Magicnet [Paperback]

John Dechancie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1994

Witnessing a friend's death at the hands of a demon, English professor Skye King finds himself unwittingly hooked onto the MagicNet, a computer-generated, magical force that has taken on a life of its own. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

DeChancie's latest is a fantasy overlaid with a thin veneer of science fiction, its plot based on a bizarre blend of computer communication and sorcery. With the precision and speed of computers, the invocation of magic spells has become easier and more effective. Certain sorcerous hackers have developed MagicNet, a sort of online cyberspace network where magic works, demons roam and the ambitious wizard Lloyd Merlin Jones schemes to consolidate his growing control. Smart-alecky English professor Schuyler King receives a disturbing phone call and a mysterious package from his odd friend Grant Barrington, who soon thereafter meets a bloody and untimely end. The package contains software that conjures Grant's ghost, who directs Schuyler in a confrontation with Merlin Jones. DeChancie ( Castle Kidnapped ) adopts a lighthearted tone laced with sarcastic wit, which makes his rather absurd premise almost palatable; but the plot veers too quickly into random action, spinning its wheels aimlessly before tying up the ends in a perfunctory climactic scene. This is an entertaining bit of fluff, an afternoon's diversion, but no more.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In this full-cast dramatization of DeChancie's 1993 sf novel, Schuyler ("Skye") King talks with his pal Grant Barrington on the phone and hears his friend being murdered by a demon. The next day he receives a package of computer disks Grant had posted earlier. Their software draws him into the "MagicNet"?a strange Internet-like network in which magic rules. Skye's computer also connects him with the ghost, or simulacrum, of Grant, who then directs Skye on a bizarre quest to save the MagicNet from evil forces. Evidently, this work appeared before the advent of the real "MagicNet" online service; it should appeal to computer buffs not too fussy about distinctions between fantasy and sf. While its acting performances are passable, its sound mixing is awful?the volume level is erratic, its simulated computer voices are strained, and much of the production sounds like it was recorded in an echo chamber in a garage.?Kent Rasmussen, Thousand Oaks, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Avon Books (Mm) (December 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380773945
• ISBN-13: 978-0380773947
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,064,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John DeChancie is a well-known author of science fiction and fantasy. He is most famous for his Skyway Trilogy (STARRIGGER, RED LIMIT FREEWAY, PARADOX ALLEY) and his seriocomic fantasy adventure series beginning with CASTLE PERILOUS and running to eight volumes. His short stories have appeared in many different magazines and paperback original anthologies. Living in Los Angeles, he is at work writing more fiction in addition to screenplays and teleplays. He has a background in music, TV and film production, and was the 2005 recipient of the Forrest J. Ackerman Award for significant contributions to Science Fiction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A meld of science fiction and fantasy, August 11, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magic Net (Audio Cassette)

When Schuyler "Skye" King gets a call from his friend Grant what he hears is a bloody and brutal murder. Upon investigating his friend's death King encounters phenomena his assistant professorship of English never prepared him for beginning with his friend's "soul" being part of a laptop computer! MagicNet is a meld of science fiction and fantasy as King is joined by a cyberwitch and an ultimate confrontation with an evil wizard of the web! This very highly recommended Ziplow, audiobook production is enhanced with a Hilton Head Island Repertory Company cast, sound effects, and superb recording standards.