The Pixilated Peeress

Acting sergeant Thorolf Zigramson of the Fourth Commonwealth Foot, an aspiring scholar but a soldier by default, somewhat reluctantly rescues Yvette, the beautiful countess of Grintz, from the soldiers set after her by an evil duke who covets her body and her land. After elderly magician Doctor Bardi mistakenly transforms Yvette into an octopus, Thorolf turns to sinister Doctor Orlandus to restore her true form and discovers that the Doctor Orlandus has invaded the minds of his followers, including Yvette, and is slowly assuming control of the government of Rhaetia. When Thorolf is accused of Doctor Bardi's murder, he flees to the trolls, one of whom he must wed to gain sanctuary and keep from being eaten. From their uncertain stronghold he mounts an expedition to rescue his beloved countess and his country.

From Publishers Weekly

The de Camps' latest fantasy is set in pragmatic Rhaetia, the same world pictured in The Incorporated Knight . Acting sergeant Thorolf Zigramson of the Fourth Commonwealth Foot, an aspiring scholar but a soldier by default, somewhat reluctantly rescues Yvette, the beautiful countess of Grintz, from the soldiers set after her by an evil duke who covets her body and her land. After elderly magician Doctor Bardi mistakenly transforms Yvette into an octopus, Thorolf turns to sinister Doctor Orlandus to restore her true form and discovers that the Doctor Orlandus has invaded the minds of his followers, including Yvette, and is slowly assuming control of the government of Rhaetia. When Thorolf is accused of Doctor Bardi's murder, he flees to the trolls, one of whom he must wed to gain sanctuary and keep from being eaten. From their uncertain stronghold he mounts an expedition to rescue his beloved countess and his country. With its direct, matter-of-fact tone, this wry and delightful fantasy punctures the pretensions to which the genre is often prone. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The de Camps' latest lightweight sword-and-sorcery adventure is set in the same world as their last (The Incorporated Knight, 1987--not reviewed), but this one focuses on entirely different characters. Thorolf, a well-meaning Rhaetian soldier, does his best to assist the beautiful, haughty countess Yvette, whose lands have been occupied by her would-be suitor, the Duke of Landai. Thorolf brings her to the wizard Bardi, who can temporarily disguise the lady's features, but Bardi's spell miscarries drastically: Yvette is turned into an octopus. Another wizard, the leader of a sinister sect, offers to change her back, but in the process he turns Yvette into one of his possessed minions. The persevering Thorolf, pursued by the Duke of Landai's henchmen and suspected of murder and treason in Rhaetia, flees to the company of the hill-dwelling trolls, keeping one eye always on rescuing Yvette while he battles dragons, sorcerers, and the fickle attentions of the trolls. There are no pretensions here: the de Camps deliver what they promise and no more--a lighthearted adventure laced with some outright comedy and a dash of bawdiness. Though the tale often follows the track of the clich‚, the unassuming style and verve of the telling carry it through; and the authors veer from the expected course often enough to keep the pages turning. Pure prose junk-food, but a pleasant romp. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About the Author

L. Sprague de Camp (1907–2000) was an American writer of science fiction, fantasy, non-fiction and biography. In a career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and works of non-fiction, such as biographies of other fantasy authors.

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