Books › Her Majesty's wizard
Her Majesty's wizard
First published 1986 · 352 pages
A lighthearted, poetry-fueled romp where an English major's knowledge of verse becomes literal magic.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping through a portal into the golden age of 1980s fantasy, where the stakes are high but the tone remains delightfully buoyant. It is a brisk, whimsical adventure that wraps the reader in a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere of chivalry, dragons, and damsels. The prose is accessible yet uniquely textured by its central conceit: magic is powered by poetry, meaning the narrative is constantly peppered with classic English verse and clever literary nods. The emotional journey is one of joyful discovery, watching a bewildered academic transform into a confident hero. It will thoroughly delight readers who love fish-out-of-water tales, literary puns, and the comforting, earnest charm of classic portal fantasy where intellect and a good rhyme can save the day.
- Mood
- whimsical
- nostalgic
- adventurous
- cozy
- Tone
- playful
- wry
- earnest
- academic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the power of language · fish out of water · romantic chivalry · intellect as magic
- The writing
- Accessible and breezy, heavily peppered with classic English poetry and clever literary references.
- The arc
- Moves from bewildered academic curiosity to confident, heroic mastery of a whimsical new reality.
- Who it's for
- Fans of classic 80s portal fantasy who appreciate literary puns and the idea that an English major could save the world.
Content notes
- mild fantasy violence
- dated gender tropes
About the book
Matthew Mantrell leaned forward across the little table in the campus coffee shop and tapped the sheet of rune-covered parchment before him.
Description from Open Library.
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