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A review by kilbourneknight
The Rogue Retrieval by Dan Koboldt
5.0
Contrary to popular belief, what happens in Vegas doesn’t necessarily stay in Vegas. In fact, in Dan Koboldt’s debut science fantasy The Rogue Retrieval, what happens in Vegas ends up out of this world.
Literally. A multinational corporation has discovered a portal to another world—Alissia. They’ve been sending in covert teams, led by scientist Richard Holt, to scout around and learn all about this new land—it’s left a bit to the reader’s imagination as to how they’re going to exploit this discovery. But Richard Holt has disappeared and his employer wants the rogue scientist retrieved before he can cause major headaches.
Enter Quinn Bradley, a second tier stage magician who’s positive he’s ready for the big time. He just doesn’t realize how big. When what he thinks is going to be an offer to headline a top casino turns out to be a mystery ‘offer he can’t refuse’, complete with strings attached, Quinn finds himself plunged into a top secret quest. As his reticent employers reveal all to little of what Quinn’s in for, he finds himself learning sword fighting techniques (don’t engage anyone older than 12, he’s told, or you’re a goner) and horsemanship. Alissia is a medieval culture, and while directing his employer in the creation of all major of technology-based illusions to dazzle the Alissians. Unfortunately, no one realizes there are actually true magicians in Alissia—and that to impersonate one is a mortal offense. Oops.
Dan Koboldt’s book is a merry blend of science and sorcery that's reminiscent of Christopher Stasheff’s marvelous The Warlock in Spite of Himself. And this comparison is not made lightly, for TWISOH is one of my all-time favorites. While I confess to not immediately taking a shine to Quinn, he grew on me as the story progressed, and by the end of the book I was definitely rooting for him. Quinn is no hero, and he darned well knows it. But he finds himself thrown into ever more dire situations which require him to be just that. It’s actually a lot of fun watching Quinn grow and change throughout the story arc.
Koboldt deftly blends humor, adventure, magic and mayhem into his science-cum-magic tale. In lesser hands this could have been a complete disaster, but Koboldt always seems to have one more trick up his sleeve, like Quinn, and The Rogue Retrieval is an engaging, well told, fast-paced tale that leaves the reader wanting more. There are a number of unresolved issues, and the ending pretty much guarantees that Quinn will have to pull himself out of a top hat for another engagement in Alissia.
Takeaway: 5 Stars--Highly Recommended.
Literally. A multinational corporation has discovered a portal to another world—Alissia. They’ve been sending in covert teams, led by scientist Richard Holt, to scout around and learn all about this new land—it’s left a bit to the reader’s imagination as to how they’re going to exploit this discovery. But Richard Holt has disappeared and his employer wants the rogue scientist retrieved before he can cause major headaches.
Enter Quinn Bradley, a second tier stage magician who’s positive he’s ready for the big time. He just doesn’t realize how big. When what he thinks is going to be an offer to headline a top casino turns out to be a mystery ‘offer he can’t refuse’, complete with strings attached, Quinn finds himself plunged into a top secret quest. As his reticent employers reveal all to little of what Quinn’s in for, he finds himself learning sword fighting techniques (don’t engage anyone older than 12, he’s told, or you’re a goner) and horsemanship. Alissia is a medieval culture, and while directing his employer in the creation of all major of technology-based illusions to dazzle the Alissians. Unfortunately, no one realizes there are actually true magicians in Alissia—and that to impersonate one is a mortal offense. Oops.
Dan Koboldt’s book is a merry blend of science and sorcery that's reminiscent of Christopher Stasheff’s marvelous The Warlock in Spite of Himself. And this comparison is not made lightly, for TWISOH is one of my all-time favorites. While I confess to not immediately taking a shine to Quinn, he grew on me as the story progressed, and by the end of the book I was definitely rooting for him. Quinn is no hero, and he darned well knows it. But he finds himself thrown into ever more dire situations which require him to be just that. It’s actually a lot of fun watching Quinn grow and change throughout the story arc.
Koboldt deftly blends humor, adventure, magic and mayhem into his science-cum-magic tale. In lesser hands this could have been a complete disaster, but Koboldt always seems to have one more trick up his sleeve, like Quinn, and The Rogue Retrieval is an engaging, well told, fast-paced tale that leaves the reader wanting more. There are a number of unresolved issues, and the ending pretty much guarantees that Quinn will have to pull himself out of a top hat for another engagement in Alissia.
Takeaway: 5 Stars--Highly Recommended.