A Wizard in Midgard

Rogue Wizard #7

by Christopher Stasheff

On a planet modeled after the Norse interpretation of Earth, the Warlock's son Gar Pike and a young girl he saves may not be able to bring together three races who have hated one another since the beginning of time. Reprint.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Wizards, Science Fiction Fantasy

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 1998

About the author

The late Christopher Stasheff was an American science fiction and fantasy author. When teaching proved too real, he gave it up in favor of writing full-time. Stasheff was noted for his blending of science fiction and fantasy, as seen in his Warlock series. He spent his early childhood in Mount Vernon, New York, but spent the rest of his formative years in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Stasheff taught at the University of Eastern New Mexico in Portales, before retiring to Champaign, Illinois, in 2009. He had a wife and four children.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite novel from Stasheff's Rogue Wizard series, which chronicles the interplanetary adventures of Magnus, who (as Gar Pike), roams the spaceways to bring freedom from oppression to the various planets that his partner/sidekick/spaceship brings him. Stasheff does something of a reboot to the series here, and introduces Alea, who becomes a major part of Gar's life thereafter. Her world is a very clever and interesting mix of Norse mythology and other fantasy tropes which, when blended with the science fiction trappings, make for a delightful and well-written read. The series is a spin-off of the Warlock in Spite of Himself series (which features his father), and contrasting the careers and characters of Magnus and Rod is a lot of fun.

[Al Philipson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gar Pike (Magnus) saves yet another world from tyranny. Ho-humm.

Okay, it's not that bad, although it does follow the formula that Stasheff has fallen into for this series. The world he's created her is an interesting adaption of Norse mythology meets Wagner (without the singing). There are giants, dwarfs, and "normal" people, all at odds with each other. Throw in some bandits and a girl and you've got the brew that challenges our intrepid world-saver yet again.

Did I mention a girl? Will she break through Magnus' reticence regarding the opposite sex? For that matter, will he break through her barriers? If I told you, it would give away the mystery. So I won't

Stasheff's writing is as solid as ever, in spite of his tendency to do a bit of "head-hopping" in the middle of a scene. And he manages to bring this world alive as he has others.

Well worth a read for fans of the series, but I probably won't read it again.

What I WILL read again is the original series based on "The Warlock in Spite of Himself".

[Kurtbg · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a king, all must obey. Choice is taken away and disobedience is met with punishment.

With chaos, everyone was arm because an attack can happen at any time.

With legitimate and representative government people have the freedom to make most of their decisions for themselves.

[Elar · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the best book in the series as it has giants and dwarfs with northern mythology weaved together.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting story. Loved this introduction to a new travelling companion.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

@ 1.3% // I am enjoying the fact that Magnus is the person who is in transit at the start of this novel. In previous novels it is a local of the planet, but this one little change starts the novel off with fresh life.

@ 3.5% // Look at that! A lesson in Scandinavian history as it specifically applies to the Viking.

@ 4.3% // I am not sure that I agree with the author's assertion that language that resembles its parent language enough to be mutually intelligible is the sign of a totalitarian government. Look at Italian and Spanish. Both are mutually intelligible because they both are still very similar to Roman, but could you accuse either country of only having totalitarian governments since Roman times? Didn't think so!

@ 4.4% // By Loki, This /is/ a book about Vikings. Let me guess, we are going to meet Oden who takes Magnus to be a frost giant.

@ 26.6% // Wherein Magnus explains founder effect to us lay readers.

@ 27.1% // Is this character growth I see? Loner Magnus, fearful of too much responsibility and human interaction has been altered by his time with Dirk such that he seeks a new Companion (a la Dr. Who).

@ 31.4% // Wait! All of a sudden there are ethics to Magnus's mentalic powers? Could have fooled me with as often as he used them simply for convenience.

... and then I got so wrapped up in the book that I couldn't keep journaling each moment.

I enjoyed the fact that this book covered a medieval period different from that which is normally referenced in fantasy. Having a Scandinavian/Viking perspective was fresh and lovely.

Also, the fact that this story wasn't told from Magnus/Gar's perspective but from that of a female companion; a female who showed that she was attuned to Gar's nonverbal communication and emotional state (as we women are and men so rarely write us as being).

Finally, I appreciate how the author has set this woman up to be Magnus's love interest and she, his, but has done so without setting them up as falling instantly in lust. This makes a difference in the quality of the relationship that will develop, and makes me believe that we will see a healthy love that comes of mutual respect and a deep friendship in the books to come.

Onward!

[Tonja Condray Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Step and a New Journey!

THIS was the next story I was hoping for in this series! Gar (Magnus) and Alea are what needed to happen for each of them. More help for that world to find harmony while democracy begins it’s tendrils in that soil to create another Tree of Destiny! Once again, I’m awed and inspired by Stasheff’s ability to weave his characters in a world for a better purpose for all. BRAVO! ~TK~

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book where Magnus finally meets the one he was destined to find, so this is a must in reading the series at all!