A Wizard in Mind: The First Chronicle of the Rogue Wizard

This volume kicks off a new series dedicated to the travels of Magnus d'Armand, who is rebelling against his famous father, Rod Gallowglass, hero of several Stasheff novels (The Warlock in Spite of Himself). Magnus, under the alias of Gar Pike, travels to the island of Pirogia on the planet Petrarch, which he wishes to convert into a democracy. There, he befriends Gianni Braccalese, the son of a leading merchant. Gianni's attempts to trade his father's goods with other lands are impeded by the Stiletto Company, mercenaries in the employ of one Prince Raginaldi. (At one point, to disguise themselves from marauding soldiers, Magnus (as Gar) suggests that he and Gianni call themselves Giorgio and Lenni-and does several riffs on rabbits, just in case the reader misses the point.) During his quest Magnus encounters several competing factions-with more than one originating off-world-to be overcome. But battle scenes are either described after the fact or rendered in lackluster exposition, and too many familiar names are invoked (Vladimir; Estragon; Feste) but generally ill used. While this series may develop into something interesting, this first volume doesn't bode well. (Mar.)