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billd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Back in the early '80s I discovered the Saga of the Well World series by American Sci-Fi author Jack L. Chalker. Between 1977 and 1980, he published the 5 books that made up this fascinating series. The Well World (or Hex World) was created by some species and it consisted of hundreds of smaller hex worlds where species grew and developed. They were then out to the galaxies to populate worlds. The Well World retained the core of each of these varied species. If you went through a hex gate you would be transformed into a specific species and live in that hex. Hexes could interact, some were hi-tech, some medium, some low - tech. The five books basically told the story of a certain Nathan Brazil and companions who had adventures on the hex World. It was all very interesting.
A few years back, I discovered a related series, a trilogy about The Watchers of the Well of Souls. I can't tell you much more about it, except it dealt with a new threat to the Well World and how Nathan Brazil once again saved it.
So, onto the latest. Two more books were published to complete the Well World series, The Sea is Full of Stars in 1999 and this one, Ghost of the Well of Souls in 2000. I recently finished the first late 2022 and enjoyed it. A group of people are once again sent through a hex gate and this time end up in the watery Southern hemisphere. One, Josich, a mad world killer, wants to find the parts of a Straight Gate, one that can link between the Well World and the outer universe, so he can conquer both. The others in the group, a computer named Core, a master criminal, Jules Wallinchky, Ming and Ari (whose two minds have been placed in one body), Jaysu, a priestess who is transformed into an Angel, Genghis O'Leary, a space cop after Jules Wallinchky and Kincaid, a man on a mission of vengeance to kill Josich, as Josich destroyed his home planet and his wife and children.
So there you go. We've got disparate groups trying to find the pieces of the Straight Gate before Josich can. Otherwise if he (now a she) gets them, he will maybe destroy the Hex World and also try to take over the universe. Yup, he's (she's) a megalomaniac. The journeys of the various people through the hexes is, as always, very interesting, somewhat confusing, but always entertaining. The interactions with friends and enemies makes the story more interesting, of course. And the urge to see how it all resolves keeps you turning page after page. The ultimate ending was slightly pat, but acceptable. Chalker has created a fascinating, unique world and his view of what's out there is so interesting. Check out the series. I hope it hooks you. (3.5 stars)
A few years back, I discovered a related series, a trilogy about The Watchers of the Well of Souls. I can't tell you much more about it, except it dealt with a new threat to the Well World and how Nathan Brazil once again saved it.
So, onto the latest. Two more books were published to complete the Well World series, The Sea is Full of Stars in 1999 and this one, Ghost of the Well of Souls in 2000. I recently finished the first late 2022 and enjoyed it. A group of people are once again sent through a hex gate and this time end up in the watery Southern hemisphere. One, Josich, a mad world killer, wants to find the parts of a Straight Gate, one that can link between the Well World and the outer universe, so he can conquer both. The others in the group, a computer named Core, a master criminal, Jules Wallinchky, Ming and Ari (whose two minds have been placed in one body), Jaysu, a priestess who is transformed into an Angel, Genghis O'Leary, a space cop after Jules Wallinchky and Kincaid, a man on a mission of vengeance to kill Josich, as Josich destroyed his home planet and his wife and children.
So there you go. We've got disparate groups trying to find the pieces of the Straight Gate before Josich can. Otherwise if he (now a she) gets them, he will maybe destroy the Hex World and also try to take over the universe. Yup, he's (she's) a megalomaniac. The journeys of the various people through the hexes is, as always, very interesting, somewhat confusing, but always entertaining. The interactions with friends and enemies makes the story more interesting, of course. And the urge to see how it all resolves keeps you turning page after page. The ultimate ending was slightly pat, but acceptable. Chalker has created a fascinating, unique world and his view of what's out there is so interesting. Check out the series. I hope it hooks you. (3.5 stars)
lijadora's review against another edition
3.0
Delivered very well in the entertainment department. Slightly disappointed by the ending though.
bdplume's review against another edition
4.0
After 8 excellent volumes, and one pretty good one, this one just wasn't the conclusion I was looking for. I enjoyed it, but the last two were weak relative to the whole.
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