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Witch World
Witch World: Estcarp Cycle: Trey of Swords, Ware Hawk, and The Gate of the Cat
Science fiction meets sword and sorcery in these three novels by the legendary New York Times-bestselling author and "superb storyteller" (The New York Times).
On a planet in a parallel universe where magic is a reality, these three high fantasy novels of the Witch World set on the eastern continent of Estcarp once again illustrate why prolific author Andre Norton was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Trey of Swords A trilogy of swords, sorcery, and spectacular adventure set in the Witch World. In Sword of Ice, an ancient blade of incredible power that holds the spirit of the ancient hero Tolar will forge young Yonan into the greatest weapon in Witch World. In Sword of Lost Battles, only Yonan and his loyal friend Uruk can stop the dreaded Targi--the near-invincible warlock who leads the Darkness. With Yonan and Uruk missing in the past, the untrained witch Crytha must hold back the Darkness alone by countering the power of the vile sorceress Laidan with the help of a lethal, legendary blade, in Sword of Shadows.
Ware Hawk Tirtha, last of a decimated clan, must return to her family's ancient stronghold of Hawkholme. For protection, she hires Nirel, once a proud Falconer, now a blank shield for hire, who survives by using his gift for seeing the future in his dreams. But he cannot see everything, and a Dark One is determined to stop them.
Gate of the Cat When she tries to help an injured wildcat, Kelsie McBlair is transported from the Scottish Highlands to a world where magic users, mighty heroes, and terrible monsters dwell. There she embarks on an incredible adventure, accompanied by a cynical witch who doesn't trust her and a young warrior sworn to protect her. For Kelsie will prove to be the only one who can face off against the Lord of the Dark himself . . .
On a planet in a parallel universe where magic is a reality, these three high fantasy novels of the Witch World set on the eastern continent of Estcarp once again illustrate why prolific author Andre Norton was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Trey of Swords A trilogy of swords, sorcery, and spectacular adventure set in the Witch World. In Sword of Ice, an ancient blade of incredible power that holds the spirit of the ancient hero Tolar will forge young Yonan into the greatest weapon in Witch World. In Sword of Lost Battles, only Yonan and his loyal friend Uruk can stop the dreaded Targi--the near-invincible warlock who leads the Darkness. With Yonan and Uruk missing in the past, the untrained witch Crytha must hold back the Darkness alone by countering the power of the vile sorceress Laidan with the help of a lethal, legendary blade, in Sword of Shadows.
Ware Hawk Tirtha, last of a decimated clan, must return to her family's ancient stronghold of Hawkholme. For protection, she hires Nirel, once a proud Falconer, now a blank shield for hire, who survives by using his gift for seeing the future in his dreams. But he cannot see everything, and a Dark One is determined to stop them.
Gate of the Cat When she tries to help an injured wildcat, Kelsie McBlair is transported from the Scottish Highlands to a world where magic users, mighty heroes, and terrible monsters dwell. There she embarks on an incredible adventure, accompanied by a cynical witch who doesn't trust her and a young warrior sworn to protect her. For Kelsie will prove to be the only one who can face off against the Lord of the Dark himself . . .
609 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1987
278 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Andre Norton
695 books1,387 followersAndre 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.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews
February 18, 2021
Tale told by a master
For most of the last 60 years I've spent much of my time in other worlds.
World's created from the imaginations of the greatest writers of my time: Heinlein, Asimov, Bujold, Hubbard, Mccaffrey, and more whose nes escape me at the moment.
One of the greatest of these was Andre Norton, whose timeless tales live on to stretch the minds of more generations.
For most of the last 60 years I've spent much of my time in other worlds.
World's created from the imaginations of the greatest writers of my time: Heinlein, Asimov, Bujold, Hubbard, Mccaffrey, and more whose nes escape me at the moment.
One of the greatest of these was Andre Norton, whose timeless tales live on to stretch the minds of more generations.
March 7, 2021
Andre Norton will always be one of my favorite authors. Her ability to spin a tale that is detailed and well fleshed out in an economy of words is truly beyond compare. Most writes would require at least 5x more content to do the same.
The Witch World series is world building at its finest. A complex history with interesting and compelling characters intertwined across the world and time. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys high fantasy.
The Witch World series is world building at its finest. A complex history with interesting and compelling characters intertwined across the world and time. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys high fantasy.
April 18, 2020
As usual, The Lady Andre has written something wonderful. The only gripe I had was that this particular edition is rife with transcription errors that the Lady's original work did not contain, so that this re-read experience made my little grammar-nerd heart crumble when I hit an error. The story held up to the ravages of time, though, and I felt as strongly attached to the characters and the world as I did when I first read these stories more than 30 years ago. I am proud to share a middle name with her!
March 18, 2021
One woven from three
Having read many of the authors novels both fantasy and science fiction I prefer those that are not fantasy. Thus I've given this novel set a four star rating. The three novels interweave a story of the same characters from a world not ours yet introduce one into it from ours.
Having read many of the authors novels both fantasy and science fiction I prefer those that are not fantasy. Thus I've given this novel set a four star rating. The three novels interweave a story of the same characters from a world not ours yet introduce one into it from ours.
December 1, 2018
Andre Norton!!!
Did hardly gets better than this. Three stories a interlocking of live and time and dimension that reach back and forth and connect everyone.
This is one of the best rated in my experience. As always vivid and clear.
Did hardly gets better than this. Three stories a interlocking of live and time and dimension that reach back and forth and connect everyone.
This is one of the best rated in my experience. As always vivid and clear.
February 13, 2023
I'm torn
The stories are marvelous, the editing not so much. Especially the first book - there were constant mistakes, homonyms, as it the book had been dictated and never proofed. Too bad, Andre Norton deserves so much better than this.
The stories are marvelous, the editing not so much. Especially the first book - there were constant mistakes, homonyms, as it the book had been dictated and never proofed. Too bad, Andre Norton deserves so much better than this.
March 17, 2023
A slightly unusual magical trail
And all the better for it 😀
I enjoyed the tale as it is a little out of the usual - but not too far...
Full of exciting twists and turns I can thoroughly recommend it, a great suite.
And all the better for it 😀
I enjoyed the tale as it is a little out of the usual - but not too far...
Full of exciting twists and turns I can thoroughly recommend it, a great suite.
January 17, 2019
Norton's standard
Her standard is excellence. Always engaging and hard to put down, even the 30th time. Norton never fails to please.
Her standard is excellence. Always engaging and hard to put down, even the 30th time. Norton never fails to please.
November 13, 2020
Good book!!
Well written sword and sorcery genre. Some good twists thrown in, interesting characters. Like the exploration of various roles in society and different characters.
Well written sword and sorcery genre. Some good twists thrown in, interesting characters. Like the exploration of various roles in society and different characters.
August 8, 2021
Great books in this collection.
This is a collection of 3 books. With the lead in the first being a supporting character in the other 2. Loved all of it
This is a collection of 3 books. With the lead in the first being a supporting character in the other 2. Loved all of it
August 16, 2021
A tapestry of stories woven skillfully together
A master storyteller spins a tale spanning time and space. Each story adding to the total understanding of this complex world.
A master storyteller spins a tale spanning time and space. Each story adding to the total understanding of this complex world.
September 14, 2021
The first one way difficult to get interested in, but the next two were quite entertaining.
December 12, 2021
I really wanted to like this. No such luck. Poor editing and all completely non-memorable stories. I couldn't even finish the last one; skipped ahead to the last page or two just to see how it ended.
December 28, 2007
I started reading Andre Norton when one of the modern day sci-fi/fantasy authors I currently read cited her as an influence. Her novels are still extremely readable & enjoyable, and I like being able to see where the field of sci-fi/fantasy has come from.
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September 1, 2013Witch World, Books 7-9
Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews