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Castle Perilous #4
Castle War!
Castle Perilous is still tottering from last year's battle with the Hosts of Hell, and regaining stability proves a hard balancing act. Before Jeremy can design a program to calm the tremors of the universe, an alternative wicked reality appears that threatens to topple everything! Castle P. must face its evil twin, replete with its own dastardly doppleganger army-with the shadow self ensues as Good and Evil battle it out in the 144,000th dimension!
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
10 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
John DeChancie
55 books109 followersFrom his website:
John DeChancie is the author of over two dozen books, fiction and nonfiction, and has written for periodicals as widely varied as Penthouse and Cult Movies. His novels in the science fiction and fantasy genres have been attracting a wide readership for more than fifteen years, and over a million copies of his books have seen print, many in foreign languages.
John's first work was Starrigger (Berkley/Ace ,1984), followed by Red Limit Freeway (1985) and Paradox Alley (1987), completing the Skyway Trilogy, one of the most imaginative, mind-expanding series in science fiction. Beloved of SF readers around the world, the trilogy has become a cult classic. It is no exaggeration to say that the trilogy has found a place in the hearts of readers along with the works of Heinlein, Asimov, and Clarke. Jerry Pournelle, co-author with Larry Niven of the classics The Mote in God's Eye and Lucifer's Hammer, has compared the series to the best of A. E. van Vogt, and better written. The convoluted plot takes the reader on a mind-bending journey to the end of the universe and back.
His humorous fantasy series, beginning with Castle Perilous, became a best seller for Berkley/Ace. William Morrow published MagicNet, which Booklist said was "a welcome sigh of comic relief ... shamelessly droll, literate, and thoroughly entertaining. Magicnet is the fantasy genre's whimsical answer to Neuromancer." He has also written in the horror genre. His short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and in numerous original anthologies, the latest of which is Spell Fantastic. His story collection, Other States of Being, was recently published by Pulpless.com, Inc., an online and print-on-demand publisher.
He currently lives in Los Angeles and is at work writing novels, articles, short stories, and screenplays. His latest book was the short story collection THE LITTLE GRAY BOOK OF ALIEN STORIES published by Borderlands Press. John's most recent short story publication was in the original anthology SPACE CADETS, edited by Mike Resnick and published by LAcon IV, the 64th World Science Fiction Convention. The book was published in both limited and trade hardback editions. The book is available here . He has just completed a mystery novel and information on this new book (something different from anything he has ever written) is forthcoming. He will also have two new film articles in the second big issue of the new cult film magazine MONDO CULT, also forthcoming.
John DeChancie is the author of over two dozen books, fiction and nonfiction, and has written for periodicals as widely varied as Penthouse and Cult Movies. His novels in the science fiction and fantasy genres have been attracting a wide readership for more than fifteen years, and over a million copies of his books have seen print, many in foreign languages.
John's first work was Starrigger (Berkley/Ace ,1984), followed by Red Limit Freeway (1985) and Paradox Alley (1987), completing the Skyway Trilogy, one of the most imaginative, mind-expanding series in science fiction. Beloved of SF readers around the world, the trilogy has become a cult classic. It is no exaggeration to say that the trilogy has found a place in the hearts of readers along with the works of Heinlein, Asimov, and Clarke. Jerry Pournelle, co-author with Larry Niven of the classics The Mote in God's Eye and Lucifer's Hammer, has compared the series to the best of A. E. van Vogt, and better written. The convoluted plot takes the reader on a mind-bending journey to the end of the universe and back.
His humorous fantasy series, beginning with Castle Perilous, became a best seller for Berkley/Ace. William Morrow published MagicNet, which Booklist said was "a welcome sigh of comic relief ... shamelessly droll, literate, and thoroughly entertaining. Magicnet is the fantasy genre's whimsical answer to Neuromancer." He has also written in the horror genre. His short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and in numerous original anthologies, the latest of which is Spell Fantastic. His story collection, Other States of Being, was recently published by Pulpless.com, Inc., an online and print-on-demand publisher.
He currently lives in Los Angeles and is at work writing novels, articles, short stories, and screenplays. His latest book was the short story collection THE LITTLE GRAY BOOK OF ALIEN STORIES published by Borderlands Press. John's most recent short story publication was in the original anthology SPACE CADETS, edited by Mike Resnick and published by LAcon IV, the 64th World Science Fiction Convention. The book was published in both limited and trade hardback editions. The book is available here . He has just completed a mystery novel and information on this new book (something different from anything he has ever written) is forthcoming. He will also have two new film articles in the second big issue of the new cult film magazine MONDO CULT, also forthcoming.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 3, 2025
This is the fourth 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. As if that's not enough, this time it's evil-twin-universe time, so it's 144,000 times two, which gets a little unwieldy. It's a fun book, but not an altogether humorous one; 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 end up in short scenarios that eventually come together, but I was a little bored by the whole golf infatuation. The chain saw was cool, though. If you're a golf fanatic, you'll probably be better entertained. Lord Incarnadine is again aided by computer guy Jeremy to put things back as they should be. As before, Castle Perilous books are a good early example of cozy-fantasy, for fans of Asprin's Myth, Anthony's Xanth, or perhaps Terry Pratchett.
December 23, 2021
I've been on a roll with this series and found the fourth book to be yet another rollicking romp through the metaverse. There seems to be no end to the misadventures of the crazy cast of characters who set forth to find their way through the castle.
July 14, 2017
Once again things just not as good as remembered.
This is a mix of several small stories told. As linked trough the central story theme.
Different characters in different settings.
Playing with the mirror universe theme.
Could have been so much better, falls short.
Light read, and footnotes that try to be funny.
Yet just unwanted distractions.
This is a mix of several small stories told. As linked trough the central story theme.
Different characters in different settings.
Playing with the mirror universe theme.
Could have been so much better, falls short.
Light read, and footnotes that try to be funny.
Yet just unwanted distractions.
January 29, 2018
Cute, fluffy....harmless....
January 25, 2019
I really enjoy this gentleman's short fun style.
January 2, 2025
Excellent
Another novel in the series that is just great fun. I can't wait to see what's in store with the next book In the series.
Another novel in the series that is just great fun. I can't wait to see what's in store with the next book In the series.
March 17, 2016
Только я подумала, что переела замковых интриг, как ДДЧ снова вывернул на упоротую дорожку и приправил все юмором. Не придерешься) На этот раз Замок обзавелся несколькими отражениями, в которых бродят свои Снеголапы, Джины, Линды и Кармины, которым не сидится на месте 
Все технические детали неполадок, которые описаны в книгах ДДЧ, я иногда пропускаю (случайно). Обычно возвращаюсь к одной злосчастной строчке, которая должна давать объяснения происходящему. В этот раз поленилась, и так и не поняла, каким же образом все-таки связаны замковые отражения и межпространственная материя, всякие там заклинания по восстановлению порядка во вселенной и пр.
Джин начинает раздражать своими набегами на женское население миров, в которые попадает. При условии, что описание отношений и вообще развития оных в книгах сокращено до двух-трех строк и чаще сводится к «побежали — побежали! пойдешь со мной в Замок? — пойду!», то это выглядит престранно. Таскать в Замок по теточке из каждого мира это неале оО
Про Вайю он вспомнил мельком, оставив на Земле с его же ребенком, а Алису оплодотворил так, от нечего делать, после 20 минут знакомства.
Мир, в который попадает Джин, навеял ностальгические слюньки. При условии, что он условно является отражением Земли, то можно объявить его полноправной альтернативной реальностью. В которой людей контролируют Внутренним Голосом (ба! где-то я точно такое уже слышала), — нанороботами, вживленными во всех граждан. Тебе дают указание, а если осмелишься сопротивляться, то тебя начнет выворачивать наизнанку, до тех пор, пока не сделаешь как сказано. Вот это и интересно, потому что напирают на то, что «совесть» не позволяет людям поступать против правил, а на деле — тотальный контроль над всем организмом человека. Понятное дело, в таком мире полиция не нужна, а верхушки безымянны, есть следы сражений (вероятно, с ребелами, которые отказались от Внутреннего Голоса или хотя бы попытались). Джину удается сбежать только из-за проснувшейся в нем вовремя магии, и он оставляет Алисе дар, с помощью которого она сможет заглушать Внутренний Голос других. Прекрасная зарисовка.
Такстон и Далтон, игруши в теннис-гольф (кто во что, никак не могу запомнить), застревают в отражении мира, в котором обычно гольфируют. Собственно, им придется играть среди лавы, василисков, грифонов, тумана и пепла, а кэдди у них станет песик Цербер. Они подумают о том, что неплохо бы вернуться в Замок из этого незнакомого мира, но придут к выводу, что и так пропустили все основные замковые баталии, толку от них мало, так чего бы и не сыграть в гольф на такой экзотической площадке )))
+
много упоротых отражений Кармина
облако, выплевывающее Снеголапов в неограниченном количестве
упоминание о Космостраде (?)
Все технические детали неполадок, которые описаны в книгах ДДЧ, я иногда пропускаю (случайно). Обычно возвращаюсь к одной злосчастной строчке, которая должна давать объяснения происходящему. В этот раз поленилась, и так и не поняла, каким же образом все-таки связаны замковые отражения и межпространственная материя, всякие там заклинания по восстановлению порядка во вселенной и пр.
Джин начинает раздражать своими набегами на женское население миров, в которые попадает. При условии, что описание отношений и вообще развития оных в книгах сокращено до двух-трех строк и чаще сводится к «побежали — побежали! пойдешь со мной в Замок? — пойду!», то это выглядит престранно. Таскать в Замок по теточке из каждого мира это неале оО
Про Вайю он вспомнил мельком, оставив на Земле с его же ребенком, а Алису оплодотворил так, от нечего делать, после 20 минут знакомства.
Мир, в который попадает Джин, навеял ностальгические слюньки. При условии, что он условно является отражением Земли, то можно объявить его полноправной альтернативной реальностью. В которой людей контролируют Внутренним Голосом (ба! где-то я точно такое уже слышала), — нанороботами, вживленными во всех граждан. Тебе дают указание, а если осмелишься сопротивляться, то тебя начнет выворачивать наизнанку, до тех пор, пока не сделаешь как сказано. Вот это и интересно, потому что напирают на то, что «совесть» не позволяет людям поступать против правил, а на деле — тотальный контроль над всем организмом человека. Понятное дело, в таком мире полиция не нужна, а верхушки безымянны, есть следы сражений (вероятно, с ребелами, которые отказались от Внутреннего Голоса или хотя бы попытались). Джину удается сбежать только из-за проснувшейся в нем вовремя магии, и он оставляет Алисе дар, с помощью которого она сможет заглушать Внутренний Голос других. Прекрасная зарисовка.
Такстон и Далтон, игруши в теннис-гольф (кто во что, никак не могу запомнить), застревают в отражении мира, в котором обычно гольфируют. Собственно, им придется играть среди лавы, василисков, грифонов, тумана и пепла, а кэдди у них станет песик Цербер. Они подумают о том, что неплохо бы вернуться в Замок из этого незнакомого мира, но придут к выводу, что и так пропустили все основные замковые баталии, толку от них мало, так чего бы и не сыграть в гольф на такой экзотической площадке )))
+
много упоротых отражений Кармина
облако, выплевывающее Снеголапов в неограниченном количестве
упоминание о Космостраде (?)
September 5, 2009
Good, but not great. It's vaguely in the same genre as some of the Terry Pratchett and Robert Asprin books, but not quite as good as those. On the other hand, it is solidly readable all the way through, and has a few outstanding scenes. Think of the Star Trek "Mirror Universe" stories, gone horribly askew, and that's part of what happens here.
What hurt the book for me was the whole "golfing" subplot. I think the two characters might have been funny enough for a single use in the series, to show the variety of characters who make their way to Castle Perilous. Here, they were not funny enough to take up several chapters in this book with a total digression from the plot. They're mildly annoying, vaguely British snobs and bigots who are obsessed with the game of golf. [The defining comment from one of them that anyone on the other side of the English Channel is a "wog" said it all...:] That's it, that's their whole shtick. The entire "humor" of the two is their obsession with golf, even when the circumstances range from absurd to dangerous.
What hurt the book for me was the whole "golfing" subplot. I think the two characters might have been funny enough for a single use in the series, to show the variety of characters who make their way to Castle Perilous. Here, they were not funny enough to take up several chapters in this book with a total digression from the plot. They're mildly annoying, vaguely British snobs and bigots who are obsessed with the game of golf. [The defining comment from one of them that anyone on the other side of the English Channel is a "wog" said it all...:] That's it, that's their whole shtick. The entire "humor" of the two is their obsession with golf, even when the circumstances range from absurd to dangerous.
July 25, 2011
"Castle War" continues in the true tom-foolery spirit as the previous Castle Perilous books. This is book four in the series of eight. With a castle attached to 144,000 worlds, there are plenty of tales to be told without the series getting stale.
Castle War puts the focus on a select set of the guests we've come to know and love. While Lord Incarnadine is away, the aspect of the castle and thus the universe has shifted. The golfers find themselves on the course from hell. Gene sets off to school in Pittsburg but find himself on an Earth from some Orwellian world. All the while Jeremy and his computer skills set out to fix things while Incarnadine tries to find his way back to the Castle.
As always, the actions is fast pased. The plot light hearted but brilliant. Entertaining the whole way through. If you've made it this far in the Castle Perilous series keep going. If you haven't read this series yet, go back to the first book and join the ride!
Castle War puts the focus on a select set of the guests we've come to know and love. While Lord Incarnadine is away, the aspect of the castle and thus the universe has shifted. The golfers find themselves on the course from hell. Gene sets off to school in Pittsburg but find himself on an Earth from some Orwellian world. All the while Jeremy and his computer skills set out to fix things while Incarnadine tries to find his way back to the Castle.
As always, the actions is fast pased. The plot light hearted but brilliant. Entertaining the whole way through. If you've made it this far in the Castle Perilous series keep going. If you haven't read this series yet, go back to the first book and join the ride!
May 14, 2013
Plot: 2 stars
Characters: 2 1/2 stars
Style: 4 stars
Pace: 3 stars
I show up to work today to a pile of pulp fantasy on my desk. A coworker in the tech side and I had a discussion about the hilariousness of 80s pulp fantasy on Friday when he was hunting for a ruler, and noticed (while borrowing mine, because of course I have a ruler in my desk!) my collection of random books. This was among them, and it rang a bell. I'm pretty sure I'd read others in this series back as a young teenager devouring the scifi/fantasy section of the library. It's like Xanth but without the skeevy underwear jokes. Light reading, didn't expect much and got exactly that. It would have been 4 if it wasn't that the plot divides out too much and makes it feel disorganized and messy.
Characters: 2 1/2 stars
Style: 4 stars
Pace: 3 stars
I show up to work today to a pile of pulp fantasy on my desk. A coworker in the tech side and I had a discussion about the hilariousness of 80s pulp fantasy on Friday when he was hunting for a ruler, and noticed (while borrowing mine, because of course I have a ruler in my desk!) my collection of random books. This was among them, and it rang a bell. I'm pretty sure I'd read others in this series back as a young teenager devouring the scifi/fantasy section of the library. It's like Xanth but without the skeevy underwear jokes. Light reading, didn't expect much and got exactly that. It would have been 4 if it wasn't that the plot divides out too much and makes it feel disorganized and messy.
August 14, 2016
I loved this series when I was young. I can still see why, but, uh... this one hasn't aged too well. In particular, of the three women characters (Linda in her story, Alice in the Gene story, and Isis in the Jeremy story), only Linda comes off as a three dimensional character.
Putting that aside, this is a bit of a lark. There's an entire subplot about golfing in hell, evil twins, and all the silliness that the series is known for. I probably would've given it two stars, but the sheer flexibility of the writing is fascinating, and at a couple points the storytelling took me away.
Putting that aside, this is a bit of a lark. There's an entire subplot about golfing in hell, evil twins, and all the silliness that the series is known for. I probably would've given it two stars, but the sheer flexibility of the writing is fascinating, and at a couple points the storytelling took me away.
March 22, 2015
Another hilarious story, this time Dalton & Thaxton take on the course from Hell, Gene ends up in the wrong castle, er wrong earth, well anyway, good thing Inky has his uncle Mordicai to help him out of another castle catastrophe. Read it and enjoy!
July 5, 2011
I read all the Castle Books as they came out. I seem to remember loving them...
January 22, 2013
Fun series, with suitably snarky dialogue. The first book was the best, naturally, but it is interesting seeing what trouble Gene and compatriots will get into next.
August 31, 2016
Nice, lightweight humorous fantasy series that I read back in the 90s. Amusing, but not as good as the Discworld series in the same genre.
July 15, 2016
This book got one extra star because of the ridiculous golf game it describes. It's not the best book in the Perilous series, but fun enough for a diversion.
August 16, 2015
Inauspicious beginning. Recovers smartly. My favourite so far.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews