Wizard's Bane

by Rick Cook

What Wiz Zumalt could do with computers was magic on Earth. Then, one day the master computer hacker is called to a different world to help fight an evil known as the Black League. Suddenly, the Wiz finds himself in a place governed by magic--and in league with a red-headed witch who despises him.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671698036
• ISBN13: 9780671698034
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Baen Books
• Length: 10 Pages
• Weight: 0.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Too bad it's not out anymore

This is a stand alone book about a man brought to a world of magic by one of the strongest 'good' wizards in an attempt to counter the 'evil' wizards who are gradually winning the war. He's a computer programmer who calls himself the 'Wiz' as that's a play on his name. When he arrives, he has no magic capabilities whatsoever, which confuses the wizard who summoned him. One thing leads to another and he begins to learn the fundamental rules of magic and starts to correlate them with what he knows best. Computer programming. So he sets out to write a language for magic with which he can manipulate magic to help out the good wizards. When a woman he cares for gets kidnapped, Wiz decides to 'Hack the system'. It just gets good from there. If you can find it, it's pretty good.

Good, light-hearted swords-and-sorcery fantasy

When William Irving "Wiz" Zumwalt, computer programmer extraordinaire, steps out his front door, and into an entirely different world, he realizes he's in trouble. In this other world, magic exists but computers don't. He feels useless here, but the great wizard who summoned him must have had a purpose for him, and, as he is an unknown factor, the evil Dark League are determined to capture him. It's a dangerous world for Wiz...But, when he discovers that working magic *can* be handled like writing a program, it becomes a dangerous world for the bad guys!This is quite an exciting book. I must admit that when I first saw the book, I did not take it seriously. But, once I began reading, I was hooked. The author spins a fascinating story, people by interesting characters. Plus, I must admit that the author's unique take on magic was quite refreshing. If you like good, light-hearted swords-and-sorcery fantasy, then you will love this book!

great yarn

i got this book based on a friends recommendation.lots of computer (esp. unix) in jokes and a fun read.the series got better and better.it's an easy read (i read most on two flights from SFO to ATL) so do not expect to work hard at it.

Wizard's Bane is Wiz Biz

I read this book under the title "Wiz Biz" and enjoyed it thoroughly. Treating magic as a science is not a new idea, but treating magic spells as if they were computer programs is a new twist to the idea. This book will appeal to the large number of computer geeks out there who also love fantasy roleplaying. I can't wait to read the other books in the series!