Mandricardo

Terra Magica #3

by Lin Carter

Come with us out of this dull, workaday world to Terra Magica, the land beyond World's Edge, where knights ride out on wonder quests, where beautiful princesses wait for rescue from sea serpents, where sky-high giants seek human morsels for their cookpots, and where a king may seek a champion to set aside his realm's enchantment. Here again is Kesrick, knight of Dragonrouge, in combat against villainy. At his side stand a Scythian princess and a lost nobleman of Tartary. Here be wizards of good and wizards of evil; here be mighty giants and witches of utter meanness. Here be high fantasy from the golden pen of the Grand Master himself, Lin Carter!

Genres: Fantasy

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Lin Carter was an American author, editor, and critic best known for his influential role in fantasy literature during the mid-20th century. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, he developed an early passion for myth, adventure stories, and imaginative fiction, drawing inspiration from authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft, and J. R. R. Tolkien. After serving in the U.S. Army, Carter attended Columbia University, where he honed his literary skills and deepened his knowledge of classical and medieval literature, myth, and folklore — elements that would become central to his work.
Carter authored numerous novels, short stories, and critical studies, often working within the sword-and-sorcery and high fantasy traditions. His own creations, such as the “Thongor of Lemuria” series, paid homage to pulp-era adventure fiction while adding his distinctive voice and world-building style. His nonfiction book Tolkien: A Look Behind The Lord of the Rings was one of the first major studies of Tolkien’s work and its mythological roots, and it helped establish Carter as a knowledgeable commentator on fantasy literature.
Beyond his own writing, Carter was a central figure in bringing classic and forgotten works of fantasy back into print. As editor of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series from 1969 to 1974, he curated and introduced dozens of volumes, reintroducing readers to authors such as William Morris, Lord Dunsany, E. R. Eddison, and James Branch Cabell. His introductions not only contextualized these works historically and literarily but also encouraged a new generation to explore the breadth of the fantasy tradition.
Carter was also active in the shared literary universe of the “Cthulhu Mythos,” expanding upon the creations of H. P. Lovecraft and other members of the “Lovecraft Circle.” His collaborations and solo contributions in this genre further cemented his reputation as both a creative writer and a literary preservationist.
In addition to fiction and criticism, Carter was an active member of several science fiction and fantasy organizations, including the Science Fiction Writers of America. He frequently appeared at conventions, where he was known for his enthusiasm, deep knowledge of the genre, and willingness to mentor aspiring writers.
Though sometimes critiqued for the derivative nature of some of his work, Carter’s influence on the fantasy revival of the late 20th century remains significant. His combination of creative output, editorial vision, and scholarly enthusiasm helped bridge the gap between the pulp traditions of the early 1900s and the expansive fantasy publishing boom that followed.
Lin Carter’s legacy endures through his own imaginative tales, his critical studies, and the many classic works he rescued from obscurity, ensuring their place in the canon of fantasy literature for generations to come.

Reviews

[Nigel Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lin Carter is a guilty pleasure. His Green Star books echo Burroughs Venus novels closely but are still a good read. Thongor is a Conan clone but fun despite clunky pompous writing that sometimes makesme laugh out loud. But the terra magica books are more original and very funny. Silly certainly but knowingly so. This novel is totally ridiculous. There are no rules just absurd incident after another. Entertaining but not great fantasy. Hints of Dunsany here but without the gravitas.

[D M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really starting to enjoy this series. It's fun and light and original in it's use of describing ordinary things for offices, i.e First Lord of the Toothbrush, Secretary of the Royal Collar Button, and the Guardian of the Royal Bath-Water. Fun fun.

[Stephen Simpson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant enough light-fantasy read, but it is basically brain candy that leaves no real impression. If you want to kill a couple of hours reading a sword-and-sorcery tale with a knight, Amazon, evil sorcerer, magic carpet, and various magical/mythical beasts, this is a good pick. Just don't expect it to change your life or have you thinking about it weeks later.

[Cognatious Thunk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sci-fi silly fluff.