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The Gates of Good and Evil #2
The Fatal Gate
The second book in a brand new epic fantasy duology from fan favorite Ian Irvine, set in the world of his View from the Mirror series.The cruel Merdrun, the greatest warriors in the void, have invaded Santhenar but their portal backfired and they're stuck on the tropical Isle of Gwine. They're desperately trying to regain contact with the Summon Stone so they can reopen the portal and begin the slaughter of humanity.The hideous Whelm hold Karan and Llian's daughter, Sulien, in the frozen south and plan to sacrifice her to the Merdrun to gain their favor. Karan races south in a stolen sky ship but fears she will be too late.Llian, hurled through another portal, sees the summon stone wake and knows the allies have but one chance to destroy the Merdrun -- though it will involve an alchemical quest that has always ended in ruin, a mad invasion in untested sky ships with untrained pilots, then the most unequal battle in all the Histories.The Gates of Good and EvilThe Summon StoneThe Fatal Gate
611 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2017
20 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Ian Irvine
74 books657 followersI'm an Australian author of 34 novels, mainly fantasy. They include the bestselling Three Worlds epic fantasy sequence, which has sold over a million print copies. It comprises The View from the Mirror quartet, The Well of Echoes quartet and The Song of the Tears trilogy. I’ve just finished The Gates of Good and Evil quartet, the long-awaited sequel to The View from the Mirror. Book 3, The Perilous Tower, was published recently and the final book, The Sapphire Portal, will be published on November 1, 2020.
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LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week – talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer – to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons – never ‘just because they’re evil’.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage – they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ianirvine.au...
Signup to my email newsletter for free books and special offers, preview chapters, news and other great stuff. https://www.ian-irvine.com/join-my-ne...
LATEST BOOK
WHY I WRITE
Funny thing is, I never wanted to be a writer. From an early age my ambition was to be a scientist. I’m an expert in pollution and I’ve spent my professional life studying it in far-flung places like Mauritius, Sumatra, Mongolia, South Korea, the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea and Western Samoa, as well as all over Australia. Often scuba diving to the bottom of foul, smelly harbours and hammering tubes deep into the polluted mud to collect samples for chemical analysis. Now that’s living!
I was a small, quiet kid who devoured books from the moment I learned to read. When I was naughty, Mum wouldn’t let me read anything for a week – talk about a cruel and unusual punishment.
I discovered fantasy in the early 70’s, with The Lord of the Rings and the Earthsea trilogy, and was immediately hooked. But there wasn’t much fantasy in those days; within a couple of years I’d read everything available. I wanted more and bigger tales, on vaster canvases, but they didn’t exist. That’s why I had to become a writer – to write the kind of stories I wanted to read.
WHAT I WRITE
I’ve never wanted to write about superheroes or huge, reckless warriors who know no fear. I write epic fantasy about underdogs and ordinary people who, in pursuit of their goals, are put to the limit of human endurance. My characters aren’t fantasy stereotypes, they’re real people with believable motivations and unfortunate flaws. I’m well known for strong female characters who have as many adventures as the men, and frequently get them out of trouble (I have five sisters). My characters are often small or clumsy or inexperienced or handicapped in some way, yet they make up for it with cleverness, ingenuity or sheer, low cunning. My antagonists are real, complex people who do bad things for strong and deeply-held reasons – never ‘just because they’re evil’.
Though my characters suffer every kind of torment imaginable, at their lowest point they discover the truest form of courage – they keep fighting because the fate of the people they care for, and the world they love, depends on them never giving up.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS
"Irvine is a veteran storyteller who excels in sustaining complex plots with well-rounded characters. Here, he delivers a compelling tale of vengeance, loyalty, and the search for a place in the world." Starred review, Library Journal (US)
"That Grand Master of the vast epic is with us again! The first gripping volume of what promises to be a vintage Irvine treat. More please!" Crisetta MacLeod, Aurealis Express
"Incredibly exciting. The end will have you eagerly anticipating the next book." Good Reading (Aus)
"He knows how to spin an epic yarn and tell it with real gusto ... ambitious in scope and tirelessly action-stuffed." SFX
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 16, 2018
I've loved most of Ians book, due to the visual descriptions he so masterly conducts.
This latest serie does not disapoint, though I feel with every serie in the 3 worlds tales it does diminish somewhat.
In this particular series I do love that he is wrapping up a lot of questions that are left in the other series. Not that these questions diminished anything in the storyline or characters, but the characters are just so interesting that it makes you wonder about more of their backgrounds.
It was a more than enjoyable read, and im anxiousy awaiting part 3.
This latest serie does not disapoint, though I feel with every serie in the 3 worlds tales it does diminish somewhat.
In this particular series I do love that he is wrapping up a lot of questions that are left in the other series. Not that these questions diminished anything in the storyline or characters, but the characters are just so interesting that it makes you wonder about more of their backgrounds.
It was a more than enjoyable read, and im anxiousy awaiting part 3.
January 28, 2018
Well i spent the first part of the book mildly bored but then, as ever, everything ramped up until That Ending holy fucknuts I literally cannot even I feel like I need to reread every other Irvine book just to get my fix until the third book comes out!
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SPOILERS
Either that or get me a construct and go to the future where the book is already published mwahahah
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SPOILERS
Either that or get me a construct and go to the future where the book is already published mwahahah
July 7, 2024
This was long and sadly not worth it, I had seen reviews of this amazing twist at the end that makes up for the middle bleurgh but alas I don't think it's that big of a deal? This book tries to throw every possible fantasy thing in, magic, abilities, magic swords, time travel and it's just a bit of a mess... shan't be reading the other books in the series.
August 4, 2017
The story continues of the fight against the deadly Merdrun who threaten Santhenar. Ian Irvine has done it again and given us a brilliantly written tale. The characters are well written; strong but flawed. The story moves at a good pace. For fans of Irvine you will love it!
October 25, 2017
Slow to start but stick with it.
June 7, 2019
OMG, Ian, that ending is just not fair.
I eagerly await book 3!
I eagerly await book 3!
April 24, 2021
Main characters not believable, surprisingly ineffectual opponents, not at all convincing
August 26, 2017
Once again, Irvine has destroyed my heart. Two of my favourite characters have died, among countless others. A remnant of the past has returned, and evil is pressuring those on Santhenar, once again.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews