Master of the Dark Gate

Gavin Black #1

by John Jakes

The Gate of Darkness stood open between the worlds, and the men of Earth faced invasion... from Earth! Gavin Black, once soldier, now newsman, found himself drafted by unseen forces to wage war against that other Earth, and the barbaric hordes that threatened to overwhelm his world. He dared not refuse for the mysterious master Bronwyn had shown him how firmly the strings of power were attached to Black's shoulders. Refusal meant death... not only for Gavin Black, but for the entire planet!

Yet he could not attack the men of this other Earth. A woman stood in his way... the only woman he had ever loved. Torn between conflicting desires, Black saw the coming end of his world... and all the worlds of the mysterious great Klekton!

Genres: Fantasy

219 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

John William Jakes, the author of more than a dozen novels, is regarded as one of today’s most distinguished writers of historical fiction. His work includes the highly acclaimed Kent Family Chronicles series and the North and South Trilogy. Jakes’s commitment to historical accuracy and evocative storytelling earned him the title of “the godfather of historical novelists” from the Los Angeles Times and led to a streak of sixteen consecutive New York Times bestsellers. Jakes has received several awards for his work and is a member of the Authors Guild and the PEN American Center. He and his wife, Rachel, live on the west coast of Florida.

Also writes under pseudonyms Jay Scotland, Alan Payne, Rachel Ann Payne, Robert Hart Davis, Darius John Granger, John Lee Gray. Has ghost written as William Ard.

Reviews

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great sword and science story. I was sorry to see John Jakes shift to historical fiction.

[Rogue-van (the Bookman) · Rating 2 out of 5]

In spite of his obvious writing talent, John Jakes disappoints with this simple story of alien contact. I couldn't get into it. Where is it going? Are the events meaningful? Does the main character have much motivation for living? I didn't have much motivation to keep reading except to see how it ended.