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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
My first Andre Norton. Certainly won’t be my last. I like her style, he quick world building, her characters, her morality via the story. Can’t wait for more.
A perfectly acceptable pulp sci-fi adventure story from 1958. This could be a modern YA dystopian novel but with better writing. It's too bad that Norton has been mostly forgotten.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
This is honestly one of my favorite works by Norton; in my estimation it has all the strengths and none of the weaknesses of her writing. The twist of being a crosstime/parallel-world gate rather than a totally alien world actually helps the structure of the portal fantasy greatly. The plot of the story is measured out carefully and neither lags nor rushes, and the resolution to each obstacle feels right and natural.
This book was okay. 2.5 stars. Parts interesting and unique. Parts tropey and hand-wavey. Despite being written by a woman, it doesn't pass the Bechdel Test. Not one I expect to reach for again.
Man, Marvel comics owes Andre Norton a huge debt. That whole "WHAT IF?" idea that they've been milking for years? Norton basically invented it with this book. And SLIDERS. And QUANTUM LEAP. AND MICHAEL MOORCOCK and . . . basically, any book, tv-show or movie where an advanced civilization has a "Star Gate" that allows people who pass through it to visit alternate timelines that split off when major decisions are made. Yep, Norton wrote about it in 1958.
So, as usual, Norton's book is strong on plot. There's a bit more characterization here than in her last few books, but it's mostly all action, all the time.
For some reason, this one took me much longer to get into than most of the other Norton I've read. In fact, I put it down several times to read other books. By the time I got about 1/4 in, though, it clicked better for me and I got through it quickly.
There's a lot of cool ideas here, but it didn't seem to "gel" like some of her earlier books. Still, it's well worth reading.
So, as usual, Norton's book is strong on plot. There's a bit more characterization here than in her last few books, but it's mostly all action, all the time.
For some reason, this one took me much longer to get into than most of the other Norton I've read. In fact, I put it down several times to read other books. By the time I got about 1/4 in, though, it clicked better for me and I got through it quickly.
There's a lot of cool ideas here, but it didn't seem to "gel" like some of her earlier books. Still, it's well worth reading.
Well, I enjoyed this book. But, I expect more than just pleasure from a science fiction novel. I want something that wows me. This was just an alternate universe thing. The fact that it took place on a different planet wasn't impressive.
The characters(really there was only focus on one) were nothing special.
The plot was basically a coup d'etat, but it took a while to get there.
The characters(really there was only focus on one) were nothing special.
The plot was basically a coup d'etat, but it took a while to get there.
I was about to open with "This is nothing like the movie Star Gate so don't read it with that in mind" but actually it has one thing in common.
Rather than a story about a space-hopping gate that allows people to walk to other planets, it's an alternate-worlds-hopping gate that lets you walk to a different version of the planet you are on. And, like in Star Gate, the world the main characters go to is one where aliens have set themselves up as local gods and oppressed the population.
Difference here is - the "alien gods" are humans. Yay humans! Heh I mean, it's not stated outright, but there is heavy indication that at least the aliens are MORE like us than the natives they subjugate.
Further twist - the good guy aliens who build the gate and go through it must fight their own alternate-universe selves to free the planet.
It's good, pulpy fun with a strong sword-and-sorcery feel.
Rather than a story about a space-hopping gate that allows people to walk to other planets, it's an alternate-worlds-hopping gate that lets you walk to a different version of the planet you are on. And, like in Star Gate, the world the main characters go to is one where aliens have set themselves up as local gods and oppressed the population.
Difference here is - the "alien gods" are humans. Yay humans! Heh I mean, it's not stated outright, but there is heavy indication that at least the aliens are MORE like us than the natives they subjugate.
Further twist - the good guy aliens who build the gate and go through it must fight their own alternate-universe selves to free the planet.
It's good, pulpy fun with a strong sword-and-sorcery feel.