Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
The Warlock in Spite of Himself (Warlock Series #1)
For three decades Christopher Stasheff's Warlock series has captivated readers nationwide. Now, in a special collector's edition with a new introduction by the author, readers will turn to the masterful novel that started the legend, where a young man seeking adventure finds a world more fantastic than he'd ever dreamed possible. A world where elves, witches, goblins and a...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
September 1st 1998
by Ace Trade
(first published 1969)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
2,671)
The book starts off as typical sci-fi/fantasy fodder: An undercover agent, Rodney Gallowglass, discovers an entire planet of earth-descended espers who cut off communications with their home planet centuries before. By the time Rodney finds them they've structured their civilization based on a medievel monarchy. Rodney's use of technology gets him branded as a wizard and he finds himself balanced between the monarchy and a large group of "witches" and "wizards" who are, in actuality, regular peo...more
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.
Rodney Gallowglass is a spy whose job is to discover unknown planets that need to be brought into the fold of the enlightened democratic intergalactic system. When he lands on the backward planet of Gramayre in his spaceship disguised as an asteroid, Rod and his epileptic computer Fess discover a world of fantasy creatures — witches, ghosts, werewolves, dwarves and elves. Gramayre was originally settled by a group of humans who wanted to revert back to a f...more
Rodney Gallowglass is a spy whose job is to discover unknown planets that need to be brought into the fold of the enlightened democratic intergalactic system. When he lands on the backward planet of Gramayre in his spaceship disguised as an asteroid, Rod and his epileptic computer Fess discover a world of fantasy creatures — witches, ghosts, werewolves, dwarves and elves. Gramayre was originally settled by a group of humans who wanted to revert back to a f...more
This was the first book that I read by Christopher Stasheff. I found it on my dad's bookshelf, picked it up, and devoured it. At the time, being twelve-ish years old, I knew practically nothing about any form of government other than republican (representative) democracy and monarchy. I learned a lot about my own government and other forms of government by reading this.
Christopher Stasheff seems to be on a quest to educate through entertainment. (In fact, in a number of his other books he has ch...more
Christopher Stasheff seems to be on a quest to educate through entertainment. (In fact, in a number of his other books he has ch...more
This book has been sitting on my shelf for several years and I was surprised to find that I hadn't read it after all.
It's a nice SF/Fantasy "romp" - a direct application of Clarke's Third Law executed in a relatively original fashion, although, being forty years old, it perhaps doesn't feel quite so original now.
I enjoyed the clarity of his writing, which has a good visual style, and the characters were generally distinctive and well defined. But ultimately I found the overly political thrust of...more
It's a nice SF/Fantasy "romp" - a direct application of Clarke's Third Law executed in a relatively original fashion, although, being forty years old, it perhaps doesn't feel quite so original now.
I enjoyed the clarity of his writing, which has a good visual style, and the characters were generally distinctive and well defined. But ultimately I found the overly political thrust of...more
Ok so here we go with the first comments of 2013. I should make a note of myself never to read comments and reviews of others on books I am or am about you read. You see yes I agree with many I still find some issue of my own. Namely that even though this is a science fantasy (by many commentators agreement a phrase coined for these books) I struggle in the fact that some characters - namely the main protagonist- speak in modern clearly understood english, while the natives speaketh thus and so...more
I was reading a novel to kind of run away from all the crazy politics here in Egypt, only to find a brilliant blend of politics, technology and magic in the Warlock in Spite of Himself. Rod Gallowglass, a spy of an intergalactic organization, goes on an adventure to protect democratic transition in the medieval kingdom of Gramarye. All with the help of his robot horse, Fess.
The only drawbacks are some chunks of vocabulary that I had to look up in my dictionary, English being my second languag...more
The only drawbacks are some chunks of vocabulary that I had to look up in my dictionary, English being my second languag...more
I had first come across Christopher Stasheff years ago with his Rogue Wizard books. The combination of sci-fi, fantasy and politics intrigued me and though the books weren't masterpieces by any stretch of the imagination they were good reads which were slightly educational.
This is the first book Stasheff wrote and the progenitor of the Rogue Wizard books so when I wanted to reread those books I decided to go back a little further and start at the very beginning.
While I didn't enjoy this as much...more
This is the first book Stasheff wrote and the progenitor of the Rogue Wizard books so when I wanted to reread those books I decided to go back a little further and start at the very beginning.
While I didn't enjoy this as much...more
This is a witty and yet whimsical book, from a world where the main focus is trying to lead governments away from tyranny or despotism.
Yes, it is better than that sounds.
The author teaches about the dangers by personalizing them as spoiled interlopers who did not get their way in the future, so go to the past to get their way no matter who it hurts, versus the poor shmoe who has to blunt their plots against a medieval kingdom.
This is only the beginning, and half the fun is reading it for the wh...more
Yes, it is better than that sounds.
The author teaches about the dangers by personalizing them as spoiled interlopers who did not get their way in the future, so go to the past to get their way no matter who it hurts, versus the poor shmoe who has to blunt their plots against a medieval kingdom.
This is only the beginning, and half the fun is reading it for the wh...more
I have read this book more times than I can remember. I have a paperback and kindle edition and when I find myself without a new read I go back to this tale of politics, sci fi and adventure. It captivated me first time and holds me spell bound in it's multilayered plot. The world has changed since it was first written so those born after the end of the Cold War may not fully appreciate the significance of the political positioning, but the story is still relevant and a classic. Be prepared to g...more
Rodney d'Armand's is a SCENT agent, whose job is to rediscover lost colonies and prepare them for re-entry into the confederation of worlds. His latest mission has taken him to the land of Gramarye, and soon realises that he has found the planet settled that was by a group that wanted to recreated Renaissance European society. So he isn't surprised to find a mismatch of architecture and customs taken from all over Europe, and a monarchy with both the aristocrats and a society of beggars on the v...more
This is one of those books that the name was incredibly familiar, to the point of reckoning it's just something that couldn't help but increase my geek quotient by having actually read in case it came up.
All told, it's the best sword and sorcery and robotic horses and democracy fantasy book I've probably ever read. And actually the Obligatory Espers(tm) end up being central to the story, versus +1 whiz-bang.
Fair warning, though, like many of its genre around that time it is deeply androcentric.
All told, it's the best sword and sorcery and robotic horses and democracy fantasy book I've probably ever read. And actually the Obligatory Espers(tm) end up being central to the story, versus +1 whiz-bang.
Fair warning, though, like many of its genre around that time it is deeply androcentric.
Stasheff has a different writing style than what I normally read. It was enjoyable, but I don't know if I would read anymore than the 2 books of his that were recommended to me. I'm a huge fantasy/sci-fi fan, but I don't know what it is about this author that took me forever to get through the book. At least I finished it and can say that I've read from one more author from one of my favorite genres.
Jul 14, 2011
Kerfe
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction,
mother-daughter-exchange
Three and a half if I could.
Though the actual writing here is a bit clumsy at times, this is an entertaining book. Sci-Fi Fantasy, science and magic: peasants and royalty, elves and witches, robots and time machines, and politics as usual. You know the good guys will win, and the lovers will end up entwined. But how? It's a fun journey.
(Jeanne's pick)
Though the actual writing here is a bit clumsy at times, this is an entertaining book. Sci-Fi Fantasy, science and magic: peasants and royalty, elves and witches, robots and time machines, and politics as usual. You know the good guys will win, and the lovers will end up entwined. But how? It's a fun journey.
(Jeanne's pick)
What more could a scifi fantasy buff want than an acually scifi fantasy book. These two genres always get lumped together, but usually don't have a lot in common, I've always loved this book because it has magic and technology all on some alien planet populated by people from the middle ages, what a concept.
This has been one of my favorite books since I first read it. I immediately fell in love with Stasheff's unique and quirky writing style. The humour is clever and subtle and you'll find romance, politics and a study of fundamental human nature all wrapped in an entertaining science-fiction fantasy tale.
The first in this series is a fun, if not particularly thought provoking read. It chronicles a space explorer with futuristic technology who lands on a planet with medieval culture and real magic. Because of his technology, he is believed to be a warlock by the locals.
The book is great for junior high or high school students just getting into reading sci-fi, or for somebody looking for a feel-good read to unwind after a long day. Folks looking for anything of depth or substance will probably be...more
The book is great for junior high or high school students just getting into reading sci-fi, or for somebody looking for a feel-good read to unwind after a long day. Folks looking for anything of depth or substance will probably be...more
An old one this, but happily revisited. A clever blend of sixties science and fantasy, rolled up in a classic tale of the Hero's Journey.
Smashing, and a dash of humour. This is one of the books that encouraged me to write in the genre I do.
Smashing, and a dash of humour. This is one of the books that encouraged me to write in the genre I do.
I started rereading the series recently and I like it but not as much as I used to. Still a good story about a future colony of Earth that has reverted to a monarchy and developed witches/warlocks with ESP powers.
Honestly, this book may constitute a 'guilty pleasure' type thing for me. The premise is really great - a scifi story that reads like fantasy, where the magic is psychic and the culture is basically a giant Renaissance festival made a lost planetary colony. The characters are not bad. Fess, the epileptic robot, is far and above my favorite of the bunch. And I have a weakness for puns, you see, and he clearly loves puns.
But why guilty? Well, because of the writing. The writing is... well. There i...more
But why guilty? Well, because of the writing. The writing is... well. There i...more
Loved this book in my early 20s. Still love it. This time I listened to the audiobook, which has numerous cast members. Haven't listened to an audiobook like this, but I enjoyed it. I still recommend this book to fantasy lovers.l
I read this book in high school and couldn't stop till I got through the whole series. Now I love to go to the RenFair every February and it always makes me think of Rod Gallowglass.
I remember reading the first 2 or 3 books in this series as a teen-ager. I remember liking the first one but apparently the conceit palled by book 3 (or was it book 2?).
May 06, 2012
Peter
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
science-fiction
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - enough to buy the others in the series and although this was the first (by a far distance) it is still the best
Competent, rising a bit above average but ultimately nothing special. I wish Goodreads had a 3.5 rating for books like this.
Just re-read this; still excellent. Fantasy meets Science Fiction. A little political intrigue, romance, and a little bawdy.
a little dated and the philosophical and political overtones were a little to salient at times.
Likable and a fun read. Dont expect alot of science or depth but do enjoy just a nice easy read.
Fun relunctant hero fare. Reminds me of the Retief books by Keith Laumer. Very tounge and check.
A good, fun series that will keep teenagers entertained and quiet for a while.
Another fun read from Stasheff. For one, I love the combination of science with fantasy. But I think my favourite thing is all of the nods to real history and literature. I'm sure there were bits that I didn't catch, but those that I did definitely made me smile. It was like being a party to an inside joke, except this time I got to be proud of myself, because it wasn't at anyone else's expense. Each bit that I recognized continues to be there for anyone else to see, if only one has either alrea...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Christopher Stasheff published his first novel, The Warlock in Spite of Himself, in 1969. He is often credited as one of the founders of the "science fantasy" genre. Over the next forty years, he wrote 44 novels, 29 short stories, and edited 7 anthologies. His most popular works are the Warlock of Gramarye series and its spin-offs, the Wizard in Rhyme series, and the Starship Troupers.
Stasheff has...more
More about Christopher Stasheff...
Stasheff has...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“But democrats are seldom welcome on planets run by totalitarian governments, and scarcely more welcome on planets where anarchy prevails--this is due to the very nature of democracy, the only practical compromise between totalitarianism and anarchy.”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
Aug 11, 2009 08:49am