I liked this one quite a bit more than the two previous Warlock books. I think it benefited from having actual chapters as it made it tighter. (As opposed to sprawling, undefined parts. Pratchett doesn't need chapters; I think Stasheff does.) Half of it was from a different perspective than Rod's so that may have helped too.M.C.A. Hogarth has hosted discussions on her blog about how in many fantasy (and other) novels adventuring seems to stop once the heroes become parents. Not so in this series! Indeed, the children (toddlers!) tag along. And Gwen is simply awesome.