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Majipoor #4
The Mountains of Majipoor
For young Prince Harpirias, the journey into the frozen tundra of the remote borderlands of Majipoor might well have been a death sentence. But it was also the only way out of a petty bureaucrat’s job in a provincial city, where he’d been exiled as punishment for a youthful indiscretion. Doomed to spend the rest of his days hopelessly separated from the Coronal’s glittering court, he grasps at his only hope—a mission that could represent suicide or salvation.
Somewhere beyond the nine guardian mountains of the Khyntor Marches, a party of paleontologists were captured while searching for the fossils of a fabled species of land-dwelling dragons. Their captors are a lost race of humans who, cut off from the majesty and civilization of Majipoor, have reverted to a primitive hunter-gatherer existence. Only one of the party has returned, a Shapeshifter named Korinaam, to bring back the terms for the release of the scientists.
Harpirias sets out on a mission of negotiation and rescue with a small band of soldiers and the wily Shapeshifter, who acts as both guide and interpreter. Facing blinding blizzards and slashing ice storms, physical privation and the attack of strange beasts, they finally reach their destination, only to find themselves face-to-face with a shockingly barbaric culture ruled by a dangerous chieftain. One mistake, one minor violation of custom and taboo, and the prince and his companions will face instant death—or endless captivity.
The Mountains of Majipoor marks the return of a master storyteller to his most popular science fantasy world. Readers of previous Majipoor novels, as well as newcomers to this universe, will revel in this thrilling story of a young man’s epic journey to redeem himself and seize his destiny.
Somewhere beyond the nine guardian mountains of the Khyntor Marches, a party of paleontologists were captured while searching for the fossils of a fabled species of land-dwelling dragons. Their captors are a lost race of humans who, cut off from the majesty and civilization of Majipoor, have reverted to a primitive hunter-gatherer existence. Only one of the party has returned, a Shapeshifter named Korinaam, to bring back the terms for the release of the scientists.
Harpirias sets out on a mission of negotiation and rescue with a small band of soldiers and the wily Shapeshifter, who acts as both guide and interpreter. Facing blinding blizzards and slashing ice storms, physical privation and the attack of strange beasts, they finally reach their destination, only to find themselves face-to-face with a shockingly barbaric culture ruled by a dangerous chieftain. One mistake, one minor violation of custom and taboo, and the prince and his companions will face instant death—or endless captivity.
The Mountains of Majipoor marks the return of a master storyteller to his most popular science fantasy world. Readers of previous Majipoor novels, as well as newcomers to this universe, will revel in this thrilling story of a young man’s epic journey to redeem himself and seize his destiny.
225 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
9 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Robert Silverberg
2,342 books1,601 followersThere are many authors in the database with this name.
Robert Silverberg is a highly celebrated American science fiction author and editor known for his prolific output and literary range. Over a career spanning decades, he has won multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards and was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 2004. Inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 1999, Silverberg is recognized for both his immense productivity and his contributions to the genre's evolution.
Born in Brooklyn, he began writing in his teens and won his first Hugo Award in 1956 as the best new writer. Throughout the 1950s, he produced vast amounts of fiction, often under pseudonyms, and was known for writing up to a million words a year. When the market declined, he diversified into other genres, including historical nonfiction and erotica.
Silverberg’s return to science fiction in the 1960s marked a shift toward deeper psychological and literary themes, contributing significantly to the New Wave movement. Acclaimed works from this period include Downward to the Earth, Dying Inside, Nightwings, and The World Inside. In the 1980s, he launched the Majipoor series with Lord Valentine’s Castle, creating one of the most imaginative planetary settings in science fiction.
Though he announced his retirement from writing in the mid-1970s, Silverberg returned with renewed vigor and continued to publish acclaimed fiction into the 1990s. He received further recognition with the Nebula-winning Sailing to Byzantium and the Hugo-winning Gilgamesh in the Outback.
Silverberg has also played a significant role as an editor and anthologist, shaping science fiction literature through both his own work and his influence on others. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, author Karen Haber.
Robert Silverberg is a highly celebrated American science fiction author and editor known for his prolific output and literary range. Over a career spanning decades, he has won multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards and was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 2004. Inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 1999, Silverberg is recognized for both his immense productivity and his contributions to the genre's evolution.
Born in Brooklyn, he began writing in his teens and won his first Hugo Award in 1956 as the best new writer. Throughout the 1950s, he produced vast amounts of fiction, often under pseudonyms, and was known for writing up to a million words a year. When the market declined, he diversified into other genres, including historical nonfiction and erotica.
Silverberg’s return to science fiction in the 1960s marked a shift toward deeper psychological and literary themes, contributing significantly to the New Wave movement. Acclaimed works from this period include Downward to the Earth, Dying Inside, Nightwings, and The World Inside. In the 1980s, he launched the Majipoor series with Lord Valentine’s Castle, creating one of the most imaginative planetary settings in science fiction.
Though he announced his retirement from writing in the mid-1970s, Silverberg returned with renewed vigor and continued to publish acclaimed fiction into the 1990s. He received further recognition with the Nebula-winning Sailing to Byzantium and the Hugo-winning Gilgamesh in the Outback.
Silverberg has also played a significant role as an editor and anthologist, shaping science fiction literature through both his own work and his influence on others. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, author Karen Haber.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 15, 2025
This is a refreshingly short and self-contained short novel in Silverberg's Majipoor series, set several hundred years after Valentine's time. It's similar to The Seventh Shrine in that in concerns an expedition sent to a remote area of the planet for a specific purpose; this time it's a coming-of-age tale about a young man who's fallen into disfavor in the capital who must negotiate the release of a group of hostages held by an estranged tribe in the far north. It's a stand-alone story that doesn't require any foreknowledge of the complex political structure of the planet. It's a thoughtful piece, and I enjoyed it.
October 5, 2010
A very nice addition to the Majipoor series! This slim novel (basically a slightly over-lengthy novella) is indeed enjoyable. Best of all, you could read this without first having to go through other Majipoor books, and you'd probably not find it too difficult to grasp the basics of Majipoori politics and the planet itself.
But I don't recommend reading it first - if only because of the fact that it's not as good as Lord Valentine's Castle. And while it's fine reading in itself, some readers may then find less urgency in getting to other Majipoor works by Silverberg.
In and of itself, this story is engaging and vivid, full of rich detail and captivating in its setting and premise. It examines the question of how advanced cultures deal with newly discovered primitive peoples, and the resultant accomodations required. Is it possible to deal honestly in negotiations in such circumstances? How does one avoid assuming one's own superiority?
Once again, the question of Shapeshifter trustworthiness is constantly palpable. I found this added layer really brought out the fundamental conflict all the more. Using a subjugated Shapeshifter as translator (and questioning his loyalty and honesty at each instance) gave the story a sense of irony, making perhaps a bit less distinct the notion of just who could be trusted in the final account.
But I don't recommend reading it first - if only because of the fact that it's not as good as Lord Valentine's Castle. And while it's fine reading in itself, some readers may then find less urgency in getting to other Majipoor works by Silverberg.
In and of itself, this story is engaging and vivid, full of rich detail and captivating in its setting and premise. It examines the question of how advanced cultures deal with newly discovered primitive peoples, and the resultant accomodations required. Is it possible to deal honestly in negotiations in such circumstances? How does one avoid assuming one's own superiority?
Once again, the question of Shapeshifter trustworthiness is constantly palpable. I found this added layer really brought out the fundamental conflict all the more. Using a subjugated Shapeshifter as translator (and questioning his loyalty and honesty at each instance) gave the story a sense of irony, making perhaps a bit less distinct the notion of just who could be trusted in the final account.
August 23, 2021
A very short book in the Majipoor series follows an expedition into the northernmost part of the continent where it is winter for the majority of the year. This is quite different as all the other main books in the series are concerned with the rulers and the politics of the world. There is not much of that here, it's just an adventure more in the style of Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Enjoyable read, and one that could be read as a stand alone, but better knowing a bit of world backstory. Still one of my favorite, and most unique worlds, in Fantasy Fiction.
Enjoyable read, and one that could be read as a stand alone, but better knowing a bit of world backstory. Still one of my favorite, and most unique worlds, in Fantasy Fiction.
December 31, 2016
While I wouldn't put this book on the same level as Valentine Pontifex just because of its size, it is still a really fun book to read. WHile the events here do not affect the world of Majipoor in any big way, the simplicity and excitment of this one are really great.
Basically, the story consists of a prince from Castle Mount (Harpirias) being sent on a mission to recover a team of scientist that were captured by a lost tribe of barbarians (the Othinor) in the Kyhntor Mountains. While the story line was very simple, the action was great and the interactions among the characters (which had major communication problems) were entertaining and interesting.
This is a short, easy read, and I'd reccomend it to anyone who has enjoyed Silverberg's other Majipoor novels.
Basically, the story consists of a prince from Castle Mount (Harpirias) being sent on a mission to recover a team of scientist that were captured by a lost tribe of barbarians (the Othinor) in the Kyhntor Mountains. While the story line was very simple, the action was great and the interactions among the characters (which had major communication problems) were entertaining and interesting.
This is a short, easy read, and I'd reccomend it to anyone who has enjoyed Silverberg's other Majipoor novels.
February 12, 2024
So another journey is undertaken to take the protagonists out of their comfort zone to have experiences that mature the young central character
July 28, 2018
Minor work by Silverberg. An immature, narcissistic, fool of a prince gets sent to the icy northernmost wastes of Majipoor to parlay with a local barbarian king for the return of some captured scientists. Assisting him is an untrustworthy metamorph who does his best to keep the moronic prince from getting them killed.
Not a necessary read even for Majipoor completists. Nowhere in the same league as Lord Valentine’s Castle. A quick read for sci-fi readers. Give it a shot, just don’t expect much.
Not a necessary read even for Majipoor completists. Nowhere in the same league as Lord Valentine’s Castle. A quick read for sci-fi readers. Give it a shot, just don’t expect much.
March 7, 2019
Science fiction series - I thought this was a prequel to his Majipoor series but it is set several hundred years in the future. What is surprising in that in this time the world of Majipoor seems to have had no technological advances. A princeling goes to the far northern reaches to rescue some paleontologists from a forgotten tribe. Seemed like a throwaway book for Silverburg.
No Canadian or pharmacy references.
No Canadian or pharmacy references.
October 7, 2021
A bittersweet sensation was what I got from this book. The five star rating is given because I have rarely experienced such a moment of epiphany when reading such a short book.
It's an epiphany that has to do with numbers...numbers like one hundred (and a bit more) that to us do not seem like much but to some could be the definition of onslaught.
It's an epiphany that has to do with numbers...numbers like one hundred (and a bit more) that to us do not seem like much but to some could be the definition of onslaught.
January 4, 2017
A story about an idiot, spoiled brat, government bureaucrat, doesn't do much for me, even if it takes place on another planet. I swear, half the book is just him telling his interpreter 6 times to do / say something stupid and the interpreter refusing. Why did I give this even 2 stars?
March 29, 2014
Would have made an qverage short story. As such, long and unsubstancial. Quite unworthy of usual Silverberg talent as storyteller and characters crafter.
August 31, 2024
I was so pleased to discover that the Majipoor series had further books beyond Valentine Pontifex, which I'd thought had ended it, because I loved them so much: rich, evocative, allusive works of fantasy-ish sci-fi that scarcely resemble anything else out there in tone. I'm particularly drawn to the idea of the planet so vast that despite thousands of years travel is slow and discovery still possible.
Now I'm even more delighted that the Majipoor series has further books beyond this one, because I didn't care for it so much. It was long for a short story, short for a novel, that awkward betwixt-and-between length where you have to put in the effort to read quite a bit, but are left with "is that all there is?" Although given the bleak setting (a frozen ice palace of savages whose inhabitants oddly loll about mostly naked without dying despite the cold, food tastes bad, and everyone's dirty) I'm not sure I would want much more of this. Add to that an oddly unpleasant protagonist whose instincts would make them the worst Amabassador imaginable, and whose every decision makes the reader grit his teeth and wince (until about page 120 of 140, which is a long time to grit and wince).
If Silverberg weren't such a good writer and it wasn't Majipoor this would be a two and probably discarded early. But I've placed it in the 3-star "decent" pile because he is, and it is.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
Now I'm even more delighted that the Majipoor series has further books beyond this one, because I didn't care for it so much. It was long for a short story, short for a novel, that awkward betwixt-and-between length where you have to put in the effort to read quite a bit, but are left with "is that all there is?" Although given the bleak setting (a frozen ice palace of savages whose inhabitants oddly loll about mostly naked without dying despite the cold, food tastes bad, and everyone's dirty) I'm not sure I would want much more of this. Add to that an oddly unpleasant protagonist whose instincts would make them the worst Amabassador imaginable, and whose every decision makes the reader grit his teeth and wince (until about page 120 of 140, which is a long time to grit and wince).
If Silverberg weren't such a good writer and it wasn't Majipoor this would be a two and probably discarded early. But I've placed it in the 3-star "decent" pile because he is, and it is.
(Note: I'm a writer, so I suffer when I offer fewer than five stars. But these aren't ratings of quality, they're a subjective account of how much I liked the book: 5* = an unalloyed pleasure from start to finish, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = disappointing, and 1* = hated it.)
January 2, 2020
Uh, I really didn't like this book. Firstly, after Valentine's love for everybody, it's surprisingly chauvinistic. A civilized man travels to the forgotten part of Majipoor to negotiate with its inhabitants and hates absolutely everything about them: the people are unwashed, their food is disgusting, their customs barbaric and their women fat. The protagonist himself is a spoiled brat, who doesn't care about learning the language of the people he's supposed to negotiate with until the last possible moment. He treats his Piurivar guide like dirt and blames him for being prejudiced against humans. At some point, the guide meets his own feral brethren and I was hoping that his disappointment, so similar to the one felt by the protagonist, will let them realize they're not so different, but nope, it just gave the protagonist more opportunities to humiliate the poor guide. And for no reason whatsoever, since it turned out the simple display of strength did more than the humiliating act ever could. But yep, it's Piurivar who are prejudiced against humans. I wonder why...
November 23, 2023
Maincarachter is named after Herpes, an std. He´s a horrible diplomat and perhaps a horrible being. Or just human. Herpes managed to not learn a thing throughout the whole book. He´s pretty void of any emotion except feeling sorry about himself and lashing out at people. I believe his "exile" was arranged by everyone who knew him at court. Very standard fantasy, not a single surprise. Still upheld my interest.
May 4, 2024
A sliver of an iceberg of Silverberg.
My re-read of the first few Majipoor books has led me on to this novella which takes place many, many years after the original Lord Valentine trilogy.
It's fun because it's in the world of Majipoor and because it's Silverberg.
However, it's quite short and doesn't really add much to the Majipoor magic.
Still, worth a quick read if you liked the others.
My re-read of the first few Majipoor books has led me on to this novella which takes place many, many years after the original Lord Valentine trilogy.
It's fun because it's in the world of Majipoor and because it's Silverberg.
However, it's quite short and doesn't really add much to the Majipoor magic.
Still, worth a quick read if you liked the others.
February 22, 2020
Mediocre. More Fantasy than SF. I liked the ending, but the characters were not all that interesting, as neither was the plot. Only somewhat convincing development.
July 24, 2025
Unfortunately the weakest Majipoor book I’ve read yet. It felt too similar to the Valentine cycle. This book had a lot to be excited about - an isolated tribe of humans, a new undiscovered part of majipoor, a “new” unknown enemy, land dragons..LAND DRAGONS! But it was just Humans V. metamorphs III. There was a lot of moments that got me excited like the beginning introductions of the Othinor, the mysterious figures on the rim, the mutilated sacred beasts but, it all went nowhere or somewhere you’ve been before. Aside from a couple of name drops and the reoccurrence of the races and metamorph / human conflict you wouldn’t have known this takes place on the same planet as the Valentine cycle. I was really disappointed by the lack of importance with dreams as that was such a large part of the original trilogy. The biggest redeemer in this book was the main character, Harpirias, because he is so vastly different from Valentine with different motivations and different methods of achieving his goals. And Korinaam, I feel bad for that guy lol. Still, some OK Robert Silverberg is better than a lot of other things I could have picked up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2015
עם עובד, מד"ב, 1997, 174 עמ´
(ספר רביעי בסדרה).
אני חייבת להקדים ולאמר כי לא כולם מוצאים את הכתיבה של סילברברג מעניינת, מרתקת או מושכת לקרוא. בד"כ עד שהספר נכנס לקצב לוקח זמן, בו על הקורא ללמוד פרטים על העבר, על ההווה , על תנאי החיים, הסביבה האקולוגית על הדמויות הראשיות והמשניות וכד´ ובזמן זה להתאזר בסבלנות רבה. ככל שהספר רחב יריעה, כך הקצב איטי יותר.
מאידך, השיטה מוכיחה את עצמה פעם אחר פעם, כי לא רק שהוא בונה אצל הקורא את התודעה הוא גם יוצר את המתח הראוי ומשקיע בהכנה שמלמדת את הקורא להעריך את הסיפור ולהעריץ את השיטה שלו.
ולענייננו, הארפיריס תומרן לעמוד בראש משלחת לאזורי הצפון הרחוקים של זימרואל המכונה שממות חינטור בממלכת מאג´יפור. הוא מלווה ע"י קורינאם, ממיר צורה, המשמש גם כמורה דרך וגם כמתורגמן של המשלחת.
הארפיריס הוא נסיך מחצר הקורונאל. אבי אבותיו, פרסטימיון השליט, היה הקורונאל של מאג´יפור לפני כ- 1000 שנים ( מה שמזכיר כאנקדוטה שלאחרונה יצא בתרגום לעיברית באותה ההוצאה החלק השני בטרילוגיה אל מאג´יפור "פרסטימיון השליט" המתארת את תקופת שלטונו שלא נראית זוהרת כמו בתיאור של הנסיך...מה שיכול להוביל לדיון באמת מול נוסטלגיה...).
הנסיך למעשה נראה כסיים את הקריירה הדיפלומטית שלו בגלל שגיאה שנראית בהתחלה כחסרת ערך. הוא מועבר הרחק מהמצודה למשרה דיפלומטית חסרת ערך וזוטרה בצפון בני מויה. במשך חודשים הוא עוסק בביוקרטיה וממתין להודעה הגואלת שתקרא לו לחזור ללב הפוליטיקה במצודה. אולם, זו לא מגיעה ובמקום הוא נשלח רחוק יותר לצפון הקפוא, לשממות חינטור.
בלית ברירה, בניסיון חד פעמי לשקם את הקריירה שלו, הוא נאלץ להסכים להצטרף למשלחת להצלת 9 פלאונטולוגים שיצאו למצוא שרידי מאובנים של דרקונים ונלקחו בשבי ע"י האותינורים הברברים, שבט אבוד שלא מכיר את הציביליזציה.
המסע מתגלה כמסוכן, ההתנגשות הבינתרבותית, חלקלקותו של ממיר הצורה כל אלה תורמים לעלילה. בדרך הקורא לומד על סבלנות, סובלנות, גישור על פערים, כבוד, אחווה ועוד כל זה בכ- 170 עמ´.
הסיום מבריק ותופס את הקורא. לא יכלתי להניח מידי את הספר עד שלא סיימתי אותו.
ארבעה וחצי כוכבים (רק בגלל ההתחלה שלא מכניסה את הקורא יש לקצב...)
(ספר רביעי בסדרה).
אני חייבת להקדים ולאמר כי לא כולם מוצאים את הכתיבה של סילברברג מעניינת, מרתקת או מושכת לקרוא. בד"כ עד שהספר נכנס לקצב לוקח זמן, בו על הקורא ללמוד פרטים על העבר, על ההווה , על תנאי החיים, הסביבה האקולוגית על הדמויות הראשיות והמשניות וכד´ ובזמן זה להתאזר בסבלנות רבה. ככל שהספר רחב יריעה, כך הקצב איטי יותר.
מאידך, השיטה מוכיחה את עצמה פעם אחר פעם, כי לא רק שהוא בונה אצל הקורא את התודעה הוא גם יוצר את המתח הראוי ומשקיע בהכנה שמלמדת את הקורא להעריך את הסיפור ולהעריץ את השיטה שלו.
ולענייננו, הארפיריס תומרן לעמוד בראש משלחת לאזורי הצפון הרחוקים של זימרואל המכונה שממות חינטור בממלכת מאג´יפור. הוא מלווה ע"י קורינאם, ממיר צורה, המשמש גם כמורה דרך וגם כמתורגמן של המשלחת.
הארפיריס הוא נסיך מחצר הקורונאל. אבי אבותיו, פרסטימיון השליט, היה הקורונאל של מאג´יפור לפני כ- 1000 שנים ( מה שמזכיר כאנקדוטה שלאחרונה יצא בתרגום לעיברית באותה ההוצאה החלק השני בטרילוגיה אל מאג´יפור "פרסטימיון השליט" המתארת את תקופת שלטונו שלא נראית זוהרת כמו בתיאור של הנסיך...מה שיכול להוביל לדיון באמת מול נוסטלגיה...).
הנסיך למעשה נראה כסיים את הקריירה הדיפלומטית שלו בגלל שגיאה שנראית בהתחלה כחסרת ערך. הוא מועבר הרחק מהמצודה למשרה דיפלומטית חסרת ערך וזוטרה בצפון בני מויה. במשך חודשים הוא עוסק בביוקרטיה וממתין להודעה הגואלת שתקרא לו לחזור ללב הפוליטיקה במצודה. אולם, זו לא מגיעה ובמקום הוא נשלח רחוק יותר לצפון הקפוא, לשממות חינטור.
בלית ברירה, בניסיון חד פעמי לשקם את הקריירה שלו, הוא נאלץ להסכים להצטרף למשלחת להצלת 9 פלאונטולוגים שיצאו למצוא שרידי מאובנים של דרקונים ונלקחו בשבי ע"י האותינורים הברברים, שבט אבוד שלא מכיר את הציביליזציה.
המסע מתגלה כמסוכן, ההתנגשות הבינתרבותית, חלקלקותו של ממיר הצורה כל אלה תורמים לעלילה. בדרך הקורא לומד על סבלנות, סובלנות, גישור על פערים, כבוד, אחווה ועוד כל זה בכ- 170 עמ´.
הסיום מבריק ותופס את הקורא. לא יכלתי להניח מידי את הספר עד שלא סיימתי אותו.
ארבעה וחצי כוכבים (רק בגלל ההתחלה שלא מכניסה את הקורא יש לקצב...)
December 14, 2025
This is sort of a classic fantasy series, but set on an alien world filled with lots of different and original species. It reads almost like a space opera, and there are certainly a lot of sci-fi elements in it, as well as magic. It is a lot of fun, with lots of quirky and well written characters, and the plot is very suspenseful. The whole series is very unique, and very well worth a read.
June 20, 2009
I read it years and years ago and therefore barely remember much of it. The one thing I remember vividly and in disgust, however, is a scene related to fresh animal pelts, raw meat, blood, or something of the like. Definitely doesn't inspire me to reread it.
March 2, 2015
An entertaining, light addition to the Majipoor series--a novella that shows us the "barbarians" of Majipoor and the clash of science fiction and fantasy that's really at the heart of the whole series.
December 28, 2007
This is a short novel that probably should have been a novella. What's here might be worthwhile, but it's spread very thin to fill out the length.
September 21, 2008
I have the hardback of this. I thought it was really good. A very short book but a delightful read.
August 28, 2023
Most Majipoor sequels fail to catch the majesty of Lord Valentine’s Castle.
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January 9, 2010ereader ebook
October 2, 2017
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
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