A Wizard in a Feud

Excellent plot, characters, and some things to think about here and there. Worth reading at least once and likely will make you want to read the whole series.

Wizard in a Feud (2001) is the ninth SF novel in the Rogue Wizard series. While these stories don't have the glamour of A Wizard in Spite of Himself, the author has kept up the interest fairly well for such a long series. Another world, another problem. When Herkimer, the robot, has a memory fault, Magnus and Alea land on the first livable planet. The planet seems to have been settled by Scots and to have achieved an early 19th century level of technology. Rather than stay on board, Gar -- AKA Magnus -- and Alea are quite happy to have shore leave after 4 months in space. As they hike through the woods, they encounter foot high winged humanoids, the fairies, who question them and let them go. Later, Gar meets the elves, a related species without the wings. Gar and Alea meet many of the clan folk, and some outlaws, and begin to understand the situation. Of course, the problem is feuding, with each clan afraid to stop unilaterally. Moreover, the clans outlaw any of their folk who are too different or make too much trouble, and they consider talk of peace as troublemaking. Naturally, Gar, Alea, the wee folk, and Evanescent, the stowaway guardian, combine to bring peace to the planet. The story is interesting even if improbable and totally illogical. It is nice to see that Alea is beginning to trust her own abilities and to see Magnus in a romantic light. Recommended to all Stasheff fans and anyone who likes light fantasy with a touch of humor. -Arthur W. Jordin

Please do not take my header the wrong way... I love Stasheff's many series, and will continue to buy hardbound copies as they are released, sight unseen. I would never turn aside a new reader, but I would never recommend this particular title as a jumping on point either.Magnus and Alea are continuing on their now joint quest to alleviate suffering throughout the lost colonies... that is, they are looking for worlds that have degenerated into an oppressive socio-economic society that has no chance of bettering it's people. Magnus and Alea attempt to move the society in whatever direction would most benefit that particular planet. The series started out by making the point that Democracy was Good. It then proceded to show that other forms of government are just as valid provided there are controls in place for each type... socialism, conservative theocracy, matriarchal oligarchy, etc... what works best for THOSE PEOPLE, regardless of what form it may take.This time around, Magnus and Alea find a society broken into clans much like the Scottish Highlanders, but with a more Hatfield & McCoy feel. The clans are in constant conflict with one another, while fearing the native "elves" and "fairies", and the remaining Druids try to spread a message of peace that no one can believe anymore. As in the last book, Evanescent (the great big cat-like Esper from 'A Wizard and a Warlord')seems to be more in charge than just tagging along for the ride, Magnus seems to become ever less powerful, and Alea grows stronger. On the up side, we are given another glimpse into the growing relationship between Alea and Magnus, and the very real psychological hurdles that Magnus has built. Alea is more likely to understand where they are in their relationship before Magnus ever gets through his own barriers. And there are ever more hints of Magnus' desire to go home, if only to visit and rest up.To sum up... love the series... plot dwells less on protagonists abilities than on their function as tools for their silent partner. I DO appreciate the pacing of the growing relationship between the two leads, the woman will usually figure out the obvious before the guy EVER gets a clue. By the same token, the previous two books have hinted at Magnus' return to Gramarye... will the next deliver? I hope Stasheff has not exhausted all the avenues he wished to explore with Magnus, but I would enjoy a less stagnant Magnus who once again solves problems on his own, with support and ideas from Alea, and let Evanescent just WATCH this time. The cat is nice, but it is too much a ghost in the machine. Get Magnus home for the wedding.Again, do not start the series here... go back a couple of books. Thank you for your attention, you may resume browsing...

Herkimer, the computer system that controls his space ship, informs Magnus D'Armand and his traveling companion Alea that a malfunction is occurring within the CPU. Memory is failing so rather than risk the problem spreading into the life support systems, Magnus heads to the nearest planet that can support Terran life, an apparent lost colony that Herkimer cannot recall from the database. Because of the price on his head, Magnus becomes Gar Pike in case the isolated inhabitants of Oldeira has a SCENT or two on this planet, remote as that possibility seems. Upon landing, Herkimer's the problem rectifies itself sending a chill up Magnus' spine due to the speed and timing of the correction. On the planet, Gar and Alea begin to meet the local population starting with fairies. Soon the duo realizes that the planet abounds with feuds between clans reminiscent of Old Earth's Scottish squabbles. As Gar and Alea try to spread peace and democracy among the people, someone else seems to be evanescently manipulating the scenario from the shadows. The head wizard of the galaxy Christopher Stasheff provides his myriad of fans with the latest Rogue Wizard novel. A WIZARD IN A FEUD is a delightful story that takes outer space travelers Magnus and Alea into a seventeenth century Scottish environment with otherworldly creatures to spice up the environs (and plot). Though fans will want the personal relationship between Magnus and Alea to pick up steam, The Wizard In Spite of Himself crowd will enjoy Mr. Stasheff's latest fantasy.Harriet Klausner