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War Surplus #1
The Cyborg and the Sorcerers
Slant, a cyborg warrior and survivor of Earth's destruction, lands his spaceship on a strange planet inhabited by wizards with amazing powers
248 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
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August 10, 20231982 book, with all that implies. Shaky start & primitive plot-line. Here at 3/5/23, I'm not sure I will continue. LWE used to be a favorite for light, fast SF. Suck fairy may have called as I've gotten older?
Closing out as DNF. Been gathering dust for weeks! Not for me.
Closing out as DNF. Been gathering dust for weeks! Not for me.
February 14, 2011
Lawrence Watt-Evans is the best light fantasy writer of the past twenty years. He's put out some serious, massive fantasy tomes lately, too - as if P.G. Wodehouse were forced to write Wagnerian operas. Not that his serious stuff is bad, mind you! It's just not as good as his light fantasy.
But once in a while he steps out of the fantasy field altogether, and the results are usually impressive. The Cyborg and the Sorcerers is a relatively early science fiction novel from Watt-Evans; I think it might be his first, but it's not easy to find a straightforward bibliography of his novels.
TCatS is actually a mixed-genre novel; Slant, a STL-traveling interstellar elite military cyborg scout, finds a planet where the inhabitants have developed the ability to use magic. This is cursorily explained as the product of mutation, originally, although the ability can apparently be developed in any human being by a trained sorcerer.
One of the most refreshing things about Watt-Evans is that he almost never resorts to the "missing the obvious" plot coupon. His protagonists are generally sensible, reasonable people, and most of them are intelligent. Even better, they use that intelligence...intelligently. This is an astonishingly rare event in modern science fiction and fantasy fiction. One common shtick that often comes up in SF-meets-fantasy books is a refusal by SF characters to believe that magic could possibly be real. Slant accepts the "magic" he sees (albeit within the context of the mutation theory) after witnessing a reasonable amount of evidence.
It's the ship's computer, which is in many ways Slant's master, that has more difficulty accepting the idea of magic - although it nonetheless manages to come up with some intelligent ideas of its own.
The novel chronicles Slant's attempts to cope with the demands of the computer, and finally to escape its control altogether. It's well-told and entertaining. It does feel a little bit sketchy, though. I can't help but feel that another fifty pages or so would have helped the book; Slant could frankly use a bit more depth, and apart from the computer the other characters in the book feel a bit empty. There's an emotional potential in Slant's psyche that isn't sufficiently addressed, to my way of thinking. His past has been partly erased from his memory, and his world has been destroyed; slower-than-light travel has made him a chronological castaway, forever cut off from his birthplace and time. His struggle to recover an important memory is just slightly too easy.
There's one slight anachronism in the book, one hardly worth mentioning - but since I brought it up, I will. It's mentioned at least twice that Slant's skeleton has been reinforced with steel. That strikes an odd note. I'm surprised that Watt-Evans didn't make up some sort of space-age alloy, such as the adamantium that Marvel used long before for Wolverine.
I also recently came up with a solution for one of Slant's problems. But since it involves a spoiler, and I don't want to have to hide the whole review, I'm going to put it in a separate comment on the review itself - if GoodReads will allow it.
Oh, one more thing: although I usually like the cover art for the Ethshar books, and this one seems to be by the same artist who did several of the early Ethshar entries, I think it was an unfortunate choice to make all the characters on the cover look like Biblical patriarchs. It probably hurt sales.
But once in a while he steps out of the fantasy field altogether, and the results are usually impressive. The Cyborg and the Sorcerers is a relatively early science fiction novel from Watt-Evans; I think it might be his first, but it's not easy to find a straightforward bibliography of his novels.
TCatS is actually a mixed-genre novel; Slant, a STL-traveling interstellar elite military cyborg scout, finds a planet where the inhabitants have developed the ability to use magic. This is cursorily explained as the product of mutation, originally, although the ability can apparently be developed in any human being by a trained sorcerer.
One of the most refreshing things about Watt-Evans is that he almost never resorts to the "missing the obvious" plot coupon. His protagonists are generally sensible, reasonable people, and most of them are intelligent. Even better, they use that intelligence...intelligently. This is an astonishingly rare event in modern science fiction and fantasy fiction. One common shtick that often comes up in SF-meets-fantasy books is a refusal by SF characters to believe that magic could possibly be real. Slant accepts the "magic" he sees (albeit within the context of the mutation theory) after witnessing a reasonable amount of evidence.
It's the ship's computer, which is in many ways Slant's master, that has more difficulty accepting the idea of magic - although it nonetheless manages to come up with some intelligent ideas of its own.
The novel chronicles Slant's attempts to cope with the demands of the computer, and finally to escape its control altogether. It's well-told and entertaining. It does feel a little bit sketchy, though. I can't help but feel that another fifty pages or so would have helped the book; Slant could frankly use a bit more depth, and apart from the computer the other characters in the book feel a bit empty. There's an emotional potential in Slant's psyche that isn't sufficiently addressed, to my way of thinking. His past has been partly erased from his memory, and his world has been destroyed; slower-than-light travel has made him a chronological castaway, forever cut off from his birthplace and time. His struggle to recover an important memory is just slightly too easy.
There's one slight anachronism in the book, one hardly worth mentioning - but since I brought it up, I will. It's mentioned at least twice that Slant's skeleton has been reinforced with steel. That strikes an odd note. I'm surprised that Watt-Evans didn't make up some sort of space-age alloy, such as the adamantium that Marvel used long before for Wolverine.
I also recently came up with a solution for one of Slant's problems. But since it involves a spoiler, and I don't want to have to hide the whole review, I'm going to put it in a separate comment on the review itself - if GoodReads will allow it.
Oh, one more thing: although I usually like the cover art for the Ethshar books, and this one seems to be by the same artist who did several of the early Ethshar entries, I think it was an unfortunate choice to make all the characters on the cover look like Biblical patriarchs. It probably hurt sales.
June 24, 2018
A fascinating blended story. This is the first time in a while I was gripped all the way through. Good stuff! =)
May 30, 2023
While the premise of this novel isn’t original (someone from a machine technology lands in a world where magic works), the author takes a slightly singular direction in the plotline. The protagonist, née Samuel Turner and renamed Slant, isn’t an explorer or an accidental civilian stumbling into Narnia or Oz. Slant is the survivor of an ancient war. Earth is defeated, demolished or destroyed; he’s not certain which and doesn’t much care. He’s acting as the agent/ally/slave of a computer bent on following orders even though the givers of the original instructions are no longer extant.
Although Slant’s dilemma of preventing the computer from killing him or anybody else is stimulating, long passages are spent having Slant silently conversing with a suicidal machine that possesses less personality than a doorknob. This deadens large portions of the novel; it only comes alive when Slant interacts with the fictitious denizens of Dest, the planet he’s reconnoitering.
Slant gets into scrapes, escapes, gets captured, escapes, etc. It’s your typical sorcery vs. tech novel with crucial differences. Slant doesn’t want to stay on this planet; he finds its backward ways mildly curious yet not alluring enough to linger. He’s engaged in battle not with the populace but with the computer holding him hostage. He meets nubile female, Ahnao, and is mostly disinterested in her.
Ahnao is the main reason I can’t summon any real enthusiasm for this novel. She’s a throwback to female characters from 1950s Robert E. Howard sword-and-sorcery knockoffs, where the main women were either evil sorceresses or brainless damsels in distress.
Ahnao falls solidly into the latter category. She’s garrulous, ineffectual, helpless and ornamental. She’s an apprentice sorceress with very limited magical skills. She can fly (not very well) and communicate telepathically with other wizards. That’s the extent of what she has to offer. She has nothing to give Slant except sexual availability, is wounded by his initial rejection and quick to drop him when someone younger, handsomer and openly admiring of her charms presents himself.
No wonder Slant is annoyed with her. He understands that she’s been reared to be pretty and decorative but that doesn’t lessen his irritation with her, one which I swiftly grew to share.
This is a popcorn SF novel, akin to a Harlequin romance, with stock characters and a predictable outcome. The unusual nature of Slant, his will to combat his ally/antagonist computer at every turn and his unique responses to his varying circumstances are the only aspects that raise it slightly from the common herd.
Unless you’re a fan of dimwitted females and malfunctioning computers, pass over this novel in favor of Bradbury, Asimov or Clarke or any of a hundred SF writers who have done this and done it better.
Although Slant’s dilemma of preventing the computer from killing him or anybody else is stimulating, long passages are spent having Slant silently conversing with a suicidal machine that possesses less personality than a doorknob. This deadens large portions of the novel; it only comes alive when Slant interacts with the fictitious denizens of Dest, the planet he’s reconnoitering.
Slant gets into scrapes, escapes, gets captured, escapes, etc. It’s your typical sorcery vs. tech novel with crucial differences. Slant doesn’t want to stay on this planet; he finds its backward ways mildly curious yet not alluring enough to linger. He’s engaged in battle not with the populace but with the computer holding him hostage. He meets nubile female, Ahnao, and is mostly disinterested in her.
Ahnao is the main reason I can’t summon any real enthusiasm for this novel. She’s a throwback to female characters from 1950s Robert E. Howard sword-and-sorcery knockoffs, where the main women were either evil sorceresses or brainless damsels in distress.
Ahnao falls solidly into the latter category. She’s garrulous, ineffectual, helpless and ornamental. She’s an apprentice sorceress with very limited magical skills. She can fly (not very well) and communicate telepathically with other wizards. That’s the extent of what she has to offer. She has nothing to give Slant except sexual availability, is wounded by his initial rejection and quick to drop him when someone younger, handsomer and openly admiring of her charms presents himself.
No wonder Slant is annoyed with her. He understands that she’s been reared to be pretty and decorative but that doesn’t lessen his irritation with her, one which I swiftly grew to share.
This is a popcorn SF novel, akin to a Harlequin romance, with stock characters and a predictable outcome. The unusual nature of Slant, his will to combat his ally/antagonist computer at every turn and his unique responses to his varying circumstances are the only aspects that raise it slightly from the common herd.
Unless you’re a fan of dimwitted females and malfunctioning computers, pass over this novel in favor of Bradbury, Asimov or Clarke or any of a hundred SF writers who have done this and done it better.
May 28, 2015
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, it contains an interesting premise of a computer "assisted" cyborg, Slant, sent on espionage missions, but due to relativistic travel speeds, still operating 300 years after the war he was commissions for is over. With his command structure destroyed, there's no one to end his mission, and his only companion, the computer that controls his ship is set on continuing giving him missions of sabotage and destruction until properly released from it's last orders.
Slant would be more than happy to simply stop and try to figure out a normal life, but there are two small problems, first, the computer can mentally take control of his actions if he doesn't follow orders, and second, if he doesn't comply enough, the computer can set of a thermite explosive inside his skull, killing him instantly.
When Slant discovers a planet where "wizards" exhibit strange magical powers, his computer determines that they are a form of enemy weapons research, and that Slant must recover a sample of this new tech and deny it to the enemy, regardless of the cost in human life, innocent or not. When these "wizards" prove to be far more sophisticated than Slant expects, he's put in the middle of their conflict with the computer. Can Slant find a way to escape his cybernetic slavery?
Watt-Evans presents a tale where he applies logic to the most bizarre situations, which helps show the world he's created as simply a normal world when viewed by his characters, who take the strange circumstances as facts of life. The only thing not to like about this book is that the title inexplicably refers to sorcerers, when nowhere in the book is the word used. The natives with magical powers are always called wizards. I suspect an over-eager editor insisted on the title, despite the fact that sorcerers are never actually mentioned in the book.
Slant would be more than happy to simply stop and try to figure out a normal life, but there are two small problems, first, the computer can mentally take control of his actions if he doesn't follow orders, and second, if he doesn't comply enough, the computer can set of a thermite explosive inside his skull, killing him instantly.
When Slant discovers a planet where "wizards" exhibit strange magical powers, his computer determines that they are a form of enemy weapons research, and that Slant must recover a sample of this new tech and deny it to the enemy, regardless of the cost in human life, innocent or not. When these "wizards" prove to be far more sophisticated than Slant expects, he's put in the middle of their conflict with the computer. Can Slant find a way to escape his cybernetic slavery?
Watt-Evans presents a tale where he applies logic to the most bizarre situations, which helps show the world he's created as simply a normal world when viewed by his characters, who take the strange circumstances as facts of life. The only thing not to like about this book is that the title inexplicably refers to sorcerers, when nowhere in the book is the word used. The natives with magical powers are always called wizards. I suspect an over-eager editor insisted on the title, despite the fact that sorcerers are never actually mentioned in the book.
October 23, 2014
Probably my favorite book by him.
May 9, 2020
Published in 1982, this book has characteristics of even older Sci-Fi. The tone is a little whimsical and the plot has a single channel. In short, it represents an above-average genre book from the decade prior to its release.
January 24, 2016
A very good SiFi story. Nice quick read by one of my top SiFi/fantasy writers. Very recommended
November 16, 2016
A bit brutal but an interesting take on the reluctant hero/fish out of water stories. Moves on quickly enough, easy read, great travel fodder.
July 15, 2019
This book is a perfect blending of science fiction and fantasy. Really fun read.
January 9, 2022
This is an entertaining mashup of cyborgs and sorcerers, just as the title reveals. Slant (the cyborg) is a soldier of a dead war, which occurred 300 years in the past. He's a fish out of water when his ship (which is also his overseer), lands on a planet were sorcery has developed (evolved?) after the civilization crushing war.
There are some neat ideas here, such as the computer constantly threatening to kill Slant (there's a bomb in his head) for perceived disobedience. Then later revealing that it's greatest wish is to die.
The tone of this quick read is light hearted, but occasionally very dark, violent and amoral, which makes it feel off. Slant decapitates a kindly wizard (forced to do so by his ship), the ship kills hundreds in a rescue (of sorts), all in service to learning how sorcery works (because of the potential threat it presents). Other weird story choices, like the female apprentice to the decapitated wizard following Slant, because.... She can't think of something better to do? And then later, she seduces him, or allows him to seduce her? She's described as idiotic, but even an idiot would run AWAY from the person who just murdered and beheaded their mentor.
The entire society in this futuristic, magical world seems all too ready to forgive and forget Slant's murders, even given the explanation of "the demon (computer) in my head made me do it." Maybe good judgement was destroyed along with civilization.
But, like I said, it's an entertaining read. A good time killer for a long plane flight or waiting room.
There are some neat ideas here, such as the computer constantly threatening to kill Slant (there's a bomb in his head) for perceived disobedience. Then later revealing that it's greatest wish is to die.
The tone of this quick read is light hearted, but occasionally very dark, violent and amoral, which makes it feel off. Slant decapitates a kindly wizard (forced to do so by his ship), the ship kills hundreds in a rescue (of sorts), all in service to learning how sorcery works (because of the potential threat it presents). Other weird story choices, like the female apprentice to the decapitated wizard following Slant, because.... She can't think of something better to do? And then later, she seduces him, or allows him to seduce her? She's described as idiotic, but even an idiot would run AWAY from the person who just murdered and beheaded their mentor.
The entire society in this futuristic, magical world seems all too ready to forgive and forget Slant's murders, even given the explanation of "the demon (computer) in my head made me do it." Maybe good judgement was destroyed along with civilization.
But, like I said, it's an entertaining read. A good time killer for a long plane flight or waiting room.
December 30, 2024
A cybernetically enhanced intelligence agent (mostly human) is roaming the galaxy in a ship controlled by HAL-like computer. Their creators/superior officers are long dead, as is the underlying rationale for their mission. Now what? Oh, and the cyborg has a kill switch in the base of his skull that HAL can activate if it detects significant deviation from carrying out their original orders. Cyborg cannot get HAL to think "outside the box" enough to adjust their mission parameters to the new reality. They stumble upon a low-tech planet with wizards. How will this Magic v Machines conflict play out? Not ideally for either side, to be honest. The cyborg stuck firmly between these competing forces, when all he really wants to do is stop killing people and destroying perceived mission threats and perhaps go back to reading his books.
April 24, 2024
I really really enjoyed this one.
I almost went 5 stars, but realise that's just in comparison to my latest reading of underwhelming material.
I found the plotline very interesting, a wandering cyborg who has his own thoughts and morality but is held hostage to a computer that is still fighting a long-finished war and considers basically everyone an enemy.
Different and not very predictable, at least not to me.
On to the sequel, hope it doesn't disappoint.
I almost went 5 stars, but realise that's just in comparison to my latest reading of underwhelming material.
I found the plotline very interesting, a wandering cyborg who has his own thoughts and morality but is held hostage to a computer that is still fighting a long-finished war and considers basically everyone an enemy.
Different and not very predictable, at least not to me.
On to the sequel, hope it doesn't disappoint.
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October 23, 2025The cyborg code-named "Slant" was sent out as an Independent Reconnaissance Unit during an interstellar war between Earth and its colonies. The fighting ended three hundred years ago, but Slant's computer does not admit this -- he is compelled to carry on as if the war were still raging.Then he comes across a planet where his sensors register ''gravitational anomalies.'' The computer interprets these as enemy weapons research.The local inhabitants call the anomalies ''magic.''
August 14, 2020
Fun like a cheesy sci-fi movie on a Saturday afternoon. Do you like Wizards? Do you like Cyborgs? What if they met??? Exactly what I expected and enjoyed it. Does seem to lead into a series but has good ending for this style of adventure. However, at times it felt like I would be investing in a syfy channel Canadian tv show if I keep going with the series.
May 2, 2023
This was an easy read with a premise that sounded interesting; but, even though I found it interesting enough, I don't think I'll continue the series. But I can see that there is enough that some folks may find it worth a try.
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December 15, 2019Good read, a nice adventure. I was thinking of similar when I played AD&D
November 9, 2023
Well that was certainly a book about a cyborg and some sorcerers. It was pleasant enough but nothing too special in my opinion.
April 3, 2024
i mean a cyborg in a land of magic sold to me.
July 2, 2021
Science Fiction and Fantasy Mashup
An interstellar-traveling killer cyborg stumbles across a planet where psionic wizards abound. The Cyborg and the Sorcerers is a fun little mashup that holds up over time. I originally purchased this novel sometime in the early 1980’s from my local bookstore. The story stuck with me, so I decided to reread it this year (2021). I was not disappointed. The novel follows the story of Slant, an Independent Reconnaissance Unit cyborg who was sent from Mars to destroy Earth’s enemies – former outpost worlds that rebelled against Earth. Throw in an embedded explosive device in Slant’s skull, and a suicidal navigational computer willing to explode it if Slant disobeys orders, and you have the makings of a great little mashup. It is appropriate for teens and adults. While this novel will not change your life, it will thoroughly entertain you for a weekend.
An interstellar-traveling killer cyborg stumbles across a planet where psionic wizards abound. The Cyborg and the Sorcerers is a fun little mashup that holds up over time. I originally purchased this novel sometime in the early 1980’s from my local bookstore. The story stuck with me, so I decided to reread it this year (2021). I was not disappointed. The novel follows the story of Slant, an Independent Reconnaissance Unit cyborg who was sent from Mars to destroy Earth’s enemies – former outpost worlds that rebelled against Earth. Throw in an embedded explosive device in Slant’s skull, and a suicidal navigational computer willing to explode it if Slant disobeys orders, and you have the makings of a great little mashup. It is appropriate for teens and adults. While this novel will not change your life, it will thoroughly entertain you for a weekend.
December 30, 2014
I wanted a sci-fi book to read and finish in one day. At 248 pages this book was it. It is a story which combines elements of Science Fiction and Fantasy creating a very enjoyable short story. I recommend it all who want to have a nice afternoon of reading.
This is another great Lawrence Watt-Evans book, and I look forward to reading the other book in the series (OK, it’s a series of two). Lawrence Watt-Evans is a great author, and this book is another shining example of his abilities. I highly recommend this book!
This is another great Lawrence Watt-Evans book, and I look forward to reading the other book in the series (OK, it’s a series of two). Lawrence Watt-Evans is a great author, and this book is another shining example of his abilities. I highly recommend this book!
January 1, 2024
An old favourite
I read this book almost 40 years ago during a summer when I was a young teenager. I had a fond remembrance of the book but couldn't remember any of the details. So, a re-read was in order. I enjoyed the blend of fantasy and sci-fi and look forward to reading the second book in the duology that I never knew existed. It's dated in some ways but a fun story nevertheless.
I read this book almost 40 years ago during a summer when I was a young teenager. I had a fond remembrance of the book but couldn't remember any of the details. So, a re-read was in order. I enjoyed the blend of fantasy and sci-fi and look forward to reading the second book in the duology that I never knew existed. It's dated in some ways but a fun story nevertheless.
October 25, 2022
Read this book...hmm to many times. and loved everytime. This book inspired us...nerds...D&Ders...to great feats of creativity and imagination. We thank you. D&D was in its infant stage along with RPGs like gamma world, top secret and traveller. And this gem of a novel was all those worlds in one.
Hey whens the audio book coming out....getting blind and still want to enjoy one of my top 5 books.
Hey whens the audio book coming out....getting blind and still want to enjoy one of my top 5 books.
November 5, 2025
A Great Adventure
I first read the paperback edition of this book when it was released in 1984 and recently purchased it on Kindle to enjoy again. Slant is a scout pilot during an interstellar war. His side lost but the ship is programmed to prevent surrender. How can he possibly prevent the ship from killing more ancient enemies without the ship killing him for disobeying orders?
I first read the paperback edition of this book when it was released in 1984 and recently purchased it on Kindle to enjoy again. Slant is a scout pilot during an interstellar war. His side lost but the ship is programmed to prevent surrender. How can he possibly prevent the ship from killing more ancient enemies without the ship killing him for disobeying orders?
July 27, 2015
A short take:
Watt-Evans concocts a convincing class between interstellar technology and magical talent. The story reads like an extended Outer Limits episode--you know the type: one man faces the unknown with only his wits and a few gadgets to see him through. The story took some surprising violent turns and kept me interested throughout.
Watt-Evans concocts a convincing class between interstellar technology and magical talent. The story reads like an extended Outer Limits episode--you know the type: one man faces the unknown with only his wits and a few gadgets to see him through. The story took some surprising violent turns and kept me interested throughout.
October 14, 2014
Excellent book of tech meets fantasy. I like that the two different perspectives render different interpretations. How true it is today from superstition to religious belief or hard science skepticism. Thought provoking and just a blast to read.
July 17, 2015
The beginning was very slow. It almost never takes me over a month to read a book. This book was not as good as some of the others by this author. However the ending was very satisfying and interesting.
January 25, 2011
A bit dated (though not bad for a 28-year-old SF novel) and slight, but definitely fun.
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