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benditlikebecka's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I read this book as research into the history of Dungeons & Dragons and that is the only reason anyone should read this. The book is from its time: the women are sex objects (and also the main object of desire is explicitly not an adult), men are two-dimensional, traditional Christian values are upheld, and the racism is definitely uncomfortable. This book is an early contributor to modern fantasy, but should be left in the past.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Racism
trigonomitron's review against another edition
5.0
It is pretty rare when a book pulls me through it, cover to cover. Rarer still when I don't want it to end. I'm going to be lost in this world myself for a while after finishing.
robertgar's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dakinpj's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism
a_billion_lives's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
3.0
In what reads like an homage to Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Poul Anderson time loops WWII anti-Nazi espionage with an alternate universe that is straight outta ultra-imaginative D&D.
A full year before The Fellowship of the Ring was even published Poul was delivering page after page of elves and trolls and fire-breathing you-know-whats. His reluctant protagonist is, quite literally, a time traveling knight in shining armor who embodies every cliché in the genre. If your happy places happen to be Hogwarts and Isengard and Camelot, this is probably your book.
A full year before The Fellowship of the Ring was even published Poul was delivering page after page of elves and trolls and fire-breathing you-know-whats. His reluctant protagonist is, quite literally, a time traveling knight in shining armor who embodies every cliché in the genre. If your happy places happen to be Hogwarts and Isengard and Camelot, this is probably your book.
ghostmeat47's review against another edition
3.0
Fine. Fun. Loved the troll fight; very evocative. Fun and charming characters. And such a love story... across worlds and time and space-time!
ogreart's review against another edition
4.0
It has been almost 40 years since I read this book. It has stuck in my mind. Listening to Pinchot's narration was satisfying. The story still holds up for me. Glad I had this chance to revisit it.
jalgorth's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This is a classic old fantasy book. For it's time, I'm sure it was revolutionary, but it feels somewhat tired today. It's kind of like that old movie, a New York Yankee in king arthurs court, or something like that. Light, fun, not amazing, but an enjoyable read.