Castle Kidnapped

Castle Perilous #3

by John DeChancie

The magical Castle Perilous malfunctions, sending its guests to wacky worlds such as a planet of golf-crazed dinosaurs and a world of Amazon women

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

216 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

From 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.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in a fantasy series that was remarkably popular in the late '80s - early '90s. It's another good continuation of the series, which features the trope of a castle with 144,000 doors that open into different worlds and situations. It's a fun book, but not an altogether humorous one (though it seemed more amusing than the previous pair to me); there are serious events that play against the humorous ones in good contrast that highlight one another. There are also some pop-culture references and '80s (and earlier) attitudes that have, of course, gone a little stale. The forces are split as characters are sent willy-nilly to exotic and unusual places like the planet of the golf-loving dinosaurs and the Amazon women planet and Pittsburgh. Lord Incarnadine is aided by new computer guy Jeremy to put things back as they should be. The Ace edition has a very cool James Gurney cover. Castle Perilous books are a good early example of cozy-fantasy, for fans of Asprin's Myth, Anthony's Xanth, or perhaps Terry Pratchett.

[Metaphorosis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars, Metaphorosis reviews

Summary
Someone is opening portals into Castle Perilous, only they don't seem to go where intended. Key guests are missing, and the castle itself is starting to act strange. Any more of this, and not only will the castle be harmed, but the universe will disappear. All the universes!

Review
As with previous entries in the series, this is simple, fairly harmless adventure fun. The tone and details haven’t aged as well as they might – it’s a little more early ’70s than the late ’80s in which it was published, but there’s nothing too hard to overlook.

The title is Castle Kidnapped, and pretty much everyone gets kidnapped here. It’s never really well explained why, but in effect we follow several groups as they either try to get back to the castle or try to resolve the situation. Some of the threads work better than others. Favorite character Snowy’s thread is weak, but DeChancie has fun with a take on Barsoom and does it thoughtfully, though the gender relations are also pretty Barsoomian.

The magic here is on the slapdash, black box side (and seems to involve a lot of violence to animals), but it’s not really the focus. The resolution is also on the thin side, and that’s a disappointment.

[Ward G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Going through the series.
This second time through. Found that there was.
One last novel to the series. That I never got to.

As before we have general theme and crisis throughout.
Bouncing back from character to character. As they go through different aspects of the tale.

Dropped it a star. Simply for the fact.
The way relationships jump together. Just don't seem real.
One pair of characters going from first aquaintance.
To madly in love, throwing themselves at each other.
Almost as soon as they are alone.

Ok some maybe due to what is going on around them.
Still, the characters coming together and romances.
Seem to just not feel legit.
Like we need romance so just throw it in.

That aside, I am enjoying reading these again.
I just can not give them high rated reviews.
Give them a try. You may like them.

[Inbal Jona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like the series, the concept, but I'm having a hard time with the flow of the plot. The story breaks into several plot occurrences that suppose to happen simultaneously, unfortunately the transitions between the different plots and the gaps in each plot is hard. It happened more than once that I needed to go back and reread one plot just to make sure I didn't miss something out. I think if there were more details in each plot like evolving the relationship of Trent and Shila with more details ( how come she is the one for Trent after so many years??? What makes her so unique in his eyes???) as well and the relationship of Gene and Vaya (How did he became her husband, what was the wedding ceremony like, what is Gene's feeling toward Vaya, not just concern , I guess....).

[Steven W · Rating 3 out of 5]

A terrific amount of fun with no substance. Our heroes are all trapped on separate worlds: Gene in an Edgar Rice Burroughs knock off, Trent in an ocean world and Snowy in Pittsburgh....Fluffy but an easy read...

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Early Bird Book Deal | Pretty terrible writing quality | This is about the level of the worst self-published stuff, and 1989 is not long enough ago to justify the use of the n-word. Characters fall madly in love after about 5 minutes in each other's presence, women tend to wander around topless, and a Queen allows herself to be physically restrained by her husband simply because he tells her that in his world (ours), men make the decisions. All that said, I did finish the thing, and the basic concept is interesting.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, quick read. Palace intrigue leads to the kidnapping of Gene, Sheila, Prince Trent and Snowclaw, and the attempted kidnapping of Laura. With the help of a new guest, a computer nerd, Lord Incarnadine solves the problems with Castle Perilous.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book. I would read the rest of the series but they are $15.00 on Amazon and I won't spend that much on a book. If I find these books for a lower price, I will finish the series. If you like fantasy, give this a try.

[Nathan Woll · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really bad

[Paulette Illmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to continue on with the series, and enjoyed another bizarre romp through the multiverse.

[William Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun

I really liked this. Its wonderful to see the world expanding more and more with each new book in the series. I can't wait to read the next one next one!

[M.A. Kropp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered DeChancie's Castle Perilous books many years ago. I read a couple and enjoyed them, but they are a bit older and can be hard to find. I finally managed to snag copies of all of them, and have been catching up on the ones I haven't read.

The stories are set in Castle Perilous, the linchpin universe, if you will, that all others branch off of. Inside the castle are 144,000 aspects, or doorways to alternate worlds, one of which is Earth. There are permanent residents of the castle, including the King, Lord Incarnadine, and several humans and aliens. When you enter the castle, you discover that you have a latent magic talent that the castle enhances. Each story takes you to one or more of the different aspects, as well as the goings on inside Perilous itself.

In Castle Kidnapped, things seem to be falling apart in Perilous. There are earthquakes that cause parts of the castle to degenerate, and portals to close off without warning. Gene, a human, gets stranded in one such aspect, and has to deal with a world with intelligent, but unpopulated cities, plus the native inhabitants, as he struggles to find his way back. Snowclaw, from a frozen tundra world originally, is stranded on Earth, not the best place for a huge, white-furred, somewhat bear-like fellow with horns and fangs. Meanwhile, Jeremy, a computer hacker, is transported to Perilous when an aspect opens allowing him to escape the authorities. Incarnadine is trying to figure out what is going on, and how to stop it. As usual, things get worse before they get better, and everyone has to use their castle-given magic as well as their wits to solve the puzzle before Perilous is destroyed, taking all of reality with it.

These are light-hearted stories, with a lot of stretch your believability in them. There is an abundance of fun, a good dash of action, a sprinkling of mystery, and not a small amount of mayhem. Yes, they are a bit dated now, but a good story is a good story, and if you can put the fact that this was written in the late '90's aside, it is still enjoyable.

Castle Perilous is the star of the series, in many ways, despite its role as setting. Other characters are enjoyable and believable, if a little archetypal. Light, fun reading that doesn't have a hidden message or deep meaning, the Castle Perilous books are perfect for a quick, easy read for anyone who likes their fantasy laced with humor.

[osoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

спойлеры

<Вот так навещаешь своих родных, доделываешь незаконченные дела, и в какой-то момент, соскучившись по Замку, решаешь в него вернуться. Ступаешь в портал прямо в летящем самолете, а это БАЦ! ловушка, и оказываешься заперт на несколько дней в непонятном тупике с одной конфеткой в кармане, а потом видишь другой портал — и уже без колебаний прыгаешь туда, только бы уже где-нибудь оказаться. А пути назад нет, и остается только вперед — но каково это, если месяц за месяцем за тобой никто не приходит, и ты не знаешь, заметил ли кто-нибудь твое отсутствие?

Страхужас, всех раскидывает по мирам, Замок трясется и блюет, Духи Ада захватили в плен приговоренную Карминову сестру и выпытывают способ покончить с Замком (что у них вполне получается), и вообще чертовщина сплошная и интриги.
Шейла и Трент попали на необитаемый остров с вулканом, и зачотно отдохнули, пока остальные боролись за свою жизнь xD Снеголап гостил на Земле, и его внешность подправили до двухметрового бугая, но вот беда — он застрял, и пришлось ему работать вышибалой в клубе. А при условии, что он категорически не приемлет человеческой пищи и страдает от жары даже при нуле градусов, да еще его «шкура» теряет силу, то придется ему перебиваться чистящими средствами и учиться водить грузовики.

Появляется Джереми со своим ноутбуком. Ах, это вообще отдельная сказка ^^
Книга на уровне предыдущих двух, но вот обилие парочек, сформировавшихся в процессе, меня раздражает 0_о Кроме всего прочего, Кармин дает четкий ответ касательно соотношения Земли и Замка, что расставляет все точки над i.

— Без Замка ваш мир, так же как и мир Шейлы, и мир Снеголапа... любой мир, походил бы на мир Вайи, всего лишь ограниченный набор из бесчисленного количества вероятностей, которые составляют квантовый суперкосмос. Как таковые, они вообще прекратили бы всякое осмысленное существование.

Он сделал еще глоток и удивленно огляделся.
— Я думал, вы все давно поняли это.

Ок, мы догадывались)

[Ensiform · Rating 3 out of 5]

All is once again wrong at the Castle when the Hosts of Hell regroup to attack again, abducting Incarnadine’s sister as well as the more powerful Guests and stranding them on various worlds. In some ways this was the most satisfying Castle book, for it takes full advantage of the nexus idea, stranding Snowy on Earth, Gene in an Edgar Rice Burroughs-type of dead world, etc. On the other hand, the deus ex machina nature of the plot resolutions is getting tiring: one Jeremy comes to the Castle with laptop in hand, and suddenly he’s infinitely powerful; Sheila and Trent are stuck on a magic-less world, fending for themselves with wit and hand, until --- no, wait, Sheila can do anything. Sigh. Well, it’s a fun and humorous read, anyway.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

In some ways I really enjoyed it, but I just had to dock it a couple of stars: First of all, does EVERY plot in the series involve the potential destruction of the castle? That's three in a row, and there are eight in the series. I hope the next book has just the characters in trouble. :P Second - I know this was written in '89, so I can overlook some troublesome plot points and word usage, but I'm pretty sure even then the 'n' word was racially charged enough to avoid, even if it was merely meant to be used as a comparative social-status sense. Soured the whole book for me.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't read the previous books in this series, but finding myself absolutely ravenous for a fantasy novel, any fantasy novel, I plucked this off the shelf, hidden a dusty corner of my ship's "library" (if it can even be called that, four shelves with 20-30 books on each). The book is short, and understandable without even reading the others in the series. Quick fantasy fluff, it entertained me for 2 hours (very short book)

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abandoning ship because although the central conceit of this series is super cool, all of the women are drop-dead gorgeous and essentially two-dimensional. Maybe I'll come back to it eventually - have been reading lots of male-authored '80s fantasy lately and this sort of thing is beginning to wear on me.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't let the cover art or back of the book fool you, obviously they hadn't actually read the book, which is another great laugh a minute. What happens when you put Snowy, Sheila, Linda, Gene, Incarnadine and the NEW GUY in danger? Anything that could happen would have to happen fast!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, another in the Castle Perilous series that is a quick, light read in between more serious tomes. There is nothing earth shattering here, just some fun escapism.

[Matt Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Marissa Patterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, they're getting kind of awful...I think I'm done...

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

end of the hosts of hell and Ferne

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read all the Castle Books as they came out. I seem to remember loving them...