The Demons at Rainbow Bridge

Rating:
Summary: Decent Action and plenty to chew on- but ultimately shallow
Review: As the characters spiral their way down through the depths of hell and toward the ultimate destiny of a fragmented humanity, so we as readers spiral through revelation and enjoyable action sequences in an exciting mix of horror, sci-fi, and myth. It tells the tale of three teams from rival empires. Their quest is one of discovery- to uncover the secrets of a race of Demons. Their only clues along this journey are the myths and beliefs of their own cultures that must have experienced the Demons first hand thousands of years in the past. The twist of this story is it's challenge of religious beliefs by the standards of science fiction. While Chalker strips away shrouds of biblical dogma, he quickly replaces it with sci-fi rationale. While this does have the effect of revealing the wizard as an old man behind a curtain, it validates the underpinnings of religion by giving substance to human myths. Whether you are deeply religious, anti-religious or just plain neutral on the subject like me, I think you'll enjoy the author's attempt to create a fantasy world where the tensions between science and theology can be bridged with rational observation. As we grow up in a society whose cultural beliefs are constantly challenged by the rigor of science, this book gives us a chance to look back to Sunday School and ask, "What if science could validate and explain all that bible mumbo-jumbo?" Such questions are answered with the help of characters representing three distinct viewpoints- Theological fanatics (The Mizlaplan Team), Capitalist businessmen (Exchange), and amoral opportunists (Mychol). Each viewpoint is further enhanced by each team-member who give the extreme, moderate, and even doubter's mindsets to each philosophy. This spectrum of viewpoints gives the reader a whole set of opinions to take with the plotline.

Unfortunately, this book cannot survive on ideas alone. His Empires, though intriguing, are one dimensional and thus unbelievable. ...P>All that having been said, the series is a quick read sure to entertain you. If you go into it expecting depth, you'll be disappointed. But if you expect something to keep you turning pages while waiting for your flight to dock, it is right up your alley.

Rating:
Summary: ...it's a very good book...but...
Review: Don't get me wrong...the book was well writen and all... there is alot of story between the different empires of the book and the character had...some life in them. It the only thing wrong was the way some of the story...like timing... could have been way better writen... like the polt twists. Some of them were way to predictable. But this is a very small problem that most people will over look...a very good book.

Rating:
Summary: Undecided
Review: I found this book to be fairly dis-jointed. The plot that was finally presented at the very end seemed like it could be interesting. Maybe Chalker pulls things together better later in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Dripping with philosophy, ending unimpressive.
Review: Jack L Chalker did wonders with the Well World Saga. His witty cynicisim and infinite imagination do not end there. In "Deamons at Rainbow Bridge" he takes on another set of philisophical themes. However, dealing not with racial differences as in the Well saga nor with crime and punishment as in Lords of the Diamond Chalker takes a good hard look at Governement, it's form, It's ideaology and it's implications. Three interplanetary empires, the capitolist Exchange, the Naziesque Mychol and the theocratic Miztlapan (Excuse me if I misspelled that) wrestle for control of the known galaxy. Told in multiple points of view with an thourough examination from the perspectives of each of the empires, Chalker is oddly holistic though this work does retain his typical anti-religion undertones. One warning, this book is clearly the first in a series. The tale only begins here. Do not pick this book up expecting a complete telling, expect a saga from page one.

Rating:
Summary: Only Mr. Chalker can take 3 ideas and give them one goal!
Review: Mr.Chalker's story is a winner! Demons at Rainbow Bridge is a story about three empires with three different philosophy. Until they meet the Demons at Rainbow bridge and its crash and burn from on in.

Rating:
Summary: A Definite 10!
Review: This book is one of fantasy's best kept secrets. I've read literally hundreds of science fiction / fantasy books in the last ten years, and I wouldn't hesitate to include The Demons at Rainbow Bridge as one of the most enjoyable and rewarding reads available. The story is exciting and original, and the unconventional characters are truly, truly entertaining... You can't go wrong with this one!

Rating:
Summary: Ho-hum sci-fi
Review: This book tricked me into reading it. It starts out promising, but after 300 pages of unimaginative character development, it leaves the reader without an ending. I felt cheated. Nowhere on the book jacket did it state that it is the beginning of a series. I recommend the "Well of Souls" over this series.

Rating:
Summary: Good introduction
Review: Though this book introduces some facinating characters from various species of space-faring races (something Chalker is excellent at as shown in his Well World series) the more than 300 pages is only a prelude setting the stage for the other two books in the series. As an introduction it is good but can not by any means stand on its own as a novel. If the publisher will not do a full 900 page book to contain the whole story the cover should warn the reader that this is only an overture in no uncertain terms. This is not to diminish Chalker but only the publishing mentality.