I first read The Ebenezum Trilogy back in the 1980s when I was still in high school. While reading Winterbirth 2 weeks ago, i decided i needed a smaller book for the nightstand, as Winterbirth was too big (physically) to easily read in bed. So, I thought something lighter and less serious would make for a good bedtime read. Thus I ended up beginning a reread of A Malady of Magicks.
Plot of the book: Not surprisingly, the plot isnt the main feature of this book. Kinda like Ace Ventura was really a way for Jim Carey to act goofy, the Ebenezum books are really just a way to allow Gardner's characters to do and say funny things. The loose plot involves Ebenezum the wizard and Wuntvor, his apprentice, traveling to Vushta the City of Forbidden Delights, to find a cure for Ebenezum's malady. The title of the book actual references the problem Ebenezum is suffering from: anytime he tries to peform, or is surrounded by, magic, he has bad sneezing (allergic) episodes. These are due to a curse placed on him by Guxx Unfufadoo, the rhyming demon. Guxx's power increases the more rhymes he makes, though the quality of his rhymes, which isnt always good, always has an effect. So, we follow along as Wuntvor and Ebenezum travel to Vushta to find a cure for Ebenezum's malady. As this is part of a trilogy, the first book concludes without them actually reaching Vushta. We do read about the various encounters Ebenezum and Wunvtor have along the way, which include: Hendrek and his club Headbasher, trolls whose main form of communication is repeating "Slobber! Slobber!", Hubert the Dancing Dragon, Brax the demon salesman from the Netherhells, various young maidens that Wuntvor falls in love with on sight, a golden egg laying chicken, Snarks the truth telling demon, the Dealer of Death, and Plaugg the Fairly Magnificent. I'll stop the summary here so i dont further spoil the humor.
Thoughts on the book: As you can tell from the plot summary above, this isnt a book you read if you are looking for somethind deep and serious. If you are looking for a short, quick, and really fun read, then this book is for you. You definitely have to silly sense of humor to get full enjoyment from the book. I think all 6 of the Wuntvor and Ebenezum books are some of the funniest fantasy reading i have ever come across, and if i remember correctly, each book just gets better. I highly recommend this book (and the series) if you can find it...its a lot of laughs. I keep hoping these will show up in some sort of omnibus edition at some point, so a new generation can read about the exploits of the wizard and his apprentice.
Grade: 8.5 out of 10
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