Matt read the forbidden runes and found himself in a world where reciting verses worked magic. He got himself locked in a dungeon, created a fire-breathing dragon, and eventually discovered a beautiful princess he swore to save. Little did he guess how hard that would be....
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Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
Christopher Stasheff is one-of-a-kind, the sort of writer whose books are both delightful and good for you. I've enjoyed Stasheff's writing from the first moment I came across it, and he never disappoints. Even non-fantasy readers tell me how much it means to them--and who am I to argue? Whether you follow the exploits of Matt of Merovence or the more epic exploits of The Star Stone, you'll have a fabulous time!
--Veronica Chapman, Senior Editor
From the Inside Flap
Matt read the forbidden runes and found himself in a world where reciting verses worked magic. He got himself locked in a dungeon, created a fire-breathing dragon, and eventually discovered a beautiful princess he swore to save. Little did he guess how hard that would be....
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Just by looking at the cover, 'Her Majesty's Wizard' would appear to be just another fantasy adventure. Well, not so fast...
A graduate student named Matt finds and reads an ancient manuscript, unknowingly transporting himself to another time/another world that has some interesting differences from our own world. Matt finds that through reciting poetry and literature, he can cast "spells" which help him and his new-found friends through some really tough spots as they seek to reclaim their kingdom from a wicked tyrant and his magic.
Two aspects of 'Her Majesty's Wizard' kept me hooked:
1 - The action is practically non-stop. You will have to turn many, many pages from the very beginning to find a place to breathe! Stasheff has given action/adventure fans their money's worth.
2 - The deeper implications of moral and theological thought. Stasheff's writing goes way beyond a casual look at "good vs. evil." He is able to examine, without getting too preachy, what drives his characters to do what they do. Stasheff gives us some very good scenes in which characters have to make some serious and possibly costly decisions that affect not only themselves, but many others. I appreciated the deeper look into the moral and theological issues, although it seems from other reviews that other readers don't. I found it refreshing.
If you enjoy fantasy or just like a good adventure, I highly recommend 'Her Majesty's Wizard.'
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
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.
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By C.E. Crowder
Format:Mass Market Paperback
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" ]
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful
A friend recommended this book to me when it was first published when we were both at a mall and bookstore that don't exist anymore. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Raisuli the Magnificent
4.0 out of 5 stars
OLD SCHOOL FANTASY ADVENTURE
I read this book when it was first published some 25 years ago (!) when I was going through a fantasy phase. Read more
Published 18 months ago by WOSIFU
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read
Interesting and Fun. I love this book and read it again every year or two. The sequel is enjoyable too.
Published on April 14, 2011 by Jacob Moran
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice concept, fun use of Shakespearean verse
Stasheff brought a wonderful note of originality to his novel with the concept of the power of verse to release magical powers, and he wrote a fun adventure story for a... Read more
Published on April 21, 2010 by Dutch Orange
1.0 out of 5 stars
Too much Catholic dogma.
I wanted to enjoy this book (the audio version) for what many of the readers here claimed it to be. A simple, yet somewhat entertaining, fantasy novel. Read more
Published on November 10, 2009 by Jared Mcclure
4.0 out of 5 stars
This Book Surprised Me
When I bought this book I expected a farcical fantasy adventure, perhaps something along the lines of Robert Asprin's "Myth Adventures" series. Read more
Published on June 11, 2009 by Adam Gonnerman
3.0 out of 5 stars
light pleasant fantasy-- a little bit dated, a little bit formulaic
This is a reread for me. I remembered this as a light pleasant medieval fantasy which followed a reasonably predictable formula. Read more
Published on November 1, 2008 by frumiousb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun Book
I read this book for the first time about 10 years ago. I have kept it in my ever growing stack/mountain of books all this time and I read it again a few days ago. Read more
Published on September 19, 2007 by Legal Writer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow
What I can say about this book? If u like heroic fantasy, comedy and romance... well, this is the best book ever! U can't have so much fun in any other fantasy book, that's sure! Read more
Published on April 29, 2007 by Federico Monti
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best series
No series has ever gotten me so entangled in its world before. I want to be in merovance and become the Lord wizard. If you love mystery and dragons and majick get this series
Published on September 4, 2006 by Stegoman
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 4
books:
2
books
cite this book:
- We Open on Venus (Starship Troupers, Book 2) by Christopher Stasheff in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Back Matter
- Company of Stars (Starship Troupers, Book 1) by Christopher Stasheff in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Back Matter
- A Slight Detour (Starship Troupers, Book 3) by Christopher Stasheff in Front Matter (1), and Front Matter (2)
- The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks in Back Matter
- My Son, the Wizard: Book V of A Wizard in Rhyme by Christopher Stasheff on page 20, and Back Matter
- The Haunted Wizard (Wizard in Rhyme, A) by Christopher Stasheff in Back Matter
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