Extremely weak start that builds to a slightly more satisfying second act, becoming a fairly interesting sword and sorcery bildungsroman. The book never escapes from Gary Gygax's failures as a writer: he constantly breezes over important scene-setting, telling instead of showing, and having characters talk to themselves to express their feelings to the reader. Not to mention the author's staggering misogyny (every female character is either a bitch, a burden, or both), racism in the form of his Romani stand-ins, and casual homophobia.

Gygax is good at fast-paced, punchy action (even if you can sometimes hear the dice rolling) and creating atmospheric settings. Unfortunately his failings as an author and the book's meandering lack of direction make it a frustrating read at best.