The Mask of the Sun

by Fred Saberhagen

When Mike Gabrieli's neer'do'well brother Tom disappears shortly after discovering a fabulously valuable Aztec relic, Mike rightly suspects that this time the family's black sheep has got himself into the kind of trouble from which even Mike won't be able to extricate him. But still, Tim is -- or was -- his brother, and Mike must do what he can.

For Mike this is the beginning of an adventure beyond imagining, an adventure that will put him in constant peril of his life as he shuttles between past, present and future of an alternate reality, fighting beside the descendants of the Incas as they battle to erase Pizarro's bloody footprints from the New World, and secure the reality of their own existence.

But is the "alternate reality" really an alternate, or is Mike actually struggling to erase the very future that gave him birth? The answer lies in the source of all his troubles and his only hope of survival: THE MASK OF THE SUN

Genres: Science Fiction, Time Travel, Alternate History, Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy

234 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1981

About the author

Fred Saberhagen was an American science fiction and fantasy author most famous for his ''Beserker'' and Dracula stories.

Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.

From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a book that I first read not long after it was published ( in 1981 as a paperback). Now I've reread it because, sad to say, I need to make some space so I am donating bags of my books for a local library sale--and I wanted to read it one more time before adding it to a bag. I remembered enjoying the story, particularly because I've always liked time travel/alternate history stories and also because it's by Fred Saberhagen ( born in 1930, in Chicago,IL -- died in 2007, in Albuquerque,NM).
Saberhagen may be somewhat forgotten these days and I believe he was an underrated author. He is best-known, in my opinion, for his "Berserker" science fiction series. He also created what I think is a great horror series--his "Dracula" series, in which the vampire is portrayed sympathetically. He also wrote a fantasy series--"The Book of Swords" series.
And then there were standalone novels, one of which is this book, "The Mask of the Sun." I thought it was quite a good story, considering that it's only 234 pages long. Mike Gabrieli is looking for his brother, Tom, who disappeared after discovering a fabulous golden Aztec relic in the Florida Keys. Mike's search leads him into an incredible adventure that takes him into the past but it's the past of another timeline. He's in 16th Century Peru, as Pizarro leads his conquistadores in their invasion of the powerful Inca Empire. With a team of mercenaries, Mike fights alongside the Incas to defeat the Spaniards and change history--that is, cause another timeline to follow a different history than ours, one in which the Inca Empire survives.
The plot has some holes in it and some things could have been developed much more but I like this story set in the Inca Empire. Saberhagen did some good research as we do get a feel for what the great Andean civilization was like--and also get a sense of the horrors of the Spanish (Christian!) Conquest. I also thought it was interesting that Mike figured out a way for the Incas to defeat the Spanish invaders.
I would give this book 3 stars if it weren't for the Inca aspect of the story. So 4 stars for this one. And I'm sorry to be giving the book away but it's for a good cause (my local library) and I hope someone else can read and enjoy this book!

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I thwart myself. I have considered reading this novel off and on for more than three decades. Despite the interesting cover, I always found something else. Stupid! This is a very clever time travel / alternate history novel with an unusual setting and the typical Saberhagen twist. Highly recommended to both Doc and Kent.

[Violet Tsirblou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even for a book from the 80s, there's a lot of iffy parts that left a bad taste, especially with how Sal was treated, and Cori being a mother at 15? 16? The fuck?
Other than that, fun stuff. Cool concepts.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit I purchased this book solely because the cover art was so interesting. The book, was not a great one. But it was a good enough to keep me interested. Which is the sign of a decent to good author. I got about a third of the way in before I felt obliged to finish the book. The way the book was written shows it's age, it was written in 1979, and the editing of the book leaves a bit to be desired. There are jumps and skips in the timeline and there are misspellings. Overall it was okay, a dated sci-fi story which was exactly what I was expecting. I had just hoped for a better tale. I am now looking forward to reading Fred saberhagen's book of swords series.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the book is confusing and tedious to read, but things do pick up a lot thereafter, as unlikely 20th-century hero Mike Gabrieli takes on Francisco Pizarro and the Spanish conquistadors in 16th-century Peru in an attempt to save the Inca empire.

This is a well-researched, alternative-history, time-travel novel, overall, and OK if you can get to the second half of the book!

[STU · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars may be a bit harsh, but it falls short of 4 stars.
Being Australian, I don't have much knowledge of the Incas - which may have made the story more interesting to me.
I enjoyed it enough but felt there were a few unanswered questions throughout.

[Scott Schmidt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Mask of the Sun felt like a solid concept, just poorly executed. There were several plot points left unexplored, quite a lot of time spent in scenes with characters that mattered very little and ultimately too many plot holes to really become immersed in the story. Granted, when you start down the path of time travel, paradoxes and alternate timelines, things can get hairy, but overall it just came down to bad plotting. Not bad writing, I enjoyed another of Saberhagen's novels, The Water of Thought, and I won't hesitate to pick up another of his works, but this particular story is sub-par.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I can see why it’s not a classic time travel tale.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting time travel/parallel universe story, albeit a little dated. The patriarchy is strong in this one; if you can get past that, it makes for a fun, quick read.

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale is an alternate history set among the Incas in which 20th-century hero Mike Gabrieli finds himself a hero planning battles with the Incas who are determined to drive Francisco Pizarro and his Spanish conquistadors from their lands..

It all begins when his brother, Tom, discovers a gold mask in shallow ocean waters. Realizing that it is indeed pure gold, he decides to seek someone who will buy it. Then he disappears, leaving a message for his brother. When Mike reads the message he learns about the gold mask. However, when he finds it and raises it to his face he encounters strange images. At this point he also meets an old man named Esperanza appears and begins a conversation.

The brothers are about to have the adventure of their lifetimes. The mask leads Mike from the twentieth century into the past, the future, even another dimension. He meets the Incas in all the periods. Almost always, too, he encounters the old man, Esperanza, appearing as one who lived in that period. At one point Mike discovers that he is not the person expected. Mike is a clerk, not the soldier who died in an auto accident. As the story progresses Mike becomes a hero, leading the Incas against Pizarro whose men are raging across the Inca Empire, stealing their gold, silver, precious stones, wives, and enslaving many. As the Incas fight for their existence, Mike begins himself planning how to defeat the Spaniard and his cruel soldiers. And, yes, Mike finds his brother several times in all the periods in which he finds himself. It's a good tale with many
a battle.

[Sean Randall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to read this as an introduction to the author. where practicable I like to try out a stand-alone story before embarking on a series, to familiarise myself with the author's style and get a taste for how they work.

i'm sorry to say that this didn't get my juices flowing overmuch. The idea was an interesting one and the science sort of worked, but the characters seemed very flat and I was pretty much lost as to the point of the whole thing. Knowing me, I've stumbled into some part of a larger whole. Either that, or I'm simply not equipped to handle the calibre of this material.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mysterious and fast-paced beginning gives way to a dry story that connects one historical event to another before adding a twist that feels minor, at best. It's too bad, because the Incas could make for good historical fiction. I enjoyed other works by Saberhagen far more.

[Brent Moffitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of a set of three. This was the best one of the three. There seemed to be a lot left to the imagination. No explanation for much of the plot. Still, I enjoyed it.

[Foxtower · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story, the premise based on the discovery of a mask with special powers that takes the hero unwillingly into an alternate universe.

[Jane Lindskold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alternate history set among the Incas.

[SciFiOne · Rating 3 out of 5]

1982 grade C+