One thought on “The Phantom in the Maze”

1. Tasula on Apr 19, 2019 said:

   I love Swanwick's books, and this short story is clever and enjoyable, although sad and a bit cynical.

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2. Boulder Boulderson on Apr 19, 2019 said:

   This one is frankly a bit confusing, but no more than any other time-travel story and in a much more stylist manner. The link to the previous story, wherein more dangerous magics are decided upon, is clear also.

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3. Alfredo Amatriain on Apr 19, 2019 said:

   The concept behind the British Empire's technological advances in the struggle against the Mongolian Wizard's forces is maybe the most original in the series. Short but delicious reading.

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4. Renee Babcock on Apr 19, 2019 said:

   This is the most recent in a series of shorter works set in an alternate WWI-era Europe. Instead of Germany being the aggressor, the unseen Great Mongolian Wizard is set on taking over Europe. This is a world with wizards and time time travel and of course, our hero, Franz-Karl Ritter, who has the ability to slip into the mind of his wolf (a skill that has saved him a few times). These stories are snippets of what could be a larger work, and many, myself included, would love to see Swanwick expa [...]

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5. John Shaw on Apr 19, 2019 said:

   Michael Swanwick continues to cement his position as one of the premier world buildersin modern SF.Here he presents a different early 20th Centurywhere sorcery rules.And the main threat looming over Europe is the Mongolian Wizarddriving the word towards war.Though sinister plots the Wizarddrives Europe towards chaos.Magical plots and sacrificesare the tools of the anarchist in this 1900's.Set against them is Franz-Karl Rittera Prussian Lt. attached to his new commander the British sorcerer and s [...]

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6. Marco on Apr 19, 2019 said:

   Another entertaining story set in the world of the Mongolian Wizard. I was expecting this to be the last and final, but it is definitely not: while entertaining and well written, The Phantom in the Maze does really little to advance the plot. In this installment of the series Ritter is sent to Scotland to investigate a murder taking place in a military research facility investigating time, and how to bent it

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7. JM on Apr 19, 2019 said:

   Another great story in the Mongolian Wizard series. Ritter and Freki are back in England and Sir Toby tasks them with investigating a murder. Time-travel shenanigans ensue. Obligatory comment: give me a full length novel!

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8. Tessa in Mid-Michigan on Apr 19, 2019 said:

   Time travel

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9. Jennifer on Apr 19, 2019 said:

   I am anxiously awaiting a bound collection of the tales of the Mongolian Wizard. Each one of these short stories is fantastic, and Ritter continues to be a character that is fun to read.

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10. Ab on Apr 19, 2019 said:

    Weird one, more than the usual time travel book. What started as a murder case, quickly turned into philosophical time travel mumbo jumbo.

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11. Grzegorz on Apr 19, 2019 said:

    Mongolian Wizard does not strike this time. Just present in the Universe.

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