A Wizard in Chaos

Rogue Wizard #6

by Christopher Stasheff

Under the nom de guerre of Gar Pike, renegade psychic wizard Magnus D'Armand travels the stars fighting injustice and oppression, like his father, Rod Gallowglass, the Warlock in Spite of Himself. But unlike his famous father, Magnus refuses to play the rules, sowing the seeds of freedom and revolution throughout the galaxy.

The Rogue Wizard has met his match--a crumbled civilization on a distant colony planet, where all hope has been lost to war and greed. The history and knowledge of the colonists has been forgotten over the centuries, and the people have reverted to a medieval state. It seems impossible to restore peace and order--until Gar discovers the hidden knowledge harbored in the countryside's hollow hills.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

283 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

The late Christopher Stasheff was an American science fiction and fantasy author. When teaching proved too real, he gave it up in favor of writing full-time. Stasheff was noted for his blending of science fiction and fantasy, as seen in his Warlock series. He spent his early childhood in Mount Vernon, New York, but spent the rest of his formative years in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Stasheff taught at the University of Eastern New Mexico in Portales, before retiring to Champaign, Illinois, in 2009. He had a wife and four children.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a fun, fast-read. Gar (who's really Magnus, son of interstellar agent Rod Gallowglass, famous Warlock In Spite of Himself) and his companion Dirk travel from planet to planet, spreading freedom from oppression on all of the planets they find. The one they tackle in Chaos seems particularly thorny, an old colony that's fallen back into a medieval society due to mismanagement and greed. They've never heard of a prime directive they wouldn't thumb their noses at, of course, and find help buried in a most unlikely place. It all ends up in a surprisingly bittersweet parting of the ways, and sets the rogue wizard off in a new direction. Stasheff was great at mixing the best of traditional science fiction and high fantasy concepts, and his dialog rings with clever wit in this one.

[LaShana Claude]

The rogue wizard has met his match- a crumbled civilization on a distant colony planet,where all hope has been lost to war and greed. The history and knowledge of the colonists have been forgotten over the centuries, and the people have reverted to a medieval state. It seems impossible to restore peace and order- until Gar discovers the hidden knowledge harbored in the countryside's hollow hills.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this book was the next best after "A Wizard in Absentia". Both a happy and sad ending.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

@3.0% // But a widely distributed set of city-kingdoms *is* a form of government, silly author. It is what England was, before one city-king became a great uniter and conquered everyone else through battle.

@ 23.1% // As if the mental powers of GarMagnus weren't deus ex machina enough, he can now repair flesh damage due solely to the power of mental suggestion. Why does anyone die around him? But wait, is he allowed to use his mental powers? Is this an odd or an even book? I thought he used his mental powers in the previous book, which means that he should abstain in this one?

@ 45.5% // Socialism is a form if government, author, as is communism. And for that matter, so is feudalism. Sure, they each have their drawbacks, but your characters talk of having to create a government from pure anarchy in order to make things right on this world, and I just want to point out that so far you haven't illustrated anarchy. You have, on the other hand, provided a very handy sketch of a land that is mostly feudal with a few communist city-states and a few socialist ones. And wouldn't you know it, but your communist and socialist city-states are small enough to make this a viable government option.

@ 54.7% // Excellent quote: "That's the biggest gain from having an education: you've learned how to learn."

@ 79.1% // Most oddly unromantic proposal ever. Is this the end of Dirk and Gar's partnership?

@ 80.0% // A ha! The return of the swirling-haired dream wizard. Let's see how well that one goes.

@ 83.5% // Wherein Dirk goes to fight an honor battle of his own making.

@ 85.7% // All plot issues resolved, and there is still 15% of the novel left to go. I wonder what the ensuing pages shall contain.

@ 93.5% // So many wedding proposals, and all of them mostly the same. It is the end of the Dirk and Gar partnership. And well it is, for that formula is getting tired. Onward, to solo Gar!

@ 97.7% // My goodness that breakup is taking so long.

@ 100% // Reading Hours: 8.5

[Tonja Condray Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brothers in Battle & Friends in Parting!

One of the things I love about Stasheff’s works is that he integrates characters by need, links them by friendship, and grows them through love. I teared up over friends parting, but I know Magnus will finally find what his heart needs... sooner or later! ~TK~ https://www.eirinth.com

[Frank Taranto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here we go again.