Quest Crosstime

Crosstime/Blake Walker #2

by Andre Norton

Norton, Andre, Quest Crosstime

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Alternate History, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fantasy, Adventure, Ebooks

250 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Andre 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.

Reviews

[Kanta · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's awkward how much this book could have improved simply by improving some names. Norton named the planet Vroom, and as soon as you read that, you just can't take the story seriously anymore.

[Kat Hooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will review at Fantasy Literature.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

While Blake Walker is still a bit boring, the setting is much more interesting. It's an alternate history where the Aztecs kick the Spanish out of Mexico and the mixture of modern and ancient Aztec society is delightful. A couple of years after this book was published, The Gate of Worlds debuted with a similar history.

A decent read.

[April-lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this one—a sci-fi tale written by a woman at a time when there weren't a lot of sci-fi novels written by women (and let's be honest, that hasn't changed much), and the first scene written from the viewpoint of a seemingly courageous, independent woman.

But my hopes were soon shattered, as the POV quickly shifted away from Marfy, never to return. In fact, she and her sister didn't play much of a role in the story other than to be MacGuffins: one of them needs rescuing, and the other is only brought along on the adventure because a) their daddy has money and power and b) she's the best hope they have of rescuing her sister because of their intertwined psychic powers. Otherwise, she wouldn't be allowed anywhere near the journey... because she's a girl. Why? Norton never explains. In fact, there are no other women anywhere in the novel. The entire story is told by men and about men. What a disappointment!

Also, I never did really figure out what the difference was between "levels" and "worlds" in their crosstime travel. To be fair, I didn't read the first book in the series (because I didn't realize until after I started reading it that there was a first book) so maybe that would have cleared up some of my confusion? But I'm of the opinion that a book should be able to stand on its own.

The idea of "crosstime" travel was interesting, and I was disappointed that it wasn't further developed. I'm also not entirely sure what the Limiters' agenda was for all the chaos they caused other than being the bad guys who ruin everything?

I agree with other reviewers that it felt like Norton just tried to cram too much into a single story without really giving any of the aspects a true chance to shine. The result was a fast-paced adventure story that lacked any character depth or true depth to the narrative. The characters weren't unlikable, but they could have been so much more than they were. It felt a bit like reading a dream—I never felt like I got more than a shimmering, half-formed glance at anything that was happening.

Also, what happened to Com Varlt!? He was my favorite (because he seemed to be the true hero of the group) but he simply disappeared after the group was taken away from one world and stranded at the project base, and other than the one Limiter-sympathizer who asked where he was, no one ever mentioned him again! You'd think his friends would be more concerned about his whereabouts and well-being. Perhaps Norton was setting up for a third book that never happened?

But I did give this three stars, because the fast pace and high level of conflict kept my interest enough to make it to the end. I'm undecided about whether I'll keep it in my vintage book collection, though.

[Tomislav · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book from the library when I was about 13 under the mistaken impression that it was another of the Time Trader books, but it was not. It has an altogether different multiverse setting. I was sadly disappointed.

In fact, it is also the second in a series, as sequel to The Crossroads of Time.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It was written in 1965. The parallel worlds and the travel was thought provoking. It was very much ahead of it's time. The author was born in 1912. It reminds me of Star Trek, Star Wars and the TV series "Sliders". The 2 Women characters had limited but strong roles.
Very glad I read this.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second of the Blake Walker books, again a good adventure story. I didn’t like it as much as the first one, as I think she tried to cram too many things into one story—time travel, evil egomaniacs, scientific and paranormal advances, etc. so the characters are pretty one dimensional.

[Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first in the series, but still a good book. Norton is the Queen of SF.

[Carlos Carrasco]

Jumpy beginning and weird conclusion but overall well put plot and characters are enjoyable hehehe

[Al "Tank" · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth one read, but I'll put it in my trading pile now. Part of my opinion might be because I've not read the first book in the series.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time travel, somewhat alternate history of Earth and noble twins. The world building was a tad fast and slap-dash but a fine vintage tale.

[Rob Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better set up than previous book but the ending was disappointing (with a standard action scene). 2½ star.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Der zweite Band der Crosstime-Serie. Den ersten habe ich noch nicht gelesen, aber der Einstieg fiel nicht schwer.
Es ist ein klassischer 50iger-Jahre Sci-Fi-Roman: Der Held ist so angelegt, dass vor allem der jugendliche Leser sich gut mit ihm identifizieren kann. Obwohl er vielen seiner Mitstreiter in Erfahrung und Können noch unterlegen ist, sind es seine Anlagen, die ihn dazu befähigen, die Welt zu retten. Dabei zeichnen ihn Mut und Intuition aus.
Charakterzeichnungen sucht man ansonsten vergeblich, der Schwerpunkt liegt auf Action. Wenige Überraschungen, nicht um Logik bemüht, kommt dieser Roman typisch für seine Zeit daher.
Die Art des Schreibens hat mich etwas an Burroughs Mars-Romane erinnert.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is functionally a good young adult novel. The problem with that? It was written as an adult adventure. This is a classic of the Norton oeuvre that I missed somehow as a youth. It is notable for being a cross-time story before Piper. I think she deserves credit for in effect the "conveyor" of Piper's better novels. That aside, this is a fairly standard set of rescue missions and opposition to the villain trying to destroy our way of life book with an interesting veneer. It's also, unfortunately, quite technologically dated. It has the virtue of being a short, entertaining read.

[Valerie]

I've definitely seen a paperback copy of this, though I don't have a copy at present. I don't remember what was in it, but my criticisms would likely be the same as those for the earlier books in the trilogy (Crossroads of Time & Quest Crosstime)--there's too much focus on the figures, and not enough focus on the ground.

[Ann aka Iftcan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite its name, this book has nothing to do with time travel. Rather it deals with alternate time-lines. Originally published in 1956, it is still a good adventure story with a sci-fi twist.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this one was a bit weak.

[Valerie]

I think I read all the books in this series, but I don't seem to've retained any, either in my library or in memory. I gather this is the second book in what became a trilogy.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blake Walker's fantasy adventures continue on parallel Earths. A good and enjoyable read from my 1960's Andre Norton days.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being written almost 60 years ago the story still resonates with Norton's unique ability to project wonder and excitement.

[SciFiOne · Rating 4 out of 5]

1981 grade A-
2013 grade B

Series book AW2

[Norman Howe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Blake Walker novel"," sequel to The Crossroads of Time