From Publishers Weekly
This volume kicks off a new series dedicated to the travels of Magnus d'Armand, who is rebelling against his famous father, Rod Gallowglass, hero of several Stasheff novels (The Warlock in Spite of Himself). Magnus, under the alias of Gar Pike, travels to the island of Pirogia on the planet Petrarch, which he wishes to convert into a democracy. There, he befriends Gianni Braccalese, the son of a leading merchant. Gianni's attempts to trade his father's goods with other lands are impeded by the Stiletto Company, mercenaries in the employ of one Prince Raginaldi. (At one point, to disguise themselves from marauding soldiers, Magnus (as Gar) suggests that he and Gianni call themselves Giorgio and Lenni-and does several riffs on rabbits, just in case the reader misses the point.) During his quest Magnus encounters several competing factions-with more than one originating off-world-to be overcome. But battle scenes are either described after the fact or rendered in lackluster exposition, and too many familiar names are invoked (Vladimir; Estragon; Feste) but generally ill used. While this series may develop into something interesting, this first volume doesn't bode well. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Magnus Gallowglass, scion of technological warlock Rod Gallowglass, leaves the shelter of his father's reputation as he sets out for distant planets in need of delivery from oppressive governments. On a distant planet, Magnus encounters a complex web of political intrigue and despotism that has been made worse by the ill-informed meddlings of a rival group of intergalactic interventionists. As a spin-off from the author's popular Warlock novels (begun in 1969 with The Warlock in Spite of Himself), this series opener should find a built-in readership. Stasheff has a knack for crafting a lighthearted, action-filled tale.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Stasheff's earlier series hero Rod Gallowglass' eldest son, Magnus, has left his birth world, Gramayre, to roam the galaxy in a sentient spaceship and foil the plots of the evil and the well-intentioned but stupid. It is some of the latter he runs into on a planet whose human civilization has evolved into something very like Renaissance Italy. Befriending a young trader, Magnus embarks on a quest to find out who is causing an outbreak of war on the planet and then to stop it. Stasheff's pacing is brisk, his historical literacy high, and his wit abundant and dry as ever. In this first outing on his own for Magnus, his creator has not quite solved the problem--posed by the facts that Magnus is physically imposing and telekinetic and has a spaceship on call--of making his victories seem less than inevitable. It's agreeable reading, though, boding well for further Magnus Gallowglass adventures. Roland Green


Review
"Stasheff has a knack for crafting a lighthearted, action-filled tale."--Library Journal

"Stasheff's pacing is brisk, his historical literacy high,and his wit abundant and dry as ever...Bodes well for further Magnus adventures."--Booklist



Book Description
Magnus D'Armand, the renegade son of Rod Gallowglass, Warlock of Gramarye, has set out to prove himself twice the hero and liberator his father ever was. However, Magnus has inherited not only his father's awesome psychic gifts, but his uncanny knack for getting into trouble as well.

Bored and in search of excitement, Magnus D'Armand has asked his sentient starship to find him a world in need of revolution. But on the lost colony world of Petrach, he finds far more than he's bargained for. Not only have a brace of warring princes plunged the planet into a dark age of bloodshed and betrayal, but a mysterious rival from Magnus's past is plotting his destruction. Even the Rogue Wizard will need a miracle to get himself out of this one!



About the Author
In addition to his Rogue Wizard novels, Christopher Stasheff is the author of the popular Warlock series, beginning with the bestselling The Warlock in Spite of Himself. He lives in Champaign, Illinois, with his wife and four children.

ANNOTATION

Magnus D'Armand, the renegade son of Rad Gallowglass, Warlock of Gramarye, has set out to prove himself twice the hero his father was. Magnus has asked his sentient starship to find him a world in need of revolution. But on the lost colony world of Petrarch, Magnus finds more than he's bargained for in a warring prince and a mysterious rival from his past.

FROM THE PUBLISHER