Product Description
Long ago, the machines had rebelled, wiping out most of humanity and exiling the survivors in widely scattered reservations. Master System ruled unchallenged, the key to breaking its power -- five microchips disguised as gold rings, carefully hidden away. But then an Amerindian called Hawks stumbled across information about the five rings, and suddenly Master System developed an interest in seeing Hawks dead . . . ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent first book.
I have just read all 4 books in this series, back to back, in the last week. I was hooked after the first book, and I think it was one of the more interesting introductory books I've ever read. I give the first book 5 stars. Tho, the series, probably only 3.5, I'll explain more at the end...

A future earth, that seems to be stuck in the 1500's. Ruled by a "Master Computer" that was developed long ago, when man was at the brink of destroying himself. Now the computer has devolved mankind into a state of technology (1500's) that can be brutal and savage...but, doesn't have the ability or technology to wipe out the world in the process.

This master computer controls all technology and knowledge in this world. However, it does use some of the "brightest" people from each culture to help it rule. These people are snatched from their primative cultures, trained, indoctrinated, and given the knowledge and technology, that the rest of the world is now ignorant of. The only caveat is, each person must return to his/her peoples for a couple of months every 2 years or so, to "stay in touch" with the culture they came from.

This computer isn't malevolent, it's just following it's programming to protect humankind from itself. However, the methods it uses to do this can be quite extraordinary.

The Master Computer has basically "de-populated" Earth, to a point where there is less than a million souls on the whole planet. It has done this by moving Billions off planet, to other planets. On Earth, it has basically created 1500's technology, and the small population's living there are ignorant of anything else. England now has kings, barons, knights and castles. China has Warlords and their peasants. And America is basically populated by Native American Indians.

Earth has basically become a protected museum of what life was like 500 years ago.

This is a story of Hawk's. Who is a Native American Indian, but was deemed bright and inquisitive enough by the Computer, to be taught about the knowledge and technology, that is prohibited to everyone else.

On one of his mandatory pilgrimmages back to his people, Hawks discovers some secrets about the Master Computer. That the people who created it, also created a way to shut it down. Basically, it involves locating 5 rings, and using them in a certain way. This is forbidden knowledge to even one such as Hawk's. This book is about what he does with that knowledge, and how the Master Computer reacts to him having it.

This was a great book, and the only book I've ever given a 5 star rating too. As soon as I finished it, I immediately went out and found the other 3 books in this series, and also got everything else I could find by Chalker.

Unfortunately, Book 1 is the only book in this series I believe was 5-star material.

The following is what I thought about the rest...

Book 2 - 4 stars.

Is actually a pretty good continuation of Book 1. Hawks has now been sent to a prison planet, where he has enlisted some interesting allies in his quest for the rings. It moves along pretty well, and we become more aware of where Chalker is heading in this series. Which is good...and bad.

After reading several of Chalkers books now, it seems Chalker has specific areas he particularly enjoys exploring. Mostly, Alien physical form and culture.

Chalker is big into alternative alien form. Much of this book, and the following books, revolve around these ideas. Alien physical differences, and how those differences can shape a society. It's not really my cup of tea...but, Chalker is good enough at it that I can appreciate his interest. He also approaches it in a unique way. Instead of having "real" aliens, he has given the Master Computer the technology to actual "change" humans into a form that is more suitable to a particular environment. Instead of terraforming a planet to meet humans needs...he changes the humans to meet the planet's needs. Interesting twist. The master computer does this through a process call "Transmutation."

By the end of these books...I was sorta sick of the Transmutation process :)

Book 3 - 2.5 stars.

This is where the series fell flat for me. We basically spend this whole book trying to get 1 ring (remember, there are 5). On one planet, with one set of "transmuted" humans..and the culture and society they have created.

Hawks team has to infiltrate this society to be able to steal a ring. That means, they have to change themeselves into these "transmuted" humans, and live amongst them, to be able to get close enough to snatch the prize. It was an in-depth look at how physical form can affect culture, and a specific look at that culture.

I can appreciate what Chalker was trying to do here, but, it really seemed to drag for me. This is where I realized where Chalkers real interests lay...societal/cultural/philosophical/religious explorations. Like I said, I can appreciate his perspective, but I guess I really wasn't in the mood for it after the first 2 books.

Book 4 - 3.5 stars

After book 3, I realized we only had one book left...and we've only got 2 rings!

That means, we have to find 3 rings, learn how to use them against the computer, and have a final episode...all in the last book! I couldn't help but feel, even before I started reading it...that this one would be rushed.

And, imho...it was.

This was still a good book. Better than the 3rd.But, I couldn't help feeling that if we'd spent less time finding one ring in book 3, we could have spent more time getting the other 3 rings.

My biggest complaint, however, was with the ending.

There are things I would have loved to have explored further. What would it have been like for someone to interface with the Master Computer? What would they have felt, or seen? How would they go about changing things through that interface, etc...

Instead, it just sorta ends and skips ahead. I was pretty disappointed in this. However, it did actually "end," even tho more abruptly than I would have preferred.

Overall, I would give the entire series 3.5 Stars. It still has one of the best first books I have ever read, and Chalker is an intelligent writer. I never felt I was reading something designed for a much younger audience, tho, I believe any age group could enjoy it. I may not have the same interests Chalker has...but, I can appreciate a good, intelligent writer when I see one.

stands the test of time
I read this book in the late eighties when I was in high school and loved it.Recently I reread the series and found that it was not dated (besides the sheer size computers can take up) the results and effects of technology are still believable.This series has near everything sex changes, species changes, mythology, space battles, high tech espionage.The characters range from flawed and tragic to flawed and heroic. There is so much crammed into these four volumes.One of the best and most consistent series I have ever read.

Excellent and worth the Effort
I bought this book in its first printing back in the mid eighties (85 I think) While I was preparing for a canoe trip through Quebec. The whole plot line appealed to me for a number of reasons that I wont get into, however, I can tell you that the plot and charecter development were fabulously rich, and enveloped me in a Tolkienesque manner. I was drawn away from the rain and mosquitos, the biting flies, and the food poisoning we all suffered, to a world in the future that I felt could actually exist. I waited impatiently for the next few years for the forthcoming sequels to come out. The only disappointment in the whole series, was when I turned the final page, of the final book, and it was over. ... Read more

Product Description
Entered by a thousand unsuspected gateways -- built by a race lost in the clouds of time -- the planet its dwellers called the Well World turned beings of every kind into something else. There spacefarer Nathan Brazil found himself companioned by a batman, an amorous female centaur and a mermaid -- all once as human as he.

Yet Nathan Brazil's metamorphosis was more terrifying than any of those...and his memory was coming back, bringing with it the secret of the Well World.

For at the heart of the bizarre planet lay the goal of every being that had ever lived -- and Nathan Brazil and his comrades were...lucky?...enough to find it! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Can't wait to read the rest of the series
Midnight at the Well of Souls was in my book cabinet for a long time before I was in the mood for something completely unknown.I was lucky to have the first book of the series & found a whole new series to read.I have just ordered the other four books & hope they get here soon because I don't want to read something else while waiting for them.I am now in Well World mode & it is so much fun.

One of my all time favorite scifi series
If you like scifi, just read it. The older paperback Amazon has a for a penny. You'll get hooked. I read the whole series about once a decade. It has a good plot, a surprisingly clever Universe, and decent writing.

The best sci-fi no one knows to read
I stumbled over this book (and later the other 4 of the series) a number of years ago and am so glad I took the chance on it - the well-worn covers & time-stained pages are proof of that. The story has everything, due largely to the author's interesting take on mythological creatures that plays completely into the sci-fi premise.

The first book is stand-alone, but if you want to read the whole series (and I highly recommend it), then you'll need to commit to the other 4 books.Each is exceptional, & the last few pages of the last book are so worth the time I put in to reading everything (and each re-read).There are also a few characters from the first book that eventually (some sooner than others) make another appearance.

If you want to tackle the list, here's the order to do it in (since it isn't really obvious):
Midnight at the Well of Souls
Exiles at the Well of Souls
Quest for the Well of Souls
The Return of Nathan Brazil
Twilight at the Well of Souls

Not Free SF Reader
Mystery man transformation adventure.


Unashamed SF light adventure as Nathan Brazil returns to the Well World, a sort of zoo of small sections of many different races and societies.

Once there and transforming across the place he begins to get his memory back and realise who and what he is and the bad things that just might happen.

Fun.

View from another side
For those of us who enjoy alternatives to the standard views of life and history or just looking for something new to roll over in your mind this is it.
Not only are the characters strong and likable the story flows quickly and evenly. ... Read more

Product Description
Jack Chalker's Well World epic occupies an honored place among the classics of science fiction. Now this boldly imagined, intricately plotted new novel takes us deeper into the Well World than ever before . . .

On the mysterious Well World, the evil tyrant Josich and his dark agents search desperately for the eight scattered pieces of the fabled Straight Gate. Whoever possesses the Gate will wield enormous power, travelling between universes at the speed of light and wreaking havoc across galaxies.

Opposing Josich is a small band of travelers new to the Well World. There is Core, once a machine, now flesh and blood; Ming and Ari, two minds sharing a single body; Jaysu, an angel; and Genghis O'Leary, a lizard being. Unbeknownst to them, they have an unlikely ally: a vengeful entity who is able to clone any person or object with a single touch--and mete out death just as swift . . .


From the Paperback edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

The Best of the Well World Series
Along with the Sea is Full of Stars, I found these two books the best of all the books.Perhaps it was because there was no Nathan Brazil or Mavra Chang who can not lose due to the Well World itself aiding them.Having Kincaid as a "bogey-man" in the background actually fit his personality and characterization.Each major character had their purpose and part and if one looks at the theme of these books with some detachment from the earlier books, the story is actually very different.

Not as good as the rest of the Well World Saga
I read the reviews before I bought and figured that the negatives were "I miss Nathan Brazil".I was wrong.

The only character I grew to like had her mind wiped pretty much right away, so I didn't really care about her later.

The plot was so convoluted and confusing, and by the end the threat so unclear, that by the end of the second book I hardly cared who won.

You know, if you read this Jack, I cared about Renard, Nicki, Wu Julie, Asam, Marquoz, Serge Ortega, Gypsy and Prof. Zinder, every one of them more than I cared about any of these characters.What made the previous books great was caring about the characters.

Also, the underwater people were just wet land people.They thought and acted like they were just land people trying to dom the things that land people do with the "problem" of all that water being in the way.A water people would LIKE being in the water, and their entire culture would reflect that.

Something Else?
As soon as I read Chalker's introduction to this duology - the newest addition to the increasingly large Well World series - I decided to give it a try.So it wasn't a part of the normal canon, as he put it, but instead a book about Something Else.Well and good, I'm always ready to try something new from an established story teller.

Two books and about 700 pages later, I still don't know what he was talking about.I'm also extremely perplexed: just what happened to Chalker's writing?His prose, plotting, character development - even his humor - don't match up with the previous work that bears his name.This duology provided such a lackluster story that I am at a complete loss to explain its existence in print.I'm tempted to visit Chalker's web site and write him an email asking, "Why?"The only possible answer I can derive comes from Chalker's shameless introductory statement that he didn't plan to return to the Well World until someone fronted a sizeable sum.Apparently, this offer didn't provide enough impetus for Chalker to return to form.

Page 1 of the first novel, "The Sea is Full of Stars," starts with the strong, confident narrative voice I remember from Chalker's earlier novels.Unfortunately, this turns out to be the sole shining moment for the entire series.I almost wish that Delrey hadn't plugged these into the original Well World saga as books 6 and 7.They don't belong in the same category as the originals.

The five-minute fix invades the Well World
Well, hmmm.I would have liked to have liked this book -- I've always enjoyed the Well World books -- but this one was somewhat disappointing.It seemed very rushed, and plotlines that were introduced in the previous book were downplayed or ignored entirely.For instance, the whole "The Avenger must triumph not for revenge" plotline suggested in first book was never really used, and Kincaid's role throughout both books is reduced to that of a rarely-seen bogey-man -- in fact, he turns out to be a totally unimportant character, whose role could have been filled by any other character.The other "pivotal" character, Angel, gains extraordinary powers in order to ultimately become -- the world's most powerful librarian.Josich is present only in the last 20-pages or so of the book, and this makes the whole ending seem rather rushed.None of the actions of the characters preceding the denoument actually has any meaningful impact on the climax of the story, and the only unpredictable parts come when Chalker changes the rules on us (with hand-waving as to why Brazil & Chang might have not been called, and glossing over why the Well World didn't take more action to protect itself earlier on).Furthermore, it's as if I've seen these characters before.Granted, even in the non-Well books, the signature of all of Chalker's writing is to take characters and mangle them physically and emotionally, but even beyond that, Core is largely synonymous with Obie, Kincaid is Brazil without the screen time, Angel is a weird mix of Wuju and Vardia, and Jules is a near dead-ringer for Hain.(I will admit, however, to getting a real chuckle when O'Leary and his group actually swallow some of the bad guys... :-)

Twenty pages from the end, it appeared to me like we'd need a whole other book to finish this story, which I was thoroughly engrossed in.Instead, we get a 5-minute fix as if it were some Star Trek cliffhanger, and I was left saying, "What....?"

Well oh Well
I have followed and reread all of the Well's 10 books several times.I find this series as well as the Flux and Diamond series to be the best works of scifi written since Asimov.Some readers have written their displeasure due to the limited use of the most interesting character; however, even in the original Well series, Nathan (God) only dominated a portion of the series (including the book with his name on the cover).Sometimes, less is more.The ending of this book leaves a huge door open to sequals and a new possible mixture of the foundling empires of the "real" galaxy with a mixture of the Well and it's inhabitants.I guess the other readers just miss Obie (or were overly hot for Mavra). ... Read more

Product Description
This exciting, action-packed novel marks Jack Chalker's triumphant return to his celebrated multivolume saga: The Well World. The Sea Is Full of Stars explores an unknown interstellar civilization, stars an all-new cast of characters, and reveals fresh secrets. But of course, The Well remains . . .

After three passengers--Ming, Ari, and Angel--embark on an elite starship journey into the Realm, they unwittingly become ensnared in one man's bloodthirsty vendetta that will alter their very beings. That man is Jeremiah Wong Kincaid. He vows to destroy Josich Conqueror Hadun, the evil genius who has wreaked unspeakable havoc throughout the universe. It is an obsession that will take him to lands of demons and strange races--and into a deadly new cyberworld where humans are mere pawns of the godlike computers they have created.

But it is only after Kincaid and his unwitting fellow travelers enter Well World and discover the water hexes that he confronts the mad tyrant--and learns their universe is threatened by something far, far worse . . .


From the Paperback edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Gone to the well once too often
I am an avid fan of Jack Chalker and have read all the previous Well World series with great enthusiasm but this latest two book set in the series was a major disappointment.The author creates detailed and interesting back story on all the major characters in book one and then practically dumps it all in book two in what amounts to a rush to finish the story.The point at which Wally steals the straight gate piece is amateur.And the ending when Ming and Ari are resolving basically the rest of their lives after their personal and emotional ordeal on the Well World and then end up in a tryst to end book 2 tells me that Chalker cared less for these characters than a non-fan.It almost feels like the author was limited to 2 books on this story and cut corners accordingly.

FANTASTIC
Must read the other Well World Series by Jack Chalker to appreciate this book.I think this series is one of the greatest works in the Sci Fi field.Unfortunately, Jack Chalker has passed away so there will not be anymore books in this series.If you liked the Well World series you will enjoy this one also.

Deja Vu
An interesting variation of the same original well world series. The first book is only an introduction to the second book. The characters are well disguised remakes of his previous characters. Almost all Well World series have Drug Lords with their planet fortresses, Evil Conquerors ( and their guilt ridden proteges ), body swapping and its psychological repercussions. But then thats what we all like about the well world series. So if you are a fan, go ahead and make your day.

His Best In Years!
I have beenChalker fan since the publication of the first Well World novels, and have read every book he has ever written. That being said, I have found the recent attempts to revive the Well World to be sorelylacking. Until The Sea Is Full Of Stars, that is. I have found this to bethe most enjoyable book that Chalker has written in years (I found WatchersAt The Well to be less than satisfying). This book, however, seems tocapture the spirit and adventure of the original novels. Which makes it allthe more unfortunate that the second book does not live up to its potential

WELL WORLD!
If for no other reason, Jack Chalker deserves his place in science fiction for having invented the Well World. [Side note: I'd never write a Star Wars or Star Trek novel, but if Chalker ever asked me to write a Well World novel, he wouldn't have to ask twice.] Every Well novel has been brilliant;the last three were superior, but read much like variations on the originaltheme. Now he has integrated new scientific & technological knowledgeinto the Well mythos AND done something completely new with the concept.Besides that, virtually no one besides Chalker of whom I know has done sowell in making aliens both understandable to us and at the same time soclearly not like us at all. I am awaiting the sequel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A science-fiction masterpiece
This book is a complete series, consisting of the entire Four Lords of the Diamond Series.It contains these books:"Lilith, A Snake in the Grass;" "Cerebrus, A Wolf in the Fold;""Charon, A Dragon at the Gate;" and "Medusa: A Tiger by the Tail."

I believe it is a book club edition, though I picked my copy at a secondhand book store.The copies of the softcover mass market paperbacks I had were too worn, and this hardcover replaced them.

Here is what the jacket says, I can't really do better:

"Consisting of four oddly different worlds, the Warden Diamond System is a natural prison.There, microscopic symbiotic organisms called Wardens invade the cells of all matter. Leaving the Diamond, for some reason, causes the Wardens to die -- and with them, their hosts, in excruciating and hideous ways.So for centuries, the Confederacy has been sending to the system its most creative, brilliant, and individualistic criminals -- minds too rare to waste by wiping or execution.
But for those imprisioned, there are hidden benefits.On each of the planets, the Wardens have unique side effects, bestowing strange powers.On the paradise Lilith, where Wardens allow nothing artifical, no technology exists, and people can manipulate matter -- and their fellow beings.The watery Cerebrus, run as a highly computerized corporation, offers its inhabitants the ability to switch minds with others, not always voluntarily.Charon, filled with vast jungles and deserts, allows humans to create illusions and make them real;while on icy and forbidding Medusa, bodies can change to adapt to any environment.Each world is ruled by a Lord -- a master criminal who rose into power by brilliance and ruthlessness.
Now, from within the Diamond, there comes a danger that threatens the very existance of the Confederacy [of worlds].Working in allegiance with the Four Lords, a technologically superior, unnerving, elusive alien race has infiltrated the Confederacy at the highest levels.
To stop them, the confederacy calls its best agent, a Master Assassin.He will make a one-way trip to the Diamond.Or rather, his mind will.Four people stripped of their own personalities will have his mind imposed on their bodies instead.
The mission:working alone, using nothing more than their naked abilites, the surrogates must each find one of the mysterious Four Lords, kill them, and take over their link with the aliens -- knowing full well, even with a successful mission, they are trapped on the Diamond forever!"

Just typing that makes me want to re-read it, and let me tell you, it lives up to its hype.Chalker uses the literal device of layered protagonists with excellence, and these are filled with daring actions beside the Master Assassin's inner conflict of questioning his mission, now that he is stuck (not always in a male body).Buy it and read it if you can find it.

Item as stated
I had this book years ago, from the SciFi Book Club, and I swear this was the exact same book. I even looked for my name written in it. Thanks. I missed it. :-) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Reprint, please!
I was skeptical when I was given the first book and now am far into the third.What a wonderful reads.This whole series need to be reprinted and introduced to yet another generation of readers.
It has a great plot that moves at just the right pace, well-crafted characters, political and spiritual intrigue and lets you both get away from the times we live in and yet come back to reflect with fresh perscptive.
PIcking it up is always enjoyment I can on.

Highly recommend!
Very good story that will definetly keep you interested & wanting more.
Can't wait to read book 2. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Read it twice!
Read this entire series twice. If you like books with immense scope, I recommend the Quintara Marathon.

Mediocre book
This book is an introduction to what I gather is a longer series of books.

Unfortunately, the book spends its time introducing us to three separate groups of characters, none of them particularly interesting. They don't actually arrive at Rainbow Bridge until the very end, whereupon the story ends with nothing resolved.

This wouldn't be a problem if the story and/or characters were interesting enough to make me care about what happened to them in the future... but such was not the case.

Not Free SF Reader
Tripartite chase.

Humanity has split into three factions, with three differing philosophies of existence.This first novel in this trilogy is an obvious and not that great set-up for the rest of the series as each particular group is introduced via a set-up character, and things only get a bit more interesting towards the end, with the discovery of the necessity of going to find otu what the Demons are up to.

The end of the book is not well placed and a bit annoying.


2.5 out of 5

Good sci-fi with a theological angle
This novel is the introductory portion of the trilogy called the "Quintara Marathon" and should be read together with "The Run of Chaos Keep" followed by "The Ninety Trillion Fausts."To get the full impact, read all three together in sequence.

The primary antagonists are the Quintara, an ancient highly advanced race resembling every human legend of demons.They were defeated a long time ago by three factions of equally advanced empires:fanatics led by giant brains (Mizlaplan), post modern supra-plantetary capitalists led by robots (Exchange), and amoral warlords led by body snatchers (Mychol).

Each empire fields a team to investigate Quintara activity.The story follows the human characters on each team.

The science fiction makes use of higher-dimensional geometric figures, tieing that into ancient symbols like pentragrams and the Seal of Solomon.Additional tension and conflict is present in the viewpoint conflicts between each empire, and the corruption inherent in each.The characters at times wonder if the Quintara can be worse than their own societies.

The books themselves are well paced with interesting characters and lots of action.Don't expect deep philosophy, but do expect a good entertaining story.If the religious angle offends you, why are you reading science fiction in the first place?

If you are totally new to Chalker, his Flux & Anchor novels and first two Wellworld Trilogies are better stories.The Quintara Marathon is solid, but not his best work.

Decent Action and plenty to chew on- but ultimately shallow
As the characters spiral their way down through the depths of hell and toward the ultimate destiny of a fragmented humanity, so we as readers spiral through revelation and enjoyable action sequences in an exciting mix of horror, sci-fi, and myth.It tells the tale of three teams from rival empires.Their quest is one of discovery- to uncover the secrets of a race of Demons.Their only clues along this journey are the myths and beliefs of their own cultures that must have experienced the Demons first hand thousands of years in the past.The twist of this story is it's challenge of religious beliefs by the standards of science fiction. While Chalker strips away shrouds of biblical dogma, he quickly replaces it with sci-fi rationale.While this does have the effect of revealing the wizard as an old man behind a curtain, it validates the underpinnings of religion by giving substance to human myths.Whether you are deeply religious, anti-religious or just plain neutral on the subject like me, I think you'll enjoy the author's attempt to create a fantasy world where the tensions between science and theology can be bridged with rational observation.As we grow up in a society whose cultural beliefs are constantly challenged by the rigor of science, this book gives us a chance to look back to Sunday School and ask, "What if science could validate and explain all that bible mumbo-jumbo?"Such questions are answered with the help of characters representing three distinct viewpoints- Theological fanatics (The Mizlaplan Team), Capitalist businessmen (Exchange), and amoral opportunists (Mychol).Each viewpoint is further enhanced by each team-member who give the extreme, moderate, and even doubter's mindsets to each philosophy.This spectrum of viewpoints gives the reader a whole set of opinions to take with the plotline.

Unfortunately, this book cannot survive on ideas alone.His Empires, though intriguing, are one dimensional and thus unbelievable....P>All that having been said, the series is a quick read sure to entertain you.If you go into it expecting depth, you'll be disappointed.But if you expect something to keep you turning pages while waiting for your flight to dock, it is right up your alley. ... Read more

Product Description
An expedition to a planet finds two gigantic humanoid creatures with horns and hooves - demons, preserved but still alive. Now the three warring Empires must work together to save the trillions of souls in the galaxy, but they find they have some unusual allies. If demons exist, why not angels? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Strong ending for a great trilogy
Read "The Demons at Rainbow Bridge" and "The Run to Chaos Keep" first, or you won't understand what is going on.

The true threat and power of the Quintara are revealed, and the remnants of the teams running the Marathon must fight the devils or join them.

Chalker kept me turning pages constantly by throwing plot curveballs.If you as a reader feel weird about some of the revelations, you really identify with the characters who agree with you.Rarely I have identified as much with characters inside a science fiction novel.

Chalker spins religion into sci-fi in a way that suprised me.I hate being general, but I hate spoilers more.Unless you as a person are religiously intolerant, you'll like this book.You might even smile and say 'Wow!' at the ending, like I did.

Fun read, but don't expect much depth
As the characters spiral their way down through the depths of hell and toward the ultimate destiny of a fragmented humanity, so we as readers spiral through revelation and enjoyable action sequences in an exciting mix of horror, sci-fi, and myth.It tells the tale of three teams from rival empires.Their quest is one of discovery- to uncover the secrets of a race of Demons.Their only clues along this journey are the myths and beliefs of their own cultures that must have experienced the Demons first hand thousands of years in the past.The twist of this story is it's challenge of religious beliefs by the standards of science fiction. While Chalker strips away shrouds of biblical dogma, he quickly replaces it with sci-fi rationale.While this does have the effect of revealing the wizard as an old man behind a curtain, it validates the underpinnings of religion by giving substance to human myths.Whether you are deeply religious, anti-religious or just plain neutral on the subject like me, I think you'll enjoy the author's attempt to create a fantasy world where the tensions between science and theology can be bridged with rational observation.As we grow up in a society whose cultural beliefs are constantly challenged by the rigor of science, this book gives us a chance to look back to Sunday School and ask, "What if science could validate and explain all that bible mumbo-jumbo?"Such questions are answered with the help of characters representing three distinct viewpoints- Theological fanatics (The Mizlaplan Team), Capitalist businessmen (Exchange), and amoral opportunists (Mychol).Each viewpoint is further enhanced by each team-member who give the extreme, moderate, and even doubter's mindsets to each philosophy.This spectrum of viewpoints gives the reader a whole set of opinions to take with the plotline.

Unfortunately, this book cannot survive on ideas alone.His Empires, though intriguing, are one dimensional and thus unbelievable.Would you believe a Theocracy *completely* devoid of greed?How about a true capitalist society where everything is bought and sold, and nothing given?Governments and societies exist in a Universe filled with duality and contradiction, and thus the believable society must adapt to, and in fact embody such contradictions.This shallowness permeates the book where the characters- though varied- remain flat and predictable once their "rules" have been learned.Even the "scientific" revelations about demons and the occult are so simple and unfounded that it is hard to pick the "truth" out of the endless speculation that each character engages in throughout the three books.The lack of depth is sad, because it turns this series from an exploration to merely an appealing story.Sure, we've learned that the demons are aliens, that the arcane is really technical mastery and that the Bible is really historical text.But when there is little else revealed, it just becomes another retelling of human myths by a scientist- all that was profound about Dante's Inferno instead becomes a technical manual- much like watching a magic show with the technician whispering mirror locations in your ear.Had Chalker understood this, we'd see still more mystery behind the explanations that stimulate our imagination.If only he'd known that the incomprehensible aliens briefly mentioned in the beginning were more exciting than the demons whose simplistic goals make us wonder how they ever developed the complexity to intrigue our ancestors.

All that having been said, the series is a quick read sure to entertain you.If you go into it expecting depth, you'll be disappointed.But if you expect something to keep you turning pages while waiting for your flight to dock, it is right up your alley.

Excellent plot!
I have always been a fan of Jack L. Chalker. Most of his books have a similar theme, that of advanced alien civilisations that used to rule the universe. This trilogy though is different in that it provides a new twist to the familiar theme. Also his characters are well written, the philosophy is interesting, the plot is excellent and fast paced. Each of the three books has a unique flavour. Definitely a good read.

A v.good blend of science fiction and speculative theology.
The entire Quintara Marathon is one mind-bending, surreal escapade after another.The first book is devoted almost entirely to character development, the second to development of the plot... and the third is the big one.Although the climax is sometimes almost as hard to understand as the last ten minutes of the movie 2001, don't let that daunt you.This book has something for everyone.Space opera, science fiction, science occult, fantasy, and crisises of faith....I thoroughly enjoy this sort of 'gestalt' and if you do as well, then I don't believe you will be disappointed.Some people might be squicked by some of the religious overtones (undertones?), or the Ultimate Nature of the universe (some of the characters are squicked, as well!) but taken in the light of the story, this concept adds greatly to the plotline.Besides, it's a rousing good read! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Entertaining
I read the Flux and Anchor series for the first time a loooooong time ago. I found it a fascinating story, one that I would recall for its science and fantasy, respectively. I must say, I also considered it a book with merely fair writing at times; but, don't be disappointed by it and let that ruin your experience, because it gets better as you go along. Anyway, as I began to read the latest theories of quantum physics I was drawn back to the series. I saw a correlation between Flux and the reality in which we currently understand the Zero Point Field and the coordinating theoretical technology. It was quite interesting to contemplate the Zero Point Field in relation to magic as a result. Overall, a fun read. ... Read more

Product Description
BEYOND THE SEA OF DREAMS
Life had never been kind to Joe and Marge. Now, according to Throckmorton P. Ruddygore--a stranger who met them on a road that wasn't there--they were due to die in nineteen minutes. But across the Sea of Dreams lay a new and perhaps better life, in a place where fairies danced by moonlight. Joe could become a mighty-thewed barbarian warrior. Marge could be beautiful and find her magical self.
It was just as Ruddygore had promised, plus a great deal more. For this was a world where Hell still strove to win its ancient war, where demon princes sent men into battles of dark magic, and where Joe and Marge must somehow help prevent the coming of Armageddon!
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

a favorite fantasy novel from a great author
Jack L. Chalker is best known for his "Lost Souls," series but "River of the Dancing Gods," is one of my favorite fantasy novels. Imagine on your worst day finding a new world full of adventure. That's how the story begins for Joe and Marge.

Are we living someone else's dream?
Have you ever wanted to just BE in another world or universe? All the wonderful fantasy books have to come from somewhere. What if they actually happened somewhere. That is what this book is about. This is the first book in a wonderful series. Maybe we can just get away from it all even if it is by reading this book. This is an easy feel good book. It is a little predictable in the main plot twists but it is the little things that keep you on your toes. This book is easily read in one or two sittings on a weekend. When you need an outlet to a new land pick this up and continue with the rest of the series.

My second favorite series.
The is my second favorite series by Jack L. Chalker.My first favorite series is the "Well of Souls."Whether you are a Jack L. Chalker reader or not, you will enjoy these series.His character development and vivid descriptions are a great read. ... Read more

Product Description
Joe and Marge, minutes away from death, are rescued and brought from Earth to the magical world of Husaquahr by the wizard Throckmorton P. Ruddygore to battle the forces of Hell itself!
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Customer Reviews (4)

An enjoyable take on the genre
Like Joel Rosenberg, Jack L. Chalker's work belongs to the often-ignored subgenre of gritty fantasy, the kind in which good guys die, bad guys aren't always evil, and even heroes are, in the end, only human.While readers often decry high fantasy for being 'unrealistic', many of them are disappointed when they open a gritty book and discover that it has left them unsatisfied.Most of us, after all, are seeking escape from reality - we'd rather see heartwarming tales of victory against all the odds rather than read about our hero losing everything he holds dear.

If you're in this group, you might just like this early offering from Jack L. Chalker.Readers familiar with this author will notice the same trend, but it has not yet fully developed into grittiness.Instead, we are presented with a relatively quirky fantasy, using a storyline that always manages to sucker me in: someone from our world enters a fantasy world.(If you like that theme, I recommend 'In the Net of Dreams' by Wm. Mark Simmons)

Chalker's take on this theme is surprisingly original, with a world that was inadvertinely created as a reaction to God's creation of our own world.Leaving this secondary world to His angels to finish, this new world ended up with many loopholes in its natural laws - loopholes that can be exploited by people who know how: wizards and witches, in a nutshell.Over time, the most powerful formed councils to plug these loopholes - and ended up creating reams of new laws instead, like any bureaucracy, some of which tend towards the ridiculous."All barbarians must be exotic, but be of no particular nationality."Each chapter is headed by one of these laws, which gently poke fun at the entire genre of fantasy - but are very much real in this world.Christianity plays a large role in 'River of the Dancing Gods', but don't mistake it for a religious book - there are several themes in it that might prove surprising.

As a childhood favorite, I picked up this book again in a used bookstore one afternoon when I had several hours to spare.It made for a pleasant way to while away the time, but as I read it again, I noticed more gratuitious titilation than I'd recalled from memory.The whole series seems torn between the adult (themes of life - divorce, custody of children, mortgages) and the gleeful adolescent (a world in which the Law requires beautiful women to be scantily clothed, and nymphs grow in power the more often they...er...well, you know).Fans of Piers Anthony's work will probably find it similar, if more realistic.However, I ended up feeling hesitant to recommend it to my wife.It's certainly not erotica, but it's got enough 'tease' in it that some people will be offended.

Like my experiences with Piers Anthony's novels, I found re-reading them to be less enjoyable the older I get - but they continue to be well-written books that fans will enjoy, especially if they happen to be young men.Luckily for fans new to the series, they are all commonly available in used bookstores, giving you plenty of new reading for a nice price.

May be my favorite Chalker.
River of the Dancing Gods is a quirky intelligent fantasy novel that manages to be a compelling read while holding up the entire genre for gentle parody.

Marge and Joe are not your typical fantasy heroes, but are probably all the better for not being typical. Marge is a down-at-the-heels 30-something waitress/housewife. Joe is a trucker who somehow lost the plot along the way. Together they meet a strange character called Ruddigore, and the adventure begins.

This was a re-read for me, and as I recall the rest of the series does not live up to the promise of this one. Still, a decent place to begin with Chalker. There is significantly less of the sniggering 12-year-old boy humor that can make Chalker so irritating at times. Should appeal to readers who like fantasy of the Xanth and Spellsinger variety.

Amusing fantasy
This is a lightweight but nevertheless entertaining fantasy novel.What makes this book stand out is Chalker's taking on the cliches of fantasy.If this wasn't clearly a parody, it would be nothing more than a routine novel.Certainly, the plot involving two "real world" individuals who must go to a fantasy land to save it is nothing original; it's how Chalker plays with the standard conventions that makes this an above average story.

There are flaws, admittedly.The characters are rather bland and often fit into the cliches that Chalker is trying to ridicule.Also, too much time is spent on the set-up (around 60% of the book) and too little time on the actual adventure (and the final battle is somewhat anticlimactic).However, if this viewed as only volume one in a larger four volume story, perhaps the setup isn't too long; after all, Tolkien took a couple hundred pages to get his fellowship moving.

This book is a fun, quick read.I recommend it especially to people familiar with fantasy as they'll understand the humor more readily.

A wonderful introduction to a whole new world
This was the first true series of medieval fantasy books I had ever read and it was fantastic.Jack Chalker starts us here in our own time and then spins us into another world with our heroes Joe and Marge, two loners who are picked up off a lonely road and brought to the new world, by the sorcerer Ruddygore.

Chalker does a great job with character development, allowing us to follow both Joe and Marge through their transformations into legends.He keeps the action moving along and even gives the readers some humor as well.Ruddygore's importance to the story is noted in almost every situation, since he seems to have affected everybody and everything around him.

What I like about this book (and the Dancing Gods series in general) is that Chalker shows us real imagination in every situation he throws his characters in.Joe the barabarian isn't your typical barbarian hero so it makes sense that he shouldn't be in typical situations.Joe's problems are recognizable to the reader which helps us get into the character, and yet only Joe could solve them.Marge isn't your average changeling magic-user either, although we don't follow her nearly as closely as we do Joe the barabarian.

Chalker's style of writing is also very easy to follow.It flows well and isn't cluttered with lots of words you would need a dictionary to look up.I'm not saying that his writing is simple, it isn't, but it's not written above the reader, either.It is a very enjoyable book and Chalker does us the favor of wrapping up the story as well.You can follow Joe and Marge in their next adventure or, if you don't like it, you can stop here and be content in finishing the book. ... Read more

Product Description
With their people dominated for centuries by the Ahkbreed, a power-hungry band of sorcerers whose mastery over physical laws has made slaves of countless worlds, two brave young women find themselves swept up by the Changewinds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

I Feel Unclean
Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but as far as I'm concerned this is a sick, sick book. I had previously been made aware of the degree to which Jack Chalker's sexual fantasies influenced his writing, but I had taken the statements given as comical exaggerations, and I certainly had no idea as to the nature of the fantasies in question. I'll admit it, I didn't get all the way through--I stopped after one of the many rape scenes, and couldn't bring myself to start again. The funny thing, though, and the reason why this book gets two stars instead of one, is that the main characters are not themselves sick--I kept reading as long as I did out of affection for them, and even their worst or most obviously "sexy" actions left me wishing they were in a book by anyone other than Chalker.

A sequel that fits the original
I was reading Jack L Chalker in my mid-teens, probably 14-16 or so - that was when I had read the first book in this series.

As I have been going through re-reading books, I've been picking up the missing links to flush out my trilogies.As far as the trilogy and this books place in the trilogy go, it fits in wonderfully with Chalker's story.

The series as a whole is probably intended for your older, but still young adult audiences.I don't know if I, as a parent, would approve of my child reading this book before they were nearing 18.

The series as a whole is set in an interesting world, but Chalker uses the world to examine moral issues beyond the battle of good and evil, and there is a lot of drugs, sex, 'potions', hypnosis, and mind control in these books.They are certainly sexually explicit... and very morally gray.At times, I was unsure if the author himself realized how gray the moral landscape of his Changewinds saga really is.

A Decent Sequel
Riders of the winds is a sequel to Where The Change Winds Blow which I as a teenager found so thrilling I spent 7 years hunting down the next two books.Riders kept the story going and kept my attention but it couln't capture me the way the first book did.The book follows Charlie and Sam into the deasert on separate paths exactlty where the first book left off but the two girls don't meet up again until the third book. If you read the first book you should definatly read all three it is good for light reading, and passing time.

Damn fine read
One of the best story lines I've ever read.Read the entire trilogy three times since they were first released.Too bad you can't get them in hardback set.

Amazing
Being the first Chalker book I read, I was quite impressed with it. It's quite tough to put into words. It is a literary masterpiece in line with Bridge on the River Kwai or Ben Hur. The epic scale is extraordinary. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

interesting series
Jack Chalker has a terrific imagination and The Four Lords of the Diamond series doesn't let you down. Medusa is the last book of this series, but they are all good and you do want to read them in order - not on a stand alone basis.

The Diamonds saga finds its solution
This is the last of the four Diamonds novels. You will feel rather lost if you haven't read the first three books.

I'm running into danger of repeating myself, but I have to mention that Mr. Chalker manages tosurprise us again. The conditions on Medusa are totally different fromLilith, Cerberus and Charon, as well as the plot and the fate of our hero.You won't get bored, that's for sure.

Of course, when the fourth missionis over, the Confederation agent, as you might have expected, puts all fourreports together and sets about solving the mystery behind it all. Read thebook to see what happens.

"Medusa" is not a bad book, but it'sfar from reaching the level of "Lilith". It's approximately asgood as "Cerberus" and "Charon". The final solution is- to my taste - too fantastic and far-fetched. I was slightly disappointed.Still, it's a great series, absolutely worth reading.

i still remimber it after years
I read this book years ago along with the others in the group (there are 4 in all). they still stand out in my mind when I think of good adventure sci-fi. the concept off these books alone is enough to keep you thinking,imagine they clone you 4 times ,send each clone down onto a planet he cannever return from to spy on / gain control of its government. while you areleft in space to oversee the copies of yourself and collect what they findout. add to that each world has a quirk of its own.one will not abide anytechnology but magic (seems)to work. on another you can change bodies withsomeone just by sleeping to close to them (whether you want or not). on yetanother your body will mutate to suite its environment on the fly (jump inthe water ,you got gills ) ect(NOW IMAGINE YOU WAKE UP THINKING YOUR YOUONLY TO FIND OUT YOUR ONE OF THE CLONES) ... Read more

Product Description
Nathan Brazil had been the guardian of the Well of Souls, where the Well World's master control lay. But now the universe faced a threat more grave than mere destruction: An unnamed and utterly alien entity had somehow been released from its ancient prison and was bent on the corruption of the Well World itself. If successful, it would cause chaos beyond mortal understanding....


From the Paperback edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Watchers: I Read Them So You Don't Have To!


I read the original pentology in high school, and had fond memories of it. More than fond, really: part of the personal archive. I recently reread it and, you know? It was pretty good! The first book (Midnight at the Well of Souls) remains a classic rollicking fine adventure. The other two pairs are pretty good, maybe a bit unsubtle in some ways, but heck I'm able to channel my inner fourteen-year-old and still enjoy em. (My girlfriend, on the other hand, liked the first one, couldn't finish the second.)

I'm digging the series, and I want more, more! So I ordered all the books in The Watchers Of The Well. Big mistake.

The trilogy is fifteen hundred pages long, but easily has enough action to fill four or five very very short stories. Endless endless pages of description of nothing, just nothing. Mavra gets turned into a creature, everyone's trying to get to the Avenue. Nothing ever happens!

If you really just can't get enough, I recommend this: just skip to the third book, Gods of the Well of Souls. Seriously. It's tedious all by itself, and recounts endlessly the events of the first two, but at least you can get a conclusion in just one book.

The New Watchers at the Well Trilogy Almost Lives Up to the Original Series
Jack L. Chalker's return to the Well World universe was much anticipated, and in the end pretty good. This new trilogy, Watchers at the Well, starts with Echoes of the Well of Souls, continues with Shadow of the Well of Souls, and concludes with Gods of the Well of Souls.

Long locked away in an ancient prison, a completely alien force found a chink in its prison cell the last time Nathan Brazil, the immortal keeper of the Well World where control of the universe lies, reset the universe. Now it wants out so it can have free reign of the universe and control of the Well World itself.

Alerted to the danger at hand, the Well World summons Nathan Brazil and Mavra Chang, his new co-Keeper of the Well, but will they answer the call? Brazil is weary, very weary; keeping watch over the universe for all eternity has taken its toll on him and his is just too tired to deal with it anymore. And Chang, who is now estranged from Brazil, never wanted the responsibility that forced upon her.

As the threat to the safety of the universe and the Well World grows and Brazil and Chang ignore the call, the alien entity grows stronger; and, the computer at the heart of the Well World must stop at nothing to get the undivided attention of its keepers before it is too late!

If you loved the original Well World series (and who wouldn't?!?), you will want to read this series; if you haven't, then stop and read it immediately. Then pick up this second series and devour it as well.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

A Guide to my Book Rating System:

1 star = The wood pulp would have been better utilized as toilet paper.
2 stars = Don't bother, clean your bathroom instead.
3 stars = Wasn't a waste of time, but it was time wasted.
4 stars = Good book, but not life altering.
5 stars = This book changed my world in at least some small way.

Fantastic!
Very fast and clean read.The author has taken an old story concept and expanded upon it to create an incredable world.Very fascinating.I never once thought to put the book down, I was hooked!Very good discriptive power.

The best of the best...a must for all sci-fi fans.
When I think of science fiction/fantasy there is one author and series that comes to mind.Jack L. Chalker and the Well of Souls were the beginning of my infatuation with science fiction.When I read that first book as a teenager almost 20 years ago, little did I know the hours and hours of enjoyment that I would have.This series has been in my collection since that time, and with each re-reading it grows more enjoyable.The wonderful plot twists, the mystery, the fabulously rich description and characters grabs your imagination and draws you into a very unusual world filled with sorcery, science and awe.A must read for anyone who wants to get lost in a book of riches of the imagination

WOW!
I highly reccomend this book, and the rest of the books in this series!It was a wonderfull journey from earth to a fantasy world where many have gone before ... Read more

Product Description
EVERYTHING YOU THINK YOU KNOW IS WRONG...
That was the strange message left on Cory Maddox's e-mail--just at the moment when years of work on a revolutionary subspace computer system was about to pay off. Nothing would be the same for Cory again. Suddenly his life was thrown into chaos when the company that controlled his patent was sold out from under him, and instead of imminent wealth, Cory was facing immediate poverty. Then along came Alan Stark, who wanted to recruit Cory for a special research project on virtual reality.
Stark was reviving the secret NSA work of the legendary Matthew Brand, who had disappeared under mysterious circumstances years before. Cory had always idolized Brand, so he was initially thrilled to be involved. But he quickly discovered that there was nothing virtual about the realities he was working on. Instead, he found that Stark was on the verge of controlling the very fabric of reality itself.
Cory was unsure of Stark's ultimate goal, until he began to recall pieces of another life and found himself in the middle of a battle between two groups of people who could use "rabbit holes" in space and time to jump between different realities, personalities, and lives. Whoever had control of the power to shape reality would have the power to become a god--or a devil. But before Cory could combat Stark and his minions, he first had to remember which side he was on...
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Customer Reviews (12)

I Guarantee You Will Love This Book
If you are naturally curious, like interesting plot twists and rich environments, then you are going to love this book.

I tend to agree with other reviewers that this work is the inspiration for the movie "The Matrix" and in many ways is a superior work.The ideas in Chalker's work are much more developed than in The Matrix and does a much better job of keeping it's integrity throughout.

First get a good grip on Reality
Jack L. Chalker's theory of existence was spelled out in Book I, P. 223: "... Sometime, somebody, in a world we otherwise know nothing about but which has to be far more advanced than the one we now knew, built a vast computer for some reason and put tremendous knowledge and capability into it.Something went wrong, or so it seemed.A group, a small group, of people from that original place, that true universe, had come into the system and gotten lost, then trapped, in an ever-increasing series of exquisitely detailed virtual universes.. [Brand] was the only hope of getting everybody together again and back to reality. ..."
Chalker wrote, "All reality is programming.We cannot know the real: we are trapped in an endless series of simulations, all of us, and some, like myself, in simulations within simulations. ...."He uses an IT, a thing, a faceless one or a gray ancient to speak these lines, rather than a flesh and blood character.This device implied a para-programmer, one outside the mind of man.This invented God is in control not onlyof the author outside the story's pages but in control of all the characters within the pages of the book.
Reality now has a counterpart, virtual reality.The characters, en mass, stare into the mirror of their own minds and realize that they had no measuring rod with which to gauge their own realities. The mind is self reflective.The mind has no outer objective way to measure either its input or output.The characters reveal the dead end of human thought.The fact that the tactile nerves register solidity reveals little regarding production or projection of such solidity.There is no way to distinguish whether the neurons fire due to sensory input rather than from say drugs or computer generated inputs.Reality, thus loses its previous foundation.
Chalker posits an Existence Computer with limitless memory able to fill in a separate reality for each and every mind.Everyone gets their own set of individual mental constructs.With this god-like computer unlimited universes to surround each person's set of ideas could be created.(P. 211BK II). Taking this idea one step further, each person is a circuit on the mother board of the universe.Every solid item that surrounds a person is created within another little circuit.The whole universe is the giant circuitry, the mother board of existence.We are all but chips, powered from this hidden source of energy that we call existence.Chalker names his god character Matthew Brand.Brand understands the circuitry and power of the Existence Computer enough to become part of it.Brand was able to join with the energy reactor in order to control the energy flow into the mother board of the Existence Computer.

Good 13th Floory Fun
I know! Thirteenth Floor wasn't based on this novel (or the series, either), but that movie kept coming to mind as I read the first part of Cybernetic Walrus. Chalker is original and creative in this book, though, and it's much more satisfying than the "What Is Real?" movies out there. A thoroughly enjoyable book, stands as an adventure in its own right, but also beckons the reader on to the rest of the trilogy.

The protagonist, Cory Maddox undergoes plenty of transformation in this story, running through several life "phases" while trying to sort out who to trust. One of the enjoyable features of this series is that the reader is never quite certain who he should trust, either. Often, I found myself wanting to urge Cory & Riki to trust the wrong (in hindsight) characters.

Plenty here for either the SF or fantasy fan. Thoroughly enjoyable--Chalker knows how to entertain while stretching the mind and imagination. Perhaps the worst feature of this book is that the 3rd book of the trilogy is so difficult to obtain.

A solid four-star rating: great fun, but not absolute genius.

One of the best cyberspace series yet!
Jack Chalker continues his tradition of unique ideas and perspectives in the Wonderland series.What starts out as a classic cyberspace story quickly turns in unexpected directions.This book will definitely get youthinking about the true nature of reality.If you liked the movie,"The Matrix," get this book!The movie stole Chalker's ideaswithout giving credit, and the book explores the ideas to a greater depth. Too bad Del Rey is so short-sighted and has not reprinted the 3rd book inthis series.

the nature of reality, and the mystery of its control clash.
Mr Chalker takes an ongoing presence in the works of the great Phillip K. Dick, and spins the begginigs of a series that will not let any fans down. the nature of reality, in question for the protagonist, as he shuffles from life to life offers a challenging mystery, as to the mystery of our existence, and its ultimate nature. A must read for fans, and worthy of comparisson to the infamous Well World series of books. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Deep world, shallow plot
The unique (and a little kludgey) Warden organisms invented by Chalker do create a world with a great deal of potential for the author and his characters.Alas, I felt this potential was frustratingly missed.Because of the complexity of the world's structure, too many paragraphs were spent to define, justify and close the loopholes in the Warden system.Although the characters were rather well drawn, there was little real interaction, tension, or resolution among them (with one notable exception).Now, in SciFi I can usually let that slide if the action makes up for it.Unfortunately, this was the most unsatisfying aspect of the book.224 pages of good set-up end in 7 pages of climax, during which our buff, well-trained hero, sporting some brand new but untested powers... COMPLETELY SITS OUT THE BATTLE!He is left to watch the thinly described action from so far away he needs a telescope to see the people.Opps.I wonder if this book was the victim of some evil 250 page limit set by the publisher, or worse, by the author.

We too have a snake in the grass
Reading this book and stating that you are spellbound or hooked from one chapter to the next does not tell you about the essence of the tale.To say that this Science Fiction is superior in imagery and concept is still lacking in definition.There is something else that drew me back to read the series again.It was not the story, so much, but the reality that it represents.It is about this world whose scientific physical makeup is different than ours.We are made of cells and cells structure with DNA in control.In these worlds the Wardens are in control.The are involved in each and every molecular makeup of everything.Based upon persons background and his discipline and control will explain his possible position in these worlds.

It is much like earth in that way.It is a metaphor, yet a parallel to our own world.We still have a caste so to speak in existence on earth.Even in United States, even though there are no castles, knights or dukes, we still live according to our self-discipline, our self-awareness, education, skills, and our internal chemistry.A genius might still be a poor fellow living on the dole of others while a seemly simple person lives on the fruits of the world.It about what I stated above.This is what Chalker is telling us.It is a involved parody about our own world.You are able to watch Cal, the main character evolved as he begins to learn his own powers, his respect for his teachers, his peers,and his desire to rise.He is a survivor, he is spent the time to get his body and mind in order now he is getting his training and skills in order to conquer the planet.Don't analyze the content, but enjoy the story and stop and think about the parallel to our own world.

A unique page-turner!
The underlying concept of this book is truly unique unto the world of SciFi.As such, it was a very refreshing read.Additionally, the author manages to grab you and suck you in right from the first few paragraphs.It is also a pleasure to not have to read several chapters to "get into" the story.I am very appreciative of an author's efforts in this area.I also enjoyed Chalker's level of character development.He has an excellent understanding of how much character detail and background needs to be given to satisfy the reader and move the story forward.In my mind, he strikes the perfect balance between giving you enough information to satisfy your curiousity without providing an overload of unnecessary and boring minutia.Finally, I would have to disagree with the previous reviewer's comment of the "author's stupid moralizing attitude."Although there is certainly a point made of portraying the moral thought processes going on within the central character, this book is by no means preachy or a morality tale.There are certainly some morality aspects of the future of "civilization" but they are an integral part of the storyline. The story would be far less cohesive and simply make less sense without them.The bottom-line is that the other reviewer gives the impression that readers will feel they are being preached to and that is absolutely not the feeling I got. I simply feel like I just finished reading a unique and well-written novel.

One of the best fictional universes in the whole SF
The book is the first in the Lords of the Diamond series. It takes you to a world very much different from ours. The world's dominated by a small organism that lives in everything - both living and dead matter. It makesthe conditions on the planet very different from what we are used to andallows the use of a kind of pseudo-magic through controlling the mentionedorganism. I'm telling it so thoroughly because I want you to realize thatthis is not just another magic universe book. The world created by Mr.Chalker is extremely original and amazing.

What's bad about the book isthe author's stupid moralizing attitude. The characters are very clearlydivided into good guys and bad guys and in case you don't understand who'swho, Mr. Chalker explains it to you through most primitive and disgustingpreachments. (Read my review to John Maddox Roberts's excellent book"SPQR" to see what I mean.)

Despite of this annoying flaw, theidea of the book is so brilliant that I'm forced to give it five stars.It's one of my favored books. I finally succeeded to get the other threevolumes and I can't wait to read them all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Children of Flux and Anchor
I sent this as a gift to my mom.She told me it was in good condition so I can only asume that it was everything the seller said it was.Thank you For the wonderful and prompt service.It made my Mother very happy.

Soul Rider Book Five
This is the surprising conclusion to the Soul Rider Saga.The author tells us that he had not intended to write it, but has indeed carried thesaga forward.Fans will be glad he did.

While the last great battle ofthe Hellgates had been won, it was won at cost.Now Flux and Anchor are atpeace - but only for now.

But someone has found the key to the magic ofFlux. If they succeed in harnessing this power, the delicate balance can bedestroyed.How will anyone stand when the horror of Flux is released? ... Read more

Product Description
Seven stories . . . and more from a science-fiction master! Jack L. Chalker is an acknowledged master of the science-fiction series but from time to time, he has also turned his talents to the short fiction form. Here, for the first time in one volume, are the complete short stories, including two never before published, by one of science-fiction's most popular authors. DANCE BAND ON THE TITANIC: Mike Dalton was an ordinary deck hand on a most extraordinary ferryboat. He was determined to save the young woman who, night after night, committed suicide from the ferry's deck . . . but how could he save a ghost? NO HIDING PLACE: No one really believed that the old Hankin House was haunted, but for a lone human and the alien Sirian from the futue it was -- and always will be -- their final battleground! ADRIFT AMONG THE GHOSTS: The alien convict had been sentenced to roam space to collect television signals from a far-off planet called Earth . . . but some programs are too horrrible for even a hardened criminal to watch! First time in print! . . . And more! Pus commentary and introductions by the author, and an annotated bibliography! ... Read more

Product Description
The Dark Baron, defeated at last, had been stripped of all his magical power and exiled to Earth. But there he enlisted a computer to create even more effective spells. Helped by the forces of Hell, the Dark Baron is once again threatening Husaquahr -- and only Joe and Marge can stop him!
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great book
This was the very first book I read by this author, and it thoroughly hooked me on fantasy books from then on, even though it wasn't even the first in the series. Chalker has a great way of adding laughs to fantasy that I haven't seen in many other authors.

Chalker at his hilarious best!
Chalker hits a high note with this one.Marge and Joe out in the absurd fantasy realm go from the frying pan and into the fire and back again!Transformations abound in this delightful spoof of every fantasy novel everwritten!

Beware the rules....and have a great time! ... Read more