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Mageworlds (series)

Series review:
I don't know why I like this series, but I do. On the face of it, it's too Star Wars-esque, with Mages and Adepts (read: Dark Side forces and Jedi Knights) battling each other with their wooden staffs (read: light sabres). But ... It's not really like that. The good guys have their problems, the bad guys aren't all bad, and it's not always obvious who's on which side. Also, the protagonists are refreshingly competent; no naive farm-boys here. Complex plots, good aliens, a variety of cultures, interesting protagonists: a series of great page-turners.

[cover]

Debra Doyle, James D. MacDonald. The Stars Asunder. Tor. 1999

 

"Portrait of the Prof as a Young Whatever the Prof Was When He Was Young"

[cover]

Debra Doyle, James D. MacDonald. The Gathering Flame. Tor. 1995

Rating: 3
[ unmissable | great stuff | worth reading | mind candy | waste of time | unfinishable ]

Perada Rosselin, Domina of Entibor, and Jos Metadi meet, and fight The First Mage War

[cover]

Debra Doyle, James D. MacDonald. The Price of the Stars. Tor. 1992

Rating: 3
[ unmissable | great stuff | worth reading | mind candy | waste of time | unfinishable ]

[cover]

Debra Doyle, James D. MacDonald. Starpilot's Grave. Tor. 1993

Rating: 3
[ unmissable | great stuff | worth reading | mind candy | waste of time | unfinishable ]

[cover]

Debra Doyle, James D. MacDonald. By Honor Betray'd. Tor. 1994

Rating: 3
[ unmissable | great stuff | worth reading | mind candy | waste of time | unfinishable ]

[cover]

Debra Doyle, James D. MacDonald. The Long Hunt. Tor. 1996

Rating: 3.5
[ unmissable | great stuff | worth reading | mind candy | waste of time | unfinishable ]

reviewed 12 September 1996

It is twenty years after the Second Mage War. Jens Metadi-Jessan D'Rosselin, son of Beka and Nyls, is restless for adventure. It seems lots of people want to keep him away from the planet Khesat, where they are about to proclaim a new ruler. So, naturally, he makes his way there, pursued by various factions.

A good quarter shorter than any of the previous volumes, the density of plot is much the same, so necessarily there isn't as much of it. Don't start here if you haven't read the others: they provide valuable background to the various characters, and causes of the disputes. But if you've read the others, this is a good continuation.

[cover]

Debra Doyle, James D. MacDonald. A Working of Stars. Tor. 2002

 

[cover]

Debra Doyle, James D. MacDonald. Requiem for Boone. Tor. 2000