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Witch World Series 3: The Turning #1
Storms of Victory
Contains the two stories, "Port of Dead Ships" and "Seakeep."
In the wake of their defeat of Pagin of Karsten, the Witches of Estcarp await news of those who have been lost or missing since the battle, and a young Sulcar woman awakens to her Power only to do battle with an ancient evil.
In the wake of their defeat of Pagin of Karsten, the Witches of Estcarp await news of those who have been lost or missing since the battle, and a young Sulcar woman awakens to her Power only to do battle with an ancient evil.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1991
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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 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 30, 2017
I thought I had re-read all the books I had kept, from the Witch World books - only to realize that I had a stash of the tales, secrets and turning books - not all, as I had jettisoned a number of them some time ago - and should have been more ruthless as I had the tales of witch world books 1 and 3, which on re-read were pretty dreadful, even by generous standards. But I also had kept book 3 of the secrets which seemed to be the the end of entry into witch world once the gates were all closed (Warding of Witch World)... but I couldn't get through the re-read. (I know I read the other 2 in the secrets series, but obviously what bugged me about some of the later books that I DID keep, REALLY bugged me about books 1 and 2. So obviously, keeping book 3 was solely for closure.)
But I also kept books 1 and 2 of the turning books (and may not have even read book 3; just as well, based on the reviews. And these turning books seem to come before the 3rd book of the secrets (WoW).
This book was actually a return to the style of the series with the 1st story, Port of Dead Ships, being by Norton with the tone, style and POV that really creates the atmosphere and sense of place. I quite enjoyed a return to that feeling. The 2nd story, Seakeep, was placed in High Hallack and was focused on the Falconers, and was rather well-done overall. So it was not a bad read and the author, P.M. Griffin, seemed to have a good understanding and respect for the world she was writing in. That was a nice change after the mostly awful short stories of the tales of witch world books (I wonder how I can get rid of them as 2nd hand book stores are not interested in such old publications).
But I also kept books 1 and 2 of the turning books (and may not have even read book 3; just as well, based on the reviews. And these turning books seem to come before the 3rd book of the secrets (WoW).
This book was actually a return to the style of the series with the 1st story, Port of Dead Ships, being by Norton with the tone, style and POV that really creates the atmosphere and sense of place. I quite enjoyed a return to that feeling. The 2nd story, Seakeep, was placed in High Hallack and was focused on the Falconers, and was rather well-done overall. So it was not a bad read and the author, P.M. Griffin, seemed to have a good understanding and respect for the world she was writing in. That was a nice change after the mostly awful short stories of the tales of witch world books (I wonder how I can get rid of them as 2nd hand book stores are not interested in such old publications).
May 28, 2016
These 2 novellas work together to help flesh out the Witch World after the "Turning" and builds a wider world view than the picture we see of Estcarp and Escore.
In the first story, written by Andre Norton, "Port of Dead Ships" sets sails to the wind with a young Sulcar woman and many Witch World characters familiar to dedicated readers. They are trying to determine why many ships have been discovered, floating unmanned, without a tack, and no signs of attack or treachery.
The second story, "Seakeep," by P.M. Griffin, brings us a new character, Una, who has recently inherited the rule of a small territory named Seakeep. She has reason to suspect that a neighboring ruler might be planning an invasion, so hires Falconers to protect her. Those familiar with the Witch World recognize the Falconers as landless misogynist mercenaries, so this makes for an interesting storyline.
The stories are both supposedly collected for that ancient repository, Lormt, and that is the only tie between the stories other than the location within the Witch World.
In the first story, written by Andre Norton, "Port of Dead Ships" sets sails to the wind with a young Sulcar woman and many Witch World characters familiar to dedicated readers. They are trying to determine why many ships have been discovered, floating unmanned, without a tack, and no signs of attack or treachery.
The second story, "Seakeep," by P.M. Griffin, brings us a new character, Una, who has recently inherited the rule of a small territory named Seakeep. She has reason to suspect that a neighboring ruler might be planning an invasion, so hires Falconers to protect her. Those familiar with the Witch World recognize the Falconers as landless misogynist mercenaries, so this makes for an interesting storyline.
The stories are both supposedly collected for that ancient repository, Lormt, and that is the only tie between the stories other than the location within the Witch World.
December 3, 2020
Captivating, despite minor issues.
Many typographical errors, in the areas of spelling and punctuation. The 2 stories drag a bit in places & are sometimes predictable, but the characters are fully formed, unique and interesting. As with all the Witch World stories, it was easy to overlook any irritations and become captive to the narrative.
Many typographical errors, in the areas of spelling and punctuation. The 2 stories drag a bit in places & are sometimes predictable, but the characters are fully formed, unique and interesting. As with all the Witch World stories, it was easy to overlook any irritations and become captive to the narrative.
February 29, 2024
This collection of stories set in Andre Norton's Witchworld is great, but the one I enjoy most is P.M. Griffin's story about the Hawkbrothers and the Lady Holder they take contract with. The characters are all typical of Griffin's work and I enjoy how she weaves a slow burn romance into a messy invasion scenario. This is definitely something Griffin's fans need to read and savour.
October 10, 2017
Love Witch World and love these two stories offering us more information about after the turning.
July 1, 2018
Well worth reading more than once
Andre Norton delights as always. A series of tales connected by subject and the overall narrator into an engrossing whole.
Andre Norton delights as always. A series of tales connected by subject and the overall narrator into an engrossing whole.
October 25, 2020
An interesting and entertaining read. Andre Norton transports you to a different reality. You are caught up in the story and captivated by the characters.
August 6, 2021
Great read
Great new addition to the Witch World Series. Great new characters new story lines. Fun and exciting read. Loved having Lormt brought into it.
Great new addition to the Witch World Series. Great new characters new story lines. Fun and exciting read. Loved having Lormt brought into it.
January 30, 2022
The stories were enjoyable but the editing was sloppy.
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November 3, 2024Andre Norton, The Witch World Series , Lormt the Falconers, & the Sulcar... all in one volume
how can you not enjoy
how can you not enjoy
Read
August 25, 2015This is another of those diptych books, consisting of two separate stories--the first of a quest by an ostracized Sulcar woman (in famed company), and the second of a Daleswoman who hires a Falconer to help her (re?)establish her own Dale.
Several points: (1) This is the only reference I know to a fever that decimated the surviving Dalespeople after the end of the war. Maybe it affected mostly northern Dales. (2) This book is less sanguinary than most of the Witch World books, though there is a slaughter of starving rats in the first part, and some revenge killings in the second. (3) The second half cries out for a sequel, which is hinted at in the closing commentary. When I get to Warding of the Witch World, I'll see if it's in there--there're so many characters in that, it's hard to keep track.
Followup (2015): This, it turns out, is the first of the Witch World subseries known as "The Turning". As such, it turns out that I inserted it into the sequence in the wrong place--something that's easy to do, when there's really no comprehensive bibliography. I've really got to work on such a bibliography.
For the present, I'll simply note that the sequel to the story in this volume of Una of Seakeep and the Falconer Tarlach is in Flight of Vengeance, and is titled Falcon Hope.
Several points: (1) This is the only reference I know to a fever that decimated the surviving Dalespeople after the end of the war. Maybe it affected mostly northern Dales. (2) This book is less sanguinary than most of the Witch World books, though there is a slaughter of starving rats in the first part, and some revenge killings in the second. (3) The second half cries out for a sequel, which is hinted at in the closing commentary. When I get to Warding of the Witch World, I'll see if it's in there--there're so many characters in that, it's hard to keep track.
Followup (2015): This, it turns out, is the first of the Witch World subseries known as "The Turning". As such, it turns out that I inserted it into the sequence in the wrong place--something that's easy to do, when there's really no comprehensive bibliography. I've really got to work on such a bibliography.
For the present, I'll simply note that the sequel to the story in this volume of Una of Seakeep and the Falconer Tarlach is in Flight of Vengeance, and is titled Falcon Hope.
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December 4, 2018I didn't care for it
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews