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Rogue Agent #2
Witches Incorporated
It's a case of espionage, skullduggery and serious unpleasantness
And it's also Gerald's first official government assignment. He's hunting down a deadly saboteur, and time is quickly running out. Old enemies and new combine forces to thwart him. Once again, innocent lives are on the line. He needs his friends. He can't do this alone.
But Princess Melissande and Reg have troubles of their own. With the help of Monk Markham's brilliant, beautiful sister, they've opened a one-stop-shop witching locum agency, where magical problems are solved for a price. Problem is, the girls are struggling to keep the business afloat. Things are looking grim for Witches Incorporated - and that's before they accidentally cross paths with Gerald's saboteur.
Suddenly everybody's lives are on the line and Gerald realizes, too late, that there's a reason government agents aren't supposed to have friends ...
WITCHES INCORPORATED is the second novel in the Rogue Agent trilogy, from one of fantasy's newest stars.
And it's also Gerald's first official government assignment. He's hunting down a deadly saboteur, and time is quickly running out. Old enemies and new combine forces to thwart him. Once again, innocent lives are on the line. He needs his friends. He can't do this alone.
But Princess Melissande and Reg have troubles of their own. With the help of Monk Markham's brilliant, beautiful sister, they've opened a one-stop-shop witching locum agency, where magical problems are solved for a price. Problem is, the girls are struggling to keep the business afloat. Things are looking grim for Witches Incorporated - and that's before they accidentally cross paths with Gerald's saboteur.
Suddenly everybody's lives are on the line and Gerald realizes, too late, that there's a reason government agents aren't supposed to have friends ...
WITCHES INCORPORATED is the second novel in the Rogue Agent trilogy, from one of fantasy's newest stars.
580 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2009
48 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
K.E. Mills
10 books232 followers"K.E. Mills" is a pseudonym of "Karen Miller"
I was born in Vancouver, Canada, and came to Australia with my parents when I was 2. I think. Dad’s an Aussie, Mum’s English, go figure. Talk about Fate and Destiny. But three passports come in handy.
I’ve always lived in Sydney, except when I didn’t. After graduating with a BA Communications from the then Institute of Technology (now University) a few years ahead of Hugh Jackman, dammit, talk about rotten timing, I headed off to England and lived there for 3 years. It was interesting. I worked for a bunch of nutters in a community health centre and got the sack because I refused to go do EST with them (you stand in the middle of a circle and thank people for hurling verbal abuse at you for your own good, they said, and then were surprised when I said no), was a customer services officer for DHL London (would you believe at one time I knew every single airport code for every single airport in the world, off by heart?!?), got roped into an extremely dubious life insurance selling scheme (I was young and broke, need I say more?) and ended up realizing a life-long dream of working professionally with horses. After 18 grueling months I woke up, and came home.
Since then I’ve done customer service in the insurance and telecommunications industries, been a training officer, PR Officer in local government, production assistant in educational publishing, taught English and Business Communication at TAFE, been a supervisor and run my own sf/fantasy/mystery bookshop. Money for jam, there! I also managed to squeeze in a Master’s Degree in Children’s Literature from Macquarie University.
I used to have horses of my own, and spent lots of time and money showing, breeding, training and judging, but then I came off one time too many and so a large part of my life ended.
When I’m not writing I’m heavily involved in the Castle Hill Players, my local community theatre group, as an actor, director, prompt, stage manager (but not all at once!) and publicity officer.
I’m a story junkie. Books, film, tv ... you name it. Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica (the new series), Stargate, Firefly, X-Men, Buffy, Angel, Supernatural, The Professionals, Forever Knight, Due South, The West Wing, The Shield, Sandbaggers, Homicide, Wiseguy, The Shield, The Closer ... and the list goes on. And that’s just the media stuff!
I love music. While writing I listen primarily to film soundtracks, because they’ve been written primarily to evoke emotional responses in the listener. This helps access emotion during tough scenes. Plus, the music is pretty. At least the stuff I listen to is. Favourite film composers include Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, James Horner and John Williams. Vocalists I enjoy are Josh Groban, Russell Watson, Sarah McLachlan, Simon and Garfunkel , Queen, The Moody Blues, Steeleye Span, Meatloaf, Mike Oldfield ... anyone who can carry a tune, basically.
In short, I’m an only child with an overactive imagination, 3 dogs, 2 cats and not enough hours in the day. I don’t drink, smoke, or do enough exercise. I make periodic stabs at eating properly. Chocolate is my besetting downfall.
So that’s me. You can wake up now ...
I was born in Vancouver, Canada, and came to Australia with my parents when I was 2. I think. Dad’s an Aussie, Mum’s English, go figure. Talk about Fate and Destiny. But three passports come in handy.
I’ve always lived in Sydney, except when I didn’t. After graduating with a BA Communications from the then Institute of Technology (now University) a few years ahead of Hugh Jackman, dammit, talk about rotten timing, I headed off to England and lived there for 3 years. It was interesting. I worked for a bunch of nutters in a community health centre and got the sack because I refused to go do EST with them (you stand in the middle of a circle and thank people for hurling verbal abuse at you for your own good, they said, and then were surprised when I said no), was a customer services officer for DHL London (would you believe at one time I knew every single airport code for every single airport in the world, off by heart?!?), got roped into an extremely dubious life insurance selling scheme (I was young and broke, need I say more?) and ended up realizing a life-long dream of working professionally with horses. After 18 grueling months I woke up, and came home.
Since then I’ve done customer service in the insurance and telecommunications industries, been a training officer, PR Officer in local government, production assistant in educational publishing, taught English and Business Communication at TAFE, been a supervisor and run my own sf/fantasy/mystery bookshop. Money for jam, there! I also managed to squeeze in a Master’s Degree in Children’s Literature from Macquarie University.
I used to have horses of my own, and spent lots of time and money showing, breeding, training and judging, but then I came off one time too many and so a large part of my life ended.
When I’m not writing I’m heavily involved in the Castle Hill Players, my local community theatre group, as an actor, director, prompt, stage manager (but not all at once!) and publicity officer.
I’m a story junkie. Books, film, tv ... you name it. Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica (the new series), Stargate, Firefly, X-Men, Buffy, Angel, Supernatural, The Professionals, Forever Knight, Due South, The West Wing, The Shield, Sandbaggers, Homicide, Wiseguy, The Shield, The Closer ... and the list goes on. And that’s just the media stuff!
I love music. While writing I listen primarily to film soundtracks, because they’ve been written primarily to evoke emotional responses in the listener. This helps access emotion during tough scenes. Plus, the music is pretty. At least the stuff I listen to is. Favourite film composers include Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, James Horner and John Williams. Vocalists I enjoy are Josh Groban, Russell Watson, Sarah McLachlan, Simon and Garfunkel , Queen, The Moody Blues, Steeleye Span, Meatloaf, Mike Oldfield ... anyone who can carry a tune, basically.
In short, I’m an only child with an overactive imagination, 3 dogs, 2 cats and not enough hours in the day. I don’t drink, smoke, or do enough exercise. I make periodic stabs at eating properly. Chocolate is my besetting downfall.
So that’s me. You can wake up now ...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
August 4, 2009
Oh. Dear. God. There is such a thing as characters who get amusingly distracted and carry on witty conversations with each other, and there are characters who spend three pages going back and forth on a single point while trying to get into a car, and constantly interrupting each other. Honestly, all the characters spend so much time telling each of the other characters to shut up and listen to them, or to stop arguing that if you cut all that out, the actual plot would have filled out a short story, perhaps a novella.
I was so irritated by all the characters in Witches Incorporated that I was relieved to finally reach the end of this book - which is a pity, because I liked the characters when they were in the first book of the series, and thought there would be interesting stories ahead for them. I suppose not, because they can't stop having pointlessly bickering about things.
The plot itself was fine, and it works well as a kind of fluffy mystery with secret agent elements, but the characters and the endless dialogue ruined the story for me.
I was so irritated by all the characters in Witches Incorporated that I was relieved to finally reach the end of this book - which is a pity, because I liked the characters when they were in the first book of the series, and thought there would be interesting stories ahead for them. I suppose not, because they can't stop having pointlessly bickering about things.
The plot itself was fine, and it works well as a kind of fluffy mystery with secret agent elements, but the characters and the endless dialogue ruined the story for me.
September 19, 2014
I wish I could sigh in print...
sigh.
I read the first in this series and thought it was pretty good. We set up a sort of magic spy agency or something like that anyway. it's not something that fits neatly into a category.
Here we're setting up a sort of witch detective agency. It starts out okay but for some reason it just ground down to a stultifying slow yawner. I mean she stays with the humor (though I wasn't as into it this time so much...invisible sprites leaving invisible sprite "poop" all around, including on people, is humorous. Okay).
Still I forged onward bored and wishing things would draw me in. We tell our story, reach our climax (which speeds things up a modicum) and frankly I'm relieved to be able to move on to another boo.
I don't know. I think the problem here is that book leans very heavily on it's cuteness/humor and this time I wasn't drawn in. I wasn't charmed. Too bad.
Will I read the next? I doubt it. I won't be reading it soon anyway. See what you think.
sigh.
I read the first in this series and thought it was pretty good. We set up a sort of magic spy agency or something like that anyway. it's not something that fits neatly into a category.
Here we're setting up a sort of witch detective agency. It starts out okay but for some reason it just ground down to a stultifying slow yawner. I mean she stays with the humor (though I wasn't as into it this time so much...invisible sprites leaving invisible sprite "poop" all around, including on people, is humorous. Okay).
Still I forged onward bored and wishing things would draw me in. We tell our story, reach our climax (which speeds things up a modicum) and frankly I'm relieved to be able to move on to another boo.
I don't know. I think the problem here is that book leans very heavily on it's cuteness/humor and this time I wasn't drawn in. I wasn't charmed. Too bad.
Will I read the next? I doubt it. I won't be reading it soon anyway. See what you think.
June 4, 2011
Three and a half stars; rating it upwards due to it coming together in the last half of the book. Feels like a young adult book; it's overall style reminds me a great deal of Patricia Wrede's Dealing With Dragons stories. Overall minimal world-building, with a main focus on how characters interact with each other--lots of jousting dialogue. A common epithet is "Saint Snodgrass," so you quickly get a sense of the silly. I picked this up on a whim, not having read the first book. One of the initial scenes has a main character, Gerald, revisiting decisions made in the past, and as we are introduced to the three other protagonists, they refer to a troubled past as well. I get the sense of it being a moral crisis for Gerald, and occupational turning point for Melissande, but it's not anything that hinders enjoyment of the current story. For the most part, the characters are focused on current issues, but part of the issues involve how they are creating and defining themselves, which includes how they are dealing with past decisions.
The women of the group--three of them, if you count the transformed human Reg--have set up a "witches' service" business, and are trying to improve business. They take on a frivolous case and it soon leads to another case that intersects with Gerald's own investigations.
I didn't rate this book higher because I felt characterization lacking. We are supposed to believe that Mel was a princess and had some responsibility in her prior home, she's the one that's most self-doubting, cautious and worrying, and is hen-pecked by the bird into worrying about the size of her bottom, while the wizardly one is impetuous, unselfconscious and manipulative in her 'cuteness.' I actually kept getting the two mixed up at first, thinking that the princess would be the self-centered, manipulative one.
Far too much of their daily dialogue focuses around deeply embedded emotional issues. It seems to me that one doesn't bring up personal grievances every time one gets a chance, especially with friends. We quickly learn that Mel wears men's clothes for comfort and Binnie feels left out that her uncle didn't think she should be left any inheritance because she's a "gel," which seems to be a derogatory slang for a girl, perhaps working girl (no, not that way). So we're given the premise of a sexist society, yet we witness Mel and Bibbie picking at each other, or the hexed-into-bird-shape Reg, or either of their guy friends. I'm all about consciousness raising, but desire to be treated like a grown up doesn't translate into acting like one, and these two need to act like friends, not competitors. The romance, however budding, between Monk and Mel, and perhaps Gerald and Bibbie, is very circumspect, and we know about it mostly because we are told, rather than shown. I don't particularly mind as I don't enjoy a lot of romance in my books, but it fell flat.
I felt the tone was consistently light and enjoyable. As the characters were given more to learn and do, they stopped picking at each other as much. The plot became interesting as the two cases converged, and the resolution satisfactory. I'll catch the next book from the library.
The women of the group--three of them, if you count the transformed human Reg--have set up a "witches' service" business, and are trying to improve business. They take on a frivolous case and it soon leads to another case that intersects with Gerald's own investigations.
I didn't rate this book higher because I felt characterization lacking. We are supposed to believe that Mel was a princess and had some responsibility in her prior home, she's the one that's most self-doubting, cautious and worrying, and is hen-pecked by the bird into worrying about the size of her bottom, while the wizardly one is impetuous, unselfconscious and manipulative in her 'cuteness.' I actually kept getting the two mixed up at first, thinking that the princess would be the self-centered, manipulative one.
Far too much of their daily dialogue focuses around deeply embedded emotional issues. It seems to me that one doesn't bring up personal grievances every time one gets a chance, especially with friends. We quickly learn that Mel wears men's clothes for comfort and Binnie feels left out that her uncle didn't think she should be left any inheritance because she's a "gel," which seems to be a derogatory slang for a girl, perhaps working girl (no, not that way). So we're given the premise of a sexist society, yet we witness Mel and Bibbie picking at each other, or the hexed-into-bird-shape Reg, or either of their guy friends. I'm all about consciousness raising, but desire to be treated like a grown up doesn't translate into acting like one, and these two need to act like friends, not competitors. The romance, however budding, between Monk and Mel, and perhaps Gerald and Bibbie, is very circumspect, and we know about it mostly because we are told, rather than shown. I don't particularly mind as I don't enjoy a lot of romance in my books, but it fell flat.
I felt the tone was consistently light and enjoyable. As the characters were given more to learn and do, they stopped picking at each other as much. The plot became interesting as the two cases converged, and the resolution satisfactory. I'll catch the next book from the library.
July 6, 2020
This was such a fun read and amazing sequel to the first one. All of the characters are different from one another, yet they all manage to work together. I love the magic, the banter, and all of the exciting things that happen throughout the novel. My absolute favorite part had to be the rigged bake-off which was revealed due to a naughty creature. Overall, it was a good fun read.
dnf
June 26, 2019I dnef 6 months ago, I tried again. Nope, giving up. page 120 smth and it is just trying to be too funny. Overkill
July 16, 2012
I think I may like this, the second book in the Rogue Agent series, better than the first. The first book was setting up the situation, but then this one was more of a fun adventure that got to play with the characters and situations I fell in love with in the first book. Our hero Gerald has been tested and trained to be a kind of magical secret agent, and while he's off doing the testing and training and then going off on his first assignment, he hasn't been allowed to see his friends. In his absence, his best friend Monk has inherited a house that gives him room to conduct his crazy magical experiments, and Princess Melissande (from the first book) has escaped her royal duties to go into business with Monk's kid sister and Reg, the witch queen trapped in the body of a bird, in a sort of "No. 1 Ladies' Magical Detective Agency." A seemingly petty case reunites them with Gerald when their paths cross, and he has to decide between following orders and having success with his case by getting help from his friends.
I LOVE these characters, and after plowing through this book I immediately wanted more. It's usually the guys that get me into a book, and while I adore Gerald as a hero and would love reading any book with him in it, I also would be totally willing to read a book entirely about "the girls" (as they're referred to in the story) because they're the kind of female characters who can carry a book for me. "Princess Pushy" (as Reg calls her) is so delightfully stubborn and practical. Reg is a hoot. And the kid sister, Bibbie, seems like the kind of character I'd hate -- basically a Barbie doll, ridiculously gorgeous and seems like an airhead -- but then she turns out to be something of a mad genius who does not like being patronized.
I was surprised when I went to Amazon to see when the next book was coming to find that the reader reviews were pretty negative. I feel like these books are the closest I've found to being along the lines of my Enchanted, Inc. series -- that scratch that particular itch -- without me having to write them. The setting is different, but I think the tone and characters are similar in style. Gerald, Monk and Owen would totally be best friends (and the world might not be safe if the three of them teamed up), and Katie might fit in with the girls, even if she would want to knock their heads together every so often.
I LOVE these characters, and after plowing through this book I immediately wanted more. It's usually the guys that get me into a book, and while I adore Gerald as a hero and would love reading any book with him in it, I also would be totally willing to read a book entirely about "the girls" (as they're referred to in the story) because they're the kind of female characters who can carry a book for me. "Princess Pushy" (as Reg calls her) is so delightfully stubborn and practical. Reg is a hoot. And the kid sister, Bibbie, seems like the kind of character I'd hate -- basically a Barbie doll, ridiculously gorgeous and seems like an airhead -- but then she turns out to be something of a mad genius who does not like being patronized.
I was surprised when I went to Amazon to see when the next book was coming to find that the reader reviews were pretty negative. I feel like these books are the closest I've found to being along the lines of my Enchanted, Inc. series -- that scratch that particular itch -- without me having to write them. The setting is different, but I think the tone and characters are similar in style. Gerald, Monk and Owen would totally be best friends (and the world might not be safe if the three of them teamed up), and Katie might fit in with the girls, even if she would want to knock their heads together every so often.
July 6, 2009
This is a sequel to The Apprentice Wizard which I liked. This one was good too, but in an odd way. I was in the mood for a light book, which this was, sort of. The style and dialogue and even the plot tends to be light, but the reactions of the characters is not. It is like watching James Bond and then having all the spies agonize over the killing. It throws you out of the story and makes you see that all the violence is bad and a normal person couldn't jump into being a spy without some deep soul searching and regrets. It was handled well, not over the top and preachy, nor tear laden and melodramatic, just sincere.
So here we have a light spy/fantasy book with some deep morality issues. I can't decide if I liked the book because of this, or in spite of it.
I like the setting as well. Fantasy books have really started to branch out in the last few years, no more strictly medieval castles. This one is set in a sort of Edwardian period, lots of rules yet an awareness that maybe the rules should be changed. This time was the real era of suffragettes and progressive government as well as lots of new scientific discoveries. Mills got the feel of the era down well, and then put magic in.
I am interested in where the series is going and what she will do with the characters now she has them all working together.
So here we have a light spy/fantasy book with some deep morality issues. I can't decide if I liked the book because of this, or in spite of it.
I like the setting as well. Fantasy books have really started to branch out in the last few years, no more strictly medieval castles. This one is set in a sort of Edwardian period, lots of rules yet an awareness that maybe the rules should be changed. This time was the real era of suffragettes and progressive government as well as lots of new scientific discoveries. Mills got the feel of the era down well, and then put magic in.
I am interested in where the series is going and what she will do with the characters now she has them all working together.
March 7, 2015
Needed more Gerald.
Melissande is interesting, but she gets too bossy and downright mean. I'd blame it on too much exposure to Reg, but she was that way before she met Reg. I guess I can blame it on Lional. Basically, the characters do a bit too much arguing with each other, and blaming each other, and not enough of being humble and saying thanks.
That said, I liked the way this book went, with the Rogue Agent job and idea. I wanted to wring the beaurocrats'/politicians' necks the whole way, but that's normal. I expect KM was trying for that. Really, though, Gerald could have done a few things a bit differently to try and placate them better.
I really like how scared everyone is by Gerald's powers, and I love the fact that the dampener prevents him from using his full potentia. What a great drawback in order to make the story interesting. I also liked his dealings with Errol.
I did not predict the end, who was responsible and why and how and et cetera. Yes, I had my theories, but I couldn't honestly lean toward one with assurance until the book characters found out the culprits. That surprise was a plus.
I can't say I like Bibbie much.
Paraphrased quotes:
"Out here, the squirrels outnumbered the humans 5 to 1." What a great way to say "rural."
"Could eyelashes ache?" A vivid way to describe how exhausted one is.
Melissande is interesting, but she gets too bossy and downright mean. I'd blame it on too much exposure to Reg, but she was that way before she met Reg. I guess I can blame it on Lional. Basically, the characters do a bit too much arguing with each other, and blaming each other, and not enough of being humble and saying thanks.
That said, I liked the way this book went, with the Rogue Agent job and idea. I wanted to wring the beaurocrats'/politicians' necks the whole way, but that's normal. I expect KM was trying for that. Really, though, Gerald could have done a few things a bit differently to try and placate them better.
I really like how scared everyone is by Gerald's powers, and I love the fact that the dampener prevents him from using his full potentia. What a great drawback in order to make the story interesting. I also liked his dealings with Errol.
I did not predict the end, who was responsible and why and how and et cetera. Yes, I had my theories, but I couldn't honestly lean toward one with assurance until the book characters found out the culprits. That surprise was a plus.
I can't say I like Bibbie much.
Paraphrased quotes:
"Out here, the squirrels outnumbered the humans 5 to 1." What a great way to say "rural."
"Could eyelashes ache?" A vivid way to describe how exhausted one is.
June 15, 2009
I enjoyed the first novel in this trilogy, The Accidental Sorcerer, and while the action changes location here (from the more traditional fantasy land to an alternate modern-day life), this is still good fun.
I have to admit a soft spot for anyone who dedicates a novel to David Tennant from Dr Who, and this does indeed have a very Who-ish flavour to the humour and the adventure. Gerald is good value as the anti-hero, and the cast of supporting players are fun, even if they can be a little bit cliched their deliberate rebellion against traditional fantasy roles.
I look forward to the next novel, but in the meantime I will have to get hold of some of her other works (she writes Star Wars universe novels as well as her other books under the name of Karen Miller).
I have to admit a soft spot for anyone who dedicates a novel to David Tennant from Dr Who, and this does indeed have a very Who-ish flavour to the humour and the adventure. Gerald is good value as the anti-hero, and the cast of supporting players are fun, even if they can be a little bit cliched their deliberate rebellion against traditional fantasy roles.
I look forward to the next novel, but in the meantime I will have to get hold of some of her other works (she writes Star Wars universe novels as well as her other books under the name of Karen Miller).
October 26, 2011
I read the first book in this series, Accidental Sorcerer, and didn't love it. But, it had some promise and I was hoping that the series would take a turn for the better. Alas, this has to be one of the most annoying books I've read in a while. If you are someone who enjoys listening to two girls and a female bird incessantly nattering away at each other, then maybe this is the book for you. Otherwise, if you can imagine a fingernail screeching down a chalkboard, that is what the conversations feel like.
Karen, what were you thinking? We loved the Kingmaker series, give us more of that! Not this Robert Asprin-esque writing style. The only thing that could have made this book worse is if you threw in some vampires.
Karen, what were you thinking? We loved the Kingmaker series, give us more of that! Not this Robert Asprin-esque writing style. The only thing that could have made this book worse is if you threw in some vampires.
August 3, 2009
Significantly lighter in tone than the first book in the serious, I didn't enjoy this one *quite* as much, due to what felt a bit like fluffy filler in the middle. That said, I adore these characters, especially Reg, the witty, cantankerous witch-in-bird-form, and Gerald, a rogue wizard who gives the story much more depth and darkness. The humor is delightful, and there's a good bit of drama, as well--the tone shifts often, but it's definitely growing on me.
I'm really looking forward to Book 3, which will focus on Monk Markham, an often-scatterbrained wizardly inventor.
I'm really looking forward to Book 3, which will focus on Monk Markham, an often-scatterbrained wizardly inventor.
July 2, 2019
7/10, rounded up for enjoyment
August 27, 2009
Genre: Urban High Fantasy/Mystery
The adventures continue. I enjoyed this novel as much as the first one (_The Accidental Sorcerer_). Again, the cover and blurb text is misleading - the tone of the book is not lighthearted. It's serious, but occasionally funny. This time Gerald shares the point-of-view spotlight with Mel (short for Her Royal Highness Princess Melissande of New Ottosland). Mills continues her habit of making her character’s lives difficult: At the end of the first book Mel traipsed off to Ottosland to become a witch. It turns out that she had no aptitude. So instead she opens a business, Witches, Inc. with her boyfriend's sister Bibbie. Bibbie seems designed to be Mel's nightmare - she looks like the beautiful vision that everyone expects a princess to be, and on top of that she's a magical genius (just like her brothers); but despite very realistic twinges of jealous they get along well. Even while the business is having trouble finding it's feet. Unfortunately for them (but fortunately for the reader) their big break leads them on a collision course with Gerald's very first assignment as a very junior janitor (a.k.a. a government spy). Hi-jinx ensues.
Like most high fantasy the plot is full of action, adventure and almost incredible coincidences; however unlike most fantasy novels - the reader is actually _shown_ the hero being a surprisingly good guy. We're not just told he's a good guy: Early in the novel, Gerald is essentially subjugated to the Milgram test (classic phych experiment, one of the results of which was the creation of the U.S. Human Subjects Committee, and requiring a review of almost all experiment proposals involving humans before the experiments can be preformed). Gerald refuses to push the button. Looking at the Milgram results, that makes Gerald a very rare individual! He wallows in regret over the bad guys that he couldn't save. Again, a very unusual (but refreshing) character trait for a fantasy action hero! Repeatedly Gerald is subjected to situations with nasty choices; and each time he comes out a true hero, if somewhat battered by having to make the choices. Unlike most authors, Mills allows the reader to see and to trust that Gerald will make the best moral/ethical choices he can. Similarly, Mills shows the other characters also having realistic psychological reactions to violence and such things as discovering that one's brother was a psychopath. Again, I found this refreshing in my fiction - although this is a lot of why the book feels much heavier and more serious to me than the tone of the cover and marketing blurb might suggest.
The adventures continue. I enjoyed this novel as much as the first one (_The Accidental Sorcerer_). Again, the cover and blurb text is misleading - the tone of the book is not lighthearted. It's serious, but occasionally funny. This time Gerald shares the point-of-view spotlight with Mel (short for Her Royal Highness Princess Melissande of New Ottosland). Mills continues her habit of making her character’s lives difficult: At the end of the first book Mel traipsed off to Ottosland to become a witch. It turns out that she had no aptitude. So instead she opens a business, Witches, Inc. with her boyfriend's sister Bibbie. Bibbie seems designed to be Mel's nightmare - she looks like the beautiful vision that everyone expects a princess to be, and on top of that she's a magical genius (just like her brothers); but despite very realistic twinges of jealous they get along well. Even while the business is having trouble finding it's feet. Unfortunately for them (but fortunately for the reader) their big break leads them on a collision course with Gerald's very first assignment as a very junior janitor (a.k.a. a government spy). Hi-jinx ensues.
Like most high fantasy the plot is full of action, adventure and almost incredible coincidences; however unlike most fantasy novels - the reader is actually _shown_ the hero being a surprisingly good guy. We're not just told he's a good guy: Early in the novel, Gerald is essentially subjugated to the Milgram test (classic phych experiment, one of the results of which was the creation of the U.S. Human Subjects Committee, and requiring a review of almost all experiment proposals involving humans before the experiments can be preformed). Gerald refuses to push the button. Looking at the Milgram results, that makes Gerald a very rare individual! He wallows in regret over the bad guys that he couldn't save. Again, a very unusual (but refreshing) character trait for a fantasy action hero! Repeatedly Gerald is subjected to situations with nasty choices; and each time he comes out a true hero, if somewhat battered by having to make the choices. Unlike most authors, Mills allows the reader to see and to trust that Gerald will make the best moral/ethical choices he can. Similarly, Mills shows the other characters also having realistic psychological reactions to violence and such things as discovering that one's brother was a psychopath. Again, I found this refreshing in my fiction - although this is a lot of why the book feels much heavier and more serious to me than the tone of the cover and marketing blurb might suggest.
September 2, 2010
I keep giving these four stars, and yet I think they are not four-star books, so what am I thinking? I'm thinking that when I'm not reading this book, I'm thinking about this book and planning when I will next get to read some of it. I'm thinking I read it a few pages at a time between making peanut-butter sandwiches and breaking up squabbles, wondering if I should put off the two pages I could read because I want to read more of it at one time. I'm thinking I really like the characters, even though some of my favorites may not be so fleshed out; they seem like real people that you get to know a little at a time. I'm thinking that the stories the characters know about each other, briefly referenced (how Gerald met Reg, for instance, from the first book), don't feel like I'll-tell-you-later hooks some authors use to get you to read the next book (*coughKimHarrisoncough*); you know there's a lot more to the story, and you'd like to know it, but it's OK if you never find out. I'm thinking I'm going out to the store tomorrow to buy the third one, which after finishing I will give as a gift to the friend who lent me the first two.
Now I have to bash the editors again. This is a huge improvement over the first book. It still has problems, but they're not a whole lot worse than the current lamentable average. The most egregious example by far was "You will present herself at eight o'clock." I surmise from the rest of the scene that this was written both "you/yourself" and "she/herself" and got twisted badly, perhaps in one of the very portal accidents described in the book itself.
Now I have to bash the editors again. This is a huge improvement over the first book. It still has problems, but they're not a whole lot worse than the current lamentable average. The most egregious example by far was "You will present herself at eight o'clock." I surmise from the rest of the scene that this was written both "you/yourself" and "she/herself" and got twisted badly, perhaps in one of the very portal accidents described in the book itself.
September 29, 2012
Basic Plot: Gerald takes on his first janitorial assignment, while Melissande and Bibbie start their own business up. Oddly their first case intersects with Gerald's, dropping the ladies into top-secret business.
I understand logical progression of character, and I completely understood the changes Gerald went through in this book. They made sense in light of the events of the first book. All the same, though, I wanted to like this book a lot more than I ended up liking it. It was actually hard to finish, and considering the intrigue in the plot, it shouldn't have been so hard to do. The problem with this book, though, wasn't Gerald's changes. The plot got bogged down in the details associated with the Witches, Inc group. That plotline couldn't decide what it was trying to be: feminist rant, mystery, or some kind of bizarre comedy of errors. It wasn't engaging. The feminist rants about "gels" also just went over the top. I consider myself to be a feminist, but this book's "feminism" was irritating. I'm just irritated in general. It wasn't a bad book, but the bad parts really bogged down the good parts. I'm honestly trying to figure out if the next book in the series is going to be worth the bother of reading it. I don't know.
I understand logical progression of character, and I completely understood the changes Gerald went through in this book. They made sense in light of the events of the first book. All the same, though, I wanted to like this book a lot more than I ended up liking it. It was actually hard to finish, and considering the intrigue in the plot, it shouldn't have been so hard to do. The problem with this book, though, wasn't Gerald's changes. The plot got bogged down in the details associated with the Witches, Inc group. That plotline couldn't decide what it was trying to be: feminist rant, mystery, or some kind of bizarre comedy of errors. It wasn't engaging. The feminist rants about "gels" also just went over the top. I consider myself to be a feminist, but this book's "feminism" was irritating. I'm just irritated in general. It wasn't a bad book, but the bad parts really bogged down the good parts. I'm honestly trying to figure out if the next book in the series is going to be worth the bother of reading it. I don't know.
July 18, 2012
Gerald has survived his first adventures and now is in a secret government agency. He's hunting a deadly saboteur, trying his best to appear harmless and he would love to have his friends helping him.
Princess Melissande and Reg the bird from the previous story are working with Monk Markham's sister Bibbie in a witching locum agency. They're not being very successful until they get caught up in a baking competition. They're helped by their social status. When they uncover the truth in the competition they then get asked to investigate more for their employer. This drags them into the same company as Gerald and suddenly they have to investigate things together. Gerald has to combine his job with keeping his friends safe and believing that his friends can help him.
It took a while to get into the stride of this story, and it whizzed past as the story came to it's conclusion, I really want to read more in this series. Melissande is a great character and she really comes across as mostly self-reliant but willing to let others help, particularly if she lacks the skills. Gerald has to deal with his conscience a lot and makes hard decisions of the right reasons.
Princess Melissande and Reg the bird from the previous story are working with Monk Markham's sister Bibbie in a witching locum agency. They're not being very successful until they get caught up in a baking competition. They're helped by their social status. When they uncover the truth in the competition they then get asked to investigate more for their employer. This drags them into the same company as Gerald and suddenly they have to investigate things together. Gerald has to combine his job with keeping his friends safe and believing that his friends can help him.
It took a while to get into the stride of this story, and it whizzed past as the story came to it's conclusion, I really want to read more in this series. Melissande is a great character and she really comes across as mostly self-reliant but willing to let others help, particularly if she lacks the skills. Gerald has to deal with his conscience a lot and makes hard decisions of the right reasons.
August 16, 2018
I really wanted to like it, but I had to force myself to get through like the middle 200 pages of the book. I have the third one, but I don't know if I want to read it.
I just think you could have gotten from A to B much sooner.
I just think you could have gotten from A to B much sooner.
October 4, 2020
Exciting!
Gerald's story continues with mystery, intrigue, and high stakes. Since this is Gerald, there are also lots of complicated snafus to boot.
I'm immensely pleased to see the return of Reg, Melissande and Monk. With the addition of Monk's sister, Bibbie, the little troop feels complete. The characters all play off one another well, exasperating each other thoroughly for our amusement.
And now there's a magical detective agency, one of my favorite tropes to dive into!
The mysteries are many, ranging from flying pastry to disappearing pens to exploding portals. Mix that with Gerald's strange brand of magic and it's never a dull moment. The strongest threads, though, build upon the themes of the first book: friends you can count on are priceless, do everything you can to protect others, and under no circumstances should you ever underestimate women.
That last gets increased page-time in this installment, as we learn more about the repressive aspects of this fantasy world. Traditional patriarchal attitudes are difficult to rail against, no matter what social stratum you're from. Melissande, Bibbie, and Reg are just the ladies to crush those outdated attitudes. It's a delight to watch them get furious...and then get even.
The whole tone of this book makes me think of an urban fantasy tucked snugly into a cozy mystery. Despite some darker moments of tense worry or gruesomeness, the overall feel is swift and light, making this an easy and entertaining read. With the reveal at the end, I'm looking forward to more of the same from the next installment.
Gerald's story continues with mystery, intrigue, and high stakes. Since this is Gerald, there are also lots of complicated snafus to boot.
I'm immensely pleased to see the return of Reg, Melissande and Monk. With the addition of Monk's sister, Bibbie, the little troop feels complete. The characters all play off one another well, exasperating each other thoroughly for our amusement.
And now there's a magical detective agency, one of my favorite tropes to dive into!
The mysteries are many, ranging from flying pastry to disappearing pens to exploding portals. Mix that with Gerald's strange brand of magic and it's never a dull moment. The strongest threads, though, build upon the themes of the first book: friends you can count on are priceless, do everything you can to protect others, and under no circumstances should you ever underestimate women.
That last gets increased page-time in this installment, as we learn more about the repressive aspects of this fantasy world. Traditional patriarchal attitudes are difficult to rail against, no matter what social stratum you're from. Melissande, Bibbie, and Reg are just the ladies to crush those outdated attitudes. It's a delight to watch them get furious...and then get even.
The whole tone of this book makes me think of an urban fantasy tucked snugly into a cozy mystery. Despite some darker moments of tense worry or gruesomeness, the overall feel is swift and light, making this an easy and entertaining read. With the reveal at the end, I'm looking forward to more of the same from the next installment.
March 29, 2021
8 stars
Take a healthy dose of magic, mix in Sheldon and Leonard from "Big Bang Theory", Fiona from "Shrek", a very mouthy bird that isn't a parrot and top it off with the Q Division from the 007 movies. All of this plonked down in a delightful semi-steampunk setting with airships, cars, horse-and-carriage and women's suffrage (young women are commonly referred to as 'gels').
There is plenty of dialogue, which the author has used as a clever, rather subtle tool to highlight the individual personalities of each character without stooping to the need for lengthy and tedious descriptions that would bore the stuffing out of this reader. Unfortunately, going by some of the comments posted on GR, some readers have found the dialogue off-putting, which is a pity.
There are parts that are screamingly funny and had me chuckling for hours, but this is skilfully countered with some deeply serious events. The characters are flawed, with strengths, weaknesses and issues with authority.
I could go on at some length; suffice it to say that I find this series original and captivating, and I hope that the author continues to produce a lot more stories in her "Rogue Agent" series.
Take a healthy dose of magic, mix in Sheldon and Leonard from "Big Bang Theory", Fiona from "Shrek", a very mouthy bird that isn't a parrot and top it off with the Q Division from the 007 movies. All of this plonked down in a delightful semi-steampunk setting with airships, cars, horse-and-carriage and women's suffrage (young women are commonly referred to as 'gels').
There is plenty of dialogue, which the author has used as a clever, rather subtle tool to highlight the individual personalities of each character without stooping to the need for lengthy and tedious descriptions that would bore the stuffing out of this reader. Unfortunately, going by some of the comments posted on GR, some readers have found the dialogue off-putting, which is a pity.
There are parts that are screamingly funny and had me chuckling for hours, but this is skilfully countered with some deeply serious events. The characters are flawed, with strengths, weaknesses and issues with authority.
I could go on at some length; suffice it to say that I find this series original and captivating, and I hope that the author continues to produce a lot more stories in her "Rogue Agent" series.
February 18, 2019
This installment of Rogue Agents focuses on Melissande and Monk's sister Bibbie. The ladies have set up an Agency where they use their powers to help solve peoples problems. Or they would, if anyone would hire them. When they start investigating a biscuit thief, their paths cross with Gerald, who is on the look out for a terrorist. Naturally, shenanigans occur.
A large portion of the dialogue in this book focuses on the oppression of women, or "gels". The ladies are constantly underestimated and told that they can't go onto the R&D floor because women will "mess with the ether". I felt like a better end to this book would have been for the evil wizard to actually be a girl (possibly someone from the pastry guild).
I found the writing style exhausting. Every noun has an adjective, in pretty much every sentence. I get it, everything about Gerald's world is shabby and deflated. I don't need to be beaten over the head with it.
A large portion of the dialogue in this book focuses on the oppression of women, or "gels". The ladies are constantly underestimated and told that they can't go onto the R&D floor because women will "mess with the ether". I felt like a better end to this book would have been for the evil wizard to actually be a girl (possibly someone from the pastry guild).
I found the writing style exhausting. Every noun has an adjective, in pretty much every sentence. I get it, everything about Gerald's world is shabby and deflated. I don't need to be beaten over the head with it.
May 7, 2023
Witches Incorporated – Rogue Agent Book 2 – Published 2007 - **** - Fun fantasy book with witches and wizards mixed into a who done it plot line. Mills has great characters who interact on a basis like your buddies – aggravating, overbearing, meddling, intrusive, lovable, and fun. Mister Dunwoody is the rogue agent that is undercover and working anonymously, but not very successful at hiding his identity. His cohort of friends cross his path multiple times and end up working with him to uncover the villains. I rated the book four stars. It could have been five but the fun interaction between the characters became overdone and a little tedious. Will I read the rest of the series – you bet.
March 17, 2025
Saint Snodgrass vad mycket tjafs. Saint Snodgrass nämns i var och varannan mening. Författaren verkar älska att skriva Saint Snodgrass till läsarnas fasa.
Eftersom alla i boken tjafsar om precis allt och då har något sjukligt behov att nämn Saint Snodgrass blir det väldigt många repetitioner av Saint Snodgrass.
Det går lätt åt 5 sidor med tjafs, med tillhörande Saint Snodgrass, för att få in lite folk i en bil. Man hade lätt kunnat stryka 300 sidor och fått fram en mycket bättre bok utan Saint Snodgrass. Till alla som tycker att jag nämner Saint Snodgrass lite väl många gånger ska nog hoppa över den här boken och läsa något annat, Saint Snodgrass fritt.
Eftersom alla i boken tjafsar om precis allt och då har något sjukligt behov att nämn Saint Snodgrass blir det väldigt många repetitioner av Saint Snodgrass.
Det går lätt åt 5 sidor med tjafs, med tillhörande Saint Snodgrass, för att få in lite folk i en bil. Man hade lätt kunnat stryka 300 sidor och fått fram en mycket bättre bok utan Saint Snodgrass. Till alla som tycker att jag nämner Saint Snodgrass lite väl många gånger ska nog hoppa över den här boken och läsa något annat, Saint Snodgrass fritt.
September 10, 2017
Well. This book thinks it's - I don't know. Cutting edge? More like knitting pattern edge. The central character, Gerald, remains woefully underdrawn, so the focus is drawn to existing second-tier characters and newly created ones, all of whom have more about them than the supposedly central character. Additionally, *slight spoilers* if you think 200 pages is a good place to begin the plot, this may be the book for you. Me, I prefer something with a bit of power to it, and this series is sadly lacking.
January 8, 2019
The first book was arguably better ... I understand the complain of most people that sometimes there is "too much bickering", but I guess that anyone that has siblings understands that this is actually quite realistic, so I am letting that slide.
What I cannot let slide is that the characters are behaving very irrationally at a lot of points and that somewhere along the way the book took some stereotypes too far in a lame attempt to make fun of "old fogeys" (as the book characters call them) with "old ideas".
What I cannot let slide is that the characters are behaving very irrationally at a lot of points and that somewhere along the way the book took some stereotypes too far in a lame attempt to make fun of "old fogeys" (as the book characters call them) with "old ideas".
October 25, 2018
Summary: Another amusing episode, again I enjoyed this book. Quite a nice premise with an interesting magic system. Much better well thought out plot compared to the first book
Plotline: Well thought out, quite complex. Good.
Premise: Some really interesting features and a magic system
Writing: Simple, brusque
Ending: More books to come I suspect, but very satisfactory
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: Well thought out, quite complex. Good.
Premise: Some really interesting features and a magic system
Writing: Simple, brusque
Ending: More books to come I suspect, but very satisfactory
Pace: Never a dull moment!
November 29, 2018
I loved the first book, this one was a bit of a letdown. Mainly because I can’t stand Mel, whilst Reg and Monk tried to even things out, I didn’t enjoy the beginning of the story. I liked Gerald’s part towards the end, everything before that felt like amateurs snooping and playing detective. What I did like was the potential for the next book, as well as Monk and Gerald’s friendship and the detail to the eye. Favourite character was Gerald, I haven’t decided about Sir Alec yet.
May 26, 2019
Loved this as much as I loved the first one!
It was awesome watching Bibbie and Mel cracking cases girl power for the win! My heart was in my throat a few times but they always seemed to know what to do. Those girls are my favorite
It was also awesome watching Gerald grow into his powers, as much as he is afraid of them. This was a twisting, turning, fascinating and fun magical romp
It was awesome watching Bibbie and Mel cracking cases girl power for the win! My heart was in my throat a few times but they always seemed to know what to do. Those girls are my favorite
It was also awesome watching Gerald grow into his powers, as much as he is afraid of them. This was a twisting, turning, fascinating and fun magical romp
June 20, 2019
Love how the story progresses, but have a bit of a hard time with switching the perspective from Gerald to include the Princess and Monk's sister Bibby. Their perspectives are vital to the overall story, but as they weren't heard from outside of Gerald's perspective in the first book, it just took me some getting used to.
September 24, 2023
An interesting little series. Gerald is a rogue wizard with …..unusual powers. Melissande and Bibi are starting up a Wizarding business since “gels” are not really welcome in business. Naturally their newest client is involved in the same company Gerald is investigating as a “janitor”. And let’s not mention Reg’s contribution.
August 16, 2025
An interesting fantasy novel, along the lines of the Harry Potter series. Mostly aimed at young adults I suspect. The writing needs to be tightened up a bit but it is certainly readable with fun characters. And like the Harry Potter series the author doesn't shy away from evil in the world.
I'll likely read one more maybe more if I like the next one better.
I'll likely read one more maybe more if I like the next one better.
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