Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn

Rating:
Summary: This really changed my way of looking on the world...
Review: ...which really few books do, only George R R Martin and Robin Hobb has done this before, but to be guided through the Mythago Wood by strange characters and great stories, was a real treat, so I won't spoil anything for anybody by telling you what its all about and such :)

If you enjoy Robert Holdstock, you won't be dissapointed, trust me and if you like twisted dreamlike ideas and is a fan of the ways of the mind, then don't miss this.

Enjoy it!!

Rating:
Summary: A haunting and moving fantasy
Review: Holdstock's latest welcome addition to the Mythago series is, chronologically-speaking, a prequel, focusing chiefly on George Huxley's (possibly) ill-fated son Christian. Gate of Ivory stands up very well however as a complete story in its own right and would be an excellent gate of entry for any lovers of heroic fantasy to pass through, who have yet to sample the delights and terrors of Ryhope Wood.

Intertwined around the principal saga, which concerns Christian's quest to exorcise the dreadful memories of his mother's suicide, are numerous enthralling sub-plots, each containing echoes of half-remembered legends, which grab the reader at a visceral level. Anyone who has ever loved will feel a pang of recognition with Christian's pursuit of Guiwenneth and the parallel myths that draw Issabeau and Someone together have a lot to tell us about finding ones soul-mate. Holdstock tells us much about the true nature of friendship and respect and also makes us taste the bitterness of irrevocable loss. To compliment the profundity however, there is also much levity. Gate of Ivory contains probably more humourous tableaux than any other Mythago novel; Kylhuk's diet, Christian's unwise mocking of Gwyr and his "recognition" of Anambioros Son of Oisingeteros form amusing counterpoints to the grim events that surround them.

Fundamentally, Gate of Ivory is also a rattling good adventure story with swords and sorcery aplenty and heroic journeys through some very strange lands and with equally strange travelling companions.

I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to all lovers of fantasy.

Rating:
Summary: Business as usual.
Review: In fact, I didn't really expect Robert Holdstock to come up with this kind of a prequel to his older stories. I thought that stuff was reserved for serial fantasy writers like Eddings & co. Of course it' s interesting to learn about Christian Huxley's doings before the adventures described in the original Mythago Wood, but it's also disturbing, since by now it's clear that Holdstock has lost whatever inspiration used to drive him on. Merlin's Wood was a sorry excuse for a book, and this is not much better, even though it's subject matter leaves space for something much more brilliant. The book doesn't have any intensity, not much emotion either. It's so uninteresting that I had to make myself read it through. Good then that in the end things got somewhat better, and the final conflict even offers an acceptable reason for Christian's transforming into a brother-slaying monster.

It just seems to me that Holdstock didn't have enough ideas, and he didn't ever really paid mind to the book himself. If this is all he can do, he should either quit or change the setting. Haven't we had enough Mythago Wood books? The Hollowing was still good, but now it seems to me that this is not a way to go.

Rating:
Summary: Avoid this book
Review: Some like horror; other readers like a good mystery, but don't read this book unless you find confusion entertaining. I have read the other reviews and I have to disagree. Yes the _premise_ is imaginative but as I read, I found myself waiting for something to make sense and the _story_ to begin. The book lacks character introductions, character descriptions and enlightening dialogue. I finally got some dialogue well past the point where I expected it but it did little to clear up matters. Once the book does get underway, watch out for rapid changes in backdrop and characters, usually without warning or transitional language. I found myself having to go back and re-read to decipher what was going on. A technical manual would have been a n easier read. Finally, the gratuitous bodily fluid descriptions are a bit disturbing, all the worse if they are important to the story.

So, the final score on this one: while very imaginative and original, the lack of characterization, the numerous plot shifts combined with a void of detail on the hero manage to torpedo a promising story.

Rating:
Summary: Christian Huxley's story.
Review: The (currently) latest book in the Mythago cycle tells the story of Christian Huxley, whom we first met in the role of ruthless killer in "Mythago Wood". This book provides a sympathetic treatment of Christian, explaining his history with the barbarian princess Guiwenneth, and giving startling insight into the tragic end of Jennifer Huxley, his mother. The book focuses on Christian's early career in Ryhope Wood, showing us the events which eventually led to his decline, but omitting the decline itself. I liked the book, but was a bit disappointed with the ending; it seemed to me that his impasse with both Jennifer and Guiwenneth at the end could have been negotiated to a more satisfactory conclusion - in fact, it's a bit unbelievable to me that Christian wasn't able to do so. Also, the book just didn't "grab" me as strongly as the previous books (which I would have rated as 10's). However, fans of the Mythago cycle will not want to pass this one up, because it expands our understanding of events around Ryhope significantly further. I do appreciate the fact that Mr. Holdstock is going back to tie up some of the numerous loose ends that the previous books leave dangling, and I hope he will continue this trend.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Way to go Robert!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work and keep those books coming! Anyone who has not read Robert Holdstock is missing out. The stories are complex, but well worth the effort. You will be continually guessing. If you are into science fiction fantasy, you'll find Holdstock at the top of the list of great writers.

Also recommended: J.R.R. Tolkein, C.S. Lewis, Robert Jordan

Rating:
Summary: His best work since Mythago Wood
Review: WOW...is all I have to say after reading Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn. Unlike his other efforts since Mythago Wood itself, this book provided that same stomach-knotting pleasure-pain climax that the original possessed. I highly recommend it.
That's not to say it's perfect. I found Christian's exploits with Legion a bit boring, frankly. Also, Holdstock has taken Ryhope Wood to its most extreme yet in terms of time-space distortion. It got a little confusing.
But Holdstock has succeeded immeasurably in his "Sympathy for the Devil" look at Christian. For those who wondered how he became the monster he did in Mythago Wood, here is your answer, beautifully wrought. The phrase "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions" could have been made to describe the ending of this book. Christian did everything right (he even chose the right gate!), but could not escape his destiny, and in the end just accepted it.
The final chapters and coda of Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn are well worth every long-in-the-tooth saga of Legion's exploits. The ending makes the reader think, wonder, feel sorry for Christian AND Guiwinneth, and wonder where in the very circular timeline of events could Christian have changed his fate. Also you realize that Steven had the deck stacked in his favor before HIS tale even began. Which leads the reader to re-ponder Mythago Wood, and so the circle continues. The great timeless mythic quality that Lavondyss, among others, lacked is here in droves.
In short, Gate of Ivory, Gate of Horn, while not quite as outstanding as Mythago Wood (which I consider the best fantasy work, EVER - makes Tolkien look like an amateur) is really close. Read it.