The Enchanter Compleated

The Incompleat Enchanter #3

by L. Sprague de Camp, Fletcher Pratt

The Mathematics of Magic—it was the greatest discovery ever. Or so thought Professor Harold Shea. With the proper equations, he could instantly transport himself and his long-suffering colleagues back—or sideways—in time to all the wondrous lands of ancient myth and legend.

But slips in time were a hazard, and Shea's magic sometimes backfired. When it did, the results were usually bizarre at best—and potentially lethal at worst. The imaginary lands to which Shea travelled held countless real dangers that even the magic equations couldn't predict.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

157 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1953

About the author

Lyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction literature. In a career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, both novels and works of non-fiction, including biographies of other fantasy authors. He was a major figure in science fiction in the 1930s and 1940s.

Reviews

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's where we get Orlando Furioso and a ton of Irish serpents. Again, this is a smooth early fantasy that doesn't shirk from legends, rhymes, and math to make magic, or (somewhat) exotic situations to make the heart pump.


Honestly, this is a light and pretty fantasy. It is as charming as it is not hardcore. I get a very Fantastic Tales vibe from it and that's only to be expected. This is a magical version of a Conan adventure, after all, and straight out of legend.

[Anu Korpinen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Olihan tämä parempi kuin olin antanut itselleni kertoa. Tarina kyllä kärsii siitä, että viidestä Harold Shea seikkailusta tähän kirjaan on suomennettu kaksi viimeistä. Olisin mielelläni kuullut hiukan enemmän symbolisesta logiikasta, joka tekee maailmasta toiseen hyppelemisen mahdolliseksi. Oli myös mielenkiitoinen ajatus, että taikuus muuttui aina kunkin "kontinuumin" olojen mukaan, näin ollen sankari ei voinut aina olla varma mitä hänen loitsunsa saivat kussakin maailmassa aikaan. Paikoitellen teksti oli oikein mielenkiintoista, tosin melko hätäistä, ja paikasta toiseen remuttiin mahdottomalla kiireellä.

Huumorillahan tähän pitää suhtautua, vaikka se välillä huonoa olikin. 2 ja puoli tähteä.

[aPaci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stupendo libro, assoluta poesia. L'ho adorato per la sua particolarità, per come giustifica l'esistenza della magia, l'esistenza dei mondi fantastici stessi, per l'assoluta logica e indiscussa varietà della storia. Meraviglioso, non esagero nel dire che sia uno dei fantasy che in assoluto mi è piaciuto di più.

[Eija · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maagisten voimien ansiosta hypittiin paikasta ja ajasta toiseen - tai oikeastaan tarustosta toiseen. Muuta mainittavaa kirjasta en löydäkään. Juoni heppoinen. Tarinan lienee oli tarkoitus olla hauska.

[Kenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would love to get my hands on this! Have never seen it anywhere, though.