UNICORN POINT

Final entry in the second Apprentice Adept trilogy (Robot Adept, 1988), much the best of the three and approaching the standard of the first trilogy—in energy and complexity if not inventiveness. What with all the exchanging of bodies, minds, frames, etc., it's hard to keep everything straight. But heroes Bane (of magic-world Phaze, now usually to be found in Mach's robot body on science-world Proton) and Mach (vice versa) have, for reasons of love, allied themselves with the Adverse Adepts (Phaze)/Contrary Citizens (Proton), who're plotting to take over both Phaze and Proton. Meanwhile, the aging Blue Adept of Phaze, a.k.a. Stile of Proton, has evolved a complex strategy to delay the bad guys involving the children of Bane and Mach. Another problem for Stile to resolve: the frames of Proton and Phaze are coming unravelled. However, Stile is preparing a vast and cunning stratagem to defeat the opposition and heal the breach between the worlds, involving the introduction of new characters and a magic flute made of platinum. Mostly plot; however, Anthony has put forth genuine effort, the formula returns to workability, and Adept fans will snap this one up.