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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Welcome back to Gramarye, September 4, 2001
This review is from: Here be Monsters (Paperback)
Once again Christopher Stasheff brings his faithful readers back to his magical world of Gramarye. The kingdom is imperiled by a monster-producing mysterious mist and the Gallowglass siblings must save the world. This time, however, the trio has their beloved fiancés to help. "Here be Monsters" is another excellent adventure, revealing that each sibling (and their lovers) can hold their own, but also work together towards a common aim. The book reads wonderfully, but I am disappointed in the continued absence of Magnus (the eldest son of the Gallowglass family), especially after the many hints that Stasheff has dropped throughout his latest Rogue Wizard adventure of his impending return.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasant but not essential, May 23, 2003
This review is from: Here be Monsters (Paperback)
When his fiancee sees a vision of a monster invasion, Gregory gathers his brother Geoffrey and their friend and future brother-in-law, Alain, Crown Prince of Gramarye to investigate. Their respective fiancees, however, are hardly the type to stay at home and worry. Alouette, Cordelia (sister to Gregory and Geoffrey), and Quicksilver set off to watch over their men and perform any rescues that may be needed. Someone, or something, has launched a plague of monsters on Gramarye--a plague that seems to have some purpose beyond terrorizing the natives. As they confront and defeat each of the monsters, the two groups of travellers begins to gather hints of that purpose and of an intended invasion of their world. Defeating local monsters is one thing--defeating an extra-dimensional invasion is something else. Author Christopher Stasheff was one of the originators of the funny fantasy with his wonderful THE WARLOCK IN SPITE OF HIMSELF--the first novel in this series. As with many continuing series, the Warlock series seems to consist of a mix of essential novels and novels that could be missed. HERE BE MONSTERS falls into the second category. It contains plenty of puns, a bit of character growth, particularly on the part of future king Alain, and your basic magic and sword fighting. Unlike the original WARLOCK or earlier novels in this HEIRS series (where each of the Warlock's children finds their mate), HERE BE MONSTERS lacks the real emotional impact that makes for a powerful book. HERE BE MONSTERS is a pleasant light read. Fans of the series will want to read it. Fantasy fans who haven't discovered the series yet would do better to start with one of the other novels in the series.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Still love them Warlock books..., December 12, 2001
This review is from: Here be Monsters (Paperback)
... even after all this time. This book is the continuing saga of the Gallowglass family and their continued defense of the land of Gramarye, a land of witches and warlocks ( also known as espers). This time the threat is not so clear cut as the warring factions from the future, but a truly otherworldly menace that seems to have no ulterior motive, just the destruction and subjection of Gramarye. More time is spent on the individual encounters of each new creature, as well as an increase of the puns and double entendres in the dialogue... something he has been doing since the very beginning. Who can forget the "...bounds of Haskerville..." from Warlock Wandering. Stasheff seems fond of 'shaggy dog' tales. While not anywhere near the volume of Piers Anthony's Xanth Series for puns, they do come at quite a pace. This book seems more like the first step in a larger story, one I look forward to reading... For those who are expecting a wedding at the end of this tale, they would appear to be right. Just not in this book. It seems as if Stasheff is going to draw out the reunion of Magnus(the Rogue Wizard) with his family, and the weddings of the three couples established in the previous Warlock's Heirs novels. Will the next book be a new start, or the conclusion of the Warlock/Wizard series? I hope for the former. The tale is obviously NOT done, and I will continue to pay for my next installment. Thanks for keeping it coming Chris!
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