Book Description
Great Sci Fi short story by Andre Norton! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A sci-fi classic that hasn't aged a bit
What would happen if space explorers stumble upon a lost colony of humans on a distant planet? Are they still human, or has the separation of time and space made them something else? Andre Norton uses this backdrop to examine questions of who is human, what advanced civilization means, and what is or isn't alien, all wrapped in a a non-stop action adventure. The sequel to The Stars Are Ours, Norton again gives us two seemingly insignificant people - space pilot Raf Kurbi and colony scout Dalgard Nordis - who manage to change the future of an entire planet. And if the ending doesn't choke you up, maybe you're not human either.

The Federation of Free Men
When the oppressive global dictatorship of Pax took over the Earth they put a stop to space exploration. Still, a few rebels escaped in the sleeper ships to found free new colonies- or perish in the attempt. Those few colonies that reached inhabitable worlds and survived were cut off for centuries. It was during these centuries of isolation and freedom that they were able to develop the mysterious mental powers that "civilization" had all but destroyed.

Finally, when Pax had been eradicated from Earth by the Federation of Free Men, the rockets began to rise once more. This time they they possessed the faster than light drives that would enable them to make up for lost time. One such ship was the RS-10. This ship and its crew stumbled upon the world of Astra and it's strange, ruthless, degenerate, inhuman inhabitants. The Terrans did not trust these creatures but there was much that they could learn from them. Making a temporary alliance the expedition accompanied the aliens to a strange treasure city to help exploit its wonders. It was there that they discovered that the aliens had good reason to fear going to the treasure city alone. It was protected by Free Men who had arrived centuries before....

The classic Ace edition of this sci-fi classic has probably the best painted cover of a conventional space ship that I've ever seen.

If there had been no other creator of science fiction and fantasy in the second half of the twentieth century, Andre Norton would have been enough.

Read it in sequence or alone
When I read this book during the mid-1950s I was lucky enough to be forced to read it as a sequel.The book hadn't been released when I read The Stars are Ours.There weren't many SF books on the library shelves in those days, so I returned to recheck the first one and discovered Star Born.Felt I'd died and went to heaven.

I reread both a number of times through the years, always hoping Norton would add a few more sequels, assuming it was an obvious target for a series.It never happened.

So, you're stuck with these two, which will probably cause you to join me in my wish Norton had written more.

Star Born
Story a sequel to (The Stars Are Ours) 3 to 4 generations in the future.Dalgard Nordis of the colony with a Merman Sssuri are on a scouting trip to investigate some old ruins that were rumored to have been visited be theevil former inhabitants only to see a space ship in the sky land nearthere. After discovering the old ones looting the city for lost technologyDalgard finds the people from the star ship to be of his race. Goodsequel, Classic Andre Norton ... Read more

Book Description
Two complete novels of courageous men and women whose only hope was escape in an untested starship to other worlds of bright promise—and unknown dangers:

The Stars are Ours: Dard Nordis is a hunted man. His brother was murdered for covert activities as a scientist in a world which scientists and engineers are blamed for the global war that smashed civilization, and the global dictatorship of Pax has ordered their execution. Now he is on the run, trying to find the secret stronghold of his brother's friends and colleagues—a hidden place where the few remaining scientists are desperately building a spaceship to escape to the stars.

Star Born: Centuries after the desperate flight from Earth, Pax has been overthrown and humanity again reaches for the stars. Rof Kurbi's spaceship reaches the planet Astra, not knowing that the planet already has a colony established centuries ago by the fugitive humans from Earth . . . and that the apparently friendly natives of the planet are actually malevolent invaders from elsewhere, who are plotting to eliminate all humans from Astra, both the recent arrivals and the star born colonists.

Publisher's Note: Star Flight was originally published in parts as The Stars are Ours and Star Born. This is the first time both novels have appeared in one volume.

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Customer Reviews (2)

A part of THE STARS ARE OURS and STAR BORN
Andre Norton's STAR FLIGHT tells of a hunted man whose brother is murdered for covert activities as a scientist in a world where scientists are blamed for the global war that destroyed mankind. It's a part of THE STARS ARE OURS and STAR BORN and represents their first combined publication under one cover.

omnibus reprint of post-apocalyptic "Star" saga
The Stars Are Ours.Humanity established space stations so that interplanetary flight could occur cheaper.However, terrorists took control of a station and attacked earth from it devastating the planet.Survivor Arturo Renzi saw his loved ones die so he preached an anti-science message that led to his assassination.Outraged, his followers attacked the opposition with a vengeance forming the dictatorial Company of Pax.Brothers Dard and Lars Nordis and the latter's pregnant wife Kathia fled the purge; however Lars was crippled and Kathia suffered a brain injury and after giving birth to Dessie she died.The siblings and Dessie hide at a remote farm for a decade until the Pax Peacemen arrive.They try to escape, but Lars dies leaving Dard and Dessie running from the Peacemen.

Star Born.The Pax ended space exploration as part of their anti-scientific campaign as they blame the pandemic devastation on scientists.However, some rebels managed to steal a few spaceships and flee to form colonies that had no ties to earth.A century passes with the Federation of Free Men having disposed of the Pax and space exploration redeployed with faster than light engines.The RS-10 ship reaches Astra where an earth colony was established.However, it is the fiendish natives that greet the terrans who they have plans to eradicate with their strange science.

This omnibus reprint of Andre Norton post-apocalyptic "Star" saga showcases how talented the author truly is especially in "The Stars Are Ours"; in which a terrorist act leads to security superseding freedom (the Neocons must have wolfed this one down)."Star Born" is also well written, but pales compared to its predecessor as the evil species that plan to wipe out humanity on RS-10 display no redeeming quality not even rationalizing saving a way of life from outsiders.Still these are two entertaining science fiction tales sets one hundred years apart in different galaxy locations. Ms. Norton's fans will soar with STAR FLIGHT.

Harriet Klausner

... Read more

Book Description
Many people might not know that Andre Norton wrote the first novel based in the Dungeons and Dragons Universe. That book was Quag Keep, a tale of magically transported gamers trying to survive in the fantasy realm that has become all too real for them. Now Andre, with role-playing icon Jean Rabe, has returned their story. In The Return to Quag Keep these brave adventurers try to unlock the secrets of this magical world and maybe even return home to ours. Filled with classic dungeon crawls, mysterious wizards, and attacking dragons, The Return to Quag Keep is a must for all role-playing fans as well as seminal Andre Norton fans. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Once More Into the Keep
Return to Quag Keep (2006) is the second fantasy novel in this series, following Quag Keep.In the previous volume, the seven heroes have fought their way across the Sea of Dust to the quag surrounding the keep.Gulth provides transportation across the quag to the highland surrounding the keep itself, but oversized fanged frogs dispute their passage.After a final battle with Carlvols and his fighters, the heroes enter the keep and confront the power who has brought them to this world.

In this novel, the heroes have come to a city to regroup after leaving Quag Keep.However, Gulth is dying and Deav Dyne has no cure.They meet with Yeleve, Wymarc and Ingrge to pass on their plans and then leave the city to travel to Gulth's swamps.

Milo and Naile are waiting in the Golden Tankard, hoping to get a job with a merchant caravan.Meanwhile, they are drinking ale and getting drunk.Three other drunken men enter the tavern and insist that Milo and Naile are sitting at their table.One of the three gets very insistent, but Milo and Naile ignore them.Finally they see someone who looks like a prosperous merchant and get up to approach him.Naile, however, accidentally knocks down the most vociferous of the three drunks and a fight ensues.

Milo and Naile have been blamed as the persons who started the fight and thus liable for all the damages.Yeleve and Ingrge get them bailed out of gaol, but they are now indebted to the merchant, Ludlow Jade, and will be working for him without pay as caravan guards.Wymarc stays behind to play in the inn as restitution for the damages.

As the caravan wends its way north to several small villages, Yeleve drives one of the wagons.Milo and Naile walk alongside until they tire and then ride on the wagons for a while.Ingrge scouts ahead and behind to search for the bandits expected by Ludlow Jade.He finds partially obliterated footprints ahead of them and then discovers someone following them.

Just then the caravan is attacked by the Undead buried alongside the trail.Everyone fights back, but Naile changes into his were-boar form and becomes the most effective combatant against the skeletons and zombies.Although the caravan suffers losses in personnel and horses, they continue to the next village.

The man who had been following them is Berthold, a thief and wearer of another bracelet identical with their own.He was himself a gamer and a member of another group seeking Quag Keep, but the others were killed or vanished before they reached their objective.Now he is alone and certain that something is seriously wrong in this world.

Berthold has had a dream about a wizard imprisoned below Quag Keep.Although Milo explains that they had thoroughly searched the Quag Keep tower, Berthold points out that they did not search the underground portions.Milo and Naile agree to travel with him to Quag Keep while the others remain with the caravan.

In this story, Fisk Lockwood is an agent for Pobe, a shadowy and amorphous creature who has imprisoned the wizard Jalafar-rula beneath Quag Keep.Fisk has already killed the others in Berthold's party and now is after Milo's group.He has maneuvered several of them into the caravan and has set up the Undead to test their meddle.Another trap awaits further along the caravan's path.

This novel is more like a roleplaying game than the original story, but Jean Rabe has had considerable experience in the roleplaying field.However, the terrain and vegetation are less vivid that within the original story, but the personas of the gamers themselves are much better developed.In fact, so are the personas of the agents of Chaos.Overall, this story seems more alive than the original.

This story has a more satisfying ending, but still leaves many loose ends.Some of the group have returned to Earth, but others have been left behind in the other world.Possibly there will be another sequel.

Recommended for Norton & Rabe fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of questing, combat and magic.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Another good light fantasy read.
The characters in the Quag Keep books really make the story.Where is the 3rd book in the trilogy?Maybe Jean Rabe will write it now that the Quag Keep books have been re-issued.

Not the same
I realize, as a sequel, that this should be different than the first in many ways. BUT, I would hope the characters would have retained some of their charm. The original was a good read and felt, well, original, sadly this sequel feels like the same ole same ole. It might still be in the same universe but seems to have forgotten to follow the rules of said universe.

A hero dying in the first few chapters? And going out as if he had no idea how to use his powers like he did in the first book. He same can be said for the fighters. One went from an interesting, Amazon type female warrior to one that seemed to have been poured into her armor and showing her curves, etc... In other fantasy this is ok I guess, but it just doesn't `feel' right in this setting.

If you're young and haven't read fantasy for 30 plus years, I guess it might be new and exciting but to older readers, it's very much like a typical fantasy. Not that that is bad, there are only so many plots and stories to be told after all, but this does not even feel remotely close to the original. A shame as I was looking forward to it.

Maybe it would have been better if not a sequel and a story of its own in a universe of its own? I guess we'll never know.

A lot of mystery and suprises that really kept me interested
A group of adventurers, who have been whisked away from Earth to a magical land much like the one they play Dungeons and Dragons in, are forced to protect a caravan to pay off their debt that they made when they accidently started a bar fight. On their way to one of the towns, one of the scouts, Ingrge, captures a man who was following them. The man tells them he was sent here to, and why they were whisked away here after they touched the figurines. He also tells them that the only way to get back to Earth and to save Earth is to save a wizard locked in Quag keep. The band of adventurers try to make their way to Quag Keep, while encountering more and more dangers, that help them find out the truth of why they are here. Will the adventurers save Earth or even find their way home???

I thought this was a great book. I love fantasy books so this suited me well, and would be great for fantasy readers and Dungeon and Dragon players. This book was confusing, however, because this was the sequel to the first book, so I reccomend reading the first one before reading this. This book really intrigued me because it had a lot of mystery and suprises that really kept me interested. I also thought it was cool because the main characters were regular people like you and me. The authors are very good writers, and they kept me wanting to read more.

Reviewed by a student reviewer for Flamingnet Book Reviews
www.flamingnet.com
Preteen, teen, and young adult book reviews and recommendations

Old Friends Revisited
When I picked up RETURN TO QUAG KEEP I was a bit concerned that Ms. Rabe wouldn't be able to fill the large shoes of Andre Norton. I have read lots of Ms. Rabe's works in the past and enjoyed every one of them, but she was working in the shadow of one of the true giants of the fantasy genre. I was working for TSR when Andre Norton started writing the excellent first version of QUAG KEEP. She more than made the D&D game come alive in her pages of that work. I loved the story then and I still like it many years later when I reread it before taking up this sequel.

I found Ms. Rabe's approach to the new story refreshing and quite in keeping with the style of the first book. Being a great fan of fantasy, this book kept me interested from the first to the last page. I found myself wanting to read more, which is high praise to my mind.

I would strongly reccommend this new version to any fans of role-playing in general or Andre Norton's works.

James M. Ward ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (3)

A Confused Quest
A Taste of Magic (2006) is a standalone fantasy novel.Wisteria t'Kyros is the daughter of the Emperor's food taster.Like her father, Eri has the wyse talent of tasting the air around her.She has an elder brother, Rembert, who is serving as a guardsman for some lord.

Eri was taken in by Lady Ewaren -- House Lady of Nar -- when her mother died.In that household, she learned to weave and care for the house.Yet she had also become a docent of Bastien t'Ikkes, once a royal guard and a fabled Moonson, who had saved the life of the Emperor.His injuries had led to a discharge and retirement to Nar.

In this novel, Eri has gone hunting and is returning with her kill when she hears a cow bellowing for milking.She tests the breeze and tastes blood and death throughout the village. The only survivor is ten year old Alysen.

While Eri is examining the body of Lady Ewaren, Alysen t'Greer attacks Eri with a knife, accusing her of being a demon.After calming down, Alysen tells of men who came looking for Eri.Lord Purvis of Elderlake had his men break the fingers of Lady Ewaren trying to find Wisteria's whereabouts, but Lady Ewaren did not know where Eri had gone.When she could not provide the information, the demon-of-a-man had her slain.

Nanoo Gafna had saved Alysen from Lord Purvis and his soldiers by weaving a ward spell over her.The soldiers looked right at Alysen without seeing her.Gafna had fled from the killing toward her home in the fens.

In this story, Eri takes a bloodoath against Lord Purvis, but first she must deliver Alysen to the Nanoo village for protection.As they are approaching the center of the fens, Alysen takes off running and leads Eri to a bird-like thing caught up by vines.Alysen and Eri free the creature -- named Grazti by Alysen -- and take it with them.

When Eri and Alysen reach the Nanoo village, Nanoo Shellaya -- the village leader -- informs them that Gafna has not returned from Nar.Eri scrys for Gafna and learns that she is being held in a village by the sea.She too has been tortured by Lord Purvis.

This story relates the journey of Eri and Shellaya to the village Elspeth's Knot to rescue Gafna.Eri learns a few things about patience and planning during that rescue, but they do rescue Gafna.Shellaya takes Gafna back to the Nanoo village and Eri continues her effort to slay Lord Purvis.

In Derilynn village, Eri scrys for Lord Purvis and discovers that he is back in the fens.Tillard -- a young man raised in the Nanoo village -- rides back with her.On the way, they start to see prior events in a different light.

This tale was outlined and partially completed by Andre Norton, but was finished by Jean Rabe.Norton struggled with this story for several years, but the words just didn't flow as in the past.So it does not have all the storytelling magic of Norton and the ending appears to be lacking something.Yet it is a better tale than many other works of fantasy.Read it, but remember the other tales that flowed from the author's pen.

Recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of exotic magic, muddled quests, and impulsive women warriors.

-Arthur W. Jordin

A Taste of Magic
I was not blown away by this book. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't fantastic either - it was ok. Took me an afternoon to read it. The book just didn't grab me. You could tell that it was not put together by 2 writers working together - it just didn't flow in parts. I also found certain events, especially reactions to events occurring in the story, beyond believability. It is not a book I will re-read, & I am not waiting breathlessly for its sequel, which I am sure will be written.

final tribute to one of the greats
One morning Westeria, commonly known as Eri, goes out hunting deep in the woods and on her return her powerful Wyse magic senses death and bloodshed in her Village Nar.When she arrives at her home she sees that everyone is dead except for Alysen who was protected by a "do not see me" spell by the witch Nanoo Gafna.Alysen claims that the leader of the men Lord Purvis came to kill Eri because her father the food taster for the Emperor is dead as is the Emperor.The empress wants the magic of her line to die with her.

Eri swears a blood oath to kill Lord Purvis but first she must get Alysen to the witches in Mardel's Fen protected by the woods and the earth magic that allows them to keep intruders out.Before they get there they rescue a trapped bird-like creature not knowing it is evil. It orders the two females to take it to a certain place but they destroy it before it can harm Eri and Alysen.After Alysen is put under the care of the Nanoos, their leader and Eri try and rescue Nanoo Gafna who saved Alysen.Eri is then free to complete her mission only she learns Lord Purvis is going to the village of Mardel's Fen; she races against time to stop another bloodbath.

This is the last book Andre Norton started to write before she died; Jean Rabe using outlines, notes and a few written chapters written complete the fine fantasy which contains the same magical feel as all the great author's books seem to have.Readers will sympathize with the heroine who blames herself for the deaths of her loved ones.However the shocker that makes this a delightful read is to learn who her true enemy is.

Harriet Klausner
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Book Description
Shy realizes that she is lucky to be taken in by her grandparents after her father dies-but life above an antique store in Slade's Corners, Wisconsin is not exactly the place a teenage girl wants to be. One day while going through boxes of her father's boyhood stuff, she comes upon a rare old set of dragon puzzles ... all of which are missing pieces. Her grandmother recalls the fantastic tales Shy's father would tell about his travels to lands of dragons and adventure. She always thought that these fantasies were inspired by the puzzles Shy has found. Shy realizes that by mixing and matching the different sets she can complete a single dragon puzzle that combines all of the others. Upon doing so she is whisked away to ancient Babylon where she must continue the duties of her father's legacy as a servant to the dragon and a savior of the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

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

Book Description

CONTROLLING AUTHORITY

Andre Norton -- Grand Mistress of science fiction -- presents a grand tapestry of the far-flung interstellar future, in which the first starships from Earth have burst out into the universe...only to run straight into the restraining grasp of the stagnant alien federation known as Central Control.

Only as interstellar mercenaries can humans go to the stars; the aliens who already dominate the galaxy allow no other recourse. But when Swordsman Third Class Kana Karr and his comrades-in-arms are betrayed and abandoned on a hostile world by their alien masters, the warriors from Earth begin a desperate but glorious march across a planet whose every sword is against them. Their actions may doom humanity's future...or lead the way to an empire of their own!

Four thousand years later, galactic civilization is collapsing, and the underfunded crew of an exploration starship is forced to set down on an uncharted planet: a mysterious, abandoned world that is achingly beautiful -- and hauntingly familiar. Ranger Sergeant Kartr, telepath and stellar Patrolman, searches with his crewmates for the source of a beacon which may mean escape for them all. What he finds is far stranger: the first clue to what may become the greatest revelation in galactic history!

The defining events of future history -- as only Andre Norton could tell them! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Planetary Guardians
Star Soldiers (2001) is an omnibus edition of two SF novels in the Central Control universe, including Star Guard and Star Rangers.These stories are among the earliest SF works by the author.When Terrans first learned to travel the space lanes, they discovered that the galaxy was already inhabited by many spacegoing species.These aliens were organized into a great confederacy under Central Control.

In Star Guard (1955), Central Control assigned Terrans to a special role that suited their aggressive temperament and also provided a safety valve for other belligerents.The Terrans became mercenaries of the Galaxy.Arch Hordes served on the relatively primitive worlds and Mech Legions served on the relatively advanced worlds.However, even the Mechs weapons were less advanced than those available to the Galactic Patrol.Three hundred years passed before any challenge arose to this system.

In this novel, Kana Karr, newly graduated Arch Swordsman Third Class, comes to Prime to receive his first assignment.Waiting in the hiring hall, he hears rumors of lost legions and refused assignments.Then, a senior Combatant, accompanied by a Galactic Agent, announces that the troubles on Nevers have been fully investigated, with the assistance of Central Control, and certified that the defeat there was due to local problems.Furthermore, rumors concerning this episode are not to be repeated by any of the Corps.Naturally, this stirs up even more rumors.

Shortly thereafter, Karr is offered a position with Yorke's Horde and accepts the assignment.He is told to report to Dock Five at seventeen hours, so he goes to the transients' mess to eat.While there, he hears still more rumors.Then he goes to an information booth to learn the languages of Fronn, the planet where he is to serve, as well as any other facts available.When he returns the record-pak, he notices that a Mech scoops it up before the return belt can load it back into the machine.

On the journey to Fronn, he bunks with Trig Hansu, a very experienced Swordtan.In fact, all the men headed to Yorke's Horde, except himself, are very experienced and, when they reach Secundus, he only finds two other S-Threes in the Horde.Although most of the men seem to be amiable, the other S-Threes warn him to avoid Zapan Bogate.

However, when they reach Fronn, Bogate and one of his buddies, Sim, decides to crowd Karr a little.When Karr chops a clutching hand, Sim slaps him in formal challenge.Karr, however, has the choice of weapons and chooses bat sticks.

Although Sim proves to be an expert swordsman, he is confused by the relative lightness of the stick.Furthermore, he uses it as a rapier, but Karr waits until he can draw it across Sim's forearm, so that the pain forces Sim to drop the stick, thereby conceding the duel.Of course, Sim is furious, but the other veterans rather respect Karr for using his knowledge of the planet in this manner.

After a week of intensive drill to shake out any lingering effects of the space travel, they move out with their employer.As Karr is marching on point, they overtake a caravan of Venturi and he notices that one of the figures walks differently.

His team reports his suspicions and keeps the caravan under observation until a troop of Llor cavalry flushes the suspicious wayfarer from the caravan, straight toward them.The troopers lasso the fugitive, but he sits up and fires a flamer at them.Immediately, the Combatants fire at the shooter.

The robed figure proves to be a Llor, who had no business possessing a flamer, which are reserved for the Patrol.After seven Fronn days, they meet the forces of the enemy and are called to parlay, but the enemy ambush their employer and capture his men.When the Combatants talk to the enemy leader, they are told that the Terran way does not apply to Fronn.

Now that their employer is dead, they head to an auxiliary starport in the hills to get off world.The port is Venturi, but these natives soon leave to go back to their islands, leaving the building to the Terrans.They are forced indoors by a cariolis storm, but find an unusual sight after the storm:a wrecked crawler with a Vegan onboard and boxes of flamers as cargo.Then they find a downed Patrol ship in a rocky valley with bodies in Patrol uniforms laid out as for inspection.

In Star Rangers (1953), Central Control is fragmenting.Even the Stellar Patrol is falling apart from lack of equipment and supplies.One aspiring tyrant helps his prospects by sending the Patrol Scoutship Starfire into the hinterland of the galaxy.

In this novel, the Starfire has crashed on an uncharted planet.The ship is broken beyond the crew's ability to fix it.At least the world is Arth type, so the crew and rangers can breath its air.Ranger Zinga even gorged on the local water creatures and found them nonpoisonous and tasty.

Exploring the unknown world, Ranger Rolth discovers a beacon light in the night.The armsmen convert the ranger sled to use a disrupter power pack and Ranger Sergeant Kartr and Ranger Rolth take it to discover the source of the beacon.They find a highly advanced city with working power sources and robotic guards.Unfortunately, the city is occupied by the survivors of the Nyorai X451.

The passenger ship had been attacked by pirates and only escaped by fleeing in overdrive.Damage to the ship caused it to become lost in uncharted space.After all the fuel was consumed, the ship was forced to land on this unknown planet.

Joyd Cummi, Vice-Sector Lord of Agerat, is the leader of the survivors.He is a sensitive who tries, and fails, to penetrate Sergeant Kartr's mindshield.Kartr and Rolth evade Cummi's questions and are driven back to the vicinity of the sled by a Can-hound, a psychic tool of the Vice-Sector Lord.

Kartr alters the Can-hound's memory and leaves him in the car.The rangers then return to the sled and fly back to their camp.When Kartr reports to the acting-Captain, Jaksan doesn't understand Kartr's qualms about joining the ship survivors and orders the Patrolmen into the city.

These stories tell of the Terran involvement with Central Control.The first tale relates their initial contact with the confederacy and the second tells of the breakup of that confederation.During the passing millennia, the role of the Terrans greatly changes.In the first story, they are the underdogs and, in the second, they are the rulers.

Notice that the first story in this omnibus was published two years later than the second.In some respects, the first story is the better of the two.Maybe the author gained some additional skills in the SF genre during those years.

Notice also that the first story is about a graduating cadet from a military school.This theme has been used subsequently by this author and many others.Maybe this tale is the first use of the theme within the SF genre.

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of high adventure, alien relations, and competent teamwork with an optimistic finale.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Classic Andre Norton
I read this book when it was first published and have looked for it in recent years. I found the reading as enjoyable this time as I did many years ago.

Somewhat disappointing...
Over 20 years ago, I read Star Rangers by Andre Norton when I was about 9 or 10.The book blew me away as a child and helped start a life-long love for science fiction.

The book has been out-of-print for some time, so when I found Star Soldiers in the library, I was eager to re-read it to see if it "holds up".Unfortunately, it doesn't.The writing is solid; I also agree that it's message of tolerance is as timely as ever.However, the basic storyline just wasn't that engaging. It's a good juvenile novel, but nothing special for adults.

Stellar Stories
My first encounter with Andre Norton came around age 11 or 12 when I bought "Star Guard," a story loosely based on Xenophon's "Anabasis."It proved a rollicking good yarn.Earthlings had gone to the stars and met with a powerful empire under Central Control. Earthlings being too backward for anything else, they were allowed into the empire as mercenaries."Star Guard" follows the adventures of a unit of mercenaries sent to serve a usurper on a backwater world.Their boss loses and they have to fight their way to freedom across a hostile world.I read and re-read the story several times, and I still have the old thirty five cent Ace paperback lovingly tucked away on a shelf in my library."Star Guard" forms half of the book "Star Soldiers."

The other half comes from another novel I read multiple times as a preteenager--"Star Rangers."This book also found its inspiration in a historical incident (or at least a historical legend).During the decline of Rome an Emperor decided to rid himself of a pesky legion.He ordered them to march east; they obeyed; and they marched right off the pages of history.Some 6,000 years after that Emperor's edict, it is repeated by another crumbling civilization.Central Control is losing its grip on its far flung galactic empire.The Star Rangers are somewhat of a nuisance to Central Control, so it sends them off on a fool's errand of exploration."Star Rangers" chronicles the history of this last mission.

The Central Control of "Star Guard" was very similar to the Central Control of "Star Rangers," but try as I might, I could never reconcile the dissimilarities enough to say that "Star Guard" and "Star Rangers" both occurred in the same fantasy universe.

The two stories are aimed at juveniles, their "science" is bankrupt, and they are little more than space opera.But they entertain, and that is all that they were intended to do.

oldies but goodies
If you haven't got the original books, get this copy.Or if you have more than one child, get one for each.

I grew up on Andre Norton books.Her young adult books have
lost none of their relevance to children today, and I raised
my sons on the very same books I read. Yes, the early books have
male characters, probably because it was hard enough for a woman
to get science fiction published then.Heinlein, if you notice,
managed to get away with writing strong female characters.
I was an oddity for a female in those days - refused to read/
couldn't stand the "Sweet Valley High" type stuff that was
published for girls, and Andre Norton's books, even if they
had male characters, at least dealt with problems of growing up
and with struggles to remain honest, honorable. Star Rangers
gave aliens a fair deal and they seemed alien enough to me then,
but also characters I could understand and admire. Took me years
to realize the message I'd absorbed - judge the person by what
they are and how they act, not by what they look like.That
message still needs to be delivered, and this is a great, enjoyable way to deliver it to young people. ... Read more

Book Description
The story of Simon Tregarth, who fled the Earth through an inter-dimensional gate and ended up in a world where magic worked and the forces of evil threatened the benevolent witches who lived there, was the start of what was to become Andre Norton's most popular, and longest-running series. The first three novels, Witch World, Web of the Witch World, and Year of the Unicorn, are offered for the first time, in a handsome trade paperback edition, with an introduction by C. J. Cherryh. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

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!

Your entry into one of Fantasy's greatest worlds
"The Gates to Witch World" combines the first three published Witch World novels of Andre Norton. The first two concern the adventures of Simon Tregarth, and the third, "Year of the Unicorn" is a stand-alone fantasy set in the Dales of High Hallack.

As the first fantasy, "Witch World" (1963) begins, Simon Tregarth, who worked his way up to Lieutenant-Colonel on the battlefields of World War II, is a hunted man, unjustly cashiered from the U.S. Army for dealing in the post-war blackmarket.Since Simon had been labeled as a crook, he figured he might as well play the game.

After seven years in the underworld, surrounded by his enemies and a gunshot away from death, Simon treats himself to a decent last meal (Andre Norton heroes and heroines NEVER whine.They assess the odds, then keep on slogging).Enter the mysterious Doctor Petronius who persuades Simon that he has nothing to lose by vanishing from his enemies' gunsights through the Siege Perilous, a Cornish megalith that is rumored to be a gate to other worlds.Simon leaves the restaurant with Petronius, almost positive that he is walking into a trap. Instead of the bullet he is expecting, our hero is transported to the foggy moors of a new world.

The action doesn't let up.The first thing Simon does is rescue a witch from a nasty bunch of snake-headed dogs and hunters (we don't learn the witch's name until the very end of the book).The next thing he knows, he's embroiled in a war where the good guys appear to be losing.

Simon allies himself with "a tall, proud-walking race with...the carriage of rulers and an odd weight of years upon them."His new home, medieval Estcarp is a matriarchate, ruled by witches, whose powers depend on their continuing virginity.

Nevertheless, Simon falls in love with the witch he rescued.

The enemies that he and Estcarp must confront have invaded Witch World via a gate similar to the Siege Perilous.The alien Kolder are technically advanced, with submarines and mind-control devices that they use to command their zombie soldiers.

Estcarp's only allies are the Sulcarmen, seafaring warriors and traders who lose their main port of Gorm to the Kolder.Simon, his friend Koris of Gorm, the witch he rescued from the Hounds of Alizon, and a youthful soldier called 'Briant' tread the mysterious byways of Estcarp and its warring neighbors, in an attempt to track down and destroy the technically superior aliens.

"Web of the Witch World" (WWW - 1964) is the sequel to "Witch World" (WW- 1963) and continues the story of Simon Tregarth and the witch, Jaelithe.Thematically, both WW and WWW will seem very familiar to fans of the late, great Andre Norton: a conflict between technically advanced, but soulless aliens, and courageous, sword-wielding men and women, who are attempting to make one last stand against the Powers of Evil.

Simon Tregarth and his witch-wife, Jaelithe once again find themselves in combat with the alien Kolder, who invaded Witch World through a gateway from their own dying planet.The Kolder were temporarily stymied in WW, but Simon and his fellow warriors know that they must somehow close the gate between worlds before there will truly be an end to the alien evil.

Witch-ruled Estcarp must do battle with her own neighbors as well as the aliens.Yvian of Karsten declares open war against the witches, and they in turn believe that he has somehow been tainted by the Kolder.The Hounds of Alizon, seething with hatred against all things magical must also be tamed.

The third fantasy, "Year of the Unicorn" (1965) is a grand adventure, a love story, a coming-of-age novel set like a jewel amidst the fantastical Dark and Light of Norton's Witch World. `Unicorn' veers away from the `mainstream' Witch World adventures of the Tregarth family, but it is perfect in its own setting: the Wastes and Dales of High Hallack.

Each setting, each character is illuminated with clear description and color, like scenes from a medieval Book of Hours.Even though I first read this book in 1965, I can still close my eyes and see Gillan and the ancient Dame Alousan gathering herbs in the high-walled garden of Norstead Abbey.I can see the twelve and one high-born maids riding forth from the Abbey - the twelve and one maids who were promised as brides to the Were-riders of the Waste.

The heroine, Gillan realizes that she is not meant for the quiet life of her vowed companions.She possesses a magic that is forbidden to the goodly Dames, and a restless curiosity that is stifled behind the stone walls of the Abbey.And so she rides forth, disguised as the bride who had threatened to kill herself rather than marry a Were-rider.In order to survive, Gillan must rely on her unschooled magic to separate illusion from reality, and true love from the snarling masks of the Were Pack.

Lifetime Grand Master of Fantasy, Andre Norton built well.There are 35 Witch World (WW) fantasies, and the count is probably still rising even though this author passed away on March 17, 2005. Many of the later WW novels were collaborations, and it wouldn't surprise me if her co-authors attempt to live on in the world that the Grand Master created. I wish them well, but so far they have not managed to penetrate the brilliantly weird landscapes of Andre Norton's imagination.

A Great Read
If you like fantasy and are not acquainted with the works of Andre Norton, then this is an excellent starting point.Believable, heroic characters and a well thought-out "Witch World" combine to make for an enjoyable read.Simon Tregarth is transported through a mysterious gate into a world populated by people and other things not people.A struggle goes on between good and evil, and it's not clear who is winning.(But, we know who wins in the end - "good", of course.)The style of writing - more of a story that unfolds as it is read - is one strength that characterizes her writings.That, and the fascinating settings, imaginative perils faced, and strong likable characters make this a "must read".This is a refreshing hard-to-put-down story.It does not suffer from the typical overinflated, overwordy, overcomplicated, and overcharacterized (and lifeless) features of the usual fantasy megathon offered today.

Yeah, The Cover May Intrigue You...
Now when I spotted this book, I thought it would actually be worth reading. Yeah, right. I hate Simon. I hate him with a passion. He was a lackluster character made by a ghetto character designer trying to sell the character for a rock. I did like 'Albino Chick' as I affectionately dubbed her who was a really good character unlike some people. Mainly because she acted like a real person. This author doesn't write in an interesting fashion and it's really really sad when you skip through all the parts just to find parts with 'Albino Chick.' The plot idea was okay but you'll probably fall asleep before you finish reading it.

Andre Norton Does Indeed Write "The Good Stuff"
The first Witch World novel was published in 1963 so this book almost marks the 40th anniversary.

In her Introduction, C. J. Cherryh refers to Norton's Witch World novels as "the good stuff".She is right.I am so pleased to have this omnibus collection of the three seminal Witch World novels although it can never replace my tattered old Ace paperbacks with the Jack Gaughin covers.It even felt a little odd to be reading clear text (minus some of the typos that Ace was notorious for) on a white page instead of the yellowing pages of the acidic paper of these old books.

However, I found myself just as caught up in the story of Simon Tregarth, the tarnished war hero who stepped through a gate ahead of an assassin into the world of Jaelithe, the Witch of Escarp, as I have ever been.The story of these two who fight, along with Koris of Gorm and Loyse of Verlaine, to try to preserve the ancient world of Escarp from the advance of the Kolder, is played out against a vivid background of cultures such as the Falconers, who value their hawks far more than their women; the Sulcar, valient seagoers; and last but not least the matriachal Witches who rule the land of Escarp through the power of the jewels and their minds.

The third book is Year of the Unicorn.It is set in High Hallack, a land of dales and small holdings.High Hallack has been torn by war with Alizon from overseas.This story is set after the war has been won when the Dalesmen are faced with meeting a bargain they made during their most desperate hours with a people they feared, the Were riders.

The premise is the barter of 13 brides for the services of the Were Riders against the hounds of Alizon.The heoine is Gillian, who also came from overseas on an Alizon ship as a child, but not of Alizon.The hero is Herrel who does not fit into the mould of his kinsmen and thus has suffered all his life as an outsider in a very close knit group.

Published in the 60's these books have not aged a bit and are as fresh as the first time I picked them up. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Suitable Role
The X-Factor (1965) is a standalone SF novel, probably in the Council/Confederation universe.The Survey Service allowed their space personnel leave to marry and to produce children.After several years, the marriage was break-bonded and the couple went their own ways.Any children from the marriage were raised in a Service creche.

In this novel, Diskan Fentress was raised in the Service creche on Nyborg.Unlike his fellows, Diskan was oversized and clumsy.Under direct or hostile supervision, he was even more clumsy.His superiors deemed him suitable only for the most degrading forms of manual labor.

Then Renfry Fentress returns from presumed death to find his son.His ship had been holed by a meteor and left drifting.Another scout from an unknown spacefaring species had rescued Renfry and took him back to Vaanchard.There he had married a Vaan woman and became stepfather of her two children, Rika and Drustans.

Since they could not have children of their own, Renfry searched for his children from previous service marriages and found Diskan.Before his long absence, Renfry had earned an impressive reputation as a First-In Scout.Obviously Diskan was not going to follow in his father's footsteps, so Renfry took him to a new home on Vaanchard.

The Vaans are a refined and sensitive culture.They do not issue rude remarks as had some of his crechemates.But they do consider him crude and inept.Diskan just doesn't fit in here anymore than he did at the creche.

One day Diskan finds himself in his father's study and decides to flee the planet.He takes a trip tape from a rack and heads for the spaceport.There he steals a smaller ship, inserts the tape, and goes into stasis for the remainder of the trip.However, the ship awakens him for an emergency landing.

During the landing on Mimir, a drive tube blowsand the ship rolls across the terrain, finally coming to rest in a muddy bog.While the ship sinks into the mud, Diskan is ejected and reaches safety.Yet all emergency equipment and supplies go down with the ship.

In this story, Diskan barely survives the first night.Still, the natives detect his presence and converge on his position.One makes initial contact, leaving the carcass of a small, big-eared animal with him for food.Then the native saves him from a menacing predator.

Later, Diskan has strange dreams of walking through sweet scented water while accompanied by frolicking animals.He is surrounded by shadows that seem friendly.He senses a feeling of great expectation around him.

Diskan finds signs of other offworlders on the planet, including a survival shelter with labels in several languages other than Basic.Later, he discovers a Zacathan and human from a stranded archaeological expedition.Then a Jack ship lands to search for treasure.Some of the crew start looking for the archaeologists.

This story deals with the mindset of outsiders.Diskan differs from his fellows in body and mind.He doesn't seem to fit in any of the conventional roles.On Mimir, however, he finds acceptance and even some delight in his mental skills.

This tale is similar in several respects to Dread Companion. In both stories, the protagonists are raised in a service creche and are unsuited to their expected vocations.However, Diskan is even less suitable than Kilda in his initial environment.This outsider theme runs through many of the author's works.

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of alien civilizations, telepathic animals, and a persevering youngster.

-Arthur W. Jordin

I Owe a Lot to Andre Norton
When I was forty I wrote Andre Norton a letter in which I thanked her for everything that her books at taught me when I was growing up. Her stories about outsiders who succeed by finding the right path for the right person, something that out of step adolescents need to hear. Ms. Norton graciously responded with a letter I cherish nearly a decade later-- actually it's professionally framed and hanging in my office.

This was one of the books I was thinking about when I wrote her. The hero has great physical strength, but feels as though he lacks the mental swiftness and physical grace to fit into the world of his father. He flees using a stolen travel tape and ends up on Mimir where he must find the courage and wits to survive and foil a villainous plot.

On one level a simple adventure story, on another a story that most adolescents, who can't seem to fit in their changing bodies, can identify with. This Norton's juvenile stories at their best.

After all these years, in many ways still my favorite Norton
This book combines some of the great SF/Fantasy themes in a way that works and flows.It is the Norton that I would most frequently check out of the library to re-read as a young adult.Some of the mental images I developed in reading this story, can still bubble up in my memory today.The sense of alienation - of not belonging- felt by the main character echoes the feelings of all unpopular-due-to-nerdiness kids - many of whom were SF fans in the making.That alone should explain part of its appeal.

We also get -
*a cold wintry planet with a Forerunner-like mystery
*one of the friendliest and most interesting of Norton's Zacathan characters [a wise, peaceful lizard-evolved race (in sharp contrast to most authors' intelligent-lizards-are-savage depictions (although see Norton's *Eye of the Monster*)]
*a hidden, "furry" race
*Norton's trademarked handling of telepathy, with her concept since copied by many other authors
*and a plot that , while a classic hero's journey, has many particular 'vignettes' that have also been copied since - including by Norton herself - but rarely as well done.

All in all, my sentimental favorite of early Nortons, and still fondly remembered.

-Brooks A Rowlett

A different view of the Scouts' life...
At this point in Norton's Council / Confederation universe, the job of discovering and exploring new planets - that of the First-In Scouts - is pretty much a closed occupation. Scouts make contract marriages with suitable women, which end after the birth of a child or upon the Scout's departure for his next assignment, and any children of the union - nearly always sons - go to the nearest Scout creche to become the next generation.

But what happens when the child of such a union isn't suited to the life of a Scout?

Diskan Fentress was rejected as mentally unsuitable for Scout training; his size and great strength mark him as a throwback. Since his mother's death in childbirth and his father's disappearance in space left him in state custody, he wound up assigned to manual labor - until the day Renfry Fentress reappeared. Renfry had found a new civilization, and even a wife among his adopted people - but knowing that they could not have children, he sought out his son.

But Diskan, despite - or because of - the endless patience, charm, and tact of his father's adopted people, is utterly alone among strangers, marked by clumsiness, his great size and strength, and inability to express himself. Anyone who has ever felt like an outsider will appreciate how his isolation is drawn here - and will understand why he gives in to temptation.

Fleeing from an embarrassing scene of (accidentally) shattered artwork, Diskan hides in Renfry's study - and steals a voyage tape for Mimir, a world marked as only partially explored and having some mystery about it. His journey in a stolen spaceship brings him into contact with a Zacathan archeologist, the Guild, and the ruins of an alien civilization. Or are they really ruins - could Mimir still be inhabited?

The saurian Zacathans, historians of the galaxy, are mentioned throughout the books set in this universe, but this is one of their (to date) few appearances as actual characters. The Guild - the criminal underworld - appears in many books, as do many Forerunner civilizations. If you're interested in books wherein the Guild plays a major role, try _The Zero Stone_ or _Forerunner Foray_. For another story of someone rejected from Scout training, try _Dread Companion_ (the daughter of a Scout, rejected for reasons different from Diskan's).

One of the all-time greats, at least to me
I read this back in high school for the first time, then came across it in a used book store a few years back after searching in vain for several years to find another copy, (I'm 31 now, so it had been awhile since I had read it) and read it again, and loved it even more the second time around.I feel it's time to read it again, because the way Norton paints the plot it flows like a movie inside your head.It's one of the best books I've ever read that lets you visualize exactly what's taking place.If you come across a dog-eared copy in a used bookstore somewhere, by all means pick it up, hold it close, and give it a good home, you won't regret it!And for those of you that have read it, please feel free to e-mail me your thoughts and comments about it ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Turning: a sub-series of Witch World
This book is the second in the mini-saga of Andre Norton's Witch World, called The Turning. It is interesting and enjoyable, with the usual evil dangers and magic. The second story in the book would be hard to really understand, though, without reading the first book before it, Storms of Victory. Fantasy readers and non-fantasy readers will enjoy.

A Good Read for all fans of the genre!
These stories are well rounded and interesting.They bring new ideas and flavor to the Witch World saga.Each book set here, whether by Ms. Norton personally, or a collaboration with another, "fleshes out" the place and the times.They don't have to appeal to everyone.That is one of the refreshing strongpoints to the series.She is not afraid to see new ideas or changes to the world she has created here.Just one more reason she is who she is. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A gread ending to a trilogy!
The turning books are all interesting.Each giving a different insight into the WW series.Bringing new thoughts and ideas...a very satisfying read...as all the books in this trilogy were.They are all good additions to your library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

American falls through Gate into Escore
Andre Norton has a soft spot for cats, and she includes a wild cat and her two kittens in this latest venture into magical Escore.American Kelsie McBlair falls through an ancient stone gate in the Scottish Highlands while rescuing a wounded wild cat.She and the cat (who promptly gives birth to two kittens) are besieged on the other side of the Gate by a Dark Rider and a pack of skeletal hounds, almost before Kelsie realizes she is no longer in Scotland.(It will take the rest of the book to persuade her that there is no way back to her home world).

When a dying Witch bequeaths her true name and her jewel of power to Kelsie, the American finds herself compelled to take up the woman's sorcerous mission into the heart of Escore, where magic lies in "trembling balance between the forces of Light and those of the Dark."

"The Gate of the Cat" is a stand-alone fantasy in Norton's fabulous Witch World series.It takes place (roughly) after the conclusion of "Sorceress of the Witch World" and "Trey of Swords," since characters from both of those novels also play roles (or are at least mentioned) in this book.Yonan, a former border guard of Estcarp and the main narrator of "Trey of Swords," is one of Kelsie's companions on her reluctant quest.Their other companion is a rather nasty, man-hating witch who is known as Wittle. (Sometimes Norton attaches clunky names to her characters, but Wittle really is Wittle).

The magic and the narrative pace are vintage Norton, and she takes us into one of the vilest places of the Dark to be found in any of the Escore fantasies.

"The Gate of the Cat" is a must-read for Witch World fans. ... Read more

Book Description
The planet Korar was a glittering jewel of a world, home to the galaxy's wealthiest people, but the jewel had a flaw: the huge slum called the Dipple, where the misfits, the penniless, the hopeless eked out a wretched existence—a fate which two young men hoped to escape.

Troy Horan leaped at the chance to work in a shop in an upscale neighborhood, offering exotic creatures from other worlds to the wealthy. He thought his luck had changed—until his employer was murdered, and Troy had to hide in the mysterious ruins left by a vanished alien race; ruins which explorers had entered, and vanished. . . .

Nik Kolherne had a face so hideously scarred that he wore a mask to cover it. Then he was recruited by a mysterious figure who offered Nik a new face—if, in return Nik would make a young heir think he was someone else. Now he was the only hope of the young heir's survival—if they could survive on a planet veiled in eternal night and swarming with deadly predators. . . .

... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Two From the Dipple
Masks of the Outcasts (2005) is an omnibus edition of two SF novels in the Dipple universe:Catseye and Night of Masks.

When the War of Two Sectors broke out, the Council evacuated Displaced Persons to centers on several worlds.One of these Dipples was located on Korwar, a playground planet frequented by the rich and powerful from many worlds.The Dipple stood to the south of Tikil, the planetary capital.

Some inhabitants of the Dipple found their way out by working as casual laborers in Tikil.Others volunteered for offplanet labor and were shipped out in frozen sleep.A few bought membership in the Thieves Guild.

In Catseye (1961), the Horans had been evacuated from Norden to the Dipple on Korwar.Range Master Lang had volunteered for military service and did not return.Then his wife died of the Cough, a passing illness that was particularly hard on those from Norden.Their son was the sole survivor of the Horan family.

In this novel, ten year later, Troy Horan has only his wide Range Master belt and a few memories to remind him of Norden.Now he is working as a casual laborer in Tikil.One morning, he is offered a job by the mechnical assigner and accepts it.Today he will escape the Dipple for a few hours.

Troy reports for work at Kyger's, a purveyor of extraordinary pets.On his first day, he frustrates an attempt to steal a pair of Terran cats.Supervisor Zul -- a full-blooded Bushman -- is wounded in the attempt and Kyger offers Troy a seven day contract to fill in for the injured man.

During the incident, Troy receives a warning in mindspeech from the cats.Later, he approaches their cage and exchanges a few thoughts.He conceals these communications from his employer and co-workers since he is not really sure what has happened.

Troy has an affinity for animals and does especially well with the fussel hawk, a hunting bird from Norden.He is asked to accompany a customer into the wild to prove the bird's qualities.He will spend three days in the company of Rerne, a high ranking member of the Hunter Clans.

Before this excursion, Troy is sent to a hillside villa to deliver special food for a pet kinkajou owned by Commander Varan Di.Since the Commander had just been murdered, the patrollers warn off his flitter, but allow him to continue after he explains his errand.As he is approaching the villa, the pet runs away from a patroller carrying it out of the building and leaps into Troy's arms.

The patrollers are upset at finding the pet rummaging through the Commander's papers.Troy points out that the kinkajou is a very imitative animal and his probably copying his master's habitual routine.While he is talking to the patrollers, the kinkajoy is pleading with him in mindspeech to take it away from the estate.Eventually, the patrollers tell him to return the pet to Kyger's shop and they fly away.

In this story, Troy finds that a pair of Terran foxes can also talk to him in mindspeech.He even overhears a conversation between the animals and their master.He begins to suspect Kyger of some form of espionage.Then Kyger is murdered and Zul tries to kill these animals.Troy steals a flitter and flees into the wilderness with the five Terran animals.

In Night of Masks (1964), a decade after the war, Nik Kolherne was one of the unlucky ones who stayed behind in the center.He had been evacuated from his planet on a space freighter that had been forced down by the enemy.Most of the crew and passengers had died in the crash, but Nik had been saved from the wreck.

After the rescue, the Dipple medical staff tried to regrow the torn and burned flesh on his face, but the attempts were unsuccessful.His disfigurements disturbed possible employers, so he cannot find a job on the outside.He even habitually hides his features from his fellow residents.

In this novel, one day Nik is settling down in a warehouse to listen to another fantasy escape tape when he overhears three men discussing an illegal operation.Although he stays as quiet as possible, one detects his presence and lifts him out of his hiding place.Another hits him and knocks him unconscious.

When Nik recovers, he finds himself in the home of Stowar, a man with connections and one of the conspirators.Captain Leeds -- the spacer who had discovered his presence -- recruits Nik for a risky proposition that will entail replacement of his face.Nik will do anything for a new face.

In this story, Nik is inserted onto the villa grounds, appearing to Vandy as a fantasy hero from the child's dreams, and conducts him to a lifeboat that will take them away from Korwar.They travel in stasis and Nik does not recover consciousness until the LB is about to land.Vandy becomes frightened by the pressure and seems to be questioning the Hacon identity, but Nik calms the boy until they have landed.

Dis is a planet of a red dwarf that doesn't emit visible light.The infra-red starshine leaves the world in perpetual darkness.The man who meets them after landing is wearing cin-goggles to transform the IR light to something human eyes can see.Fabic takes them to a set of native ruins that have been converted to human quarters.On the way, he blasts an attacking carnivore out of the sky.

Later, Fabic takes Nik to meet Orkhad, the local veep.Orkhad is a suequ weed smoker, which tends to make the user believe himself capable of any feat.Orkhad doesn't seem to have a high opinion of Leeds, but is willing to let Nik remain just to keep the boy peaceful.During the conversation, Orkhad says several things that contradict the story told by Leeds.

Vandy is very upset with the whole situation and conflicted over his feelings toward Hacon, the fantasy hero.He tries the door and finds it locked.Later he tries the door once again and finds it unlocked.Nik holds him back to plan their actions and then leads the escape.

These stories are typical of the Dipple tales.Some resident of that slum finds a way out and takes it, only to discover that there is a catch.These tales usually involve the Thieves Guild or some other illicit organization, which offers through its agents that which the protagnist most desires.

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of strange planets, future cultures, and high adventure.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Classic tale.
Andre Norton's MASKS OF THE OUTCASTS tells of two outcasts: Troy, forced to hide in the wake of his employer's murder, and Nik, who has to hide his scarred face from the world until an offer to masquerade as an heir is tied to his recovery. The two hope to escape the slum which has been their lives - and unusual connections are drawn in this classic tale.

senior reader
just purchased this book and never read andre norton as of yet. sat down to enjoy an hour of leisure. three hours later i am still reading and with a short interruption of lunch continued to read while eating my sandwich. never has a book caught me so that i neglected my daily chores. i plan to neglect them today also just to enjoy this rare find of a darn good book. lots of intrigue and speculation, wonder of mystery and guessing as you read. animals talking to humans mentally, possible aliens in hidding. let me ask you-- do dishes and vaccumn or read a darn good book.

Masks of the Outcasts
This book fits well in my library. I collect Hardbound Books and Andre Norton ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

If you like a novel about people sitting around talking about action, then this is for you.
I love Andre Norton, and have read several of her books. This book can not possibly have been written by her. It is a dissapointing failure. The characters did not inspire any feeling from me. About 80% of the book is about the three main characters, Keelen, Hadrann, and Aisling, sitting around talking about what they needed to do and what they had done. The action was skipped over. The other 20% contained three action sequences. Two of them had nothing to do with the plot and could have been left out alltogether. The third was the ending which took up 10 pages of a 318 page novel. The action scenes were interesting and well written. If only the whole novel had been written that way.

I hate having to leave a bad review for an Andre Norton novel. But, truely, this is horrible. I didn't read the first novel in the series, Ciara's Song, maybe the two novels should have been combined into one. If you are an Andre Norton fan, you may want to skip this one and read another... any other.

The Return of Aisling
The Duke's Ballad (2005) is a Fantasy novel in the Witch World Chronicles series, following Ciara's Song.In the previous volume, Aisling escaped Lord Ruart with the help of Temon and fled across the mountains to Escore.On the way, she was wounded by a walking boulder and needs the healing mud of the Green Valley.

In this novel,Aisling has visionary dreams of returning to Karsten to protect the duchy from her brother Kirion.She has learned as much as she can from the adept Hilarion and is ready to return.Even Wind Dancer is homesick for his mother Shosho.

Hilarion declares that she has a geas to remove the magical influence of the blood-sorcerer Kirion.He sends word to his agents in Karsten to bring horses for her journey.Aisling packs and departs the Green Valley with Hilarion and other escorts.On the way to Karsten, they purge a new outbreak of the Dark Powers and then ride for the border.

After leaving her escorts, Aisling walks onward until she finds two men waiting for her.When they give the wrong countersign, she attacks them and binds them securely.Then she searches for the true agents.

When she finds the thoroughly bound Hadrann in a half-cave, she tries the password again and gets the correct response.He tells her that the other two had ambushed him and his companion.Hit with a slung stone, he had lost consciousness.When he regained his senses, his enemies were torturing his companion, who told almost all except the correct countersign.

Aisling interrogates the two enemy agents and learns that they are working for Kirion.Since they know too much, Rann slits their throats and digs a grave.Placing them into the grave, Aisling and Rann cover them in bedding and pile rocks and soil over them.While Wind Dancer had detected a "here I am" spell on one of them, Kirion will see only darkness through his eyes.

Aisling and Rann travel cautiously to Aiskeep, disguising their horses and themselves.Even Wind Dancer looks like a common cat.As they approach the keep from the backside, Aisling is seized by a man and held fiercely.Rann prepares for battle as he moves toward them, but is dissuaded by Aisling's declaration that this is her brother Keelan.

This novel tells of Aisling's efforts to undermine the influence of her brother Kirion and his puppet Duke.Disguised as Hadrann's cousin Murna, Aisling moves into the Duke's palace and becomes a member of his court.Although plain looking and a better rider that the Duke, he comes to like her for the common sense manner that she displays in thought and speech.

Meanwhile, Kirion is having troubles of various sorts.For one thing, he is running out of people with magical talents to drain for his own use.Another problem is the activities of the coastal clans;they are upset with the magical conversion of their women into Duke Shastro's ardent lovers as well as the deadly coincidences that are killing off their leaders.

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of magic, intrigue and loyalty.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Very weakly written
I picked up this book before Irealized that it was part of a series.Although the books stands okay alone, I feel that others rated it highly because they were already attached to the characters.I was not, and while reading, did not become attached to any of the characters.The romantic (if you could call it that) relationships were contrived and without a spark of passion.Aisling could have been a great character, but she was underdeveloped.Kirion was also too flat, and his actions were unbelievable.To think that he did not get suspicious of "Murna" and Rann hanging around Keelan all the time?Or their influence upon the duke? or his missing sister?if he was a great and powerful sorcerer couldn't he also feel the geas?This book felt like it was written in a rush.There were places in the story that i believe were only inserted into the story to make it full length (the ratsi scene, the particulars about the cottage that was rented).Perhaps what was most irritating were the blatant errors that occured through the book.In one seen, "Keelan" was referred to as "Kirion" - a pretty dramatic mess up since one character is good and the other evil."Wind Dancer" was also referred to as "Mind Dancer."Regardless, the cat was not a compelling character either in my eyes.All in all this "epic" fantasy was only epic in proportions of boredom and confusion.There was real potential, however, this attempt fell quite short of a good read.

Andre Norton?
This was a good book, not great but worth the money.It has gotten obvious over the last few books that Ms. Norton is not the primary writer,This is unfortunate, but at least it keeps the books coming.

a disappointment
The writing was not what I expect of Andre Norton. Too many gaps and information that is disjointed. Whether this is a consequence of collaboration I don't know. I felt this should have had a strong editor to point out where things should be tightened. For example - at the start we know Kirion has sent people to capture his sister. The book covers over 2 years, but you hardly hear of this again. I cannot imagine the sorcerer would just have let it drop.
I am a long-time fan and retired children's librarian. Sic Fi & fantasy is my favorite genre, but this one I had to push to finish. Unsatisfying.
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Book Description
Millions of copies of Witch World have been sold since Andre Norton first wrote about this magical and exciting world. Now Andre Norton and Lyn McConchie have teamed up to craft a powerful new tale. Told with freshness against the rich Witch World background, this fast-paced adventure by the authors of The Duk