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Three Hands for Scorpio
Andre Norton, the celebrated author of Witch World and many other fantasy adventures, offers a new novel unique among her works, set in a realm not dissimilar to northern England in the sixteenth century.
Drucilla, Sabina, and Tamara, identical sisters born to Desmond, Earl of Skorpys, understand the price of being princesses in a realm bordered by fractious neighbors. For generations their land has been plagued by incursions, raiding parties, and more serious conflicts with Gurlyon, the land to their North. But when these three plucky young ladies are kidnapped as part of a plot to undermine their father's realm, they are taken to a mysterious realm where they experience terrors unlike anything they could imagine.
Their captors, fearing pursuit, thrust the princesses into a deep recess in a bizarre underworld called the Dismals. Once there, they must fend off hideous creatures, and a young man who claims to be lord of this dark, forbidding realm. Not sure whether he is friend or foe, they must depend on their wits, on each other, and on the mind-link that binds them together. Only thus can they escape the bizarre nether-realm they must roam in search of a way home.
Their travails test them in ways they cannot foresee, both physically and magically. Powerful forces work against them, but together they may yet escape, and help right the wrong that brought them to the strange realm in the first place.
Drucilla, Sabina, and Tamara, identical sisters born to Desmond, Earl of Skorpys, understand the price of being princesses in a realm bordered by fractious neighbors. For generations their land has been plagued by incursions, raiding parties, and more serious conflicts with Gurlyon, the land to their North. But when these three plucky young ladies are kidnapped as part of a plot to undermine their father's realm, they are taken to a mysterious realm where they experience terrors unlike anything they could imagine.
Their captors, fearing pursuit, thrust the princesses into a deep recess in a bizarre underworld called the Dismals. Once there, they must fend off hideous creatures, and a young man who claims to be lord of this dark, forbidding realm. Not sure whether he is friend or foe, they must depend on their wits, on each other, and on the mind-link that binds them together. Only thus can they escape the bizarre nether-realm they must roam in search of a way home.
Their travails test them in ways they cannot foresee, both physically and magically. Powerful forces work against them, but together they may yet escape, and help right the wrong that brought them to the strange realm in the first place.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1994
12 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Andre Norton
700 books1,390 followersAndre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 28, 2022
Consider me underwhelmed and disappointed. I considered leaving this unfinished about halfway, but decided to skim through to see if it picked up later in the story. It didn't.
Nothing connected with me; not the story, not the language, definitely not the characters - all of whom were uninteresting and bland.
Nothing connected with me; not the story, not the language, definitely not the characters - all of whom were uninteresting and bland.
March 1, 2010
This was the last fantasy novel written by my favorite author of all time: Andre Norton. Called the Grand Dame of Fantasy, she has always amazed me at her ability to draw you in to the character's world. It is no surprise, then, that even at the age of 93 she was able to pen this fantastic adventure. It kept my interest, and I was hard-pressed to find time to do other things! I had to keep reading!
I hope that one day I write a story as well as she did.
I hope that one day I write a story as well as she did.
March 31, 2020
If you asked me what this book was about, I legitimately could not tell you. The plot made no sense at all and it wasn't until about 60% of the way through that I knew who the antagonist was. That said, the writing was gorgeous, if a little rambling. Still though. Having no plot is a pretty big issue, and thus two stars.
June 17, 2008
Some books awe with their breadth and scope. Others are finely crafted, paying attention to detail and art. This is one of the latter.
The story structure itself is masterful: there are no unnecessary, self-serving, experimental or pompous passages anywhere. Everything has its place and its pace, and it all fits together beautifully. Tension and resolution feel perfectly balanced.
What this book lacks is characters I actually care about. The three main characters do change somewhat during the story, but they are the only ones. I have little sympathy for them (apart from the kind that goes "Lookout!"), and no wish to know what happens after the end. Conversations are formulaic and wooden, and the formality that pervades the telling never relaxes.
This is as fine an example as I could wish for why powerful characterization outweighs a dynamic plot.
The story structure itself is masterful: there are no unnecessary, self-serving, experimental or pompous passages anywhere. Everything has its place and its pace, and it all fits together beautifully. Tension and resolution feel perfectly balanced.
What this book lacks is characters I actually care about. The three main characters do change somewhat during the story, but they are the only ones. I have little sympathy for them (apart from the kind that goes "Lookout!"), and no wish to know what happens after the end. Conversations are formulaic and wooden, and the formality that pervades the telling never relaxes.
This is as fine an example as I could wish for why powerful characterization outweighs a dynamic plot.
August 5, 2015
While this story isn't as good as Norton's sci fi in her golden years, I can only hope I am able to still come up with stories when I am 93. The switching between characters was confusing at times, and the plot was choppy occasionally, too, but not enough for me to lay the story down. Only Norton could still tell a good story while almost at death's door.
November 21, 2009
I can't believe this book is listed, not even the library of congress carries it! It's an in depth but interesting book on a previously classified US population policy.
July 13, 2020
As a teenager, I was a huge Andre Norton fan. Not only did I enjoy her science fiction stories, but she introduced me to fantasy when I picked up her Witch World novel at age 12. I believe I've read every book and story that she wrote, including some of her lesser known works.
I'm still a fan, and I recommend her stories to teenage readers especially. Her heroes helped shape my morals and encouraged my "never quit" attitude. However, her later stories are not as good as those written in the 60s and 70s. Perhaps as she got older, and was assisted with writing, some of her "edge" was missing. This is not one of her best novels, although it isn't the worst. I do like the story idea, but the execution seemed a bit hurried in the end, and a bit random and disorganized throughout. I also wasn't as pleased with the Zoltan character. I feel he could have been better developed. My suggestion would have been to make this two novels and clean up these issues.
However, it is still worth reading, and I may be too critical. The idea of triplet sisters as the heroes of a story is unusual and Norton does manage to give different voices to each sister.
I'm still a fan, and I recommend her stories to teenage readers especially. Her heroes helped shape my morals and encouraged my "never quit" attitude. However, her later stories are not as good as those written in the 60s and 70s. Perhaps as she got older, and was assisted with writing, some of her "edge" was missing. This is not one of her best novels, although it isn't the worst. I do like the story idea, but the execution seemed a bit hurried in the end, and a bit random and disorganized throughout. I also wasn't as pleased with the Zoltan character. I feel he could have been better developed. My suggestion would have been to make this two novels and clean up these issues.
However, it is still worth reading, and I may be too critical. The idea of triplet sisters as the heroes of a story is unusual and Norton does manage to give different voices to each sister.
July 3, 2019
As much as I hate to say this, I found this book hard to get through.
It had interesting characters, a nicely developed world/magic system, and a genuinely good concept...but it just put me to sleep.
I LOVE Andre Norton!
I grew up reading her books; I will pretty much buy anything she wrote, without even knowing the plot. This is how much I love her writing...but this, it was a short story at best. I feel like her editor (or publisher) decided it needed to be longer, and the story suffered because of it.
I genuinely want to like this book, but I can only give it lukewarm feelings in the form it’s in...maybe someone should do the unthinkable and (I feel dirty even thinking this) abridge it.
It had interesting characters, a nicely developed world/magic system, and a genuinely good concept...but it just put me to sleep.
I LOVE Andre Norton!
I grew up reading her books; I will pretty much buy anything she wrote, without even knowing the plot. This is how much I love her writing...but this, it was a short story at best. I feel like her editor (or publisher) decided it needed to be longer, and the story suffered because of it.
I genuinely want to like this book, but I can only give it lukewarm feelings in the form it’s in...maybe someone should do the unthinkable and (I feel dirty even thinking this) abridge it.
September 11, 2025
What an amazing last story
I glanced at the reviews before I started reading this book, and the featured review was very negative. I strongly disagree with that review. This story, although written in a different world, takes me back to her stories from Estcarp and High Hallack. The same strength and flow of storytelling present in those stories is here again in this, her last book. Although decades separated Witch World from this book, her strength of characterisation and depiction of the world that she imagined takes you there. Although considered as a science fiction author, she has also stood tall in writing fantasy. This book comes highly recommended by me, and it will not be long before I take the time to enjoy it again.
I glanced at the reviews before I started reading this book, and the featured review was very negative. I strongly disagree with that review. This story, although written in a different world, takes me back to her stories from Estcarp and High Hallack. The same strength and flow of storytelling present in those stories is here again in this, her last book. Although decades separated Witch World from this book, her strength of characterisation and depiction of the world that she imagined takes you there. Although considered as a science fiction author, she has also stood tall in writing fantasy. This book comes highly recommended by me, and it will not be long before I take the time to enjoy it again.
March 29, 2025
This isn't one of the Witch World novel, it's a generic middle European fantasy with elements from her other stories. The action feels a bit disjointed and the dialog dated, I think it needed a final editing pass, but sadly time had run out and Andre Norton passed away shortly after publication.
This is her final book, last of the 200+ that she wrote.
This is her final book, last of the 200+ that she wrote.
July 11, 2020
Ok book, not even near Andre Norton's usual standards. I expect this book did not received her usual care, as it is her final book written as she declined. Andre Norton had a great career and I have enjoyed many of her books, ever since I was introduced to her in the 1960s.
November 9, 2025
Loved the concept, but sorry to say the cover art was my favorite part
September 26, 2011
I'm probably going to commit sacrilege here but I'm not a huge Andre Norton fan. Well, not of her writing, at least. I'm thrilled that she took on the big boys, back when SF was an all-boys club. I'm amazed at how darn prolific she was. I'm delighted that she wrote more than one genre, not stopping at SF/F but also writing intricate YA stories (which were always my favorite tales of hers anyway).
But when I saw Three Hands For Scorpio at the library, I figured I'd better pick it up. I mean, Ms. Norton did pass away recently; this is the last new book of hers that I'll ever have a chance to read.
Three Hands for Scorpio takes place in two different lands, Alsonia and Gurlyon. Our heroines for the story are the triplet daughters of the Earl Scorpy of Verset; Tamara, the fighter; Sabina, the herbalist/healer and Drucilla, the designer. Their father's earldom rests on the border of Gurlyon, where border raiding is a matter of fact, rather than something to get really excited over. When Starkadder and his son, along with a priest known as Chosen Udo, are sent by their king to make a treaty with the Earl, things start happening.
Gurlyon is a rather rough country to the north of Alsonia; where great changes are in progress. Some years before, the king's only son disappeared; believed to have been spirited away to the south and Alsonia, to become a puppet for the Queen residing there. The Gurlys are uncouth barbarians and, with the coming of the Chosen priests, have relegated their women to less than second-class citizens.
When their parents ride towards the Queen in the company of Starkadder to initiate peace, Starkadder's son drugs and kidnaps Tam, Bina and Cilla, throwing them into the Dark Lands rather than killing them or keeping them as hostages.
They awaken to find themselves in the company of a large red cat, Climber, who leads them to relative safety in a world fraught with dangers of uncannily large (and dangerous) insects, plants that behave like snakes and a man named Zolan, who may or may not be a friend. Here in the Dark Lands, the girls must make use of their wits, their skills and above all, their Talents, certain magical teachings passed through the women's bloodlines of their family.
The challenges of the Dark Lands bring about a maturity in the girls, tying them together all that more strongly, as well as giving them a chance to work with two alien Talents, those belonging to Zolan and to Climber.
As a story, I found it to be interesting but not captivating. Told from the POV's of the triplets (in first person, past tense, as they were to have written this information out for their Queen), the POV changes were somewhat jarring. Tam's character was definitely the strongest of the three; I continually mixed up what Bina and Cilla could do and they could have used some fleshing out. There was a mistake towards the end of the book, one that I read four or five times just to make sure I had read it correctly - and that it was still wrong.
I think I would've enjoyed the book more if it had been told with an omniscient POV. It might not have been quite so disconcerting for me to read.
Andre Norton fans may find this book much more fascinating than I did.
But when I saw Three Hands For Scorpio at the library, I figured I'd better pick it up. I mean, Ms. Norton did pass away recently; this is the last new book of hers that I'll ever have a chance to read.
Three Hands for Scorpio takes place in two different lands, Alsonia and Gurlyon. Our heroines for the story are the triplet daughters of the Earl Scorpy of Verset; Tamara, the fighter; Sabina, the herbalist/healer and Drucilla, the designer. Their father's earldom rests on the border of Gurlyon, where border raiding is a matter of fact, rather than something to get really excited over. When Starkadder and his son, along with a priest known as Chosen Udo, are sent by their king to make a treaty with the Earl, things start happening.
Gurlyon is a rather rough country to the north of Alsonia; where great changes are in progress. Some years before, the king's only son disappeared; believed to have been spirited away to the south and Alsonia, to become a puppet for the Queen residing there. The Gurlys are uncouth barbarians and, with the coming of the Chosen priests, have relegated their women to less than second-class citizens.
When their parents ride towards the Queen in the company of Starkadder to initiate peace, Starkadder's son drugs and kidnaps Tam, Bina and Cilla, throwing them into the Dark Lands rather than killing them or keeping them as hostages.
They awaken to find themselves in the company of a large red cat, Climber, who leads them to relative safety in a world fraught with dangers of uncannily large (and dangerous) insects, plants that behave like snakes and a man named Zolan, who may or may not be a friend. Here in the Dark Lands, the girls must make use of their wits, their skills and above all, their Talents, certain magical teachings passed through the women's bloodlines of their family.
The challenges of the Dark Lands bring about a maturity in the girls, tying them together all that more strongly, as well as giving them a chance to work with two alien Talents, those belonging to Zolan and to Climber.
As a story, I found it to be interesting but not captivating. Told from the POV's of the triplets (in first person, past tense, as they were to have written this information out for their Queen), the POV changes were somewhat jarring. Tam's character was definitely the strongest of the three; I continually mixed up what Bina and Cilla could do and they could have used some fleshing out. There was a mistake towards the end of the book, one that I read four or five times just to make sure I had read it correctly - and that it was still wrong.
I think I would've enjoyed the book more if it had been told with an omniscient POV. It might not have been quite so disconcerting for me to read.
Andre Norton fans may find this book much more fascinating than I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2013
While I know Norton is a SF writer, I am not sure I could name another book. This was another "hey, you're snowed in!" book. Except I ended up hauling it home.
I wasn't really sure if this was supposed to be a young adult novel or not. I'm going with yes, because there was no character development, but I'm honestly not sure. It kind of reminded me of that particular old style SF novel, when they seemed to confuse "describing strange things" with "telling an interesting story".
Because, OMG. Stuff just ... happened. And then they'd mysteriously know how to do things! An object they (the protagonists are triplets that are supposed to be different but there's not really a difference that I could tell; it almost seemed to be an excuse to put whitespace in the text when the narrators changed. Maybe she gets paid by the page?) had never seen before, they'd feel certain of whatever. And be right. You know, like every 15 year old girl you know. Totally known for good life choices, right?
Anyway. I read it. The ending was as unsatisfying as everything leading up to it - the resolution I kind of thought they were hinting at didn't come to pass, and it was just disappointing. Bleh.
I wasn't really sure if this was supposed to be a young adult novel or not. I'm going with yes, because there was no character development, but I'm honestly not sure. It kind of reminded me of that particular old style SF novel, when they seemed to confuse "describing strange things" with "telling an interesting story".
Because, OMG. Stuff just ... happened. And then they'd mysteriously know how to do things! An object they (the protagonists are triplets that are supposed to be different but there's not really a difference that I could tell; it almost seemed to be an excuse to put whitespace in the text when the narrators changed. Maybe she gets paid by the page?) had never seen before, they'd feel certain of whatever. And be right. You know, like every 15 year old girl you know. Totally known for good life choices, right?
Anyway. I read it. The ending was as unsatisfying as everything leading up to it - the resolution I kind of thought they were hinting at didn't come to pass, and it was just disappointing. Bleh.
July 23, 2012
Eh. I didn't like this all that much. I found the language very stilted, and even though there were three first-person narrators of the story, I didn't feel like I really knew any of them. The world where the characters lived was pretty interesting - magic was an inborn talent of some people, as well as a natural force. There was a land called the Dismals where giant insects terrorized the people, and a graveyard filled with spirits in clay jars.
The three hands of the title are the teenage sister Tamara, Drucilla, and Sabina. They are the magic-wielding daughters of a lord and lady who become entangled in a political conflict when they are kidnapped and dumped into the Dismals, where they meet a mysterious man named Zolan. Then there is an adventure, with battle! and mystery! and magic! and evil! and so forth.
The three hands of the title are the teenage sister Tamara, Drucilla, and Sabina. They are the magic-wielding daughters of a lord and lady who become entangled in a political conflict when they are kidnapped and dumped into the Dismals, where they meet a mysterious man named Zolan. Then there is an adventure, with battle! and mystery! and magic! and evil! and so forth.
December 21, 2008
Crikey, she's got a lot of books. Anyhow, this was one of those impulsive grocery store buys where I just had to have a fantasy novel to read because all the books at home were too serious. Should've saved my money, i guess.
Anyway, triplet young princesses of a lesser ruler have some magic, but it doesn't keep them from being kidnapped. Then they are dumped into an, I think, underground no-man's-land where strange beasties dwell--and possibly the lost heir to the empire, but he's kind of not saying either way and isn't looking to trustworthy. Oh, and there was an ancient race and some of their stuff is still down there.
I'm pretty sure it was the writing and not my lack of reading skills that rendered this tale disjointed, hard to follow, and lackluster. Not really worthy.
Anyway, triplet young princesses of a lesser ruler have some magic, but it doesn't keep them from being kidnapped. Then they are dumped into an, I think, underground no-man's-land where strange beasties dwell--and possibly the lost heir to the empire, but he's kind of not saying either way and isn't looking to trustworthy. Oh, and there was an ancient race and some of their stuff is still down there.
I'm pretty sure it was the writing and not my lack of reading skills that rendered this tale disjointed, hard to follow, and lackluster. Not really worthy.
February 3, 2016
Couldn't really get into this one. It's written in old-world english and is told in a first-person perspective of each of three twins that constantly refer to the group of them as doing something. It was pretty confusing as to who was talking when, and I found that it really didn't matter, as they were all essentially the same person/character. Only got about halfway through the book before I had to put it down. Well written, sure, but not really any story per se. The three girls get put into a different world where everything is new and evil and is out to get them. Really not my kind of book.
September 8, 2019
Haven’t read this book since the 9th grade. Lemme tell you. All I could remember about it other than the general plot was that it was a difficult read. I saw it at the library and I was like, surely it will be easy to read now that I’m older. Nope. The language was just as annoyingly stylized as before, and the entire first half of the book is spent on you feeling like both you and the characters are literally in the dark. It got easier to read as I got used to the style, but the struggle was not worth the absolute rushed ending with very little to no worth while resolution other than the bad guy is gone. Would not recommend.
April 18, 2020
This book had a marvelous storyline about triplet princesses with magical talents.It had a great premise - kidnap, burgeoning Talent, a lost prince/kingling, and an unexplored world.
The only thing it didn't have was that magical touch that Andre Norton brought to her work. This book was completed by the estate of Andre Norton, and it shows. This ghost writer needs to rest in his/her grave and leave the works of the Master alone!
The only thing it didn't have was that magical touch that Andre Norton brought to her work. This book was completed by the estate of Andre Norton, and it shows. This ghost writer needs to rest in his/her grave and leave the works of the Master alone!
November 23, 2007
this book was so terrible. i almost made it to chapter seven, so i kind of wonder what happened to the triplets in the Dismals, but not enough to read anymore. such a stupid book! andre norton is awesome, but erratic. she's so prolific the books can't be good all the time.
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September 17, 2011This is a rarity for me. I didn't finish this one. 115 pages in and just could not get into it. I almost never abandon a book once I start it. And Andre Norton is an all time favorite. This book though, I simply found boring.
November 30, 2007
read 05.xx.05
April 19, 2010
I got bored and didn't finish it.
November 5, 2013
I kept hoping that some type of interesting romantic relationship would happen with at least one of the characters but I got to the end and nothing plus a pretty slow read
February 11, 2016
not as good as I remembered Andre Norton's books......kinda slow, actually
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews