The Secular Wizard (Wizard in Rhyme) [Mass Market Paperback]

Christopher Stasheff (Author)

Book Description

Series: Wizard in Rhyme | Publication Date: August 30, 1995

THE WANDERING WIZARD
In sunny Latruria, the wicked old king was dead, and the new king spurned the rule of Evil. But turmoil began to spread, even across the border, when the new king also resisted Good! In nearby Merovence, Lord Wizard Matt Mantrell donned a disguise and set off to investigate--never dreaming that Latruria's sinister prime minister was mobilizing his minions...
"Minstrel" Matt sang his way south, dodging deadly enemies and music critics alike. He was teamed with a lovesick lad, menaced by a manticore, haunted by a ghost from Greece, and swept along in a flood of youngsters fleeing the provinces for the "glamour" of the city. But when they all washed up in the capital, harsh reality awaited them, not gold-paved streets.
And even harsher reality awaited Matt. The Lord Wizard faced the ultimate test of magic--and he would need a lot of help to pass!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This is the latest enjoyable installment in the escapades of Matt Mantrell and Saul ("Wizard of Sarcasm") Bremener, former graduate students now living happily in an alternate world where verse has magical powers. When the evil King Maledicto of Latruria ("Italy by any other name") is killed, his grandson Prince Boncorro, having determined to be loyal to neither Good nor Evil, introduces supply-side economics to his goods-based kingdom. Matt, now Lord Wizard of neighboring Merovence, investigates the changes Boncorro has wrought. His "incognito" expedition is a curious one, impeded by occasional contretemps and the specious reasoning and obtuseness of several characters (Queen Alisande, Matt's wife, is particularly ill-served by multiple scenes apparently intended to show that pregnancy can make a woman moody). Readers older than Stasheff's usual audience may be bemused by the presences of Chancellor Rebezo and a friendly ghost called Spiro. Fans of the series' previous volumes should find this one, though a progression for neither author nor reader, as pleasant a distraction as those. Science Fiction Book Club alternate.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

The fourth book in Stasheff's Wizard in Rhyme series stands quite well on its own. Young King Boncorro is turning the land of Latruria into an earthly paradise, and the malcontents of neighboring Merovence are muttering that Boncorro's rule would be good for their own realm. But there are suspicions about what Boncorro is really up to, and Lord Wizard Matt Mantrell has to assume his minstrel disguise and go investigating. He finds a good many surprises, including the ease with which he is unmasked by Boncorro's chancellor, and barely escapes with both life and knowledge. Stasheff's series continues to be distinguished by intelligence, literacy, and wit, so put this volume confidently alongside its predecessors on your fantasy shelves. Roland Green --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (August 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345388542
• ISBN-13: 978-0345388544
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #284,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Secular Wizard, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Secular Wizard (Wizard in Rhyme) (Mass Market Paperback)

I waited impatiently for the fourth book in the series A Wizard in Rhyme to be printed. I was not disappointed by the wait. I enjoyed the plot and characters have to be read to be believed. Stasheff has never failed to entertain me with a new twist to each book. I highly recommed this book to all readers of Science Fiction Fantasy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a change!, November 12, 2011

By 

Morticroo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Secular Wizard: Book IV of A Wizard in Rhyme (Wizard in Rhyme, Book 4) (Hardcover)

This is the fourth book in this series and the one where Stasheff finally decided to mix up the plot a little. In the first book (Her Majesty's Wizard) Matt Mantrell was transported to a magical alternate Earth and helped free the kingdom of Merovence (France) from tyrannical satanic sorcerers, meeting various quirky allies on the way. It was awesome. But the second book (The Oathbound Wizard) just seemed to push the reset button. In that one Matt had to free the kingdom of Ibile (Spain) from tyrannical satanic sorcerers, meeting various quirky allies on the way. Then the third book did the exact same thing, only in Allustria (Germany) and with Matt's college chum Saul instead of Matt himself.

This book finally does something sort of new. In this one the native prince of Latruria (Italy) manage to free the country from tyrannical satanic sorcerers all by himself, without any need for help from someone from our Earth. However, he refuses to ally with Good or Evil. Matt Mantrell journeys to Latruria to investigate. Along the way he (of course) picks up some quirky allies. However the tone of his adventures is quite different, as he is not journeying through a country corrupted by evil, he is journeying through one that has no sense of right or wrong either way.

This book was a welcome change for the series, and luckily a permanent one. The next books don't recycle the plot of the first one either, which makes them a lot stronger.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, September 12, 2011

By 

Stacie - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Secular Wizard (Wizard in Rhyme) (Mass Market Paperback)

A fun and original story. I love the idea of it, and look forward to more works from this author.