The Warlock Unlocked

by Christopher Stasheff

When the pope receives a message from a thousand years in the past he decides to send someone to investigate Rod Gallowglass, who is living as a warlock on the planet Gramarye

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic, Speculative Fiction, Humor

282 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 1982

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]

The Warlock series is an excellent science-fantasy series in which Stasheff blended some of the best conventions of both genres. Rod Gallowglass is an interstellar agent charged with protecting the telepathic natives, but soon marries Gwen and they have four children... who take mostly after their mother. Stasheff really hit his stride in this third volume, as Gwen and three of the kids are swept along for the adventure. Some of the political philosophizing grows just a bit tedious, but it's altogether a fun family adventure and a fine page-turner of a novel.

[Abigail]

I liked this one quite a bit more than the two previous Warlock books. I think it benefited from having actual chapters as it made it tighter. (As opposed to sprawling, undefined parts. Pratchett doesn't need chapters; I think Stasheff does.) Half of it was from a different perspective than Rod's so that may have helped too.

M.C.A. Hogarth has hosted discussions on her blog about how in many fantasy (and other) novels adventuring seems to stop once the heroes become parents. Not so in this series! Indeed, the children (toddlers!) tag along. And Gwen is simply awesome.

[Stuart Schneider]

This book was as good, if not better than King Kobold revised. I love how the democratic concepts of the separation of church and state were wrapped into the scientific postulation of alternate realities and time travel. I also loved the idea that God spoke thru the Pope (or his alternate reality alternatives) and this concept was able to remain true throughout the alternate realities no matter what. We do not see much evidence at all about there being the three forms of power (divine, devilish/demonish, and mundane/man made), but I plan on enjoying the testing of this theory as these novels go on. I am not sure about the alternate reality flipping device that brought the main characters to the universe they experience throughout the novel and it’s explanation as to how and why it was there in the first place, but for now I will accept that it was used by the anarchists/warlords/etc. to try to circumvent the efforts of Rod. Where it was and how it was developed I guess simply has to be taken on faith, although their use of it in this novel was very sloppy. I would expect more precision from time travelers/alternate universe travelers in targeting just the warlord’s home rather than putting it in a nearby glade for anyone to walk past. Onward!

[Emmalyn Renato]

A well-crafted blend of science fiction and fantasy. This one finds Rod and family (including three of their kids aged 3, 5 and 8) trapped in an alternate universe where magic is real, fighting for their lives. Back on Gramarye, there's a battle between Church and State (that Rod badly needs to get back to, to rectify things). It's not literature, but it's a fun break from more serious books. I liked it better than the last one, even with the scarcity of puns.

[James]

At this rate I've learned to expect whimsical, easygoing adventures with Rod Gallowglass and company. My only complaint is that my favorite character (Fess the robot horse) was slapped into a sideline position.

[James]

Christopher Stasheff taught Communications at a small college in New Jersey for a number of years. About six years ago, he and his wife (and four children, who were the models for the Gallowglass kids) moved to Illinois, where he has been writing full-time.

[Anna]

[4.5*]

[Nathan]

Now, he's a warlock!

[Brandon Mccarrick]

Excellent story. Rod Gallowglass learns more about his power, with the help of a Cathodean priest.

[Colin]

As I mentioned previously, I bought a whole stack of this series for $0.25 each at a local used book store (Zia Records on Thunderbird Rd. in Phoenix, AZ), mostly because I was drawn to the vintage "Appendix N" feel of the cover art and description - a planet where psionic settlers from a futuristic SCA-analog have created a place where "magic" is real, and a traveler from Earth who has come to protect this world from outside interference is dubbed "the High Warlock" for his unfamiliar technology perceived as "magic" by the natives. This one involves an incipient struggle between Church and State, and a detour diversion to an alternate universe. Not great literature by any means, but fun.

[Cindy]

I started this one not knowing that it was somewhere it the middle of a series. I have to admit that it got a little complicated in places, so it probably would have helped to start at the beginning. I did enjoy the basic plot line about Rod and Gwen. Rod is the High Warlock of Gramarye, but he comes from another place and time. It is his wife and kids who have the real magical talent. His son goes missing and Rod sets off to find him and is trapped in a distant part of the land. He is soon joined by his family and must make his way back home.

[Jim Razinha]

Fun addition to "...in Spite of Himself" and the start of a lengthy series with several spawns. "Start" because while The Warlock in Spite of Himself was first, and A Wizard in Bedlam technically second, this kicked off the broader arcs. I read it long ago, but it came back as I went through it again. Nice memories.

[Fellini]

Средненькое фэнтези, для чтения "по дороге" подходит.
Милая планета, смешавшая в себе приметы разных веков, волшебство и путешествия сквозь световые годы. Довольно простой сюжет, но с намёками на интриги и засланцев из будущего куда попало. В главном герое периодически проявляется классическая Мэрисья, видимо, с личной жизнью и самоутверждением у Сташеффа бывали проблемы =)

[Carole]

I found this one quite unexpected, but both enjoyable and interesting. I almost want to read it again to see if there was anything I missed. I'm sure I will be rereading it at some point. This series is fascinating me.

[Cheryl]

In this 3rd book of the Warlock Series by Christopher Stasheff, Rod, Gwen, and 3 of their 4 children are whisked away to another world where True Magic works. Poor baby Gregory is left at home in Gramarye without his Momma and how are they to get home.

[Arlene Allen]

Don't really remember the series but I did read lot of them.

[Kione]

Entertaining.
A quick and easy read.

[Peter]

Good fun series -

[Ginger Heskett]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14346128

[Lynn]

This was a good one in the series. I could hardly put it down.

[Vader]

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish

[Maria Walker]

Very enjoyable author, some unresolved issues in the story line but very enjoyable story. Interesting treatment of ideas and abilities in this 'world'. Works well as a follow on book, but, it could stand alone if needed.