Rating: 
Summary: The Best First-Novel Ever!
Review: "Door into Fire" is one of the best first-novels I've come across--and there have been many since the time I picked up a battered copy at a used-bookstore many years ago. Just reading David Gerrold's "Overture" introducing the book was a treat. He lets you know that this novel is uniquely special. Diane Duane conjures up a believable world that is a little brighter--and better-- than ours, complete with a Goddess who appears in different guises (when you least expect), impossible (or are they?)quests, enduring love, and plenty of magical derring-do. Above all, this book has its heart and soul in the right place--you care deeply about each character throughout the series in their search of self, and you yearn to visit time and again the realm of the Middle Kingdoms. To my delight, she has long since turned the story into a series. Ms. Duane, if you're out there, I hope you will decide write the fourth book someday. I will be looking forward to it!
Rating:
Summary: The Best First-Novel Ever!
Review: "Door into Fire" is one of the best first-novels I've come across--and there have been many since the time I picked up a battered copy at a used-bookstore many years ago. Just reading David Gerrold's "Overture" introducing the book was a treat. He lets you know that this novel is uniquely special. Diane Duane conjures up a believable world that is a little brighter--and better-- than ours, complete with a Goddess who appears in different guises (when you least expect), impossible (or are they?)quests, enduring love, and plenty of magical derring-do. Above all, this book has its heart and soul in the right place--you care deeply about each character throughout the series in their search of self, and you yearn to visit time and again the realm of the Middle Kingdoms. To my delight, she has long since turned the story into a series. Ms. Duane, if you're out there, I hope you will decide write the fourth book someday. I will be looking forward to it!
Rating:
Summary: A Door Into Thoughts; a Door Into Dreams
Review: By a stroke of extreme good fortune that I did not even appreciate at the time, my mother picked all three books of this trilogy up for me on a whim just before they went entirely out of print. Having learned to be wary of Mom's book choices, I wasn't at all certain that I would enjoy them, but I dutifully picked up _Door Into Fire_ and started reading. What a benediction to my mind this chance gift has been!It's worth noting that on first read, this book is confusing; Duane has succeeded in making a society that's truly *different* from our own, and the rules may occasionally surprise. However, persevere! This is a tale of spirituality, romance, magic, loyalty, sacrifice, and power, all the things that a fantasy series must have these days--and all of them done *well*. The portrayals of sorcery and religion are new twists on older ideas, making them at once familiar and startlingly new. And Herewiss's explorations into his soul and those of his companions give plenty of food for thought--what would we see, if we had the ability to look into our own that way? If you can find this book, *buy it*. There is so much that is appealing about it that surely everyone will find something worthwhile between its covers; if all else fails, it's a spirited, intriguing story, and one which will linger in the memory.
Rating:
Summary: A Door Into Thoughts; a Door Into Dreams
Review: By a stroke of extreme good fortune that I did not even appreciate at the time, my mother picked all three books of this trilogy up for me on a whim just before they went entirely out of print. Having learned to be wary of Mom's book choices, I wasn't at all certain that I would enjoy them, but I dutifully picked up _Door Into Fire_ and started reading. What a benediction to my mind this chance gift has been! It's worth noting that on first read, this book is confusing; Duane has succeeded in making a society that's truly *different* from our own, and the rules may occasionally surprise. However, persevere! This is a tale of spirituality, romance, magic, loyalty, sacrifice, and power, all the things that a fantasy series must have these days--and all of them done *well*. The portrayals of sorcery and religion are new twists on older ideas, making them at once familiar and startlingly new. And Herewiss's explorations into his soul and those of his companions give plenty of food for thought--what would we see, if we had the ability to look into our own that way? If you can find this book, *buy it*. There is so much that is appealing about it that surely everyone will find something worthwhile between its covers; if all else fails, it's a spirited, intriguing story, and one which will linger in the memory.
Rating: 
Summary: not very unique
Review: i was a fan of duane's first few wizard books, so i picked this up. i guess i'm in a minority here, but i wasn't very impressed w/ this book. granted, it was one of duane's earliest efforts, but the plot is predictable and book lays on the mythology really thick. also, duane's dialogue feels out of place with its constant, very american-sounding vernacular. there are just a few interesting twists. the most interesting is the way she explores sex and sexuality, and the ideas of open relationships, bisexuality, and sex in relation to religion. it's also nice to see a (mostly) homosexual character in the main role, but the last herald mage series by mercedes lackey is much more poignant. be aware that this edition (1984) is a revised edition and slightly diff. from the original 1979 edition.
Rating: 
Summary: Beauty, love, adventure, pain - all here
Review: Loved this series, seems like forever. My view of a deity I could speak to and not flinch from , came of this world... go read it and you'll see why.
Everyone else told you about the characters and world. I think I memorized huge parts of this book before I even knew I was doing it. That's how special it is.
IF you want another bit of this world, she wrote a story honoring Andre Norton [Moonsinger's World?] with a Rodmistress who always makes me cry. And that's not all bad, either. Won't even let my mother keep this book long, and part of why is Diane's story!
You'd also love her beings in "So you want to be a wizard" series. That's going on book 5 now. Haven't read that yet, but I will, and I know I'll love it.
To all my fellow readers who've been there in your hearts - may the Goddess hold you in Her hand...
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary and unforgettable...
Review: Of all the books I have read in my life that have drawn me into their worlds, this is probably the one that I will remember above all the others. The world that Diane Duane creates is so different from ours and yet seems so incredibly right - a place anyone would want to be. Her characters are so real, drawing you in so you experience all they experience, but doing so with a fantastic sense of humour throughout. This is a book I will never tire of reading, and would recommend to anybody. Once you have read it, you'll want to read the others... and like the rest of us, will hope that Diane manages to finally decide she has finished the last one and publish it!
Rating:
Summary: In Quest of a Focus
Review: The Door Into Fire is the first novel in the Tale of Five series. Herewiss is the heir to the Brightwood, a principality within the Kingdom of Darthen. Herewiss has the potential to be the first male in centuries to use the Power of the Flame; the fire is within him, but cannot be expressed in any meaningful way without a Focus. While training with the Rodmistresses, he has tried various forms of Rods as his Focus, but they all burst. Then he tried swords of wood, ivory and bone, but they all burst. Finally, he tries to imbue steel swords with a form of pseudolife, but even they all burst. In this novel, Herewiss is working on yet another steel sword in the smithy that he has constructed in his bedroom when he receives a message via pigeon that Freelorn, his loved, and his small band have been trapped by a thousand or more armed men in an old keep south of Madeil. Freelorn wants him to come and use his sorcery to save them once again. After getting permission from Hearn, his father and Lord of Brightwater, Herewiss leaves to rescue Freelorn. He rides out on Dapple, who has been blessed with the talent of being at the right place at the right time, but finds another mount at a wayside shelter during a torrential thunderstorm. Sunspark is a fire elemental in the form of a red horse with a golden mane. Since it is newly come to the planet, Sunspark spends too much time absorbing the energy from a brush fire and the rainstorm catches it away from shelter. The water is gradually eating away its energy, but it hears Herewiss calling and almost reaches the shelter before it is unable to move anymore. However, Herewiss and Dapple carry and drag it out of the rain, where it soon recovers. This novel is a tale of adventure and character development. Both Herewiss and Freelorn mature during this novel. Segnbora, another one frustrated by an almost inexpressible Flame, exhibits some changes that might blossom later in this series. However, the major changes occur in Sunspark, the energy being who knows nothing about humanity but is very curious. This novel expresses a philosophy of Life that underlies every aspect of the story: the only way to cheat death is to maximize Life and Love in all its forms. When he has his epiphany, Herewiss finds that he is just a small part of the Life that permeates the Universe. This worldview also underlies the Young Wizards series. This novel incorporates a variant of the Triple Goddess religion as the major spiritual influence; in fact, the Mother and the Maiden play a significant part in the story. This religion promotes various forms of sexual experiences, of which heterosexual sex is special only in that it produces offspring. The Goddess herself has Twin Lovers, her own children by parthenogenesis, who are originally both male, but who die and return, sometimes as male and sometimes as female. Other aspects of the story show a definite Irish influence, but one that antecedes the Celtic infusion. The Fyrd, the aboriginal fauna in the Middle Kingdoms, include horwolves, nadders, and keplians. However, there were no Sidhe nor any other sentients occupying the land prior to the coming of the humans. This series is being republished after being long out of print. The Door Into Fire and The Door Into Shadow were issued as an omnibus edition in 2002 (see The Sword and the Dragon) and the other two (including the hereto unpublished The Door Into Starlight) are scheduled to be released in 2004 (or later). Highly recommended for Duane fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of sword and sorcery with some serious character development.
Rating:
Summary: In Quest of a Focus
Review: The Door Into Fire is the first novel in the Tale of Five series. Herewiss is the heir to the Brightwood, a principality within the Kingdom of Darthen. Herewiss has the potential to be the first male in centuries to use the Power of the Flame; the fire is within him, but cannot be expressed in any meaningful way without a Focus. While training with the Rodmistresses, he has tried various forms of Rods as his Focus, but they all burst. Then he tried swords of wood, ivory and bone, but they all burst. Finally, he tries to imbue steel swords with a form of pseudolife, but even they all burst. In this novel, Herewiss is working on yet another steel sword in the smithy that he has constructed in his bedroom when he receives a message via pigeon that Freelorn, his loved, and his small band have been trapped by a thousand or more armed men in an old keep south of Madeil. Freelorn wants him to come and use his sorcery to save them once again. After getting permission from Hearn, his father and Lord of Brightwater, Herewiss leaves to rescue Freelorn. He rides out on Dapple, who has been blessed with the talent of being at the right place at the right time, but finds another mount at a wayside shelter during a torrential thunderstorm. Sunspark is a fire elemental in the form of a red horse with a golden mane. Since it is newly come to the planet, Sunspark spends too much time absorbing the energy from a brush fire and the rainstorm catches it away from shelter. The water is gradually eating away its energy, but it hears Herewiss calling and almost reaches the shelter before it is unable to move anymore. However, Herewiss and Dapple carry and drag it out of the rain, where it soon recovers. This novel is a tale of adventure and character development. Both Herewiss and Freelorn mature during this novel. Segnbora, another one frustrated by an almost inexpressible Flame, exhibits some changes that might blossom later in this series. However, the major changes occur in Sunspark, the energy being who knows nothing about humanity but is very curious. This novel expresses a philosophy of Life that underlies every aspect of the story: the only way to cheat death is to maximize Life and Love in all its forms. When he has his epiphany, Herewiss finds that he is just a small part of the Life that permeates the Universe. This worldview also underlies the Young Wizards series. This novel incorporates a variant of the Triple Goddess religion as the major spiritual influence; in fact, the Mother and the Maiden play a significant part in the story. This religion promotes various forms of sexual experiences, of which heterosexual sex is special only in that it produces offspring. The Goddess herself has Twin Lovers, her own children by parthenogenesis, who are originally both male, but who die and return, sometimes as male and sometimes as female. Other aspects of the story show a definite Irish influence, but one that antecedes the Celtic infusion. The Fyrd, the aboriginal fauna in the Middle Kingdoms, include horwolves, nadders, and keplians. However, there were no Sidhe nor any other sentients occupying the land prior to the coming of the humans. This series is being republished after being long out of print. The Door Into Fire and The Door Into Shadow were issued as an omnibus edition in 2002 (see The Sword and the Dragon) and the other two (including the hereto unpublished The Door Into Starlight) are scheduled to be released in 2004 (or later). Highly recommended for Duane fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of sword and sorcery with some serious character development.
Rating:
Summary: The start of something wonderful
Review: The Tale of the Five is one of my favorite series. The Door into Fire is the story of a prince with a quest sets out rescue his freind, who is king in exile of the neighboring kingdom. This and the rest of the series are a fascinating set of adventures. The fourth book is written, and all four are being printed by Meisha Merlin in two omnibus volumes. I've checked, the first one is due in Sept. 2001.
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