Piers Anthony

This is the middle book of the trilogy, and I remember that I originally thought it the weakest, probably because most of it is relatively quiet and uneventful—although it livens up towards the end. By now I like it better, because the quiet parts are at least quite pleasant and interesting.

I might be tempted to give it 4 stars. But, on the other hand, most of it doesn't have much plot—just the tale of diverse characters on a rather aimless journey. And I like a happy ending, which the author seems determined not to provide.

The large flightless bird Orn, with his fascinating racial memory, is an imaginative and memorable creation, brought to life very well. The book is worth reading mainly for the chapters written from his point of view.… (more)

This is the final volume of the trilogy, and really shouldn't be read as a standalone novel.

It has a more complicated and exciting plot than the previous volumes, and it introduces yet more alternative worlds and fundamentally different alien species. Be prepared for confusion. If you haven't read the preceding volumes, I don't know how you'll get through it.

I remain vaguely uncomfortable with the human characters, and the relationships between all characters are unconvincing. Why do the mantas behave as loyal servants to the humans? This is convenient but not plausible. What do they get out of it? Nor do I understand exactly why 0X the pattern-entity feels bound to ally with the humans and other more physical beings. Yes, it feels that they contribute to its survival; but we're not shown them doing so.

It seems to me that Piers Anthony is competent with plot, he's quite intelligent and has a good imagination. He knows a fair amount about the world. But I'd guess he's a bit of a loner by nature, because he doesn't dramatize interpersonal relationships well. Probably neither would I, if I tried to write a novel; but at least I can recognize the problem.

If you've read the preceding volumes, I think this is worth reading to finish off the series; it's quite a trip, even though it may not be 100% satisfactory.… (more)

This short first-contact novel is quite well written and compelling, especially for sf of its age (1968), and it has some interesting things to say. The alien lifeforms found on Nacre are unusual, and good fictional creations. However, the peculiarities of the main human characters seem contrived, and I dislike the way the story ends, which I find both unconvincing and uncongenial.

It’s quite a memorable book, but not one of my favourites. I like it better at the start than at the finish.

Piers Anthony has ability, but he also seems a rather peculiar man himself, though I don’t know much about him and haven’t read many of his books.

A minority of readers accuse this book of sexism, but I don’t think the problem here is sexism, exactly. In this book and its sequels, the male and female characters relate to each other on a more or less equal basis; but they interrelate rather awkwardly, and they seem quite preoccupied with sex although they hardly ever do it. I think the author is just not very good at human relationships. Like some other sf authors, he seems more comfortable with other species than with humans.… (more)