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Loading... The Reluctant Kingby L. Sprague de Camp
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. This is an omnibus volume covering three novels, "the Goblin Tower", "the Clocks of Iraz" and "The Unbeheaded King." From a state that ritually beheads its ruler after a five year reign, ex-king Joran engineers his own escape, pays off the debts incurred to procure the escape, and rids himself of the damage he caused himself by the whole episode. It is also a reasonably constructed fantasy world, and deals with some of the hazards of running various small businesses. The Goblin Tower, #1: https://www.librarything.com/review/108177157 The Clocks of Iraz, #2: https://www.librarything.com/review/108446418 The Unbeheaded King, #3: https://www.librarything.com/review/107030546 no reviews | add a review
The King had a good head on his shoulders -- for the moment, anyway.Everyone agreed that King Jorian of Xylar had been a good and just ruler. In fact, many also agreed that, in this case, it was a pity that the laws of Xylar decreed that each randomly chosen King must reign for only five years and then, after due pomp and ceremony, have his head cut off! Understandably, Jorian himself was wholeheartedly in agreement with the second sentiment, so with the help of a spell provided by the wizard Karadur, he escaped from the beheading ceremony with his head still on his shoulders.Unfortunately, his beloved wife, Queen Estrildis, was left behind, and getting her out of Xylar would be anything but simple -- particularly with the Royal Guard of Xylar hot on the trail of their fugitive monarch. With Karadur's magic, Jorian might be able to pull off the rescue. But first, he would have to locate a trove of ancient spells, deal with an enemy wizard, steal an item from a 500-year-old (but still beautiful) princess who turns into a giant serpent at inopportune moments, repair the giant tower clocks of Iraz to fulfill a prophecy, break a pirate siege, and finally fly back to Xylar in an enchanted bathtub and whisk away his beloved Estrildis before the Royal Guard notices that their King (not to mention his head) has returned. Then things began to get complicated.... No library descriptions found. |
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What makes the series enjoyable is that it serves as a platform for L. Sprague de Camp to share his observations and insights on various social and political systems. A good skewering of many fantasy tropes is included, always accompanied by a historical or biological justification (e.g. what mermaids or unicorns would really look like, the limitations of being a cold-blooded dragon, etc).
Remarkably cynical for such a light-hearted adventure. ( )