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Customer Reviews

22 Reviews

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

4.1 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 3 stars, plus one for nostalgia., August 27, 2006

By

frumiousb "frumiousb" (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Warlock In Spite of Himself (Mass Market Paperback)

Like many current readers of The Warlock In Spite of Himself, I had my first encounter with the series a long time ago. Stasheff and Rod Gallowglass were old early teenage favorites, discovered by me when the book was reprinted in 1982.

It makes for an interesting re-read. Fess is nearly as entertaining as a character as he was all those years ago. As a female reader, the female characters make me shudder-- worth remembering that the book was written in 1969. True to the time, a liberated woman was sexually liberated-- not any good at leading things. Stasheff's bone-headed Catharine is simply cringeworthy.

An urbane galactic traveller discovers a planet of lost colonists apparently stuck at a medieval period. His situation as explorer gets very interesting indeed when he discovers that this planet's witches can actually do magic...

I am no longer sure that I would recommend this book for a younger reader. Its biggest appeal is probably to folks like myself-- people looking for nostalgia of books that we read as teenagers. Still good for that purpose, and worth re-reading.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent blend of fantasy and sci-fi, August 13, 2004

By

Jason S Robinson (Ft. Worth) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Warlock In Spite of Himself (Mass Market Paperback)

What a treat this book was. I picked it up in a used bookstore and can't wait to delve into the rest of Stasheff's books.

The hero Rod Gallowglass is one of the most enjoyable heroes I have read in a long time. His adventures on a world where elves and magic exist are one of a kind. When the book started I thought I misread the back of the book and was reading a science fiction story but the fantasy element soon came into play and they both combined to make a truly wonderful story.

I recommend this book highly.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A long time favorite, June 5, 2005

By

E. Dunn (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Warlock In Spite of Himself (Mass Market Paperback)

I picked up this book in the early 80's and since then, has always held a special place in my heart. I really enjoyed Rod's self-depracating humor and the book's ability to blend fantasy and sci-fi into a cohesive whole.

In later novels in this series, I felt Rod was far too angry at times, since it was his rage that helped fuel his magic, but in the first novel, we don't really see that. What we do see is a warm tale, an author's deft touch, and a book that deserves to be in print for over 35 years.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome mix of technology and magic.
One of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. This is the beginning of it all with Rod being assigned to the planet where esper talents actually create magical beings... Read more

Published 1 month ago by James

1.0 out of 5 stars abridged!
I have loved this book for years, and was really pleased to get it on my Kindle, until I found that it was abridged without notifying buyers first. What gives?

Published 13 months ago by avidreader

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent work of Science Fiction
This is actually one of the first science fiction books I was introduced to as a child. The writing is excellent, as is the world building. Read more

Published 14 months ago by Kitty

5.0 out of 5 stars A yearly adventure
I have read this once a year since it came out in 1969. Yes, it is that good. I am thrilled that I can add it to my electronic collection. Read more

Published 15 months ago by Shirley W

4.0 out of 5 stars Yay, glad it's digital ... Boo editing
This was one of my favorite novels from my teenage years. I always loved the combination of Science fiction with medieval fantasy. Read more

Published 16 months ago by Wade F. Dansby

5.0 out of 5 stars Stasheff's Best
I loved this book. The blending of science fiction and fantasy is great. Rod and Gwen are great characters. Read more

Published on March 2, 2008 by A. Espinosa

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Stasheff's best
Put it on the same shelf as "Her Majesty's Wizard". The series probably ran too long, but the first couple in this series were great!

Published on March 3, 2006 by Danny B. - Genius

1.0 out of 5 stars Weak plot, poor attempt at been homorous
Before buying a book I often check the reviews here in Amazon. Since this book had good reviews I went ahead and bought it; big mistake, this book is terrible. Read more

Published on July 30, 2004 by A. Marrero

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit dated but a fun read
This book made for a very fun few hours of reading despite a rather dated depiction of women (I had thought the book was written in the '80's when I first picked it up but a few... Read more

Published on June 22, 2004 by Jayne G. Holt

5.0 out of 5 stars A story that stands the test o f time
There are only a few sci-fi books that I have carried around over the years (Foundation series, City, Dune) and - while certainly not of the literary merit of those, this has been... Read more

Published on August 11, 2002 by Marty Jones

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Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
The asteroid hurtled in from Capricorn, nosed around a G-type sun, swerved off toward the fifth planet. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
white warlock, garlic sausage

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Big Tom, Rod Gallowglass, House of Clovis, Brom O'Berin, Sir Maris, Milord Loguire, Tuan Loguire, Duke Loguire, Breden Plain, Duke of Loguire, Horatio Loguire, Wee Folk, Duke of Bourbon, Prince of the Elves, Queen's Guard, Galactic Union, General Court, Anselm Loguire, Catharine Plantagenet, Sergeant Hapweed

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