Lawrence Watt-Evans, The Wizard Lord

The Wizard Lord

Lawrence Watt-Evans

Tor, Mar 2006, $26.95, 336 pp.

ISBN 0765310260

The Wizard Lord rules over Barokan, but his powers are kept somewhat in check by The Chosen Ones (the Leader, the Seer, the Swordsman, the Beauty, the Thief, the Scholar, the Archer, and the Speaker) who can combine into a group to defeat an evil ruler. In turn he keeps them from forming a dictatorial oligopoly by using their individual talents when he deems necessary. Together the nine make up the ruling supreme court of Barokan with the key mission to keep wizardry under control.

Shockingly, a young villager Breaker becomes the Swordsman when the current office holder retires. Breaker assumes he will have some time to learn his duties and to become acquainted with his now seven peers, who seem so supreme to him. However, he has no time for on the job training as he soon finds he has to save the realm as a switch in the checks and balances have occurred; a rogue wizard is ready to take absolute power while Breaker doubts he is prepared for the mission and wonders if his people might be better off under a more centralized magically controlled economic system

THE WIZARD LORD, Volume One of the Annals of the Chosen, is a terrific but typical sword and sorcery tale that is somewhat refreshed by the checks and balances of power that in many ways parallels the American government. However, the philosophical sharing of rule is more an underlying theme as the prime plot is the coming of age quest of the newest Chosen One. Fantasy fans, especially the S&S crowd, will take pleasure from Lawrence Watt-Evans' invigorating tale.