Tomes of Spellcasting
Tomes of SpellcastingWelcome 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.
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!
The Secular Wizard might be a little harder to follow than the other books in the series. Unlike the previous books--even The Witch Doctor--there is a definite attempt to avoid alliance to either God or the Devil. The resultant reliance on philosophy threatens to go entirely over your head...yet it is plain that there need to be something to believe in if you choose not to believe in religion. This wasn't actually too difficult for me, if only because I'm so open-minded about these things, but some readers might feel threatened by the subject matter involved. But then again, that's a sign of a good book, right, if it makes you think?
What I liked best about this book is that, as important as Matt's quest is, he takes the time and effort to draw a young man away from sin and depravity without relying heavily upon religion and tenet. He becomes a sort of mentor to his companion, providing moral (if not spiritual) guidance to him. It would have been so easy for Matt to not care at all about the youth, letting him find his own way in the world--and certainly easier for Matt if only to remove one responsibility from his shoulders--yet Merovence's Lord Wizard shows that he has a heart. Perhaps if I had a greater interest in philosophy I would have found Matt's discussions with Pascal more comprehensible, as Matt was trying to provide a basis for moral behavior without resorting to religious dogma (which might be dangerous since he didn't know which pole of power was in dominance in Latruria). As it stands, I can only assume that Matt was making a good case, having as I do my own set of beliefs.
The Secular Wizard is the fourth installment of the Wizard in Rhyme series. Matt's back in the driver's seat, but this time it's like he's reliving his first days in Merovence, when he was adjusting to a world of bipolar power. Can you imagine how difficult it must be for him to revert to avoiding calling upon God for help now that it might prove more dangerous than before?
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