Product Description
Introducing two sequential novellas of interstellar adventure by one of science fiction's greatest storytellers, Andre Norton. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Search for the Star Stones
This is a book with two previously written titles under a new name.It would be helpful to list those titles on books like this-I already had both of them

I was gyped
I was gyped by this book.It contains two books I already own, but no mention of them was made in the description of the book.This happens quite frequently on this site.

One of Norton's greatest works!
I first discovered a novel (The Stars Are Ours!) by Andre Norton at the age of nine (I'm 46 now!) and have been addicted to science fiction ever since. If the slightest smidgen of a thirst for adventure and a sense of wonder her books will give your soul wings!

I find this 2 book series one of Miss Norton's best and it is my favorite series by my favorite author. The interaction of plot elements that are present in all of Norton's works seem to mesh best in these two stories (and also oddly enough in another of her series that has only 2 books as well "The Stars Are Ours" and "Star Born").

The elements of youth on the cusp of adulthood discovering there place in the universe, being a mutant as a metaphor for the strangeness all adolescents go through at that time, alliances between human and mutant/alien/or other as social commentary on what we loose out on if we are prejudice against race/religion/gender/or species (she did start to write over 50 years ago and had to use a mans name instead of her real name "Mary Norton" after all! Andrew North then finally Andre Norton.) , the manifest destiny of mankind to take our place in the universe as explorers as exemplified by "Free Traders", "First In Scouts" of the galactic patrol and others who just simply get lost in the great expanse. The the flat out weirdness of alien/ancient/or forgotten knowledge and how we have the abject stupidity in our hubris of thinking we are the "lords of creation" whenever the topic of aliens that appear to be animals to us are often much more intelligent, and also in the often frightening and awe inspiring science and power left behind in various artifacts by the thousands of "forerunner" species that predate us some by many millions of years. An almost reverential fear of the awesome power of forgotten knowledge and the many star systems ravaged by ancient conflicts that to us primitives seem to be nothing short of magic! (Like Arthur C. Clarke said "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." !)

The awesome "Zero Stones" end up ultimately being a metaphor themselves in that when the manufacturing process is reviled in the end, there creation takes nothing less then the destruction of the very living essence, being and life force of a being from an ancient forerunner civilization. One of which is reveled to be the main characters companion throughout the adventure who has hidden this fact for two reasons. One, that it itself can only be released from the imprisonment of the temporary body it has found itself in and take it's (or close to it's) original form, and two, that it's ultimate goal is not independence and wealth for the two of them but the release of others of it's kind from imprisonment in the stones even if that release is the release of the grave! A powerful anti servitude metaphor if ever there was one! "Give me liberty or give me death!" so to speak.

If you are a science fiction or fantasy fan DO NOT MISS OUT on reading at least a few story's by "The Grand Dame of Science Fiction" Andre Norton! Her story's are enjoyable by people of all ages. While not technically the best written "hard science fiction" by standards of scientific accuracy (how many really are?) and not exactly fantasy or space opera either, nor in general written for 'adults' Norton's story's are compelling for there timeless use of symbolism and there ability to draw the reader into the story and out of the everyday well enough that most people find themselves reading many of her books in a single sitting!

Even if you are not a science fiction fan you will enjoy her writing. Even at the age of 46 I can still read one of these books and feel that old 'sense of wonder' I felt way back when I was 9 years old and read one of these, or Treasure Island etc. When no other author can still draw me in or instill that feeling of really being there and the universe being a big weird place these story's can still do it!!!

In the pantheon of science fiction authors some belong there for shearly insane ideas that no one else can come up with (Greg Bear "Moving Mars" that's nuts! Cool but nuts!). Some for the great sense of where history is headed (Asimov for his Foundation series). Some for there cautionary tails (Michael Crichton). Some for the good old space opera with all blasters blazing (E.E. Doc Smith!). Some for swashbuckling sword play against all odds in an alien landscape (Edgar Rice Burroughs) Some for there understanding of emerging cultures that are already in process (Cory Doctorow you really understand where tech is moving our culture!!) But NONE stand above Andre Norton for the shear joy of a story well told!!

Miss Norton, rest in piece. Hope to meet you some where some when in the future!

Old Favorites
I first read The Zero Stone and Uncharted Stars as a child, as part of a summer library reading program, and so I bonded with them quite young. They are some of the few books that I go back and reread every few years, less to discover something new than to simply experience the story and the world again. Because the universe Norton created here is in many ways the real star of the novels: the mystery as it unfolds, the layer upon layer of ancient interstellar civilizations, the intrigue. Murdoc Jern is perfectly written, a character who we the reader can become as we follow his story. Eet is brilliant, both mentor and foil for Jern, a part of the mystery and yet caught up in it as well. The stones themselves are almost alive, almost animate.

They don't write science fiction like this anymore. The wonder of exploration and adventure that is so perfectly presented in these two magnificent works has been replaced with soap-opera violence and an obsession with long page counts, and that's a pity. So pick up The Zero Stone and Uncharted Stars and lose yourself in them; you'll be glad you did.

Collecting Norton's "The Zero Stone" and "Uncharted Stars"
Andre Norton is considered one of the most popular science fiction writers of her time, and this volume proves that. /Search for the Star Stones/ is actually two books, /The Zero Stone/ and /Uncharted Stars/, both appearing together for the first time. This sci-fi adventure follows Murdoc Jern, son of a murdered gem trader, who finds a ring that could fit over the finger of a space suit and holds the key to vast power left behind from an alien species. Murdoc and his mutant companion Eet, a cat-like species with immense mental powers, must figure out the mystery behind the ring they found, the "Zero Stone," before they themselves are murdered just like Jern's father. And if they don't figure out the secrets, it could spell out their deaths as well as billions of others in the galaxy. This fast paced science fiction adventure is a surefire pick for any Andre Norton or Golden Age science fiction fan.

Reviewed by James Rojek ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Groundbreaking Classics and an Exciting Read
When Beast Master opens, an interstellar war has just ended, with Earth destroyed by the alien and incomprehensible Xik invaders. Demobilized Commando and expatriate Navajo, Hosteen Storm is relocated to the planet Arzor with his special forces team of meerkats, an eagle and a desert cat. He finds employment as a hired hand on a ranch in an amazingly harsh planetary environment. Acceptance follows in his new situation through his abilities and willingness to work. His animal team aids him and provides continuity with his past. Strange happenings lead Storm to investigate the possibility of a Xik holdout band operating on Arzor. Storm has to deal with his own isolation and loss, while making headway in solving a complex puzzle.

The fast moving story line follows his investigation, engaging your attention and sympathy. This is the first tale (1959) in a quartet of "Hosteen Storm" books. The last three additions were fielded in 2002, 2004, and 2006 co-written by Lyn McConchie.

The omnibus concludes with Lord of Thunder (1962), following Hosteen Storm when the Arzoran native population withdraws from normal contact with the human colonists. A rescue operation gone wrong results in Storm being stranded in a remote mountainous area of Arzor with an unusually mild climate for the seasonally extreme planet. The discovery of an ancient and alien weather control installation still humming away in mountain caverns leads to the reason for the withdrawal of Arzor natives from contact with humans. The very existence of the human colony on Arzor is in peril from the energies rising in the mountain peaks. The alien environment is expertly revealed, as Norton does so well. Storm's passage through the mystery is well presented and so well portrayed that readers can truly feel they have been looking over the shoulder of Hosteen Storm throughout the adventure.

Norton's reputation for solid science fiction was enhanced by these two stories, in concert with the Time Trader and Solar Queen series. She often had several story lines being published in parallel, a feat rarely accomplished by other authors since. These two stories are a firm foundation in appreciating Andre Norton's ability to spin an engrossing tale while creating a truly believable universe populated by substantive characters, both human and non. ... Read more

Product Description
A new original adventure in Andre Norton's popular Beast Master SF series ith Beast Master and Lord of Thunder Andre Norton created one of her most popular characters, Hosteen Storm, a soldier for Earth who is part of the Beast Master corps. With his team of animals with whom he communicates telepathically, Storm lives on the planet Arzor, where he uses his military training and team of animals to protect the residents of the planet, human and otherwize. In Beast Master's Circus Arzor is visited by a circus that features a young woman, Laris, who has been sold into bondage to Dedran, the circus's manager. Laris works with a number of alien species to perform entertaining feats of derring-do. And Laris has become aware of the disturbing ties Dedran has to the secret interstellar Thieves Guild. The Guild seeks to breed or clone telepathic beasts for their own purposes, and they have been killing beast masters who stand in their way. Now, Arzor's beast masters are their target. They'll stop at nothing to get to the beasts . . . unless Laris can somehow find away to warn Storm and Tani. . . . ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

BeastMaster's Circus
Entertaining, keeps the story going (Beast Master) without lapses.Lyn McConchie is an author worth reading on her own "standing."

not up to the Grand Master's best
I wanted to like this book.I tried to like it, I really did.But this book failed to capture me.I love Andre Norton and grew up reading her.The first sci-fi I ever read as a kid was Andre Norton's Solar Queen books, and I quite like the new collaborations written in the SQ universe.

Even as an adult, I can pick up and re-read with great enjoyment most of her books.I often pull out my copies of "Catseye" or "Moon of Three Rings" or "Flight in Yiktor" for a great few hours of reading.

I'm afraid I won't be re-reading this book. For while the basic idea of this book is vintage Norton, the writing failed to pull me in like the best of her books always do.The switching point of view threw me out of Laris' character, but then again she didn't come across as a very compelling character to begin with.The writing was noticeably choppy to the point where I had to put the book down in frustration several times.

It's a fairly mediocre successor to the excellent "Beastmaster" in my opinion.

Another Tale in the Norton Tradition
Beast Master's Circus is the fourth novel in the Beast Master series, following Beast Master's Ark.In the previous volume, the Ark came to Arzor with DNA samples and live animals from the devastated Earth.Storm Hosteen inquires about mates for his team and meets Tani, a genetic engineer and niece of the couple running the Ark.Storm and Tani work together to investigate a mystery called the Death-which-comes-in-the-night and discover that the Xik have brought deadly clicker swarms to Arzor.Together they lead the fight to defeat the Xiks and eradicate the voracious creatures.

In this novel, Storm and Tani are presented with the mystery of Laris, a young orphan from the refugee camps who performs in Dedran's Circus.Logan Quade is much taken by the young woman and invites her to the main ranch.Brad Quade also becomes fond of his son's new friend and offers to investigate her past.When Laris agrees, Brad starts sending messages to the camps and other sources to determine her history.

Laris is very good with animals and has a special friend of her own, the cat-like Prauo.Laris found Prauo as a bedraggled kitten on the outskirts of a spaceport.Laris took him back to the circus, fed and sheltered him, and he grew rather large.Laris and Prauo gradually developed the ability to communicate emotions and images and lately have been able to see with each other's eyes, but they have also been able to exchange thoughts since Prauo's last growth spurt.

Jas Cregan is an animal trainer with the circus.A former beast master, he has been damaged somehow so that he can no longer link with the animals.He is not quite sane and blames the other beast masters for his problems.Dedran is using him to acquire the enhanced animals from beast master teams, but the animals always die when separated from their masters.Now Dedran is after the enhanced animals partnered with Storm and Tani.

This story depicts a young woman in a moral and legal quandary.She has signed a bond of indenture as Dedran's servant to get out of the refugee camp.Although she was underage at the time, Laris knows that Dedran can use his contacts in the Thieves Guild to counteract any legal complaints that she might pursue.Moreover, Dedran would certainly take Prauo away from her.Nonetheless, Laris risks all to try to help Storm and Tani.

The story follows the customary style of this author's science fiction, involving young persons and their symbiotic partners in a fight to gain liberty from an oppressive social situation. It slowly reveals the backstory of Laris and Cregan.In addition, the story reveals more about Bright Sky, Tani's father and a Cheyenne beast master, and his defense of Trastor against the Xiks.

Highly recommended for Norton & McConchie fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of determined young persons linked with clever, and sometimes sapient, animals.

-Arthur W. Jordin

somewhat lusterless
This is the first beast master book I have read, and probably the only one that I will.It is directed more towards young readers, and is rather lackluster.Laris seems to have no opinions or mind of her own, and slavishly allows herself to be used by the circus owner who is also her bondmaster.Since she has been illegally bonded to him, she could have announced this on various planets the circus has visited, and be freed.The author tries to give her a conscious, but she never seems to use it, even when it would be in her best interest.In the end, she betrays those who befriended her, then tries to atone and they are astonishinly forgiving.

fine Beast Master aimed at young teens
The orphan Laris is held in servitude bondage by Dedran the Circus Master until she attains the credits to can pay for her freedom.Though Laris loves the animals that she cares for, she equally loathes the avaricious Dedran, who is nasty and abusive to everyone.As she tours from planet to planet on The Queen of the Circus vessel, Laris and the big alien feline Prauo forge a telepathic bond that she hides from her master for fear of the consequences.

As the troupe heads towards Arzor, Laris learns that Dedran plans to help his fellow Thieves Guild members steal and clone special animals.At Arzor, Laris befriends several Beast Masters on the planet, but hides her skill to communicate with her big cat that she shares in common with her new pals for fear that Dedran will harm them.Still if she is to stop Dedran and the Thieves Guild from their odious scheme of harming beasts, she needs allies beyond just the few "malcontents" that journey with her as part of the circus.

The latest Beast Master tale is targeted towards a young teen audience as the story line is simplistic in its good vs. evil scenario, the mystery of who is Laris seems obvious, and the action somewhat limited.Still the support cast adds depth to the ultimate High Noon confrontation starring a delightful young lady in a non-earth setting accompanied by some comic relief that should please the Potter crowd and perhaps those even younger.Anyone a bit older will pass.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Product Description
The first three legendary Witch World novels from one of the most popular authors of our time-Publishers Weekly

Few authors have achieved such renown as World Fantasy Life Achievement honoree Andre Norton. With the love of readers and the praise of critics, Norton's books have sold millions of copies worldwide.Perhaps her best loved and most influential novels, the Witch World series have been too long unavailable to readers.

But finally, in the first of two ominibuses, Witch World, Web of the Witch World, and Year of the Unicorn, the first three novels of the Witch World, are united for the first time so readers can once again step through The Gates to Witch World.

Witch World -- Simon Tregarth, a man from our own world, escapes his doom through the gates to the Witch World. There he aids the witch Jaelithe's escape from the hounds of Alizon, only to find himself embroiled in a deeper war against an even deadlier foe: the Kolder.

Web of the Witch World -- The Kolder linger on, a constant threat to Simon and the witches he's sworn to protect. To save their world from this threat from another dimension, Simon and Jaelithe must venture to the heart of the poisonous Kolder realm and vanquish them for good, or witness the enslavement of their world.

Year of the Unicorn -- Far from the besieged home of Simon and Jaelithe, in peaceful Norsdale, we meet Gillan, who longs to leave her dull life in a secluded country abbey. But when her wish comes true, she finds more than a little adventure. As she ventures out, not only is her life in danger, but also the power that lies within her, waiting to be discovered.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Excellent
Having the first three books in this series rolled into one was great to have.This was a great purchase and a real page turner!

Magical Technology
The Gates to Witch World (2001) is an omnibus edition containing the first three Witch World novels, including Witch World, Web of the Witch World, and Year of the Unicorn.It depicts a world of magic and menace.

Witch World (1963) is the first fantasy novel in this series.Simon Tregarth -- once a Colonel in the US Army within Occupied Europe -- had unknowingly been caught up in a black market deal.On the basis of perjured testimony, he was courtmartialed, stripped of rank, and imprisoned.When released, he became that of which he was falsely accused, a dealer in illegal merchandise.

Then his path crossed that of Hansen and now the Organization is after him.He has been on the run for some time and has left a few dead pursuers on his back trail, but is tired and sleepy.Now he faces Sammy, who is more dangerous than the others.

Tregarth stops in a restaurant to eat a pleasant last meal and is accosted therein by Doctor Jorge Petronius, who is well know in some circles as the man who can make you disappear.Petronius offers his services in exchange for whatever remains of the $20,000 brought from San Pedro.

Tregarth accompanies Petronius to an ancient little house and is told the legend of the Siege Perilous."One takes his seat upon the Siege and before him opens that existence in which his spirit, his mind -- his soul if you wish to call it that -- is at home."At dawn, Tregarth sits on the stone and disappears from this world.

Tregarth is spilled out to sprawl face down of the thick wiry turf of a gray-green moor.Behind him are two rough pillars of reddish rock.He walks directly away from them across the soggy turf.As the sun rises, he hears a horn calling and cautiously moves in that direction.

He sees a woman pursued by thin, white hounds and then the masters riding on horses.The animals and men corner the woman and one of the men takes a weapon from a holster on his belt and raises it toward the woman.Tregarth shoots him out of the saddle.

Thus Simon Tregarth meets the Lady Jaelithe -- although he was not to learn her name for some time yet -- and is introduced to the Witches of Estcarp.He soon meets Koris, Captain of Estcarp's fighting men and Prince of lost Gorm.Together, these three battle an invasion of evil from another worldline:the Kolder.

Web of Witch World (1964) is the second fantasy novel in this series.Simon awakes with a sense of unease.He reaches for Jaelithe.Then she cries "Loyse" and they both dress to ride.

Loyse has been enspelled by some power of the Kolder.When Simon and Jaelithe reach the shore, they find a dead woman and a foreign ship far from shore.Loyse has been taken into Karsten for Duke Yvian.

Jaelithe goes to the Council of Guardians to demand the restoral of her gem.They refuse, claiming that her current powers are only a shadow of her former might.Jaelithe goes into retreat to study her new powers.

Koris rages at Loyse's captivity, but Simon counsels something other than a foredoomed raid into Karsten.He suggests an oblique approach through Verlaine.They infiltrate the hills, decoy the Verlaine forces to the shore, and enter the tower through a hidden entrance.

Then Simon finds that Fulk has something of Kolder within his mental processes.Fulk is not possessed like the Kolder dead-alive slaves, but has a Kolder presence in his mind.When cornered, he commits suicide rather than allow Simon and Koris to take him alive.

Simon, Koris and eight others from Estcarp shapechange to resemble Fulk and his people.They sail to Kars and are invited into the citadel.Other Estcarp troops infiltrate around the city.

Then the blank shields of Yvian turn against each other, seemingly upon the orders of the duke.In the fighting, Simon and Koris discover the duke dying in his chambers.And both Loyse and Yvian's mistress Aldis have left the city.

Year of the Unicorn (1965) is the third fantasy novel in this series.The Great Compact with the Were Riders -- sorcerers and shapechanges -- calls for twelve and one brides in exchange for their services.Now the war with the Alizon Hounds is over and twelve brides are selected.The brides are brought to Norstead Abbey on their way to the Were Riders.

Gillan is approached by Lady Sussia and told about the fears of Lady Marimme.When Lord Imgry informs Marimme that she will be the last bride, she has hysterics.Gillan administers a herbal infusion that will calm her and put her to sleep.

When the brides leave the Abbey, Gillan goes with them as Lady Marimme.Later, Imgry discovers the imposture and threatens her.Yet she counters with the need for the party to meet the Were Riders in the Throat of the Hawk at the agreed time.

When Imgry turns the brides over to the Were Riders, Gillan finds herself seeing double.Sometimes the camp ground seems rich and luxurious, but other times she sees it as a wasteland in winter.Then the brides are sent out to select their husbands.

The cloaks spread on the ground seem elegant, but Gillan also sees them as rather plain and marked with runes.She is attracted to one tucked away in a corner and takes it.Thus she chooses Herrel as her husband.

Herrel comes to meet her and asks what she sees.When she describes the real appearance of the cloak and himself, he tells her to try to see the illusion instead.The Riders would be angry if they discover that she is witch born.

Although the Witch World series is now considered fantasy, the first novel does not differ significantly from much of the author's science fiction.The "magic" powers of the Estcarp witches may just as well be psionic talents such as in the Warlock, Janus, and Forerunner series.

Moreover, the "magic" exists side-by-side with technology, both native to Estcarp and imported from Earth and wherever the Kolder come from.It is difficult to find anything in the first novel that isn't just as much SF as the Pern series.

This omnibus covers two parts of the Witch World:Estcarp -- and its neighbors -- and High Hallack.The next omnibus volume -- Lost Lands of Witch World -- introduces Escore and the children of Simon and Jaelithe.Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of magical talents, armed conflict, and true romance.

Low-brow juvenalia
A series of poorly-detailed cliche characters, awkward sentence construction, terrible plot flow and weak endings characterize the first two novels in this omnibus, and it doesn't get better. The world is crude and never properly explained, the antagonists are cartoon villains with (yet again) unexplained motivations to do evil, and the writing often repeats itself in an attempt to keep the narrative straight. This is clearly low-brow "young adult" fantasy, with none of the wit of a Fritz Leiber or the brooding passion of a Robert Howard, and is to be avoided.

Kindle edition mangled
If you are a Norton fan planning to buy this book in the Kindle edition, be aware that when it was put into Kindle format, it was very hastily done, with no proofreading.I have read through Witch World (the first volume in the collection), and the ending and beginning of each chapter was scrambled.That is, you read to the end of Chapter 4, and the last few paragraphs are actually the first few paragraphs of Chapter 5.Then, the first few paragraphs of Chapter 5 are the last few paragraphs of Chapter 4.I think this happens with every chapter. I haven't tried reading the other volumes yet, so I don't know if the situation is the same with them.It works, more ore less, for me, since I have already ready the books, and can sort out what is happening, but it would be very confusing if you are reading it for the first time (and it is irritating in any case).I complained about this to Amazon, but they just told me to contact the publisher.I hope this hasn't happened with very many other Kindle books.The three star rating, by the way, is for the Kindle edition only; it is a classic fantasy story, and I would give the hardcover 5 stars.

excellent stories - problem is with e-translation.
I have loved these stories for years, and have read and reread them.... Every time I discover something new. One of Andre Norton's gifts was to be able to endow her characters with hope; rarely do they give in to despair, and they never stay there long.
My concern with this electronic edition is that there seems to have been less attention to copyediting than usual. Whole paragraphs are misplaced at the beginnings and ends of chapters. If I didn't already know the stories well, it would be Very Confusing.
I hope this review will prompt some editing, and a revised (corrected) version! ... Read more

Product Description
Andre Norton, Grand Master of Fantasy, brings together a quartet of today's finest fantasy talents to produce short novels of extraordinary power and beauty, set in the Witch World, her greatest fantasy creation.

Stillborn Heritage by Elizabeth H. Boyer: A girl's coming of age proves a supernatural test of her strength...and of the power of love.

Stormbirds by C.J. Cherryh: A soldier of the Dales, thrown together with an Estcarp witch in the bitter aftermath of war, must overcome his own hatred or be destroyed by the Hounds of Alizon.

Rampion by Meredith Ann Pierce: An island girl, spurned by her noble father and orphaned by the death of her mother, is caught in a wed of sea-magic by a mysterious troubadour come from afar to settle old scores.

Falcon Law by Judith Tarr: A woman and a falconer could not be the one, said the code. Yet her falcon chose her, so she lived a lie, to fulfill a great destiny.

Let these four master storytellers sweep you into the magical realm of fantasy adventure that has enthralled millions of readers...
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

"Four from Witchworld" & Amazon service
once owned this book and loaned it to a friend who moved away (with my book!!)glad to have it back--I have many of Andre Norton's books (going back to first paperback edition of "X-Factor"--it cost #.79!!).I am also a great fan of C.J. Cherryh--I think I have almost all of her works except the upcoming releases I ordered from you.All in all very satisfied with Amazon and this book.Thank you.

Confusing
While readers who are familiar with the universe that these stories are set in might be thrilled with this book, I found it very hard to get into it.This is one of the first books that I read by Norton and had bought it mostly because one of my all time favorite author, Cherryh, was a contributing author.Unfortunately, I found the stories dry and not very engaging.As works of fantasy, they are average...I think that if I was more familiar with witch world, I would have enjoyed it more.

Riveting...a must for WW fans!
Boyer, Cherryh, Pierce and Tarr capture WW well in these stories set in Ms. Norton's beloved realm.Very satisfying for us who have been there from the beginning and a must for her fans, fans of the WW and genre followers alike.Worth looking for.Worth adding to your library! ... Read more

Product Description
The first two star-spanning tales of Dane Thorson and the Solar Queen

Almost half a century ago Andre Norton introducedapprentice Cargo Master Dane Thorson in Sargasso of Space and Plague Ship.

Dane signed on with the independent cargo ship Solar Queen looking for a career in off-world trade. In Sargasso of Space, the Solar Queen free-traders win exclusive rights to trade with the planet Limbo, but the crew arrives to find most of its surface charred, with little sign of life.They find a valley with life, but others may still lurk.Worse yet, a strange force threatens to cripple the Queen. They must solve the planet's mysteries if they hope to escape with not only tradeable goods, but their lives.

In Plague Ship, the Queen travels to Sargol, which promises a wealth of exquisite gems to trade-if the crew can overcome the native feline Salarikis' mistrust.But their troubles have just begun!.When a mysterious illness soon overtakes all the crew except the four youngest, the Galactic Patrol labels the Queen plagued and orders it destroyed on sight. With every ship in the galaxy searching for them, the crew have one chance to save the Solar Queen.But if their bold plan foils it would mean the end of the Solar Queen and its crew!
... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Book in excellent condition
Book in excellent condition - as described. I collect used A.Norton books & often find descrepancies in book condition from listing, but this seller was true to listing. Would buy again from this seller.

Kindle Version Barely Acceptable
The Kindle Version is acceptable ONLY because it does have both The Sargasso of Space and Plague Ship on it.However, from a careless reading of the very confusing text description, I though all 4 of the Series were on it.The Table of Contents doesn't work worth a darn.Selecting one of the two Books sends you right to the Cover Page (or was it the Title Page?).I still believe the Kindle Books are the greatest thing since Paper.But the Kindle Version of that Series leaves much to be desired!!!

Start of a Great Series
The Solar Queen is an omnibus edition in the Solar Queen series. It contains the first two novels: Sargasso of Space and Plague Ship.

Dane Thorson is an apprentice cargomaster on the independent trader Solar Queen. His fellow crewmembers include Captain Jellico, Cargomaster Van Rycke, Astrogator Steen Wilcox, Chief Engineer Johan Stotz, Medic Craig Tau, Comtech Tang Ya, Cook-Steward Frank Mura, Jetmen Karl Kosti and Jasper Weeks, and Apprentices Rip Shannon and Ali Kamal. The ancillary crew of the Solar Queen consist of Sinbad, the ship's cat, and Queex the Hoobat.

In Sargasso of Space (1955), the Solar Queen wins trade rights to the D-class planet Limbo, which happens to contain some powerful forerunner technology and a nest of pirates.

In Plague Ship (1956), the Solar Queen has negotiated a change of trade rights, swapping their claims on Limbo for access to the new spices and gems on Sargol, the homeworld of the feline Saliriki. All goes well on the planet, but the crew members start to fall into a deep sleep one by one as they travel back to Terra.

These stories were originally published under the pseudonym of Andrew North. They were the beginning of a series of adventures that have introduced many people to the SF genre in the five decades since their publication. These tales demonstrate the author's skills as a story teller and show why the author has attracted so many dedicated fans over the decades.

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of a future filled with strange adventures and exotic cultures.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Consider the Times!
When reading vintage fiction, keep in mind the environment of the times in which it was written. If you don't know, look it up or ask an "old" person. This book was written when there was none of the electronic technology we have now. No, not even a hand-held calculator. I read it first as a child, and it transported me to new worlds. I think it is not the very best of Andre Norton, but it is very worth reading. Use it as a starting place for your own imagination. I did.

Exotic, carefully drawn alien worlds
"Sargasso of Space" (1955) and "Plague Ship" (1956) were the first two science fiction novels I ever checked out of our local library (I can still close my eyes and see that one dinky little shelf, crammed with some of SFs' greatest juvenile authors:Norton; Heinlein; Del Rey; Nourse).

This book contains the above two Solar Queen adventures and excludes her further travels in "Postmarked the Stars" and the novella, "Voodoo Planet."Norton's four-book series about the crew of the Solar Queen ended in 1969 with "Postmarked the Stars" but beware! Lesser authors have butted into the series, presumably with Norton's permission since this remarkable Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and Nebula Grand Master is still writing (her first novel was published in 1934, her latest fantasy in 2002).

One Solar Queen rip-off to avoid at all costs is "Redline: the Stars."

Norton's Solar Queen stories are told from the viewpoint of Dane Thorson, an apprentice-Cargo Master who is introduced as a "lanky, very young man in an ill-fitting Trader's tunic."Most of this author's heroes and heroines are young, uncertain of themselves, shy, with a tendency to trip over their own enthusiasms and load themselves up with guilt at the slightest opportunity.They are very likeable and their adventures are narrated in remarkably lean prose with just the right touch of description.

After ten years of schooling, orphan Dane Thorson is assigned via a computer analysis of his psychological profile--not to a safe berth on a sleek Company-run starship that his classmates were vying for--but to a battered tramp of a Free Trader. To say that the 'Solar Queen' "lacked a great many refinements and luxurious fittings which the Company ships boasted" was an understatement.But she was a tightly-run ship and what she lacked in refinement, she made up for in adventure.Dane soon settles in under Cargo Master Van Rycke and learns "to his dismay what large gaps unfortunately existed in his training."

Sometimes I just want to give Dane a big hug.

The crew of the 'Solar Queen' risk their meager capital in a gamble at a Survey auction, and win trading rights to a barely explored planet with the unlucky name of Limbo.When they view a microfilm (okay, the technology is a bit dated in these books) of their new prize, it appears as though they have purchased ten years of trading rights to a planet that was burned to cinder during the heyday of the mysterious Forerunners, who predated humans in space.

Just when the Queen's fortune seems to be at its lowest ebb, a tough-looking archeologist shows up who is supposedly an expert on Forerunner artifacts, and charters her for a voyage to Limbo.

It might have been better for the free traders if her captain had kept his ship planeted and declared bankruptcy after the disastrous Survey auction.

"Plague Ship" takes the crew of the 'Solar Queen' to Sargol, where the enigmatic feline natives seem very reluctant to trade away their fabulous scented gemstones.When Dane Thorson discovers an herb that the Salariki are willing to swap for their gems, he fears that his eagerness to make a trade breakthrough might have poisoned a native child.That becomes the least of his worries when the 'Solar Queen' blasts off from Sargol with an invisible, undetectable stowaway that would brand the free traders anathema to all inhabited worlds.

Both of these Solar Queen novels are prime representatives of Norton's lean action-packed brand of story-telling.If you haven't read them since you were a teen-ager, I urge you to try them again.For a few pleasant hours, you will be immersed in the adventures of a likeable, feisty band of free traders on exotic, carefully-drawn alien worlds.
... Read more

Product Description

DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY OF TIME

Intelligence agents have uncovered something which seems beyond belief, but the evidence is incontrovertible: the USAs greatest adversary on the world stage is sending its agents back through time! And someone or something unknown to our history is presenting them with technologies -- and weapons -- far beyond our most advanced science. We have only one option: create time-transfer technology ourselves, find the opposition's ancient source...and take it dawn.

When small-time criminal Ross Murdock and Apache rancher Travis Fox stumble separately onto America's secret time travel project, Operation Retrograde, they are faced with a challenge greater than either could have imagined possible. Their mere presence means that they know too much to go free. But Murdock and Fox have a thirst for adventure, and Operation Retrograde offers that in spades.

Both men will become time agents, finding reserves of inner heroism they had never expected. Their journeys will take the battle to the enemy, from ancient Britain to prehistoric America, and finally to the farthest reaches of interstellar space... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

part of a series
This norton book was one I had looked for to complete the series of the time traders. The Time Traders series is well worth the investment.

Time Traders
First two books in The Time Traders Series. Couldn't put it down. REceived in Great condition.

Fun Sci Fi Classic Time Travel
This is the first Andre Norton book that I have read. I am a little late however, I found this to be a fun and entertaining book.

I really enjoyed the travels through time and the descriptions of the men on the missions getting ready and donning long wigs, having their skin tougheded and tanned like that of the early man, slipping on furs and going on an adventure through time where they witnessed Saber-Toothed Tigers, Mammoths and giant ground sloths. The nifty gadgets in this book were wonderful too. A bubble protected a spaceship from getting destroyed by a herd of Mammoths and the alien spaceship had a few modern contraptions that I wouldn't mind having here at home.

This book kind of reminded me of Star Trek, an episode in which they would go visit an alien planet.

There was excitement in the form of a race with the Russians to find an alien spacecraft back in time and learn it's secrets.

This is just pure fun sci-fi that's entertaining, not serious but adventurous enough to really enjoy.

More Vintage Norton
I loved the time traders books in high school.Unfortunately I never found Galactic Derelict, so I was delighted to finally be able to read it.Both books have strong characters and interesting plots.

Through Time and Space
Time Traders (2000) is an omnibus edition of the Time Traders series, including The Time Traders and Galactic Derelict.These novels are set in the near future when the Russians have discovered time travel and the Americans duplicated their efforts.Yet the Russians have discovered other new technologies that do not seem to be related to any previous research.

The Time Traders (1958) is the first novel in this series.In this novel, Ross Murdock is a young man with a bad record.He is held in detention and subjected to a series of psychological tests, then called back into the courtroom for sentencing.Ross is offered a chance to volunteer for an unidentified government project as an alternative to Rehabilitation.

Ross chooses to volunteer and is turned over to someone called Major.He plans to run at the first opportunity, but the Major takes him up to the roof of the building where they are picked up by a helicopter.They land on an airfield, change to flying suits, and leave in a sleek flying machine that departs straight up.By the time they reach their destination, Ross has learned that the Major is named Kelgarries, but has no idea where they are, except that it is thoroughly covered in snow.

Within the base, Ross is subjected to a series of tests, including a full day of physical examination.The rest of the time he spends in a cell-like room by himself on a very comfortable bunk.After the speaker in his room brays an announcement in the Major's voice, Ross is startled to see the opposite wall disappear, revealing an outdoor scene with mountains and fir trees, the scent of pine trees, and the moaning of the wind.

He hears a wolf howl, senses gray shadows in the trees, sees a wolf come toward him, hears it growl, and then sees it crouch down to leap.A bow twangs and the animal leaps into the air, then falls and bites at an arrow in its side.By this time, Ross has the blanket wrapped around his arm and is crouched down himself, waiting for the wolf's leap.Puzzled, he carefully walks to where the wall had been and discovers an unseen but solid surface at that location.He assumes that something new in image viewing has been developed and lies down to enjoy the remainder of the show.

In this story, Ross learns that he is teamed with Doctor Gordon Ashe -- an archaeologist -- within Operation Retrograde.Its mission is to search the past for clues to the source of the new Russian technology.Ashe takes him to mess call, where he finds other team members with the appearance of Tartars and Vikings.After a great deal of training, Ross finds himself in Stone Age Britain.

Galactic Derelict (1959) is the second SF novel in this series.In the previous volume, the project has found that the Russians discovered a starship in the past.Now Operation Retrograde is searching for a starship of their own.

In this novel, Travis Fox is an Apache.His friend Chato is an old man whose grandfather was born among the Apache holdouts in a hidden canyon about 120 years before.Travis has long wished to combine the lore of his ancestors with the knowledge of the white men, but then he is fired from an important archaeological expedition because of the prejudice of the major contributor.

A year later, Travis is looking for a reliable source of water for the herds on his brother's ranch.Based on information from Chato, he checks out the hidden canyon and comes across white eyes camping there.Scouting out the intruders, Travis is caught by Ross and brought to the other white men at gun point.Travis knows of Doctor Gordon Ashe, but Ross and the radioman Grant are unknowns.

These men are setting up a time viewer within the canyon.Naturally, they are not going to let Travis go free until their operation is completed.Yet Travis doesn't want to be released before he learns more about their mission.

In this story, Travis goes with Ashe and Ross to scout out a spaceship located a short distance away and fifteen millennia back in time.The huge spherical spaceship has crashed and holes gape in its sides.Then the men are caught in a rainstorm and take shelter in the nearby hills.

After the storm, they climb a hill and look around.Travis notices something shiny in the next valley and they check it out.The shine comes from another, smaller globe.Its lock is open and the bodies of the crew lie at the foot of the access ladder.They are wearing Baldy uniforms and are guite dead.

The scouts send back word of the second ship.A working party comes through the time pprtal and starts preparing the alien globe ship for transfer forward in time.When the nearby volcano erupts, the scouts take shelter in the alien ship.Then the time transfer grid around the ship is activated and they are thrown forward in time.But the shift in time initiates the takeoff sequence and the ship heads for space.

This series has changed over the years to adapt to the political upheaval in Russia, but the real enemies in this series have always been the Baldies.When faced with a superior technology from a group of hostile aliens, the political differences between humans looks less important.Thus, the cooperation with the Russian time travel project has been almost inevitable by the logic of this series.

This series has always been more complex than it appears on the surface, for lurking in the background is a vision of the probability multiverse such as found in Crossroads in Time.Change the past and forever lose your future.Thus, it raises the issue of how much change is required to spawn a new timeline.

This series is a prime example of the author's storytelling skills.It is a fascinating tale of time travel and alien technology.Enjoy!

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of alien civilizations, time transfer, and travel among the stars.

-Arthur W. Jordin ... Read more

Product Description
EXOTIC GEMS AND VALUABLE OILS WERE THE LURES THAT DREW THE SPACE TRADER SOLAR QUEEN TO THE NEW PLANET SERGOL - AND ALSO CALLED FORTH THEIR MOST RUTHLESS COMPETITOR. THE SOLAR QUEEN'S MEN TRIED TO PLAY FAIR - EVEN ACCORDING TO THE SLY RULES OF SARGOL'S FELINE PEOPLE - BUT AFTER TAKEOFF THE REAL ASSAULT BEGAN. FOR THE SOLAR QUEEN'S MOST DESPERATE HOURS WERE TO COME WHEN THE SHIP AND IT'S CREW WERE BRANDED PARIAHS OF THE STARS - TO BE DESTROYED AT SIGHT. IN THE STORY OF PLAGUE SHIP, ANDRE NORTON, WRITING UNDER THE PEN NAME ANDREW NORTH, HAS PRODUCED A TENSE AND TERRIFIC SPACE ADVENTURE, ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The second 'Solar Queen' adventure
"Plague Ship" (1956) is the second 'Solar Queen' adventure, and sequel to "Sargasso of Space."Norton's four-book series about the trader-crew of the Solar Queen ended in 1969 with "Postmarked the Stars" but beware! Lesser authors have butted into the series, presumably with Norton's permission since this remarkable Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and Nebula Grand Master just recently passed away on March 17, 2005 after a long and extremely fruitful career (her first novel was published in 1934, her latest fantasy in 2005).

One Solar Queen rip-off to avoid at all costs is "Redline: the Stars."

Norton's Solar Queen stories are told from the viewpoint of Dane Thorson, an apprentice-Cargo Master who is introduced in "Sargasso of Space," the first Solar Queen novel, as a "lanky, very young man in an ill-fitting Trader's tunic."Most of this author's heroes and heroines are young, uncertain of themselves, shy, with a tendency to trip over their own enthusiasms and load themselves up with guilt at the slightest opportunity.They are very likeable and their adventures are narrated in remarkably lean prose with just the right touch of description.

After ten years of schooling, orphan Dane Thorson is assigned via a computer analysis of his psychological profile--not to a safe berth on a sleek Company-run starship that his classmates were vying for--but to a battered tramp of a Free Trader. To say that the 'Solar Queen' "lacked a great many refinements and luxurious fittings which the Company ships boasted" was an understatement.But she was a tightly-run ship and what she lacked in refinement, she made up for in adventure.Dane soon settles in under Cargo Master Van Rycke and learns "to his dismay what large gaps unfortunately existed in his training."

Sometimes I just want to give Dane a big hug.

"Plague Ship" takes the crew of the 'Solar Queen' to Sargol, where the enigmatic feline natives seem very reluctant to trade away their fabulous scented gemstones.When Dane Thorson discovers an herb that the Salariki are willing to swap for their gems, he fears that his eagerness to make a trade breakthrough might have poisoned a native child.That becomes the least of his worries when the 'Solar Queen' blasts off from Sargol with invisible, undetectable stowaways that would brand the free traders anathema to all inhabited worlds.

In space, the more senior members of the Solar Queen's crew succumb to a strange plague that resembles sleeping sickness.Dane and his fellow-apprentices, with the assistance of Captain Jellico's Hoobat (a sort of blue parrot-lizard, or at least that's how I've always pictured it) discover the source of the plague: venomous hitch-hikers from Sargol."It walked erect on two threads of legs...a bulging abdomen sheathed in the horny substance of a beetle's shell ended in a sharp point."It was only about a foot-and-a-half high and could change color like a chameleon.

The Hoobat kills and eats the first creature, and then the hunt is on for others of its kind.

Even with the source of the sleeping sickness discovered, the Solar Queen's young apprentices must still convince the rest of the galaxy that they are not a plague ship--and therefore eligible to be destroyed on sight without warning.

The Solar Queen novels are prime representatives of Norton's lean action-packed brand of story-telling (at least the ones she solo-authored.)If you haven't read them since you were a teen-ager, I urge you to try them again.For a few pleasant hours, you will be immersed in the adventures of a likeable, feisty band of free traders on exotic, carefully-drawn alien worlds.
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Dragon Mage
I loved Dragon Mage from the very first page. I got the sense that alot of research on ancient Babylon was done in preparation for this book. It has suspense and humor along with solid believable characters. I especially liked Nidin. If you are looking for a good read you won't be disappointed with any of Jean Rabe's books but especially this one.

Savior of Dragons
Dragon Mage (2007) is the second fantasy novel in the Dragon duology, following Dragon Magic.In the previous volume, four boys assembled pieces of four dragon puzzles and then experienced the past to observe a dragon from their own legends.

Sig followed Sigurd King's-Son in his venture against Fafnir the Wurm.Ras was taken to Babylon with sirrush-lau, the swamp monster.Artie worked to foil a conspiracy against King Arthur, the Pendragon.Kim helped Shui Men Lung -- the Slumbering Dragon -- win a wager.

In this novel, several decades later in present time, Sig has a heart attack and dies.His daughter Shilo is taken to Slade's Corners in Wisconsin to live with her grandparents.She is under the impression that Wisconsin is cold, but she discovers that the summers can be very hot.

Shilo is living in a three story building that is now an antique store and the home of her grandparents.The building had once been a stage stop and had rooms upstairs for travelers.It still doesn't have air conditioning and Shilo keeps telling herself that she is within Hades (for more reasons than the heat).

One night Shilo hears someone calling for Sigurd Clawhand.She starts looking for the source of this voice and then the lights go out.Shilo keeps telling herself that she is smarter than the normal horror movie victim, but she goes up into the attic anyway.

Shilo can't find anyone up there.Then the lights come back on and she looks around some more, but sees no one.She notices an old trunk that supposedly contains some of her father's old belongings and opens its lid.She notices only toys and playthings within the box.

One thing catches her eye.A wooden box with an illustration of four dragons upon the lid.She opens it and discovers wooden puzzle pieces that seem to match the pictures on the lid.When she leaves the attic, she takes the box of puzzle pieces with her.

In this story, Shilo finds that pieces are missing for each puzzle, but she can put the parts together to form a fifth dragon.Then suddenly she is somewhere else facing the resemblance of the dragon upon a gate.She is standing in a large plaza filled with people who are staring at her and making sounds that she cannot understand.

When the guards appear, Shilo runs away from them.She soon observes that the people have brown skin and are wearing a completely different type of clothes.She ducks into a room off the street and steals a robe;well, she does leave a gold bracelet for it, but she doesn't bother to ask for permission to take the clothing.

Wearing the robe with the hood up to hide her red hair, pale skin and freckles, Shilo walks among the city folks without attracting further attention.She comes to a river and follows it to a temple building.It is getting dark and she would like to find a place to sleep, so she enters the temple from the back.

When she wakes up the next morning, Shilo sees that the statues around her are all of the same person.Then she is discovered by a young priest and, despite their language gap, Shilo learns that she is within the temple of Shamash in the city of Babylon.The young priest is named Nadintulugal.

Shilo's father had an interest in history and Shilo has inherited this affection.She had learned some things about Babylon in a class on Middle Eastern Conflicts.Since the current ruler is Nebuchadnezzer, Shilo realizes that she must be about 2500 years in the past.

This tale also concerns a dragon -- Ulbanyu -- who has lost her four eggs.The dragon has divined that her eggs must be discovered soon or dreadful things will happen to dragonkind and maybe to mankind as well.She is the one who has been calling Sigurd Clawhand, but now she knows that Shilo is his daughter.Ulbanu expects Shilo to help recover her eggs.

The story leads Shilo into a confrontation with another person from the future who is breeding demons.Shilo also receives some help from an unexpected source.Enjoy!

Highly recommended for Norton & Rabe fans and for anyone who enjoys tales of historical dragons, ancient history, and a determined yet moody young woman.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Good Sequel
I really enjoyed this, but I don't think anyone who hadn't read Dragon Magic would have gotten the full impact.As a stand alone, I think it would lose something.That said, it was great fun, a new location for our time travelers, and an interesting double twist in who is where when!

entertaining young adult fantasy
Following the heart attack death of her forty-nine year old father, Shilo's paternal grandparents take the teen from Marietta, Georgia into their home in Slade's Corner, Wisconsin.Shilo is grateful because she knows she has no place else to go except perhaps her older brother's Atlanta apartment; but between him and his pregnant wife there is no corner for a fifteen year old.However, she is also bored as she feels she landed in Hades as life in a small town living above an antique store is not very exciting.

Her kindhearted grandmother encourages Shilo to look at her late father's stuff that they stored in boxes as a means of learning more about his childhood.In all the cartons the most interesting items are very old puzzles with each different yet containing the picture of a dragon.Her grandmother explains that Shy's dad had quite an imagination as he would tell his parents about his adventures in another realm where a dragon ruled.Unable to put any puzzle totally together as pieces seemed missing, Sly finally realizes that this is one master puzzle not multiples.When she finishes assembling the giant puzzle, Shy finds herself in ancient Babylon serving an ancient dragon and studying to be a DRAGON MAGE just like her dad did as she must complete his work to simply save the world.

In spite of a Forward explaining how the sequels to Andre Norton's classic DRAGON MAGIC came about, I am not sure how much the late Ms. Norton provided (beyond a needlework depicting the four dragons).My previous impression was her last work was A TASTE OF MAGIC in which Jean Rabe used Ms. Norton's writings notes to complete the fantasy.Regardless, DRAGON MAGE is an entertaining young adult fantasy that readers of all ages will enjoy as the modern day heroine goes back several millenniums in her father's footsteps to become an American in a dragon king's Babylonian court.

Harriet Klausner
... Read more

Product Description
Stumbling upon an abandoned ship, Captain Jellico and the crew of the Solar Queen seize the prize and claim the right to salvage the derelict vessel, only to become the targets of a secret alien hijacking ring out to sabotage their claim. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

I'll read anything with Andre Norton's name on the cover
"Sargasso of Space" (1955) and "Plague Ship" (1956) were the first two books in the 'Solar Queen' Free Trader series, told from the viewpoint of Dane Thorson, an apprentice Cargo Master who is introduced as a "lanky, very young man in an ill-fitting Trader's tunic."Most of this author's heroes and heroines are young, uncertain of themselves, shy, with a tendency to trip over their own enthusiasms and load themselves up with guilt at the slightest opportunity.They are very likeable and their adventures are narrated in remarkably lean prose with just the right touch of description.

Norton wrote the further adventures of the Solar Queen's crew in "Postmarked the Stars" (1969) and the novella, "Voodoo Planet" (1959).Norton's four-book series about the crew of the Solar Queen ended in 1969 with "Postmarked the Stars" but alas, lesser authors have butted into the series, presumably with Norton's permission, before she died in 2005.

One Solar Queen rip-off to avoid at all costs is "Redline: the Stars" (1994) which was co-authored by P.M. Griffin, although I don't believe Andre Norton wrote anything but the introduction.

"Derelict for Trade" (1997) is a continuation of "Redline: the Stars" with a different co-authoress:Ms "Sherwood Smith" (a pseudonym.)Although this 'Solar Queen' adventure is superior to 'Redline' it still features a character named Rael, who comes across as a combination of Mother Theresa and Miss Universe.In this book, she heals the oppressed, psychoanalyzes Captain Jellico for the benefit of another crew member, and proposes marriage to him.At least he gets to save her life this time around.If I were the good captain, I'd take a space walk without a space suit before hitching up with Rael the Wonderful (another reviewer's nickname for this character), but I didn't write this romance.

Neither, I think, did Andre Norton.I couldn't find her anywhere in 'Derelict.'

It's still a decent SF adventure story, when 'Solar Queen' crew members other than Rael inhabit the spotlight, clicking about in their magnetic space boots and chasing villains through peculiar gravity wells.If you're a 'Solar Queen' fan who has run out of real Norton novels to read, go ahead and give 'Derelict' a once-over.

Don't judge the book by its cover
I am a professional woman and much too cool to carry a book with this cover in my briefcase.However, I was interested in the further adventures of the Solar Queen so found myself carrying it with me everywhere - cover be danged.

Better than Redline the Stars, the alien habitat is wellconceived, truly different, and yet a place I would love to visit.Thealiens themselves are 3-dimensional.That is not to say they could nothave been more complex, but I never got the feeling we were simply onanother Earth.

The story was also more complex, unfolding over thecourse of several weeks.This allows time for the development of a fewmore of the many crewmembers and the a better sense of what it means to bea free trader.

I liked this book.Another fun read but not toochallenging.What I did not like were the inconsistencies from theprevious book to this one.What happened to their wealth?The promise oftheir cargo?Their good reputation?That was not credibly explained.Andthe romance...such potential that was wrapped up in a few pages at the endlike an afterthought.Better to tease it into the next book.

again a good book by norton but....
Since very childhood I enjoyed Andre Norton's books. Her have always been my favourites. Now I've read her lalest 2 novels - written together with other authors. And was disappointed when I saw that there has appeared awoman in the list of characters. There were no female characters in theprevious novels of the Solar Queen series, and that was the reason it wasso popular. She was really ahead of her time shaking the stereotype ofthese female cuties in every sf novel. A. Norton should have kept to thisline when writing her new novels. Thanks God there are no bed scenes inthem! And thanks God again that this god-knows-what Rael marries yhe oldcaptain at last, and not one of the young characters.

Quite a Good Read
I was surprised to have enjoyed this book so much, even though it was a science fiction with a cheesy cover.Sherwood Smith is great, he needs to send his material to publishers right NOW!

A good book by Andre Norton and Sherwood Smith
This is a somewhat Swashbuckling tale set on the fringes of the galaxy, and is another adventure of the Solar Queen and its crew.Overall the book is quite good, but the authors do not fully develop a good description of the setting for the readers.The orbiting Trade city, Exchange, is developed in pieces that never fully come together into a single picture.Some references are made to information from previous books, but the story line stands alone very well as a separate novel. The crew of the Solar Queen has some interesting adventures on Exchange, and acquire a very interesting new crew member.If you liked Andre Norton's previous books, you will definitely want to read this one. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (12)

highly recommended for bright young girls.
Octagon Magic

When Lorrie's grandmother got sick, eleven year old Lorrie is sent to live with her aunt in the USA.Things were different back home in Canada and Lorrie is very homesick--especially when boys like that mean ole Jimmy Purvis andStan Worminski (the Worm) start to tease herby singing songs such as "Cannuck, cannuck, walks like a duck."One day Lorrie finds herself at the door of the Octagon House, where she is welcomed bythe elderly Miss Ashmeade and her servant Hallie. Could the kindly, elderly Miss Ashmeade truly be a witch like everybody says?
Lorrie doesn't know, but with the help of an old rocking horse and a dollhouse that she finds in the mysterious eight-sided room, she begins to unlock the secrets of the Octagon House.

I read this because there is an eight year old girl who needs a book to read.I can't imagine a better book to introduce her to the Grand Dame.This book is highly recommended for bright young girls.If you know a better book, please post a comment.

Highly recommended for Andre Notion fans.

Gunner, July, 2009

I read this because there is a younggirl who needs a book to read.
Octagon Magic

When Lorrie's grandmother got sick, eleven year old Lorrie is sent to live with her aunt in the USA.Things were different back home in Canada and Lorrie is very homesick--especially when boys like that mean ole Jimmy Purvis andStan Worminski (the Worm) start to tease herby singing songs such as "Cannuck, cannuck, walks like a duck."One day Lorrie finds herself at the door of the Octagon House, where she is welcomed bythe elderly Miss Ashmeade and her servant Hallie. Could the kindly, elderly Miss Ashmeade truly be a witch like everybody says?
Lorrie doesn't know, but with the help of an old rocking horse and a dollhouse that she finds in the mysterious eight-sided room, she begins to unlock the secrets of the Octagon House.

I read this because there is a young girl who needs a book to read.I can't imagine a better book to introduce her to the Grand Dame.This book is highly recommended for bright young girls.If you know a better book, please post a comment.

*** caution: There is a very brief and mild anti-slavery episode in this book. You might want to be prepared to discuss the whole anti-slavery thing .***

Highly recommended for Andre Notion fans.

Gunner, July, 2009

I read this because there is a young old girl who needs a book to read
Octagon Magic
Andre Norton

When Lorrie's grandmother got sick, eleven year old Lorrie is sent to live with her aunt in the USA. Things were different back home in Canada and Lorrie is very homesick--especially when boys like that mean ole Jimmy Purvis and Stan Worminski (the Worm) start to tease her by singing songs such as "Cannuck, cannuck, walks like a duck." One day Lorrie finds herself at the door of the Octagon House, where she is welcomed by the elderly Miss Ashmeade and her servant Hallie. Could the kindly, elderly Miss Ashmeade truly be a witch like everybody says?
Lorrie doesn't know, but with the help of an old rocking horse and a dollhouse that she finds in the mysterious eight-sided room, she begins to unlock the secrets of the Octagon House.

I read this because there is an eight year old girl who needs a book to read. I can't imagine a better book to introduce her to the Grand Dame. This book is highly recommended for bright young girls of any age (8 might be a little young. If you know a better book, please post a comment.

*** caution:There is a very brief and mild anti-slavery episode in this book.You might want to be prepared to discuss the whole anti-slavery thing .***

Gunner, August, 2009

"Cannuck, cannuck, walks like a duck."

Octagon Magic

When Lorrie's grandmother got sick, eleven year old Lorrie is sent to live with her aunt in the USA.Things were different back home in Canada and Lorrie is very homesick--especially when boys like that mean ole Jimmy Purvis andStan Worminski (the Worm) start to tease herby singing songs such as "Cannuck, cannuck, walks like a duck."One day Lorrie finds herself at the door of the Octagon House, where she is welcomed bythe elderly Miss Ashmeade and her servant Hallie. Could the kindly elderly Miss Ashmeade truly be a witch like everybody says?
Lorrie doesn't know, but with the help of an old rocking horse and a dollhouse that she finds in the mysterious eight-sided room, she begins to unlock the secrets of the Octagon House.

I read this because there is an eight year old girl who needs a book to read.I can't imagine a better book to introduce her to the Grand Dame.This book is highly recommended for bright young girls.If you know a better book, please post a comment.

Gunner, July, 2009

Great book
Great tale of a lonely little girl, who wants to go home to Canada, and finds a friend in an older person who lives in a mysterious house. ... Read more

Product Description
Unrest fills the Dales as Joisan sets out from her refuge to seek out her husband, Kerovan, journeying on a secret mission in the Waste where the evil powers of the Dark threaten on every hand. Companion to the earlier book, The Crystal Gryphon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

short but sweet
This was my first experience with Norton on an individual basis. I was truly impressed with her fluidity and ability to create a world that was believable.
This is a story about Joisan, and her beloved half-breed husband lord who is in search for his true identity and about her deep devotion to him. They are off into unknown lands for different reasons, not knowing they are pawns to a mightier cause. It is unlike any other romance story you are used to becuz' it isn't sappy and overkill, it is just the right amount of emotion and adventure. I LIKE the different view points that Norton used as each charater. You got to feel what they both felt and truly sense the inner battles.
They venture into the Waste and unleash an anciet magic. I really enjoyed that it was short and not too long and drawn out, but now I want to get the next book!!
I highly recommend it. You could probably read it in a week or two(if you're like me with books) and curious for the next book, not becuz' it left you hanging, but becuz' you want more.

Whipped away in Glory
This along with thte other two "gryphon" books are of Andre's Best! This is were the whole things coems together! My first introduction to the Witch world was in these books. So here was the real love and the two heros of this book stil have the power to move me with their feelings. This is the Glory of the Witch world and the Real feelings and spirit of the stories!

Beautiful..but lacking
A friend recommended that I read this book, citing Norton's beautiful prose.She was right..it is beautiful.Often, throughout the first 100 pages I was struck at how fluid the language was..and the story wasinteresting too.It was a classic epic fantasy quest..until halfwaythrough the book.

Then it turns into a love story.The reader issubjected to Kerovan's thoughts on Joisan, and Joisan's thoughts onKerovan.Norton didn't make it any easier on the reader by alternatingviewpoints between Joisan and Kerovan.Example: Kerovan is walking,reunites with Joisan, is overcome with emotion, switch to Joisanviewpoint..we go back a few hours and don't come back to the Kerovan scenefor another 10-15 pages.I've never liked a writer who holds the readerhostage.

It's a good book.I didn't understand some references becauseI didn't read the first book, so I recommend starting at the beginning.

An Andre Norton Classic!
Synopsis - The Waste was stirring and strange forms of the Dark, long quiet, began to wake as Kerovan - whose cloven hoofs marked his kinship with the Old Ones - journeyed into the Waste on a secret mission, leavingbehind the girl he loved.Joisan, however, rode after him, wearing abouther neck Kerovan's gift, a small crystal globe encasing a miniaturegryphon.While Kerovan strove fror answers to the riddles of the Dark,Joisan worked to unlock the power of the crystal gryphon.But onlytogether could they hope to find the ancient Sleeper and defeat the forcesof evil ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

The Bespelled Prince
The Knight of the Red Beard (2008) is the fifth fantasy novel in the Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan Cycle, following Dragon Blade.In the previous volume, the Great Signet rings were used to destroy the slime-troll.Gaurin stabbed the Mother Ice Dragon with the Dragon Blade, but did her no harm.Then Ashen broke the Dragon Blade and the Mother Ice Dragon died.Both had damaged their right hands by using the Blade.

In this novel, Mikkel is the youngest child of the NordornKing and the NordornQueen.He is eleven years old and the youngest in the family.His chances of becoming king are very slim.

Elin is the next oldest sister and the NordornPrincess.She has ambitions to inherit the whole of NordornLand.But first she wants to inherit Iselin from Granddam Ysa.

Bjaudin is the older brother and the NordornPrince.He is the heir to the throne of NordornLand.

Zazar is a Wysen-wyf.She has formerly been the Wysen-wyf of the Bog, but Nayla had become her replacement after Zazar moved to the Castle of Fire and Ice.Zazar had raised Ashen from a child and is now Wysen-wyf for the king and queen.

Ysa is the former Dowager Queen of Rendel.Now she is a duchess within NordornLand.Ysa likes to make trouble for other people.

Askepott is a Wysen-wyf among the Wykenigs, a northern seagoing tribe.

In this story, Mikkel is trying to study in his rooms, but Elin and Bjaudin are arguing.He had retreated from the outer room and is sprawled on the bed.He had even stuffed cotton in his ears and covered them with his hands, but he can still hear the argument.

Luckily, Rols -- a senior house servant -- comes to tell him that four Sea Rover ships are entering the harbor.Rols also informs the argumentative pair in the outer room.Mikkel hurries down the steps to see the new ship arriving from the shipyard.The Ice Princess is truly a magnificent sight.

Later, Mikkel goes hunting with his friend Tjorvi.Tjorvi invites him to stowaway on the newly arrived GorGull.This is a common practice among Sea Rovers and the boys will be teased, but included within the crew.

Of course, there is the problem of Yngvar -- Tjorvi's older brother -- who is charged with keeping his brother out of trouble.The boys play on the GorGull and prepare a hiding place.Then they sneak out and row themselves to the ship.They are not discovered until the cook comes down to get fixings for breakfast.

When they encounter a Wykenig ship, the boys are send down to a sails locker while the sailors prepare for battle.But the Wykenig ship rams the GorGull and it starts to sink.The captain comes to get the boys, puts them in his dinghy and tells them to row to the nearby shore.

Unfortunately, the Wykenigs intercept the dinghy and take Mikkel and his warkat Talkin aboard their boat.Tjorvi is dumped out of the dinghy into the sea.The Wykenigs also capture the captain of the GorGull and eight sailors, but are driven away by the Ice Princess.Tjorvi is rescued by sailors from this ship.

Meanwhile, a wedding is being planned for Earl Royance and the Lady Mjaurita.Elin is sent to invite Duchess Ysa to be Mistress of Protocol for the wedding and works closely with her during the preparations.Ysa encourages Elin to flirt with two of the guests.

The wedding plans are suspended after arrival of the news of Mikkel's abduction and the confession by Royance of his previous marriage to Mjaurita.Still, a feast is held to celebrate their new status.Then Ysa and Elin start arranging betrothals.

Then a note is delivered from Holger, the man who captured Mikkel.Included with the note is a missive from Askepott to Zazar.She tells Zazar that Mikkel is alive and well.She also encloses a packet of travel herbs.

Zazar passes the news about Mikkel to his mother.Then she arranges a personal visit to the boy.She pours the travel herbs in a circle, lights it with a spell, steps into the circle, and raises the fire.After a small delay, Zazar is within the Wykenig dwelling.

Askepott greets her, shows her the boy, and sits down for a cup of tea.They discuss the boy and agree to meet again.Then Zazar goes back to the Castle of Fire and Ice.

This tale acquaints Mikkel with the many ways that the castle menials worked to provide him food, clothing, shelter and all the other things that he had taken for granted.He works very hard at menial tasks.And he begins to relate directly with adults.

This story probably concludes the Cycle.Since the each book is named for one of the four trees, the Cycle was almost certainly designed as a four part series.So this is an extension of the original sequence.

The work still leaves some unresolved issues.Yet Norton always left such dangling threads.Still, there probably will not be a sequel.

Recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of differing magics, human courage, and true romance.For those who have not previously read this series, the initial volume is To the King a Daughter.

-Arthur W. Jordin

The Night of the Bad Ending
Billed as the conclusion of "The Cycle of Oak," "Yew, Ash and Rowen," "The Knight of the Read Beard" ends the series with a fizzle, instead of a bang. Old plot lines are not resolved, new ones are started leading one to assume there will be another book or two (or three) planned for the future. The story is ostensibly about the transfer of power from NordornQueen Ashen and NordornKing Gaurin to the next generation, but, instead, concentrates on the younger children who are making trouble of their own. Readers of the previous four books may be happy to revisit the NordornLand, but a new reader will be lost in the story. And, this ending isn't worth going back to the beginning.

exciting well written fantasy
Having resolved their adversarial relationship the NordornQueen Ashen and NordornKing Gaurin ruled pragmatically yet with fairness for years over a prosperous kingdom.However, before their respective ages becomes issue, the NordornLand monarchs must look at the next generation to insure the heir Dependable and conscientious Bjaudin succeeds them to the throne.

After seeking adventure by stowing away on a Sea-Rover, Bjaudin's eleven-year-old younger brother Mikkel is made prisoner by the ferocious Wykenigs; especially interested in the captive is abusive Gunnora who has a past with her detainee's family.His thirteen years old sister Elin, coveting the throne, turns to her scheming malevolent grandmother Ysa as her mentor-ally causing havoc for her parents.Meanwhile, the age of peace and prosperity seems to have ended as a new threat to the NordornLand surfaces; the other grandmother, Zazar uses magic to attempt to free Mikkel and to eliminate the danger.

This is an exciting well written Oak, Yew, Ash and Rowan Cycle fantasy that will leave fans of the saga enjoying the "final" entry, but annoyed that closure to the major dangling plot threads from the previous four books failed to occur.Instead new subplots lead to the conclusion more novels are coming.Still this is an entertaining story as the focus is on the children of Ashen and Gaurin and to a degree their stereotypical diametrically opposite grandmothers.

Harriet Klausner
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Customer Reviews (9)

Angieville: THE CRYSTAL GRYPHON
I remember the day I first discovered science fiction grand dame Andre Norton. I walked into our favorite used bookstore in San Antonio, Texas. The same used bookstore where I first ran across so many other gems. This particular trip I was looking for something unusual and different and my eye caught on the cover on the left above. I liked how angular the art was and the look of the two companions traveling through what appeared to be an extremely bleak, almost sinister landscape. So I picked up THE CRYSTAL GRYPHON and took it home with me. I was intrigued by the title as I had absolutely no idea what a gryphon was or if a crystal one was exceptional in any way. Shortly after returning home I blew back into the shop, hoping against hope they would have the two sequels it listed inside the cover. Lucky for me, they did. And they had learned by then not to be surprised by the neighborhood kid's urgent comings and goings. I'm pretty sure one of them was a Norton fan anyway.

Kerovan has been cursed since birth. On her way home, his mother was forced to take shelter in one of the ancient ruins of the Old Ones and, as a result, Kerovan was born with hooves instead of feet and eyes the color of molten amber. The heir to the Ulmsdale estate in High Hallack, Kerovan's life has never been his own and he spent much of it being tutored in private and shunned in public by his father's people who do not trust the eldritch young lord. At the same time, far away in the Dales, the young lady Joisan has been married by proxy since she was eight years old to a mysterious Lord Kerovan whom she has never met. Expected to grow up and take over the reins of running his household, Joisan's path takes a drastically different turn when an unidentified force invades High Hallack from the sea. With nothing but a small gryphon set in a crystal globe sent from her lord to wear around her neck, Joisan takes up the armor and weapons to defend her homeland. Kerovan is forced to travel to find Joisan and the two strangers must join together to defeat the dark magic that is invading their land.

In this case, I can tell you that the cover art on that first book is right on. I can't imagine a cover that would more effectively convey the marvelous blend of cold magic and unknown danger that fills this novel. I fell instantly under its spell and could not get enough of Kerovan and Joisan and the awkward way they had to get to know one another against a backdrop of war. They are both so tentative and independent and used to silence and walking hallways alone. The idea of the marriage by proxy fascinated me in a sort of morbid way. I felt so bad for Joisan, but bad for Kerovan as well as he was not used to people becoming accustomed to him and/or welcoming them to their homes. He cannot imagine Joisan would want him and, when she mistakes him for one of the Old Ones upon first meeting, he is sure of it. The story alternates between their points of view and by the time they actually meet for the first time the reader is filled with that delicious mouthful of more knowledge than the characters themselves have and a fierce urging to root for them. It was a pleasure watching them get to know one another and it was especially interesting as the world itself is such a well-developed major player in the novel. Things are by no means "resolved" by its end and I plowed through the next two with relish. A highly recommended trilogy, certainly for Norton fans, but also for those who enjoy their fantasy mixed with a hint of the weird and featuring a pair of strong main characters.

Reading Order: THE CRYSTAL GRYPHON, Gryphon in Glory, and Gryphon's Eyrie (co-written with A.C. Crispin)

The romance of Kerovan and Joisan
"The Crystal Gryphon" is one of my favorite Witch World novels among the many five-star fantasies in this series by Lifetime Grand Master of Fantasy, Andre Norton (Alice Mary North).Like "Year of the Unicorn," 'Gryphon' takes place in the Dales and wastelands of High Hallack, as opposed to Norton's original Witch World settings of Estcarp and Escore, where Simon Tregarth and his family did battle with out-worlders and evil magic.

The story alternates between Kerovan, lord-heir in Ulmsdale of High Hallack, and Joisan, high-born maid of Ithkrypt in Ithdale of High Hallack, who is wedded to Kerovan by proxy when she is only eight.At first, there are few changes to her life as she would remain with her own kin until of suitable age:

"On high feast days I sat at the left hand of my uncle and was addressed ceremoniously by my new title of Lady of Ulmsdale.My feast-day tabard also no longer bore only one House symbol, but two, being divided in the center vertically with a ribbon of gold.To the left, the leaping Gryphon of Ulmsdale was worked in beads that glittered like gems.On the right was the familiar Broken Sword of Harb, that mighty warrior who had founded our line..."

It is so easy to get caught up in Norton's fantasy world.She puts her reader right into the midst of the feasting, mayhem, and magic.It's almost like being set down into the midst of a medieval Book of Hours.

Speaking of magic, when Kerovan's mother was about to give birth to him, she was forced to take shelter in a ruin of the mysterious Old Ones.She was rumored to be of the Old Race herself, and Kerovan was born with hooves instead of normal, human feet.His eyes were the color of butter amber.

Kerovan and Joisan grow up separately, having never met although they are married, and then their world is torn asunder by a strange invasion from the sea (see the original Witch World cycle for more detail about these invaders and their crawling, flame-shooting machines).In the Year of the Moss Wife, when Joisan should have gone to Ulmsdale to take up her wifely duties, she instead learns how to wear mail and wield a light sword.She wears a tiny gryphon in a crystal globe under her mail--a gift from her unknown fiancé.

Meanwhile Kerovan has problems of his own.The keep at Ulmsdale is betrayed to the invaders and he must make his way across the war-torn Dales to Joisan, whose own home has been destroyed.When he finally finds her, she mistakes him for one of the mysterious Old Ones because of his physical peculiarities.

How Kerovan and Joisan gradually come to regard each other, and how they attempt to defeat the dark magic that is arrayed against them forms the part of this wonderful, but incomplete fantasy.


There are two sequels to "The Crystal Gryphon" (1972):"Gryphon in Glory" (1981); and "Gryphon's Eyrie" (1984, written with A. C. Crispin).None of Norton's co-authored books are as good as the ones she wrote by herself, but this is a series that is well worth following to the end.

A strange proxy marriage in High Hallack
"The Crystal Gryphon" is one of my favorite Witch World novels among the many five-star fantasies in this series by Lifetime Grand Master of Fantasy, Andre Norton (Alice Mary North).Like "Year of the Unicorn," 'Gryphon' takes place in the Dales and wastelands of High Hallack, as opposed to Norton's original Witch World settings of Estcarp and Escore, where Simon Tregarth and his family did battle with out-worlders and evil magic.

The story alternates between Kerovan, lord-heir in Ulmsdale of High Hallack, and Joisan, high-born maid of Ithkrypt in Ithdale of High Hallack, who is wedded to Kerovan by proxy when she is only eight.At first, there are few changes to her life as she would remain with her own kin until of suitable age:

"On high feast days I sat at the left hand of my uncle and was addressed ceremoniously by my new title of Lady of Ulmsdale.My feast-day tabard also no longer bore only one House symbol, but two, being divided in the center vertically with a ribbon of gold.To the left, the leaping Gryphon of Ulmsdale was worked in beads that glittered like gems.On the right was the familiar Broken Sword of Harb, that mighty warrior who had founded our line..."

It is so easy to get caught up in Norton's fantasy world.She puts her reader right into the midst of the feasting, mayhem, and magic.It's almost like being set down into the midst of a medieval Book of Hours.

Speaking of magic, when Kerovan's mother was about to give birth to him, she was forced to take shelter in a ruin of the mysterious Old Ones.She was rumored to be of the Old Race herself, and Kerovan was born with hooves instead of normal, human feet.His eyes were the color of butter amber.

Kerovan and Joisan grow up separately, having never met although they are married, and then their world is torn asunder by a strange invasion from the sea (see the original Witch World cycle for more detail about these invaders and their crawling, flame-shooting machines).In the Year of the Moss Wife, when Joisan should have gone to Ulmsdale to take up her wifely duties, she instead learns how to wear mail and wield a light sword.She wears a tiny gryphon in a crystal globe under her mail--a gift from her unknown fiancé.

Meanwhile Kerovan has problems of his own.The keep at Ulmsdale is betrayed to the invaders and he must make his way across the war-torn Dales to Joisan, whose own home has been destroyed.When he finally finds her, she mistakes him for one of the mysterious Old Ones because of his physical peculiarities.

How Kerovan and Joisan gradually come to regard each other, and how they attempt to defeat the dark magic that is arrayed against them forms the part of this wonderful, but incomplete fantasy.

There are two sequels to "The Crystal Gryphon" (1972):"Gryphon in Glory" (1981); and "Gryphon's Eyrie" (1984, written with A. C. Crispin).None of Norton's co-authored books are as good as the ones she wrote by herself, but this is a series that is well worth following to the end.

A fantasy of High Hallack
"The Crystal Gryphon" is one of my favorite Witch World novels among the many five-star fantasies in this series by Lifetime Grand Master of Fantasy, Andre Norton (Alice Mary North).Like "Year of the Unicorn," 'Gryphon' takes place in the Dales and wastelands of High Hallack, as opposed to Norton's original Witch World settings of Estcarp and Escore, where Simon Tregarth and his family did battle with out-worlders and evil magic.

The story alternates between Kerovan, lord-heir in Ulmsdale of High Hallack, and Joisan, high-born maid of Ithkrypt in Ithdale of High Hallack, who is wedded to Kerovan by proxy when she is only eight.At first, there are few changes to her life as she would remain with her own kin until of suitable age:

"On high feast days I sat at the left hand of my uncle and was addressed ceremoniously by my new title of Lady of Ulmsdale.My feast-day tabard also no longer bore only one House symbol, but two, being divided in the center vertically with a ribbon of gold.To the left, the leaping Gryphon of Ulmsdale was worked in beads that glittered like gems.On the right was the familiar Broken Sword of Harb, that mighty warrior who had founded our line..."

It is so easy to get caught up in Norton's fantasy world.She puts her reader right into the midst of the feasting, mayhem, and magic.It's almost like being set down into the midst of a medieval Book of Hours.

Speaking of magic, when Kerovan's mother was about to give birth to him, she was forced to take shelter in a ruin of the mysterious Old Ones.She was rumored to be of the Old Race herself, and Kerovan was born with hooves instead of normal, human feet.His eyes were the color of butter amber.

Kerovan and Joisan grow up separately, having never met although they are married, and then their world is torn asunder by a strange invasion from the sea (see the original Witch World cycle for more detail about these invaders and their crawling, flame-shooting machines).In the Year of the Moss Wife, when Joisan should have gone to Ulmsdale to take up her wifely duties, she instead learns how to wear mail and wield a light sword.She wears a tiny gryphon in a crystal globe under her mail--a gift from her unknown fiancé.

Meanwhile Kerovan has problems of his own.The keep at Ulmsdale is betrayed to the invaders and he must make his way across the war-torn Dales to Joisan, whose own home has been destroyed.When he finally finds her, she mistakes him for one of the mysterious Old Ones because of his physical peculiarities.

How Kerovan and Joisan gradually come to regard each other, and how they attempt to defeat the dark magic that is arrayed against them forms the part of this wonderful, but incomplete fantasy.

There are two sequels to "The Crystal Gryphon" (1972):"Gryphon in Glory" (1981); and "Gryphon's Eyrie" (1984, written with A. C. Crispin).None of Norton's co-authored books are as good as the ones she wrote by herself, but this is a series that is well worth following to the end.

One of the finest from one of the finest
One of Norton's finest fantasy novels, from her Witch World/High Hallack series.Having read this when it was new and I was young, I may have "impressed" on it like a baby chick, but this tale of the war- and magic-crossed protagonists, one a noble maiden who seeks her independence, the other the magically mutated scion of another duchy, still resonates with me.How they face prejudice, betrayal, war, and other Shakespearean-class plot complications continues to appeal.

I recently purchased a second-hand hardcover edition of this, to make up for my worn-to-falling-apart paperback.It's a pity it's out of print. ... Read more

Product Description
Times are changing in Rendelsham. The old King is dead, and the foolish Prince Florian has assumed the throne. Florian's mother, Queen Ysa of the House of Oak, still controls the land from behind the scences, but her job grows more difficult every day. Her unworthy, headstrong son is harder to control than her husband was, and she must spend more time than ever masking her own movements. Her husband's illegitimate daughter Ashen, heir to the nearly dead House of Ash, still causes trouble by her very existence, and must never be given an opening to the throne. The barbarian Sea-Rover clan presents problems from the edge of the Bog, Ysa's newest magical ally has been exposed as a traitor, and nothing is going as Ysa had planned.

And still the unknown yet encroaching threat from the North continues to grow.

Through births and deaths, marriages and duels, love and betrayal, magic and force, the four Houses of Rendelsham can only survive by the strength of their unity--but is unity possible in such a court of intrigue as this one?
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Customer Reviews (7)

Another wonderful Norton fantasy
With this book in the series, Norton develops the complex conflict between good and evil in both the profane and ethereal realms of the world.

childish writing, boring plot
This is a very poorly edited book, it was written by two people, and the separate chapters are very poorly integrated.

Have you ever played the continuing story game? Each person writes some part of the story and then passes it on to the next person. That's exactly what this book is like. In one chapter you'll real some great prose and exiting plot, only to be struck by how childish everyone suddenly acts in the next chapter.

It gets even more confusing when the same character is written by both of the authors - the characters act different in the hands of each author! The queen is the worst in this regard - one author has her as this evil manipulator, the other has her as a reluctant queen of a decaying realm. Another example is the Sea-Rovers, in the first book they are noble people who are going to save the realm by example, in this book they are dismissed as savages, and killed off and completely forgotten by the end of the book! (Did the two authors have a disagreement?)

It also suffers plotwise for the same reason - since each author basically wrote their own story the book never quite gets it together. Nothing much happens by the end of the book to move the story along from the first book. Basically some time passed, with descriptions of what everyone did - none of which really matters in the long run. This book doesn't even appear to have had an outline prepared of upcoming events so that the authors could add some foreshadowing, and coordinate events!

I have no way of knowing, but I assume Andre Norton wrote the better parts and Sasha Miller wrote the childish prose. I wish Andre had just written the whole thing, and given us a great story - the background certainly had potential. Or if the background was created by Sasha (as is common in these types of collaborations), then at least Andre should have gone over the book later and reedited it to integrate it. And make an outline of future event that both authors can agree on! It seemed like exactly the opposite happened - Andre just sent in some material, and had Sasha do all the work of integrating it, which was a mistake.

The Enemy Prepares
Knight or Knave is the second novel in the Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan series.In the previous volume, Ysa's magic has brought Zazar, Ashen, and herself together for introductions.The Sea-Rovers have settled New Vold in Ashenhold lands.Ashen Deathdaughter and Obern have been brought to Cragden Keep by Count Harous, who gives Ashen gifts and hints of her mother.The Bog-folk have begun to attack Rendelian lands.King Boroth has died, after claiming Ashen as his daughter.

In this volume, Florian has become the King, succeeding his father, and, under pressure of his mother and various nobles of the court, has married Rannore, whom he has made pregnant.Ashen meets Queen Ysa and moves into Rendelsham Castle.Ysa sends a messenger to New Vold to inform Snorri know of her son's wedding, to let him that his son, Obern, is alive, and to invite him to visit her at a later date.In the unseasonable cold, the Bog-folk have taken to attacking New Vold for food.

Ashen has met a priest in the Great Fane of the Glowing, who informed Obern and herself of the history of Rendel.Meeting again in the fane, the priest, Esander, shows her a great library hidden deep under Rendelsham which contains many volumes of magical lore.As directed by Zazar, she does not yet attempt any of the magics, although she studies the lore diligently.

Snorri arrives in time for Florian's wedding and, after the ceremony, he tells Obern of the death of his wife, Naeve.Upon discovering that Ashen has been abducted, Obern mounts a rescue effort and then asks for her hand in marriage;his request is granted.After the wedding, Ashen meets the new emissary of the Nordens, Gaurin, son of Count Bjauden, who tells her that his father has never returned from his mission to Rendel and that she wears his father's bracelet, which she had found on a skeleton in some ruins within the boglands.He takes the bracelet, breathes on it -- which causes it to glow briefly -- and returns it, telling her to put it on and think of him if she is ever in need on anything.Obern and Ashen travel to New Vold, where she meets his son, Rohan.

In the northlands, ominous forces are gathering.The Foul One is preparing for the invasion of Rendel.

Some reviewers seemdisappointed that this series is not like the Witch World or Time Traders series.Yet those series were intended as juveniles for the most part, whereas this series is for more mature readers.Those series were mostly focused on singleton or paired characters, whereas this series deals with a larger cast of interacting protagonists.Hints of this series can be seen in the tales of Escore, High Hallek, and the Dales, and especially in the Gryphon stories.Indeed, Shadow Hawk, one of Norton's earliest stories, is a tale of courtly intrigue.

Recommended for Norton and Miller fans and anyone who enjoys court intrigue in a fantasy setting.

Great book
Make sure read the first book first or you will be lost.
Pay attention or you will be lost.
If you do all of the above this book will be the best, most enjoyable book you've ever read!

Did Andre Norton really write this crap?
I don't think so.Andre Norton's Witch World books got me hooked on the genre so many years ago.It's hard to believe that she has lent her name to this poorly written book.

The premise was promising, and I had high hopes after the first book that the characters would take on a life of their own, and pull me into their world.Sadly, that didn't happen.Norton and Miller can't seem to decide who their protaganist is, or even who major characters in the story are.Are we supposed to like or dislike the queen?We know Ashen is important, but why should we care about her?She is supremely uninteresting.Much time is spent explaining why characters do the things they do (a hallmark of poor writing) because no development has taken place that would allow the reader to infer motivations, or even personalities.

It's a shame.In the write hands, I do believe this could have been an interesting story, with characters who live and breathe, and make you care about what will happen to them next. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

not bad for a blatant rehash
This novel flowed well and thus constituted an easy read--or so thought a naive eleven-year-old reader, at any rate. I was later to realize that the material was stolen bodily from "By the Waters of Babylon," a relatively unknown gem by (of all people) Stephen Vincent Benet! No doubt, the theme of post-Apocalyptic tribesman rediscovering the forbidden knowledge of the "Ancient Ones" has been written and rewritten since time immemorial. You'll even find it--in "some sense," albeit--in Star Trek's (the original series) "What Are Little Girls Made of," where Ruk of Exo III, admirably styled by the immortal Ted Cassidy, bemoans the "Old Ones" who created him from snips, snails, and puppy dogs' transistorized tails.

Vivid picture of a post-war America way ahead of its time!
Alright, most sci-fi fans have seen all the post-apocalyptic movies and played the video games, so seeing or reading about ruined cities is nothing new anymore. This tale though was a real trail-blazer, being written just after the birth of the atomic age. The stories central protagonist (Fors) is believable and deep enough to connect with. The strongest attribute of Daybreak is Norton's vivid and living descriptions of the ruined world of the future. One really gets the feeling that they are seeing the ruined planet through the eyes of the young mutant. I have read this novel about a half a dozen times now and each time I get lost in the descriptions.

This is a simple read that is a lot of fun, check it out!

2250 a.d.
Have not had time to read the book yet.It was an Andre Norton book that I read as a teenager and it must have left a good feeling about it because I had to have it to read again

"Lost" item= "Daybreak 2250 A.D.
This item was never delivered.The seller "lost" a series of items as "stolen from the corner mailbox".

A Lonely Journey
It has been almost 200 years since the global destruction wrought by nuclear war. The tools of man's technology lie rusting alongside broken roads between ruined cities. In the mountains, the descendants of people who were training to colonize other worlds when war broke out, struggle to survive.

After decades of isolation, members of the tribe who have earned the title "Star Man" have ventured back into the lowlands.While trained in combat, they are not warriors.They are seekers of lost knowledge, consecrated to the task of recovering their past.

Andre Norton's book "Daybreak: 2250 A. D., originally titled "Star Man's Son," foretells a cautionary tale of the future, one in which humans still have not learned the lessons of the past.The tribe known as The Eyrie are the descendants of scientists and engineers who were sent into the mountains to prepare for life on other worlds.When the affairs of man turned critical, their mission of discovery became a quest for survival.

Wary of radiation-induced genetic mutation, the tribe in those first few years took drastic steps to maintain the purity of the human race.In their fear, the Eyrie have isolated and even killed those with characteristics that drift from the norm of humanity.That fear became, over time, a cultural prejudice against anyone who came from the lowlands.

Onto this stage steps a young man named Fors. He is the son of an honored explorer, a Star Man, who took to wife a woman of one of the Plains tribes.That union bequeathed to the son hair of silver, the visible flag of mutation.Ostracized by his tribe, he has been denied the honor of following in his father's footsteps.

After a youth filled with rejection and bitter prejudice, climaxed by the loss of his last opportunity to be a Star Man, Fors leaves the mountain stronghold of his people and sets out alone on a trail that will change the history of not only his tribe, but all that remains of the human race.

Through the eyes of Fors we are given a fascinating glimpse of a post-apocalyptic world; the remains of the last great war of technology. In this world, the survivors of the human race have separated into tribes, each jealously guarding a swath of territory. Relationships between the tribes are bound in suspicion and conflict, but all share a mutual fear of the dwellers of the urban ruins, a human-rat hybrid known as the Beast Things.

All of the human tribes have striven to turn their backs on those characteristics which drove the Old Ones to war and destruction. But Norton makes it clear that suspicion and hate, and the inevitable conflict arising from them is an irrefutable part of the human make-up and despite the naive desire for "world peace," it would seem that humans will always reach first for the spear. The climax of the book, when the tribes gather for one last great battle against each other, becomes the moment when Fors steps forward and restores peace. He reminds all present that everyone faces a common enemy in the Beast Things and if humanity is to survive, that they must all band together in mutual support, or by choosing to exterminate each other, leave the planet to the Beast Things.

In the ruined cities, we see in the buildings, the towering monuments to man's creativity.Yet, we are forced to come to grips with the truth that even in the face of a terrible lesson, we would still run the risk of destroying our each other. In the conflict between the tribes, we are challenged to rise above our primitive instincts and choose survival. In the travels of Fors, we find our own restless desires to go beyond the horizon; to seek knowledge of distant lands and unknown peoples. And through Fors' experiences, we discover that we can choose friendship; we can choose life; we can choose peace.

There few problems with this story, the most pronounced being that it would be virtually impossible for a genetic mutation such as the Beast Things to rise to such an advanced level in less than 200 years. Perhaps 2000 years, but then there would be precious little evidence of the Old Ones left for exploration. The dialogue is pure Tolkien, and at times almost descends into Iambic Pentameter. Despite the stilted language, however, the story is clearly and descriptively told. The descriptions of landscapes and cities tantalizes the reader to consult a road atlas to identify the land where Fors traveled. The description of the big city on the Great Lake that Fors discovers sounds suspiciously like Chicago or Buffalo.

At 191 pages, it is a short read, but an intense one. The book moves along rapidly from start to finish and Norton has taken the reader along for the breathless journey.

Norton crafted a tale that is part Star Wars, Terminator 3, and Lord of the Rings, although its publishing date, 1952, predates all three.If you enjoyed Tolkien and Lucas, and you feel the hope that the best parts of humankind can always survive and arise from an apocalyptic future, then this book is for you.

(A respectful attempt at a sequel: http://starmanssaga.blogspot.com/)
... Read more

Product Description
Key Out of Time is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Andre Norton is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Andre Norton then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

part of a series
This book is part of aTime trader series which A. Norton started but was later co authored with Sherwood Smith. You will need to be up on science to catch all the details or read it for the sake of the adventure. Either way a good find.

HIS imagination???
Interesting to read in the Editorial Reviews how Andre ALICE Norton employed HIS boundless imagination in her novels; makes me put a lot of credence in the review....

The Baldies Wreck Havoc
Key Out of Time (1963) is the fourth SF novel in the Time Traders series, following The Defiant Agents.In the previous volume, Travis Fox and his fellow Apaches were stranded on Topaz.They fought a war of ambushes and raids against the Russians.They were assisted in their fight by the Mongols and three Baldie superweapons.

In this novel, Ross Murdock and Gordon Ashe are helping the Polynesian colonists on Hawaika.The planet is not much like the data on the Baldie tape.There are no longer any continents or large islands, only small isles scattered throughout the worldwide ocean.

Karara Trehern is a Hawaiian of the royal Alii bloodline.She is a leader among the colonists.Moreover, Tino-rau and Taua -- the dolphins -- obey her commands.

Ross and Gordon are prepared to set up a time viewer to determine what happened to the planet.So far, their search for ruins to provide a guidepost to the past has been unsuccessful.The ship will be leaving in four more days, so they need to erect the machine soon.

Karara suggests that they sweep the area with ten observers.The next day, they start the sweep by Ross, Ashe, Karara and seven more strong swimmers.Ross is the first to find something, but the dragon-like creature in the depression decides that Ross would be a nice lunch.

In this story, Ross and Ashe set up the time viewer and peep first at ten thousand years in the past.They find signs of a medieval type civilization, but with anachronisms.Two hundred years later, those natives are gone and giant pylons dominate the scene.Three hundred years after then, even the pylons are gone.

Ross and Ashe erect a time portal.When they are almost finished, a storm is spotted coming their way.They barely finish it before the storm strikes.Ashe turns it on to check its functioning and Ross, Ashe, Karara and the dolphins are swept through it into the far past.

Ross finds himself in a heavy swell pushing toward the shore.Two ships are wrecked on the strand and locals are gathering the flotsam.Ross sees the wreckers kill one survivor from the ships.

Ross hides in a cave above the shore.Soon, Karara and the dolphins find him.They tell him that the time portal is destroyed, so he knows that they have no way back to their own time.And they do not know anything about Gordon.

This tale involves them with a native boy and the Foanna -- an elder species with strange powers -- in their search for Ashe.Ross soon finds himself among a seafaring culture much like the Vikings.Then he discovers that the Baldies are stirring up the natives.

Elements within this tale strongly influenced the Witch World stories.Of course, the Foanna are much like the witches in Witch World, but the sea rovers, wreckers and other similar themes also occur in the series.

This story takes Ross and the others into a war against the Baldies.The Terrans contribute some skills to the fight, but the Foanna do most of the damage to the Baldies and also suffer the most damage to their own facilities.Enjoy!

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of alien cultures, technically advanced enemies, and sheer perseverance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Last of the Original TIme Trader Books
Ashe Gordon and Ross Murdock, angry following the loss of their fellow agent and friend, Travis Fox on the planet Topaz, are on the planet Hawaikan, a warm planet that is mostly ocean, intent on setting up a time gate.The world is so different from what they expected after viewing the information from the alien ship that brought them to the planet, that they have decided to do a risky experiment and travel into the past of the planet.They are joined on this venture by two mutant dolphins and a female agent of Polynesian descent.

However, just as they set up the time gate, a storm blows up and disaster strikes.Murdock is flung through the gate and into the planet's past.The time gate is destroyed.Murdock is left to try to cope with the different and aline world he finds himself in, where it seems there is currently a three way struggle going on even without the presence of the mysterious aliens who have dogged the Time Traders from the start.

Without many references to the Russian/US race to colonize space, this book is not much dated at all.Murdock's resentment about the interjection of a woman into their crew is all too believable.However, Norton rarely takes the expected route and the story remains thoroughly entertaining.

Aliens , earth time travelers , witches : all you expect
Key out of time is one in the series that I think started with Time Traders.This is the race between the U.S. and USSR to utilize technology left in the distant past on Earth by an interstellar race.

The setting ison another planet and goes back into time on it and the travelers meet therace that originated the time technology.Throw in a coven of realwitches, dolphins that can communicate with humans and you have one heck ofa good story ... Read more

Product Description
The first new exciting Beast Master adventure in decades!

Danger on Arzor

Beast Master Hosteen Storm has endured great perils to carve out a life for himself on Arzor, the colony planet he's called home since the destruction of Earth by the alien Xik. On a planet with alien life forms and untold secrets from it's pre-Human past, there are always dangers in the wild, especially the vast desert and rugged mountain region known as Big Blue.

But nobody has ever experienced a threat like the devastating scourge the natives call Death-Which-Comes-in-the-Night. Something is killing grazing animals . . . and has begun to attack humans as well, leaving nothing but the bones of its victims behind.

Hosteen, aided by his telepathically linked animals, knows that if he can't stop the killings Arzor will be decimated. His only ally is a young woman who has beast master ability, but was raised to mistrust others with such a power. At stake is the safety of all those on Arzor, and on other colony planets as well. Because Death-Which-Comes-in-the-Night is a scourge that if not stopped here, could spread . . .
... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Not an Andre Norton book
Anyone expecting to read a book in Ms Norton's Beast Master series, beware. This book is one of those "prop gramma up and if she drools, use it in the plot" collaborations so beloved of the publishing industry. How they get any self-respecting author to participate in this kind of scam is a mystery to me. Actually I guess they didn't because the collaborating (cough cough "ghost" cough) writer is so unskilled that its obvious she has no self respect.

Like most of the later material billed as Norton's work, this is just fanfic with a major label's logo on the spine. If you like fanfic, you can find much better free stuff scattered across the Internet. I particularly like the one where Hermione Granger's cat and E'et engage in cross-universe hi-jinks. If you want actual Andre Norton fiction, you will just have to be satisfied with the wonderful works she has left us.

Good, but could be better.
From a story perspective, the book is quite good.My only complaint would be that perhaps the protagonists overcome their troubles a bit too easily.Aside from that, the story is a worthy one.

The downside is the writing itself.This book should have gone through another round of editing before it hit the shelves.All too often, paragraphs were made up of short, choppy sentences.Worse, the subject would change in the middle of a paragraph, and even point-of-view changed often in mid-paragraph.Very distracting.It kept pulling me out of the story.

Hopefully, the next book in the series will be better.

A wonderful continuation
This is a wonderful continuation of the Beast Master series, and I hope to see more works by the young writer who helped Andre Norton on this and Beast Master's Circus (Hosteen Storm/Beastmaster, Bk. 4).I loved the strong woman character who ended up being a suitable counter for Hosteen Storm.

Read them all, in order.

Problems with Creepy-crawlies
Beast Master's Ark (2002) is the third SF novel in the Beast Master series, following Lord of Thunder.In this novel, the Arkship is trying to collect genes from every available Terran species.This collection started with unauthorized samples of species used by the Beast Master Command and expanded to include all Terran species.After the flaming of Terra by the Xiks, the Ark became an official instrument of the High Command.

Tani is the niece of Brion and Kady Carraldo, the couple running the Ark.She is the daughter of a Beast Master who died with his whole team on Trastor.Tani's mother went a little crazy after his death and she has told Tani that the High Command deliberately sent her father on a suicide mission.She also tells Tani that most Beast Masters send their beasts into combat without regard for their safety.Then her mother is killed by Xiks on Terra.

Tani has been working on the Ark for her aunt and uncle as a biogenetic technician, collecting gene samples and splicing gene sequences for various species.She is a good worker, but she still has an attitude toward Beast Masters.When an effort to obtain samples from one team on Fremlyn was mishandled and a beast died, Tani blamed the Beast Master rather than her uncle.

With this attitude of disdain and distrust for beast masters, Tani comes to Arzor to collect samples from the team of Hosteen Storm.While Hosteen had been scheduled to greet the Ark crew, a local rancher reports that something is killing his frawn and asks for help from the Beast Master and his team.Hosteen finds evidence of something eating both animals and men down to the skeleton.The natives are also suffering from its hunger and are totally mystified.

When he is not present at their arrival, Tani decides that Storm is being rude toward her aunt and uncle.However, she learns to like Brad Quade, Hosteen's stepfather.After Storm arrives and encounters Mandy, the paraowl, Tani reacts defensively and abruptly asks his business. Then she foists him off to Jarro, an unimaginative prig, who snubs the Beast Master and sends him on his way.

Although Tani continues to see Storm as an arrogant and self-centered man, Hosteen learns more about her and begins to treat her as a victim of war trauma.When the mobile lab vehicle arrives at the Quade ranch, Tani relaxes her defenses and spends much time with Logan Quade, Hosteen's half-brother.They go for long rides and Logan tells her about the Norbies and other aspects of Arzor.

Then Tani starts to have trouble sleeping.When her aunt gives her something to help her sleep, she has a full-blown nightmare.From her description, Hosteen suspects that she is picking up the feelings of both the victim and its killer.

Tani grows tired of being confined to bed and decides to go for a ride.She sees a young duocorn-bred filly in the corral and makes friends with the animal.The filly is entranced by the young women who displays no trace of fear.Tani presents the riding tack to the filly and then saddles her.Although the filly is slightly startled as Tani leaps into the saddle, Tani is a good rider and the filly is soon satisfied.They walk out of the corral and they speed up a little.Finally, Tani lets out a war whoop and they take off into the brush.

Tani, the filly, her coyotes and Mandy enjoy the ride and the subsequent meal.However, Tani drops off to sleep and wakes up too late to ride back;she doesn't want to chance riding the filly at night for fear of hidden holes and obstacles.They settle down for the night.The next day four Nitra warriors appear and Tani welcomes them to her camp.

No one has told Tani about the Nitras.Since she has been told that the natives are friendly, she treats them as such.They are impressed with her lack of fear and her respect for tradition;the leader tells the others to treat her with full courtesy.One young warrior, however, tries to ride the filly without permission and the filly kills him for his arrogance.The Nitra leader accepts the death as justified for the defiance of his orders and he invites Tani to accompany them back to his camp.

This novel is an action adventure, but is also a romance.Despite the poor start, Tani and Hosteen gradually develop a deep affection for each other.Of course, both doubt that the other reciprocates such feelings, but the intimate mental linkages soon resolve such doubts.

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of high adventure, alien cultures and romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

BeastMaster's Ark
When I first saw the advertisement for this book, I was skeptical as to it's quality.When I picked it up and actually started reading it, I didn't want to stop reading.It was that good.I also enjoyed Beast Master's Circus also written by Andre Norton.You can't read one with out reading the other. ... Read more

Product Description
The Star Ka'ats make an interplanetary journey to another ka'at colony where life forms have grown to monstrous proportions and nearly exterminated the ka'at colonists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Star Ka'Ats and the Winged Warriors
Star Ka'Ats and the Winged Warriors
(1981)



This is the fourth and as far asI can find out the final book book in the Star Ka'at series, following Star Ka'at, Star Ka'at World,and Star Ka'Ats and the Plant People

The characters in this book that you met in the first book are:

Humans:
Jim, a recent orphan,
Elly Mae, a young girl who lives with her sickly Granny

Star Ka'ats:
Tiro, the team leader and first scout,
Mer an assistant scout.

In this book you'll read about:

Boots getting into trouble

How some of the Earth cats are having a hard time abiding by the rules on Zimorrah.

The Kaats decide that it might be best if the Earthlings are relocated to another planet.Perhaps go to a planet where other Kaats were previously located.

Since they have a new source of metal (seeStar Ka'Ats and the Plant People) the Kaats can now rebuild their aging star ships and explore new worlds.

You find out about:

The Lost Colony

The attack of the giant beetle

The giant dragonfly.

The giant Yellow jacket

The Iron Claw

The humongous Spider

Trapped in the Spider web

The Deus ex machina

The cave Ka'ats

Since I was unable to find a paperback copy of this book or a fifth in this series, I assume that this series was not favorably received or perhaps something happened to the coauthor, Dorothy H. Madlee, , or perhaps they just ran out of the story.My copy is a discarded, ex-library book.

I still recommend this book and series for Andre Norton fans and bright juveniles.

Gunner December, 2009

A weak Norton offering.
I LOVE Andre Norton, but this is weak, even when considered as a (very) juvenile book. For Andre Norton, this book (Winged Warriors) is extremely weak as are the other Star Ka'at books.

Even Ka'ats don't always live happily ever after
As recounted in _Star Ka'at_, the Ka'ats discovered Earth thousands of years ago as they explored the galaxy. They befriended humanity, some of whom could 'hear' and understand their mindspeech, and some Ka'ats settled on Earth. After many years and wars in which the humans who could communicate with them were killed, the Ka'ats had to abandon Earth in the face of human persecution, stranding some of their own kind in the process.

Upon their cautious, secret re-exploration of Earth in the present, the Ka'ats, alarmed at a human political situation that might lead to nuclear war, began systematically evacuating as many of their people as they could - all the cats whose mindspeech was clear enough to understand the rescue summons. But in the process, two Ka'at scouts - Mer and Tiro - found two human children, Elly Mae and Jim, who had enough innate ability at mindspeech to be capable of full partnership with the Ka'ats, and the scouts adopted the children, insisting that they, too, be rescued. (Both kids were orphaned, one very recently, and without family, so this was OK with them.)

In the other volumes of the series, we've seen some of the trouble that the kids have had adjusting to life on Zimmorah, but, of course, the cats were able to settle down happily with no problems, right?

Wrong. The Elders are alarmed that some cats form a distinct subculture among their people: hunters with a taste for sport in a world where hunting is culturally unthinkable, who refuse to completely abandon the uncivilized ways they needed to survive on Earth. Having had a terrifying reminder, while reconnoitering Earth, of the dangers of factions coming into conflict, the Elders now propose an experiment: that some of the Earth cats should join an expedition to re-establish contact with a long-lost Ka'at colony on another world, where dangerous situations may make their survival skills valuable.

Mer, Elly Mae, Jim, and Tiro accompany the expedition as well, to find a world on which the plant and insect life no longer quite matches their records; the insects are now of gigantic size! (Many of the insects are unimaginatively similar to familiar insects on Earth, making it relatively simple for the explorers to identify dangerous ones and think of ways to cope, at least at first).

The surviving descendants of the Ka'at colony, when found, need help. (They don't want to be evacuated, by the way.) Apparently the Ka'ats weren't the only explorers who thought this world would be a good place to settle... ... Read more

Product Description
A Crown Disowned is the third volume of the cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan that began with To the King a Daughter and continued in Knight or Knave.

The earth shakes and splits as the forces from the North draw nearer. The Ice Dragon Riders are speaking to the land, and more fire mountains awaken in the Bog. Rohan seeks to join forces with Tusser, leader of the Bog-folk, as Queen Ysa raises an army to clear the Bog.

War draws closer until even the Queen cannot deny it any longer. Raids from the north increase, and, for the first time, the Riders of the Ice Dragons appear. It is time for the Queen to give up her game of pitting one faction against another. Four great armies are assembled to march under the same banner. Though they do not represent the Four Trees, they nevertheless see this as a good omen.

Many good men from all four armies fall in battle, yet the Great Foulness is still at large. Is the combined might of the four powers enough to free the land from evil?
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Customer Reviews (5)

Wonderful scenes and characters
I love the characters in this series of Norton's, which represent the range of nobility and faults of the human race.

Enjoyed it
I enjoyed the book greatly. Not sure what the May 28 reviewer was thinking.

Very poor offering; much worse than previous books in series
...This book, "A Crown Disowned," suffers from too many plot discontinuities, bad characterization, very cardboard, wooden dialogue, and manages to do something I never had done in all the years I've read books -- made me want to throw a book Andre Norton has contributed to across the room.

Let me try and explain.Basically, in the previous two books, Ashen was a sympathetic character (although toward the end of book two, she started becoming less sympathetic, as she did not like her stepson's girlfriend).However, in this book, Ashen seems rather pointless.The action doesn't really revolve around her -- it revolves around Queen Ysa, who at best is a tragic heroine.Ashen's romance, which was one of the focal points of the first two books, is an afterthought here, and her daughter's romance with the young boy-king seemed tacked-on hurriedly.

Plus, there's no real sense of how time is passing in this book.There seem to be very few time referents, which is extremely strange.I thought it was probably due to poor editing or the rush to get this book to the printers, as I couldn't understand why else it'd happen.

The big confrontation loses all steam once the big bad Flavielle is gone, and considering she's taken out more by incompetence than anything, that's a major waste of resources.Personally, I'd rather have seen someone deliberately succeed in taking her out, rather than the drugged, half-feverish way it's done in this book.

Basically, I didn't care about any of the characters at the end of this book, and I was glad the book was over (even though I'd really looked forward to it, and had enjoyed the first two books of the series).Like I said, it's probably one of the worst books I've read in a long time, and I regret paying hardcover price for it.

If I could give this less than one star, I would, despite my high respect for Ms. Norton and her stature in the field.

The Foulness Strikes
A Crown Disowned (2002) is the third novel in the Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan and the last in the trilogy.The previous volume ended with King Peres on the throne, Ashen married to Gaurin, Rohan knighted, Anamara mad and lost in the Bog, and the dowager Ysa learning that the long awaited invasion from the north has begun.

This novel begins with a meeting between Rohan and the Bog headman Tusser in the remains of the city of Galinth.While debating the fine points of alliance, they are interrupted by a group of men, hired by the dowager Ysa, who are trying to burn up the Bog.After fighting off the Outlanders, they discover Anamara in the ruins and take her to Zazar for healing.

Despite the severity of the situation, the dowager clings to her plots and magic.Throughout most of the book, she tries to control everybody.One of the funniest places in the book is when the dowager Ysa is told that Rannore has married Lathrom, the former Sergeant.Of course, Ysa is scandalized that Rannore has married well below her station and is frustrated to learn that her son, King Peres, has knighted Lathrom and has granted him lands and properties.

Meanwhile, Ashen studies the magic tome found by Esander, Zazar prepares for a summons, and the Foul One uses Flavielle to set up a trap.In the north, the armies of the Rendelians, Nordorn, Sea-Rovers and Bog-folk fight Ice Dragons, Frydans and renegade humans.The Unnatural cold is as deadly as the enemy.

The ultimate confrontation is not obvious, but is satisfying, and the aftermath is even more so.Recommended for all fans of Andre Norton and Sasha Miller as well as anyone who likes adventure fantasy with a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

exciting sword and sorcery tale
The human, inhuman and ice dragon armies of the Great One march south causing havoc to an already besieged Rendelsham and the other southern lands already struggling with hostile frozen precipitation.To survive the onslaught, the four great houses of the south must unite in an alliance against the seemingly invincible Great One.However, a key player, dowager Queen Ysa, appears in denial as she continues to divide rather than unite by pushing the rivalries between the houses.

However, even Ysa ultimately realizes the danger though it may prove to late when the Ice Dragons begin spewing out frozen waste at its southern targets.Rohan and his Sea Rovers with their ships try to unite with the Nodors and the Bog-folk in an uneasy alliance.Unbeknownst to the desperate southern alliance is the Great One's most loyal servant is a sorceress who has seduced Rendelsham's High Marshal into leading Rohan and his allies into a trap.If they escape, they still must find a way to defeat the Great One's superior armies, unconquerable ice dragons, and ultimately yield magic that none seem to possess to crush the Great One.

The third Cycle of Oak, Yew, Ash, and Rowan novel, A CROWN DISOWNED is an exciting sword and sorcery tale though the story line provides little new from the previous two novels of this entertaining series.The fantasy contains numerous subplots focusing on war, intrigue, and betrayal, albeit the typical fare for an S&S novel.Still the cast engages the reader especially the enchanting magic gathering the myriad of fans of Andre Norton and Sasha Miller into the fold of a fine finale.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more