The Warlock in Spite of Himself

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff

so-so

There were a number of things about this book which I enjoyed, but the overall reading experience was not pleasant enough to warrant continuing in the series. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Pros:
Sassy robot horse
Off planet visitor with foreign tech repeatedly mistaken for warlock, sci fi dude having to deal with actual magic, supernatural beings
Discussion of forms of government, multiple parties attempting a strategic manipulation into the desired form amidst chaotic circumstances and the associated reveals
4mo

Robotswithpersonality 3/? Gwendolyn the witch, knows her own worth, power not to be underestimated, willing to show vulnerability and fall in love
Big Tom, so much more than first appeared
An organization sending agents among the stars to prime planets for true democracy vs time traveling agents of pro-dictatorial regime that set themselves up as the Wormtongues to all the local noblemen of consequence to try and bring their own plan to fruition 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 4/? Brom O'Berin - the Elf Prince of short stature who kicks everyone's ass
Impressive consistency writing dialogue in an older form of speech in a way that didn't bog down the pace or hamper the conveyance of meaning. 4mo

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Cons:
Catharine, impervious to personal growth, prideful, arrogant, unreasonable until the last second where she then capitulates, rather than show any inclination of becoming a better ruler (the lesson being what? Obviously the land needed a King and she needed an occasionally firm male hand? Yuck).
Court intrigue, bleah! The sheer melodrama 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 6/? It's very clear that the setting of this story is fantasy, the sci fi is sprinkled in for spice, and if it weren't medieval monarchy-focused fantasy I'd have less of an issue with that ratio.
The language used to describe Brom
Tom's death
Physical punishment considered a valid solution for corrective action of a young woman by the men who don't appreciate her attitude 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 7/? Main character is way too comfortable calling any woman with cunning or opposing views a bitch
The discussion of what makes a man a man happens more than once, factors into considerations of a fulfilling life - blame the toxic masculinity of the publishing period for that one 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 8/? Perhaps a function of a society modeled on medieval times, but it's pretty off-putting that the Queen is referenced in equal amounts as a desirable, manipulative siren of a female and also a child. Her behaviour makes me think a) she has not been raised with a lot of sense or maturity but has 'come of age' per the standards of her day b) she's younger than I first thought which just makes everything more creepy, 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 9/? especially the whiff of 'the main character didn't sleep with her even though she attempts to seduce him, give this man a medal' 😑
I suppose a lot of cons stem from 'this was written in 1969', but that bolsters my decision not to continue in the series, because it will be further work from the same mind in the same time period. 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 10/10 Fascinating premise, decent character work, sprinkle of fun sci fi and fantasy elements, but I spent a little too much time pissed off while reading to want to sign up for what is likely to be a repeat experience.

⚠️ Misogyny, corporal punishment (edited) 4mo

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Robotswithpersonality

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff

Understandable. Though you'd figure a witch who's turned herself into an Osprey, mouse and a wren would have a bit more sangfroid about the possibility.

Texreader One would think… 😂 (edited) 4mo

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Robotswithpersonality

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff

A pun set up worthy of Terry Pratchett.
Of course, given the publication chronology, it's possible Pratchett took inspiration from Stasheff....🤔

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Robotswithpersonality

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff

Scenario: Musk and Bezos attend a renaissance faire and decide to take LARPing to the next level. 🫣

julesG 🤣😝🫣 5mo

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Bookish_AF

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff

A curious friend has joined me for reading this morning....(but really she‘s interested in playing with my pen).

I know it‘s taking me forever to read this, but it‘s not the book, just life! (And the result of going a little nuts on library holds and getting inundated 😅)

#LMPBC #catsoflitsy

Crazeedi Sweet kitty 😻 and I hear you, I had 3 holds come in and go back cause i didnt get to them 5y

Caroline2 Great photo. 😆 5y

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Bookish_AF

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff

I am settled in with my coffee and the tagged book, for #LMPBC, while the cat roasts herself in front of the fireplace....🤔😺

tracey38 Kitty must be chilly! But so cute. 5y

Bookish_AF @tracey38 she just loves sitting on the mantle!! I don‘t know how she stands it, it‘s so hot right in front of the fire! She‘s nuts 😂 5y

tracey38 @Bookish_AF well, cats always seem to like the weirdest places! 😂 5y

36 likes3 comments

jessinikkip

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff

pick

Ok, I know I complained but really, this was a good book. I really enjoyed how seamlesly magic and sci-fi and politics was blended together. Wont say too much because its a #LMPBC book, but it was enjoyable
@Dragonfairykats @whippoorwill815 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m glad you found the enjoyable parts too. 5y

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jessinikkip

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff

If this man doesnt stop calling LITERALLY EVERY woman a "b***h" I might have to just finish this later or something. I cant handle all this shenanigans ?
#LMPBC
@Dragonfairykats @whippoorwill815 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I know...I had trouble with that too. That definitely dated it for me. I plugged through, but I agree I thought about ditching it when that came up repeatedly. I‘m glad to know I wasn‘t the only one that was annoyed by that. 5y

jessinikkip @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I feel the same: glad to know it wasnt just me. I'm definitely going to make it through, just may have to take a break and focus on something else for the week 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jessinikkip I did that too...for the modern “advanced” man, that part disappointed me about it. 5y

Dragonfairykats I'm sorry. I think because I've read it before I didn't notice unless he (I'm assuming we're talking about Rod) was talking about Catherine. 😔 Otherwise I would have warned you. @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jessinikkip @whippoorwill815 5y

Hooked_on_books Casual misogyny drives me crazy! 🤬 5y

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jessinikkip

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff

Well I was planning to start reading the #LMPBC book but stress and anxiety really got to me. So of course LittleMan decided I didnt really need to read right now so he could check on me. He does this every time I get anxious.
Every. Time.
@Dragonfairykats @whippoorwill815 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Hooked_on_books Dogs are the best. My younger dog climbs on top of me and licks my face every time I swear. They are so tied in to our emotional states. You‘re in excellent paws. 🐾 5y

Riveted_Reader_Melissa He‘s a great and smart dog. And I understand, anxiety levels are extra high at the moment for many of us, I know I‘m feeling it here too. 5y

squirrelbrain Dogs(and cats) are so perceptive aren‘t they? Hope you‘re feeling better soon ❤️🐶 5y

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kspenmoll Feel better; so glad you have your dog. One of our cats always shows up when d#sadness or anxiety tears its head. 5y

Dragonfairykats Animals are great for making us feel better. I miss my kitties. Just breathe and cuddle your baby. ❤ 5y

TrishB Glad he helps 🐶❤️ 5y

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jessinikkip

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff

@Riveted_Reader_Melissa @whippoorwill815 @Dragonfairykats

Just wanted to let you guys know that I received this #LMPBC package today coming back from the doctor, but I forgot to take my package to mail. This flu and bronchitis really took a toll on me. I should get it mailed tomorrow I hope

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m glad you received it ok.... and no worries, I‘m thinking with the new schedule, you‘re right on time as long as you mail it be the end of the month. 👍. Please feel better soon! 5y

jessinikkip Tha ks @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I finally feel like I might be getting better. Still coughing a bit but I feel about 100 times better than this time 2 weeks ago 5y

jessinikkip @Dragonfairykats @whippoorwill815 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I sent off Planetfall on Tuesday, because I was already at the post office mailing things anyway. But still no rush, i just figured why not mail it while mailing other things 5y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jessinikkip Thanks, I‘m sure @whippoorwill815 will be happy to see it....but I agree, no rush or pressure, just mail them as you get a chance once you finish them...they‘ll all get through our circle eventually. 😉 5y

Dragonfairykats Thank you all for being so patient! @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @jessinikkip @whippoorwill815 5y

jessinikkip No problem @Dragonfairykats with me being so sick I was behind anyway LOL plus Im one of those that as long as I eventually end up with mine back, time doesnt really matter much 5y

Bookish_AF I will keep an eye out for it !😊 @jessinikkip @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Dragonfairykats (edited) 5y

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff

pick

All finished and on to the next member in my #LPMBC!

I‘ll admit this one took awhile to grow on me, but I was interested to see how he‘d wrap it all up by the end.

It will be in the mail to you today @jessinikkip and I put more notes in the end pages for after you‘ve read it so I don‘t give away too much here.

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa

The Warlock in Spite of Himself | Christopher Stasheff