Misenchanted Sword

by Lawrence Watt-Evans

Book Overview

The old wizard wasn't exactly happy with Valder, who'd led his enemy to his hut. Now hut and magical supplies were destroyed. But he'd promised the young scout a magic sword to get him safely back to his own lines -- and a much enchanted sword Valder would get! The resulting sword gave perfect protection -- sometimes! It could kill any man -- or even half demon. In fact, once drawn, it had to kill before it could be put down or sheathed. Army wizards...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345318226
• ISBN13: 9780345318220
• Release Date: August 1985
• Publisher: Del Rey Books
• Length: 10 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

One of the best fantasy books nobody's read.

This little gem is the sort of book that you pick up at the used bookstore with twenty other paperbacks, not expecting much, and then end up treasuring for years. Much modern fantasy relies on rather generic plot arcs and characterization that substitutes brutality for realism. Lawrence Watt-Evans falls into neither of those traps. The book starts with an apparently rather generic plot -- Joe Average soldier gets trapped behind enemy lines, meets friendly wizard, wizard makes him a magic sword then disappears, turns out sword isn't as beneficial as it first appears, etc. But the interesting thing about this book is that the decency and common sense of the lead character manage to take the story in a very different direction from where such stories typically go. Rather than a generic plot-driven hero-quest fantasy, this book turns, in a very pleasant surprise, into a very enjoyable character-driven tale, and what's even better, one where all the main characters are likeable and act sensibly. Far too much modern fantasy seems to be written by authors who think that "realism" means nothing more than an extra helping of cynicism, and 'characterization" means making sure all your characters are either brutal, stupid, or naieve. It's wonderfully refreshing to read fantasy where the lead character is just a sensible, reasonably intelligent man trying to lead his own life as pleasantly as possible with a minimum of fuss -- an ambition I'm sure we can all share.

Belongs in every fantasy lovers collection

This novel goes through several interesting phases in the life of the main character and stands on its own if you can't find the rest of this series. It even has a "building" phase in which he turns a bare plot of ground into a successful inn over the course of a decade. Original storyline, great internal dialog, and timeline spanning a lifetime+ make this a classic page turner you will enjoy rereading every five years until you die.

a terribly enjoyable fantasy book... finally

Hi. I'm not usually into fantasy. Let's face it... most are poorly written (geared to 14 year old boys), take themselves too seriously, or try to be Tolkien (failing miserably). Watt-Evans' book, the Misenchanted Sword, is a welcome, fun, light, and intelligent exception. Its a joy to read. He creates a great protagonist - Valder, an ordinary, run of the mill ex-soldier. In many ways, he is an antithesis of most fantasy heroes: not exceptionally brave nor intelligent nor wise nor bloodthirsty. Nonetheless, he's thrust into an extraordinary situation (possessing a sword that gives him immortality until he has killed 100 people... at which point the sword turns on him...oh yeah, the sword does not protect him from aging or being wounded). With that, the story takes off, and you'll be through the book in about two nights. Great fun!

Great Book, GREAT series!

I know that "With a Single Spell" actually is the original for the series, but I started with this book and now I constantly check the book stores for new titles by Lawrence Watt-Evans. The whole of the series (although each book is pretty much completely independent, which I also find very enjoyable) in this richly described world hinge upon what you learn in this book.

Start of Greatness

I picked this book up 10 years ago, and gave it a read. It was simply the best the best book I had read. I would heartily recommend this book. I loved all the Ethshar books. I have loved all of his books save the three worlds trilogy. I could not recommend them at all.As a side note, do not lend this book to anyone, I am on my 3rd copy!