From futuristic societies, robots, and time travel to magic, monsters, and a world on the brink of war, the first book in this classic 1960s science fantasy adventure series is an action-packed mash-up of the best speculative fiction has to offer.

Rod Gallowglass is a spacefaring man of science who does not believe in magic. He is also an agent of the intergalactic federation SCENT who stumbles across a strange new planet in his quest to spread democracy and enlightenment across the galaxy.

Gramarye is a medieval world of witches and warlocks, and all manner of mythical creatures. Aided by his faithful companion Fess, an epileptic robot, Rod discovers the planet is in political turmoil, and extensive off-world influence organizations plan to corrupt the planet away from democratic rule.

The only way to thwart these destructive influences (both local and those created from the outside) is for Rod Gallowglass to become a part of the local fabric and lead Gramarye as one of their own. But to do so, he must put aside his own convictions and beliefs, and become a warlock, in spite of himself.

Originally published in 1969, The Warlock in Spite of Himself is a classic science fiction adventure and a political allegory of its time written against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and the rising threat of totalitarian regimes. 

A CAEZIK Notable book. CAEZIK Notables is a series of speculative-fiction books marking important milestones in science fiction or fantasy. Each book published in the series has a new introduction highlighting the book’s significance within the genre.