Not Quite Scaramouche

Guardians of the Flame, Book 9

By: Joel Rosenberg

Narrated by: Keith Silverstein

In this roller coaster of a sequel to Not Exactly the Three Musketeers, it looks like the stage is set for a major shake-up in the kingdom. Jason's help in keeping everything from blowing up are the self-appointed soldiers of the errant Jason, sent by that wily off-worlder Walter Slovotsky to keep Jason in one piece...more or less.

There's Kethol, the long and lanky redhead with an easy smile, who's quick with a quip and quicker with a sword; Pirojil, the ugly one, whose looks deceive and whose might and loyalty are worth a kingdom; and the fledgling wizard Erenor, a man who tries to stay two steps ahead of his enemies - as well as one step ahead of his friends. They're all part of the Cullinane retinue, sworn to protect the Cullinane manse and the sometimes-heroic Jason Cullinane and they have their hands full. Because no one likes a vacuum - or one too many contenders for power - Jason's soldiers are going to have to do some fast adventuring to make it all turn out all right.

Next in Joel Rosenberg's best-selling Guardians of the Flame series, Not Quite Scaramouche continues the adventures of the journeyman soldiers of Castle Cullinane (and their sometimes ill-fated leader) in all their raucous glory.

©2001 Joel Rosenberg (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Not Especially Strong

2.5 stars.

Jason Culinane is summoned to a meeting of barons by the Emperor. Being Jason, he waits until the last minute to begin his travels. And then things get complex.

The story here is a bit fractured. The main protagonists are Kethol, Pirojil, and the journeyman wizard Erenor (who has replaced Durine after the events of the previous volume.) There are fights with mysterious foes and mysteries to solve, but many of these leave hanging threads that are not tied off in this book.

There is good character development for the three protagonists, but Jason, Walter, and Andrea get only limited attention.

The story isn't coherent enough to really maintain my attention, and the lack of closure is a bit frustrating. But the elements of the story are entertainin enough. I found the book interesting mostly because of my previous investment in the world, and would not recommend this to anyone not already invested.