The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card, Fantasy
With really fresh (although 30-odd years in the making from the first kernel of the ideas for the book) takes on some old magic: elemental magic, beast magic, etc. and the inventive “Gate Magic” (no, not quite like Star Gate, more akin to Pullman’s Subtle Knife and the windows between worlds,) Card created yet another entertaining story. I was very happy for the whole ride — and didn’t find the ending forced (as some critics feel) or that the main character unlikable. Actually, I think Danny is definitely a convincing teen who is a modern day version of Loki the Trickster God. And the episodes of the “other world” politics, pure love, and cruel betrayal also are engrossing.
I did find myself wonder (this is because I know a bit too much about Card and his religious and social politics) why it seems that all Danny is every warned about of living on the street Danny is homosexual pedophiles — as if that is the ONLY danger he would be facing when leading a life of crime (not jails or violence.) I felt the slight clouding of my mood when those passages/messages came up once too often.
The Gate Thief, #2 of the Mithermages series, is to be published next spring. Looking forward!
Fairrosa Cyber Library 