Questing of Kedrigern

You don't even have to have read the first Kedrigern book to enjoy this second one by John Morressy (I haven't). Kedrigern, Princess, and the supporting cast are all wonderful company to spend a night with. The plot is serviceable, though essentially a framework to hang the gags and nice characterizations on, resulting in a light enjoyable novel. I'm eagerly going to find the rest of this series now!

While attending the Wizcon, Princess convinces Kedrigern (who abhors crowds and noise) to host a party in their suite. The festivities start out promisingly but then Bess the Wood Witch's potent brew inebriates the attendees and a magical duel breaks out, the end result being the accidental re-spelling of Princess back into a toad. With the aid of his former teacher and a guilt-ridden Bess, Kedrigern is given a lead for a remedy: seek out Arlebar, an ancient wizard and expert with transformation spells. Now the stay-at-home wizard and his enchanted wife must hit the open road. During their trek, they face various magical hazards (a duplicitous sorceress, a cacodemon, drunken giants, a semi-sentient mist...) and the ever-vexing ordeals of travel as they wend their way thru treacherous, sinisterly-named places such as the Barren Mountains, the Dismal Bog, the Dark Wood, the River of Misery, and the Desolation of the Loser Kings. Finally, they must push on beyond the Inn of the Outer Edge, where lies the border between normal reality and...Other Places, including a strange world where magic is nonexistent (and where Kedrigern begins to have all his 166 years or so quickly catch up to him). En route, they are saddled with the undesired company of a stowaway frog prince, a spoiled princess and a bedraggled band on a magical quest. To top it all off, there's a confused cameo by Death. And when they finally get to Arlebar, Keddie and Princess are alloted only 10 minutes of his time. Really, it all seems a bit much for a retiring wizard who prefers to bask in the simple comforts of home. Ah, but then again, love is a difficult and demanding taskmaster. The Questing of Kedrigern is the second full-length novel in the Kedrigern series and, like its predecessor A Voice for Princess, is as entertainingly whimsical and episodic. Morressey continues to dabble in sometimes clever, sometimes groan-inducing (but still fun) wordplay and puns (ie: a bespelled side street's first words are "We are not a mews"). He also pokes gentle jabs at several stalwart fantasy conceits, most notably the good old traditional "noble quest." There is even a sly prod at Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales." The dragon who speaks in alliteration is cute. I particularly like the Inn of the Outer Edge, which is a nexus between worlds and serves as a kind of hub station for potential questers. And wait until you see where Kedrigern and Princess end up when Keddie employs his last-ditch escape spell. Ah, hell, I guess I'm giving it away when I say that the last-mentioned situation gives rise to my favorite Kedrigern line ever uttered: "I am Kedrigern of Silent Thunder Mountain, and I wish to order a cheeseburger and a double-thick chocolate malted." That's gold, in my opinion. Anyways, sit back with a cool glass of whatever and a plateful of this-and-that, and read and revel in the civilized witticisms and breezy happenings set in a pleasantly enchanted universe. Kedrigern, your semi

I realy injoy the Kedrigern books they are light happy stories which realy brighten up a dull day pure fluff but sometimes thats what I like to read I especily recommend them to anyone with to much stress or young adults

In this sequel to A Voice for Princess, Kedrigern's wife is re-enspelled, and they must set off on a new adventure to find the power necessary to return her form. Along the way, the pair meets up with interesting companions, and sees strange new lands. If you enjoyed the first book, then you will find this one just as witty and enjoyable.