Zarsthor's Bane

Witch World Series 2: High Hallack Cycle #4

by Andre Norton, Sanjulian (Illustrator), Evan TenBroeck Steadman (Illustrator)

Brixia, once the lady of a Hall in High Hallack, and her companion, the cat Uta, while scavenging for their living in the deserted Dales, are drawn into Waste where Light and Dark Magic still exist, in search of a power object, Zarsthor's Bane. While fending off an attack by predators, Brixia discovers a place of Green Magic.

Nov. 1978 First Ace Printing features cover art by Sanjulian. Illust. by Evan TenBroeck Steadman.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction, Ebooks, Speculative Fiction, Novels

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

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

[MrsJoseph *grouchy* · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://bookslifewine.com/r-zarsthors-...

*Spoilers Below*

Bane: [beyn] noun
1. death; destruction; ruin.
2. Obsolete. that which causes death or destroys life


I love this book. It's weird and dreamy and at some points really hard to understand (and follow). I've read Zarsthor's Bane many, many times now. I can honestly say that I feel that I find something new during each re-read. I'm also extremely lucky that I located a First Edition Illustrated copy. Zarsthor's Bane reminds me of a fever dream or daydream. There are parts that are so dreamy and slightly off-focus that I sometimes wonder if this was written while Norton was under the influence. The amazingly vague but incredibly detailed illustrations only reinforce that feeling for me.


Of all the books in the Witch World Series, Zarsthor's Bane is one of the worst transgressors as far as accessibility. It is steeped in Witch World lore the reader desperately needs in order to get even a basic understanding of the book. And Andre Norton does not handhold her readers. She makes no real attempts to be accessible. There is no prologue. There is no info dump. There are no explanation(s). There is only the now and the journey and the task.

Zarsthor's Bane starts with the introduction to Brixia, our heroine. She was once a high lady of the Dales - a pampered bower dweller taught only what she would need to know to run her own Keep one day. That was until the Alizon came and she escaped alone with only her life. The text does not identify the invaders (the Alizon) nor explain why they were so horrifically successful. I know because I've read the majority of this series but a random reader would be in the dark. This is only one (major) example of Andre Norton's expectation of the reader's knowledge in the plotting on this novel. Witch World has a lot of "doorways" into it from other worlds. During the attempted Kolder invasion, the Kolder (from a high tech world) tried to take over one continent while making an alliance with the country Alizon to take over a different continent. The Kolder gifted the Alizon machines very like tanks and then sent them to the Dales of High Hallack. These high-tech weapons deployed in a low tech world caused unbelievable (and previously unknown) amounts destruction. Numerous Keeps and Dales were completely destroyed and unsalvageable - leaving a lot of displaced refugees as well as growing (and unmanageable) bandit groups creating further havoc and devastation.

Brixia has been homeless and alone - with the exception of the cat Uta - for many years. It is important to realize Norton's obsession with cats to understand cats in the Witch World. The Witch World has cats but very few of them. Cats - being small but crafty predators willing to co-habitat with humans and thus keeping the humans' food supplies safer - are greatly prized in Witch World. They are considered intelligent and lucky but for the most part very few "own" cats. Another important fact is that the Alizon is a culture focused on dogs and hates cats. The Alizon attempt to kill any and all cats they run across. So for Brixia to locate a cat in the Dales after the war and that Uta was willing to befriend Brixia and become her companion is a big thing.

One day while hidden, Brixia and Uta run across two travelers preparing to camp for the night is some ruins. Uta decides to alert the travelers of their presence, spurring Brixia to speak with them. She meets the page Dwed and the mind-blasted Lord Marbon who appears to possibly be in a geas. Dwed is extremely hostile because he is protective of his lord and wants to protect him from embarrassment and ridicule. Dwed is young (no age given) and Marbon is all the "family" he has left. Dwed explains that Marbon suffered a head injury that has made him obsessed with an ancient story of his line: the story of Zarsthor's Bane.



Due to Dwed's hostility, Brixia camps near them but not with them. This is fortuitous, especially since Dwed is unfamiliar with safe behavior in the lawless land they are in. This allows Brixia to spy bandits shortly before the bandits fall upon Dwed's and Marbon's small camp. Brixia warns them of the danger and they take a hidden passage to safety. While in the hidden passage, Brixia and Marbon are left alone for a short time and during this time Marbon manages to infect Brixia with his obsession - it feels/seems as if Brixia is placed under a geas to assist Marbon.

But it was not only his visible madness which aroused her fears – it was something inside herself. Her head – she wanted to cry out – to wrench free of this Marbon and run and run – Because – deep in her she stood in front of the door and if the door was open –!

This was not the shrinking that the same sometimes feel when confronted by the abnormal among their own species. Her new emotion was totally alien. She could not turn her head, break the tie between their eyes. There was a need rising in her – something she must do - and nothing else in all the world mattered but that need which compelled, which made her its prisoner. She found herself whispering:
"Zarsthor's Bane."
-Zarsthor's Bane, page 47

The girl no longer questioned the purpose of her own actions. Dimly she understood that she could not turn aside now from this trail.
-Zarsthor's Bane, page 73

So Dwed, Marbon, Brixia and Uta travel the hidden passage which ends above the ruins they left. Marbon runs off, closely followed by Dwed and Uta but with Brixia somehow left a little behind. Brixia follows their trail for some time as night closes in but she gets misdirected by...something. I really can't say for sure what it was but I'm assuming it was of the Dark. The footsteps Brixia was following all were accompanied by Uta's paw prints except when she got misdirected so I would say it was of the Dark. But...while Brixia was on the wrong path she is pulled (called?) to this...magical tree that she names Green Mother. The wrong path brought Brixia to a powerful weapon of the Light.

While – she held her head high – Into her nostrils Brixia drew air scented with a fragrance which could be at the other end of a balance from the rotting stench of the narrow upper path. Sweet, fresh – she thought of meadow grass lying in the early morning, webs on it pearled with dew – flowers just opening to the day. There was a garden – open to the sun of midmorning - its blossoms ready to be harvested and dried for the sweetening of bedclothes and body linen – it was –

Without being quite aware of what she did Brixia got once more to her feet – moved on into the night, drawn by that scent which grew ever the stronger. So she came to the foot of the tree – Oddly twisted were its branches, and those lacked leaves. But it was aflower and the flowers were white. Seeming to extend from the tip of each petal – like the glow of a small candle – was a wisp of light.
-Zarsthor's Bane, page 63

Luckily, Brixia is called to the Green Mother tree just when she needs it most. The Green Mother gives her nourishment, some type of healing sap(?) that Brixia drinks from the bark. The Green Mother also gives her safe shelter for the night - protecting Brixia from strange toad-like creatures of the Dark. I need to do some digging but I *believe* these are the same toads from the short story the Toads of Grimmerdale located in Lore of the Witch World . In the Toads of Grimmerdale, the toads are evil creatures of the Dark called on for vengeance and in hate.

If a toad might rise upon its hind legs, show evil intelligence in his bulbous eyes, fangs within its gaping mouth – then that might approach in appearance these croaking things. Save that these toad creatures had no smooth skin – rather that was covered with ragged patches of very coarse hair – hair – or find tendrils. A longer growth weaved from each corner of their mouths, matching similar ones set above each eye. These were in constant motion as if the unwholesome threads had a separate life of their own.
-Zarsthor's Bane, page 63-66

The Green Mother tree gifts Brixia one of her potent flowers. The protection of the Green Mother only extended as far as her branches extended but the flower in Brixia's hand was mobile. The toads could not grab Brixia while she was under the Green Mother's bough but they were circling her and the Green Mother. In the Witch World, completed circles in repetition/multiples of certain numbers (like 3, 6, etc) have great amounts of power. It was possible that encircling Brixia and the Green Mother a particular number of times would allow the toads to grab Brixia. The flower, embodying the power of Light wielded by the Green Mother tree, allowed Brixia to fight back against the toads trying to take her - breaking their circle and driving them back.



Later, as Brixia path goes further into the Waste, she is attacked by the Dark again. With only a rock behind her, Brixia finds herself cornered by a desiccated, evil bird woman and her minions. Brixia uses the power of the flower (ha!) to save herself again. After fighting the Dark, Brixia realizes that she is currently lost in the Waste. Forced there by the powers of the Dark. Feeling herded, Brixia proclaims her individuality:

"I live," she told empty desert before her fiercely. "I have arms, legs, a body – I have a mind – I am me, Brixia! And I serve no will save my own!"
-Zarsthor's Bane, page 79

This affirmation reminds me heavily of Eleri's battle cry in Key of the Keplian (1996):

"On strange roads have I walked of my own will. I do not walk with another's feet.
I do not strike at another's word.
I am myself and my own."
-Key of the Keplian

Brixia gets back on the proper trail (evidenced by Uta's paw prints) and is able to catch up with Dwed, Marbon, and Uta.

I really disliked Dwed. He was aggressively hostile to Brixia the entire time. With no reason given. Considering Dwed's position - alone with only a mind-blasted man to take care of - he should be interested in non-lethal company. But not Dwed. Dwed has a lot of unnecessary anger and dislike of Brixia. He is rude, nasty, and aggressive at all times.

After Brixia catches up with Dwed, Uta, and Marbon, they camp for the night. Dwed slaps Brixia awake in the middle of the night - while calling her "outlaw slut" - because Marbon wandered away. WTF. It greatly upset me since Marbon seems to be geas-held AND has a brain injury which all started before Brixia and it was soooo uncalled for. To make matters worse, Dwed never apologizes to her - even after she saves EVERYONE.

The resolution of Zarsthor's Bane comes quickly but strangely. Brixia's flower from the Green Mother reveals an underwater city, An-Yak. Marbon and Dwed are taken over by long-dead personalities while Brixia and Uta protect them from the Bane. Brixia, when she opens the box the Bane is in, is swept into the past. Brixia finds herself hanging over a dinner party table. The table is headed by one man and there are various other diners who look to be of the Light (with one exception who looked out of place). She watches as Zarsthor confronts Jartar (creator of the Bane and the head of the table) over the Bane's creation. She watches as Jartar is also confronted by his companions who are of the Light - with the exception of a young looking (but still evil) bird woman - while the Bane is of the Dark.

Suddenly Brixia is in a purgatory fronted by both Jartar and Zarsthor. She learns that they were so angry at each other - for reasons so long past that they have been forgotten - that they have been stuck battling ever since. She releases them from their bindings - using the flower - which destroys the Bane. Sadly, the reader is never told WHY the Bane was created. Dwed mentions something about an insult between Zarsthor and an Old One but no real reason is given.

I never understood why Brixia got involved in this situation. It's blamed on Uta, on geas, etc. but in reality, the only person Brixia has real contact with is Dwed who is a horror to her at almost every moment. I enjoy Brixia's dream-like adventure but it's not my normal kind of read.

So. Zarsthor's Bane is a book for people who are already Norton fans and specifically those who are fans of the Witch World series. I do recommend Zarsthor's Bane BUT please remember that Ms Norton is not going to explain anything.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, and certainly classic Andre Norton. No romance, really, in it; Brixia, refugee from the Dale-Alizon wars, is caught up in the fate of a boy and his mind-clouded lord and the lord's search for a hereditary treasure, Zarsthor's Bane, through the agency of her companion hunting cat.
Marred by wierd illustrations, especially by the illustrator's desire to depict the heroine in a skin bikini when the text makes it clear she is wearing shirt and trews.

[CEGatling · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Witch World and Andre Norton's style (which I do) you'll understand this story and where it fits in the cycle. If you are new to the series, stop now and go read the titular Witch World novel and read from there. I read Zarsthor's Bane a long time ago and just re-read it. It's kind of weak compared to the others but gives an intro to characters that will show up in later books.

[Cozy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so utterly confused but after looking at good reads it seems I may have dropped myself into the middle of a universe. I kind of enjoyed the confusion though? Also the main character is cool even though I think she was about as lost as I was at any given time. The illustrations are beautiful even if they don't match the in book descriptions perfectly.

[Valerie]

This is the edition I have, though I have had other editions. This edition is illustrated by Evan TenBroek Steadman.

The story of Zarsthor's Bane is out of the main sequences. Brixia, the hero (the former lord Marbon is pretty much a zombie for much of the story due to a head injury. His self-appointed squire Dwed is a somewhat hapless guide and guard, who can only evoke Marbon's deceased foster-brother Jartar in hopes that bringing Marbon home will restore his sanity) has totally lost track of time during her wanderings after her home was destroyed in the Dales war.

Brixia has allied with a cat(? more on the history of this 'cat', Uta, in later volumes) for survival and companionship. It's Uta who entangles Brixia in the story of Zarsthor's Bane. The story of the Bane goes back to pre-human times in the Dales. The story is not clear, but it SEEMS as if the bane was created in a feud between brothers, back when the Old Ones still inhabited the Dales.

I have to say that the alleged outlaw threat is phantasmic at best. Though there are manifest (if rootless) monsters in the Waste, no outlaws actually appear onstage. There's an implication that the supposed outlaws had already ransacked the Dale and moved on, but even this isn't clearly so--the fire that destroyed most of the village, after all, could have been accidental.

As for the 'monsters' in the waste, the feather-armed woman in the story is more than a little spectral. There's some indication that she once had peers and conspecifics--but she herself still persists for frankly incomprehensible reasons. What does she hope to achieve?

As I've pointed out elsewhere, this story is only really a Witch World story by virtue of extraneous trappings. In reality, it's a pretty thorough satirical critique of the concepts behind generational blood-feud. The original feuders, still struggling in a sort of Phantom Zone, have long since forgotten the offenses that triggered the feud. The Bane which one brother ruined himself to create has destroyed the families and domains of both brothers, and despite Jartar's frankly implausible theory that gaining custody of the bane would help recoup Marbon's losses, there's no real reason to believe that the bane, as currently constructed, would benefit anybody.

It's unclear what forces use Brixia and the flowering tree she finds in the Waste to neutralize and transform the bane. It's also unclear what long-term impact the ending of the feud will have. Nobody in the Dales seems to be streaming into the Waste, even after the devastation caused by the Dales War. There are some who do go into the Waste: but they don't settle there, mostly. Most move on into Arvon--or go back to the Dales after a cooling-off period, or after a detour through the Waste to bypass troubled areas in the Dales. It's possible that the lands repatriated by Brixia, Uta, Marbon and Dwed did attract settlers--but I'VE never heard of any.

[Terence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Last Christmas (2012), I purchased seven of the first eight Witch World novels (at my local, still-in-business-as-of-August-2013 used book store) and have endeavored to read them in the subsequent months. I finished the final four in the last month and have been offering brief reviews anent what I enjoyed about them (with the mild criticism lodged here and there). Zarsthor’s Bane was the last book in the pile and – for my money – the weakest, which is why I only gave it two stars. In comparison to Year of the Unicorn and its companion volumes it was colorless – Norton-by-the-numbers.

Perhaps, though, I was burned out on the author by this point. Were I to come to Bane fresh, after a hiatus, I could be more positive.

So, in light of that, I’m going to recommend the novel to Norton fans, if not to the general public. For the Norton tyro, this is not the book to start with. That would remain – in my opinion – the original Witch World (still the best of the series) or, if you prefer SF, one of the Solar Queen books. (And here’s a nostalgic shout out to older D&D’ers for Quag Keep. Its sequel, by Jean Rabe, is awful but Norton’s original vision is still interesting and still cries out for a well-written continuation – if I had the guts, the willpower and the patience, maybe I’d try my hand at it. But I don’t so this is a plea for someone, anyone to bring closure to Milo’s, Naile's, Yevele's and the others' story.)

[Chris Lockhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of "Zarsthor's Bane" by Andre Norton as a birthday present last year. This was probably not the best place to start the series. Seems it's the 4th (or 5th) book in the second part of the Witch World Series. Tt the very least, there's 3 other books I should've read before this one.. and maybe as many as 14.

The languid dreamlike narrative follow the young woman Brixia through deserted world. She wanders after the fall of her family's Hall in High Hallack where she was a Lady. Along the way, she acquires a cat that she names Uta. The two travel together; Presumably the cat follows Brixia, but it seems quite likely that Uta is leading her somewhere. Her adventure truly begins when she discovers an aging mad Lord Marbon and his a young boy that effectively serves as his squire. The three unintentionally join together on a vague quest for an item called Zarsthor's Bane.

The hallucinogenic world and the main character's lack of understanding of what is going on makes the book difficult to follow. We travel with her, strange and lost, across the wasteland. She gets separated from her companions and it's not always clear why or how. It's an unusual feeling to have a plot built on a quest, but it is apparently not her quest but that of another character that seems to have lost grip on an already tricky reality.

Once the end of the book came, I mostly felt confusion. I enjoyed the trip there, it was an act of exploration through a strange world. But as to the story and characters, I'm not sure what truly happened. I give this 2½ stars and round it up because I did not read earlier books in the series.

On a sidenote, there are illustrations. Some of them are as mysteriously ambiguous as the text, others seems inspired by the text more than truly based on it. They too were enjoyable, if not misleading.

[Scot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Formulaic and predictable, this is another coming of age quest story set in this magical world. The switch is this time it is a tough young maiden who will rise to the challenges instead of a boy. She is joined along the way by a mysterious cat named Uta, an ensorcelled Lord Malbron, and his faithful servant boy Dwed. They are pretty much on their own, the last survivors, trying to make a go of it but pulled into this quest around the titular curse.

The previous book was not illustrated. I read it in an e-version and was fine with that. But when this one suddenly had full or half page illustrations popping up, unexpectedly, I found them intrusive. Even more so, I suspect, because the illustrator's depictions did not coincide with the way I felt the text described the characters and the settings. The artist took some liberties, and the images only started appearing after in my mind's eye I had already envisioned everything, so I found this hampered my enjoyment of the tale.

[Jenelle Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a short story about the Witch World. That led to me deciding to read the series again, picking up books I didn't read the first time through. I had this book laying randomly in my kitchen. I never read it, and I'm not sure I even realized it was a Witch World book? At any rate, this was the 12th book I've read recently that is set in this universe.
It's hands down my favorite. I liked the weird illustrations. Just the fact that the book was illustrated amused me. I love the cat. I like that there is no explanations for anything. The reader just has to know the world. I like that. I love the weird trippy feeling of the entire book, and I especially liked that there was no romance. At all.

[Jan Niblock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was very interesting. It is clearly one of hate/evil vs love/good. Brixia is truly a person who has no hate toward anyone and doesn’t want to hurt anyone. She was a wanderer during a time when the world was basically destroyed and only wanderers and bandits roamed. Brixia and her companion, a cat name Uta, were just moving around to survive. Soon she finds herself entangled in a search for Zarsthor’s bane with Marbon, Dwed and Uta.

The bane was created many years before and lost for what seemed like forever. Marbon had become obsessed with finding it and his squire, Dwed was trying to take care of him. When Uta went to them, Brixia found herself becoming part of the company to search for it.

This story shows that hate will accomplish nothing.

[Randall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a big Andre Norton fan, I was extremely disappointed in this one. I nearly stopped reading it at the halfway point and then again with 85% read. The characters have no agency and just do what they are compelled to do. Nothing to like, everything purposely confusing. DO NOT start your Andre Norton reading with this book! So many are just great! In this series, The Crystal Gryphon and The Year of the Unicorn, are both far superior. Try those first and skip this one altogether.

[jonathan rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

lotof wise words inbook showing that arvuements and war caused from them are silly and inconsequential, in the

Long run, but at same time it shows our dependence on others and we need others to realise our hopes and dreams ! lots of messages are given us we just need to sort out society and take the messages on board.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brixia is an orphaned daughter of the lord of a forgotten keep. She escaped when the keep was taken and wanders the countryside with only a cat named Uta as her companion.
She winds up passing unknowing into a magical land and barely survives.
The book is a little out there and wanders around until it comes to its conclusion

[Pilar Seacord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story but wished it was a little longer. Brixia was pretty much just surviving with a cat that seemed to have adopted her. She runs into a boy and his master who seems to not be all there and ends up on an adventure. Ms. Norton is a great storyteller and world builder.

[charlotte langston · Rating 5 out of 5]

high hallack

I have always loved Andre Norton’s witch world. It is a window into our lives. The light and the dark are always among us and how we deal with those determines our path in life.

[Gillian Wiseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Andre Norton. I read and reread this as a teen, and it is still thoroughly enjoyable now.

[Ted Bade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun tale. Great fantasy.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very little idea of what I just read, but now I want to work on my novel WIP. Brief, atmospheric, classic fantasy.

[George Polansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Norton that I had not read before, set in the Witch World universe. OK, not great.

[Magill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had I forgotten what an oddity this book was? Especially with the "illustrations" and another perplexing cover. But at least the woman on this cover is mainly clothed

The story could have taken place anywhere at any time really, although perhaps it never would have happened at all if Brixia had simply gone to Norsdale Abbey instead of wandering alone for several years. But under geas, she finds a magic flower, detours into the waste to be trapped by a dancing bird woman (well-described but not amounting to much) before solving the problem - all driven by the magic flower, and a cat.

1978... maybe it was an exploratory phase for the author and the artist... rather trippy, overall.

[Terrible Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Episode 46 - Zarsthor's Bane by Andre Norton, we partook in some mystical bright bud and wandered into the trippy wastelands with Brixia and Uta, the adventuring companions at the center of this fantasy novel plucked from a random cart of old sci fi/fantasy books for $1.00 at Amoeba Records. Can wrongly interpreted illustrations, sudden slut shaming, and hand-wavey plot points mar our journey with Brixia?
...
...
Not really! It was good! This book wasn't terrible! We want to read the other books in this series now. Thanks, Andre Norton.

While we were quite relieved to read something for the show that we both really enjoyed, listeners may not find this episode as entertaining as a result. We had very little criticism for this story, and we even enjoyed most of the art, though we do talk a bit about how the art was sort of inconsistent. Make sure to check our Instagram for some of the images from the book.

If you're into cat sidekicks and fantasy ladies who aren't just talking bikinis, check out this book!

[Birgitta Hoffmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

To Andre Norton Fans some of her stories shine because of the development of complex characters or issues. Well this one must have been the Friday afternoon piece. The story plots along, but you never really engage with it, the characters stay flat and you never really understand why the do the things they do. So, if you are a fan, read it, if only to get a scale, how good she can be, if she wants to be, and how flat, if her mind is not really on the job. If you have never read Andre Norton - don't start here.

[Jon · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with some of the other weaker Witch World novels, this was driven by a character having mysterious inner promptings that basically push them into the plot, through the plot, and then hand out the secret to the final confrontation. It's hard to get terribly excited about that. Still, the callouts to the other novels make me loathe to excise the weak works.

[S.A. Parham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantasy tale set in her Witch World era. This tale was a bit confused and jumbled, and made me realize that Norton has a facination with flowers and plants as symbols in her novels. Passing this one on to my son.

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another story of High Hallack and is a tale of 2 people who confront light and dark, temptation and redemption. It was a little hard to follow, and the characters seemed to be a little shallow and self centered, and the final confrontation was not to my liking.

[Loraxe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many of these Andre Norton books, I find myself wondering if there is a backstory somewhere that I missed. Still a good yarn, with minimal characters, which is nice when you are trying to find your way in a new world.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the Nazi occupy the Netherlands, old Jonkheer Norrey calls his grandson to his death bed. He entrusts a necklace called the Flower of Orange to the young in an effort to save the necklace and the family fortune.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

So...this is not the bestest Norton I've ever read (and the illustrations seem to have been done by someone who didn't actually read the story) but I enjoyed it. The thing is, I couldn't precisely tell you WHY.

[J.A. McLachlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andre Norton is an excellent storyteller, I grew up on her. But reading her now, I find her style old-fashioned and a real barrier to getting into the story. Her characters are timelessly intriguing, though.