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thinde's review
5.0
How would you feel if you were suddenly asked to live someone else's life? A life where you are being saught by the police, organized-crime and an unwanted prospective bride. In "The Gandalara Cycle," the old and dying Ricardo Carillo finds himself in the body of a young man, in an unfamiliar world, with a large lump on his head and a freakishly large cat stalking him.
There are seven books in this series and each of them is a good read. I particularly like the first novel because Ricardo is seeing everything with fresh eyes. His unique way of dealing with things prompts some interesting reactions from all those who think they know him. In a sense, many believe the problems of other people are minor, in comparison to their own. This story allows us to explore that theory. Can a complete stranger untangle a young man's life?
All seven novels are tied to a logical plot-line but this structure is revealed a small piece at a time. In this way, the narrative is full of enough suspense and action to encourage some very quick reading. There is occasional misdirection so that we have to turn our personal theories upside-down, several times. It's good value, because each time that happens, you are forced to review what has already happened in a new light.
The society depicted is not overly different to reality, although the inclusion of a small minority,, is pivotal. This concept has been well explored elsewhere but the author uses the subtle variations well, drawing the possibilities into new and interesting directions, both political and metaphysical. These books should interest those who enjoy traditional science fiction as well as fantasy buffs. Although often out of print, I recommend you try to find secondhand copies somewhere.
There are seven books in this series and each of them is a good read. I particularly like the first novel because Ricardo is seeing everything with fresh eyes. His unique way of dealing with things prompts some interesting reactions from all those who think they know him. In a sense, many believe the problems of other people are minor, in comparison to their own. This story allows us to explore that theory. Can a complete stranger untangle a young man's life?
All seven novels are tied to a logical plot-line but this structure is revealed a small piece at a time. In this way, the narrative is full of enough suspense and action to encourage some very quick reading. There is occasional misdirection so that we have to turn our personal theories upside-down, several times. It's good value, because each time that happens, you are forced to review what has already happened in a new light.
The society depicted is not overly different to reality, although the inclusion of a small minority,
Spoiler
who possess extrasensory giftsmidlifehedgewitch's review
4.0
Read this sometime back in 1986 and then forgot all about it. Forgot the authors' names, the title, even the major plot points. Sadly, I gave away hundreds of 1980s fantasy in the 1990s when I moved house a lot. So...I'm going to get me a copy of this and re-read it. Wonder how my 52 year old self will rate the book compared to my 19 year old self
manwithanagenda's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The 'Gandalara Cycle' was one of those great, accidental reads. It was given to me along with a bunch of other SF and fantasy books in middle school and despite their battered appearance rose to the top of the stack of books I wanted to read. Right now.
That decision may or may not have been influenced by the fact that the bad-ass dude on the cover was riding a giant cat. How cool is that?
Also on top of the pile was Alan Dean Foster's 'Icerigger Trilogy',which featured badass pirate cats on the cover (also good).
There books are not as corny as you might suspect, and the series is madly ambitious. Written over the course of the 1970s it started as a husband-wife team-up but aside from an extensive outline, Garrett got sick and the series was almost entirely written by his wife, Heydron.
I enjoyed it a lot back 'in the day' and it still holds up now.
So if you're looking for some high concept, light and on the obscure side in science fiction, this might be just what you're looking for.
My thoughts on the individual books as I read them:
'The Steel of Raithskar'
'The Glass of Dyskornis'
'The Bronze of Eddarta'
Next Omnibus: 'Gandalara Cycle Omnibus II'
That decision may or may not have been influenced by the fact that the bad-ass dude on the cover was riding a giant cat. How cool is that?
Also on top of the pile was Alan Dean Foster's 'Icerigger Trilogy',which featured badass pirate cats on the cover (also good).
There books are not as corny as you might suspect, and the series is madly ambitious. Written over the course of the 1970s it started as a husband-wife team-up but aside from an extensive outline, Garrett got sick and the series was almost entirely written by his wife, Heydron.
I enjoyed it a lot back 'in the day' and it still holds up now.
So if you're looking for some high concept, light and on the obscure side in science fiction, this might be just what you're looking for.
My thoughts on the individual books as I read them:
'The Steel of Raithskar'
'The Glass of Dyskornis'
'The Bronze of Eddarta'
Next Omnibus: 'Gandalara Cycle Omnibus II'
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