Scan barcode
hasf1998's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Enjoyed this a lot as a follow on from the last book in this series, getting the vibe that it’s all like one giant story told in 4 parts. This one expands the world greatly and sets Inos and Rap on very different paths where they must both face unique challenges. It’s definitely a bit of a roller coaster, and it feels like the wider things at play are just beginning to become clear. Excited for the next one
deedoo's review against another edition
2.0
Ug. The first in the series was good. Made me want to read the next. I'm going to need more than this second book to go any further in the series. The politics of fantasy world are just as annoying, confusing, and repelling as real life politics. That, in addition to the Inos/Rap I-don't-know-why-I-keep-thinking-about-the-other-one, made me want to quit.
joabroda's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
4.0
I may be in the minority, but I loved this second book of the series. Pure, simple, old time fantasy that was a romp and so much fun.
Our hero, Queen-in-Waiting Inos, has been whisked through the Magic Casement and kidnapped by a prior lady-of-the-night sorceress (I did tell you this is a hoot!). Inos' one and only loyal subject, Rap, was also thrown through the Casement but to the other side of the world to the island of Faery. To Rap's great dismay the 5 in 1 personality body and Little Chicken have travelled with him and there is no guarantee who will be available to help Rap get off the island and rescue Inos. Along with his travel companions Rap faces the 4 Wardens (North, South, etc.) , very reminiscent of the Wizard of Oz, except not one of them is a "good" .
An added bonus, for me at least, is the inclusion of excerpts from Wine of the Mystic: The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: A Spiritual Interpretation. Having never heard of this I went down one of those great black holes on Google with it, and that added a ton of enjoyment for me.
Only recommend to true Epic and Old time Fantasy lovers.
Our hero, Queen-in-Waiting Inos, has been whisked through the Magic Casement and kidnapped by a prior lady-of-the-night sorceress (I did tell you this is a hoot!). Inos' one and only loyal subject, Rap, was also thrown through the Casement but to the other side of the world to the island of Faery. To Rap's great dismay the 5 in 1 personality body and Little Chicken have travelled with him and there is no guarantee who will be available to help Rap get off the island and rescue Inos. Along with his travel companions Rap faces the 4 Wardens (North, South, etc.) , very reminiscent of the Wizard of Oz, except not one of them is a "good" .
An added bonus, for me at least, is the inclusion of excerpts from Wine of the Mystic: The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: A Spiritual Interpretation. Having never heard of this I went down one of those great black holes on Google with it, and that added a ton of enjoyment for me.
Only recommend to true Epic and Old time Fantasy lovers.
satwood01's review against another edition
4.0
Still very much enjoyed this, even though it fell short of the quality of Magic Casement. As much as I Like Dave Duncan's relaxed writing style, I felt this this book took it a bit far at times. I like to consider myself a fairly patient reader, but even I was whisper-yelling, "Come on, let's go!" once or twice. I will say that I liked Inos a lot more in this book, although her storyline was the one of the two major narratives that dragged the most. I'm very much enjoying Rap's journey, and am looking forward to finding out how that progresses.
It was still an enjoyable read; fun, not overly serious, with an interesting magic system, and pretty good world building too.
On to book three!
It was still an enjoyable read; fun, not overly serious, with an interesting magic system, and pretty good world building too.
On to book three!
hollydoesstuff's review
3.0
This series isn't as great as some of Duncan's previous works. I want to like it more, but I find Inos kind of annoying. But it's a good enough series that I want to see where it goes.
impreader2023's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
namulith's review against another edition
4.0
While reading some memories are coming back and I think I remember how the series ends. It's still nice to re-live Rap's and Inos' journey after over 20 years. The series definitely holds up after all this time.
ashleylm's review against another edition
4.0
A bit disjointed compared to the exceptional first book, but revved up toward the end. Still on board for book three!
(Note: 5 stars = rare and amazing, 4 = quite good book, 3 = a decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. There are a lot of 4s and 3s in the world!)
(Note: 5 stars = rare and amazing, 4 = quite good book, 3 = a decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. There are a lot of 4s and 3s in the world!)
l98mason's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Quick review (11/18/22).
4 stars.
Thoroughly surprised. Leagues above the first book.
4 stars.
Thoroughly surprised. Leagues above the first book.
metaphorosis's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary
Rap, former stableboy in isolated Krasnegar, has survived goblins and somehow attracted one who insists on being his trash. Inos, now nominally Queen of Krasnegar since her father's death was trying to manage unrest at home. But now they've both been magically transported - Inos and her aunt Kade to hot, dusty Arakkaran, and Rap, with his goblin, to ... somewhere.
Review
Duncan, as in much of his fiction, is treading a narrow line here between light fiction and gritty realism – with torture, rape, slavery, and death, but also exposed thighs and chests and bosoms and lust peeking from behind the curtain. In this book, while the main story is strong, he steps a little too far toward the adolescent (granted, the protagonists are adolescent). It’s not enough to undermine the story, but it does get in the way of the enjoyment a bit. At one point, I found myself thinking of Piers Anthony, who long ago gave up on straddling and jumped well over the line to plant both feet in juvenilia.
Duncan, happily, pulls back in time and, with a few rough spots, gets his story of the brave, tenacious Rap and the brave, clever Inos back on track. There are sad moments and cruel moments, but largely the story is upbeat, even when circumstances are dire. I’d have liked to see Duncan do more with the possibilities for pathos here (e.g., the plight of the faeries who are so closely linked to magic), but respect that that’s not the story he’s telling.
This isn’t the strongest entry in the series, but it’s still a good one, and enjoyable.
Summary
Rap, former stableboy in isolated Krasnegar, has survived goblins and somehow attracted one who insists on being his trash. Inos, now nominally Queen of Krasnegar since her father's death was trying to manage unrest at home. But now they've both been magically transported - Inos and her aunt Kade to hot, dusty Arakkaran, and Rap, with his goblin, to ... somewhere.
Review
Duncan, as in much of his fiction, is treading a narrow line here between light fiction and gritty realism – with torture, rape, slavery, and death, but also exposed thighs and chests and bosoms and lust peeking from behind the curtain. In this book, while the main story is strong, he steps a little too far toward the adolescent (granted, the protagonists are adolescent). It’s not enough to undermine the story, but it does get in the way of the enjoyment a bit. At one point, I found myself thinking of Piers Anthony, who long ago gave up on straddling and jumped well over the line to plant both feet in juvenilia.
Duncan, happily, pulls back in time and, with a few rough spots, gets his story of the brave, tenacious Rap and the brave, clever Inos back on track. There are sad moments and cruel moments, but largely the story is upbeat, even when circumstances are dire. I’d have liked to see Duncan do more with the possibilities for pathos here (e.g., the plight of the faeries who are so closely linked to magic), but respect that that’s not the story he’s telling.
This isn’t the strongest entry in the series, but it’s still a good one, and enjoyable.