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Castle Perilous #2
Castle for Rent
Once upon a time, the king of a mysterious castle found himself out of place. The odd thing was that the time was the future and the place was New York City! Castle Perilous had been a universe unto itself until it started living up to its name. Now it is a gateway to thousands of universes, each increasingly bizarre and more bewildering. Behind every door there is a room for every fantasy and around each corner a perilous journey for every inhabitant. With its population sent to otherworldly realms and demented demons taking their place, will anyone find their way home in time? The stone walls may be the only stable element in this fantastic fable, as time and place disappear before one's eyes. Pandora's box has never been so big!
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
23 people are currently reading
327 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 26, 2022
Still not hilarious
The cover blurbs continue to describe this series as hilarious. The first two volumes are not. At most they are mildly amusing. If you are looking for something along the lines of Douglas Adams, look somewhere else. The first two volumes are better than average science fantasy and adventure. The novels use Castle Perilous and its portals to different world's as the starting point for the adventures. Castle for Rent brings back the more important survivors of volume one and adds some new characters as well.
The cover blurbs continue to describe this series as hilarious. The first two volumes are not. At most they are mildly amusing. If you are looking for something along the lines of Douglas Adams, look somewhere else. The first two volumes are better than average science fantasy and adventure. The novels use Castle Perilous and its portals to different world's as the starting point for the adventures. Castle for Rent brings back the more important survivors of volume one and adds some new characters as well.
November 25, 2025
This is the second book in a fantasy series that was remarkably popular in the late '80s - early '90s. It's a good continuation of the series, which features the trope of a castle with 144,000 doors that open into different worlds and situations. The first book ended with a kind of re-set that I didn't much like, and apparently someone else didn't either, because the re-set is kind of re-set. Ret-con to the rescue. It's a fun book, but not an altogether humorous one; there are serious events that play against the humorous ones in good contrast that highlight one another. There are also some pop-culture references and '80s attitudes that have, of course, gone a little stale. The forces are split as Incarnadine goes to New York to investigate a take-over threat and the balance of the remaining characters from the first book face an army of blue meanies with the help of some new additions. I liked it better than the first one. It's a good early example of cozy-fantasy, for fans of Asprin's Myth, Anthony's Xanth, or perhaps Terry Pratchett.
September 28, 2023
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary
Organized, blue-skinned warriors are for some reason wandering all through the castle. And when Incarnadine, the castle's owner, goes off to consult a long-distant brother, he finds himself trapped in the very low magic environment of Earth - only to realize that the problem at the castle is much, much worse than a few odd warriors.
Review
The last book introduced the premise, characters, and setting, then did a bit of a reset at the end. Here, happily, we learn that that was a reset in name only, and our characters are happily established and settled in. As before, there’s a threat to the castle’s existence, and, as before, our heroes tackle it valiantly and with humor. There are one or two new characters, and one existing character (who was barely introduced but played a key role in book 1) is given more space.
DeChancie brings the action to Earth – and New York specifically – which I don’t normally care for, but here it doesn’t get too much in the way of a good story. DeChancie does rather overplay some aspects of the heroes’ battles, throwing everything conceivable into the mix, but again the story comes through reasonably unscathed.
There’s not much here that will make you think of this as a classic, but it’s good, harmless fun. For those keeping track, I went back to the bookshelves and confirmed that I have the first eight books of the series in paperback, so these are all re-reads, but I have to admit that little of the matter stuck in my memory; it’s more a feeling of broad familiarity as matters unfold.
Summary
Organized, blue-skinned warriors are for some reason wandering all through the castle. And when Incarnadine, the castle's owner, goes off to consult a long-distant brother, he finds himself trapped in the very low magic environment of Earth - only to realize that the problem at the castle is much, much worse than a few odd warriors.
Review
The last book introduced the premise, characters, and setting, then did a bit of a reset at the end. Here, happily, we learn that that was a reset in name only, and our characters are happily established and settled in. As before, there’s a threat to the castle’s existence, and, as before, our heroes tackle it valiantly and with humor. There are one or two new characters, and one existing character (who was barely introduced but played a key role in book 1) is given more space.
DeChancie brings the action to Earth – and New York specifically – which I don’t normally care for, but here it doesn’t get too much in the way of a good story. DeChancie does rather overplay some aspects of the heroes’ battles, throwing everything conceivable into the mix, but again the story comes through reasonably unscathed.
There’s not much here that will make you think of this as a classic, but it’s good, harmless fun. For those keeping track, I went back to the bookshelves and confirmed that I have the first eight books of the series in paperback, so these are all re-reads, but I have to admit that little of the matter stuck in my memory; it’s more a feeling of broad familiarity as matters unfold.
August 7, 2008
A magic castle with myriad doors leading to different realms? Awesome! DeChancie's prose? Mediocre. But still an enjoyable read for fans of quirky, rather than epic, fantasy.
October 19, 2018
I enjoyed this book more than the first one. I guess it's because I am more familiar with the characters now. I liked that they seemed be friends in this one and you found out more about Incarnadine and his family. How he and his brothers and sisters get along with each other. You found out that one of his sisters has learned how to make a portal between Castle Perilous and Earth to stay where she wants it to be. I will read the next book but I don't know beyond that.
December 3, 2021
Fast paced fantasy adventure with many levels of intrigue. The second in a series, it stands alone, but has obvious aims to continue, in what direction is the question.
May 12, 2020
Last in the Dreamhaven bargain rack series. Found this one in a Little Library but undoubtedly from Dreamhaven, which may have resorted to ditching their backstock in Little Libraries. Didn't even look like the spine had been cracked.
There's a fun conceit, the castle has gateways to 144,000 worlds. Published 1989, it comes at the height of absurd magic inflation, where everything and anything can be explained away by some combination of magic and time travel. DeChancie rides on the coattails of Piers Anthony.
And not only that, DeChancie commits many of the same sins. While not as creepy as Anthony (too broad a topic to broach in this review), DeChancie is still sexist. Women cook and clean, and the plot is quite literally resolved with some cheap handwaving, which results in a woman being deposed and the King restored to power. There's also a scene where a cute redhead is taking a bath and somehow falls naked through a magic portal. It's magic! Tee hee!
The plotting is not just breezy but gale force, it would probably execute better in comic book form. There are lizards, which are evil, and demons that are more evil. Do you think a half-lizard half-werewolf is cool? How about possessed semi-trucks? Big Macs? The dialogue is smart enough and the action wild enough to offer entertainment but not suspense.
No castles are rented or offered for rent. The teaser copy appears in the first chapter and passes by without further comment or explanation. Clearly added post hoc for marketing purposes. Recommended only for uncritical fans of 80s comic fantasy.
There's a fun conceit, the castle has gateways to 144,000 worlds. Published 1989, it comes at the height of absurd magic inflation, where everything and anything can be explained away by some combination of magic and time travel. DeChancie rides on the coattails of Piers Anthony.
And not only that, DeChancie commits many of the same sins. While not as creepy as Anthony (too broad a topic to broach in this review), DeChancie is still sexist. Women cook and clean, and the plot is quite literally resolved with some cheap handwaving, which results in a woman being deposed and the King restored to power. There's also a scene where a cute redhead is taking a bath and somehow falls naked through a magic portal. It's magic! Tee hee!
The plotting is not just breezy but gale force, it would probably execute better in comic book form. There are lizards, which are evil, and demons that are more evil. Do you think a half-lizard half-werewolf is cool? How about possessed semi-trucks? Big Macs? The dialogue is smart enough and the action wild enough to offer entertainment but not suspense.
No castles are rented or offered for rent. The teaser copy appears in the first chapter and passes by without further comment or explanation. Clearly added post hoc for marketing purposes. Recommended only for uncritical fans of 80s comic fantasy.
July 24, 2017
Lord Incarnadine suspects one of his siblings is trying to take over Castle Perilous. He travels to NYC to try and figure out which one it is. Meanwhile, back at the castle the guests are dealing with an invasion from a hostile aspect. Gene, Laura and Snowclaw are in the thick of it. Another fun read in the series.
December 29, 2023
Expands the lore while presenting a problem that logically follows from the premise and solving it in a clever way. Like a vaguely sci-fi twist on the magical fantasy of Castle Perilous. Only vaguely, though. DeChancie feels like a more focused Craig Shaw Gardner. Good stuff.
January 20, 2024
Very fun and light hearted sci-fi story. Unlike my last read from my late father’s collection, this story aged well and I enjoyed this author’s writing style!
May 12, 2017
Like previous book.
This plays out as light reading.
It has mix of science and magic, twining together.
In ways it plays out like a group of short stories. That work together.
Bouncing chapter to chapter. Between the various characters.
It flows decent. At the same time, can be annoying.
That one aspect has your interest.
While another seems to be less important or entertaining.
Having you go through that. To get back to the meat of the story.
Still, again entertaining. If your looking for something playful, with charms of it's own.
This plays out as light reading.
It has mix of science and magic, twining together.
In ways it plays out like a group of short stories. That work together.
Bouncing chapter to chapter. Between the various characters.
It flows decent. At the same time, can be annoying.
That one aspect has your interest.
While another seems to be less important or entertaining.
Having you go through that. To get back to the meat of the story.
Still, again entertaining. If your looking for something playful, with charms of it's own.
March 12, 2021
Convoluted storyline divided and subdivided into nearly random fractals to the point of eliciting little more than firm disinterest. Liked the writing style and the lack of the type of interminable egomaniacal introspection so prevalent in contemporary books. Thus it probably deserves more than one star, but just so attenuated as to hardly be worth the effort to hit the enter key more than once.
March 25, 2017
excellent work, still churning out funny
December 27, 2024
Excellent
Such a great book. I've read the first before but for whatever reason never gotten far in the series then. The second book is great as the first. I'm looking forward to reading more of the series.
Such a great book. I've read the first before but for whatever reason never gotten far in the series then. The second book is great as the first. I'm looking forward to reading more of the series.
January 13, 2020
I read this one a long time ago and re-read it for fun. It stands up as a light-hearted romp with engaging, but not deep, characters.
March 17, 2016
спойлеры
Вторая книга серии, в которой опять же присутствует сумасшедшая особа женского пола =) История о королевской семье сильно напомнила бессмертные Хроники Амбера, все те же сестринско-братские терки и борьба за трон. Они объединяются в тандемы и к близким контактам с родственниками (читай: инцест) относятся спокойно. Я тоже спокойно, потому что не бывает так, чтобы папочка-король не гульнул, ага. Плюс если на всю вселенную вас таких красивых-умных-всесильных раз-два и обчелся, то найти подходящую партию становится тяжело.
История Джина, Линды и Снеголапа продолжается, на этот раз к ним присоединяются еще герои, вроде Шейлы, попавшей в Замок прямиком из душевой кабинки. Каким-то образом она оказывается способна создавать-перетягивать порталы, что конкретно спасет ребятам жизнь. Хотя у нее изначально шестое чувство на порталы, позже она обнаруживает способности небывалой мощи, которые не ограничены какими-то рамками (как у Линды — только материализация), и впоследствии по силе в Замке ее называют второй после Кармина.
Логика сумасшедшей колдуньи в этой книге еще круче, чем в предыдущей, такую изощренность надо еще выдумать... В первой та страдала от неразделенной любви и отказа, и было понятно, что уничтожение Замка вместе с Кармином было бы на руку. Во второй уже другая претендует на власть, практически уничтожая Замок 0_о Понятное дело, что не просто так он связывает 144 000 миров, и если бы с ним что-нибудь случилось, это было бы крайне грустно. Но стратегия напустить побольше монстров в Замок, чтобы потом было не отбиться — это, конечно, круто.
Что нравится — так это миры. С диковинными животными, нестабильными порталами, заброшенные и не очень, запечатанные и опасные. Это ж какое пространство для фантазии :3 И даже не обидно, что в ХА Землю называли всего лишь отражением, в Замке — одним из миров, который полностью зависит от его существования.
Вторая книга серии, в которой опять же присутствует сумасшедшая особа женского пола =) История о королевской семье сильно напомнила бессмертные Хроники Амбера, все те же сестринско-братские терки и борьба за трон. Они объединяются в тандемы и к близким контактам с родственниками (читай: инцест) относятся спокойно. Я тоже спокойно, потому что не бывает так, чтобы папочка-король не гульнул, ага. Плюс если на всю вселенную вас таких красивых-умных-всесильных раз-два и обчелся, то найти подходящую партию становится тяжело.
История Джина, Линды и Снеголапа продолжается, на этот раз к ним присоединяются еще герои, вроде Шейлы, попавшей в Замок прямиком из душевой кабинки. Каким-то образом она оказывается способна создавать-перетягивать порталы, что конкретно спасет ребятам жизнь. Хотя у нее изначально шестое чувство на порталы, позже она обнаруживает способности небывалой мощи, которые не ограничены какими-то рамками (как у Линды — только материализация), и впоследствии по силе в Замке ее называют второй после Кармина.
Логика сумасшедшей колдуньи в этой книге еще круче, чем в предыдущей, такую изощренность надо еще выдумать... В первой та страдала от неразделенной любви и отказа, и было понятно, что уничтожение Замка вместе с Кармином было бы на руку. Во второй уже другая претендует на власть, практически уничтожая Замок 0_о Понятное дело, что не просто так он связывает 144 000 миров, и если бы с ним что-нибудь случилось, это было бы крайне грустно. Но стратегия напустить побольше монстров в Замок, чтобы потом было не отбиться — это, конечно, круто.
Что нравится — так это миры. С диковинными животными, нестабильными порталами, заброшенные и не очень, запечатанные и опасные. Это ж какое пространство для фантазии :3 И даже не обидно, что в ХА Землю называли всего лишь отражением, в Замке — одним из миров, который полностью зависит от его существования.
February 5, 2012
With Lord Incarnadine on Earth trying to fix the portal there, someone makes a deal with some very nasty beings from one of the more aggressive dimensions to take over the Castle and hold it hostage. Gene, Linda, Snowclaw and now a woman named Sheila try to survive while Incarnadine plans to get the Castle back.
This is a funny and very readable adventure, with a good mix of colorful fantasy, suspense and action. I enjoyed it more than the first. Upon reflection, however, I have to say it suffers from the same too-abrupt wrap-up as its predecessor: Sheila’s magic is too strong too fast (more magic = less drama, especially when we don’t know her well enough to cheer on her newfound supremacy), and big battle at the send fizzles out without satisfactory explanation (“they’ve shot their wad” doesn’t do it).
[Read twice]
This is a funny and very readable adventure, with a good mix of colorful fantasy, suspense and action. I enjoyed it more than the first. Upon reflection, however, I have to say it suffers from the same too-abrupt wrap-up as its predecessor: Sheila’s magic is too strong too fast (more magic = less drama, especially when we don’t know her well enough to cheer on her newfound supremacy), and big battle at the send fizzles out without satisfactory explanation (“they’ve shot their wad” doesn’t do it).
[Read twice]
November 7, 2009
Okay, I've read this before, years ago, but Kindle had it for pretty cheap and I did enjoy the series so I decided to give it another read.
That said, I really think these are YA books and as I'm no longer in that age group, I'm kind of wondering why I picked it up again. I'll read it through (it's a quick read) but will probably not get the next one in the series.
Edit: all done, and it was okay, but I will definitely not be re-reading the rest of the series. Sometimes your tastes change, and I think that's the case with these books. I've grown up and moved on, while these books have stayed the same.
That said, I really think these are YA books and as I'm no longer in that age group, I'm kind of wondering why I picked it up again. I'll read it through (it's a quick read) but will probably not get the next one in the series.
Edit: all done, and it was okay, but I will definitely not be re-reading the rest of the series. Sometimes your tastes change, and I think that's the case with these books. I've grown up and moved on, while these books have stayed the same.
June 19, 2015
The second book in a madcap, frothy light series.
Incarnadine goes to Earth to try to stablize the portal, among other things. Bluefaced creatures invade and make themselves unpleasant, but are only the cat's paws. It involves climbing stairs up and down, going through a portal to a jungle, Sheila arriving while she had been taking a shower, Snowclaw returning from his own world, and more.
Incarnadine goes to Earth to try to stablize the portal, among other things. Bluefaced creatures invade and make themselves unpleasant, but are only the cat's paws. It involves climbing stairs up and down, going through a portal to a jungle, Sheila arriving while she had been taking a shower, Snowclaw returning from his own world, and more.
March 29, 2016
There's a genre of books I call "garbage '80's fantasy". They include the Myth books by Asprin and the Xanth novels and others as well. This is in that category but gets 3 stars instead of 2 because...1) It was a quick read.2) The author is from Pittsburgh and most of the characters are from the area and 3) The link between Earth and the mysterious castle is in....Ligoneer.....
May 3, 2011
Loved this book. As I'm re reading the series I thank the gods that my ereader has a built in dictionary. I've forgotton how vast John DeChancie's vocabulary is. It's still a fun great read that doesn't seem to age...even after 20 years or so.
March 31, 2011
BSFS fun romp
March 21, 2013
The fun (and local area references) continue! :)
September 12, 2016
Another one in the series. Devoured in a day, mostly on the plane ride home from PDX.
June 8, 2014
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.
March 22, 2015
Gene, Linda, Snowclaw and Kwip are back and meeting new friends in Castle Perilous, will they be able to prevail in the latest invasion? Better read it to find out.
August 11, 2015
Amber-ish.
July 5, 2011
I read all the Castle Books as they came out. I seem to remember loving them...
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews