The Woods Out Back

Bored with life after college, Gary Leger wanders into the woods behind his house and discovers a fantasy world peopled with elves, dwarves, witches, and dragons. Original.

Napping after a dreary day in his dead-end job, Gary Leger wakes to find he has been kidnapped into "the world of the Faerie." Mickey McMickey, a leprechaun, has brought him to join the quest of Kelsey Gil-Ravadry, an elf who hopes that by following "the legends" he can repair a spear that belonged to an ancient king; the spear has great powers and is able to communicate with its possessor. Gary's reluctance to go questing is overcome by Kelsey's simple argument: help me or I'll kill you. As the trio ventures forth to corral a dwarf blacksmith (to reforge the spear) and a dragon (to supply the fire needed), they find themselves thwarted by the evil sorceress Ceridwen, who sends trolls and goblins to attack them, among other impediments. In this story, which initiates the Spearwielder's Tale series, Salvatore ( The Legacy ) does not adequately explain for what purposes Kelsey wants the spear or why Ceridwen opposes him. Also, it is discouraging to see Gary working for cooperation among various male creatures--human, elf, leprechaun, dwarf and giant--while the tale offers few female characters, all unappealing and all of whom endanger the quest.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Seasoned fantasist Salvatore here seeks greener pastures in a new saga, Spearwielder's Tale. The title character is Gary, a young man employed by a plastics factory but drafted by a leprechaun to seek and wield a legendary champion's spear against an evil sorceress. There is nothing new in the book--nor anything badly done. Salvatore uses standard fantasy elements with literacy, intelligence, and a good deal of wry wit--Robert the Dragon, for instance, whose breath must reforge the broken spear before it can be wielded. Roland Green

The author of the best-selling "Dark Elf" series turns his hand to a cross-world fantasy in this first volume of "The Spearwielder's Tale," a projected trilogy.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.