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The Reluctant King #2
The Clocks of Iraz
Wizardly schemes, Jorian knew, went oft a-gley. But this time the wizard's plan seemed simple. Since ancient prophecy foretold that the clocks would save Iraz, Jorian must repair the great tower clocks that his father had built. If everything went well, Karadur could then plan the rescue of Jorian's beloved wife, Queen Estrildis, from Xylar. And Jorian would be appointed Clockmaster of Iraz, a position that would require him to break a pirate siege, placate an amorous priestess, and stay at least one step ahead of the Royal Guard of Xylar - where he was still wanted as the star attraction at a royal beheading!
190 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1971
3 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
L. Sprague de Camp
759 books312 followersLyon 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.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 31, 2015
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Jorian of Iraz is the second fantasy novel of the trilogy Jorian king of Iraz, written by Lyon Sprague De Camp.
The author sets the story in the imaginary world of Novaria, a nation that is located in an astral plane immediately under our working under different legal systems: theocracy, monarchy, republic, anarchy and where the inhabitants believe in magic, and in the in reincarnation.
The book tells the story of Jorian of Ardamai, who after becoming king of Xylar, decides to run away from his kingdom, as incumbent on him a sentence of death sentence. A Xylar exists a very effective system to prevent the monarch becomes a despot: five years from the moment he got this position, it is decapitated in a public square and throws his head to the crowd watching. One who collects this macabre trophy, succeeds the throne.
Jorian, who despite himself is not aware of this sock and truculent law, is located in the square of Xylar when the execution takes place and intercepts the crowned head, becoming the new king of Xylar. Being aware of the fate that awaits him, decides to escape and after various adventures arrives in the Republic of Ir. Here, Jorian Karadur ask for help to retrieve his wife, who has since been taken prisoner, and in return will repair the clock Lighthouse Iraz.
This book is the classic sword and sorcery style decampiano. A fantasy atypical for the canons today. We did not elves, orcs or other races aberrant and there is no clear opposition between good and evil. There are elements that recall the Greek myths, the protagonists are light years away from being heroes, magic is subject to certain scientific rules and there is a good dose of humor.
Also from the narrative transpires the strong aversion of De Camp against bureaucracy, religion and superstition, which are repeatedly made the subject of ridicule.
Although this novel, like others in the Fantacollana, it's fun and it is essential for every lover of sword and sorcery.
Jorian of Iraz is the second fantasy novel of the trilogy Jorian king of Iraz, written by Lyon Sprague De Camp.
The author sets the story in the imaginary world of Novaria, a nation that is located in an astral plane immediately under our working under different legal systems: theocracy, monarchy, republic, anarchy and where the inhabitants believe in magic, and in the in reincarnation.
The book tells the story of Jorian of Ardamai, who after becoming king of Xylar, decides to run away from his kingdom, as incumbent on him a sentence of death sentence. A Xylar exists a very effective system to prevent the monarch becomes a despot: five years from the moment he got this position, it is decapitated in a public square and throws his head to the crowd watching. One who collects this macabre trophy, succeeds the throne.
Jorian, who despite himself is not aware of this sock and truculent law, is located in the square of Xylar when the execution takes place and intercepts the crowned head, becoming the new king of Xylar. Being aware of the fate that awaits him, decides to escape and after various adventures arrives in the Republic of Ir. Here, Jorian Karadur ask for help to retrieve his wife, who has since been taken prisoner, and in return will repair the clock Lighthouse Iraz.
This book is the classic sword and sorcery style decampiano. A fantasy atypical for the canons today. We did not elves, orcs or other races aberrant and there is no clear opposition between good and evil. There are elements that recall the Greek myths, the protagonists are light years away from being heroes, magic is subject to certain scientific rules and there is a good dose of humor.
Also from the narrative transpires the strong aversion of De Camp against bureaucracy, religion and superstition, which are repeatedly made the subject of ridicule.
Although this novel, like others in the Fantacollana, it's fun and it is essential for every lover of sword and sorcery.
June 17, 2024
A bit scattershot, with lots of characters who appear and disappear and there was no strong sense of a strong narrative arc. Individual moments were pleasant to read, but the whole was less than the sum of its parts.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
March 15, 2019
really good, still a good fantasy comedy, a parody of what feels to me is the Conan stories with the talk of Godsa and ruined cities etc. Good, enjovable and short.
June 8, 2023
The second entry in L. Sprague de Camp's "The Reluctant King" trilogy, "The Clocks of Iraz" lives up to the quality of the first book, "The Goblin Tower," but only just barely.
"The Clocks of Iraz" is very much like its predecessor in that it is marked by silly but entertaining characters, a colorful and original fantasy world, and, simply put, quality writing that keeps readers engaged. There is nothing too deep about these books (no overarching themes or messages that the author wishes to convey); instead, this novel conforms to most of de Camp's other works, in that his purpose was to simply tell a fun and entertaining story, and with this thought in mind, he succeeds.
While this novel can be compared in many ways to its predecessor, there are also contrasts to be made, for better and for worse. The greatest flaw of "The Clocks of Iraz" is that, unlike the previous novel, this novel takes place in one central locale, which limits de Camp's ability to flesh out the worldbuilding that he undertook in the previous novel; for me, the worldbuilding is one of the most entertaining aspects of these books. However, having one central setting can also be seen as a blessing, as it allows for a more organized plot to take form; indeed, this is most unlike the previous novel, which felt as if it barely had a plot.
For fans of Sword and Sorcery and pulp fantasy, I would say that "The Clocks of Iraz," as well as "The Goblin Tower," are must-reads; I would also recommend them to fans of fantasy in general, but less fervently. It should also be noted that one does not necessarily have to read the previous novel in order to enjoy this one, although references to the first novel are alluded to in this story.
"The Clocks of Iraz" is very much like its predecessor in that it is marked by silly but entertaining characters, a colorful and original fantasy world, and, simply put, quality writing that keeps readers engaged. There is nothing too deep about these books (no overarching themes or messages that the author wishes to convey); instead, this novel conforms to most of de Camp's other works, in that his purpose was to simply tell a fun and entertaining story, and with this thought in mind, he succeeds.
While this novel can be compared in many ways to its predecessor, there are also contrasts to be made, for better and for worse. The greatest flaw of "The Clocks of Iraz" is that, unlike the previous novel, this novel takes place in one central locale, which limits de Camp's ability to flesh out the worldbuilding that he undertook in the previous novel; for me, the worldbuilding is one of the most entertaining aspects of these books. However, having one central setting can also be seen as a blessing, as it allows for a more organized plot to take form; indeed, this is most unlike the previous novel, which felt as if it barely had a plot.
For fans of Sword and Sorcery and pulp fantasy, I would say that "The Clocks of Iraz," as well as "The Goblin Tower," are must-reads; I would also recommend them to fans of fantasy in general, but less fervently. It should also be noted that one does not necessarily have to read the previous novel in order to enjoy this one, although references to the first novel are alluded to in this story.
October 25, 2019
After spending time reading a few other books and setting them down I wanted some “candy”; pure simple pleasure that you read and enjoy and know the goodness. Having read the series several times in the past it was easy to pick up and do just this.
The Clocks of Iraz as all in the Unbeheaded King series follows Jorian and his exploits having become the unbeheaded king (hey, read the Goblin Tower if you want to know what the title means). This is a fast action book (as is the series) that’s built for raw entertainment (would make a great short tv series). Not quit the anti-hero our friend Jorian, rather the big lug who isn’t great at any one task but is good at many. This is classical fantasy by an outstanding author with a great imagination. The places he speaks of are condensed versions of our own world that helps to make this a great story, worthy of anyone who enjoys fast reads and good story telling.
The Clocks of Iraz as all in the Unbeheaded King series follows Jorian and his exploits having become the unbeheaded king (hey, read the Goblin Tower if you want to know what the title means). This is a fast action book (as is the series) that’s built for raw entertainment (would make a great short tv series). Not quit the anti-hero our friend Jorian, rather the big lug who isn’t great at any one task but is good at many. This is classical fantasy by an outstanding author with a great imagination. The places he speaks of are condensed versions of our own world that helps to make this a great story, worthy of anyone who enjoys fast reads and good story telling.
April 30, 2019
Fazia tempo que eu queria ler algum romance de ficção científica de Sprague de Camp. Comprei esse sem nem folhear e depois fui descobrir que não era FC, e sim um sword-and-sorcery genérico, mas que cumpriu sua função de me ajudar a passar o tempo no metrô para a Barra da Tijuca. Os melhores momentos são os da sátira social, mesmo que o autor tenha mandado a sutileza às favas, e as histórias dentro da história.
February 11, 2019
7/10. Media de los 4 libros leídos del autor : 7,5/10
No sé por qué no he leído mas del autor, muy famoso en sus tiempos y cuyas novelas me han gustado bastante. Sobre todo "Que no desciendan las tinieblas"
No sé por qué no he leído mas del autor, muy famoso en sus tiempos y cuyas novelas me han gustado bastante. Sobre todo "Que no desciendan las tinieblas"
July 31, 2023
I liked the second book better than the first, probably because I was already familiar with the characters. Jorian is beginning to grow on me. I also liked the fat King Ishbahar. I can't wait to read about Jorian's wife, little Estrildis!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2020
Siguen las aventuras y desventuras de Jorian que ansía la tranquilidad de una vida con un oficio y una familia pero que se ve de nuevo envuelto en una feroz lucha por el poder
February 5, 2021
Meraviglioso come il primo! Sempre dinamico, ispira e diverte con gli imprevisti e i racconti di Jorian!
May 4, 2024
Fun. A more loquacious Conan.
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October 23, 2025The Clocks of Iraz
March 11, 2010
So I did something that I never do.
I read the 2nd book in a Trilogy before reading the first.
It had been sitting on my shelf for years and I've always been a fan of de Camp. I picked it up, forgetting it was book two and when I realized, just said - eh, what the heck.
I'm glad I did.
The book was exciting, funny, and clever with excellent dialogue and interspersed with storytelling that made the world much bigger than it's 160 pages. Now I'm excited to find book 1 and 3. I love the lead character - Jorian - who is very different from our a-typical hero type. He's gruff, a little bit ugly from a scar on his nose, doesn't like adventure, but excels at it and continually finds himself thrust into dangerous situations because his friends and associates respect his good sense and competence. All this in a world that has some very strange ideas about kingship and successions. Very original.
Recommended!
I read the 2nd book in a Trilogy before reading the first.
It had been sitting on my shelf for years and I've always been a fan of de Camp. I picked it up, forgetting it was book two and when I realized, just said - eh, what the heck.
I'm glad I did.
The book was exciting, funny, and clever with excellent dialogue and interspersed with storytelling that made the world much bigger than it's 160 pages. Now I'm excited to find book 1 and 3. I love the lead character - Jorian - who is very different from our a-typical hero type. He's gruff, a little bit ugly from a scar on his nose, doesn't like adventure, but excels at it and continually finds himself thrust into dangerous situations because his friends and associates respect his good sense and competence. All this in a world that has some very strange ideas about kingship and successions. Very original.
Recommended!
April 22, 2012
That one had been sitting on my shelf for years. I got it because it was by L. Sprague and I love his science fiction books...when I first decided to read it I found out it was fantasy, a genre I am not so much into so ended up not reading it at the time. But finally I gave it a try...and I loved it! It's fun, clever (well it's de Camp after all) and a very enjoyable read. Will be reading more of his fantasy books from now on!
April 24, 2016
Se questo romanzo non avesse avuto alle spalle "La torre di Goblin", dove le peripezie di Jorian cominciano, sarei stato più che soddisfatto di questa storia portata avanti con linearità e garbata ironia. Avendo però assaggiato varie prove di un De Camp decisamente più frizzante, mi rimane in bocca la medesima insoddisfazione che purtroppo accompagna molti sequel, seppur più che dignitosi.
September 13, 2015
De Camp wrote in the 1960s and 1970s, so his material is a bit slower and less "Game of Thrones" than most people would be comfortable with in SF today, but the humor is evident and the satire is just enough to make the book enjoyable.
November 27, 2009
Why are there not more Fantasy novels about clock repairmen?
July 25, 2013
To enjoy this book, just let yourself go with it.
June 1, 2013
Amusing, plus it's a FAST read.
May 3, 2014
Similar to The Goblin Tower but much more compact. Contains dynamic minor characters, which is pretty impressive.
April 6, 2015
Either I'm becoming accustomed to the style, or they're getting better. Whichever it is, I liked this one the best so far.
December 14, 2010
De klokken van Iraz
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews