Lawrence Watt-Evans's The Misenchanted Sword

As I was doing my research on evil, possessed, vampiric demon swords (#scholarlife), I came across Lawrence Watt-Evans, whose sword Wirikidor from The Misenchanted Sword (1985) clearly falls into the tradition of Moorcock's Stormbringer, Anderson's Tyrfing, and Tolkien's Anglachel.

 Somehow, amazingly, I've never heard of Watt-Evans before -- even though he's been publishing since before I've been born and has over 50 books or so in print. Anyway, it's always nice to find nice, easy-going read from a previously unknown author. In fact, unlike gloomier sword-and-sorcery novel types, The Misenchanted Sword both more light-hearted and better written than many of its peers. Although purely entertainment (& it was odd to see so many major political characters continually not giving two figs about a magical sword that cannot be defeated), The Misenchanted Sword was fun. Certainly, I liked it more than the Stormbringer stories I've been reading lately; Elric is maybe the only sword-and-sorcery protagonist more unlikable than his evil demonic soul-sucking weapon. Anyway, The Misechanted Sword is also one of those rare fantasy novels where the likeable schmuck protagonist who just wants to be an innkeeper . . . happens to stay just an innkeeper. Overall, quite good for quick afternoon's reading. Good job, Watt-Evans.

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