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Gandalara Cycle #2
The Glass of Dyskornis
For Ricardo Carillo, taking over the life of the swordsman Markasset on the desert world of Gandalara had its compensations but....
177 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1982
29 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Randall Garrett
441 books87 followersRandall Garrett's full name was Gordon Randall Phillip David Garrett. For more information about him see https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?239
He was married to Vicki Ann Heydron
His pseudonyms include: Gordon Randall Garrett, Gordon Aghill, Grandal Barretton, Alexander Blade, Ralph Burke, Gordon Garrett, David Gordon, Richard Greer, Ivar Jorgenson, Darrel T. Langart, Blake MacKenzie, Jonathan Blake MacKenzie, Seaton Mckettrig, Clyde (T.) Mitchell, Mark Phillips (with Laurence Janifer), Robert Randall, Leonard G. Spencer, S.M. Tenneshaw, Gerald Vance.
He was married to Vicki Ann Heydron
His pseudonyms include: Gordon Randall Garrett, Gordon Aghill, Grandal Barretton, Alexander Blade, Ralph Burke, Gordon Garrett, David Gordon, Richard Greer, Ivar Jorgenson, Darrel T. Langart, Blake MacKenzie, Jonathan Blake MacKenzie, Seaton Mckettrig, Clyde (T.) Mitchell, Mark Phillips (with Laurence Janifer), Robert Randall, Leonard G. Spencer, S.M. Tenneshaw, Gerald Vance.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 2, 2022
The saga continues, with Rickardon determined to learn more about the Sharith, Gandalara's cat cavalry of the past, and find the stolen Ra'ira to return it to Raithskar. On the way, he meets an intriguing illusionist, Tarani, who will have a profound effect on him and his new life.
This takes the storyline in a different direction, no longer just the usual 'quest for the mystic lost object' of sci-fi cliche, but exploring and expanding the world Ricardo now finds himself in. It's a very cinematic style of storytelling and the book gallops along at a great pace.
This takes the storyline in a different direction, no longer just the usual 'quest for the mystic lost object' of sci-fi cliche, but exploring and expanding the world Ricardo now finds himself in. It's a very cinematic style of storytelling and the book gallops along at a great pace.
September 26, 2015
Nice 2nd book in this displaced person fantasy series. Good easy and entertaining read. Recommended
March 26, 2021
Another good entry in The Gandalara Cycle.
We continue to follow Ricardo as he makes his way through his new life. His mind may be of earth, but he is definitely a Gandalaran now. And he needs to figure out how to move forward. He has three job offers, none of which really appeal. he decides on a vacation first, and sets off for Thagorn, where he ends up accepting one of the jobs, despite misgivings. An assasination attempt sends him and Thymus chasing after Tarani the illusionist. Thymus fancies himself in love with Tarani, and goes to protect her from Rickardon, whom Thymus doesn't trust.
Tarani finds them, and reveals she was forced to bring the assassins with her troupe if her uncle is to live. So the three set off to save her uncle, and maybe find Garlas, who stole the Ra'ira in the first book, and plans to use it to rule the world.
Adventure, and mayhem follow. Looking forward to the next 5 books.
We continue to follow Ricardo as he makes his way through his new life. His mind may be of earth, but he is definitely a Gandalaran now. And he needs to figure out how to move forward. He has three job offers, none of which really appeal. he decides on a vacation first, and sets off for Thagorn, where he ends up accepting one of the jobs, despite misgivings. An assasination attempt sends him and Thymus chasing after Tarani the illusionist. Thymus fancies himself in love with Tarani, and goes to protect her from Rickardon, whom Thymus doesn't trust.
Tarani finds them, and reveals she was forced to bring the assassins with her troupe if her uncle is to live. So the three set off to save her uncle, and maybe find Garlas, who stole the Ra'ira in the first book, and plans to use it to rule the world.
Adventure, and mayhem follow. Looking forward to the next 5 books.
May 15, 2021
Ricardo Carillo. now Rikardon, gets two job offers. The problem is he is still new to his body and getting adjusted to this new world and he just wants time to adjust. So he goes to visit the Sharith, the other cat riders of this world. There he is tricked into accepting the captaincy of the group. Then starts his quest first to find a would be assassin and then to recover the Ra'ira.
This book is a direct continuation of the first book in the series "The Steel of Raithskar". Again the reader is a thrust into an alien world seen from the point of view of the 'modern' man. It seemed to lack some of the newness and wonder conveyed in the first novel. It was still interesting but not as great as the first one.
This book is a direct continuation of the first book in the series "The Steel of Raithskar". Again the reader is a thrust into an alien world seen from the point of view of the 'modern' man. It seemed to lack some of the newness and wonder conveyed in the first novel. It was still interesting but not as great as the first one.
January 16, 2023
I'm really enjoying this series, although the writing is definitely what I'd characterize as "old school" - at times it feels like reading, I don't know, a Dungeons & Dragons manual or something, as the author/narrator waxes professorial on the anthropological tendencies of a particular city-state. That said, the lack of sexism is really nice and this book introduces Tarani, a complex and interesting female lead who has an ongoing romantic/sexual relationship with someone other than our hero and a past as a sex worker (which was pragmatic and survival-based, albeit not regretted, rather than sexy-glamorous). The ongoing mystery remains unsolved so it's on to the next book in the series.
June 13, 2022
The narrative clips right along. A good summer book if you just want to have some fun. I'll probably finish the series eventually. Light Sword-and-Sorcery stuff with an added sci-fi twist to it. We shall see. My one issue is that the covers don't reflect what the characters look like at all. Where are the tusks, huh? I guess tusked women just don't draw in the readers.
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November 5, 2020This is a great series so far and a fast read!
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October 23, 2025For Ricardo Carillo, taking over the life of the swordsman Markasset on the desert world of Gandalara had its compensations but....
March 26, 2024
This one is more hectic and exciting than the first book in the series (although that was by no means dull). It’s a page-turner, which I found hard to put down, although I’ve read it before.
Another way of putting it is that it’s moving more briskly through the plot and now lingering less over particular scenes and background details. It’s a sequel worth reading, but I find it slightly less enjoyable and memorable than the first book, despite the welcome entrance of Tarani as a major female character.
The scenario is now less novel: the series has done with the introduction and is getting down to business.
We start to find out more about the politics of Gandalara and about the significance of the Ra’ira.
Another way of putting it is that it’s moving more briskly through the plot and now lingering less over particular scenes and background details. It’s a sequel worth reading, but I find it slightly less enjoyable and memorable than the first book, despite the welcome entrance of Tarani as a major female character.
The scenario is now less novel: the series has done with the introduction and is getting down to business.
We start to find out more about the politics of Gandalara and about the significance of the Ra’ira.
June 20, 2018
1990 grade B-
2018 grade C+
With Heydron
Book two in a seven book series which I did not know initially. The first 40% is sort of a "day in the life" story with no obvious reason for the activities. It is interesting, beautifully written, and a fast read but not fulfilling. Once the action starts the purpose is a little clearer. But, in the end, the protagonists effectively fail to achieve their goals so there is really no point. I don't plan to read anymore of the books. It is over long in places but very easy to speed read them.
2018 grade C+
With Heydron
Book two in a seven book series which I did not know initially. The first 40% is sort of a "day in the life" story with no obvious reason for the activities. It is interesting, beautifully written, and a fast read but not fulfilling. Once the action starts the purpose is a little clearer. But, in the end, the protagonists effectively fail to achieve their goals so there is really no point. I don't plan to read anymore of the books. It is over long in places but very easy to speed read them.
July 16, 2010
Ricardo/Markasset had made an enemy out of a local criminal lord, Worfit. So Ricardo and Keeshah left Raithskar to visit Thagorn, the city where the other warcat riders live. But he soon finds himself looking for the murderer who had stolen the Ra'ira, the gem he was accused of stealing in the last book. He is accompanied by the beautiful illusionist, Tarani.
April 28, 2015
I have honestly forgotten everything about these books except how much I loved them -- and I'm loving them again.
They're page-turners, that's for sure. Exciting adventures told from a strong first-person somewhat reluctant hero, I certainly do remember why I loved them so much when I was in college. WELL worth reading again!
They're page-turners, that's for sure. Exciting adventures told from a strong first-person somewhat reluctant hero, I certainly do remember why I loved them so much when I was in college. WELL worth reading again!
July 2, 2019
A perennial favorite
This series has been one of my favorites since I first discovered it many years ago. I reread it every couple of years. It’s a sci-fi/fantasy setting, but it’s main theme is family.
This series has been one of my favorites since I first discovered it many years ago. I reread it every couple of years. It’s a sci-fi/fantasy setting, but it’s main theme is family.
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August 23, 2008isbn,original
April 23, 2011
Another great continuation of the saga of Rikardon and his telepathic warcat Keeshah. Fantastic read!
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April 7, 2012Ne abbiamo parlato sul blog nell'articolo sul planetary romance:
http://wp.me/p29Hyy-2w
http://wp.me/p29Hyy-2w
September 16, 2015
Great second book in a very inventive series.
February 5, 2016
reading this series again felt like coming home. Love the prose. Decent female characters too, especially for something this old.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews