review: If you enjoy being constantly bombarded with attempts to convert you to Catholicism, then this book and the series is definitely for you. If not, read at your peril! What's more, if you enjoy books that follow a formula that is repeated over and over and over again throughout the series, then this book is for you. After book one in the series, the stories are situations rather than plots. In one book, the hero realizes that he is hallucinating and he can stop at any time he wants. What does he do? Does he return to reality and his family? Of course not! He rides around the countryside talking to heroes from books that he read as a child. There is no antagonist, nor a point in this book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: The author writes a wonderful whimsical story. There is a lot of catholicism in this book, but I didn't take it as an attempt to convert people (as some readers apparently did). I believe the author was using his experiences and knowledge as a tool to weave a tapestry of fantasy for the reader (and no, I'm not Catholic). I loved reading this story. This entire series is a pleasure to read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: The author writes a wonderful whimsical story. There is a lot of catholicism in this book, but I didn't take it as an attempt to convert people (as some readers apparently did). I believe the author was using his experiences and knowledge as a tool to weave a tapestry of fantasy for the reader (and no, I'm not Catholic). I loved reading this story. This entire series is a pleasure to read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best. A wonderful mix of technology, and medivel fun.
Review: The Warlock in Spite of Himself, and the rest of the Warlock books as well, are so fun to read, that I can't put them down even after having read them many times. With a little bit of political intrique, a smattering of hi-tech gadgets, several fantasic creatures, and some amazingly likable characters, this is the kind of story I wish more authors would write

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A story that stands the test o f time
Review: There are only a few sci-fi books that I have carried around over the years (Foundation series, City, Dune) and - while certainly not of the literary merit of those, this has been an entertaining read many times over.

You have to get past some of the cutesy acronyms in the first part of the book - and some of the characters are a little 2-dimensional. However, this is an enjoyable ride and excellent for what it is. The character of Gwen, in particular, is such a treat.

I read a number of the other Warlock series, but none had the whimsy and magic of this first book. Too bad, because we need more like this. It somewhat reminds me of Heinlein in his "Glory Days" and "Starman Jones" period. Written as juvenile fiction, but fun for adult kids-at-heart.

I'm going to have to buy a new copy - mine is over 30 years old and falling apart from being read so much.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A bit dated but a fun read
Review: This book made for a very fun few hours of reading despite a rather dated depiction of women (I had thought the book was written in the '80's when I first picked it up but a few chapters in, had to check the copyright date more carefully and was reassured to see it was written in '69). The fish out of water aspect-- a man from a technologically advanced society making his way in a medieval and magic filled world-- was handled with flair, the main charactor is likeable and funny and the world of Gramarye is nicely drawn. The story moves at a fairly fast clip that pulls you along.

As for the way women are depicted: the author seems to be in the same camp as Heinlein and other male '60's SF authors when it comes to female charactors who all seemed to be oversexed kittens in need of a firm male hand (and this includes the supposedly strong women!). There were only two main female charactors in the book and both are powerful- one a queen and the other the "most powerful witch in the world" (and the hero's romantic interest). And yet both are depicted as badly in need of a man in their lives. The queen is young- about 20- and she isn't a very good one- arrogant, willful, foolish and childish. The hero's solution? He recommends she be spanked by her suitor and at the end of the book arranges for her to marry a man whose wisdom she can defer to. The heroine, Gwendylon, is a more positive charactor who knows her own mind and persues the hero- apparently because she is sexually besotted with him. When the hero first meets her, he mistakes her for a peasant girl interested in a roll in the hay. He obliges and then leaves her, feeling guilty about using her and not wanting to give her false hope that there was any more to it than that: ". . for a woman lives on love, and this was a woman near thirty in a land where girls married at fifteen. She had already accepted that there was to be no lasting love in her life; she must subsist on the few crumbs she could gather". Later, after she has reappeared in his life and shown herself to be intrepid, he marvels at how unusually brave she is for a woman (and this guy is supposed to be from an advanced society!).

I have to reiterate: other than the above type passages that had me snorting and rolling my eyes, the book as a whole is a real hoot and great fun. I didn't sense the Catholic agenda others mentioned but the author does seem to have an interest in comparing political systems. This doesn't get in the way of the story though. I will probably look for the next book in the series.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent blend of fantasy and sci-fi
Review: What a treat this book was. I picked it up in a used bookstore and can't wait to delve into the rest of Stasheff's books.

The hero Rod Gallowglass is one of the most enjoyable heroes I have read in a long time. His adventures on a world where elves and magic exist are one of a kind. When the book started I thought I misread the back of the book and was reading a science fiction story but the fantasy element soon came into play and they both combined to make a truly wonderful story.

I recommend this book highly.


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