Customer Reviews

Wizard Squared (Rogue Agent)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I really can't begin to express how disappointed I was with this book. I'd already read enticer from Book 2 and so had a pretty good idea of what Book 3, this book, was about. It sounded pretty good. The ultimate show down between the two most powerful wizards for 10,000 years.

So what happens?

For the first 50-100 pages, it argue argue argue, bicker bicker bicker, with a tidgen of teenage love angst.

For pages 100-150, they get an unexpected surprise from a visitor from another universe, while still arguing and bickering.

For pages 150 to 350, it's argue argue argue, bicker bicker bicker.

For pages 350 to 490, it's Alternate Gerald's an evil guy, the heroes of our universe cross over to save "Good" Gerald, amidst argue argue argue, bicker bicker bicker.

For pages 490-500, there's an improbably and very sudden complete defeat of "Evil" Gerald by "Good" Gerald, although I think it's done in a way that still allows the "Evil" Gerald to return for a subsequent novel.

Overall, too much arguing and bickering, and too little real plot, and very little real action. The finale was one of the biggest letdown's I've ever read. There was potential for hundreds of pages of fighting between Good and Evil Gerald. But no. It's over in a couple of pages. And the victory by "Good" Gerald seems unlikely given how powerful "Evil" Gerald is depicted to be.

Overall it's not a good book. I think I'm generous giving it 3 stars.

If it was another author I would give it a 4 instead of a three, but I know the author can and has done much better. This was almost entirly a recap of the first book revisiting Gerald to his dragon making, only he goes power hungry instead of restraining himself. the first half of the book is almost identical to the last half of the first, and the plot seemed some what predictable. the book did have its moments, and did not turn me off the series in the least, but I know the author is much more capable than what was displayed in this book.

It's hard to express how disappointing this was. The second in the series wasn't as good as the first, but that didn't bother me too much--lots of trilogies sag a bit in the middle.

You potential readers can see the cover, with its blurb: "Gerald by name. Evil by nature." You may think you'll be getting a subtle exploration into the ways that Gerald, once the quintessential Little Guy, gradually becomes corrupted by the tremendous power he now possesses. If so, I'm afraid I must disabuse you. It's actually about an eeevil Gerald from a parallel universe, who became eeevil when he read some forbidden grimoires. Seriously. A parallel universe. In fact, a lot of the first third or so of the book is text from the last quarter of the first book.

That's just the premise. As for the actual plot, there isn't much. I'll try to avoid spoilers by saying simply that Good Gerald defeats Evil Gerald by doing something which was utterly trivial for him to do (three words) and should have been barely a hiccup for Evil Gerald.

Originally this was marketed as the Rogue Agent "trilogy," but the end of this one says there may be more. If so, I guess I'll pass. It's a pity; I liked Gerald and pals when I first met them.

The third book in the Rogue Agent series pits our hero, Gerald, against himself -- or at least another version of himself from a different trouser leg of time, as Pratchett might say. Wizard Squared is an enjoyable read but has many of the same flaws as its predecessors. I feel it could have benefited from another round of editing and revision. About the first 150 pages, which tell the tale of the alternate Gerald and the decision he made that the original Gerald did not, could and probably should have been cut entirely. We already know most of the story here from the end of the first book and the differences would be better left a mystery until later. Another flaw I feel is that the witty humor pervasive throughout the book is carried too far, causing characters to be overly snarky with one another in situations where it feels inappropriate and unnatural. Despite these things, this is still a fun adventure and would recommend it for readers fond of comic fantasy.

I like the series, but I agree with the other reviewers that there's too much bickering dialogue and not enough plot in the third installment. The book seems like it's a placeholder the author whipped out in a hurry. Hopefully she'll put more effort into the next book.

I really liked this book- even better than I liked the first one! The story moved quite quickly and it left me wishing the next book came out sooner than it does!

The first book was quite amusing. I must say that the writing in the whole series was a bit questionable. It was what I would call a "fun, thoughtless read". This last one was rather annoying in the first few chapters as it basically just rehashed all that had happened in the first installment. I didn't hate it, but I thought the first was much more interesting. The ending wasn't what I saw coming, and what the good Gerald did the bad one should have been able to see coming and stopped, but hey it is a book.. even a book with a parallel universe.. :)

I did find it odd that this series originally began as a trilogy but now it seems to have moved to a series.

this book answers the age old question 'what if you could remake a decision that would change your life?' Gerald chose in the first book in the series to fight King Lionel using only his powers and not to give in to the temptation to use dark magic. He won just barely. Here the consequences of the other choice are laid out in horrifying fashion in an alternate universe. What does this have to do with Gerald's world? Funny you should ask. Dark Gerald is coming for his world and wants him to join him in ruling the multiverses. Dark Gerald has a secret. He has the power to turn Gerald to the dark. There are no simple resolutions or Deus ex Machinas in this story. The author makes you care about all the characters, and the twists to get to the ending will leave you breathless. Highly reccommended.

Calling him an ordinary wizard was being kind to minor third grade bureaucrat Gerald Dunnywood. That all changed in a flash when Gerald the safety inspector for Ottosland's Department of Thaumaturgy was caught in a thaumaturgical factory explosion that brought out his untapped inner magical self (see the Accidental Sorcerer).

That was then and this is now as Gerald and his friends Monk Markham, Bibby, Melissande, and Reg perform magical assignments as Witches, Incorporated. Out of nowhere, but actually from a parallel universe arrives Monk Markham. The newcomer explains to Monk and the others except Gerald who is on assignment that his universe's Gerald became more evil than the malevolent wizard-king he defeated when he became The Accidental Sorcerer. The Monk from the other universe has come to plead with Gerald from this universe to return to his to fight Gerald.

The concept of opposite personalities is not new (Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde and a classic Star Trek, for instance), but made fresh with the Miller Mythos. The Third Rogue Agent fantasy is an enjoyable story that starts off a bit slow as the crew's amusing bickering and grousing slows down the plot. Towards the middle of the story line, the squabbling is abated and the tale takes off as the audience awaits a confrontation between the two Geralds. Fans of the saga will appreciate the return of Gerald as he is twice the fun with a good and evil versions colliding.

Harriet Klausner

The first half of the story is pretty much a rehash of the last half of the first book only slightly different. The plot is TERRIBLE, it seems like some dumb daydream, an improbable one at that. I understand it is sci-fi/fantasy however even knowing that I cannot accept the story as it is. I liked the first book, the second book was quite a bit worse but still readable. THIS is not readable however.