WebMage
Kelly McCullough
Ace, Aug 2006, $6.99
ISBN: 0441014259

In the twenty-first century, magic has gone digital with spells being coded on the Mweb and familiars being computers that turn into trolls and goblins. Instead of using the more dangerous chaos energy to cast a spell, powerful sorcerers program their magic leaving it to hackers like Ravirn to find and remove the bugs so that they work properly. Ravirn is a college student who is studying to refine his skills for his family’s use.

His kin is descended from the Three Fates and he is a demideity who never ages. When his Great-Aunt Atropos asks for his help on a spell that would replace the chaos of free will with order he refuses. She puts a spell on him that insures no one believes anything he says when he talks about his aunt’s endeavor; still he plans to stop the powerful Atropos with his only allies being his cousin with an nth degree of separation Cerice, his familiar Melchior the beautiful computer webgoblin and a didcarded webtroll. Ravirn and company have no chance against his relative, one of the Three Fates but he will die trying because free will means that much to him.

Fans who enjoy the fantasy The Warlock In Spite of Himself and its myriad spin-offs will thoroughly appreciate the madcap and whimsical WEBMAGE. The combination of computer technology with magic spells makes for a whimsical tale of action, adventure, and romance. Ravirn is a charming hero; an idealist fighting for what he believes is worth battling for inside a comedic quirky fantasy. Kelly McCullough shows great promise as a fantasy writer and the audience will hope there is a sequel for this spellbinding book

Harriet Klausner