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Novarian #6
L'honorable barbare
Jorian, the one-time unbeheaded king, was now safely retired from getting into trouble. But his younger brother Kerin was caught in compromising circumstances with the maiden Adeliza, so Kerin had to be sent at once to sea.But Kerin's talent for trouble was not to be denied. First came Belinka, a sprite sent by Adeliza. Then, the ship captain mistakenly believed Kerin was seducing his mistress — so Kerin left hastily. That led him to a voyage on a pirate ship, where the kidnapped princess Nogiri was held captive. Kerin was unable to save her — until he gained the help of a hermit-wizard, who then seized the girl to be used as a human sacrifice.Kerin managed to save Nogiri again, helped by another wizard. Then Kerin and Nogiri set out, this time to the Emperor of the Farthest East.There Kerin discovered more magic, and the Emperor learned that no man should be absentminded when using a powerful spell. But it was later that Kerin discovered the limitations of roller skates.
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1989
About the author
L. Sprague de Camp
823 books321 followersLyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction literature. In a career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, both novels and works of non-fiction, including biographies of other fantasy authors. He was a major figure in science fiction in the 1930s and 1940s.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 26, 2020
The problem with shopping in used book stores is finding only the middle parts of series. However, it turned out that the fifth and final volume of de Camp's Novarian books is a good place to start, because it picks up with a brand new main character. There's a good number of references to the earlier books (often as stories told), but it's by no means dependent on them.
Kerin, our new main character, gets into trouble with one of the looser respectable ladies of the area, and needs to take an extended trip. This powers the action of the rest of the novel, as he sets out for the east on an industrial espionage tour (he's trying to find the secret of a better clock escapement).
And... this eventually comes up, near the end of the novel, and in a slightly unrelated note, the rest of the plot collapses into a conclusion shortly thereafter. The bulk of it is really more wandering travelogue, with somewhat episodic adventures, and a fair amount of humor. And also a fair amount of archaic speech. One of de Camp's passions was history, and I think he does it to get more into the feel of the time and culture that his world is based around, but it does take quite a bit of getting used to.
It's probably the closest I've read to a Myth Adventures book in some time. It's certainly not the same (the brand of humor is different), but it's aimed at the same light-hearted adventure on the road feel. It has also reminded me that I need to read more of de Camp's books, and that there's a number I've meant to get to. Overall, the tone is good, though certainly with a dose of male wish-fulfillment, and and the archaicisms are the toughest part to get into.
Kerin, our new main character, gets into trouble with one of the looser respectable ladies of the area, and needs to take an extended trip. This powers the action of the rest of the novel, as he sets out for the east on an industrial espionage tour (he's trying to find the secret of a better clock escapement).
And... this eventually comes up, near the end of the novel, and in a slightly unrelated note, the rest of the plot collapses into a conclusion shortly thereafter. The bulk of it is really more wandering travelogue, with somewhat episodic adventures, and a fair amount of humor. And also a fair amount of archaic speech. One of de Camp's passions was history, and I think he does it to get more into the feel of the time and culture that his world is based around, but it does take quite a bit of getting used to.
It's probably the closest I've read to a Myth Adventures book in some time. It's certainly not the same (the brand of humor is different), but it's aimed at the same light-hearted adventure on the road feel. It has also reminded me that I need to read more of de Camp's books, and that there's a number I've meant to get to. Overall, the tone is good, though certainly with a dose of male wish-fulfillment, and and the archaicisms are the toughest part to get into.
Did Not Finish
September 8, 2019Why I didn't finish this: I enjoyed the earlier Novarian books which were humorous fantasy, but I think de Camp's humor finally got old for me in this volume, as I just wasn't in the mood for it.
January 21, 2026
A fine fantasy tale
June 30, 2026
Very entertaining and amusing. Reminds me of the Cugel stories by Vance.
May 29, 2016
#5 in the Novarian series.
Novarian series - Fantasy - Jorian, ex-king of Xylar, has had enough adventures to last a lifetime. But when his brother Kerin, youngest son of Evor the Clockmaker, commits an indiscretion with Adeliza, a neighbor's daughter, he is packed off on a hasty quest to uncover the secret of an advanced clock escapement for the family firm. A pragmatic, cautious sort, he preps for his journey with a crash course from his experienced brother in useful skills - swordsmanship and foreign tongues, of course, but also lying and burglary. He is hampered and sometimes aided by the sprite Belinka, commissioned by the calculating Adeliza to ensure Kerin's faithfulness. Along the way he must contend with a treacherous sea captain and his suspicious navigator, the duplicitous sorcerer Pwana, and the pirate crew of Malgo, who has a grudge against Kerin's family. Finally Kuromon is reached and negotiations are concluded satisfactorily.
Novarian series - Fantasy - Jorian, ex-king of Xylar, has had enough adventures to last a lifetime. But when his brother Kerin, youngest son of Evor the Clockmaker, commits an indiscretion with Adeliza, a neighbor's daughter, he is packed off on a hasty quest to uncover the secret of an advanced clock escapement for the family firm. A pragmatic, cautious sort, he preps for his journey with a crash course from his experienced brother in useful skills - swordsmanship and foreign tongues, of course, but also lying and burglary. He is hampered and sometimes aided by the sprite Belinka, commissioned by the calculating Adeliza to ensure Kerin's faithfulness. Along the way he must contend with a treacherous sea captain and his suspicious navigator, the duplicitous sorcerer Pwana, and the pirate crew of Malgo, who has a grudge against Kerin's family. Finally Kuromon is reached and negotiations are concluded satisfactorily.
May 26, 2015
A light hearted fantasy adventure novel. Kerin, youngest member of his family, is sent across their world to obtain information for his family. The main reason is to get him out of the trouble he had gotten himself into. Though somewhat inept, he manages, with the help of others, to complete his journey growing up in the process regularly getting into and out of trouble.
April 8, 2015
Liked the different viewpoint of the new character. Ending was a bit of a damp squib, though.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews