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Ivory #2
Two-Bit Heroes
A thrilling new adventure of Theodora and Ran from the author of The Gate of Ivory. Drawn back to Ivory both by her love for Ran and her fascination with magic, Theodora leaves with Ran on an investigation for a noble family, and their mission gets them trapped between the Emperor's troops and a dangerous band of outlaws. Original.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
2 people are currently reading
126 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 2, 2017
You know, I think in some ways I liked this follow up even better than the first book. I just adore these characters. And plenty of new and interesting characters were introduced here. I love the way Theodora's character narrates the story, there's so much humor injected. (The salad incident! I love the way that she couldn't let that go and apparently kept thinking about it at random times, enough to drive Ran crazy, which is just hilarious. It reminds me a lot of myself and I could totally relate to her here, which made it even more hilarious to me.)
Anyway. These continue to be fun reads. I'm a little sad that I only have the one book left now.
Anyway. These continue to be fun reads. I'm a little sad that I only have the one book left now.
May 26, 2024
Another very fun and interesting read. For the entirety of the book I kept wondering how they could possibly get themselves out of the mess, especially as things kept piling up. I won't say much more to avoid spoilers however.
I enjoyed the characters (though imo there were slightly too many), especially Des. There's never been doubt on whether or not Ran and Theo will get married, but it would've been very interesting if Des had taken on a role to challenge the relationship. Ran and Theo butt heads quite a bit on how to approach problems or ways of thinking, while Des tends to meld well with Theo more often. I don't think he should've actually become a romantic interest, maybe a very devout friend who sees the head butting and inserts himself on behalf of his friend Theo.
Either way, it was still a good read. Less fun than the first book but not by much. I've already started on book 3 and it's immediately hooked me into really enjoying it too. These books are so good, I really wish more people knew about them!
I enjoyed the characters (though imo there were slightly too many), especially Des. There's never been doubt on whether or not Ran and Theo will get married, but it would've been very interesting if Des had taken on a role to challenge the relationship. Ran and Theo butt heads quite a bit on how to approach problems or ways of thinking, while Des tends to meld well with Theo more often. I don't think he should've actually become a romantic interest, maybe a very devout friend who sees the head butting and inserts himself on behalf of his friend Theo.
Either way, it was still a good read. Less fun than the first book but not by much. I've already started on book 3 and it's immediately hooked me into really enjoying it too. These books are so good, I really wish more people knew about them!
May 24, 2020
After a few trying books in a row, I needed a win and I wasn’t willing to take any chances. I normally have a few extra-delightful books set aside for such an occasion, and this time I pulled out one I’d been looking forward to for ages: Two-Bit Heroes.
The sequel to The Gate of Ivory, Two-Bit Heroes picks up quite a bit after the first book ended. In real life, it looks like there was a three-year gap between them; I get the feeling Doris Egan didn’t expect to make a trilogy out of it.
At this point, I would like to stress that The Gate of Ivory is one of my top-three favorite books I’ve discovered thanks to my ForFemFan quest. It is delightful. Naturally, any discussion of its sequel will spoil the initial book. If you haven’t read The Gate of Ivory, I suggest you stop reading this review and order a copy. Doris Egan is a national treasure, damnit.
Two-Bit Heroes still features the loveably pragmatic and logical Theodora, back on Ivory. How exactly Ran convinced her to return with him I’ll leave up to the story, but suffice it to say he did. What’s more, they’re engaged.
The initial plot mostly revolves around their relationship and an unusual commission to travel to the wilds of the Northwest Sector to assess whether a family is worth aligning with.
This part of the novel, where the only real hook is the peculiarity of this commission, lasts less than 50 pages. In reading it, though, I could have sworn it was longer—which is a polite way of saying I didn’t particularly like it.
For one, Theodora seems much more self-aware. She actively speaks to the reader and pontificates and tries to be clever in her narration. I don’t remember that from The Gate of Ivory. I actively dislike this form of story-telling*. It’s too easy for a narrator to be clever. (I will, however, admit that this change of tone nicely underlines Theo’s adaptation to Ivory, though. Her story-telling feels Ivoran.)
Another issue for me is that there’s no meat in the opening premise. While the request made of Ran is peculiar, it’s not perceived of as dangerous or treacherous—simply unusual.
And finally, Ran and Theo don’t have a particularly robust relationship. They’re very different, and Theo waffles about whether or not she should continue their engagement. This is believable, and Ran is Ran—he’s not the worst, he’s just extremely Ivoran—but the self-aware storytelling with a poor hook and most of the reader engagement coming in the form of an uncertain relationship left me feeling a bit blah.
It wasn’t awful, but after the absolute fucking delight that was The Gate of Ivory I think I had too high of hopes/standards.
Everything picks up when Ran and Theo are mistaken for an outlaw leader and his off-worlder wife. Initially imprisoned, they escape only to fall into the hands of the very outlaws they were thought to be.
This is where Doris Egan’s writing that I know and love comes back full swing. Theo is utterly perfect, again, in her relatable yet larger-than-life way. Ran still makes you want to smack him and hug him. Kylla, though a much more tertiary character than in The Gate of Ivory, is still supportive and loveable and the sort of friend you wish you had in real life.
And the new characters, well, they’re just as three-dimensional and realistic. And as Ran and Theo spend time around the outlaws that they’re mistaken to be, Doris Egan again plays with the notion of the duality of people and that life is not tidy. Questions go unanswered, people we care about walk off the page never to be seen again. It’s beautiful and sometimes melancholy but Two-Bit Heroes follows in The Gate of Ivory’s footsteps: the tone of the book is anything but bleak.
(At one point something so loveable happened that I beamed like an idiot for the next few pages.)
Throughout this, Ran and Theo’s relationship is further strained. As an off-worlder stranded on Ivory without resources, she had to learn to adapt or die. As a member of a wealthy family, Ran was used to life accommodating his dogmatic outlook.
I prefer when people are happy. I’ve said before that I’m a romantic and a sap—I want characters to bring out the best in each other and love deeply. That said, this schism between Theo and Ran is extremely well written, utterly believable, and frequently interrupted by other plots and personal developments that give us a breather from their malcontent.
Like cilantro, the ending seems polarizing. Also like cilantro, though, I don’t conform to one side or the other: I thought it was acceptable but not exceptional. It was certainly messier than The Gate of Ivory’s, but then again, it’s actively setting up a sequel. It didn’t have the emotional weight that The Gate of Ivory had, but then again, the source of contention was a case of mistaken identity and a band out outlaws; that’s going to feel less heavy than a case of a loveable brother who’s gone wrong.
Also, an ending like this one means that the beginning of the next book, Guilt-Edged Ivory, should start off with more of a bang.
All-in-all, I’m very pleased. I need to order Guilt-Edged Ivory, and I’ll probably once-again save it for a day I need a win, but I’m very much looking forward to it.
*Unless it’s Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe. I’m not sure how it can be so perfect when it’s opposite of my normal reading preferences, but it is.
[I read old fantasy and sci-fi novels written by women authors in search of forgotten gems. See more at forfemfan.com]
The sequel to The Gate of Ivory, Two-Bit Heroes picks up quite a bit after the first book ended. In real life, it looks like there was a three-year gap between them; I get the feeling Doris Egan didn’t expect to make a trilogy out of it.
At this point, I would like to stress that The Gate of Ivory is one of my top-three favorite books I’ve discovered thanks to my ForFemFan quest. It is delightful. Naturally, any discussion of its sequel will spoil the initial book. If you haven’t read The Gate of Ivory, I suggest you stop reading this review and order a copy. Doris Egan is a national treasure, damnit.
Two-Bit Heroes still features the loveably pragmatic and logical Theodora, back on Ivory. How exactly Ran convinced her to return with him I’ll leave up to the story, but suffice it to say he did. What’s more, they’re engaged.
The initial plot mostly revolves around their relationship and an unusual commission to travel to the wilds of the Northwest Sector to assess whether a family is worth aligning with.
This part of the novel, where the only real hook is the peculiarity of this commission, lasts less than 50 pages. In reading it, though, I could have sworn it was longer—which is a polite way of saying I didn’t particularly like it.
For one, Theodora seems much more self-aware. She actively speaks to the reader and pontificates and tries to be clever in her narration. I don’t remember that from The Gate of Ivory. I actively dislike this form of story-telling*. It’s too easy for a narrator to be clever. (I will, however, admit that this change of tone nicely underlines Theo’s adaptation to Ivory, though. Her story-telling feels Ivoran.)
Another issue for me is that there’s no meat in the opening premise. While the request made of Ran is peculiar, it’s not perceived of as dangerous or treacherous—simply unusual.
And finally, Ran and Theo don’t have a particularly robust relationship. They’re very different, and Theo waffles about whether or not she should continue their engagement. This is believable, and Ran is Ran—he’s not the worst, he’s just extremely Ivoran—but the self-aware storytelling with a poor hook and most of the reader engagement coming in the form of an uncertain relationship left me feeling a bit blah.
It wasn’t awful, but after the absolute fucking delight that was The Gate of Ivory I think I had too high of hopes/standards.
Everything picks up when Ran and Theo are mistaken for an outlaw leader and his off-worlder wife. Initially imprisoned, they escape only to fall into the hands of the very outlaws they were thought to be.
This is where Doris Egan’s writing that I know and love comes back full swing. Theo is utterly perfect, again, in her relatable yet larger-than-life way. Ran still makes you want to smack him and hug him. Kylla, though a much more tertiary character than in The Gate of Ivory, is still supportive and loveable and the sort of friend you wish you had in real life.
And the new characters, well, they’re just as three-dimensional and realistic. And as Ran and Theo spend time around the outlaws that they’re mistaken to be, Doris Egan again plays with the notion of the duality of people and that life is not tidy. Questions go unanswered, people we care about walk off the page never to be seen again. It’s beautiful and sometimes melancholy but Two-Bit Heroes follows in The Gate of Ivory’s footsteps: the tone of the book is anything but bleak.
(At one point something so loveable happened that I beamed like an idiot for the next few pages.)
Throughout this, Ran and Theo’s relationship is further strained. As an off-worlder stranded on Ivory without resources, she had to learn to adapt or die. As a member of a wealthy family, Ran was used to life accommodating his dogmatic outlook.
I prefer when people are happy. I’ve said before that I’m a romantic and a sap—I want characters to bring out the best in each other and love deeply. That said, this schism between Theo and Ran is extremely well written, utterly believable, and frequently interrupted by other plots and personal developments that give us a breather from their malcontent.
Like cilantro, the ending seems polarizing. Also like cilantro, though, I don’t conform to one side or the other: I thought it was acceptable but not exceptional. It was certainly messier than The Gate of Ivory’s, but then again, it’s actively setting up a sequel. It didn’t have the emotional weight that The Gate of Ivory had, but then again, the source of contention was a case of mistaken identity and a band out outlaws; that’s going to feel less heavy than a case of a loveable brother who’s gone wrong.
Also, an ending like this one means that the beginning of the next book, Guilt-Edged Ivory, should start off with more of a bang.
All-in-all, I’m very pleased. I need to order Guilt-Edged Ivory, and I’ll probably once-again save it for a day I need a win, but I’m very much looking forward to it.
*Unless it’s Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe. I’m not sure how it can be so perfect when it’s opposite of my normal reading preferences, but it is.
[I read old fantasy and sci-fi novels written by women authors in search of forgotten gems. See more at forfemfan.com]
September 30, 2014
When Ran gets a job offer he really can't refuse (think of the money!), he and Theodora find themselves embroiled in a plot that borders on treason.
I am not that happy with this book. After the magnificence of book one, I had high hopes. Unfortunately this book was only decent.
Maybe Egan doesn't like writing the intricate bits of romance or something, but I really didn't feel like I could believe Ran and Theodora's relationship. It progressed too quickly and without enough evidence for it to be believable.
I did appreciate the reference of Robin Hood. However, I'm not entirely sure of the point of the whole story. That's probably my biggest gripe. It didn't seem like there was any direction. The initial goal of the plot got interrupted with a hostage situation, and then suddenly we're just drifting into aimless territory. Directionless story.
I was also mildly annoyed that the tinaje didn't come back around. A whole plot point from book one is rendered obsolete here. What was the point of her learning it in the first place then?
One thing I really did appreciate was the slight philosophical musings that were added into this book. The idea that Theodora is appreciated because she adapts easily - but when she sympathizes with the enemies, she is called "too adaptable". It's quite interesting.
I also was really annoyed at the ending of the whole story. Basically the premise of the story was only used to get them into the situation. It wasn't cleanly resolved at all. Like I said, directionless.
But I did like the ending bit about the salad. That made me laugh. And sometimes things really don't have closure.
2.5 stars rounded up. It was okay.
I am not that happy with this book. After the magnificence of book one, I had high hopes. Unfortunately this book was only decent.
Maybe Egan doesn't like writing the intricate bits of romance or something, but I really didn't feel like I could believe Ran and Theodora's relationship. It progressed too quickly and without enough evidence for it to be believable.
I did appreciate the reference of Robin Hood. However, I'm not entirely sure of the point of the whole story. That's probably my biggest gripe. It didn't seem like there was any direction. The initial goal of the plot got interrupted with a hostage situation, and then suddenly we're just drifting into aimless territory. Directionless story.
I was also mildly annoyed that the tinaje didn't come back around. A whole plot point from book one is rendered obsolete here. What was the point of her learning it in the first place then?
One thing I really did appreciate was the slight philosophical musings that were added into this book. The idea that Theodora is appreciated because she adapts easily - but when she sympathizes with the enemies, she is called "too adaptable". It's quite interesting.
I also was really annoyed at the ending of the whole story. Basically the premise of the story was only used to get them into the situation. It wasn't cleanly resolved at all. Like I said, directionless.
But I did like the ending bit about the salad. That made me laugh. And sometimes things really don't have closure.
2.5 stars rounded up. It was okay.
November 27, 2013
Book 2 in this fantasy/sci-fi series. (I don’t usually like to mix the genres, but it works pretty well here.) I liked this one even more than the first book, especially the romantic aspects.
Theodora met Ran Cormallon when she was a vacationing academian who got stranded on the planet Ivory, where magic works (for some people).
In this book they’re in business together and have begun getting married - on Ivory it takes four months to complete the ritual. While on a business trip they’re kidnapped and drafted into service by a band of outlaws who are friendly and charming when they’re not busy killing people. Theo and Ran try not to let the circumstances keep them from advancing their marriage process, although Theo has her doubts about whether she belongs in this violent world.
I like Theo’s character, and I enjoyed her relationship with Ran. He can be a cold fish, but I like the fact that his actions speak louder than his words.
Theodora met Ran Cormallon when she was a vacationing academian who got stranded on the planet Ivory, where magic works (for some people).
In this book they’re in business together and have begun getting married - on Ivory it takes four months to complete the ritual. While on a business trip they’re kidnapped and drafted into service by a band of outlaws who are friendly and charming when they’re not busy killing people. Theo and Ran try not to let the circumstances keep them from advancing their marriage process, although Theo has her doubts about whether she belongs in this violent world.
I like Theo’s character, and I enjoyed her relationship with Ran. He can be a cold fish, but I like the fact that his actions speak louder than his words.
September 14, 2011
I loved this as much as I loved Gates of Ivory, and am mourning all the more the lack of more Doris Egans to look forward to. One more. One. I think I'll wait a bit so they're not all gone.
Theodora's is one of my favourite voices - just a perfect sense of humour and I love the way the tone modulates from comedy to darker, with the likelihood of happy outcomes for all the people you've come to care about looking smaller and smaller, without it's ever going too far. And possibilities exist, coming from the unlikeliest sources! The setting is wonderful, and I love the blend of (maybe) science fiction with (almost definitely) magic.
Theodora's is one of my favourite voices - just a perfect sense of humour and I love the way the tone modulates from comedy to darker, with the likelihood of happy outcomes for all the people you've come to care about looking smaller and smaller, without it's ever going too far. And possibilities exist, coming from the unlikeliest sources! The setting is wonderful, and I love the blend of (maybe) science fiction with (almost definitely) magic.
did-not-finish
January 28, 2022I 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.
August 9, 2018
The second book from Ivory offered as interesting plot as the first one. Theodora is one of the best main female protagonists that I have ever encountered. She is witty, charming and faithful but most importantly she his just like us. She is scared and has her own internal dialogue that makes the story even more interesting. On the other hand Ran as her future husband seems a little indifferent about the dangerous situation that they fell into. But in the end we'll see that he might be even more in love than Theodora. Doris Egan has created a interesting world, where magic does not come easily but has to be calculated and takes time. The experience of reading is so strangely addictive.
June 22, 2021
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2021/0...
In the second volume of the Ivory trilogy, our protagonist and her boyfriend are contemplating marriage and heading out on a routine fact-finding mission, except then they're immediately kidnapped by a band of outlaws. I love the narrative voice--she's a scholar of folk tales and has a sense of humor as she ruminates on their current problems. Again, great characters here, just really interesting and fun. A-.
In the second volume of the Ivory trilogy, our protagonist and her boyfriend are contemplating marriage and heading out on a routine fact-finding mission, except then they're immediately kidnapped by a band of outlaws. I love the narrative voice--she's a scholar of folk tales and has a sense of humor as she ruminates on their current problems. Again, great characters here, just really interesting and fun. A-.
March 23, 2019
The only trilogy I can think of off the top of my head where the middle book is my favourite.
This is due primarily to the marriage cakes plot. And yes, gradual marriage is a super good idea, like many of the ideas in the series.
It also doesn't hurt that we are introduced to many, many characters, a thing Egan is good at & which is unsurprising given her later career.
This is due primarily to the marriage cakes plot. And yes, gradual marriage is a super good idea, like many of the ideas in the series.
It also doesn't hurt that we are introduced to many, many characters, a thing Egan is good at & which is unsurprising given her later career.
August 21, 2019
I have definitely enjoyed the books in this series, but Egan tends to include parts that meander quite a bit, and the endings tend to be anti-climactic. The entire long, last chapter of this book should have been edited out! But her writing is generally quite good, and Theodora of Pyrene is a highly relatable heroine.
April 25, 2020
While I didn't enjoy this one *quite* as unreservedly as the first book, because it felt like there was less Ran in it (though that may just be subjective), I still really liked it. The whole plot is just an excuse for Theo and Ran to have outlaw adventures, and you know what, that's okay with me. The Robin Hood inspiration was really well done.
June 11, 2018
I enjoyed the characters and story of the outlaw band. I have mixed feelings about this series because I don't really understand the world, creatures or technology but I enjoy the characters and Theo's storytelling. I started the next book right away in the hopes that continuity would help.
June 14, 2022
4.5 stars
July 22, 2020
I just enjoy Theodora's narration of her story. The characters are great and the plot is fun.
April 23, 2021
Three and a half stars
July 21, 2013
I loved this trilogy and can't understand why it's not more widely known. The story isn't world shaking or shaping. It's about 2 people kidnapped trying to get back home. I love the writing I find it witty and full of insights. As an example Theo attends some self-defense classes and finds it has an unexpected residual effect. She comments on the fact that learning things can change you without ever having wanted to change. She comments on how Ran approves her attitude when it allows her to integrate into his family but objects to the same attitude when she integrates into other groups. I think it's pretty funny and true that she's surrounded by people who can't tell the difference between her and another outsider even though they look totally different and the only thing they have in common is that they don't look like the native race. It's a case as "you all look alike to us." I love it.
March 18, 2012
This continues to be a story about different cultures. Although some aspects of Ivory's culture teeter on the edge of very unlikely, the book is an enjoyable discussion of negotiating social expectations and 'sides'. Not to mention the nature of story and myth versus experiencing such things in real life.
Which sounds dull, but it's also a romp, overloaded with ordinary people become extraordinary.
Which sounds dull, but it's also a romp, overloaded with ordinary people become extraordinary.
June 23, 2010
300 pages of very little happening, with too many names and not enough character behind the names to keep them interesting, some good banter, some good *moments*, but for the most part, a struggle to get through.
September 10, 2016
It took me forever to finish this book, although I did finish it in the end. It wasn't compelling the way the first book was and I have no desire to read any more of this 'verse. I'm not sure why it wasn't compelling. The premise was interesting enough.
December 22, 2015
I love this series. I can't believe it's so unknown. Not much else to say about it that I didn't already say in my review of the first book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 25, 2024
Reread; I own the paperback omnibus, but I'm actually reading a dubious scanned version on my phone. I'm glad to have the opportunity to revisit this series. I really like the narrator's voice, and the plot keeps moving along. Looking forward to book three.
May 1, 2008
The second book in the trilogy, this one has Ran and Theodora hanging out with rebels. Fun times.
Read
December 1, 2011Got to over half way and realized i'm never really going to finish this. Its fun in its way, but lacks the tension and the inventiveness of the first book.
September 25, 2012
Das erste Buch der Reihe war SF/Fantasy, dies hier ist ein Abenteuerroman, auch gut aber der erste war besser.
November 23, 2012
Light trashy fun.
March 2, 2014
Ms. Egan is very competent in concluding all storylines. It is refreshing to finish a book and not have any unanswered questions.
August 28, 2011
Left out almost everything I liked about the first book. :-(
October 6, 2012
I loved this fantasy -science fiction hybrid. I wish Egan had written more!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews