Not Exactly the Three Musketeers (Mass Market Paperback)

by Joel Rosenberg (Author) "There will be payment for your crimes, foul deceiver..." (more)
Key Phrases: imperial proctor, bitter oats, faerie lights, Walter Slovotsky, Old Emperor, Barony Cullinane (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Rosenberg's intrepid retainers of the Castle Cullinane return in this jaunty addition to his popular Guardians of the Flame series. Doughty men-at-arms Pirojil, Durine and Kethol are stuck with the dirty work when sneaky outworlder Walter Slovotsky avoids accepting a commission from the Dowager Empress to investigate claims that Lady Leria Vor'sen is being pressured to marry Lord Miron, the son of ambitious Elanee, baroness of nearby Keranahan. Along the way they're joined by the wizard Erenor, whose arcane powers may be rivaled by his theatrical ability, and whose background is as colorful as those of the Cullinane retainers. Though Lady Leria denies feeling any pressure under the watchful eye of Elanee, the three decide it's best to escort the young woman back to speak directly with the Dowager Empress?a plan that sets in motion a dangerous chain of events, all designed to keep Leria from reaching Cullinane safely. Fortunately Pirojil, Durine and Kethol, ably assisted by Erenor, are equal to the task of protecting Leria under almost any circumstances, given a little help from Slovotsky and Cullinane's dragon, Ellegon. Rosenberg writes his usual competent mix of earthy characters and gritty action, including a surprising climax that will irrevocably change the trio of friends and soldiers.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"Picaresque."--Kirkus Reviews

"A rollicking saga of swordmanship and intrigue, spiced up with dragons, damsels, and droll wizards."--SF site
-- Review

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Tor Fantasy; 1st edition (February 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812550463
• ISBN-13: 978-0812550467
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #285,961 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WWW: Well Worth the Wait, January 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Not Exactly the Three Musketeers (Guardians of the Flame/Joel Rosenberg) (Hardcover)

I skipped work to gobble this one upyesterday and then reread it today.

Rosenberg keeps surprising me with the Guardians of the Flame series. The first books were well-done swashbuckling [sp?] fantasy series, with well-above-average characters, the best damn fight scenes in modern fantasy, and a quirky bloodymindedness that kept me wondering if Karl Cullinane could still be alive.

Then the second series, the two Walter Slovotsky books, turned things inside out and made it all close and personal.

Now, with the (eighth?) latest book in the series, Rosenberg seems to be reinventing heroic fantasy with almost casual ease.

No, they're not exactly the three musketeers. If you want a Dumas pastiche, read Steve Brust's Parfi (sp?) books.

This one is something else, as though Rosenberg is trying to reinvent what Dumas and ERBurroughs and Sabatini were getting at in their time.

My only question for "Jayar" (I caught the cameo appearance by Rosenberg in his own book -- very sneaky, Mr. R!) is:

When's the next one?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Companion to the "Guardians of the Flame" Series, March 20, 2000

By	Allan Bradley (Bristol, Tn. USA) - See all my reviews

I really enjoyed this book.This is more of a companion story with less about our first group of heroes than to the previous 6 books in the series .Joel really lets us see the world through the soldiers eyes instead of the gallant heroes in the earlier Guardians of the Flame novels..There is plenty of action and a truly unique comraderie with these 3 guys..They get into trouble,get out of it,and right back in..By the time you get halfway through this book you'll love these misfits.I found myself laughing while reading this book & at some points wanting to cry..Never a dull moment & a must read for any Rosenberg fan,Guardians of the Flame fan,or fantasy lover...

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Man has Style........, July 7, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Not Exactly the Three Musketeers (Guardians of the Flame/Joel Rosenberg) (Hardcover)

I have to admit when I started this book I was upset that it did not delve into his past characters from the Gaudian's series more. By the time chapter two rolled around I was eagerly turning the pages and regretting the fact that I had to work the next day and needed sleep.

What can I say.....Rosenberg has style. His characters are likeable and real. He has a way of turning a phrase that shows his intelligence. Rosenberg comes up with surprises when you need them and his dialogue sizzles.

What more can you ask for?

Another book by Joel Rosenberg please :)