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Castle Perilous #6
Castle Dreams
Who will claim the throne now that Lord Incarnadine, King of the Realms Perilous, is dead? Under a mysterious spell of a mischief-maker, all of Castle Perilous's 144,000 reatures of curiosity clamor for the crown. Outside of the castle's coveting fray, Gene flies off with an adventurous Amazon in supernatural manifestation and Lord Inky explores the dark mysteries that lurk in the realm of the dead!
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1992
22 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
John DeChancie
55 books109 followersFrom his website:
John DeChancie is the author of over two dozen books, fiction and nonfiction, and has written for periodicals as widely varied as Penthouse and Cult Movies. His novels in the science fiction and fantasy genres have been attracting a wide readership for more than fifteen years, and over a million copies of his books have seen print, many in foreign languages.
John's first work was Starrigger (Berkley/Ace ,1984), followed by Red Limit Freeway (1985) and Paradox Alley (1987), completing the Skyway Trilogy, one of the most imaginative, mind-expanding series in science fiction. Beloved of SF readers around the world, the trilogy has become a cult classic. It is no exaggeration to say that the trilogy has found a place in the hearts of readers along with the works of Heinlein, Asimov, and Clarke. Jerry Pournelle, co-author with Larry Niven of the classics The Mote in God's Eye and Lucifer's Hammer, has compared the series to the best of A. E. van Vogt, and better written. The convoluted plot takes the reader on a mind-bending journey to the end of the universe and back.
His humorous fantasy series, beginning with Castle Perilous, became a best seller for Berkley/Ace. William Morrow published MagicNet, which Booklist said was "a welcome sigh of comic relief ... shamelessly droll, literate, and thoroughly entertaining. Magicnet is the fantasy genre's whimsical answer to Neuromancer." He has also written in the horror genre. His short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and in numerous original anthologies, the latest of which is Spell Fantastic. His story collection, Other States of Being, was recently published by Pulpless.com, Inc., an online and print-on-demand publisher.
He currently lives in Los Angeles and is at work writing novels, articles, short stories, and screenplays. His latest book was the short story collection THE LITTLE GRAY BOOK OF ALIEN STORIES published by Borderlands Press. John's most recent short story publication was in the original anthology SPACE CADETS, edited by Mike Resnick and published by LAcon IV, the 64th World Science Fiction Convention. The book was published in both limited and trade hardback editions. The book is available here . He has just completed a mystery novel and information on this new book (something different from anything he has ever written) is forthcoming. He will also have two new film articles in the second big issue of the new cult film magazine MONDO CULT, also forthcoming.
John DeChancie is the author of over two dozen books, fiction and nonfiction, and has written for periodicals as widely varied as Penthouse and Cult Movies. His novels in the science fiction and fantasy genres have been attracting a wide readership for more than fifteen years, and over a million copies of his books have seen print, many in foreign languages.
John's first work was Starrigger (Berkley/Ace ,1984), followed by Red Limit Freeway (1985) and Paradox Alley (1987), completing the Skyway Trilogy, one of the most imaginative, mind-expanding series in science fiction. Beloved of SF readers around the world, the trilogy has become a cult classic. It is no exaggeration to say that the trilogy has found a place in the hearts of readers along with the works of Heinlein, Asimov, and Clarke. Jerry Pournelle, co-author with Larry Niven of the classics The Mote in God's Eye and Lucifer's Hammer, has compared the series to the best of A. E. van Vogt, and better written. The convoluted plot takes the reader on a mind-bending journey to the end of the universe and back.
His humorous fantasy series, beginning with Castle Perilous, became a best seller for Berkley/Ace. William Morrow published MagicNet, which Booklist said was "a welcome sigh of comic relief ... shamelessly droll, literate, and thoroughly entertaining. Magicnet is the fantasy genre's whimsical answer to Neuromancer." He has also written in the horror genre. His short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and in numerous original anthologies, the latest of which is Spell Fantastic. His story collection, Other States of Being, was recently published by Pulpless.com, Inc., an online and print-on-demand publisher.
He currently lives in Los Angeles and is at work writing novels, articles, short stories, and screenplays. His latest book was the short story collection THE LITTLE GRAY BOOK OF ALIEN STORIES published by Borderlands Press. John's most recent short story publication was in the original anthology SPACE CADETS, edited by Mike Resnick and published by LAcon IV, the 64th World Science Fiction Convention. The book was published in both limited and trade hardback editions. The book is available here . He has just completed a mystery novel and information on this new book (something different from anything he has ever written) is forthcoming. He will also have two new film articles in the second big issue of the new cult film magazine MONDO CULT, also forthcoming.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 7, 2025
This is the sixth book in a fantasy series that was remarkably popular in the late '80s - early '90s. The setting a castle with 144,000 doors that open into different worlds and situations. I liked this one a bit less than the previous one as I recall, as it's interspersed with quizzes and topics for discussion and such parodies of literary academic impedimenta. It's a fun series, but not an altogether humorous one, though this one seems the silliest of the bunch so far. One of the strengths up to now had been serious events that played against the humorous ones in good contrast that highlight one another. As before, there are also some pop-culture references and '80s (and earlier) attitudes that have, of course, gone a little stale. The forces are split into several storylines this time, and it struck me as perhaps he meant to parody Roger Zelazny's Amber series. Lord Incaradine is dead, there's a mad scramble for the throne, the footnotes become annoying pretty quickly. Or maybe I just read it on a bad day... As always, Castle Perilous books are a good early example of cozy-fantasy, for fans of Asprin's Myth, Anthony's Xanth, or perhaps Terry Pratchett.
December 29, 2021
I did not care for this volume of the series as much as the others. There was a much less involved sort of writing style, almost as if the author has grown tired of the series and just wanted to get this over with. I did not like the way "quizzes" were interspersed periodically throughout the book, and I felt like the author had basically written himself into a corner and had no idea how to get out of it. I still like the characters, although it doesn't really seem like they are interacting the way they used to, and if I hadn't already purchased book #7, I probably wouldn't be reading it after having read #6.
January 4, 2025
Good but odd
I asked I will need to read it a few times to understand this one. In that it is like a dream. Very different from past works in the series but a worthy contribution still.
I asked I will need to read it a few times to understand this one. In that it is like a dream. Very different from past works in the series but a worthy contribution still.
July 14, 2017
Same kind of light reading.
This time with new worlds/ settings.
At times it attempts at after life theories and concepts.
Again main storyline mixed in with some mystery and intrigue.
This time with new worlds/ settings.
At times it attempts at after life theories and concepts.
Again main storyline mixed in with some mystery and intrigue.
December 13, 2020
It was entertaining, but not as good as the first 4 books. I did enjoy the Trent scenes.
June 21, 2012
I discovered DeChancie's Castle series many years ago, browsing a used book store. I've been collecting the eight book series, off and on, since. Castle Dreams is the sixth book and it is, by far, the strangest in an admittedly strange series.
For those that don't know it, the books revolve around Castle Perilous, a large medeival castle with a rather odd attribute: scattered throughout the castle are "aspects" or portals to other worlds. Residents of the castle can come and go through these portals. What happens to a core set of characters as they venture through various portals, and what befalls the castle through them, make up most of the stories in the series.
Castle Dreams is a bit different. It opens like many, with familiar characters Gene, Linda, Snowclaw, and a few others in the Gaming Hall in the castle. Gene, as is often the case, is bored and heads off to find an aspect that looks interesting. He ends up on an alien world, helping a female member of the ruling party there escape capture by a rebel force. The chapters about him are scattered among the other stories, and Gene's seems the most straightforward of them all. While he is gone, word comes that Lord Incarnadine, the King of Castle Perilous has died. As the residents and subjects of the Castle prepare for the funeral, strange stories begin to be interspersed. There is the strange, void-like barren where a lone traveler, who cannot remember who he is or why he is here, must travel until he finds his answers. Linda is having dreams of being back on Earth, with a boyfriend, living in California. Or are they dreams? Trent, Prince and brother to Incarnidine, sees his chance to take the throne he has always felt bleonged to him and not his brother. Along the way, he begins to suspect that Incarnadine was murdered, and sets out to find the killer, lest he be blamed. And Incarnadine- well, dreams are not only for the living.
If that's not enough, there are chapters that are quizzes- some multiple choise, some essays, some delaing with the story and some completely out of the blue. As well as footnotes, purportedly by the Castle scribe. Confusing? Yes. And I would not recommend starting your journey to Perilous with this one. It is very different and if you are not familiar with the tone and character of the Castle series, you will most likely be turned off a fun, comic fantasy run.
I can't really say what I thought of the book, at the end. It kept me reading, I chuckled more than once, yes, I figured out what was going on (mostly), but there were things that kept jarring me. The quizzes for one. They were odd bits that were stuck in here and there, and I'm not sure of their purpose. The footnotes were amusing, but added little to the book, except a bit of comic relief. This is the fourth of the books I've read (yeah, I'm kind of out of order). I will read the rest, but again, if you haven't read any, start with Castle Perilous, and read the others. I think this one might be best saved for closer to the end of the series.
For those that don't know it, the books revolve around Castle Perilous, a large medeival castle with a rather odd attribute: scattered throughout the castle are "aspects" or portals to other worlds. Residents of the castle can come and go through these portals. What happens to a core set of characters as they venture through various portals, and what befalls the castle through them, make up most of the stories in the series.
Castle Dreams is a bit different. It opens like many, with familiar characters Gene, Linda, Snowclaw, and a few others in the Gaming Hall in the castle. Gene, as is often the case, is bored and heads off to find an aspect that looks interesting. He ends up on an alien world, helping a female member of the ruling party there escape capture by a rebel force. The chapters about him are scattered among the other stories, and Gene's seems the most straightforward of them all. While he is gone, word comes that Lord Incarnadine, the King of Castle Perilous has died. As the residents and subjects of the Castle prepare for the funeral, strange stories begin to be interspersed. There is the strange, void-like barren where a lone traveler, who cannot remember who he is or why he is here, must travel until he finds his answers. Linda is having dreams of being back on Earth, with a boyfriend, living in California. Or are they dreams? Trent, Prince and brother to Incarnidine, sees his chance to take the throne he has always felt bleonged to him and not his brother. Along the way, he begins to suspect that Incarnadine was murdered, and sets out to find the killer, lest he be blamed. And Incarnadine- well, dreams are not only for the living.
If that's not enough, there are chapters that are quizzes- some multiple choise, some essays, some delaing with the story and some completely out of the blue. As well as footnotes, purportedly by the Castle scribe. Confusing? Yes. And I would not recommend starting your journey to Perilous with this one. It is very different and if you are not familiar with the tone and character of the Castle series, you will most likely be turned off a fun, comic fantasy run.
I can't really say what I thought of the book, at the end. It kept me reading, I chuckled more than once, yes, I figured out what was going on (mostly), but there were things that kept jarring me. The quizzes for one. They were odd bits that were stuck in here and there, and I'm not sure of their purpose. The footnotes were amusing, but added little to the book, except a bit of comic relief. This is the fourth of the books I've read (yeah, I'm kind of out of order). I will read the rest, but again, if you haven't read any, start with Castle Perilous, and read the others. I think this one might be best saved for closer to the end of the series.
March 17, 2016
Ни об одном из этих происшествий не упоминается в летописях Опасного, ни одна из описанных драм не разыгрывалась ни в стенах замка, ни в его окрестностях.
Только я подумала, что ДДЧ выдохся, и вряд ли сможет предложить что-нибудь новое, то вдруг в шестой книге он вставил обманку типа «а не сон ли это был?..» Кармин умер (в очередной раз, судя по всему), но не до конца. Трент занимает трон, к чему стремился многие десятилетия. Только вот проклятие все еще действует, и при нахождении в Замке его нещадно тошнит. Да и куча обязанностей, свалившихся ему на плечи, не радует совсем. Прибавить к этому приключения главных героев в различных мирах, без чего не обходится ни одна книга — и мы получаем очередную историю о Замке Опасном...
Да-да! На протяжении всего текста встречаются абсолютно упоротые тесты и выкладки, а сноски — вообще улет))) Это самый короткий рассказ о Замке, но от него я получила максимум удовольствия. Эта упоротость, я завидую ДДЧ, честное слово =) если бы я писала книгу, то обязательно поиздевалась бы над читателями таким же образом
А заклинание Джина «Я тучка, тучка, тучка, а вовсе не медведь!» шедеврально =)))
Только я подумала, что ДДЧ выдохся, и вряд ли сможет предложить что-нибудь новое, то вдруг в шестой книге он вставил обманку типа «а не сон ли это был?..» Кармин умер (в очередной раз, судя по всему), но не до конца. Трент занимает трон, к чему стремился многие десятилетия. Только вот проклятие все еще действует, и при нахождении в Замке его нещадно тошнит. Да и куча обязанностей, свалившихся ему на плечи, не радует совсем. Прибавить к этому приключения главных героев в различных мирах, без чего не обходится ни одна книга — и мы получаем очередную историю о Замке Опасном...
Как разобраться в этих, извините, постмодернистских приемчиках? Как вам нравятся главы «Тест № 1», «Тест № 2» и т. д.? Как объяснить псевдонаучные сноски, большинство из которых не имеют никакого отношения к описываемым событиям? Может, это просто шутки? Почему, когда автор пускается в эсхатологические рассуждения, он употребляет столько бранных слов?
Да-да! На протяжении всего текста встречаются абсолютно упоротые тесты и выкладки, а сноски — вообще улет))) Это самый короткий рассказ о Замке, но от него я получила максимум удовольствия. Эта упоротость, я завидую ДДЧ, честное слово =) если бы я писала книгу, то обязательно поиздевалась бы над читателями таким же образом
А заклинание Джина «Я тучка, тучка, тучка, а вовсе не медведь!» шедеврально =)))
July 24, 2011
Castle Dreams is the sixth instalment in the wildly unpopular cult favorite Castle Perilous series. Once again we follow a few of the cast of characters that call the castle their home while others take a back seat or noticable absence. This story stays true to the series a bit better then it's predecessor, Castle Murders yet it still sort of misses that real punch of the plot surrounding the intricasies of the unique castle itself.
This time the plot revolves around the apparent death of the King, Lord Incaradine. His brother Trent makes a play for Regency as Incarnadine navigates a limbo world between life and death. Earthly hero Gene Ferraro takes off on a bit of a Star Warsesque adventure through one of the aspects to complete the three pronged attack. While the main drive of the story is a bit more serious and less tounge-in-cheek then past offerings, there is a great bit of comic relief through footnotes laced in all the chapters.
Admitedly, the author needs to explore other avenues to keep the series fresh. Still, going back a bit more to the series roots would really invigorate my enjoyment. Nonetheless, I still loved reading this not-so-serious fantasy novel and series. I will not stop till I reach the end of the journey!
This time the plot revolves around the apparent death of the King, Lord Incaradine. His brother Trent makes a play for Regency as Incarnadine navigates a limbo world between life and death. Earthly hero Gene Ferraro takes off on a bit of a Star Warsesque adventure through one of the aspects to complete the three pronged attack. While the main drive of the story is a bit more serious and less tounge-in-cheek then past offerings, there is a great bit of comic relief through footnotes laced in all the chapters.
Admitedly, the author needs to explore other avenues to keep the series fresh. Still, going back a bit more to the series roots would really invigorate my enjoyment. Nonetheless, I still loved reading this not-so-serious fantasy novel and series. I will not stop till I reach the end of the journey!
March 27, 2016
If you're looking for information on Tierra Del Fuego, look elsewhere. This is not a very informative book on that subject. (1)
That said, it was a fun book. Highly entertaining, and well worth the time. Unfortunately, there's no way of checking the answers on the Spot Quizzes or the Final Exam, and no information on where to turn them in, so I just skipped those. Unfortunately, I fear I will fail this class as a result.
Oh, well.
(1) I think this book could have used a few more footnotes. Maybe they could have told me where to turn in my quizzes and the final exam, for example.
That said, it was a fun book. Highly entertaining, and well worth the time. Unfortunately, there's no way of checking the answers on the Spot Quizzes or the Final Exam, and no information on where to turn them in, so I just skipped those. Unfortunately, I fear I will fail this class as a result.
Oh, well.
(1) I think this book could have used a few more footnotes. Maybe they could have told me where to turn in my quizzes and the final exam, for example.
September 18, 2010
Is the King or is he just having a really bad dream?
The inhabitants of Castle Perilous think he's dead and are stuck in the middle of the struggle over who gets the throne next.
The King hopes it's all a bad dream and he's not actually in Hell.
Who's right? Who's got it wrong and what is going on?
Fun fantasy series with a great ensemble cast.
The inhabitants of Castle Perilous think he's dead and are stuck in the middle of the struggle over who gets the throne next.
The King hopes it's all a bad dream and he's not actually in Hell.
Who's right? Who's got it wrong and what is going on?
Fun fantasy series with a great ensemble cast.
May 14, 2013
Plot: 2 stars
Characters: 2 1/2 stars
Style: 3 stars
Pace: 3 stars
Do you ever feel like an author just got bored writing a series, and in trying to spice it up, went over the top in trying to mix things up? Ugh. This one felt like watching a music video composed of chosen-completely-at-random clips from every TV station at once.
Characters: 2 1/2 stars
Style: 3 stars
Pace: 3 stars
Do you ever feel like an author just got bored writing a series, and in trying to spice it up, went over the top in trying to mix things up? Ugh. This one felt like watching a music video composed of chosen-completely-at-random clips from every TV station at once.
June 15, 2011
Not as good as previous Castle novels.
July 5, 2011
I read all the Castle Books as they came out. I seem to remember loving them...
Read
August 4, 2011Bad and stupid. Rip off the cover to use the art for a craft project. Also makes good kindling for a campfire.
August 12, 2016
Nice, lightweight humorous fantasy series that I read back in the 90s. Amusing, but not as good as the Discworld series in the same genre.
August 16, 2015
A bit too bloody whimsical by half.
March 22, 2015
This dreamy book is great for english teachers especially!
November 29, 2014
Not the best book in the Perilous series, but an entertaining, quick read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews