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Castle Perilous #7
Castle Spellbound
When a malfunction in the magical defense system of Lord Incarnadine's Castle Perilous strikes during the lord's party, gladiators, thieves, painted ladies, and hairy beasts find themselves spinning through space.
227 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
6 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
John DeChancie
55 books109 followersFrom his website:
John DeChancie is the author of over two dozen books, fiction and nonfiction, and has written for periodicals as widely varied as Penthouse and Cult Movies. His novels in the science fiction and fantasy genres have been attracting a wide readership for more than fifteen years, and over a million copies of his books have seen print, many in foreign languages.
John's first work was Starrigger (Berkley/Ace ,1984), followed by Red Limit Freeway (1985) and Paradox Alley (1987), completing the Skyway Trilogy, one of the most imaginative, mind-expanding series in science fiction. Beloved of SF readers around the world, the trilogy has become a cult classic. It is no exaggeration to say that the trilogy has found a place in the hearts of readers along with the works of Heinlein, Asimov, and Clarke. Jerry Pournelle, co-author with Larry Niven of the classics The Mote in God's Eye and Lucifer's Hammer, has compared the series to the best of A. E. van Vogt, and better written. The convoluted plot takes the reader on a mind-bending journey to the end of the universe and back.
His humorous fantasy series, beginning with Castle Perilous, became a best seller for Berkley/Ace. William Morrow published MagicNet, which Booklist said was "a welcome sigh of comic relief ... shamelessly droll, literate, and thoroughly entertaining. Magicnet is the fantasy genre's whimsical answer to Neuromancer." He has also written in the horror genre. His short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and in numerous original anthologies, the latest of which is Spell Fantastic. His story collection, Other States of Being, was recently published by Pulpless.com, Inc., an online and print-on-demand publisher.
He currently lives in Los Angeles and is at work writing novels, articles, short stories, and screenplays. His latest book was the short story collection THE LITTLE GRAY BOOK OF ALIEN STORIES published by Borderlands Press. John's most recent short story publication was in the original anthology SPACE CADETS, edited by Mike Resnick and published by LAcon IV, the 64th World Science Fiction Convention. The book was published in both limited and trade hardback editions. The book is available here . He has just completed a mystery novel and information on this new book (something different from anything he has ever written) is forthcoming. He will also have two new film articles in the second big issue of the new cult film magazine MONDO CULT, also forthcoming.
John DeChancie is the author of over two dozen books, fiction and nonfiction, and has written for periodicals as widely varied as Penthouse and Cult Movies. His novels in the science fiction and fantasy genres have been attracting a wide readership for more than fifteen years, and over a million copies of his books have seen print, many in foreign languages.
John's first work was Starrigger (Berkley/Ace ,1984), followed by Red Limit Freeway (1985) and Paradox Alley (1987), completing the Skyway Trilogy, one of the most imaginative, mind-expanding series in science fiction. Beloved of SF readers around the world, the trilogy has become a cult classic. It is no exaggeration to say that the trilogy has found a place in the hearts of readers along with the works of Heinlein, Asimov, and Clarke. Jerry Pournelle, co-author with Larry Niven of the classics The Mote in God's Eye and Lucifer's Hammer, has compared the series to the best of A. E. van Vogt, and better written. The convoluted plot takes the reader on a mind-bending journey to the end of the universe and back.
His humorous fantasy series, beginning with Castle Perilous, became a best seller for Berkley/Ace. William Morrow published MagicNet, which Booklist said was "a welcome sigh of comic relief ... shamelessly droll, literate, and thoroughly entertaining. Magicnet is the fantasy genre's whimsical answer to Neuromancer." He has also written in the horror genre. His short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and in numerous original anthologies, the latest of which is Spell Fantastic. His story collection, Other States of Being, was recently published by Pulpless.com, Inc., an online and print-on-demand publisher.
He currently lives in Los Angeles and is at work writing novels, articles, short stories, and screenplays. His latest book was the short story collection THE LITTLE GRAY BOOK OF ALIEN STORIES published by Borderlands Press. John's most recent short story publication was in the original anthology SPACE CADETS, edited by Mike Resnick and published by LAcon IV, the 64th World Science Fiction Convention. The book was published in both limited and trade hardback editions. The book is available here . He has just completed a mystery novel and information on this new book (something different from anything he has ever written) is forthcoming. He will also have two new film articles in the second big issue of the new cult film magazine MONDO CULT, also forthcoming.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 9, 2025
This is the seventh book in a fantasy series that was remarkably popular in the late '80s - early '90s. The setting a castle with 144,000 doors that open into different worlds and situations. I liked this one a bit more than the previous one as I recall, as it's a return to a more traditional narrative form, but less than the earliest books in the series because the focus is almost entirely on madcap humor instead of any serious character relations. It had always been a fun series, but not an altogether humorous one, and this one seemed the silliest of the bunch so far. One of the strengths in the first four had been serious events that played against the humorous ones in good contrast that highlight one another. As always, there are some pop-culture and computer references and '80s (and earlier) attitudes that have, of course, gone a little stale. Lord Incaradine's party goes out of control due to a malfunctioning defense system, and everyone is sent off on a mad trip through unlikely realms. As always, Castle Perilous books are a good early example of cozy-fantasy, for fans of Asprin's Myth, Anthony's Xanth, or perhaps Terry Pratchett, though the series was losing steam by this time.
January 8, 2022
Back on track in #7, I enjoyed following the same characters I have grown used to, as they embarked on another set of crazy adventures. I'm not altogether certain of the direction the relationships of some of the characters have taken, but I'm sure it will all sort itself out in #8 (which I have not yet purchased). We shall see.
July 14, 2017
Uncork and unleash the Genie.
What happens when you have your wishes.
Granted in overkill.
Some interesting scenes. Mingled with some over the top antics.
Not a bad idea and plot.
At the same time.
Just seems spread too thin, and long.
The way it is presented. Through the story.
What happens when you have your wishes.
Granted in overkill.
Some interesting scenes. Mingled with some over the top antics.
Not a bad idea and plot.
At the same time.
Just seems spread too thin, and long.
The way it is presented. Through the story.
May 14, 2021
Light and entertaining! This one got back to being more like the first four novels.
January 7, 2025
Fun
Each one of these is different than the last. Here's hoping the series continues creatively onwards for the foreseeable future.
Each one of these is different than the last. Here's hoping the series continues creatively onwards for the foreseeable future.
July 24, 2011
I found myself less than enchanted with Castle Spellbound, book 7 of 8 of the Castle Perilous seris by John Dechancie. Seven books into the series and there is a clear sence that this one was forced. The plot felt weak and redundant. DeChancie has already milked this story for all it's worth and this one really came across as quick write to pay some bills.
The shining star however is DeChancie's writing. Still as eleoquent as ever. Spellbound is chock full of words worth of SAT tests and prose as classy as can be found in Shakespearian works. The writer is still capable enough of pulling togehter a story that is reading and barely enjoyable. A lesser writer would have destoryed the series by now.
There is one more book thankfully in this tired series. I hope he brings it back to something more entertaining. As it stands after book seven he should let sleeping dogs lie. Here's to hoping...
The shining star however is DeChancie's writing. Still as eleoquent as ever. Spellbound is chock full of words worth of SAT tests and prose as classy as can be found in Shakespearian works. The writer is still capable enough of pulling togehter a story that is reading and barely enjoyable. A lesser writer would have destoryed the series by now.
There is one more book thankfully in this tired series. I hope he brings it back to something more entertaining. As it stands after book seven he should let sleeping dogs lie. Here's to hoping...
March 17, 2016
Давно я не писала про Замок. А ведь дочитала его еще в октябре, и, благополучно порадовавшись удачной концовке (безо всяких там to be continued и откровенной мутотени), вообще про него думать забыла.
К седьмой книге я подустала от манеры ДДЧ придумывать какие-то приключения для героев в одном и том же ключе. Ну, попал Джин опять в какой-то мир, из которого не может выбраться. Ну, наколдовал кто-то себе целый замок какой-то ереси. Ну, порубил Снеголап толпищу врагов. Скучно и однообразно до зубного скрежета. Хотелось чего-нибудь связанного с будущей «Невестой замка», какие-то намеки на эпичное завершение серии, но фиг мне. Одна книга — одна история.
По мне так герои абсолютно не развиваются. Знаю, что придираюсь, но блин! Что первые книги, что седьмая — только скиллы у них прокачались ._.
А еще Джин и Линда наконец начинают мутить, причем на целых двух страницах, чтобы читателю неповадно было увлекаться одной-единственной романтической линией в серии.
Вообщем, не ахти.
К седьмой книге я подустала от манеры ДДЧ придумывать какие-то приключения для героев в одном и том же ключе. Ну, попал Джин опять в какой-то мир, из которого не может выбраться. Ну, наколдовал кто-то себе целый замок какой-то ереси. Ну, порубил Снеголап толпищу врагов. Скучно и однообразно до зубного скрежета. Хотелось чего-нибудь связанного с будущей «Невестой замка», какие-то намеки на эпичное завершение серии, но фиг мне. Одна книга — одна история.
По мне так герои абсолютно не развиваются. Знаю, что придираюсь, но блин! Что первые книги, что седьмая — только скиллы у них прокачались ._.
А еще Джин и Линда наконец начинают мутить, причем на целых двух страницах, чтобы читателю неповадно было увлекаться одной-единственной романтической линией в серии.
Вообщем, не ахти.
August 30, 2010
A once great fantasy series starts circling the drain. DeChancie becomes more concerned with being funny and the plots got paper thin.
Shame as this was a great series and I liked the setting and the cast.
Not a horrible book, as the humor is at least funny and I do like the cast, but the story just kind of meanders from joke to joke.
Shame as this was a great series and I liked the setting and the cast.
Not a horrible book, as the humor is at least funny and I do like the cast, but the story just kind of meanders from joke to joke.
July 5, 2011
I read all the Castle Books as they came out. I seem to remember loving them...
July 18, 2013
Pretty good for a light fantasy. =)
September 1, 2016
Nice, lightweight humorous fantasy series that I read back in the 90s. Amusing, but not as good as the Discworld series in the same genre.
March 22, 2015
Love these books great for a quick fun read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews