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Rating: 
Summary: not for fantasy fans only!
Review: I am not usually a fan of fantasy novels, but this novel and the three that follow it are one of the few exceptions to this. The most interesting aspect of the novel (and series) to me is the way both of the major characters, Morgaine and Vanye, are bound by their oaths to paths they would not otherwise have chosen. This novel deals more with Vanye than with Morgaine, and this reluctant warrior who will above all else honor his oath makes an extremely interesting character. Morgaine's character will be more fully developed in the novels to come; this first one belongs to Vanye. This is very human fantasy, a heroic reflection of all the things we do because we have said we would.
Rating: 
Summary: Hrmmm......
Review: It wasn't that bad, but first let me note that the other 7 reviewers here have read this entire series (some more than once) and for the most part, they each seem to be lumping all the books into one review here.I, however, as a first time Cherryh reader, found this book to be rather dry. The premise, setting, description, and characters were decent enough and it was quite unlike most other fantasy I've read. But it didn't really capture my imagination as it had theirs. Still, I hope that when I continue the series with WELL of SHIUAN, it will pick up as they have alluded, but for now -I am not sold on this one. Time will tell!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Heartfelt, Intense...and one EXTREME sword!!!
Review: This was my first Cherryh book. I read it and promptly read it again. I was flabbergasted by the power of it. I read it again. What it is that Carol Cherryh did, I am not certain. I can describe it as powerful,yes, heavy, profound, clever, astute, but I am not yet getting close. I've often thought of the role of a modern writer as the same as that of the ancient tribal mythologist, the preserver, interpreter and creator of frontal lobe symbol-stories that hold a culture of creatures such as us together, thrill us and explain our urges and dreams. This book reads like that. Joseph Campbell with his heroes and Carl Jung with his archetypes would have much to say of it. But it is also a damn good read. The style smacks slightly of the best of Tolkein with a strong dose of Old Testament, maybe. Good writing anyway. I was glad there were other "Gate" books to continue with though none whacked me in the head and heart like this one. Of course I have gone on to all the other Cherryh books, I have a shelf that is as long as I am tall that won't contain them all. She is master of "worlds" and master of her own unique style of "steam of consciousness." She's now tops in straight S.F. as well. She's changed a lot since Ivril, but she went way back there once to do another Morgaine book, and I wouldn't be surprised if she did it again. When I was a kid, the Lone Ranger was number one, but he never made mistakes. The whole point of most of Cherryh's books are the mistakes that people make. My reader's Tee-shirt reads "Morgaine Yes' as per C.H. Cherryh." and most everything else by her too.
Rating:
Summary: beginning of one of the finest SF series I've seen
Review: _Gate_ is a great beginning to the Morgaine novels. Morgaine is an excellent heroine, breaking a lot of the lame stereotypes that lesser writers have fallen back on when it was too much effort to create a strong, unique female protagonist. If you appreciate a heroine who is all business and only fleetingly vulnerable, Morgaine is the genuine article. Vanye makes the perfect foil to her: fallible, afraid, loyal, and very human. To give just one example of Cherryh's descriptive talents without spoiling the book, if you close your eyes and visualize when Morgaine draws her primary weapon, a shiver will probably go down your back. Rare indeed is the author who can scare you without resorting to grossness. You could save time by ordering _Well of Shiuan_, _Fires of Azeroth_, and _Exile's Gate_ at the same time you order this one. If you order this one you are going to want the other three anyway.
Rating:
Summary: beginning of one of the finest SF series I've seen
Review: _Gate_ is a great beginning to the Morgaine novels. Morgaine is an excellent heroine, breaking a lot of the lame stereotypes that lesser writers have fallen back on when it was too much effort to create a strong, unique female protagonist. If you appreciate a heroine who is all business and only fleetingly vulnerable, Morgaine is the genuine article. Vanye makes the perfect foil to her: fallible, afraid, loyal, and very human. To give just one example of Cherryh's descriptive talents without spoiling the book, if you close your eyes and visualize when Morgaine draws her primary weapon, a shiver will probably go down your back. Rare indeed is the author who can scare you without resorting to grossness. You could save time by ordering _Well of Shiuan_, _Fires of Azeroth_, and _Exile's Gate_ at the same time you order this one. If you order this one you are going to want the other three anyway.
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