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Ivory #1-3
The Complete Ivory
The three acclaimed novels from the Ivory trilogy--The Gate of Ivory, Two-Bit Heroes, and Guilt-Edged Ivory--chronicle the fantastical adventures of Theodora, an anthropology student whose travels to the planet Ivory unleashes her own magical talents, in an omnibus edition. Original.
896 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
6 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Doris Egan
7 books43 followersDoris Egan (1955—) is an American screenwriter, producer, and writer. She has worked on Smallville, Dark Angel, and House as well as many other television programs.
Also publishes as Jane Emerson.
Also publishes as Jane Emerson.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 1, 2011
I generally have trouble coming up with "favorites," even within narrow genres. If I had to choose though, The Ivory is my favorite (set of) fantasy book(s). Easily. The blending of the Science Fiction and Fantasy elements is elegant. The protagonist, Theodora, comes from a culture similar enough to our own to allow us to access the fantasy world on Ivory as though we are transported there ourselves, but she also comes from a culture somewhat removed from ours, giving her a compelling biography we wish to discover.
The fantasy world of Ivory strikes me as remarkably original. Amidst a sea of formulaic magical worlds with the same medieval or Renaissance-inspired cultures, burdened by variations on feudal systems, the world of Ivory offers welcome relief. It seems to live in a transitional cultural and political state, complex and unique to its own situation (rather than directly mirroring great cultural shifts in our history). One of the best parts of Ivory is how multi-cultural it is. I have found that in many fantasy novels attempts are made to create different cultures within the fantasy world, but many of them often are shallow in their depiction. Egan creates fully formed cultures that subtly suggest how they may have come about in relation to each other while retaining their distinct characteristics. Cultural change functions as it does in our world, but the cultures are unique to Ivory rather than being facsimiles of groups on Earth. And all of them struggle with alien cultural contact.
And it's only fitting that Ivory would be so well-developed culturally, as Theodora is a scholar of folklore. She looks at this alien world with an anthropologist's eye, and the scholarly world she comes from seems like the natural culmination of our "ivory tower." Theodora's scholarly lens helps tie everything together.
I can't say enough good about The Ivory. Read it. You'll love it.
The fantasy world of Ivory strikes me as remarkably original. Amidst a sea of formulaic magical worlds with the same medieval or Renaissance-inspired cultures, burdened by variations on feudal systems, the world of Ivory offers welcome relief. It seems to live in a transitional cultural and political state, complex and unique to its own situation (rather than directly mirroring great cultural shifts in our history). One of the best parts of Ivory is how multi-cultural it is. I have found that in many fantasy novels attempts are made to create different cultures within the fantasy world, but many of them often are shallow in their depiction. Egan creates fully formed cultures that subtly suggest how they may have come about in relation to each other while retaining their distinct characteristics. Cultural change functions as it does in our world, but the cultures are unique to Ivory rather than being facsimiles of groups on Earth. And all of them struggle with alien cultural contact.
And it's only fitting that Ivory would be so well-developed culturally, as Theodora is a scholar of folklore. She looks at this alien world with an anthropologist's eye, and the scholarly world she comes from seems like the natural culmination of our "ivory tower." Theodora's scholarly lens helps tie everything together.
I can't say enough good about The Ivory. Read it. You'll love it.
September 11, 2022
I just finished re-reading this trilogy, and am shocked at how well it holds up since the first time I read it, circa 1995. It's the perfect blend of fantasy and sci-fi, with a main character gives the tired "fish out of water" stereotype a comic and fresh spin. Egan is a master at world-building and a shrewd commentator on human foibles and follies. This trilogy is escapism at its very best.
April 29, 2011
This was a reread for me, after finally remembering enough plot details to sleuth it out in the library's Novelist database. It's a blend of futuristic planetary sci fi, fantasy, and mystery, with romantic elements. It's about a young folklorist student who gets stranded on another planet, Ivory, while on vacation from university. She does tarot card readings in the bustling marketplace to make ends meet & gets hired by a young man who is Ivory's version of a minor lord. He is a magician who needs someone to run his tarot cards for him as part of his magic jobs, preferably someone without family or friends because it's a hazardous job - someone appears to be trying to block him from the cards' use by killing his readers. I enjoyed the charcters, mystery/romantic/travel journey plot, and the vivid depiction of the planet and its ruthless, but vivid and thriving culture. This omnibus has a sequel which was pretty good, another mystery with the same characters as their relationship progresses, and a third, weaker follow up story which leaves relationship plot elements hanging.
November 20, 2010
Being a mixture of fantasy and science fiction, Doris Egan's book is mostly a great piece of story-telling. Her characters, their interaction and adventures, bring the book to life and literally suck you into the world which the author created.
Just like all the characters in the book are three dimensional and never bland, the world itself is a wonderful example of the interplay between different cultures - Ivorian and "barbarian" - and it's engrossing to see how the characters develop with each and every challenge they must face - from involuntarily living and fighting with outlaws, straight to the question whether the main protagonists will even be able to have children together .
And let's not forget the main character Theodora, with all her flaws and her often amusing struggles in this alien world - one of the most likeable characters I ever encountered in a book!
In short: This is one of my all-time favorite books and I reread every so often, because I never grow tired of it!
Just like all the characters in the book are three dimensional and never bland, the world itself is a wonderful example of the interplay between different cultures - Ivorian and "barbarian" - and it's engrossing to see how the characters develop with each and every challenge they must face - from involuntarily living and fighting with outlaws, straight to the question whether the main protagonists will even be able to have children together .
And let's not forget the main character Theodora, with all her flaws and her often amusing struggles in this alien world - one of the most likeable characters I ever encountered in a book!
In short: This is one of my all-time favorite books and I reread every so often, because I never grow tired of it!
September 15, 2012
Nette Mischung zwischen Fantasy- und Abenteuerromanen auf einem fremden Planeten, auf dem Zauberei existiert.
3 Romane in einem Band, der erste ist der Beste, da hier auch die Zauberei im Vordergrund steht, später nimmt dies leider stark ab. Aber immer noch gute Abenteuerromane.
Die Welt Ivory ist sehr lebensecht: Armut und akzeptierten Mord, sehr weit verbreitete Drogensucht.
3 Romane in einem Band, der erste ist der Beste, da hier auch die Zauberei im Vordergrund steht, später nimmt dies leider stark ab. Aber immer noch gute Abenteuerromane.
Die Welt Ivory ist sehr lebensecht: Armut und akzeptierten Mord, sehr weit verbreitete Drogensucht.
Want to read
October 5, 2014Is this series ever going to be out in e-book format?
did-not-finish
January 28, 2022Did not finish after 33%. I like the first book of this series a lot. However, the second book immediately threw me off. The heroine is too young. In the first book she’s lived on a planet for several years after taking a side trip during grad school. In this book, she is 24 years old. I don’t know why she would be in grad school so young and have so many experiences already. I just wanted an older heroine. I also don’t know why the book had to start with her together with Ran. The last book ended on her being uncertain of him and I don’t really want to skip that character and relationship development. He seemed like he needed to grow up. The first book was great. I laughed and really enjoyed the banter. Maybe I’ll read this someday, but today’s not the day.
July 10, 2020
I first read The Gate of Ivory by Doris Egan in 1989 when I first started college. I have literally read this Trilogy dozens of times over the last 30 or so years.
Theodora of Pyrene, as a character, just really struck a chord with me. She was stranded far from home and was just getting by, at the mercy of the whims of stronger forces and personalities than hers. She is a strong female character, not physically kick-ass but strong-willed and full of moxy and still managing somehow to hold on to her compassion and moral compass.
The world building is complex and multi-layered. Doris Egan manages to make the reader believe in this world she's created, a world of the future with humans and magic because it has rules and logic and it's just amazing.
Are they perfect books, no. I've heard them critiqued as being too light, not serious enough but that's not something that ever crossed my mind the many, many times Ive read the books over the years.
I've read a lot of Fantasy over the years but this trilogy is still one of my favorites, even after all this time!
Theodora of Pyrene, as a character, just really struck a chord with me. She was stranded far from home and was just getting by, at the mercy of the whims of stronger forces and personalities than hers. She is a strong female character, not physically kick-ass but strong-willed and full of moxy and still managing somehow to hold on to her compassion and moral compass.
The world building is complex and multi-layered. Doris Egan manages to make the reader believe in this world she's created, a world of the future with humans and magic because it has rules and logic and it's just amazing.
Are they perfect books, no. I've heard them critiqued as being too light, not serious enough but that's not something that ever crossed my mind the many, many times Ive read the books over the years.
I've read a lot of Fantasy over the years but this trilogy is still one of my favorites, even after all this time!
May 12, 2019
A well written trilogy. Takes us through different life journey and adventures.
March 10, 2013
This is an omnibus of the Ivory trilogy of science fiction/fantasy novels.
***** The Gate of Ivory.
This first book introduces Theodora of Pyrene. An Athenian scholar, with no family (as is the norm on Pyrene and Athena), used to science and logic, she's stranded on Ivory, where families are all-important, and magic is real. She's working as a fortune teller to earn enough for transport back to Athena, when she gets a job offer from soceror Ran Cormallon, head of the influential Cormallon family. Unfortunately, she doesn't discover until too late that the position has some pretty serious strings attached, and that the last person who held the job was killed.
***** Two-Bit Heroes.
In the second book, Theodora and Ran are beginning the 4-month-long marriage process (an interesting concept), when they're offered a job checking out a prospective bridegroom. The simple task turns into something much different when they're kidnapped by outlaws and end up helping in Ivory's brand of rebellion.
***** Guilt-Edged Ivory.
In the last book, Ran's sister Kylla is distraught because her husband is being pressured to take another wife, which leads to worry for Theo as well, because of uncertainty about her and Ran's fertility. Then the prospective bride's brother is killed by sorcery, and Ran is the number one suspect.
All three stories are full of humor and action, yet there are also serious topics, mostly arising from the culture clash between Ivory and the more science-based societies. It's interesting that each side refers to the other as "barbarians." The worldbuilding is complete, the characters three-dimensional and engaging, and each story takes the characters a bit further in their personal journey.
I don't remember who recommended this trilogy, but whoever it was: thank-you.
***** The Gate of Ivory.
This first book introduces Theodora of Pyrene. An Athenian scholar, with no family (as is the norm on Pyrene and Athena), used to science and logic, she's stranded on Ivory, where families are all-important, and magic is real. She's working as a fortune teller to earn enough for transport back to Athena, when she gets a job offer from soceror Ran Cormallon, head of the influential Cormallon family. Unfortunately, she doesn't discover until too late that the position has some pretty serious strings attached, and that the last person who held the job was killed.
***** Two-Bit Heroes.
In the second book, Theodora and Ran are beginning the 4-month-long marriage process (an interesting concept), when they're offered a job checking out a prospective bridegroom. The simple task turns into something much different when they're kidnapped by outlaws and end up helping in Ivory's brand of rebellion.
***** Guilt-Edged Ivory.
In the last book, Ran's sister Kylla is distraught because her husband is being pressured to take another wife, which leads to worry for Theo as well, because of uncertainty about her and Ran's fertility. Then the prospective bride's brother is killed by sorcery, and Ran is the number one suspect.
All three stories are full of humor and action, yet there are also serious topics, mostly arising from the culture clash between Ivory and the more science-based societies. It's interesting that each side refers to the other as "barbarians." The worldbuilding is complete, the characters three-dimensional and engaging, and each story takes the characters a bit further in their personal journey.
I don't remember who recommended this trilogy, but whoever it was: thank-you.
December 30, 2012
I've had this book on my shelf for years. I generally pass right over it when deciding what to read because I can't remember a thing about it. But every once in a while when I'm looking for a good thick book to reread, I pull it down and remember, oh yes, it's that one. And it rereads pretty well.
It has a science fiction feel to it even though the use of magic, or sorcery, is absolutely central to the book. This is because the viewpoint character, Theodora, is not native to Ivory, the only planet on which magic functions. Theodora was raised on Pyrene and educated on Athena, planets which are characterized by utter pragmatism and intellectual academia, respectively, so her viewpoint reasonably matches those of a modern reader. Although virtually all the action occurs on Ivory, Theodora travels through a variety of Ivoran microcultures in the course of the stories, so that too gives it an SF feel.
It's not a great epic; the stories are told on a personal rather than galactic or societal scale. But it's a pretty good story.
(And now, I'll find out whether the act of writing a review for this book will nullify what I said above about not remembering a thing about it. I hope not! - that's part of the fun of rereading it.)
It has a science fiction feel to it even though the use of magic, or sorcery, is absolutely central to the book. This is because the viewpoint character, Theodora, is not native to Ivory, the only planet on which magic functions. Theodora was raised on Pyrene and educated on Athena, planets which are characterized by utter pragmatism and intellectual academia, respectively, so her viewpoint reasonably matches those of a modern reader. Although virtually all the action occurs on Ivory, Theodora travels through a variety of Ivoran microcultures in the course of the stories, so that too gives it an SF feel.
It's not a great epic; the stories are told on a personal rather than galactic or societal scale. But it's a pretty good story.
(And now, I'll find out whether the act of writing a review for this book will nullify what I said above about not remembering a thing about it. I hope not! - that's part of the fun of rereading it.)
February 8, 2017
Theodora is a scholar with very few ties, but she has a plan! Get off this crazy planet where it's nothing to see one "gentleman" kill another, and return home to sanity and academia. So, when a wealthy man (Ran Cormallon) approaches her with a job reading tarot cards (of all things), she hesitantly accepts. After all, she's still at least 3 years away from the price of a ticket, and well...he might not kill her after the job's done. And so she is enveloped into the world of the rich, the paranoid, and the magical? Yes, apparently magic is very real, as she discovers that she is now the only one who can read a magical deck of tarot cards after the last girl went up in flames.
Theo's interactions and reactions are fun as she stumbles in and out of adventure with Ran. And when the subtle romance culminates it will leave you with a surprised look and a feeling that you knew it all along.
Annnd...for those of you who appreciate a taste of romance with your adventure but don't relish a play-by-play description of their physicality, rest easy. The romance is sometimes rocky, sometimes sweet, but never graphically described. (It cuts out before you get there.)
Theo's interactions and reactions are fun as she stumbles in and out of adventure with Ran. And when the subtle romance culminates it will leave you with a surprised look and a feeling that you knew it all along.
Annnd...for those of you who appreciate a taste of romance with your adventure but don't relish a play-by-play description of their physicality, rest easy. The romance is sometimes rocky, sometimes sweet, but never graphically described. (It cuts out before you get there.)
September 1, 2012
somewhere between 3 and 4 stars: each of these books are fun and very well-written, but with overly-leisurely pacing. they're probably better if you don't sit down and chew through all 3 of them in a go, give them a little time to breathe in between stories.
a review by Jo Walton on tor.com got me interested in these:
http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/06/i-re...
and I agree with most of what she has to say about them. the dialogue is indeed snappy & clever (delightfully so, and nowhere near obnoxious or too smart for its own good), the characterization and voice are really well done. but Jo calls these "guilty pleasures" several times, and I'd disagree with that a lot. I associate that phrase with being over the top, silly, or a little trashy, and the ivory books are none of that. these books read a lot like old b&w movies with Kate Hepburn: the romance is real but genteel (sex is implied rather than described), and there's a lot of situational hijinx to be had.
a review by Jo Walton on tor.com got me interested in these:
http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/06/i-re...
and I agree with most of what she has to say about them. the dialogue is indeed snappy & clever (delightfully so, and nowhere near obnoxious or too smart for its own good), the characterization and voice are really well done. but Jo calls these "guilty pleasures" several times, and I'd disagree with that a lot. I associate that phrase with being over the top, silly, or a little trashy, and the ivory books are none of that. these books read a lot like old b&w movies with Kate Hepburn: the romance is real but genteel (sex is implied rather than described), and there's a lot of situational hijinx to be had.
December 12, 2008
Doris Egan is an author that I stumbled across, completely by accident, and I'm thrilled that I did.
I was in Dark Delicacies years ago, and was intrigued by the back cover of "The Gate of Ivory". The book was only a few dollars in paperback, so I took a chance.
This is a book that, while an easy read, reads smart, if that makes any sense. The heroine is smart, sarcastic and likeable - I read enough so that I really appreciate these characters when I find them, I grin.
So go find her books - you won't be disappointed.
She also has a livejournal site - http://tightropegirl.livejournal.com , which is pretty cool to read too.
And last but not least, she's a tv writer! I found this out about five years ago :) She's written for Dark Angel, the Agency and House, among many other shows.
I was in Dark Delicacies years ago, and was intrigued by the back cover of "The Gate of Ivory". The book was only a few dollars in paperback, so I took a chance.
This is a book that, while an easy read, reads smart, if that makes any sense. The heroine is smart, sarcastic and likeable - I read enough so that I really appreciate these characters when I find them, I grin.
So go find her books - you won't be disappointed.
She also has a livejournal site - http://tightropegirl.livejournal.com , which is pretty cool to read too.
And last but not least, she's a tv writer! I found this out about five years ago :) She's written for Dark Angel, the Agency and House, among many other shows.
August 24, 2011
Theodora is a great character and the plots are pretty twisted. A fun ride. There are a few character continuity problems, like when Theo practices kata with a staff for months in the first book, then never does it in the other books and even starts as a beginner in hand-to-hand training. But those are only noticeable because the rest of the story flows so well.
I wish there were more of these, but the author is a busy TV writer now.
If you are bothered by the unresolved questions at the end of the third book, you should read this post by the author with some notes about some things that would be in a fourth book, if were ever written: http://tightropegirl.livejournal.com/...
Not in the Palo Alto library, but available in the Mountain View library as soon as I return it.
I wish there were more of these, but the author is a busy TV writer now.
If you are bothered by the unresolved questions at the end of the third book, you should read this post by the author with some notes about some things that would be in a fourth book, if were ever written: http://tightropegirl.livejournal.com/...
Not in the Palo Alto library, but available in the Mountain View library as soon as I return it.
January 12, 2009
I picked up the first of this trilogy at a used bookstore and really enjoyed it. Later I found this omnibus edition with two more books in the series and picked it up. The three books are very different in their feel. One's sort of adventure, one's sort of mystery.... But I really like the characters.
I think she could have done a little bit more with the world she created; the way it was sketched out on the back cover gave me a lot more rich ideas and feelings than the way it was developed. But the writing is clear and strong and I really like the characters, so that's why I enjoy these books.
I think she could have done a little bit more with the world she created; the way it was sketched out on the back cover gave me a lot more rich ideas and feelings than the way it was developed. But the writing is clear and strong and I really like the characters, so that's why I enjoy these books.
July 14, 2007
I have just finished the second of the three books in this book - 'Two-Bit Heroes' (#2) was a bit of a slog to get through, frankly, but 'The Gate of Ivory' (#1) was excellent, so I am still keen to continue. The narrator, Theodora, is very sympathetic, and honestly the only reason I didn't give up on #2 was because it is nice to spend time in her company.
Now finished 'Guilt Edged Ivory' (#3), which falls somewhere between #1 & #2. Not as fast-paced as I'd have liked, a tad too much introspection, but pretty good overall.
Now finished 'Guilt Edged Ivory' (#3), which falls somewhere between #1 & #2. Not as fast-paced as I'd have liked, a tad too much introspection, but pretty good overall.
November 5, 2011
This is one of those trilogies I wish I'd read as a teen, although with a 1989 pub date for the first that one would have barely squeaked in. I like the worldbuilding fine but what really stood out were the characters in the first two books especially: Theo, a strong and smart female protagonist, a not bad love- interest, and a complex antagonist. The moral choices in the first book especially were gripping at times. The last book suffered a bit plot-wise but I was cheered by the lack of err, Disney ending. Lots of humor too.
November 21, 2008
I recently reread these books, which I remembered loving years ago. I loved them again, though it's hard to say exactly what is so great about them. There's no single outstanding factor -- it's the combination of intriguing characters, good writing, fascinating world-building, and a plot that never seems to lag. The second book (Two-Bit Heroes) started out a bit slow, but it's well worth getting past that. Highly recommended.
June 13, 2007
Lovely comfort books for me, with a wonderfully dorky heroine.
January 24, 2008
It's so nice that an Omnibus is out of this fun trilogy. I have the original 3 novels and always wished that Egan would have returned to Ivory.
October 9, 2008
The first two books were good. The third was the best of the set.
July 14, 2014
I started this and it was all right but it didn't grab me, so I took it back to the library. Might try again another time.
May 10, 2013
One of my favorites. Have retread until the binding is falling apart and chapters are held in by packing tape. Would love an ebook, but alas, not available!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews