"A Clever and Humorous Light Fantasy"
Tobas of Telven is the inept wizard with an unsual family
who was first introduced in WITH A SINGLE SPELL. Here the
Wizard's Guild has become concerned with his latest faux pas
which was the miscasting of Lugwiler's Haunting Phantasm
onto a hand mirror which is now producing the troublesome
little pests called Spriggans. The mirror had since fallen
into the possession of the Spriggans who have absconded with
it to parts unknown. Spriggans are tiny creatures under a foot tall who emerge
periodically from the mirror itself and who in search of fun
cause a great deal of mischief for the humans of the three
Ethshars. The Wizard's Guild has charged Tobas with the task
of recovering the mirror promising him a magical tapestry
that will hopefully alleviate the tension caused by having
two wives. Having tried all manner of sorcery to no avail he
has decided to recruit the merchant Gresh, a man well known
for his ability to successfully procure the most unusual
supplies required by various practitioners of magic. After much consideration Gresh agrees to take on the task on
the condition that his reward be fitting of the task
required -- a spell of eternal youth. One the fee is agreed
upon Gresh uses his common sense to get a general direction
before embarking on their quest. With all their knowledge of
spells and potions no one had ever considered actually
questioning a Spriggan before! And it is thus that Gresh
embarks on a his journey aboard a magic carpet, with Tobas,
his wives Karanissa and Alorria and their child to solve the
mystery of the Spriggans. And a mystery it is, for the
solution is not something so simple as finding and
destroying the mirror as the Guild had requested. THE SPRIGGAN MIRROR is a light, humorous fantasy with a
touch of romance which keeps the reader engrossed as the
plot unwinds in unexpected ways. Gresh is faced with
numerous challenges from the allure of his first taste of
magical power to that of a woman who belongs to another man.
In the end Gresh proves himself to be logical, ethical and
humane. The ending which suggests that his success may have
earned him an additional benefit is both satisfying and
leaves the door open for additional tales. An enjoyable read.
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted December 2, 2007
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