With A Single Spell (Paperback)

by Lawrence Watt-Evans (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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?

Well, it wasn’t as if Tobas had much of a choice . . .

A LEGEND OF ETHSHAR

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Wildside Press (February 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587152851
• ISBN-13: 978-1587152856
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,198,923 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 2 in The Legends of Ethshar Series.

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 (Marseilles, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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 (REAL NAME)

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 (REAL NAME)

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.