Sort of screwball fun, in a 'jam all possible kinds of magic into one world, and then make them all public knowledge' way, but it palled for me because a lot of his research, especially into mystical Judaism (which his protagonist practices -- and he IS Jewish, himself, the author) are ridiculously wrong. Wrong in an 'even looking at Wikipedia once would have solved the problem' way.
If you don't know details of how a lot of this stuff works, or is said to work, in our world, you may well enjoy the book more than I did. :->
If you don't know details of how a lot of this stuff works, or is said to work, in our world, you may well enjoy the book more than I did. :->
Harry Turtledove is a well-known name in F/SF and his style comes through in this imaginative book. If you like PIs and the tough, hard-boiled kind of main hero, you'll love the protaganist, a government employee. And things only get better from there in the complicated, magic drenched world that was created.
This one was good, but didn't ring the bell like some of the author's later works.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
David Fisher, an EPA (Environmental Perfection Agency) bureaucrat, was not the stuff of which heroes are made. At least he hoped not. All he wanted was a good life with a good wife, and a chance to do his bit for society reviewing magical impact statements (like the one that assesses the effect on local non-life resulting from the introduction of leprechauns into Southern California, for example)and ensuring that various manufacturers of magical devices did not intentionally or otherwise foul the environment with the sorcerous by-products of their trade. Indeed it would be hard to imagine a more regular and down to earth soul thatn that of David Fisher of the EPA. No hero he! Then one day David received a call from Washington to investigate a certain Toxic Spell Dump, and suddenly he is up to his neck in skullduggery and magic most foul. Some ancient deity, it seems, is attempting to reopen for business in the L.A. Basin, complete with human sacrifice (open up their hearts and let the sun shine in!) and the destruction of Western Civilization. All that stands in the wayis David Fisher -- and he's no hero. Until he has to be.
David Fisher, an EPA (Environmental Perfection Agency) bureaucrat, was not the stuff of which heroes are made. At least he hoped not. All he wanted was a good life with a good wife, and a chance to do his bit for society reviewing magical impact statements (like the one that assesses the effect on local non-life resulting from the introduction of leprechauns into Southern California, for example)and ensuring that various manufacturers of magical devices did not intentionally or otherwise foul the environment with the sorcerous by-products of their trade. Indeed it would be hard to imagine a more regular and down to earth soul thatn that of David Fisher of the EPA. No hero he! Then one day David received a call from Washington to investigate a certain Toxic Spell Dump, and suddenly he is up to his neck in skullduggery and magic most foul. Some ancient deity, it seems, is attempting to reopen for business in the L.A. Basin, complete with human sacrifice (open up their hearts and let the sun shine in!) and the destruction of Western Civilization. All that stands in the wayis David Fisher -- and he's no hero. Until he has to be.
I've read better
avid Fisher is no hero. As a bureaucrat for the Environmental Perfection Agency, he reviews magical impact statements and ensures that various manufacturers of magical devices don't foul the environment. But when he receives a call to investigate the Toxic Spell Dump, David must confront an ancient deity bent on destroying Western Civilization.
