Status
Available
Call number
Description
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 unleash her own magical talents, in an omnibus edition.
Pages
896
DDC/MDS
| 813 |
Language
Library's review
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
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.)
Show More
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.)
Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Darla
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
* 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
Show More
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.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ninjapenguin
Wonderful. I read the first book years ago and finally found it again recently along with the sequels. All books show a wonderful mastery of demonstrating how to write about a society of POC without sacrificing storytelling.
"Gate of Ivory"
Our protagonist, Theodora, is a folklore scholar stranded on
"Two-Bit Heroes"
Theodora finds herself back on Ivory and having cold feet about her upcoming marriage to Ran. Of course, she does have other things on her mind, such as the local magistrate mistaking Ran for a notorious bandit leader or being kidnapped by said bandit and his gang. Possibly it wasn't the best idea to tell them the stories of Robin Hood.
"Guilt Edged Ivory"
So, Theodora and Ran are married now, but that doesn't mean it's happily ever after. Ran's brother-in-law is being pressured to marry again, and everyone wants to know why Theodora isn't popping out the babies. Plus, Ran's under suspicion of murder, and Theodora keeps having horrible premonitions about her pregnancy. Is there any way this can end well?
"Gate of Ivory"
Our protagonist, Theodora, is a folklore scholar stranded on
Show More
the planet of Ivory without the money or ID to go home. She is hired by the rich sorceror Ran to read his tarot cards--a rather dangerous position as his last reader was killed. She herself is attacked, but in the aftermath grows closer to Ran. When he is framed for corruption and dishonored by a treacherous family member, she saves them both. But while he professes to love her, she isn't sure she wants to stay on such a dangerous planet."Two-Bit Heroes"
Theodora finds herself back on Ivory and having cold feet about her upcoming marriage to Ran. Of course, she does have other things on her mind, such as the local magistrate mistaking Ran for a notorious bandit leader or being kidnapped by said bandit and his gang. Possibly it wasn't the best idea to tell them the stories of Robin Hood.
"Guilt Edged Ivory"
So, Theodora and Ran are married now, but that doesn't mean it's happily ever after. Ran's brother-in-law is being pressured to marry again, and everyone wants to know why Theodora isn't popping out the babies. Plus, Ran's under suspicion of murder, and Theodora keeps having horrible premonitions about her pregnancy. Is there any way this can end well?
Show Less
LibraryThing member SandyAMcPherson
Awkward to hold and read properly. Aside from that, originally reading the stories singly was more enjoyable than the fat volume. My favourite story is the first one (Gate of Ivory); [Spoiler] the final story ends unsatisfactorily, with Ran and Theodora apparently having to adopt a child. The
Show More
genetics part was really lame and implausible. The premise behind the trilogy was overall really good and mostly I liked Egan's writing. Show Less
LibraryThing member amanderson
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,
Show More
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. Show Less
Publication
DAW (2001), Edition: First Printing, 896 pages
Original language
English
Original publication date
2001
Physical description
896 p.; 6.7 inches
ISBN
0756400414 / 9780756400415