The Lost Gate
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4.3 • 735 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Orson Scott Card's The Lost Gate is the first book in the Mithermages series from the New York Times bestselling author of Ender's Game.
Danny North knew from early childhood that his family was different, and that he was different from them. While his cousins were learning how to create the things that commoners called fairies, ghosts, golems, trolls, werewolves, and other such miracles that were the heritage of the North family, Danny worried that he would never show a talent, never form an outself.
He grew up in the rambling old house, filled with dozens of cousins, and aunts and uncles, all ruled by his father. Their home was isolated in the mountains of western Virginia, far from town, far from schools, far from other people.
There are many secrets in the House, and many rules that Danny must follow. There is a secret library with only a few dozen books, and none of them in English — but Danny and his cousins are expected to become fluent in the language of the books. While Danny's cousins are free to create magic whenever they like, they must never do it where outsiders might see.
Unfortunately, there are some secrets kept from Danny as well. And that will lead to disaster for the North family.
The Mithermages series
The Lost Gate
The Gate Thief
Gatefather
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Card's newest series opener can't decide whether it's a thought experiment featuring a nifty magic system, a YA urban fantasy, or a series of fantasy interludes, so it settles for performing all three tasks satisfactorily, if not spectacularly. Danny North, descendant of exiled mages from another world, is taken aback when he comes into his true powers as a gatemage. He could reconnect his people with their long-lost home world, but gatemages are usually killed to maintain a fragile peace among the exiled clans. Fleeing his home, Danny finds refuge and slowly explores his potential, planning to open the first Great Gate in 14 centuries. Meanwhile, on the far-off world of Westil, a young gatemage named Wad finds love, conspiracies, and betrayal in a remote castle while struggling to recall his hazy past. Though occasionally uneven and meandering, this ambitious tale is well crafted, highly detailed, and pleasantly accessible.
Customer Reviews
To: yet another unfinished story reviewer
You ARE a consumer. You aren't producing books. You aren't selling books. You are buying books. Not sure why consumer is a bad word for you, that's what you are.
Next an author is creating as any other artist would. He is creating a body of work. If you want to experience it, then buy it. If you don't, then don't. But don't buy it and then complain that he didn't create it to your specifications. Because you didn't hire him to write a book to your specifications. The author took it upon himself to write a story and hope that people would enjoy it enough to pay him some money for a chance to read it.
Do you make the same complaints whenever you see a HBO or Showtime drama? Do you curse them for treating you like a consumer for making you renew your subscription to the premium service so that catch the next season of Californication or Sopranos or whatever is on now?
You're free to review the writing, even review the choice of creating a serial rather than a single enclosed book, but to take it as a personal affront because you feel like the author is doing it in this manner just to get your money is an embarrassing position to take on your part.
For one thing, the author might feel the story is better told in this manner.
For another, maybe the author is doing it for the money. Why is this a bad thing? Shouldn't a person be free to create and offer any product he wishes and if there are people willing to buy it, then so much the better for him. Just because YOU aren't willing to buy it (well you are but you'll complain later) doesn't mean the product is any less good or valuable.
Review the writing, review the characters, review the manner in which the story is told. But don't complain about the price. It's tacky and belittles your own intelligence.
Fun and enjoyable!
Don't be bothered by the elitist attitudes of some reviewers or the agenda of others. If you want to enjoy a book, read this one. All those who give it a bad review are just here to impress themselves with their own words.
I'm obsessed!
I read it in two sittings and was anxious to start The Gate Thief, but it seems I can't get it on my iPad yet. This is the first fantasy I've read in years and I was blown away.