This book introduced me to the writings of John DeChancie. His writing is imaginative, witty and enjoyable in a way that is sadly hard to find elsewhere these days.

The actual story line of the book can be assertained by reading other user reviews, but suffice to say it's a story about a magical castle that resides at a universal and dimensional nexus.

Castle Perlious is the first novel in a series of 8 that will leave you amused and thoroughly entertained.

One day, someone somewhere will pick up Mr. DeChancie's books and you'll see them made into a TV or Mini-series, possibly into a video game, maybe into a pen and paper Role Playing Game. At any rate, they're far too good to remain cult classics forever.

Bar None, this has always been my favorite book. The only problem I had with it is that my original copy had a great picture on it and was just incredible with the details, this version while it has all of the original....has a boring cover picture.

I've read the entire Castle Perilous series and hooked a few friends and relitives to boot. Hard to beleive it all started back in 1988, . All are sweet eye candy but what a taste. The story centers around this castle with gateways into so many other relities that few can keep track of most of them, let alone all. The castle inhabitants are mostly people who stumbled though one of the portals and just decided to stay. Some books are strange, some are just plain great. If ya see any of this series I sugest checking them out.

Fantastic!!

A highly enjoyable and a-typical Castle book. The second to last of an eight book series had me laughing out loud on several occasions. Such an emmersive and wonderful book that best tipifies what DeChancie fans love most.

The castle books are good, but this is my favorite. It is completely wild and out of control but filled with so much excitement that a person cannot put it down. DeChancie shows his best with his wit and humor. Also the adventure is so real that a person finds themselves in the castle watching it all. This book is worth picking up and if your like me it will be picked up again and again!

The seventh installment in the Castle Perilous series continues the traditions of the past episodes of the series. As the Mike Resnick quote on the back of this (and nearly every other DeChancie work) states, "DeChancie delivers!" He does so here once again.

For those unfamiliar with the Castle series, a synopsis: A magical castle, stranded between space and time, with windows to 144,000 worlds, is home to travelers, adventurers, and a multitude of strange beings. Humans are among them, including Gene Ferraro, who wandered into the castle through an entrance in the City of Pittsburgh's subway system. His best friend, Snowclaw, resembles a yeti, speaks perfect english (thanks to the workings of the castle,) and wields a substantial axe. The proprietor of the castle, Lord Incarnadine -- Inky to his friends -- serves as a sort of Captain Steubing to the residents of his love boat. He's frequently on vacation from the castle, and even he doesn't understand all of the secrets of its' construction.

In this volume of the series, a party being thrown by Inky. Which calls for many special visitors. Which, of course, calls for flaws in the castle defenses. Which leads to many uninvited guests. Which leads to the real action of the story. The story rings of an "interdimensional frat party" with all the uninvited guests and problems therein. The only difference is that here, rather than having the excise police arrive to break things up, the partygoers break out swords and magic spells to do away with the party crashers.

The magic of DeChancie's work in the Castle series is that it uses humor, both in direct portions and in-jokes, in a way infrequently read in the era in which it was written. Today, adventure and humor walk hand-in-hand in television series such as Hercules and Xena. DeChancie's smart, smooth writing style, present here as well as earlier (Starrigger Trilogy) and later (Dr. Dimension, Living with Aliens) works keeps the reader engrossed and enthralled.

-- Kevin Stamber

When Schuyler "Skye" King gets a call from his friend Grant what he hears is a bloody and brutal murder. Upon investigating his friend's death King encounters phenomena his assistant professorship of English never prepared him for beginning with his friend's "soul" being part of a laptop computer! MagicNet is a meld of science fiction and fantasy as King is joined by a cyberwitch and an ultimate confrontation with an evil wizard of the web! This very highly recommended Ziplow, audiobook production is enhanced with a Hilton Head Island Repertory Company cast, sound effects, and superb recording standards.

DeChancie always delivers, and he doesn't miss in this first story collection. Delightful stuff. I enjoyed every story. The first one, "Secrecy" is a corker. Top notch storywriting. Recommended.

John Dechancie's Star Rigger series is a true gem. Can't find a book or series worth reading these days? (I know for me its getting to be a rare thing) pick up this series. DeChancie handles time travel and paradox with masterful flare. The charaters are complete and well rounded. The style of writing reminds me of H Beam Pipers "The Fuzzys". I would love to see a movie made of this story. Heck! I've read the series three times so I would most likley see that movie that many times.

In some distant future, this wonderful trilogy will be reprinted, and recognized as DeChancie's masterpiece. Original ideas, marvelous, awesome alien technology, well-developed characters in a strong, well paced plot and delightful wordplay make this series re-readable, and well deserving of the term =Classic=.

Find these books. They are worth the effort of tracking down.

I ran across 'Starrigger' (Book One) in a second-hand store 16 years ago, read it over and over, then began my hunt for the rest of the set. The story is so imaginatively creative and colorfully interwoven with a plot line that will capture anyone's imagination that looks for timeless sci-fi that does not age. This story combines the very best of everything I could wish for in a book that can be read several times without losing it's captivating effect. I found myself lost in the book untill I was finished. A true gem. All I can say is read all three books to get the full effect. John DeChancie has my highest admiration for a story well told.

This is the second book in one of the best series ever, with a great "hard science" foundation, and a great story. I couldn't put them down until I had read the entire series through, and sorely regret that I cannot find a copy of this book anywhere.

This book completes a mind-stretching trilogy that never fails to entertain. From the first book of the series, "Starrigger" through "Red Limit Freeway" to "Paradox Alley", the reader is treated to concepts so amazing and soul stirring that it harkens back to the Glory Days of hard science fiction. More importantly, Mr. DeChancie's sense of humor and irony shines through in all three books. His characters are believable and as "real" as any ever created by Heinlein himself. You care about what happens to them. These are amazing pieces of fiction and if anyone in Hollywood hasn't opted them for the big screen, they should.

After finally finding and reading (twice over) this last book of John DeChancie's Starrigger trillogy, all I can say is I was sorry that the story had to end...this author has put together a set of books with a story so interwoven and captivating that you will find you won't want to put down untill you are finished. My gratitude to John DeChancie for a great adventure!

A worthy sequal to the great Castle Perlious book and the second novel in an eight book series. Castle for Rent takes right off in an almost disorientating way if being read from a cold start. As with most series it's recomended that a reader read all the books in the correct order. For maximum enjoyment familarize yourself with Castle Perlious first.

That being said, Castle for Rent is presented in a very readable and highly enjoyable way. Filled with DeChancies own humor/fantasy style in a masterful example of a "read in one sitting" book. Like many of the Castle books, a reader can easily read for two hours without realizing it. The character development and storyline evolve in a wonderfully smooth manner after the first chapter or so.

Highly Reccomended for any fan of Douglas Adams stories, Terry Gilliam films or any person who appreciates "smart comedy" that refuses to take itself seriously.

almost funnier than the first. however, if you didnt read castle perilous.....somethings will confuse you as this is the sequel to it.

The abridged audio performance was excellent. DeChancie's humor was enjoyable, zany, although some of it was flatulant.

These talented actors makes this audio work. It's a cross between the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the brothers Marx. Winner of the Golden Headset for best Multi-cast recording of 1997. It will have you laughing long after you finish listening-Bennet Pomerantz, Audioworld

Winner of the 1997 "Listen Up" Award from Publishers Weekl

While not the best of the series, Castle Murders is far from the worst and for any self-respecting fan a must read. Presented with the same wit and pacing as the other books, Castle Murders offers a subtle but not unplesant deparcher from the other seven books.

Filled with twist and turns, both obvious and devious Castle Murders is a typical Castle Perlious book....just a lot of fun to read.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought this book is as well written as the earlier castle books he wrote. Also in this one he puts an added twist that lead me to want to continue until the very end.

This book is a great sci-fi read, but the first and third in the series are critical so that you're not lost. It reads well as a standalone, if you don't mind that fact, but as a trilogy, this book and Starrigger and Paradox Alley make a fantastic weekend read.

Having read the first book, 'Starrigger', finding this next book of the story was like opening a door into true wonderment, so much that I went back and reread the first one....followed by reading this one again! Only after I had finished both that once again set out to find the next book. A very good read...one that stays with you!