THE SHADEWELL SHENANIGANS
From the Illmoor Chronicles series, volume 3
by David Lee Stone
The likably despicable denizens of Illmoor are back, and once again it’s not exactly clear who to root for. The lords of Spittle, Sneeze, Dullitch and Legrash want to get rid of the bandits Groan Teethgrit and Gordo Goldeaxe, and they’re willing to make the Lord of Phlegm do the dirty work for them. In a Machiavellian plot to destroy the two bandits, the lordlings offer up Princess Susti of Phlegm’s hand in marriage to the winner of a fixed tournament. Grodo, Groan and Groan’s far more intelligent brother, Gape, enter the contest, and find themselves involved in a series of impossible quests along with an immortal demon/zombie twinling, an undead chicken and a Mafia-protection racket. Meanwhile, the princess does what she can to foul up this ridiculous game. Chaotic as usual, this latest entry in the Illmore series is a thoroughly entertaining romp. (Fantasy. 10-13)