A princess and a stableboy? It sounds like the worst sort of hackneyed formula romance. Think again, for A MAN OF HIS WORD may well be the most original fantasy you ever read. The magic is unique and applied in unexpected ways, some of which the late Lester del Rey admitted he had not met in fifty years as writer and editor. The world itself is unique--there are no humans in Pandemia, only imps, elves, gnomes, jotnar, and many more, all of whom you will recognize as "human". Hunted now by the fearsome warlock wardens who rule the world, Inos is convinced that Rap is dead. But Rap is not, and the tide may be about to turn... She thought he was dead. Queen Inos feels Rap's presence as if he has risen from the grave to be beside her, but she knows all that is left of him is his voice, which echoed in her mind--well, so she thinks. Her duty is to serve her people, and Queen Inos doesn't know her galley slave, Rap, is alive and, with his magic wand, trying to bring happiness to his beloved Queen. But when the evil Nordland raider, Kalkor, arrives in port, Rap's plans begin to fall apart.
From the Publisher
A Sci-Fi/Fantasy reader's taste can become jaded after years of working in the publishing because books are so easily accessible. What I've come to look for is a writer whose work is really original, completely free of derivative content. Dave Duncan is one of those rarities. This is not another Tolkien spin-off. The MAN OF HIS WORD series makes an excellent sampler of his work. The concept is brilliant, well worked-out and populated with a dense imagination. The characters are memorable. I have to confess: After I read THE MAGIC CASEMENT, I begged the editor for a copy of the manuscripts of each of the remaining titles as Duncan sent them in. I couldn't wait to read what happened next.
--Steve Palmer, Director of Production Mass Market
From the Inside Flap
Queen Inos was badly shaken. Loyal, trustworthy Rap, who was supposed to have died, appeared to her. With this as a sign, Inos knew that she would serve her people, no matter what. But Rap was alive, and he would do whatever he could to help, even as his life took a turn for the worse....
Description:
A princess and a stableboy? It sounds like the worst sort of hackneyed formula romance. Think again, for A MAN OF HIS WORD may well be the most original fantasy you ever read. The magic is unique and applied in unexpected ways, some of which the late Lester del Rey admitted he had not met in fifty years as writer and editor. The world itself is unique--there are no humans in Pandemia, only imps, elves, gnomes, jotnar, and many more, all of whom you will recognize as "human". Hunted now by the fearsome warlock wardens who rule the world, Inos is convinced that Rap is dead. But Rap is not, and the tide may be about to turn... She thought he was dead. Queen Inos feels Rap's presence as if he has risen from the grave to be beside her, but she knows all that is left of him is his voice, which echoed in her mind--well, so she thinks. Her duty is to serve her people, and Queen Inos doesn't know her galley slave, Rap, is alive and, with his magic wand, trying to bring happiness to his beloved Queen. But when the evil Nordland raider, Kalkor, arrives in port, Rap's plans begin to fall apart.
From the Publisher
A Sci-Fi/Fantasy reader's taste can become jaded after years of working in the publishing because books are so easily accessible. What I've come to look for is a writer whose work is really original, completely free of derivative content. Dave Duncan is one of those rarities. This is not another Tolkien spin-off. The MAN OF HIS WORD series makes an excellent sampler of his work. The concept is brilliant, well worked-out and populated with a dense imagination. The characters are memorable. I have to confess: After I read THE MAGIC CASEMENT, I begged the editor for a copy of the manuscripts of each of the remaining titles as Duncan sent them in. I couldn't wait to read what happened next.
--Steve Palmer, Director of Production Mass Market
From the Inside Flap
Queen Inos was badly shaken. Loyal, trustworthy Rap, who was supposed to have died, appeared to her. With this as a sign, Inos knew that she would serve her people, no matter what. But Rap was alive, and he would do whatever he could to help, even as his life took a turn for the worse....