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Gor #34
Plunder of Gor
Explore the counterearth of Gor—where men enslave women and science fiction and fantasy combine—in the latest installment of the long-running Gorean Saga.
A mysterious package lies unclaimed somewhere in the great port of Brundisium, and it is rumored that its contents could determine the fate of a world. Whether or not that is true, one thing is certain: Men and beasts will kill to claim it.
Meanwhile, a young woman, now merchandise, has been brought to the slave markets of Gor after displeasing a stranger in her secretarial job back on Earth. Unbeknownst to her, she holds the key to finding the elusive package—and changing the course of history forever.
Inspired by works like Edgar Rice Burroughs’s John Carter of Mars novels and Robert E. Howard’s Almuric, this adventure series—alternatively referred to by several names including the Chronicles of Counter-Earth or the Saga of Tarl Cabot—has earned a devoted following for its richly detailed world building, erotic themes, and mash-up of science fiction, fantasy, history, and philosophy.
Plunder of Gor is the 34th book in the Gorean Saga, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
A mysterious package lies unclaimed somewhere in the great port of Brundisium, and it is rumored that its contents could determine the fate of a world. Whether or not that is true, one thing is certain: Men and beasts will kill to claim it.
Meanwhile, a young woman, now merchandise, has been brought to the slave markets of Gor after displeasing a stranger in her secretarial job back on Earth. Unbeknownst to her, she holds the key to finding the elusive package—and changing the course of history forever.
Inspired by works like Edgar Rice Burroughs’s John Carter of Mars novels and Robert E. Howard’s Almuric, this adventure series—alternatively referred to by several names including the Chronicles of Counter-Earth or the Saga of Tarl Cabot—has earned a devoted following for its richly detailed world building, erotic themes, and mash-up of science fiction, fantasy, history, and philosophy.
Plunder of Gor is the 34th book in the Gorean Saga, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
680 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2016
39 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
John Norman
99 books337 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
John Norman, real name John Lange, was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1931. His best known works, the Gor series, currently span 36 books written 1966 (Tarnsman of Gor) to 2021 (Avengers of Gor). Three installments of the Telnarian Histories, plus three other fiction works and a non-fiction paperback. Mr. Norman is married and has three children.
John Norman, real name John Lange, was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1931. His best known works, the Gor series, currently span 36 books written 1966 (Tarnsman of Gor) to 2021 (Avengers of Gor). Three installments of the Telnarian Histories, plus three other fiction works and a non-fiction paperback. Mr. Norman is married and has three children.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 3, 2022
When Magicians of Gor was released in 1998, it looked to be the end of the series. It would be 13 years before Witness of Gor made its digital debut, and another 7 before Prize of Gor would follow in its footsteps. Much to the surprise of most readers, that novel marked the beginning of a new era for the series, with 6 more books being released over the next 5 years . . . before that story arc came to an end in 2013.
While readers could be forgiven for assuming that the series had finally exhausted its second life, it was hard to imagine that John Norman wouldn't do something to mark the occasion of the series 50th anniversary - which brings us to Plunder of Gor.
While Rebels of Gor was almost entirely devoted to resolving the core conflict between Tarl Cabot, the Kurii, and the Priest-Kings, Plunder of Gor is very much a throwback to the saga's bdsm/slavery roots, narrated as it is by one of those captured Earth women. While I largely resented those 'side' novels in my youth, impatient as I was to get back to the saga of Tarl Cabot, I actually found a lot to like in this.
For one, I liked the myth of Gor which I don't recall being explored to such a degree before. We actually spend the first 70 pages or so on Earth, with Phyllis and Paula discussing their knowledge of the rumors and fiction surrounding the Counter-Earth. I also like the way the idea of beauty was explored here, with the Gorean slavers expressing such interest in plain, well-rounded Paula, and such disdain for vain, model-like Phyllis. Having such a vain, self-confident, lower value slave as narrator really puts an interesting spin on the novel, especially with Paula's shadow looming so large over her new life.
I was actually surprised to see Paula reappear at around the halfway mark of the story, but it was fitting since Phyllis really had not learned a thing about her new life. As desperate as she is for friendship, for a reminder of home, her jealousy for the plain, bookish, unfashionable young woman drives much of the novel's conflict. While this is a novel of Gor, with plenty of slavery and adventure along the way, it's really a rather personal story of these two women. So much of the story, including the fate of Kurik of Victoria, hinges on their intertwined fates (cleverly contrasted with the schemes of Lady Bina, free woman), with the action and drama reaching its crescendo in the final 100 pages.
Plunder of Gor is a refreshingly original entry in the saga that still manages to remain true to its roots. There's an equal mix of adventure, philosophy, erotic tension, intellectual mystery, with some well-developed characters and some fantastic settings. Some readers may find the pacing of the second act to be a bit slow, while others may find the opening Earth-bound scenes a bit too much, but it all comes together in a well-balanced story that pays off in the end.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
While readers could be forgiven for assuming that the series had finally exhausted its second life, it was hard to imagine that John Norman wouldn't do something to mark the occasion of the series 50th anniversary - which brings us to Plunder of Gor.
While Rebels of Gor was almost entirely devoted to resolving the core conflict between Tarl Cabot, the Kurii, and the Priest-Kings, Plunder of Gor is very much a throwback to the saga's bdsm/slavery roots, narrated as it is by one of those captured Earth women. While I largely resented those 'side' novels in my youth, impatient as I was to get back to the saga of Tarl Cabot, I actually found a lot to like in this.
For one, I liked the myth of Gor which I don't recall being explored to such a degree before. We actually spend the first 70 pages or so on Earth, with Phyllis and Paula discussing their knowledge of the rumors and fiction surrounding the Counter-Earth. I also like the way the idea of beauty was explored here, with the Gorean slavers expressing such interest in plain, well-rounded Paula, and such disdain for vain, model-like Phyllis. Having such a vain, self-confident, lower value slave as narrator really puts an interesting spin on the novel, especially with Paula's shadow looming so large over her new life.
I was actually surprised to see Paula reappear at around the halfway mark of the story, but it was fitting since Phyllis really had not learned a thing about her new life. As desperate as she is for friendship, for a reminder of home, her jealousy for the plain, bookish, unfashionable young woman drives much of the novel's conflict. While this is a novel of Gor, with plenty of slavery and adventure along the way, it's really a rather personal story of these two women. So much of the story, including the fate of Kurik of Victoria, hinges on their intertwined fates (cleverly contrasted with the schemes of Lady Bina, free woman), with the action and drama reaching its crescendo in the final 100 pages.
Plunder of Gor is a refreshingly original entry in the saga that still manages to remain true to its roots. There's an equal mix of adventure, philosophy, erotic tension, intellectual mystery, with some well-developed characters and some fantastic settings. Some readers may find the pacing of the second act to be a bit slow, while others may find the opening Earth-bound scenes a bit too much, but it all comes together in a well-balanced story that pays off in the end.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for review consideration. This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my review.
October 23, 2016
DNF - I can't believe that this book has 33 preceding volumes in a series? Many a Sci-Fi fan will no doubt enjoy this book but it was not for me due to its harsh view on women as slaves.
June 1, 2020
This was actually the second time I have read this book. Damningly, the reason I re-read it was the fact that I could not remember anything that happened in it from the first time round. The re-read showed me why it was so unmemorable.
This is one of those "Kajira" novels that Norman fills out the series with. The "Heroine" is a vain conceited self important young woman called Phyllis. She tells everyone that she is highly intelligent but there are very few occasions where she ever demonstrates it. If you go solely by her actions alone, she is a naive, ignorant and, occasionally, nasty piece of work. That is a major flaw with this novel, there is little to like in the POV character as she undergoes the trademark "Earth woman on Gor route". This is the exact same story as you find in Captive, Slave girl Dancer and Smugglers. Woman struggles with her own sexuality, she is kidnapped to Gor where she comes to embrace bondage whilst forever questioning herself and repeating the same criticisms of western Earth culture. The man who captures her for himself spends the entire book denying that he finds any real worth in her until at the end they admit mutual love.
Given that repitition and innevitabe outcome, one must look to the greater story to hold one's attention. More happens in this novel than I remembered. The central male character is involved with the Kurii Civil War, This novel presupposes you have read Kur of Gor and remember the broad strokes of it's plot. For no clear reason that Norman deigns to offer us, this man is the intended recipient of a gift intended for Lord Grendel. Those opposed both to the giver and the intended recipient are determined to seize this gift and use it to corrupt Lord Grendel. This leads to a few reasonable action scenes but the story does not really progress much. This is definitely a part of a bigger arc novel and whilst it can be read as a standalone it only has power seen as part of that bigger arc. There is some potential in the machiavellian plottings but they are left up in the air. Given John Norman's record with such things it could be a while before they are resolved, or if they are it could be a throwaway comment in a novel.
If you like the Gor novels either for their Master/slave element o for the politicking, then this book offers something for you and is worth a read. I would caution against looking for too much in either aspect though.
This is one of those "Kajira" novels that Norman fills out the series with. The "Heroine" is a vain conceited self important young woman called Phyllis. She tells everyone that she is highly intelligent but there are very few occasions where she ever demonstrates it. If you go solely by her actions alone, she is a naive, ignorant and, occasionally, nasty piece of work. That is a major flaw with this novel, there is little to like in the POV character as she undergoes the trademark "Earth woman on Gor route". This is the exact same story as you find in Captive, Slave girl Dancer and Smugglers. Woman struggles with her own sexuality, she is kidnapped to Gor where she comes to embrace bondage whilst forever questioning herself and repeating the same criticisms of western Earth culture. The man who captures her for himself spends the entire book denying that he finds any real worth in her until at the end they admit mutual love.
Given that repitition and innevitabe outcome, one must look to the greater story to hold one's attention. More happens in this novel than I remembered. The central male character is involved with the Kurii Civil War, This novel presupposes you have read Kur of Gor and remember the broad strokes of it's plot. For no clear reason that Norman deigns to offer us, this man is the intended recipient of a gift intended for Lord Grendel. Those opposed both to the giver and the intended recipient are determined to seize this gift and use it to corrupt Lord Grendel. This leads to a few reasonable action scenes but the story does not really progress much. This is definitely a part of a bigger arc novel and whilst it can be read as a standalone it only has power seen as part of that bigger arc. There is some potential in the machiavellian plottings but they are left up in the air. Given John Norman's record with such things it could be a while before they are resolved, or if they are it could be a throwaway comment in a novel.
If you like the Gor novels either for their Master/slave element o for the politicking, then this book offers something for you and is worth a read. I would caution against looking for too much in either aspect though.
February 16, 2019
Despite the generally well crafted, satisfying plot (save for the implausible mess of a climax) and at least a few well written characters, I was disappointed overall. From a first person narrative told from the perspective of an intelligent newly enslaved kajira, one would hope to enjoy an intricate subtle exploration of the experience of slavery instead of an endless repetition of the most basic tropes of sex slavery with seemingly little effort to really get into the head and heart of a kajira. Her inner process through her transition into slavery was far too straightforward and simplistic and lazily written. I also found her tiresomely unlikeable for a character whose eyes we are expected to look through for several hundred pages. It is so endlessly repetitive that I really think a third the pages would have been shorn if the manuscript had been more than proofread. And worst of all, despite being written by a philosophy professor there is very little of interest in the way of philosophical themes. The book’s saving grace was Paula, who was lovelily written.
July 2, 2018
Borrowed this from Hoopla twice. Just got around to reading it or rather trying to read it. Suffice to say I only made it a couple pages in not even an entire chapter before I closed out and returned it.
Science fiction it may be, but the harsh view on woman as slaves and the basic mind F... it dealt with had me as a do-no-go-on.
I've never read anything by this author or any of this series before so I cannot attest to overall writing style or any of that jazz. I can say this book was a big DNF for me.
Science fiction it may be, but the harsh view on woman as slaves and the basic mind F... it dealt with had me as a do-no-go-on.
I've never read anything by this author or any of this series before so I cannot attest to overall writing style or any of that jazz. I can say this book was a big DNF for me.
July 27, 2017
An unfortunate volume filled with all the "what not to do" lessons that writing teachers pound into aspiring writers. If the author had had an editor, the story might actually be passable, and it also wouldn't be the unforgivable 669 pages it is now. Laboriously over-written, painfully repetitive, with poorly realized action sequences, shallow character work, and stillborn world-building, this book is a definite miss.
April 14, 2022
Standard Norman
The first quarter of this episode was typical Norman, explanation of the book's premises. The story line was interesting, but the culmination was weak. A dozen better ending might be imagined. Good but not Mr. Norman's best.
The first quarter of this episode was typical Norman, explanation of the book's premises. The story line was interesting, but the culmination was weak. A dozen better ending might be imagined. Good but not Mr. Norman's best.
April 11, 2020
Excellent reading!
Amazing book, continuing the path of the Gorean Saga, with a growing clarity in the way the writer exposes the philosophy!
Amazing book, continuing the path of the Gorean Saga, with a growing clarity in the way the writer exposes the philosophy!
November 22, 2025
Another Earth woman goes to Gor and becomes a slave. Yawn.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews