A Night in the Netherhells

The Ebenezum Trilogy #3

by Craig Shaw Gardner

In the conclusion of the Ebenezum trilogy, the wizard Ebenezum and his hapless apprentice, Wuntvor, must do everything in their power to save Vushta, City of Forbidden Delights, from Guxx, the rhyming demon.

Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic, High Fantasy, Comedy

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1987

About the author

Craig Shaw Gardner was born in Rochester, New York and lived there until 1967, when he moved to Boston, MA to attend Boston University. He graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Broadcasting and Film. He has continued to reside in Boston since that time.

He published his first story in 1977 while he held a number of jobs: shipper/receiver for a men's suit manufacturer, working in hospital public relations, running a stat camera, and also managed of a couple of bookstores: The Million Year Picnic and Science Fantasy Bookstore.

As of 1987 he became a full time writer, and since then he has published more than 30 novels and more than 50 short stories.

He also published under these pseudonyms:

Peter Garrison

Reviews

[Gary Sundell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concluding book in the first of two trilogies dealing with Ebenezum and his apprentice Wuntvor.
Fantasy tropes are parodied. The magic sword that is frequently more trouble than it us worth. Wuntvor's master Ebenezum is still seeking a cure for his allergic reaction to magic. The cure is to be found in the city of Vushta, one small problem.....Vushta has vanished.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

The conclusion to The Exploits of Ebenezum trilog was as lame as the first two books. Fortunately, they were short. A few good lines every now and then doesn't make up for mediocre parody.

[Craig Wanderer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a incredibly fun book to read.
Mind you I was pretty young when I read it, but I found it very enjoyable, humorous and imaginative.
So much so that 30 years later I remember it vividly

[Kay Iscah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is the best of the first three. Action/plotting/pace feels a bit smoother and more planned out. Wuntvor is little more focused as person, not fully coming into his own, but making steps toward it. The secondary characters find a good rhythm with each other.

After taking months to get through Les Miserable, I'm definitely enjoying a break with some short/lighter fare. This is not a particularly grand or deep commentary on the human condition. It's a fun romp that insists upon not taking itself too seriously. In the word of Ebenezum:

When there appears to be no hope; when all around you are screaming like lost souls and every spell you try fails to work; when it appears that chaos and evil will at last triumph over good--then it is truly time for a vacation.

This is vacation reading.

[Maxwell Kohlenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read! These books are carried by fascinating and entertaining characters. Nothing outstanding here but definitely enjoyable! Most avid fantasy readers are going to enjoy these on some level.

[The reading guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always Craig Shaw Gardner has brought humour to the magical and fantasy world. A brilliant conclusion to the ebenezum trilogy.

[Martin Willoughby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining ending to the trilogy.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It reminded me a little bit of Terry Pratchet...good story, with a bit of humor.

[Marcus Mattingly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a silly, fun read.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read the first two volumes in the Ebenezum trilogy, but that doesn't impair the joy of reading this book in my opinion. It is actually the first fantasy book that I've read and I picked it up solely for the reason it mocks the genre. It is an enjoyable enough read and it made me chuckle a few times, but the author was wise in not dragging this out over more than the little pages this book has. I enjoyed it, but I doubt I'll be reading something like this, or another book in the trilogy, anytime soon.
It's fun to read, but not funny enough to entertain for a whole while longer.

[Vader · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gardner has a way of mocking his genre in a very good-natured self deprecating way that makes reading his work very enjoyable. I give this one a
3 out of 5.

[Glenn Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Éeep, éep! :-) Miluju fretky.

[Dave Peticolas · Rating 2 out of 5]

More light fantasy from Gardner.

[David Cozens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wuntvor and Ebenezum's arrive at Vushta to find its been stolen by the demon Guxx Unfufadoo.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. I first read it when I was like 6-7 and they'll always stay with me. (Warning: this is very much NOT a kids book. Contains excessive innuendos and is barely PG-13)

[Mark Coram]

I liked it.

[Andy]

1ST UK PUBLICATION. CONCLUSION TO THE EBENEZUM TRILOGY. COVER BY JOSH KIRBY.