Tomes of Spellcasting

Welcome to the land of mystery, where the impossible is possible, and the improbable the reality. Join me as I investigate worlds filled with magic and meet the souls that wield this wondrous powers.

W A R N I N G !

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Title: Her Majesty's Wizard
Author: Christopher Stasheff
Publisher: Del Rey/Ballantine Books
Format: Paperback
Copyright Date: 1998

Matthew Mantrell, Ph.D. candidate and college instructor, thought he had his life charted out before him. That was before he found a strange, parchment manuscript and became obsessed with translating it. Because once he did...he was out of this world! Literally! More than that, it was a very literal world, where the spoken word possessed great power beyond simply the ability to affect one's feelings. Abruptly, Matthew found himself caught up in the struggle of Good and Evil, where Evil was getting the upperhand. Can Matthew master the mechanics--and magics--of this world before the dark forces assembled to overthrow God and goodness focus their assault on him and--because she's travelling with him--the rightful queen of Merovence, the last hope for the forces of Good in a world already overrun and consumed by evil?

Her Majesty's Wizard is a stupendous "alternate universe" book...but it isn't, really, since Matt is moving through a world with a history not wholly unlike that of his own. The main difference is simply that magic works in this world...and with a vengeance. Throughout the book the dialogue involves enough of Matt's comparisons to firmly establish the links between the two. A history buff might find this book extremely interesting, as it relates bits and pieces of European history quite innocently.

This is a world I'd love to visit myself, and not simply through the medium of the author's works. I could be happy in a world where poetry has the power to affect reality. I'm sure I could make something for myself there...although I would have to watch out and that I was doing things out of necessity instead of pride, because in that world God and the Devil are more "real" than they are in this one. I'd always have to watch that I wasn't committing a heinous sin and letting myself fall closer to the Devil. On second thought, maybe it would be better to stay in front of the pages instead of in them. Seriously, though, this world is a terrible temptation to my sensibilities. If I'm not careful, I could lose myself thoroughly in it!

Her Majesty's Wizard opens the Wizard in Rhyme series. It is markedly different from the author's Warlock books. For one thing,the books are longer. For another, they are more fantasy than sci-fi...while the Warlock books take their basis from sci-fi rather than fantasy. Still and all, though, both sets are thoroughly enjoyable, and this one especially so, as we get to see Matthew Mantrell explore a strange new/old world!

Rating: Thumbs up! "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me"? Not in this world!

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