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, Urban Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure, Science 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

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collects the last two novelettes in DeCamp and Fletcher Pratt's Harold Shea series about a man who's figured out how to jump into various fantasy worlds. As this opens, the cops are extremely suspicious that a detective investigating Shea has disappeared (he's trapped in Xanadu) so Shea and his wife Belphebe have to look for a powerful magician to help them get him back. This leads them first to the world of the Kalevala, then Irish myth. Great fun--it's a shame Pratt's other writing forestalled doing more work in the series.

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny fantasy series. Great read. Very recommended

[Steve Rainwater · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth story of the Incompleat Enchanter series.

Stories one and two are in the book, "The Incompleat Enchanter" and story three is in the book, "The Castle of Iron". The books form a single continuous story arc, so the best bet of understanding things is to read them all from the beginning. This book largely concerns efforts by the two main characters, Harold Shea and his companion Belphebe, in their efforts to find and retrieve a couple of minor characters who were lost in parallel universes during the adventures described in the first three stories.

The first half of the story involves a trip to the universe of Finnish mythology, described in the Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot, in order to find knowledge of the magic they need to retrieve their lost companions. Later, in an error of magical logic, they accidentally transport themselves to an unknown universe that seems to be the basis for Irish mythology. To return to our universe, they must set off on a quest to learn the local laws of magic before unfolding events lead to a war that could be fatal for everyone.

[Redsteve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sequel to the COMPLEAT ENCHANTER was originally written as two novellas that the authors altered to form a single story, which works well; otherwise the first story ends on a mysterious, and probably unsatisfying, cliffhanger . The book is set in both legendary Finland (of the Kalevala) and Ireland (the Ulster Cycle). It was enjoyable but not nearly as much so as the first book. I did like that ‘Pete the Cop’ from the previous book's “Castle of Iron” story developed from straight-out comic relief into a more interesting character (despite the fact he still talks like a gangster movie stereotype). In the end, I'd just rate this installment as "pretty good" and give it a low three stars. Note: this book was first published in 1953, twelve years after the original three stories that make up THE COMPLEAT ENCHANTER.

[Mark White · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last two novellas in the world of The Compleat Enchanter, and collected together with those stories as The Complete Compleat Enchanter. You get the feeling with these two stories (neither complete on its own) that the authors were just revisiting the characters for old time's sake. It has its moments but unless you're familiar with ancient Finnish and Irish legends it won't resonate and Pete the cop's language is old time gangster caricature . It may have been amusing to an American audience back when this was written but it is just corny now. Read it for completion

[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.

[Steve Goble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun stuff, despite some insanely dated dialogue. It helps to imagine Jeff Goldblum as Harold Shea and Jennifer Lawrence as Belphoebe. It also helps if you are somewhat familiar with the mythologies explored in this book.

[Aileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick short read. Ok. The other incomplete enchanter books were a little better.

[Kathy Burford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harold Shea and Belphebe (brought back from another adventure and now his wife) visit the world of the Finnish Kalevala and then the Ireland of the hero Cuchulainn. In both parts the visitors figure out possible magic by extrapolating from the belief systems of the alternate worlds (as explained in The Incompleat Enchanter, the first Harold Shea collection). Harold takes advantage of knowing that information on your background and genealogy can be used against you in Finnish spells, which must be composed in iambic tetrameter. The rational complications of magical systems are again a source of humor. Policeman Pete Brodsky and Walter Bayard are summoned from the world of “Kubla Khan” after being left there in the last adventure. After a complex and funny set of contests and challenges they are all transported to ancient Ireland (they were aiming for Ohio). Cuchulainn (who refers to everyone as “my darlings” and “my dears”) proves to be a bit of a pain. Policeman Pete knows a lot of Irish legends (despite being Polish) and is familiar with this story, so they try to maneuver a different ending, with the help of the sidhe. Maybe four and a half stars, but that’s not an option. Typical L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt: original and entertaining if you like light fantasy.

[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.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad fantasy but I have read much better. =)