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Pathfinder Tales #37
Through the Gate in the Sea
Portal to Destiny
Mirian Raas and her faithful crew make their living salvaging lost treasures from sunken ships along the coast of tropical Sargava. While retrieving riches from the bottom of Desperation Bay, Mirian and her friend Jekka, one of the last of his lizardfolk tribe, unexpectedly run across the wreck of an ancient magical ship. The discovery leads them on a quest for an arcane artifact called a dragon’s tear, which may be the key to locating Jekka’s vanished people. But a vengeful sorcerer and a zealous agent of the Child-God Walkena also seek the dragon’s tear—and they’ll stop at nothing to get it. Can Mirian and her crew pass through the legendary gate in the sea and find the tear before it’s too late?
Deepwater salvager Mirian Raas and her bold crew may have bought their nation's freedom with a hoard of lost lizardfolk treasure, but their troubles are only just beginning in this sequel to Beyond the Pool of Stars.
From critically acclaimed author Howard Andrew Jones comes a tale of clashing cultures and jungle adventure, set in the award-winning world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.
Mirian Raas and her faithful crew make their living salvaging lost treasures from sunken ships along the coast of tropical Sargava. While retrieving riches from the bottom of Desperation Bay, Mirian and her friend Jekka, one of the last of his lizardfolk tribe, unexpectedly run across the wreck of an ancient magical ship. The discovery leads them on a quest for an arcane artifact called a dragon’s tear, which may be the key to locating Jekka’s vanished people. But a vengeful sorcerer and a zealous agent of the Child-God Walkena also seek the dragon’s tear—and they’ll stop at nothing to get it. Can Mirian and her crew pass through the legendary gate in the sea and find the tear before it’s too late?
Deepwater salvager Mirian Raas and her bold crew may have bought their nation's freedom with a hoard of lost lizardfolk treasure, but their troubles are only just beginning in this sequel to Beyond the Pool of Stars.
From critically acclaimed author Howard Andrew Jones comes a tale of clashing cultures and jungle adventure, set in the award-winning world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.
- GenresFantasy
352 pages, ebook
First published February 21, 2017
8 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Howard Andrew Jones
68 books370 followersHoward Andrew Jones was an American speculative fiction and fantasy author and editor, known for The Chronicles of Hanuvar series, The Chronicles of Sword and Sand series and The Ring-Sworn trilogy. He had also written Pathfinder Tales, tie-in fiction novels in the world of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, published by Paizo. He was the editor of Tales from the Magician's Skull and had served as a Managing Editor at Black Gate since 2004. He assembled and edited a series of eight volumes of the short fiction of Harold Lamb for publication by Bison Books.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 16, 2025
I found this an enjoyable follow up and continuation to Beyond the Pool of Stars. I think it ultimately exceeds its predecessor and it’s unfortunate that HAJ never returned to this series and unfortunately never will.
Like the first book this leans into classic pirate and adventure fiction. It does this very successfully with great action sequences. The diving and underwater sequences I found particularly enthralling and unnerving.
There’s also pretty complex characterizations that modernize the classic pulp adventure feel. For the most part, I think they’re very well done. Even better than the first foray with this cast.
Admittedly, I was inclined to give this book four stars through most of my read but the last third was really fantastic. The book had a way of growing on me as the adventure unfolds. It has an almost Leigh Brackett vibe with the ancient mysteries and cultural backdrop.
As per usual HAJ prose is minimalist and has the ability to create a sum greater than its parts.
I found a few bits irksome though they were minor annoyances to an otherwise fantastic book.
There were some typos, a couple chapters listed the wrong POV character under the chapter name and 1/2 way through Ivrian’s fictional novel quotes disappear from his chapter headers.
I still found Ivrian a bit self-indulgent as a character. Which was a bit more annoying in this story as his character goes on less of an arc than the first book.
For the most part the cultural complexity and backdrop is very well done, but in this book there were a handful of moments that felt a bit too “after school special.” Which I didn’t think was true of the first volume.
Overall, this is a really solid adventure novel. There’s some loose threads that unfortunately will never be tied up but don’t let that deter you from reading it. It’s’ a great time.
Like the first book this leans into classic pirate and adventure fiction. It does this very successfully with great action sequences. The diving and underwater sequences I found particularly enthralling and unnerving.
There’s also pretty complex characterizations that modernize the classic pulp adventure feel. For the most part, I think they’re very well done. Even better than the first foray with this cast.
Admittedly, I was inclined to give this book four stars through most of my read but the last third was really fantastic. The book had a way of growing on me as the adventure unfolds. It has an almost Leigh Brackett vibe with the ancient mysteries and cultural backdrop.
As per usual HAJ prose is minimalist and has the ability to create a sum greater than its parts.
I found a few bits irksome though they were minor annoyances to an otherwise fantastic book.
There were some typos, a couple chapters listed the wrong POV character under the chapter name and 1/2 way through Ivrian’s fictional novel quotes disappear from his chapter headers.
I still found Ivrian a bit self-indulgent as a character. Which was a bit more annoying in this story as his character goes on less of an arc than the first book.
For the most part the cultural complexity and backdrop is very well done, but in this book there were a handful of moments that felt a bit too “after school special.” Which I didn’t think was true of the first volume.
Overall, this is a really solid adventure novel. There’s some loose threads that unfortunately will never be tied up but don’t let that deter you from reading it. It’s’ a great time.
April 4, 2017
Hello my fellow Gamers,
I have recently read a copy of the Pathfinder tales “Through the Gate in the Sea”. Let me first start by saying the book is excellent. Rarely have I read a novel that beckons to me as Gm to sit down later and take some notes to “borrow” later for my Pathfinder RPG game. I am personally running a Serpents Skull campaign which happens to take place near the region that a portion of the book takes place (smugglers shiv and surrounding sea).
Where to start? The novel continues the adventures of Mirian Raas (a human female captain of a sea vessel) and her loyal friend Jekka. Now in case you have not read any of the other Pathfinder tales involving this duo Jekka is a male lizardfolk. The author gives us great insights into the relationship between the two but the most enjoyable moments for me is when we see the way Jekka interacts with other People. So often when we read we think of ourselves in the character’s shoes. When we see things from a Lizardfolk’s perspective it can be amusing, confusing yet oddly it reminds us that in the world of fantasy Humans are just a one of the many races. It makes me really wish to explore playing a Lizardfolk character who also searches for his lost heritage (or perhaps others of his kind).
As for adventure This book has plenty. You go from aboard ships, to the depths of the ocean. There are pirates, sorcerers, Dinosaurs and did I mention followers of the Child-God Walkena. And of course, for my fellow Pathfinder or D&D Gm’s we can’t forget to mention cool locations. The heroes adventure ancient vaults of long forgotten crypt and then a magical island. They search for a magical artifact and of course a Party of opposite intentions wishes to find the same artifact for much less than noble reasons.
I love a book that will challenge my inner creativity and in that regard this book is one of my favorites. I love a great adventure, but throw in the clash of differing cultures and rare locations and it makes a great story.
I have included a link to my video review of the Novel also if you wish to see the extended review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awrRd...
I have recently read a copy of the Pathfinder tales “Through the Gate in the Sea”. Let me first start by saying the book is excellent. Rarely have I read a novel that beckons to me as Gm to sit down later and take some notes to “borrow” later for my Pathfinder RPG game. I am personally running a Serpents Skull campaign which happens to take place near the region that a portion of the book takes place (smugglers shiv and surrounding sea).
Where to start? The novel continues the adventures of Mirian Raas (a human female captain of a sea vessel) and her loyal friend Jekka. Now in case you have not read any of the other Pathfinder tales involving this duo Jekka is a male lizardfolk. The author gives us great insights into the relationship between the two but the most enjoyable moments for me is when we see the way Jekka interacts with other People. So often when we read we think of ourselves in the character’s shoes. When we see things from a Lizardfolk’s perspective it can be amusing, confusing yet oddly it reminds us that in the world of fantasy Humans are just a one of the many races. It makes me really wish to explore playing a Lizardfolk character who also searches for his lost heritage (or perhaps others of his kind).
As for adventure This book has plenty. You go from aboard ships, to the depths of the ocean. There are pirates, sorcerers, Dinosaurs and did I mention followers of the Child-God Walkena. And of course, for my fellow Pathfinder or D&D Gm’s we can’t forget to mention cool locations. The heroes adventure ancient vaults of long forgotten crypt and then a magical island. They search for a magical artifact and of course a Party of opposite intentions wishes to find the same artifact for much less than noble reasons.
I love a book that will challenge my inner creativity and in that regard this book is one of my favorites. I love a great adventure, but throw in the clash of differing cultures and rare locations and it makes a great story.
I have included a link to my video review of the Novel also if you wish to see the extended review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awrRd...
February 25, 2018
This is a sequel (to a book I haven’t read though I plan to pick it up and read it soon) but other than wishing I had realized this and read the books in order this is a great Pathfinder novel. It has really interesting and diverse characters, a setting unfamiliar to most, and a story about family and colonialism all set in a fantasy world. The racial and colonialist elements are handled exceptionally well as is the depiction in fiction of game mechanics. This is a great story that happens to also be set in the world of a role playing game.
Extremely enjoyable and a quick read but also a rare gaming tie in book that makes me think about how to handle similar situations and classes in games that I run (or play).
And this is a rare book that also handles LGBTQ characters with a lot of grace and feeling and does so in a way that adds to the story in a rich and compelling way. One of the main characters is gay and that is a meaningful component of the relationships in the book.
Extremely enjoyable and a quick read but also a rare gaming tie in book that makes me think about how to handle similar situations and classes in games that I run (or play).
And this is a rare book that also handles LGBTQ characters with a lot of grace and feeling and does so in a way that adds to the story in a rich and compelling way. One of the main characters is gay and that is a meaningful component of the relationships in the book.
July 13, 2018
[Amazon.com]: Deepwater salvager Mirian Raas and her bold crew may have bought their nation’s freedom with a hoard of lost lizardfolk treasure, but their troubles are only just beginning in this sequel to Beyond the Pool of Stars.
When Mirian’s new lizardfolk companions, long believed to be the last of their tribe, discover hints that their people may yet survive on a magical island, the crew of the Daughter of the Mist is only too happy to help them venture into uncharted waters. Yet the perilous sea isn’t the only danger, as the devil-worshiping empire of Cheliax hasn’t forgotten its defeat at Mirian’s hands, and far in the east, an ancient, undead child-king has set his sights on the magical artifact that’s kept the lost lizardfolk city safe all these centuries.
Likes:
- The Pathfinder novels always have an unique and entertaining story line, apart from other literature I have read, and this novel was no different. From lizard folk, to boggards and d'vaah, the author does a great job of spinning an interesting tale.
- The novel has a strong female lead character that the male characters respect and follow.
- The novel hints at a love interest between the lead character and a secondary character without overwhelming the plot line with sickening displays of public affection.
- The author did a great job of exposing some of the characteristics and mannerisms of the lizard folk in contrast to how humans function and interact.
Dislikes:
- I felt like the story was mildly anti-climactic in regards to uncovering a population of lizard folk.
- I got a bit lost in the geographical locations and ethnical descriptors for the people that I felt like I spent a portion of my reading immersed in a fog.
- While the novel does include a detailed drawing of a map in the front, I believe that having pictures littered throughout would add to the experience of the story being told.
- A gentlemanly pirate?!? Pirates are generally viewed as rugged, harsh, and sometimes over-bearing and I didn't really like reading about a pirate that is at conflict with his conscience.
- A few grammar mistakes littered throughout.
Overall, it isn't my favorite Pathfinder novel that I have experienced thus far but definitely a worthwhile read if you are entertained by fantasy and action.
When Mirian’s new lizardfolk companions, long believed to be the last of their tribe, discover hints that their people may yet survive on a magical island, the crew of the Daughter of the Mist is only too happy to help them venture into uncharted waters. Yet the perilous sea isn’t the only danger, as the devil-worshiping empire of Cheliax hasn’t forgotten its defeat at Mirian’s hands, and far in the east, an ancient, undead child-king has set his sights on the magical artifact that’s kept the lost lizardfolk city safe all these centuries.
Likes:
- The Pathfinder novels always have an unique and entertaining story line, apart from other literature I have read, and this novel was no different. From lizard folk, to boggards and d'vaah, the author does a great job of spinning an interesting tale.
- The novel has a strong female lead character that the male characters respect and follow.
- The novel hints at a love interest between the lead character and a secondary character without overwhelming the plot line with sickening displays of public affection.
- The author did a great job of exposing some of the characteristics and mannerisms of the lizard folk in contrast to how humans function and interact.
Dislikes:
- I felt like the story was mildly anti-climactic in regards to uncovering a population of lizard folk.
- I got a bit lost in the geographical locations and ethnical descriptors for the people that I felt like I spent a portion of my reading immersed in a fog.
- While the novel does include a detailed drawing of a map in the front, I believe that having pictures littered throughout would add to the experience of the story being told.
- A gentlemanly pirate?!? Pirates are generally viewed as rugged, harsh, and sometimes over-bearing and I didn't really like reading about a pirate that is at conflict with his conscience.
- A few grammar mistakes littered throughout.
Overall, it isn't my favorite Pathfinder novel that I have experienced thus far but definitely a worthwhile read if you are entertained by fantasy and action.
February 1, 2018
In the sequel to Beyond the Pool of Stars, Mirian Raas and her treasure scavenging crew are back. With their specialty of finding undersea wrecks and ruins, they track down a lost and ancient lizardman ship, long buried on the ocean floor. It reveals a clue which might lead to her friends and blood-brother's lost people, as they're the last surviving lizardfolk of their tribe. The learn that ancient lizardfolk sorcerers used an artifact known as the Dragon's Tear to somehow protect his people, and soon start to follow the clues to where it might be.
Of course, news of this magnitude soon reaches others, and locals who want the past to stay buried in the past start trying to assassinate Mirian and her friends. Add to the mix a corsair of questionable morals, who wants to collect a bounty on her head, and the wizard who wants revenge on Mirian for killing her sister, and there soon is a 4 way brawl across the jungles and the sea to race to find a treasure of unimaginable value and power.
Jones once again brings a rollicking swashbuckling adventure to the page, and suitably keeps the stakes and danger high for his protagonists. My one complaint is that the vengeance angle for the sister seems somewhat out of place, as in the first book she wasn't particularly fond of her sibling, and seems to overall be more practical than driven by emotions like revenge. Lots of fun though following up on the lizardfolk allies and their ancient lost culture, which is a relatively unexplored part of the Pathfinder world. Always looking forward to mroe of Jones' work in the future.
Of course, news of this magnitude soon reaches others, and locals who want the past to stay buried in the past start trying to assassinate Mirian and her friends. Add to the mix a corsair of questionable morals, who wants to collect a bounty on her head, and the wizard who wants revenge on Mirian for killing her sister, and there soon is a 4 way brawl across the jungles and the sea to race to find a treasure of unimaginable value and power.
Jones once again brings a rollicking swashbuckling adventure to the page, and suitably keeps the stakes and danger high for his protagonists. My one complaint is that the vengeance angle for the sister seems somewhat out of place, as in the first book she wasn't particularly fond of her sibling, and seems to overall be more practical than driven by emotions like revenge. Lots of fun though following up on the lizardfolk allies and their ancient lost culture, which is a relatively unexplored part of the Pathfinder world. Always looking forward to mroe of Jones' work in the future.
February 6, 2020
While he may not be a master of prose or overly-descriptive texts, I regularly find Jones' work to be very well-paced and page-turning. This novel was my favorite of the PF Tales that he has written and it kept me turning the page until the very end. Good characters, good plot, and an appreciable bittersweet ending!
September 26, 2017
This is a solid pathfinder tale.
It is a jungle sargavan tale that heavily envolves lizardfolk.
I read this before I read the the previous pathfinder book by the author witch might have made it harder to get into the book as I was learning all the characters for the first time.
It is a jungle sargavan tale that heavily envolves lizardfolk.
I read this before I read the the previous pathfinder book by the author witch might have made it harder to get into the book as I was learning all the characters for the first time.
November 14, 2020
A great sequel to Beyond the Pool of Stars. Also great for inspiration if you play the table top.
October 14, 2021
Enjoyed the read. was simple but wished I had read earlier books about this main character. good simple read.
January 11, 2019
Previously published at TheQwillery.com
Howard Andrew Jones is an inventive and talented author that has created sea and land-based fantasy adventures. Beyond the Pool of Stars and Through the Gate in the Sea are two stand-alone novels that share the same cast of characters. If you’d like to read them in order start with the Beyond the Pool of Stars, but truly you can read either book in any order.
Mirian Raas is the protagonist for both books. Mirian grew up in a family of underwater ship scavengers. With her inherited magical items that give her some awesome powers, she leads a life of adventure fighting off pirates and monsters with her crew on the ship Daughter of the Mist.
In Beyond the Pool of Stars, Mirian’s father dies, leaving her to finish his last job reclaiming a treasure that has the potential to leave two group of civilizations at war. This one kept me on my toes through the entire read. It’s full of adventure and exotic locations. I have to say that I’ve never read a book with underwater treasure hunting before and I really enjoyed experiencing something new. It’s rare these day to be surprised by stories.
Jones continues to expand on the adventures stories in Through the Gate in the Sea. This time, Mirian Raas picks up a new Lizardfolk crew member and helps him seek out the long lost homeland that has captured the attention of an undead ruler.
The best thing about Jones’s style is that it reminds me of a modern-day pulp writer, which for me is the highest of compliments. I love the quick pace of the story, the nonstop action, and imaginative cast of characters and storyline. I never got bored and I was left wanting just a few more chapters. I’d recommend either book to any fantasy reader. There is nothing in the content of either story that would keep me from recommending it to Teens to Adults.
Howard Andrew Jones is an inventive and talented author that has created sea and land-based fantasy adventures. Beyond the Pool of Stars and Through the Gate in the Sea are two stand-alone novels that share the same cast of characters. If you’d like to read them in order start with the Beyond the Pool of Stars, but truly you can read either book in any order.
Mirian Raas is the protagonist for both books. Mirian grew up in a family of underwater ship scavengers. With her inherited magical items that give her some awesome powers, she leads a life of adventure fighting off pirates and monsters with her crew on the ship Daughter of the Mist.
In Beyond the Pool of Stars, Mirian’s father dies, leaving her to finish his last job reclaiming a treasure that has the potential to leave two group of civilizations at war. This one kept me on my toes through the entire read. It’s full of adventure and exotic locations. I have to say that I’ve never read a book with underwater treasure hunting before and I really enjoyed experiencing something new. It’s rare these day to be surprised by stories.
Jones continues to expand on the adventures stories in Through the Gate in the Sea. This time, Mirian Raas picks up a new Lizardfolk crew member and helps him seek out the long lost homeland that has captured the attention of an undead ruler.
The best thing about Jones’s style is that it reminds me of a modern-day pulp writer, which for me is the highest of compliments. I love the quick pace of the story, the nonstop action, and imaginative cast of characters and storyline. I never got bored and I was left wanting just a few more chapters. I’d recommend either book to any fantasy reader. There is nothing in the content of either story that would keep me from recommending it to Teens to Adults.
February 19, 2017
Another enjoyable Pathfinder novel. The end of the book seemed a little rushed to me.
December 27, 2023
Very satisfying sequel to Pathfinder Tales: Beyond the Pool of Stars. The characters all return, and their characters and relationships get more depth. The tale itself is again a high magic sword & sorcery tale, with the right amounts of humor, daring do and adventure.
I don't know much about the Pathfinder setting apart from these two books, but these at least are great fun. Hopefully Jones returns to these characters once more.
I don't know much about the Pathfinder setting apart from these two books, but these at least are great fun. Hopefully Jones returns to these characters once more.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews