Beyond the Gates
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Book Overview
"Dhrusil-matkhashi is a wasteland. The soil is sterile. Why do you suppose we stay on this continent?" Marta, a graduate student researching indigenous life on isolationist Dray's Planet, discovers an animal that can't be indigenous, but which can't have come from anywhere else. The puzzle convinces the Children of the Second Revelation to bring two Unbelievers into their closed society. As the rival offworld scientists trek into the harsh desert to determine the creature's origins, Marta stumbles onto another mystery: why do folk tales speak of roarings and screechings from the planet's second continent, the uninhabitable Land Beyond the Gates? And why are the Faithful forbidden to set foot there? Religious leaders will not sanction a trip to the uncharted land they deem uninhabitable. Marta must keep her expedition from coming to their attention, while keeping her difficult offworlders on task. After that, uncovering the secrets of the prohibited place ought to be the easy part. But they still have to live to tell the tale...
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1941917046
ISBN13:9781941917046
Release Date:April 2015
Publisher:Desert Moon Press
Length:336 Pages
Weight:0.84 lbs.
Dimensions:0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
The subplot makes the book...
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I really thought the subplot made the book. It gives a great view of how religion and myth combine and change the way history is viewed. It took me awhile to get into the story but then I was hooked...I even took it to work to finish it.
Great realistic characters
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
One the best SF books I have read recently. The characters are multi-dimensional and their motives change as circumstances change. Every character had an interesting personality. Most SF characters are very one dimensional (ie. good guy, bad guy, greedy, altruistic, etc.) Well's blended these and other traits to make very realistic characters. The plot was interesting with a surprise twist ending that I liked a lot. The theocracy was a bit too unrealistic for me but worked in the context of the story. Finally the sex was not nearly as gratuitous as the author likes to make it out to be. The sex scenes fit in very well with the story and seemed appropriate.
And on the thousand and second night . . .
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
What a kick! Wells takes a typical SF plot--the mysterious life form and the scientists who try to figure out what it is and how it got there--and blends it nicely with ``the backwater planet held back by a religious theocracy'' theme--and brews up something fresh and spicey.Marta, the randy, feisty heroine (aka ``the little predator'') herds two glory-crazed, funding-obsessed scientists around the planet. The plot twists and turns nicely, and she becomes the stuff legends are made of, as we see from the clever framing device--the text is woven around a tale told by caravan leader to his child at some time in the future. Increasingly the text itself diverges from the Arabian nights tale the nomad tells, and that only adds to the fun.Seems as if there's going to be a thousand and third night, too. But this one's more than enough for now.
A Very Good Read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Witty dialogue and repartee.Interesting settings, both psychological and physical. And in the end justice is served, but not before the injustice takes it's emotional toll. Bear with the subplot, the surprise ending makes it well worth it.
outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
this book surprised me, i never read catherine wells before but took a chance,im so glad i did,it is an exciting adventure story,filled with mystery,suspense and great science and great characters with thier different personalities and flaws,i felt like i was right there with them the whole time,its so good i just bought her previous book-mother grimm,and cant wait for the sequel to this one, Buy this book ,you wont regret it.
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