The Warlock in Spite of Himself (Warlock Series) [Paperback]

Cristopher Stasheff (Author)

Book Description

Series: Warlock Series | Publication Date: September 1, 1998

The groundbreaking classic that first combined technology and magic--now available in a special collector's edition, featuring a new Introduction by the author.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Ace Trade (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441005608
• ISBN-13: 978-0441005604
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,119,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

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.

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.

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.