Friday, May 14, 2010

Wizard Squared-K. E. Mills

Wizard Squared
K. E. Mills
HarperCollins, Jul 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780316035439

Calling him an ordinary wizard was being kind to minor third grade bureaucrat Gerald Dunnywood. That all changed in a flash when Gerald the safety inspector for Ottosland's Department of Thaumaturgy was caught in a thaumaturgical factory explosion that brought out his untapped inner magical self (see the Accidental Sorcerer).

That was then and this is now as Gerald and his friends Monk Markham, Bibby, Melissande, and Reg perform magical assignments as Witches, Incorporated. Out of nowhere, but actually from a parallel universe arrives Monk Markham. The newcomer explains to Monk and the others except Gerald who is on assignment that his universe’s Gerald became more evil than the malevolent wizard-king he defeated when he became The Accidental Sorcerer. The Monk from the other universe has come to plead with Gerald from this universe to return to his to fight Gerald.

The concept of opposite personalities is not new (Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde and a classic Star Trek, for instance), but made fresh with the Miller Mythos. The Third Rogue Agent fantasy is an enjoyable story that starts off a bit slow as the crew’s amusing bickering and grousing slows down the plot. Towards the middle of the story line, the squabbling is abated and the tale takes off as the audience awaits a confrontation between the two Geralds. Fans of the saga will appreciate the return of Gerald as he is twice the fun with a good and evil versions colliding.

Harriet Klausner

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