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: Dark Lord of Derkholm
Author: Diana Wynne Jones
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format: Paperback
Copyright Date: 1998

Imagine a world where magic is a way of life, and those who practice it are held in great esteem. Now imagine that same world, only with everything and everyone being forced to contribute to an economic system that is steadily destroying the world thanks to a contract signed forty years in the past. That is the kind of world that Derk lives in, and it is thanks to that same contract that he must now serve as the Dark Lord for the year's season of extra-dimensional tourists. Stuck with the job, he and his family are determined to do the best they can to fulfill the terms of the contract, but ease the effects of the tours on their world. However, there are plots afoot designed not only to interfere with the tours, but to eliminate them altogether. And while Derk is all for ending the tours, there are forces in play that will spell doom not only for himself should he fail in fulfilling his duties as Dark Lord but for the rest of his world and its people as well. So what's a wizard to do: give up in the face of adversity, or shoulder the garb and burdens of the Dark Lord...and lead his people in a battle with the "Forces of Good" and settle the whole thing once and for all?

Dark Lord of Derkholm is very different from the author's novels about the Chrestomanci. For one thing, that nine-lived enchanter has seemingly nothing at all to do with this world. Instead, we get to see a wizard with a strange view of things reluctantly accepting the role and responsibilities forced on him by magic, politics, and duty. And while Derk may be the title character, his children--both his human ones and his non-human ones--are no less important to the overall plot, as they all have things to contribute.

When you read about the griffins, you may think back to Mercedes Lackey's series about the Mage Wars. After all, Derk is the one who "fathered" the griffins in his family, since some of his cells--ignore the scientific influx into a fantasy world; they have visiting tour groups, after all--were included in the creation of the griffins. On the other hand, according to the book these griffins of his aren't the only ones in the world, and Derk knows he didn't make more than he has by him. But speaking of "made" creatures, Derk also has winged horses, flying pigs, invisible cats, intelligent geese, and a slew of other creatures to his credit, so you'll never run out of new and interesting things to read about.

Dark Lord of Derkholm may look like it should be "Darkholm" but I assure you that it isn't. And don't be surprised if you start rooting for the Dark Lord instead of the "Forces of Good." I wonder...what does that say about the skill of the writer who can get you to root for the "bad guy" instead?

Rating: Thumbs up! Fantasy and mundanity merge and meld in this terrific tome of trials and tribulations!

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