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The Doorways Trilogy #3
The Unmaker
Alone and lost in strange worlds… Saul Harding finds himself cut off from the House of Many Rooms when the magical network of Doorways collapses, swamping the fabled world in a wave of darkness. Saul must find a way to help his parents, who are lost deep in an unnatural coma. And somehow he must work his way back to the Princess and her Followers before the Unmaker destroys the House of Many Rooms – and unravels the whole fabric of creation itself.’
‘The third and final book in a thrilling new trilogy by one of Australia’s most talented science fiction/fantasy authors.’
‘The third and final book in a thrilling new trilogy by one of Australia’s most talented science fiction/fantasy authors.’
235 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
6 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Michael Pryor
130 books191 followers Michael Pryor's bio
Check out my Fantasy podcast, 'The World Below the War in the Heavens' wherever you get your podcasts!
I was born in Swan Hill, Victoria. I spent my childhood in country Victoria and Melbourne before moving to Geelong at the age of 10. I lived in Geelong until I went to university in Melbourne after secondary school.
I currently live in Melbourne. I’ve worked as a drainer’s labourer, a truck driver, a bathroom accessories salesperson, an Internet consultant, a Multimedia Developer, a Publisher, in a scrap metal yard and as a secondary school teacher. Whew.
I’ve taught English, Literature, Drama, Legal Studies and Computer Studies.
I've published over thirty-five novels and more than sixty of my short stories have appeared in Australia and overseas in publications such as Overland and the New South Wales School Magazine. My writing moves from literary fiction to genre Science Fiction to slapstick humour, depending on my mood.
I’ve been shortlisted eleven times for the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction, and have also been nominated for a Ditmar award. My short stories have twice been featured in Gardner Dozois’ ‘Highly Recommended’ lists in The Year’s Best Science Fiction and The Year’s Best Fantasy. Nine of my books have been CBC Notable Books, I’ve been longlisted for a Golden Inky and I’ve been shortlisted for the WAYBRA Award. I’ve also twice won the Best and Fairest Award at West Brunswick Amateur Football Club.
My reviews tend toward the three word style of the trenchant critic, N. Molesworth.
Check out my Fantasy podcast, 'The World Below the War in the Heavens' wherever you get your podcasts!
I was born in Swan Hill, Victoria. I spent my childhood in country Victoria and Melbourne before moving to Geelong at the age of 10. I lived in Geelong until I went to university in Melbourne after secondary school.
I currently live in Melbourne. I’ve worked as a drainer’s labourer, a truck driver, a bathroom accessories salesperson, an Internet consultant, a Multimedia Developer, a Publisher, in a scrap metal yard and as a secondary school teacher. Whew.
I’ve taught English, Literature, Drama, Legal Studies and Computer Studies.
I've published over thirty-five novels and more than sixty of my short stories have appeared in Australia and overseas in publications such as Overland and the New South Wales School Magazine. My writing moves from literary fiction to genre Science Fiction to slapstick humour, depending on my mood.
I’ve been shortlisted eleven times for the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction, and have also been nominated for a Ditmar award. My short stories have twice been featured in Gardner Dozois’ ‘Highly Recommended’ lists in The Year’s Best Science Fiction and The Year’s Best Fantasy. Nine of my books have been CBC Notable Books, I’ve been longlisted for a Golden Inky and I’ve been shortlisted for the WAYBRA Award. I’ve also twice won the Best and Fairest Award at West Brunswick Amateur Football Club.
My reviews tend toward the three word style of the trenchant critic, N. Molesworth.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 1, 2014
Having been stranded on his world because of the upheaval in the Threads, Saul is at a bit of a loss for what to do. His parents are still drifting in comas and he's got the police on his back as they try to make sense of the situation. But with no way back to the House of Many Doors, what can he do? Then an unexpected ally appears and changes everything.
The story progresses well, with the uneasy relationship between Saul and his new companion complimenting the turmoil between the Followers and the Unmaker. The House of Many Doors is crumbling under the Unmaker's power, but how can they stop him?
Not very well, it turns out. The identity of the Unmaker was fairly obvious early in the book; but the question of what to do about him was the key puzzle. And here, again, the final battle was a huge disappointment. Saul barely participates. His key moment consists of finding the latch for a secret door. The enemy meets an inconclusive but presumably final end.
The series as a whole was a reasonably interesting read, but I could never escape the feeling that Saul ought to have done more, been more. He explores his gifts in a new way in the third book yet again, but in a way, the ongoing adventure proposed at the end of the book sounds like it might do more for him than the rest of the story thus far. It's not bad entertainment, but the overall feeling I got was potential that never quite expressed itself. I rate this book Neutral.
The story progresses well, with the uneasy relationship between Saul and his new companion complimenting the turmoil between the Followers and the Unmaker. The House of Many Doors is crumbling under the Unmaker's power, but how can they stop him?
Not very well, it turns out. The identity of the Unmaker was fairly obvious early in the book; but the question of what to do about him was the key puzzle. And here, again, the final battle was a huge disappointment. Saul barely participates. His key moment consists of finding the latch for a secret door. The enemy meets an inconclusive but presumably final end.
The series as a whole was a reasonably interesting read, but I could never escape the feeling that Saul ought to have done more, been more. He explores his gifts in a new way in the third book yet again, but in a way, the ongoing adventure proposed at the end of the book sounds like it might do more for him than the rest of the story thus far. It's not bad entertainment, but the overall feeling I got was potential that never quite expressed itself. I rate this book Neutral.
Displaying 1 of 1 review