Overview
Books in the 'Warlock'
series
Books in the 'Warlock's Heirs' series
Books in the
'Rogue Wizard' series
Mind Out of
Time
Saint Vidicon to
the Rescue
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Christopher Stasheff's 'Warlock' series is a science fiction series, but with strong fantasy elements. The author has done this by setting up a fantasy world, and then explaining it using science fiction terminology.
The series describes the adventures of Rodney d'Armand, alias Rod Gallowglass, who as an agent of the interstellar Terran Sphere, arrives on the lost colony world of Gramarye. His mission is to guide it to become a democracy, so it might become a member of the Terran Sphere.
What he discovers is a medieval feudal society, with a monarchy, barons, soldiers and peasants. In addition there is a relatively high degree of psychic ability in the population (telepathy, levitation, telekinesis, teleportation etc), but in the medieval setting this is interpreted as magic. The people with these abilities are referred to locally as witches and warlocks, and there is a lot of prejudice against them, from people without these talents, although they are now under the Queen's protection.
To further complicate things, there is a fungus called witch moss, which under the influence of a projective telepath (not always intentional) can be formed into what the telepath is thinking of. Past activity of this kind has resulted in a race of elves coming into being (and once formed, they breed true), and other creatures of fantasy.
Rod soon discovers that he is not the only visitor to the planet. Two groups of agents - the anarchists and the totalitarians - have arrived by time machine from the future. Realising the pivotal part the Gramarye telepaths will take in interstellar history, each group wants to steer Gramarye society in their own direction. Rod must constantly combat the chaos they are causing - unrest, civil war, and attempted revolution. In the later books (in both the 'Warlock' and 'Warlock's Heirs' series), Agent Finister emerges, a woman native to Gramarye, with powerful psychic abilities, but recruited by the anarchists to defeat the Gallowglasses.
Because of Rod's knowledge of high technology and political science, and his possession of a robot horse Fess, he is soon known as the High Warlock, and becomes an adviser to the King and Queen.
Rod marries a local girl, Gwendolyn, with psychic powers, and by the time of 'The Warlock Unlocked' they have four children (Magnus, Cordelia, Geoffrey and Gregory), each of whom have strong psychic powers.
What Rod does not realise for some time, is that the Catholic monks have retained a knowledge of technology within the monastery walls, and are also doing scientific research into psychic abilities.
As well as the main 'Warlock' series, there are the 'Warlock's Heirs' series, and the 'Rogue Wizard' series.
The 'Warlock's Heirs' series continues the story on Gramarye, but the focus has moved away from Rod and Gwen to their children, who have now reached adulthood.
The 'Rogue Wizard' series follows the life of Rod's eldest son Magnus, when he leaves Gramarye. Magnus travels in his spaceship Herkimer, searching for worlds where the people are oppressed by their overlords, and joins in their struggles.
The 'Starship Troupers' series (straight science fiction), by the same author, is set in the same universe as the Warlock series, and describe events occurring before 'Escape Velocity'.
"Mind Out of Time" is a collection of stories, some of which are set in the Warlock universe.
The more recent book "Saint Vidicon to the Rescue" is possibly best described as a combination spin-off and prequel to the series.
I found the Warlock series a fascinating series, with an interesting hybrid science fiction/fantasy setting. Also, the author has developed a detailed historical background. Initially I thought the spinoff 'Rogue Wizard' series was a promising direction, but since I have found it a bit repetitive. I have enjoyed the 'Warlock's Heirs' series, which is set on Gramarye, but focusing on the younger generation. After the poorer books 'The Warlock Insane' and 'The Warlock Rock' of the main 'Warlock' series, I think the series needed a change of direction.
Escape Velocity (1983)
This book is a prequel to the main series (written after the
first few books), and tells the story of Rod's ancestors, as well
as the events leading to the colonisation of Gramarye.
Dar Mandra has been living on the former prison world of Wolmar. He and Samantha Bine travel to the planet Falstaff, and from there to Earth, but are constantly being attacked by unknown enemies who are under the impression they are dangerous telepaths.
The Warlock in Spite of Himself (1969)
Rod arrives on Gramarye and discovers the barons are about to
revolt against the Queen. He must prevent the revolution. He
falls in love with the witch girl Gwendolyn.
King Kobold Revived (1984) (a rewrite of an
earlier version called King Kobold (1971))
The people of Gramarye are attacked by beastmen from across the
sea. These beastmen have the Evil Eye, which freezes the
defending soldiers in their tracks. All the witches and warlocks
are summoned to combat them.
The Warlock Unlocked (1982)
The Gallowglass family stumble through a time-portal to an
alternative universe, where magic really works. They rescue a boy-king
from his tyrannical uncle, and have a brush with a vicious fairy
duke. On Earth, the Vatican receives a message that Rod is about
to acquire psychic powers of his own, and dispatches a priest,
Father Aloysius, to give him guidance. Meanwhile, back on
Gramarye, civil war is brewing between Church and State.
The Warlock Enraged (1985)
Rod didn't just pick up psychic powers in the alternative
universe, he also gained a terrible temper. The King sends him
north to investigate rumours, and he discovers a sorcerer who is
overthrowing barons, exerting mind control over the soldiers and
peasants, and causing anarchy. Rod must control his temper if he
is to defeat the sorcerer.
The Warlock Wandering (1986)
Rod and Gwen are ambushed and sent through a time-portal into the
past. The story is very reminiscent of 'Escape Velocity' as they
find themselves on Wolmar, and subsequently travel to Otranto,
and to Earth, having to be on the lookout for attackers all the
way.
The Warlock is Missing (1986)
While Rod and Gwen are away, their four children are having
adventures of their own. Accompanied by the elf Puck, the
leprechaun Kelly, a unicorn and the robot horse Fess, they
encounter a dragon, a witch, a sorcerer, a troll, a giant and
gangs of lawless men.
The Warlock Heretical (1987)
The Abbot - the head of the Catholic Church on Gramarye -
declares the Church separate from the Church of Rome, and
announces that the King and Queen must be subject to him. It
looks as if the conflict between Church and State is starting up
again. People throughout the country have to decide where their
loyalties lie.
The Warlock's Companion (1988)
The Gallowglass family trek across country to take possession of
a castle granted to them by the King. As they travel, Fess, the
robot horse, tells them their family history: he has been with
the d'Armand family for generations. Arriving at the castle, they
discover it is haunted - and ghosts can be very real in Gramarye.
The Warlock Insane (1989)
This is one of the weaker stories. Rod is experiencing
hallucinations, and feelings of paranoia, and being afraid he
might harm his family during these apparent attacks of insanity,
he wanders into the forest. Has he been drugged? In this state he
appears to be in the land of his grandfather's fairytales, and is
joined by the knight Beaubras and the dwarf Modwis, as they
rescue the Lady Haughter and combat the sorcerer Brume.
The Warlock Rock (1990)
This is another weak story, full of puns related to rock music,
which don't help, although the story's resolution is satisfactory.
Musical rocks have appeared throughout the land of Gramarye, and
the nation's youth are being enticed away from their homes and
into strange behaviour. The Gallowglass family set out to find
the source of the rocks.
Warlock and Son (1991)
Rod's eldest son Magnus finds himself in a dilemma. If he leaves
home, will the family be able to cope without him? On the other
hand, can he really find self-fulfilment if everyone knows him as
the High Warlock's son? He rides off into the forest to work this
out. Rod follows in the distance, to keep an eye on him - which
is fortunate, because there are various unscrupulous people
living in the forest: an evil witch, a seductress, and a self-
appointed bishop ruling his village with threats of Hellfire and
damnation.
A Wizard in Absentia (1993)
[Previously I had this as part of the 'Rogue Wizard' series, but
the publisher's information includes it as part of the 'Warlock's
Heirs' series. This is consistent with having a book in this
series for each of the Warlock's children.]
Magnus leaves the planet Gramarye, and returns to Rod's family home on the asteroid Maxima. Failing to find his destiny there, he leaves and joins SCENT, the same agency to which his father belongs. The SCENT team lands on the planet Taxhaven, a world where the working class serfs are oppressed by the upper class. The SCENT goal is (as for Gramarye) to guide the world towards democracy. Magnus takes on the role of a mercenary soldier, taking the alias Gar Pike. (By the end of the story, Magnus has had a falling out with SCENT, and heads out on his own.)
M'Lady Witch (1994)
Prince Alain proposes marriage to Cordelia Gallowglass, but in
such an arrogant way that she turns him down. Geoffrey,
Cordelia's brother, decides the prince needs to learn something
about real life, so he and Alain set off on a quest. They rescue
peasants from outlaws, kill an ogre threatening a village, and
escort a damsel, Delilah, stranded in the forest. At this point,
Cordelia, watching from afar, decides that Alain is paying too
much attention to Delilah, and joins the group. But when the
outlaw Forrest joins them, Cordelia finds it difficult to choose
between the prince and the outlaw. And is Delilah everything she
appears to be?
Quicksilver's Knight (1995)
Geoffrey Gallowglass is a knight-errant, who travels the country
righting wrongs. The King sends him to arrest the bandit-chieftain
Quicksilver, who has taken over the land of a Count, with a band
of outlaws. However, Geoffrey discovers that Quicksilver is a
beautiful warrior woman, with psychic powers, and falls in love
with her.
The Spell-Bound Scholar (1999)
Gregory Gallowglass is a wizard and a scholar, a seeker of
knowledge. He is entrusted with escorting the witch Moraga across
country to the palace, where she may join the Royal Coven.
However, Moraga is in fact Finister, treacherous agent of the
anarchists, intent on overthrowing the King and Queen, and to
achieve that aim, she intends first to destroy the Gallowglass
family. Her psychic attack on Gregory backfires, and as she lies
unconscious, Gregory discovers he is in love with her. Should he
kill her, or can she be healed of the anarchists' conditioning?
Here Be Monsters (2001)
Allouette (formerly Agent Finister) has now forsaken her evil
ways, through the help and mental healing of Gwen and Cordelia,
and is now Gregory's fiance, living and studying with him in
their ivory tower. Then Allouette receives a vision of monsters
attacking Gramarye. So she and Gregory set out to find the source
of this threat. Not wanting to miss out on this adventure,
Geoffrey and Prince Alain follow, followed in turn by Quicksilver
and Cordelia. As they continue to encounter rare and dangerous
monsters, they wonder whether a sorcerer is responsible for them.
The Warlock's Last Ride (2004)
A triple wedding is held for Cordelia, Geoffrey, Gregory and
their partners. However shortly afterwards Gwen falls seriously
ill. Magnus hurries home from his space travels, accompanied by
his female companion Alea, to see his mother before she dies.
After Gwen's death, Rod mounts his robot horse Fess, and heads off into the forest, searching for the mystical land Tir Na Nog, where he believes he will meet his wife Gwen again. The rest of the Gallowglass family are trying to come to terms with Magnus's arrival - will he try to take over his father's position as head of the family, and give his siblings orders? Also Magnus and Alea have both had unhappy past experiences with the opposite sex - can their relationship develop beyond friendship?
In the meantime, the anarchists and the totalitarians are active again, stirring up both the peasants and the lords to rebellion against the Crown. With Gwen dead, and Rod off on his travels, can the Gallowglass family win the fight against the forces that threaten their world?
The series continues on from 'A Wizard in Absentia' in the 'Warlock's Heirs' series.
A Wizard in Mind (1995)
The planet Petrarch has a number of city-states, where peasants
are ruled by aristocrats. The city of Pirogia, however, is run by
merchants along almost democratic lines. When Gianni Braccalese,
son of a prominent merchant, sets out on a trade trip, he and his
men are attacked by a mercenary company in the pay of Prince
Raginaldi, who wants to return Pirogia to aristocratic rule.
Gianni enlists a mercenary soldier called Gar (alias Magnus
d'Armand), to help fight back.
A Wizard in Bedlam (1979)
This book was written before most of the Warlock series. The
author has obviously written several of the 'Warlock', 'Warlock's
Heirs' and 'Rogue Wizard' books in such a way that they lead up
to this point.
On the planet Melange, the 'churls' - the working class - are oppressed by the upper class lords. Dirk Dulaine returns to his home planet to assist the rebel leaders in the coming revolution. The churls, however, are waiting for the long-dead legendary outlaw DeCade to rise again. A mysterious visitor from off-planet - Gar Pike (alias Magnus d'Armand) - may be the key to their success.
A Wizard in War (1995)
Dirk Dulaine has joined Magnus on board Herkimer, and they travel
to the world of Maltroit. The nobles of this world are constantly
at war with each other and the king, with the serfs suffering the
worst from the conflict. Gar and Dirk, assisted by the runaway
serf Coll, spend time with the king's army, the outlaws in the
greenwood, and a travelling troupe of players, building an
underground movement for a revolution.
A Wizard in Peace (1996)
Gar and Dirk arrive on another planet, whose people live under
the rigid rule of the Protector and his magistrates. On this
world marriages are compulsory, and usually unhappy, and travel
beyond one's village is only possible with a permit. Gar and Dirk
enlist the help of Miles, a runaway from an arranged marriage,
and a group of insane individuals living in the Lost City, who
are convinced they are aristocrats.
A Wizard in Chaos (1997)
Life on the planet Durvie is almost constant war between the
bosses of the domains. Gar and Dirk join a mercenary company. But
Gar has somehow offended someone, and the company soon find armed
men attacking them without apparent cause. They take refuge in
the Quilichen domain, where Dirk falls in love with Magda, sister
to the Squire. When they discover the Fair Folk of the Hollow
Hills, Gar comes up with a plan for peace and order.
A Wizard in Midgard (1998)
Gar arrives on the planet Siegfried, (Dirk having left at the end
of the previous story,) whose people have adopted the culture and
religion of the ancient Vikings. The inhabited part of the planet
is occupied by three nations: the people of normal size (the
Midgarders), the giants and the dwarves. The Midgarders wage war
against the giants and dwarves, and enslave those of their own
people who are bigger or smaller than normal. Gar is captured and
enslaved, but escapes, and meets Alea, a woman who has also
escaped from slavery. Together they travel the land, encountering
the various groups, and attempting to plant the seeds of
cooperation.
A Wizard and a Warlord (2000)
Alea has joined Gar on board Herkimer, and they travel to the
planet Brigante. The inhabitants appear to live a peaceful
Neolithic lifestyle, with villages, farms and temples, but there
seems to be no government. Gar and Alea wander the land disguised
as peddlers. However, the outlaw warlord General Malachi is
gaining strength, attacking villages, killing or capturing people
as recruits, and has ambitions to make himself king. But the
villagers who have not been attacked seem not to be concerned,
relying on a mysterious Scarlet Company to protect them. Should
Gar and Alea take action?
A Wizard in the Way (2000)
(Synopsis still to come)
A Wizard in a Feud (2001)
(Synopsis still to come)
The story of the Rogue Wizard is continued in 'The Warlock's Last Ride' in the 'Warlock's Heirs' series.
This book is a collection of stories, some of which are set in the Warlock universe.
The Warlock's Grandfather (1992)
This story is set in the time of Rodney d'Armand's childhood, on the asteroid Maxima. Rodney's grandfather, Count Rory has relinquished control of the family business to his eldest son, Rupert, but now starts to behave strangely. He seems to imagine that he is in the medieval Court of Glancarte, in a setting like Earth, rather than the stark landscape of the asteroid. He also becomes a shameless flirt at social gatherings, causing the family much embarrassment. Rodney's parents, Robin and Rose, finally come up with a solution, one in which Rodney and his brother Richard continue to enjoy the stories of Glancarte told by their grandfather.
As well as giving some of Rod's background, this story provides the reference for his grandfather's fairytales as mentioned in "The Warlock Insane".
The Martyrdom of St. Vidicon of Cathode (1982)
The story of Saint Vidicon was initially told in "The Warlock Unlocked" by Father Aloysius. It is also revealed in various places in the Warlock series that all monks on Gramarye belong to the order of Saint Vidicon.
Father Vidicon is an engineer priest, who is normally called in to fix the technological equipment in the Vatican. He dies of electrocution while trying to maintain the broadcast equpment during an important broadcast to the world by the Pope. He is subsequently declared a saint and a martyr, the one that people call on for help when technical equipment goes wrong.
Mind Out of Time (2003)
This story tells how Angus McAran (later to be called Doc Angus) develops the time machine, assisted by the Neanderthal man, Yorick. (Both Angus and Yorick appear in the Warlock books).
Angus meets Yorick, who tells him that Angus will develop the time machine, and establish an time-travelling organisation called GRIPE. They will be opposed by the time travel agencies of the future regimes SPITE (the anarchists) and VETO (the totalitarians) who will steal Angus's technology, but who wish to destroy GRIPE because of its support for democracy. As Angus starts to develop the time travel technology, he struggles to decide whether he should proceed with this development - all the time being opposed by enemy agents from the future, but supported by Yorick and other agents of his own future organisation.
The story "The Martyrdom of St. Vidicon of Cathode" is repeated at the beginning of this book. (See my description under "Mind Out of Time".)
In the afterlife, Saint Vidicon finds himself battling the forces of chaos and entropy - Finagle, Murphy (of Murphy's Law fame), the Imp of Perversity and the Gremlin.
Tony Ricci is a computer troubleshooter. In one of his jobs he finds a virus consisting of scrolling text telling the story of Saint Vidicon, and finds himself transported to the place where Saint Vidicon is. Saint Vidicon sends Tony as his agent to various places in the world in response to people's prayers. Tony finds himself in surreal environments - scaled down to miniature sizes and battling viruses, gremlins and other impish beings which make technological equipment go wrong. He even finds himself travelling back in time, and required to resolve a temporal paradox. In return, Saint Vidicon gives Tony advice in his love life.
This book is a little discontinuous, as it tells a series of somewhat independent stories from the point of view of the people getting into difficulties, who then pray to Saint Vidicon to help solve their problems, with Tony Ricci arriving unseen to fix them.
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Last revised: 08 June 2007.