With A Single Spell [Paperback]

Lawrence Watt-Evans (Author)

Book Description

Series: Legends of Ethshar | Publication Date: February 4, 2003

A SINGLE SPELL

Tobas had been lucky to find a wizard to take him on as apprentice. But then the wizard died suddenly and unexpectedly after teaching Tobas only a solitary spell, and the youth was too old to find a new master. How could he earn a living when all the magic he could do was light fires?

A DESTINY UNFOLDING

In the Small Kingdoms there were dragons to be slain, princesses and gold to be won, magic castles, witches who knew the secret of immortality, and other treasures. But how could a wizard with a single, simple spell hope to find them and win them?

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Wildside Press (February 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587152851
• ISBN-13: 978-1587152856
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,970,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've been writing fantasy for thirty years... no, my fantasy's been published for thirty years. I've been writing it since I was eight. It's what I always wanted to do for a living, and I've been very fortunate in that I've been able to manage that. I try to write fantasy with an element of common sense to it -- not so much mythic archetypes as sensible people.

Other than my job, my life's pretty ordinary -- a nice house in a quiet neighborhood, a wife, two grown kids, and an overweight cat.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, April 23, 2002

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: With A Single Spell (Mass Market Paperback)

Tobas has always been considered unlucky. But, when the wizard to whom he is apprenticed suddenly dies, leaving him half trained and with only a single spell, his situation becomes desperate. Setting off to the more advanced lands of Ethshar, Tobas hopes to find make a life for himself. But, what can a wizard do with only one spell? Adventure and danger await Tobas, and it just might be a that single spell will suffice...

This is the third book I have read by Lawrence Watt-Evans, and it is just as excellent as the others. I found the story fascinating, and could not put the book down until I reached the end. I loved the characters, the setting, and Mr. Watt-Evans' fascinating magic system. This is a wonderful story, one that I highly recommend to any D&D or other RPG player, or to any other fan of high-magic adventures!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A simple and wonderful story, November 20, 2000

By 

Andrew X. Lias "http://andrewlias.blogspot.com" (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: With A Single Spell (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is, perhaps, the best example of what makes the Ethshar series tick: there is a problem and the character or characters work towards resolving it.

It sounds simplistic when put that way, and it IS a very simple concept, but what makes Watt-Evans books in this series stand out is the relentlessly logical and believable way that the problems are addressed.

With a Single Spell is a charming story about an apprentice wizard who has the misfortune of losing his teacher after only learning a single spell (a simple fire conjuration). You can't get any simpler than that. And yet, the book takes off from that starting point and leads us through some truly marvelous terrain, including a dragon hunt and a very, very mysterious castle that seems to have crashed (!) into the ground.

It is a very fun and inventive story that, while not being exactly Tolstoy in depth, is utterly enjoyable to read.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another LWE Classic, February 24, 2002

By 

B. Robertson (Cordova, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: With A Single Spell (Paperback)

I love this book. It epitomizes some of the characteristics that make Lawrence Watt-Evans' books great. This story presents unorthodox fantasy elements with a seemingly improbably plot and weaves it together masterfully. An aprentice who knows a single spell and is expected to kill a dragon???? As crazy as it sounds, it is an immensely entertaining story with colorful characters, good dialogue, and creative writing. Given it is a light fantasy read, but many of his earlier books should be treated as such. Relax, kick up your feet, and read it in one sitting, enjoying it for what it is.......great fantasy.