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Magic Kingdom For Sale—SOLD!

av Terry Brooks

Andra författare: Se under Andra författare.

Serier: The Magic Kingdom of Landover (1)

MedlemmarRecensionerPopularitetGenomsnittligt betygDiskussioner / Omnämnanden
4,416652,596 (3.59)3 / 114
Book One in the Magic Kingdom of Landover Series Landover was a genuine magic kingdom, with fairy folk and wizardry, just as the advertisement promised. But after he purchased it, Ben Holiday learned that there were a few details the ad had failed to mention. The kingdom was in ruin. The Barons refused to recognize the king, and the peasants were without hope. A dragon was laying waste the countryside, while an evil witch plotted to destroy everything. Ben's only followers were the incompetent Court Magician; Abernathy, the talking dog who served as Court Scribe; and the lovely Willow - but she had a habit of putting down roots in the moonlight and turning into a tree. The Paladin, legendary champion of the Kings of Landover, seemed to be only a myth and an empty suit of armor. To put a final touch on the whole affair, Ben soon learned that the Iron Mark, terrible lord of the demons, had challenged all prospective Kings of Landover to a duel to the death - a duel which no human could hope to win. The task of proving his right to be King seemed hopeless. But Ben Holiday was stubborn. . .… (mer)
  1. 20
    A Spell for Chameleon av Piers Anthony (Scottneumann)
  2. 20
    A Princess of Landover av Terry Brooks (Scottneumann)
  3. 20
    The Dragon and the George av Gordon R. Dickson (wolfjack)
    wolfjack: I believe anyone who enjoys a light read involving those of our world entering a fantasy land of magic and battle will also love this book.
  4. 10
    The Warriors av Joel Rosenberg (wolfjack)
    wolfjack: I believe anyone who enjoys a light read involving those of our world entering a fantasy land of magic and battle will also love this book.
  5. 00
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  6. 12
    The Silent Tower av Barbara Hambly (wolfjack)
Laddar...

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» Se även 114 omnämnanden

Visa 1-5 av 65 (nästa | visa alla)
An easy fun read, nice to read between other dense doorstopper fantasy books...... ( )
  ilsevr1977 | Mar 20, 2023 |
Ben Holiday buys a magic kingdom that he doesn't believe in and learns to love it. This was fun enough to read, but a bit slow with all the tramping around the kingdom. The main character had lots of doubts and recriminations instead of getting on with the story. That being said, he did get on with it, whether he believed in himself or not. I will try more by this author. ( )
  MrsLee | Jan 29, 2023 |
This was a really fun book. It is a bit slow, leading up to Landover and pretty much just spending everyday day with Ben and his company. Much time is spent with everyone walking, talking, eating. Then, there is also epic action scenes. Thrilling enemies and obstacles. Brooks spends time with the characters and I really care about every one of them. Ben is loyal but frightened, rightfully so. The climax was not what I guessed but very fulfilling for the story.
I read this book because someone close to me who recently passed away read this book. It was interesting and surprising to see the main character, Ben also struggle with grief and letting go. Although Ben enjoyed his old life in our world it was okay to let ago and embrace the new world. In fact, Ben had to let go in order to be a happier and better king. A slightly dark but light, fun book about a man buying a kingdom, with themes of grief and confidence. ( )
  HeartofGold900 | Dec 3, 2022 |
This book may have been written over thirty years ago, but it holds up well. Ben Holiday's crazy adventure after purchasing the throne of a fantasy kingdom, Landover, shows that some things never change, no matter what world you're in. ( )
  RsReading | Nov 4, 2022 |
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S MAGIC KINGDOM FOR SALE–SOLD! ABOUT?
Ben Holiday is a recently widowed trial lawyer from Chicago. His wife's death has left him devastated, he is essentially going through the motions in all aspects of his life. One wintery day, his mail includes a holiday catalog addressed to his wife (younger readers should consult their parents about mail-order catalogs). She loved those kind of things, so Ben flips through it as a way to connect with her. One listing catches his eye—an offer to purchase a magic kingdom, with all that is implied by that.

He can't get the idea out of his mind, eventually flying to New York to meet with the representative for the company about the offer. It's sincere, he's told, for one-million dollars (largely refundable within a brief period of time), he can buy a kingdom—becoming its king, with all the benefits that come with that.

He's so desperate to change his life that Ben gambles on it. Takes a leave of absence from his practice, liquidates 1/3 of his investments, and buys it.

He's astounded to find out that the advertisement was true—it's another world, he gets there magically and the world is full of magic. He has a wizard advisor, a scribe who's a talking dog (okay, technically a man accidentally turned into a dog), a magic castle, and a pair of kobolds as servants.

Sadly, it's been so long since a legitimate king sat on the throne that the Kingdom's magic is dying. The magic is weakening, and the people, plants, and animals are suffering. If something doesn't stop it, Landover will cease to exist.

Does Ben Holiday have the ability, conviction, and grit to restore Landover to its former glory?

BEN'S EMOTIONAL STATE
One of the best things about this book is the depiction of Ben's clinical depression. It's never described in those terms, but it was clearly shown. His desperation at finding a way out of this life—and then his second thoughts, once he saw how real (and un-fairy tale-like) Landover was, also rang true.

I'm not quite as convinced that Brooks' depiction of his resolve to stay and fix things—or the reasoning behind it—was quite as successful. It was clear, but it was a bit more telling than showing.

I'm willing to bet that when I read this back in the 80s/90s, I didn't appreciate this aspect as much as I should've, but I sure do now.

HOW WAS THE NARRATION?
This was a much different book than the other time I listened to Jeremy Arthur ( Looking for Calvin and Hobbes ), so I wasn't sure what to expect. I would've hoped for a little more "life" to it—I wanted him to bring out the personalities just a little more. I'm not saying he did a bad job, at all, he could've brought a little more "oomph" to it, is all.

I do wonder if a little of that impression should be directed at the text and not Arthur. That's absolutely possible, maybe even likely.

I do see that the previous version of the audiobook was recorded by Dick Hill. Nothing against Hill, but man, I'm glad I got this version—I just don't see how he was the right guy for the job. Then again, I'd have said the same thing about Dave Barry books, and he surprised me with Best. State. Ever. , so what do I know?

I guess what I'm saying is that Arthur did a fine job—I'm not over the moon, but I'm not complaining. I don't think I did a great job of conveying that.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT MAGIC KINGDOM FOR SALE–SOLD!?
I don't remember exactly the first time I read this book—it was published in 1987, and it's entirely possible I read it that year. If not, it was soon after that. I loved it and read it several times in the following years. I wasn't sure how it'd hold up after all this time, but I had hope that it'd be okay.

It largely was. As is so often the case, the memory was better than the reality. Nostalgia a tricky thing.

Some of the language—especially in dialogue—was a bit stiff and stuffy. I kept thinking, this is a story about a guy who buys a magic kingdom, it should be a little more fun. Holiday didn't have quite the sense of wonder about Landover that I wanted—he had some, but he was a bit too serious about everything. He wasn't quite like Eustace Scrubb pre-dragon cave, but he sure wasn't like the Pevensies, either.

I love the concept, I think all the characters are exactly what you want in this kind of story, and the worldbuilding was spot-on—all the ingredients are there, I just didn't love the execution. It was an entertaining read and did everything right—it just felt reserved. If this was first published today, the drama would've been starker, the joy/wonder would've been turned up and it'd have been more amusing overall.

Basically, I probably should've left good memories stay that way.

I remember thinking the first sequel was okay but the next one really disappointed me, and I didn't continue with the series. I went into this thinking I probably wouldn't continue—and I likely won't. If only to keep what luster is still attached to my memories. ( )
  hcnewton | Jun 16, 2022 |
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» Lägg till fler författare (3 möjliga)

Författarens namnRollTyp av författareVerk?Status
Brooks, Terryprimär författarealla utgåvorbekräftat
Pingault, EmmanuelleÖversättaremedförfattarevissa utgåvorbekräftat
Shapiro, ShellyMapmedförfattarevissa utgåvorbekräftat
Sweet, Darrell K.Omslagmedförfattarevissa utgåvorbekräftat
Valla, RiccardoÖversättaremedförfattarevissa utgåvorbekräftat
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The Witch of the North seemed to think for a time, with her head bowed and her eyes upon the ground. Then she looked up and said, "I do not know where Kansas is, for I have never heard that country mentioned before. But tell me, is it a civilized country?"

"Oh, yes," replied Dorothy.

"Then that accounts for it. In the civilized countries I believe there are no witches left, nor wizards, nor sorceresses, nor magicians. But, you see, the Land of Oz has never been cvilized, for we are cut off from all the rest of the world. There we still have witches and wizards amongst us."

L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz
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The catalog was from Rosen's, Ltd.
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Wikipedia på engelska (1)

Book One in the Magic Kingdom of Landover Series Landover was a genuine magic kingdom, with fairy folk and wizardry, just as the advertisement promised. But after he purchased it, Ben Holiday learned that there were a few details the ad had failed to mention. The kingdom was in ruin. The Barons refused to recognize the king, and the peasants were without hope. A dragon was laying waste the countryside, while an evil witch plotted to destroy everything. Ben's only followers were the incompetent Court Magician; Abernathy, the talking dog who served as Court Scribe; and the lovely Willow - but she had a habit of putting down roots in the moonlight and turning into a tree. The Paladin, legendary champion of the Kings of Landover, seemed to be only a myth and an empty suit of armor. To put a final touch on the whole affair, Ben soon learned that the Iron Mark, terrible lord of the demons, had challenged all prospective Kings of Landover to a duel to the death - a duel which no human could hope to win. The task of proving his right to be King seemed hopeless. But Ben Holiday was stubborn. . .

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