Nameless Magery

The Ways of Magic #1

by Delia Marshall Turner

Delia Marshall Turner is a revolutionary in this era of big fantasy. Her Nameless Magery is a compelling, funny approach to the archetypal sword and sorcery tale of the young misfit who triumphs over enormous obstacles, completing a quest and saving the world from evil. Amazingly, she accomplishes this satisfactorily in a bit over 200 pages.

Turner's heroine, Lisane, was prepared to be the living representative of the Goddess for her whole planet before the invasion and the destruction of her family by the Enforcers, who destroy magic wherever they find it. Now she's on a world where all mages are male, stuck in a combination boarding school and juvenile detention center. "The pimply noodlebrains who grudgingly shared the senior student hall with me had come to the school as young children," Lisane comments, "and had spent the intervening years mastering magic. I didn't think it had done them much good, but I tried to keep my opinion to myself." The only mage who believes her story is Kaihan, the handsome Wizard-King. But Lisane's unique approach to magic will prove indispensable.

There's frank talk about sex and some imaginative cursing here, but Nameless Magery is a marvelous coming-of-age story that you won't want to put down. --Nona Vero

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Science Fiction Fantasy, High Fantasy

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Delia Marshall Turner's first two books (Nameless Magery and Of Swords and Spells) were published in the late 90s, with a two-book deal from Del Rey (Random House). The books were nominated for awards and made into a Science Fiction Book of the Month offering. The third book in the series is The Stick Princess.

Also, the first book in the Ms. Whitaker series, Dog of the Dead is available.

Reviews

[Althea Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as part of my recent quest to find all the "Del Rey Discovery" books that I haven't read, since whoever was doing the picking for that line was really doing an excellent job finding talented new sci-fi authors - I've liked all the ones I've read. Unfortunately, I don't think Del Rey is doing it anymore, and I haven't been able to just find a list...

"Nameless Magery" did not disappoint! This was a thoroughly fun, enjoyable book, with an unusual mix of sci-fi and fantasy, and a good sense of humor.
Lisane was raised to be queen of her people, a powerful user of magic, worshipped as a near-deity. However, violent aliens have destroyed her society and taken her people prisoner. As the book opens, only she has managed to escape the invaders, and now she is wandering a wasteland on an alien world, ragged and starving...
But, as luck would have it, she is discovered by a handsome wizard, Simon, and brought to his home, a school for mages, where she meets the intriguing Master Kaihan, and a fellow student who immediately becomes her nemesis, Detter.
Elements of school story, quest tale, romance and space opera combine here in a surprisingly successful way, brought together by Lisane's spunky, lusty, self-deprecating character (and Turner's funny chapter titles, which are priceless!).

Although this is a stand-alone novel, apparently, Turner also published a companion volume, "Of Swords and Spells."

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up for $3 at a used book store in New Orleans knowing absolutely nothing about it, so I had no expectations at all. It was actually really good - I appreciated the way magic was represented and really like the protagonist, Lisane. Now I need to track down the sequel because the Seattle library doesn't have any of Ms. Turner's books.

[Meredith Mayfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this book

I have read it so many times I can’t even count. Love love love this book. It was ahead of its time and had aged beautifully.

[Rouan · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was okay, didn't really hold my interest.

[Jai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the first of two books by Delia Marshall Turner, who sadly hasn't written anything other than these two. The second book is "Of Swords and Spells". This book is about a strong-headed girl, Lisane, who is a magic user and queen of her people. Lisane escapes persection against magic users on her planet by the "enforcers", and arrives on a new planet where only men are believed to have magic powers. There she is enrolled in a school for adepts and clashes with King Kaihan. This book combines fantasy and magic use with science fiction and spaceships very well. There is also a little romance. Very unique story and I thought the ending came together very well. It also ties in with the next book but both can be stand alone.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging fantasy coming-of-age tale. But it's not the female protagonist who grows up, but the patriarchial society she's dropped into. A rude awakening for those wizards who all believe that women cannot do magic, our main character also has to riposte with the jealous/envious/mysogynistic male students in training with her. A bit of a quest in there with the final 'test' to becoming a 'wizard' and a bit of otherworldly-ness thrown in to the mix to really stir things up.
Quite enjoyable, I've reread it several times, it isn't literature but it is fun!

[Sarah Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was such a delight to find this in Kindle, and for such a great price! I have the original paperback edition, and had been looking for an electronic version as well.

I think this is my favourite of the three book series (and also, there's book #3 now!), mainly due to the the main character, the Lisane.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I've had this one for years & just decided to re-read it. It's a funny fantasy that makes me laugh out loud every time I read it. Ok, maybe it's more like a sort of snort of amusement, but it's all good.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up from a stockpile of fantasy novels I had stored at home, and it held up pretty well. It's cool that it features a strong, proactive female character who might have romances but isn't defined by them.

[Rhode PVD · Rating 5 out of 5]

A longtime favorite. It's feminist, it's sexy, it's intelligent, it's packed with adventure. I don't tend to enjoy fantasy that much generally, but this book is so smart and fun, and full of surprises.

[M— · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh joyous day; it has a sequel: Of Swords and Spells.