A wizard in Bedlam

I enjoyed this one quite a bit. On a far off planet, the rebels are in need of a leader - and a wizard arrives to be just that leader. I liked the society the author created and the characters. The plot was decent.

Magnus, this time, finds himself drawn to a planet where the working class - locally known as the churls - have been downtrodden for years. What's interesting is that the whole class of churls is descended from 12 original colonists and expanded based on a massive campaign of cloning by the "Lords" so that each Lord could have a sufficient retinue. Through time, in-breeding and a set of harsh environmental similarities, these churls have evolved into a very small number of distinct individuals - all exceptionally smart and all brought up with a design for revolution passed down from generation to generation. All that is needed is a giant of a man to pick up the Holy Quarterstaff of Electronic Might, the Lords will never stand a show more chance.

What's the likelihood that a seven foot tall master revolutionary will appear on the scene who also has the mental capacity to take on the personality of a rebel leader that's been dead for 500 years, but who has been foretold return and lead the churls to freedom? When Magnus d'Armand is around, it's about 100%! *sigh*

Yet again, Magnus shows us how formidable a man he is - the definition of the man every man wants to be and the man every woman wants to be with - for a short while, at least. And being Magnus, he disappoints everyone by leading them to freedom.

At least, because I've already read the Warlock's Last Ride, some of what's going on make some sense. In that book, Magnus tells his family about some of his adventures, including the fact that he finds a revolutionary, like himself, and the two of them become friends and wander the galaxy searching for the oppressed to de-oppress. Apparently, this friend of his is Dirk and so I have two or three more novel to look forward to the "wonderful" interplay between the dour, lifeless and pessimistic Dirk and the all-knowing Magnus. Wonderful. show less

Dirk Dulaine, a cloned serf named joins the Resistance on the planet Melange to overthrow the aristocratic overlords who use cloned "churls" as slaves. The rebel slaves need a leader, but their legendary hero, the wizard DeCade, died generations ago.