The Warlock Is Missing (original 1986; edition 1995)

I had previously read a review of this book that said it was basically a waste. I have to disagree. What we get in this volume is set of events that occur on Gramarye with Rod and Gwen's kids while Rod and Gwen are doing their thing as described in "The Warlock Wandering". In general, I'm not a fan of this type of book, but in this case, I found it enjoyable. First off, the kids are given more depth. Previously the kids were just weird, annoying, ESP-savants. In this case, we see a little more kid in them and they become much more interesting.

One of the things that really sold me on the book was the recurring banter back and forth between the children's elfin babysitter, Puck, and Kelly, a new acquaintance that readers might identify with rainbows, pots of gold and lucky charms. Those exchanges were pretty good.

Not too much in the way of social commentary in this one. Although the seductive power of women is explored in some fashion. I take that back... there were several instances where the children were given the opportunity to take the lives of their enemies, but they chose not to. If it was me, after the first three or four times that their spared enemies come back to exact their revenge, I'd start to think seriously about excising the cancer before it becomes more difficult to do so.

The real weakness I saw was that the children encountered and defeated at least 8 different foes in this one book. It was getting tiring after awhile. My favorite part, though, was when Brom O'Berin comes in and saves the day. A great deal of tension and dread was hanging there until Brom clears the way... I got my righteous anger fix there...

Read 7/2007 ( )