What do you think?
Rate this book
Vengeance of the Dancing Gods
The Dark Baron, defeated at last, had been stripped of all his magical power and exiled to Earth. But there he enlisted a computer to create even more effective spells. Helped by the forces of Hell, the Dark Baron is once again threatening Husaquahr -- and only Joe and Marge can stop him!
303 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
6 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Jack L. Chalker
132 books354 followersBesides being a science fiction author, Jack Laurence Chalker was a Baltimore City Schools history teacher in Maryland for a time, a member of the Washington Science Fiction Association, and was involved in the founding of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. Some of his books said that he was born in Norfolk, Virginia although he later claimed that was a mistake.
He attended all but one of the World Science Fiction Conventions from 1965 until 2004. He published an amateur SF journal, Mirage, from 1960 to 1971 (a Hugo nominee in 1963 for Best Fanzine).
Chalker was married in 1978 and had two sons.
His stated hobbies included esoteric audio, travel, and working on science-fiction convention committees. He had a great interest in ferryboats, and, at his wife's suggestion, their marriage was performed on the Roaring Bull Ferry.
Chalker's awards included the Daedalus Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the West Coast Review of Books (1984), Skylark Award (1985), Hamilton-Brackett Memorial Award (1979), as well as others of varying prestige. He was a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award twice and for the Hugo Award twice. He was posthumously awarded the Phoenix Award by the Southern Fandom Confederation on April 9, 2005.
On September 18, 2003, during Hurricane Isabel, Chalker passed out and was rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack. He was later released, but was severely weakened. On December 6, 2004, he was again rushed to hospital with breathing problems and disorientation, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and a collapsed lung. Chalker was hospitalized in critical condition, then upgraded to stable on December 9, though he didn't regain consciousness until December 15. After several more weeks in deteriorating condition and in a persistent vegetative state, with several transfers to different hospitals, he died on February 11, 2005 of kidney failure and sepsis in Bon Secours of Baltimore, Maryland.
Chalker is perhaps best known for his Well World series of novels, the first of which is Midnight at the Well of Souls (Well World, #1).
He attended all but one of the World Science Fiction Conventions from 1965 until 2004. He published an amateur SF journal, Mirage, from 1960 to 1971 (a Hugo nominee in 1963 for Best Fanzine).
Chalker was married in 1978 and had two sons.
His stated hobbies included esoteric audio, travel, and working on science-fiction convention committees. He had a great interest in ferryboats, and, at his wife's suggestion, their marriage was performed on the Roaring Bull Ferry.
Chalker's awards included the Daedalus Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the West Coast Review of Books (1984), Skylark Award (1985), Hamilton-Brackett Memorial Award (1979), as well as others of varying prestige. He was a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award twice and for the Hugo Award twice. He was posthumously awarded the Phoenix Award by the Southern Fandom Confederation on April 9, 2005.
On September 18, 2003, during Hurricane Isabel, Chalker passed out and was rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack. He was later released, but was severely weakened. On December 6, 2004, he was again rushed to hospital with breathing problems and disorientation, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and a collapsed lung. Chalker was hospitalized in critical condition, then upgraded to stable on December 9, though he didn't regain consciousness until December 15. After several more weeks in deteriorating condition and in a persistent vegetative state, with several transfers to different hospitals, he died on February 11, 2005 of kidney failure and sepsis in Bon Secours of Baltimore, Maryland.
Chalker is perhaps best known for his Well World series of novels, the first of which is Midnight at the Well of Souls (Well World, #1).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 16, 2021
The rules state that every epic fantasy must be a trilogy and that the heroes and heroines must complete three adventures and hence VOTDG should be the third and last installment. In the last adventure, the Dark Baron was defeated once again and this time banished to Earth prime (e.g., our world). Several years have passed and now a new threat emerges, but this time from our world. The Baron was down, but evidently not out and, in league with another ostracized wizard and another demon from Hell are stirring up trouble once again!
In Chalker's timeline of history for this series, Heaven and Hell reached a sort of compromise about 2000 years ago, each side recognizing that if the war continued it would bring about the final Armageddon. This does not prevent some lessor demons from intrigue, however, and we have seen once such demon make a pact with the Baron. Now, another demon has a deal with the Baron, and if our world falls, so will Husaquahr, the land of the Fairies and Ruddygore. Since Ruddygore is prevented from going to Earth prime, Joe and Marge, along with some others, must made the journey and stop the Baron once again!
This was a fun installment with the majority of the adventures taking place in our world for a change, and Chalker brings his humor once again. Of course we have many body changes and so forth, and this needs some editing and polish, but a fitting end to the series (until Chalker returned to it five years later). 3.5 stars.
In Chalker's timeline of history for this series, Heaven and Hell reached a sort of compromise about 2000 years ago, each side recognizing that if the war continued it would bring about the final Armageddon. This does not prevent some lessor demons from intrigue, however, and we have seen once such demon make a pact with the Baron. Now, another demon has a deal with the Baron, and if our world falls, so will Husaquahr, the land of the Fairies and Ruddygore. Since Ruddygore is prevented from going to Earth prime, Joe and Marge, along with some others, must made the journey and stop the Baron once again!
This was a fun installment with the majority of the adventures taking place in our world for a change, and Chalker brings his humor once again. Of course we have many body changes and so forth, and this needs some editing and polish, but a fitting end to the series (until Chalker returned to it five years later). 3.5 stars.
November 5, 2024
I think this book in the series has been more funny than the last two. The angels finally got involved but indirectly. Joe's son has gotten directly involved, and somehow, I think their relationship is going to be tested. To the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2019
Keep your head on a swivel, body changes come and go rather quickly, but it's a Chalker book, so nothing less should be expected.
In this book, the final battle takes place on earth, Joe, Marge, Tiana, Poquah, Macore, and Ruddygore along with the help of a pixie, mermaid, a drunken exorcist, and a Hawaiian hippie, take on the Dark Barron once again.
if you've read the first 2 in the series, you won't want to miss this adventure. It's in the rules after all.
In this book, the final battle takes place on earth, Joe, Marge, Tiana, Poquah, Macore, and Ruddygore along with the help of a pixie, mermaid, a drunken exorcist, and a Hawaiian hippie, take on the Dark Barron once again.
if you've read the first 2 in the series, you won't want to miss this adventure. It's in the rules after all.
January 11, 2015
The climax is one of my favorite single scenes in all of fiction. (No spoilers) It would be wonderful if it happened to every demagogue......
Ruddygore doesn't get to this verse: "I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical,: I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical." Poor fellow.
Ruddygore doesn't get to this verse: "I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical,: I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical." Poor fellow.
April 30, 2010
A little harder to read than the 1st 2 books. There is less humor, and a more serious plotline. I love the character changes, and there were more than ever in this book. If you can't stand the thought of a heroic barbarian naming his magic sword Irving, you should probably read something else.
October 21, 2017
Loved the simplicity of this series
May 2, 2023
Well, here I am back again and reviewing the 3rd book in the River of the Dancing Gods series. ;)
At this time in the series, Marge and Joe, have "defeated" the dark baron. Ok, they managed to get the Dark Baron exiled to Earth and unable to perform any magic. IE: he was stripped of his magical powers. Unfortunately, Earth has computers and the Dark Baron is learning to use them to make powerful spells.
So, Throckmorton P. Ruddygore has to set things right. While he's pretty sure that TDB cannot use any spells he makes from a computer, Runnygore didn't count on the forces of hell helping TDB. To make matters worse, Ruddigore can't travel to Earth so he sends Marge and Joe to go deal with TDB and the forces of hell.
I found this book to be just as well-written as the first two in the series. The plot was great. The characters are well-written. What I like best is that the characters are defined and interesting. In fact, I like the characters better than the plot!
At this time in the series, Marge and Joe, have "defeated" the dark baron. Ok, they managed to get the Dark Baron exiled to Earth and unable to perform any magic. IE: he was stripped of his magical powers. Unfortunately, Earth has computers and the Dark Baron is learning to use them to make powerful spells.
So, Throckmorton P. Ruddygore has to set things right. While he's pretty sure that TDB cannot use any spells he makes from a computer, Runnygore didn't count on the forces of hell helping TDB. To make matters worse, Ruddigore can't travel to Earth so he sends Marge and Joe to go deal with TDB and the forces of hell.
I found this book to be just as well-written as the first two in the series. The plot was great. The characters are well-written. What I like best is that the characters are defined and interesting. In fact, I like the characters better than the plot!
April 19, 2017
This was actually one of my first books that I can remember, and it really got me into the genre. The whole series has a bit of comedy mixed in with the fantasy. It does have one plot mistake, which I didn't realize until I had read the first in the series, but otherwise it is one of my favorite books. Currently rereading it along with the series; honestly not sure how many times I have read them but it has been several times.
June 8, 2020
As the other books of the series this is still a wonderful entertaining read. All characters served a function and delivered. Another thing to congratulate is that although it is a fantasy book, it doesn’t shy away from dealing with adult’s situation, so even if a young audience can read and enjoy it, there is a lot for them to learn about adulthood and decisions. The ending was just beautiful, this book shows a great writing.
August 13, 2007
Don't name your magic sword after your son with a silly name
March 30, 2010
I just think that Chalker went one too many times to the well for this story. Stick with the first or even the second volume of this series.
July 21, 2009
Runs ideas into the ground. I liked this writer, but he seemed stuck on the idea of people changing into something else.
May 5, 2010
See "River of the Dancing Gods".
January 9, 2012
Grade C-. Book Dg3.
October 18, 2014
I read tis book second instead of third. Fortunately missing some of the back story was not an issue.
March 6, 2016
This book regains a lot of what makes this series great, and that I didn't realize it was missing some books ago.
January 1, 2019
I couldn't get into this, probably because it is an old-style (read 1950's) type and style of SF.
May 25, 2021
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
August 13, 2023
Like this book. Lots of fun and fantasy. It's an easy read with lots of dialog.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews