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Quintara Marathon #2
The Run to Chaos Keep
When the two horned demons--the greatest discovery of all time--escape their giant sealed amber cell and leave a trail of mutilated victims, the three major empires must follow these creatures into another dimension. Reprint.
308 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1991
4 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Jack L. Chalker
132 books355 followersBesides being a science fiction author, Jack Laurence Chalker was a Baltimore City Schools history teacher in Maryland for a time, a member of the Washington Science Fiction Association, and was involved in the founding of the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. Some of his books said that he was born in Norfolk, Virginia although he later claimed that was a mistake.
He attended all but one of the World Science Fiction Conventions from 1965 until 2004. He published an amateur SF journal, Mirage, from 1960 to 1971 (a Hugo nominee in 1963 for Best Fanzine).
Chalker was married in 1978 and had two sons.
His stated hobbies included esoteric audio, travel, and working on science-fiction convention committees. He had a great interest in ferryboats, and, at his wife's suggestion, their marriage was performed on the Roaring Bull Ferry.
Chalker's awards included the Daedalus Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the West Coast Review of Books (1984), Skylark Award (1985), Hamilton-Brackett Memorial Award (1979), as well as others of varying prestige. He was a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award twice and for the Hugo Award twice. He was posthumously awarded the Phoenix Award by the Southern Fandom Confederation on April 9, 2005.
On September 18, 2003, during Hurricane Isabel, Chalker passed out and was rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack. He was later released, but was severely weakened. On December 6, 2004, he was again rushed to hospital with breathing problems and disorientation, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and a collapsed lung. Chalker was hospitalized in critical condition, then upgraded to stable on December 9, though he didn't regain consciousness until December 15. After several more weeks in deteriorating condition and in a persistent vegetative state, with several transfers to different hospitals, he died on February 11, 2005 of kidney failure and sepsis in Bon Secours of Baltimore, Maryland.
Chalker is perhaps best known for his Well World series of novels, the first of which is Midnight at the Well of Souls (Well World, #1).
He attended all but one of the World Science Fiction Conventions from 1965 until 2004. He published an amateur SF journal, Mirage, from 1960 to 1971 (a Hugo nominee in 1963 for Best Fanzine).
Chalker was married in 1978 and had two sons.
His stated hobbies included esoteric audio, travel, and working on science-fiction convention committees. He had a great interest in ferryboats, and, at his wife's suggestion, their marriage was performed on the Roaring Bull Ferry.
Chalker's awards included the Daedalus Award (1983), The Gold Medal of the West Coast Review of Books (1984), Skylark Award (1985), Hamilton-Brackett Memorial Award (1979), as well as others of varying prestige. He was a nominee for the John W. Campbell Award twice and for the Hugo Award twice. He was posthumously awarded the Phoenix Award by the Southern Fandom Confederation on April 9, 2005.
On September 18, 2003, during Hurricane Isabel, Chalker passed out and was rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of a heart attack. He was later released, but was severely weakened. On December 6, 2004, he was again rushed to hospital with breathing problems and disorientation, and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and a collapsed lung. Chalker was hospitalized in critical condition, then upgraded to stable on December 9, though he didn't regain consciousness until December 15. After several more weeks in deteriorating condition and in a persistent vegetative state, with several transfers to different hospitals, he died on February 11, 2005 of kidney failure and sepsis in Bon Secours of Baltimore, Maryland.
Chalker is perhaps best known for his Well World series of novels, the first of which is Midnight at the Well of Souls (Well World, #1).
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 20, 2025
Unlike the last book, we're now in the realm of PLOT! STORY! ACTION! ... sort of. We finally get some movement, but the end is cloudy. I also like the Dante-esque descent into Hell we've been getting, as well as the weird geometry/physics of the place. The different perspectives of the three teams at each obstacles also provided some amusing contrast.
This is my first reread after I read this originally at least 12 years ago, so I didn't remember anything about this book, but I do remember what happens to one of these characters in the concluding volume, as well as one weird freaking thing that's going to happen. This book wasn't that weird, comparatively speaking.
This is my first reread after I read this originally at least 12 years ago, so I didn't remember anything about this book, but I do remember what happens to one of these characters in the concluding volume, as well as one weird freaking thing that's going to happen. This book wasn't that weird, comparatively speaking.
September 22, 2018
76 points/100 (4 stars/5)
April 15, 2013
Still a good re-read. I've probably read this series eight or ten times. :)
Always glad I bought this set, as Jack Chalker has written some wonderful series'.
Always glad I bought this set, as Jack Chalker has written some wonderful series'.
April 11, 2025
Deuxième tome de la série "The Quintara marathon"
Contexte : Les humains ont essaimé dans la galaxie. Mais ils avaient été précédés et sont maintenant assimilés dans les trois grands empires qui se partagent la galaxie dans une neutralité armée. Trois empires qui ont leurs caractéristiques :
L'Échange qui mise sur l'exploitation des ressources et dirigé par des puissances cybernétiques.
Les Mycohlians qui sont portés sur le mal et sont dirigés par de puissants parasites qui peuvent prendre le contrôle des autres formes de vie.
Les Mizlaplan qui abhorrent le mal et visent à répandre la bonté et dont les dirigeants sont considérés comme des dieux qui peuvent imposer leur volonté aux autres.
En plus, à cause des long voyages spatiaux de leurs ancêtres et des radiations subies dans l'espace, certains ont hérité de divers talents comme la télépathie (communication par la pensée), l'empathie (sentir ou projeter des émotions). la télékinésie (bouger les objets sans contact physique), influencer les autres, etc.
Les empires maintiennent un équilibre délicat de balance de pouvoir et partagent toutes de vielles légendes de démons cornus extrêmement puissants et dangereux.
Or, on vient de découvrir, sur une planète en dehors de l'espace connu, des êtres géants, humanoïdes et cornus, conservés dans des enveloppes de cristal et préservés depuis des centaines de milliers d'années.
Suite au sos lancé par l'équipe de recherche sur le site, trois équipes diversifiées issues des trois empires convergent sur l'origine du SOS. Première surprise, les démons se sont libérés et ont éliminé l'équipe complète de chercheurs en plus d'en avoir dévoré quelques-uns. Rapidement, tout cela se transforme en course poursuite entre les dimensions sans compter les affrontements entre les trois équipes. La puissance et l'avancement technologie des démons est énorme, ainsi que leur désir de pouvoir absolu.
Prometteur, mais le récit n'est pas à la hauteur des espérances. Quelquefois, on tombe dans la fantaisie avec des terrains d'action peu plausibles. Les personnages sont tout de même intéressants et on a hâte de voir comment tout cela va tourner.
J'ai tout de même aimé. Espérons que ce n'est que partie remise et que la suite, et fin, va être concluante.
Contexte : Les humains ont essaimé dans la galaxie. Mais ils avaient été précédés et sont maintenant assimilés dans les trois grands empires qui se partagent la galaxie dans une neutralité armée. Trois empires qui ont leurs caractéristiques :
L'Échange qui mise sur l'exploitation des ressources et dirigé par des puissances cybernétiques.
Les Mycohlians qui sont portés sur le mal et sont dirigés par de puissants parasites qui peuvent prendre le contrôle des autres formes de vie.
Les Mizlaplan qui abhorrent le mal et visent à répandre la bonté et dont les dirigeants sont considérés comme des dieux qui peuvent imposer leur volonté aux autres.
En plus, à cause des long voyages spatiaux de leurs ancêtres et des radiations subies dans l'espace, certains ont hérité de divers talents comme la télépathie (communication par la pensée), l'empathie (sentir ou projeter des émotions). la télékinésie (bouger les objets sans contact physique), influencer les autres, etc.
Les empires maintiennent un équilibre délicat de balance de pouvoir et partagent toutes de vielles légendes de démons cornus extrêmement puissants et dangereux.
Or, on vient de découvrir, sur une planète en dehors de l'espace connu, des êtres géants, humanoïdes et cornus, conservés dans des enveloppes de cristal et préservés depuis des centaines de milliers d'années.
Suite au sos lancé par l'équipe de recherche sur le site, trois équipes diversifiées issues des trois empires convergent sur l'origine du SOS. Première surprise, les démons se sont libérés et ont éliminé l'équipe complète de chercheurs en plus d'en avoir dévoré quelques-uns. Rapidement, tout cela se transforme en course poursuite entre les dimensions sans compter les affrontements entre les trois équipes. La puissance et l'avancement technologie des démons est énorme, ainsi que leur désir de pouvoir absolu.
Prometteur, mais le récit n'est pas à la hauteur des espérances. Quelquefois, on tombe dans la fantaisie avec des terrains d'action peu plausibles. Les personnages sont tout de même intéressants et on a hâte de voir comment tout cela va tourner.
J'ai tout de même aimé. Espérons que ce n'est que partie remise et que la suite, et fin, va être concluante.
October 8, 2019
This is the second book in the series so don't read it until you've read the first one.
In the last novel the three groups from the three empires have arrived on Rainbow Bridge and have discovered the horrible fate of the people that went to investigate what appear to be two large horned demons trapped in amber. We learn more about the characters, the demons known as the Quintara, and what their plans are for each empire. There's a lot more in the way of plot, action and drama that takes place in this novel and motives are discovered as the three groups lose members and come together as one for survival. Characters are broken and need to come to terms with issues from their pasts as well as how they see themselves going forward in the future.
This continues the rather well thought out story from the first and introduces these horned demons as being more than they appear and at the same time less than we expected. There's a dose of Christian imagery in the whole thing but not enough to really make a huge difference.
Like the first one I found this to be a bit of a page turner and have come back to the entire series several times over the years. Can't really say much more without spoiling a lot.
In the last novel the three groups from the three empires have arrived on Rainbow Bridge and have discovered the horrible fate of the people that went to investigate what appear to be two large horned demons trapped in amber. We learn more about the characters, the demons known as the Quintara, and what their plans are for each empire. There's a lot more in the way of plot, action and drama that takes place in this novel and motives are discovered as the three groups lose members and come together as one for survival. Characters are broken and need to come to terms with issues from their pasts as well as how they see themselves going forward in the future.
This continues the rather well thought out story from the first and introduces these horned demons as being more than they appear and at the same time less than we expected. There's a dose of Christian imagery in the whole thing but not enough to really make a huge difference.
Like the first one I found this to be a bit of a page turner and have come back to the entire series several times over the years. Can't really say much more without spoiling a lot.
August 6, 2022
The second book in the series brought together the three teams we learned about in the first book from the three different kingdoms with two being on opposite ends of the spectrum as far as religion/philosophy and the third team of the Exchange somewhere in the middle. The odd and extreme environments that the teams travel through in their race to catch up with the demons reveals much about each character/group and how they see themselves and each other as they learn more and more about the Quintara and the influence they had on the past of their own worlds and kingdoms. As they close in on the demon city, they are all stripped of any advantage over each other and will have to face what comes next with nothing but who they are. A great read!
August 28, 2021
I really wish I would have started reading Chalker years ago. I knew of him and his works, but he was just one of those authors I always meant to read but never got around to.
I loved his Changewinds series, and I decided to give this one a try since I can remember when it was first published and the raves science fiction fans gave it.
It exceeded my expectations. I'm starting the third book in this series after I finish writing this review.
I loved his Changewinds series, and I decided to give this one a try since I can remember when it was first published and the raves science fiction fans gave it.
It exceeded my expectations. I'm starting the third book in this series after I finish writing this review.
December 9, 2021
Not as strong as the first, and maybe I happened to get a bad edition but there seemed to be a shocking number of just blatant errors in sentence structure and division of POV early on. It does pick up steam over time though, as we learn more about the seemingly-demonic Quintara, characters grow or break or outright die, and the worlds they stumble through begin to make less and less sense. Nearly lost me at the outset, but managed to hook me enough to read the sequel by the end.
August 4, 2017
... guilt pleasure SF, just like part 1. Still good, but less of a page turner. There's a lot of characters - telling them apart, let alone empathizing with them was hard sometimes.
October 29, 2020
Pretty solid "bridge" book of a trilogy. Lots of new character developments, some battles, more explanation of what the demons are. Looking forward to #3.
July 16, 2023
I enjoyed book 1 slightly more but found myself unable to put this book down.
Set up for an exciting finale.
Set up for an exciting finale.
November 18, 2013
I was amazed at the complexity, richness and depth and fun of the series. This was the second book. The trilogy is incredibly ambitious. 3 different inter-galactic cultures, with 3 different core organizational paradigms for each culture create teams, one team per culture of 5-7 people each. This book covers how the teams are formed. The sheer number of characters, different paradigms and personalities was just amazing. The plot is further enriched by different members of each team being able to communicate telepathically. Absolutely loved the series, this book, and the creativity Chalker displayed.
August 29, 2010
Well, I'm half-way through the third book as I write this and the heat makes my brain mushy so I'm not sure I have a lot to say. It was really engaging and somewhat surprising in ways. i really liked the was Chalker brings in religion and Dante. It definitely makes me want to read Dante.
What can I say? I'm so deep into the third one I don't think I can talk about the second one as a separate book. Except of course to say it's awesome and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Couldn't wait to pick up the third book.
What can I say? I'm so deep into the third one I don't think I can talk about the second one as a separate book. Except of course to say it's awesome and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Couldn't wait to pick up the third book.
February 17, 2015
Even as a kid I knew these sequels were a serious step back. The first book is three star-spanning empires discovering what appear to be actual demons. Since most races have some kind of demon mythology there's an intriguing premise. This book has three exploring teams from the three empires going basically through several circles of Hell as they go deeper into a multidimensional journey. Beings die, people talk (a lot), traumas that Chalker can't quite write get discussed and experienced again and again, and the action feels very soft.
Oh, but book 3 awaits...
Oh, but book 3 awaits...
January 8, 2024
Continues the story from Demons at Rainbow bridge well here, as we get into more 'weird' realms, and a bit more of a metaphysical view here. We continue to see some good character growth here, and certainly get to see more of the demons than in the first book. I felt a bit let down that the first part of the book repeated a bit of the first book, and felt like a bit of a retcon in one part, though I may have misunderstood parts from the first book. The ending of the book was a bit of a cliffhanger, meaning I will need to read the next book ASAP :)
October 5, 2013
for those that look for a review describing the plot, sorry, I prefer to just give my impressions. The second book in the series stays fast paced and fun, although I think the middle of the book dragged a bit, not that it wasn't moving along "actionwise", it just didn't advance the story very quickly. JLC doesn't have any wasteful dialouge, which I like, I enjoyed all the characters, and I thought the last 3rd of the book was great and had some surprise turns, that made it really interesting.
May 11, 2008
A definite for Chalker fans.
* spoiler warning *
I was troubled by the fact that he began killing off the characters I'd come to know from the first novel. I found it hard to keep track of them all but he juggled them well. not quite as good as the first in the series.
* spoiler warning *
I was troubled by the fact that he began killing off the characters I'd come to know from the first novel. I found it hard to keep track of them all but he juggled them well. not quite as good as the first in the series.
December 12, 2014
Three groups, all perfectly willing to kill each other, racing after a pair of demons as they decend through the first couple levels of hell.
Entertaining book, with the promise of a hell of a finale.
Entertaining book, with the promise of a hell of a finale.
August 4, 2014
I would have given this a solid 5 stars, but you have to wade through a huge chunk of the previous book in a almost word for word recap. I skimmed the long recap and kept an eye out for new information, but it was annoying. Other than that, it was a pleasant read.
March 18, 2015
First book was long introduction to the main story... Or so i thought... Author definitely has good ideas and creates a rich and vivid universe, but for me action was developing a little bit too slow. I'll definitely go for a last part of the trilogy, but I really hope that things will go faster.
September 11, 2008
The "race" continues. And continues to be mostly boring. Again, the different alien races and societies are the most interesting elements.
June 22, 2017
Constant action, but not as much character as the first volume. Interesting sci-fi look at parts of Dante's hell. Good read, can't wait to get ahold of the concluding volume.
March 16, 2013
Clear bridge from book one to three, literally as well as figuratively. More becomes clear as to the thrust of the trilogy, or does it?? Keep reading on!
October 5, 2014
This was ok, but was largely a chase across the universe.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews