Wizard Squared by K.E. Mills. Rogue Agent book 3

You could probably read the book as a standalone, however reading a book based on an alternate history of a previous book without having read that book can be slightly tricky, so I did go back and read the others.



In the first book in the series, Gerald Dunwoody is fired from his job as a hum-drum civil servant (having worked as a civil servant I’m not sure if I resent or resemble that remark!) after accidentally blowing up the country’s premier Wizards Staff manufacturer, akin to blowing up Roll’s Royce in this world. Following the accident, his inventor friend Monk Markham lands him a job as the Court Wizard in a former colony of Ottosland (Gerald’s home-country, roughly akin to 1920’s-40’s Britain in attitudes and technology, give or take the magic!). Gerald, however isn’t the same as he was before the accident. His Magical abilities have been amplified to rogue level, making him almost unstoppable and a major concern of his home country’s MI5B equivalent. His new powers are soon put to the test when he has to confront the mad king of the colony (New Ottosland) who has the stolen potentias (magical aptitude/soul/power base) of the previous 3 wizards in Gerald’s job, backed by knowledge from a collection of forbidden knowledge previously owned by one of the wizards. During the showdown Gerald has a choice. Should he use the forbidden grimoires and use fire to fight fire but risk corruption, or should he try something different. In the first book, he makes the latter choice and ends up employed as an agent by the civil services. In the third book we encounter his equivalent in an alternate universe who made the other choice and has become mad with power, trying to re-shape the world as he imagines it should be and making “examples” out of those who don’t conform.





This wouldn’t be a problem but for a small gizmo Monk invented in the First book, a portable portal. Portals are a magical teleporter system allowing access to any point in the world. However, they are usually fixed in place. Monk’s isn’t, and rapidly brings itself to the attention of the civil service who confiscate it. However, Monk still has the prototype which, in the second book, punches a hole between the realities. With this technology in his hands the other Gerald could start hopping between universes spreading the poison he’s wreaking in his home dimension. (Following so far?)

The other key player in the series are Monks talented Sister Biddie, Queen of New Ottisland Mellisande and Reg, the ill tempered and irascible former queen and high powered which trapped for eternity in the form of a crow. Together with Gerald (when he isn’t on ministry work) they form Witches Incorporated (covered in Book 2) who hire out their skills to those in need of magical assistance and the ministry. It is into their lap a battered Monk Markham from an alternate dimension descends, in dire need of help. It is the action from this point forward that makes up the main plot of Wizard squared, with some truly soul tearing decisions to make for all concerned.



The Rogue Agent series is a very British take on a magical world. Considering the series was written by an Australian, that's kinda interesting. As aforementioned, the world of Ottosland is similar to the UK in the first half of the 20th century in its attitudes and way’s of working. Neighbouring country’s are only mentioned occasionally, the only one of key import being Jandria, their world’s equivalent of an inter-war Germany which is both a political rival and potential enemy to be viewed with distrust. In this world, The Janitors, headed by the formidable Sir Attaby (Think of a male version of M from James Bond crossed with Terry Pratchett’s Lord Vetinari) try to keep the nation save from magical threats both internal and external. As a wizard of nearly unstoppable power, Gerald is regarded as a national asset by some and a threat by others. The same apply’s for his friend Monk and his experiments.

The magic system in the books and its place in the world as acknowledged but parallel to technology, rather then against it or over it makes for interesting, smooth reading and the worlds development feels very plausible. For example the invention of the magical portal is reducing the use of Airships for transport so the company’s involved have to push their products luxury qualities and speed to compete. Either that or turn them to more nefarious, military ends…

The book is an enjoyable read, despite the feeling in places that it’s pushing it’s point to far (i.e. there’s a lot of internal dialogue from the characters to the tune of “Oh Bloody Hell” which often isn’t entirely necessary* and breaks up the flow of the narrative). The characters are quiet often cliché’s in some respect, but with a self indulgent tone and also quite a few very human and real features that make them hard not to feel for as the intrusion into their world (and the removal of one of them from it) turns what they know on end. I enjoyed the series, and if you are looking for a magical world with a distinctly British flavour and a strong tang of self-mocking, this is the place to look. In addition there are some very good plot lines, some good pieces of action sequences and some good proof that it does take someone British (or Ottish) to make a true maniacal baddy! Enjoy!

Regards, Kerl

*If there’s a large dragon about to flame you or a homicidal loony has hold of your friends then it’s almost a given you’ll be thinking “oh bloody hell”, to put it mildly.

If you enjoyed this, consider reading:
The Landower series is also a fun series, with many good charachters, a good set of worlds and a strong sense of fun. Again, I owuld have said a British sense of humour and did in the original edit. However Terry Brooks is American. I now officially give up on guessing nationality's.

Terry Pratchett’s Discworld set: I suspect if you’re here you might have heard of this. Set in a pute fantasy world rather then one which is semi-parralel, these books hit some similar issues with great humour and insight into the human mind and the world today. Also home to the “Trousers of Time” theory (in Jingo!) which could be neatly used to describe the divergence of the two worlds in this book. As could the Red Dwarf Wildfire Dimension Drive. However that’s would be drifting off topic... Who wants pie?