Boneslicer

Boneslicer (2007) is the first fantasy navel in the Quest For the Trilogy. This work is part of the Rover series, following Lord of the Libraries. In the previous trilogy, Wick underwent many fearful adventures with Craugh the Wizard. In this novel, Jugh is a Dweller who had grown up as a slave of the Globinkin. Now he is the current Grandmagister of the Vault of All Known Knowledge. Like all of his kind, he is a fearful person. Unlike must Dwellers, however, he has learned to live with his fear. In that regard, he owes much to Wick, his mentor and friend. Edgewick (Wick) Lamplighter is also a Dweller. He had been a Third Level Librarian when he met Craugh. After many adventures in the first trilogy, he had become the Grandmagister. Jugh was his apprentice. Craugh is a Wizard. He is best known for turning people who offend him into toads. He is older that a thousand years, having fought in the Cataclysm of Lord Kharrion. In this story, Jugh is trying to convince people to build schools to educate their children since the goblinkin menace has been broken. He is having a hard time getting the idea through to his audience until Craugh turns one loudmouthed critic into a toad. After that, the audience is more responsive to his recommendations. After the speech, Craugh and Jugh go to the Keelhauler's Tavern, where the wizard tells Jugh that he needs assistance in tracking down Lord Kharrion's Wrath. He gives Jugh a book telling of one of Wick's previously unknown adventures. Then their discussion is interrupted by three bog beasts trying to kill Craugh. Later, on the Moonsdreamer, Jugh starts to read the book. It is written it in a code known only to Wick and Jugh. The books tells of a time when Second Level Librarian Wick is within the Wheelhouse Tavern reading a romance. Grandmagister Frollo doesn't approve of Wick reading adventure tales, so he has come to the tavern for privacy. But Paunsel -- the tavernkeeper -- asks him to stop an argument. Wick is reluctant to intervene -- because he could get hurt -- but one side of the argument is his old friends from the One-Eyed Peggie. The dwarven pirates are arguing with the human crew of the Stormrider over the betrayal at Painted Canyon. So Wick tells them of the Battle of Fell's Keep. The humans insist that Master Blacksmith Oskarr of the Cinder Clouds Islands had betrayed the Unity forces. Wick told them what he knew, but he could not say whether Oskarr had betrayed his allies. Later, Wick awakes on the One-Eyed Peggie, shanghaied again by his friends. Craugh wants Wick to search for Boneslicer, the magic axe of Master Blacksmith Oskarr. Craugh says that he wants to use the axe to solve the mystery of the Painted Canyon betrayal. Wick is taken to the remains of the Cinder Clouds Islands and set ashore dressed as a runaway slave, Craugh does provide him with a guide, a talking skink named Rohoh. Wick and Rohoh hide in a cave awaiting daylight. They get to arguing an

Wick has disappeared off on another adventure, and the wizard Craugh has again enlisted newly-appointed Grandmagister Juhg for help. Wick left behind a trilogy of books that describe a previous adventure where he searched for legendary treasure. Left incomplete, Juhg must now take up the quest to find the trilogy and follow Wick's trail to the treasure and the truth about the traitor of a famous battle. This story focuses mainly on the past adventures of Wick and also shows the beginnings of his friendship with Craugh. While Wick is cowardly and seemingly-dimwitted at times, he also has moments of heroism and a great deal of book knowledge that gets him out of sticky situations. With lovable characters, swash-buckling action, and light-hearted humor, The Quest for the Trilogy is another fantastic installment in this fantasy series. Each new addition becomes my favorite in the series!

This sequel to Lord of the Libraries returns us to Mel Odom's world of elves, dwarves, wizards and (hobbit-like) dwellers. Grandmagister Juhg is trying to spread his dream of libraries returning enlightenment to the world that was so desperately ravaged during the Cataclysm, but the elves, dwarves and humans cannot shake their mutual distrust. Just what really happened at the Battle of Fell's Keep, and betrayed whom? It's a question that seems to have no answer. However, quick as a wink, the great wizard Craugh has whisked Juhg off on a new adventure. It turns out that the three magical weapons that were used at the Battle of Fell's Keep are the answer to the riddle, but someone else is after them, and if Juhg doesn't get to them first a new Cataclysm may be awaiting a tired and traumatized world! Overall, I found this to be a very good book, and another home run for Mel Odom! I like his world, which is set in the aftermath of a great crisis, unlike most Fantasy books (such as The Lord of the Rings), I like how he treats the magical races that are a part of so many books, and I like his characters. Plus, the storyline is completely gripping. So, if you like a good book of elves, dwarves and wizards, then you will love this book. I know I did!

After Grandmagister Edgewick "Wick" Lamplighter vanished while searching for rare books and fighting off evil doers, his assistant recently promoted Grandmagister Juhg wants to stay home studying how to establish schools throughout the realm. However wizard Craugh directs him to continue Wick's quest so Juhg searches for three encrypted journals that belonged to the missing Grandmagister. Upon completing the first leg of his literary quest by finding the journals, Juhg reads the Wick entries of seeking three magical weapons lost after the battle of Fell's Keep. Craugh says these artifacts are needed to stop an evil person from employing a weapon of mass destruction. As he goes into the field on his quest, Juhg also battles the malevolent Goblinkin who care little that the world is in peril. This is a terrific entry in one of the best fantasy series on the market today (see LORD OF THE LIBRARIES). The story line is fast-paced even when the plot pays homage to libraries. Especially fascinating is Juhg "reading" Wicks' journals as if he is Wick (that segment is worth the price of admission). Fantasy quest fans will appreciate Mel Odom's latest thriller in which once again the hero hopes to prove that the pen is mightier than the sword. Harriet Klausner

With the fourth book in his Rover series, Mel has done what few authors have done, hooked me on a fantasy world. Yet again, Mel weaves a compelling tale of fantasy and adventure full of wonderful characters. The story has two parts, Jugh in the present and Second Level Librarian, Wick in the past. Juhg is now the Grandmagister of the Vault of All Known Knowledge. He is trying to reintroduce books and reading to the world. His passion to bring this knowledge is supported by his best friend, Raisho, and his most powerful ally, the wizard Craugh. The story opens with Juhg meeting a diverse group of humans, elves and dwarves on the mainland. He is asking for help to establish the schools and libraries on the mainland. He is met with both resistance by some and open interest by others. Juhg is attacked by bogbeasts, a new type of enemy, and launched into another quest. Craugh has recruited him to finish a quest started years before by Jugh's mentor, Wick. The evil of Lord Kharrion has not passed. Kharrion's diabolical ambitions infected the world and still fester to this day. Someone betrayed the Unity at the last battle, and that betrayal has stained relations between the races ever since. For a thousand years, the Dwarven leader Oskarr has been blamed for the betrayal and his descendents have lived with that burden. Wick left three books hidden throughout the lands for Juhg to find and finally put the past to rest. Wick's story is told in flashbacks and starts with Wick being shanghaied, again, by Craugh and the dwarven pirate crew of the One Eyed Peggy. Craugh needs Wick to help him find and defeat Kharrion's last weapon. To do so he must recover three magical weapons lost for a thousand years and finally solve the mystery of who betrayed the Unity. Boneslicer is a magical battle axe imbued with the power of the Earth. Mastersmith Oskarr created it and the other weapons. He eventually discovered it was cursed at the last battle and was coveted by Kharrion. He hid it to keep Kharrion from using it as part of his great weapon. Seaspray was a great magical weapon Oskarr created with Boneslicer. Wielded by the great human hero, Captain Duluan, it is imbued with the power of the Seas. It was lost at the last battle to the goblinkin, but later stolen back and hidden by one of Duluan's heirs. Deathwhisper was the third weapon Oskarr crafted and is the great magical bow of Sokadir, Prince of the Elves. He is the last surviving hero and still has his bow. Deathwhisper has the power of the storms. Each hit is like lighting bolt. Sokadir has left the world of elves in grief over the loss of his sons at the last battle. He is haunted by the betrayal. Wick must recover the magical weapons and reunite them to defeat Kharrion's Wrath. With the help of Craugh, Brandt and his band of thieves, the crew of the One Eyed Peggy and some not-so-helpful talking animals Wick finds the missing weapons and defeats Kharrion's Wrath. But he cannot