The Lost Gate

Orson Scott Card

Jan 2011 · Mither Mages Book 1 · Sold by Tor Books

About this ebook

Orson Scott Card's The Lost Gate is the first book in the Mithermages series from the New York Times bestselling author of Ender's Game.

Danny North knew from early childhood that his family was different, and that he was different from them. While his cousins were learning how to create the things that commoners called fairies, ghosts, golems, trolls, werewolves, and other such miracles that were the heritage of the North family, Danny worried that he would never show a talent, never form an outself.

He grew up in the rambling old house, filled with dozens of cousins, and aunts and uncles, all ruled by his father. Their home was isolated in the mountains of western Virginia, far from town, far from schools, far from other people.

There are many secrets in the House, and many rules that Danny must follow. There is a secret library with only a few dozen books, and none of them in English — but Danny and his cousins are expected to become fluent in the language of the books. While Danny's cousins are free to create magic whenever they like, they must never do it where outsiders might see.

Unfortunately, there are some secrets kept from Danny as well. And that will lead to disaster for the North family.

The Mithermages series
The Lost Gate
The Gate Thief
Gatefather

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Ratings and reviews

I am something of a newcomer to Orson Scott Card's work. I have recently fallen in love with both Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow, so I was somewhat surprised to find a fantasy novel written by such a famed sci-fi author. Not only does Card have an incredible affinity for epic fantasy, but his ability to write from the point of view of a young teen translates just as well in this genre as it did in the Ender books. The world he creates with the Families of Westil and their decline following their exile from the homeland is rich and captivating, allowing the reader to seamlessly mesh the history we know with the alternate history detailed in this book. The way he explains our ideas of gods and the supernatural through the magic of the natives of Westil will fascinate anyone with an interest in mythology. Studying mythology was what drove me to read fantasy novels in the first place, with their magic and heroic deeds and happy (or tragic) endings, so I always enjoy reading fantasy novels that incorporate classical mythology. Fans of Neil Gaiman's American Gods, Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series, and Christopher Golden's Mythhunters series will love this beginning to the trilogy.

Great world building and fun concept, but weird plot and failed attempts at deeper meaning ultimately make this a solid read for the plane or train, but not something to get engrossed in during true down time.

I am writing this review literally five minutes after finishing the book and about twelve hours after buying it. From the first page to the last it is difficult to put down. If you are into fantasy books even remotely then this is a book for you.

About the author

Orson Scott Card is the author of the novels Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, and Speaker for the Dead. Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead both won Hugo and Nebula Awards, making Card the only author to win these two top prizes in consecutive years. There are seven other novels to date in The Ender Universe series. Card has also written fantasy: The Tales of Alvin Maker is a series of fantasy novels set in frontier America; The Lost Gate, is a contemporary magical fantasy. Card has written many other stand-alone sf and fantasy novels, as well as movie tie-ins and games, and publishes an internet-based science fiction and fantasy magazine, Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. Card was born in Washington and grew up in California, Arizona, and Utah. He served a mission for the LDS Church in Brazil in the early 1970s. Besides his writing, Card directs plays and teaches writing and literature at Southern Virginia University. He lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, with his wife, Kristine Allen Card, and youngest daughter, Zina Margaret.